Partnerships

Partnerships

The Sports Development Unit has an excellent relationship with many key partners and agencies on the Isle of Man.

Partnerships work across departments and organisations and is essential if we are to be truly successful in achieving our "Mission Statement". Joined up thinking and consultation is something that the Sports Development Unit prides itself on.

Health, Education, Sports Council, Governing Bodies and Clubs are our main partners. Further information on our main partners can be found by clicking on the relevant links (left). If your organisation would like to become a partner to help with the development of sport and activity on the Island, please contact the Sports Development Unit:

Education

The Sports Development Unit (SDU) are involved with numerous initiatives with the Department of Education and Children. The most recent of these is the launch of the Healthy Futures Programme. This programme will allow Schools on the Island to utilise the resources of the Sports Development Unit in a bid to increase and enhance the amount of physical activity that takes place within the School. Usful descriptors allow Head Teachers to identify areas for improvement - which the Sports Development Team can assist with. More information regarding the Healthy Futures Programme can be found at www.healthyfutures.gov.im.

Over the last 12 months the Sports Development Unit have assisted in the training and development of many Primary and Secondary School teachers, provide workshops and training sessions for teachers to improve their confidence, knowledge and skills in the teaching of Physical Education.

Governing Bodies

A complete list of all recognised Governing Bodies and contact details can be found on the Sports Council Website. These people shall be able to provide you with information regarding clubs for both juniors and seniors around the Island. MSR, SDU can assist with guidance and advice for Governing Bodies and Club Development Plans in addition to strengthening links with their parent Governing Bodies in the UK. The SDU in partnership with local Governing Bodies regularly arrange visits for North West and National Development Managers to visit the Island to discuss all aspects of the development of their sport. In recent months Squash, Badminton, Football, Athletics & Hockey have travelled to the Island. The Sports Development Unit also work closely with the other Development Professionals on the Island, who are employed by their National Governing Bodies i.e. Football & Tennis.

Sports Council

The Sports Development Unit (SDU) have work in close partnership with the Isle of Man Sports Council on numerous development issues around the Island. This the most important of these is to assist with the Community Key Sports Initiative. The Isle of Man Sport and Recreation Strategy in Agenda for action 7.1 stated that the IOM Sports Council in conjunction with MSR and the Islands Governing Bodies of Sport identify community key sports together with potential funding sources for the appointment of sport specific development officers and the establishment of development groups. Having secured a three year sponsorship deal with Heritage Homes to help fund the project, Dominic Hobdell the first Sports Specific Development Officer (Badminton and Hockey) was appointed in August 2006. More recently, Ian Williams has been appointed as the Island's first Rugby Development Officer: