England Netball recognises the pressure on the education sector to deliver against National Curriculum targets and outcomes and the growing demand on clubs to ensure they are delivering in a high quality environment. Therefore, the England Netball School Club Link programme has been developed as a ‘support tool’ for Teachers (primary and secondary), Partnership Development Managers, School Sports Co-ordinators, Competition Managers and Clubs, offering an integrated approach linked to partner outcomes. The programme offers a step by step guide to developing a high quality School Club Link and is supported with resources and examples of best practice.

By working in partnership with School Sports Partnerships, Clubs, County Sports Partnerships and the Netball infrastructure, England netball is committed to increasing the number of children participating in clubs from School Sport Partnerships (SSPs) and to increase the number of CAPS/Clubmark accredited Netball clubs.

The benefits of creating School/Club Links include:

• - Greater numbers of young people participating in the club

• - Increased membership in the club

• - Increased number of coaching opportunities

• - Increased number of young volunteers in the club

• - Increased number of young leaders in the club

• - Increased number of young officials in the club

• - Increased accessibility to School facilities

• - Greater accessibility to funding to further develop the club and its volunteers/coaches

• - Increased profile within the local community

• - Increased profile within the sports community