LOCHABER SPORTS ASSOCIATION LTD. Scottish Charity No. SCO40898

BUSINESS PLAN

Last Updated SPRING 2014

www.lochabersportsassociation.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 2……………..……………….……………………………………………….Our Vision Page 3/4..……….…………….………………………………………..….Our Objectives Page 5………….…………..………………………………Background and Company Structure Pages 6/7/8..……………………………..…………..……………………………Directors Page 9………………………………………………………………………Sub-committees Page 10..……………….……………………………………………………………….Patrons Page 11…………………….………………………Why a Community Led Project? Why a Partnership Project? Page 12……………….………………………………….………………The LSA Website Page 13……….…..…………………………..………………………….Social Enterprise Page 14………………………………..………Why a Multi Sport Indoor Facility? Page 15………………………….Clubs’ 2009 Questionnaire and 2010 Survey Page 16……………………………………..…Clubs’ Questionnaire 2009 Results Page 17……………….………..……….Clubs’ Questionnaire 2009 Conclusion Page 18…………………………..…Clubs’ Survey 2010 Conclusion (Facilities) Page 19/20…………….…………………Delivering Facilities Stages One, Two and Three

OUR VISION LSA aims to: • support our talented youngsters in their quest to fulfil their potential; • encourage all children of all abilities into an active lifestyle; • encourage all adults to continue their physical activities after leaving school; • encourage older community members to keep physically fit; • support the disabled and those with learning difficulties at all levels of sporting ability.

The positive effects of sport and physical activity go way beyond the health benefits to the individual. According to the Scottish Government’s Health and Sport Committee Report (2009): “From an education perspective, physical education and participation in sport offer children the chance to acquire social skills, enhance self- esteem and increase a sense of social responsibility. Indeed, it is also acknowledged that wider societal, environmental and economic benefits will be gained from getting the Scottish population more active.”

But… …”Across Scotland, the number of Scots participating in sports is declining and targets for young people’s participation are not being met…currently two thirds of adults and two thirds of teenage girls are inactive. It is therefore important that there is a link or continuum, between PE as part of the school curriculum, and extra-curricular activity and sport that takes place outside of school”

It is LSA’s passionate desire to facilitate the uptake of sport and physical activity, thereby creating a renewed culture of physical and mental fitness throughout our community.

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OUR OBJECTIVES Our immediate objectives are to: o Raise and disburse funds through the LSA Youth Support Fund in order to grant small sums of money to Lochaber’s youngsters to support them in their chosen sport. o Manage and disburse the Highland Council sports grants and awards through the Grants and Awards Committee. o Support and represent member clubs o Work with local and national partners to develop and strengthen pathways from school to club and community-based sport o Develop a multi-sport Indoor Training Facility, available for use by all. o Develop a sustainable pitch maintenance programme

Our goal of building a multi-use sports facility can be divided into five distinct stages. FACILITIES STAGE ONE – completed 2012 Through consultation with Lochaber’s sports clubs, the Highland Council, local schools and sportscotland, to: a) establish needs (facilities/training/transport/social) b) identify and evaluate possible sites for development c) explore partnership opportunities between the Highland Council and Lochaber Sports Association d) address the challenge of sustainability FACILITIES STAGE TWO – completed 2013 To develop a Business Plan specific to the facility and forge a mutually agreeable management arrangement with Highland Council FACILITIES STAGE THREE – underway 2014 To raise the necessary funding, obtain detailed quotes and complete the prebuild tasks (detailed planning/building warrant) FACILITIES STAGE FOUR – planned late 2014 To build the facility FACILITIES STAGE FIVE - into the future To develop outreach and training programmes, using said facility as the hub. 3.

