COMMUNITY CLUB ACCREDITATION
October 2006 - East Calder Colts awarded Access Level of Community Club status by West Lothian Council - see Certificate of Award below.
July 2007 - East Calder Colts awarded full Community Club status by West Lothian Council (see Certificate of Award below), showing that the Club has met required standards/criteria in coaching, child protection, first aid and management /administration, as well as demonstrating commitment to Club development, with a view to improving coaching standards and aiming for SFA Quality Mark in the near future.
A report and photograph of the Club's recent Community Club accreditation presentation can be read on www.LocalHeroesltd.co.uk Thanks to all involved and who attended on the evening - see photo here Report also in Edinburgh Evening News of Sat. 1 December.
SFA Quality Mark
Following award of Community Club status by West Lothian Council, East Calder Colts FC is currently aiming for the award of the SFA Quality Mark. Gaining this status ensures the continued safety and well-being of the children and youths in the care of the Club, allows for development of talent, and demonstrates good practice on both coaching and administration sides. Community/Quality Mark Clubs are more readily recognised by the local authority and the sport’s governing bodies and are therefore more likely to be allocated funding for any initiatives it wishes to follow.
In going through the Quality Mark process, the Club is developing good, progressive and sustainable opportunities for local youngsters wanting to play football, whether competitively or for fun. We hope to encourage all players to enjoy sport, use their leisure time creatively and promote a healthy lifestyle. The Club aims to develop all players’ talents, whilst ensuring their safety and well-being through introduction of a Player Protection Policy, a Health and Safety Policy and Codes of Conduct.
All coaches, who are volunteers from the local community, have passed the Disclosure Scotland process and are also encouraged to develop their skills, by attending relevant coaching courses, as well as Child Protection courses and First Aid courses where necessary. All Soccer Sevens coaches have gained the “Early Touches Certificate” and all Youth coaches have gained the “Development Activities Certificate”, with some developing their skills further by gaining further coaching qualifications at their respective age-group.
In partnership with West Lothian Council and the West Lothian Football Forum, the Club is being helped to develop and maintain its management/administrative systems, with regard to a Club Development Plan, Annual Review/Action Plan, and Risk Assessment procedures. Through these partnerships, the Club is kept up to date with the latest local and national initiatives and programmes.