What is Sport England?

Sport England is focused on the creation of a world-leading community sport system.

They invest National Lottery and Exchequer funding in organisations and projects that will grow and sustain participation in grassroots sport and create opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport.

Their structure reflects this focus, formerly known as the English Sports Council, they work in partnership with UK Sport, which has responsibility for elite success, and the Youth Sport Trust, which is focused on PE and school sport. Accountable to Parliament through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

About Clubmark

Sport England recognises and values the commitment made by sports clubs to develop high quality, welcoming environments for young participants.

The development of clubs that encourage young people to take-up sport, improve their talents, possibly play a leadership role and give them the option to initiate and maintain life-long participation in sport is an essential part of supporting the sporting infrastructure in England.

Clubmark was introduced in 2002 by Sport England to:

Ensure that accrediting partners apply core common criteria to ensure that consistent good practice and minimum operating standards are delivered through all club development and accreditation schemes.
To empower parent(s)/carer(s) when choosing a club for their children.
To ensure that Clubmark accredited clubs are recognised through a common approach to branding.
To provide a focus around which all organisations involved in sport can come together to support good practice in sports clubs working with children and young people.

Clubmark accreditation is awarded to clubs that comply with minimum operating standards in four areas:

The playing programme
Duty of care and safeguarding and protecting children and young people
Knowing your club and its community
Club management