Our goal of developing a sustainable pitch maintenance programme can be divided into three distinct stages PITCH MAINTENANCE STAGE ONE – completed 2013 To commission an independent report into the current service provision and put forward proposals to develop a new service that will improve the playability of Lochaber’s pitches and negate the need for costly remedial work. This Report is available on request. PITCH MAINTENANCE STAGE TWO - pending To seek agreement between all stakeholders (clubs, ECS, TECS, Highlife Highland) as to the preferred way forward and commission a feasibility study/business plan for that route. PITCH MAINTENANCE STAGE THREE – pending To facilitate the changes recommended by the study/plan, and agreed by all stakeholders

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BACKGROUND AND CURRENT COMPANY STRUCTURE Following several months of informal feedback from sports clubs as to the current state of their facilities, and as a result of two very well attended public meetings, it was agreed that Lochaber would benefit from a sports umbrella group. Sportlochaber Ltd. was officially launched by several representatives of Lochaber’s sporting community on the 15th May 2009. In October 2009, we became a Company Limited by Guarantee and with Charitable status. In early 2010 we invited Lochaber’s clubs to become affiliated and ended up with 26 clubs as members. It soon became clear that it would be to the clubs’ advantage for Sportlochaber to merge with the existing Lochaber Sports Council, so that they would only pay a single affiliation fee and there would be a single representative and funding body to support them. In February 2011, Lochaber Sports Association was formed as a result of the successful merger, continuing to be a Company Limited by Guarantee and with Charitable status. The Company is managed by a Board of Directors and has two subcommittees, the Youth Support Fund and the Grants and Awards Committee. The Board currently comprises six Directors, democratically elected by affiliated clubs, who collectively take responsibility for the company’s activities. Each Director brings a distinct skill to the group, and although each works on the area to which he/she is best suited, no actions are taken without discussion and agreement with all members of the Board. The Grants and Awards Committee is made up from a spread of representatives from affiliated clubs and meets once a month to discuss applications. The Youth Support Fund Committee is made up of representatives from the various geographical areas of Lochaber and decisions on applications are reached by group email consideration. We are a community-led initiative, seeking to work • locally - in partnership with the clubs and Highland Council and closely with Lochaber’s primary and secondary schools (through the Active Schools Coordinators), the medical profession (through the medical centres and Belford Hospital) and VAL • nationally - with sportscotland, SALSC, Coaching Highland and HSDA We aim to represent our affiliated clubs and support all Lochaber’s residents who wish to lead a healthy lifestyle through physical activity, and who would benefit from facilities catering for those who play organised sports, those who wish to keep generally fit, and those who need specialised training to support their chosen sport.

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DIRECTORS Mrs. Jane Blanchard M.A. Kinbreac, Duror of Appin, Argyll PA38 4DA H 01631 740 530 W 01631 740 300 M 0773 326 4976 Profession: Interior Designer Skill offered: General facilitator Community project experience to date: Setting up/running of local pre-school playgroup Setting up/running of extra-curricular art group for Duror primary age children (Smarties) Setting up/running of Duror and Kentallen youth group Former Duror Primary School Board member Former Lochaber High School Parent Council member Helping to secure core funding for Lochaber Music School Setting up of community web-site for Duror and Kentallen with an emphasis on Care in the Community

Mr. Damian Forster 14, Lochy Rd., Inverlochy Fort William PH33 6NJ H/W 01397 700571 Profession: self employed Skill offered: sports / project management knowledge of outdoor sports in Lochaber Community experience to date: Fundraising for Nevis Partnership & Inverlochy village Hall Committee Lead development and project to build Off Beat downhill mountain bike track and organised races at Nevis Range

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Christine Falconer Albyn, Banavie, Fort William. Inverness shire. PH33 7PB Contact details: 01397 772426/773900 Profession: Administrator Skill (s) offered: Administrative skills; Sustainability (working with the Green Tourism Business Scheme, Visit Scotland's Kitemark) Community experience to date: Treasurer of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Lochaber Committee; Tennis Coach for under 14's

Alastair MacIntyre "Algarve" 6 Riverside Grove, Lochyside, Fort William PH33 7RD01397 701204 Mobile 07793 322579 [email protected] Profession: Retired coach operator Experience to date: Badminton - Secretary/Treasurer of Lochaber Badminton Association Golf - Member of Steering committee for construction of new Fort William Golf Club and Founder member of New Fort William Golf Club Athletics - Chairman of Ben Nevis Race Association for 21 Years. Shinty - Secretary of KIlmallie SC for seven years First paid employee of Camanachd Association as part time administrator 10 years First Executive Officer of Camanachd Association - 7 years Currently - Vice Chairman of Kilmallie SC

