29th March 2010
Callum Park equestrian centre in Sittingbourne has become the first riding school in Kent to receive the Clubmark - the Sport England mark of high quality clubs.
The school which is based at Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne, received the accreditation after satisfying minimum operating requirements in the four areas of; the playing programme, duty of care and child protection, and sports equity and ethics.
Run by John McGee, the school has been closely working with the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and the British Horse Society (BHS), who have provided him with ongoing guidance and support to develop the business.
"It's great to see John and his school gain Clubmark," said Anne Clarke, BEF regional development coordinator SE & SW. "John is a particularly proactive entrepreneurial and it’s been a pleasure working with him to help drive the business forward."
"The Clubmark is great for the school and is real testament to the team here," said John McGee. "The support we've received from Anne and the BEF has been invaluable - helping to signpost us to various available grants and funds which enable us to continue to provide the first class service for our clients.
"Achieving Clubmark status not only adds to our reputation as a quality riding establishment, but also means that as we have been recognised by Sport England which will give us extra kudos when dealing with the local government and other government agencies."
Clubmark, introduced in 2002, is the Sport England mark of high quality clubs, reassuring both parents and participants that the club is a high quality, welcoming environment for young people.
The mark is an accreditation scheme covering a variety of different sports and is specifically designed for clubs with junior sections. The scheme is designed to ensure the well being of young people whilst participating in sport, enable them to use their leisure time creatively and optimise their talents and personal ability.
More detailed information about Clubmark and the benefits of accreditation to both clubs and participants can be found on the Clubmark website http://www.clubmark.org.uk
