Brighton Table Tennis Club has developed a new training and development offer that could be rolled out across the country.

‘Building a Grassroots Community’ is about designing and building – in collaboration – a new model of community in action.

Sport England is supporting the offer and confirmed to ConnectSport that it could potentially be made more widely available in future.

FRAMEWORK

The training offer uses a modular framework with hourly sessions currently delivered online because of the Covid-19 restrictions. 

The first five modules cover ‘Breaking the Mould: innovative ways of working’; ‘Being outward-facing: building referral networks’; ‘Rapport, relationships, reflection and retention’; ‘What does Integration mean?’; ‘The BTTC Axes of Grassroots and Performance’.

The final module invites participants to share an outline of a new and innovative idea to develop in their own organisation, for which they will receive feedback and suggestions from other members using the training offer.

A number of organisations have used the pilot offer including Fight for Peace, VYD Football, Amazonas Arts, Gig Buddies and Nam Yang Martial Arts.

Paul Richards from Gig Buddies said: “BTTC is so much more than being about table tennis and this course will help you unlock and understand their approach which can be applied beyond sports settings since it’s all about embedding grassroots approaches in a way that celebrates everyone’s contributions.

“We've loved being part of the 'Building a Grassroots Community' course. It's way beyond sport, a course for anyone wanting to change their world from the bottom up.”

INSPIRATIONAL

Tim Holtam, Director of Brighton Table Tennis Club, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Sport England have seen the BTTC model and want it shared across different sports clubs and beyond.

“It's really exciting to have already worked with some inspirational organisations on the first pilot and we hope many more will get involved.”

The training and development offer will be made available later in the year. The target group is leaders and senior members of grassroots organisations, but another similar offer for aspiring leaders is being designed currently by Brighton Table Tennis Club. 

Contact info@brightontabletennisclub.co.uk for more details.