Stewart Sandison 65 Riverside Park Lochyside Fort William PH33 7RB Profession: Civil Servant (Area Development Officer with Scottish Natural Heritage) Skills Offered: Project Management experience including ERDF Projects, & SRDP Case Officer

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Community Experience to date: · Former President of Lochaber RFC · 12 years youth rugby coach at all levels · Former Lochaber Sports Council committee member

Leen Volwerk 6 Bute Place, Fort William, PH33 6UT 07796833302 Profession: Retired teacher but work as a supply teacher and for SQA as assessor and subject advisor. Community Experience to date: Teaching Training junior highland games in elementary throwing skills. Coaching junior hillrunners at times. Currently on LAC committee, Chairman of North Schools Highland Games Association, on BNRA committee, adviser on hill tracks locally for Scotways, assessor for Gold D of E groups

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THE LSA YOUTH SUPPORT FUND The LSA Youth Support Fund will be run by a Committee reporting to the Board. The Committee will be drawn from those members of the community with a special interest in developing youth sport and from all over Lochaber, so that all youngsters have an equal opportunity to benefit from the Fund. The Trust will be for the purposes of ingathering money and distributing it on the following terms and conditions: (a) Applications can only be from a recognised Junior Sports Coach or Manager, familiar with and for a named individual who is: i) resident in or regularly participating in their sport in any part of Lochaber; ii) under the age of 18 years. (b) An individual can receive a maximum of one grant per year. (c) The maximum amount of a grant will be £100. Grants are for junior sports men/boys and women/girls on the basis of financial need and whose ability to participate in their sport, at whatever level, would be assisted by the grant. Examples of grant purposes are – sports equipment or clothing (a pair of boots, etc), travel or subsistence costs of attending a particular event or training, or payment of a subscription to a sports club or association.

THE LSA GRANTS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE The Grants and Awards Committee is funded by the Highland Council and disburses Grants and Awards to applicants who are successful in fulfilling their criteria. All applications must come from an affiliated club, or a member of an affiliated club.

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PATRONS We currently have three Patrons who have pledged to give their total support to Lochaber Sports Association.

Dave Thompson MSP Following four years as regional MSP for the Highlands and Islands, Dave Thompson was elected as the constituency MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch in May. Before entering politics, he was one of Scotland’s most senior trading standards officers, working in Moray, Ross and Cromarty, the Western Isles and latterly at Highland Council, where he rose to become Director of Protective Services. Following his election to Holyrood in 2007, he was appointed to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee and the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. In 2010 he was appointed Parliamentary Liaison Officer to Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill and served on the Justice Committee. After his return as the local MSP in May, he was appointed convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. Outside politics, he is a member of the Church of Scotland, a vice-president of the UK Trading Standards Institute and is married to Veronica, from his native Lossiemouth. The couple have four children and four grand-children.

Ritchie Collins is a Paralympic and World Championship medallist.

Suffering from Cerebral Palsy, his extraordinary achievements against the odds will prove an inspiration to the youngsters of Lochaber, whether able-bodied or disabled. His father, Allan Collins works with Ritchie and he brings valuable experience of overcoming the obstacles faced by disabled athletes.

Mike Dixon MBE BEM is a highly, self-motivated, individual who has always been able to focus on his sport & see a positive angle in every situation. As Olympic Biathlon Team Captain for 14 years, Mike frequently raced under tough & challenging conditions, competing internationally throughout Europe, the USA, Russia, Scandinavia, Japan & Canada.

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WHY A COMMUNITY-LED PROJECT? LSA has been inspired by research findings published by the Rural Action Research Programme, supported by the Carnegie UK Trust. The researchers focused on five case studies, concluding in their report “Steps to Successful Community led Service Provision in Rural Areas”: “The case studies demonstrate that communities bring inventiveness, enthusiasm, passion and – given the right support – will out-perform their public sector counterparts both in service delivery and value for money” And “The effect of having a vibrant, successful community run project in the area is immeasurable” In each of the five cases studied, as with LSA, an active group within the community recognised a service need and had the collective energy and willingness to deliver a solution.

