North Lanarkshire's Sports Council Bags Top Award

North Lanarkshire Leisure and clubsportnl were recognised as the 'Partnership of the Year' at the Scottish Association of Local Sports Council's Conference and Annual Awards ceremony in Perth on 24th March 2012.

Joe McAdam, Chair of clubsportnl and Greenfaulds Bowling Club in Cumbernauld representative on clubsportnl said "clubsportnl was formed in April 2011 following the merger of the three former sports councils and executive. It is particularly gratifying to receive this prestigious national award since it took around two years to achieve the transition from the former sports councils that existed prior to North Lanarkshire being formed in 1996, to a single unified North Lanarkshire wide sports council. We were determined to bring the voluntary sports sector in North Lanarkshire together which is represented by our strap line 'One Club, All Sports' into the new body".

Jim Moffat, Senior Sports Development Officer with North Lanarkshire Leisure said "We wanted to bring the former sports councils together in order to reduce the number of meetings that the volunteers had to attend, essentially leaving them free to do what they do best, that is developing sport in their respective clubs in the community. We also wanted to help share best practice and provide advice, guidance, information and resources across the entire area in a consistent and efficient manner and ensure that the funding received was going directly into developing sport and meeting the needs of the volunteer clubs and members. The wealth of experience and knowledge in the voluntary sector in sport in North Lanarkshire is incredible with clubsportnl representing hundreds of clubs in the area and I'm sure this will provide the blueprint for other areas in Scotland to follow".

Blane Dodds, the Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Leisure said "We are delighted that our ground breaking work with clubsportnl has been recognised through this award from the national body responsible for voluntary sport in Scotland. The voluntary sector is the backbone of Scottish Sport with many coaches, officials and administrators giving freely of their time, talents, energy and enthusiasm to encourage the whole community to get involved and remain involved in sport. When we look to the Olympics later this year and the Commonwealth Games in 2014, the majority of our athletes are there because of the immense contribution of sports clubs, organisations and volunteers".

Cath Walsh, who is clubsportnl's Secretary and coaches the Mini squad of Waysiders Drumpellier Rugby Football Club in Coatbridge added "It great to gain this accolade as we have been working hard to improve the services, facilities and programmes we have available to the wide variety of member clubs that form part of clubsportnl, including building our new website to be a gateway for voluntary sport in North Lanarkshire".

David Waddell, Vice Chair and Wishaw Golf Club's representative on clubsportnl said "We should be very proud of gaining this award since clubsportnl is operated by volunteers from local sports clubs and organisations from all over North Lanarkshire including myself and Treasurer Frank Burns, who is also one of the coaches with Airdrie Harriers. Joy O'Brien, Wishaw Juniors representative also represents clubsportnl on the SALSC Board of Directors, where she also Chairs their Member Services Committee. To gain this award in one short year is recognition of our concerted and sustained effort by our members and North Lanarkshire Leisure on behalf of the Council to improve voluntary sport in the area".

Any sports club, organisation or individual that promotes sport and physical activity in North Lanarkshire is eligible for membership of clubsportnl and can benefit from a wide range of member benefits. More information can be found on the website www.clubsportnl.org.uk or by contacting Jim Moffat, NLL's Senior Sports Development Officer on 01236 437 756 or by email moffatj@nlleisure.co.uk . Further information on the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils, can be found on their website www.salsc.org.uk .

clubsportnl and North Lanarkshire Leisure proudly display their SALSC 'Partnership of the Year' Award

[left to right] Dr John Hulbert, Provost of Perth City Council with David Waddell, Kath Walsh and Joe McAdam, Vice Chair, Secretary and Chair of clubsportnl, Joy O'Brien, clubsportnl representative on SALSC Board of Directors and Chair of their Member Services Committee, Dougie Holmes NLL, Oliver Barsby Chief Operating Officer of SALSC, Stuart Gallagher and Jim Moffat of NLL