WHY A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT? LSA recognises that in order to succeed we need to work in partnership with the Highland Council, with all local schools and sports groups and with the support of the wider community. In this way we will not only gain a fully comprehensive picture of the sports facility and service needs, but - together - we will be able to deliver solutions with greater efficiency. In the 5th Report of the Scottish Government’s Health and Sport Committee (2009), it is observed: “It is uplifting to see the results that can be achieved when all parts of a local authority and other agencies work together to achieve a common goal” And the Education Culture and Sport Committee of the Highland Council state in their document, “Sports Facility Development Planning” (November 2008): “It is clear that the assessment of future priorities will need to take into account…public aspirations and potential partnership projects”

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THE LOCHABER SPORTS ASSOCIATION WEB-SITE

LSA has established a web-site, www.lochabersportsassociation.org

This aims to: • bring together all Lochaber’s sports and leisure groups; • encourage inter-club communication; • keep the clubs and the wider community up to date with LSA’s project developments; • generate community support; • advertise sporting events; • offer advice on sports related health issues (eg exercise and nutrition); • run an Events Calendar; • attract applicants for the Youth Support Fund and the Grants and Awards Fund; • keep clubs up to date with national funding opportunities and provide links to national sporting organisations Additionally, each affiliated club nominates a LSA representative, who disburses emails to their fellow club members by which means all can be kept up to date with news.

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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE – THE SMOOTHIE BIKE

Funded by Nevis Range, LSA has developed a bike powered smoothie maker – a Smoothie Bike. This is hired out to schools and community groups, both as a fun approach to education and as a fund-raiser for the LSA Youth Support Fund. Youngsters can learn about: • • • • • •

Healthy eating/drinking Leading a healthy and active life Bio-dynamics Physics and Engineering Eco Energy Calories

It is being used by Active Schools Co-ordinators and Primary Schools for their Gala and Sports days.

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WHY A MULTI-USE SPORTS FACILITY? During 2009, we sent an initial Questionnaire to clubs in order to establish whether they would be in favour of us proceeding with a Feasibility Study for an Indoor Training Facility. The response being 100% in favour, we then carried out an extensive Clubs Survey, which was collated and summarised by sportscotland. As a result of this and further information gathered through direct consultation, it became clear that all the pitch sports were being hampered in their development by pitch maintenance issues, lack of training facilities and by the weather. There were several other clubs – gymnastics, judo, basketball, tennis, artistic roller skating – who expressed an urgent need for a dedicated indoor training facility. According to the Scottish Sports Council’s document Sport 2000, “Scotland’s single need at local level is for multi-purpose sports centres.” And the Scottish Executive Report, Reaching Higher 2007 states that “sports clubs are key to encouraging people to make a lifelong commitment to sport, but the quality and spread of clubs is variable. A focused approach to club development is considered essential and new innovative approaches should be developed such as developing multi-sport clubs…Building the capacity of sports clubs to recruit and develop their participants is critical to sustaining participation”

• The building of a multi-use sports facility will generate employment: In the short term – construction In the mid/long term – training/maintenance/outreach programmes • It will encourage more visitors to Lochaber, with wide-reaching economic benefits. • It will open up the opportunities to host national sporting events, also with wide-reaching economic benefits. • It will offer excellent career opportunities, attracting sports professionals to move to Lochaber, some to pursue their own sports career, others to get involved in training and outreach programmes. LSA does not wish to compete with, or attract clientele away from any existing sports and leisure facilities. The aim of the Questionnaire was to identify the gaps in existing sports provision so that LSA – together with our partners – can come up with the appropriate solution to filling those gaps.

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THE CLUB’S QUESTIONNAIRE 2009 and CLUB’S SURVEY 2010 Over June and July 2009 we sent out Questionnaires to Lochaber’s track, field and indoor sports and leisure clubs. We wished to establish whether we were justified in our belief that there were several gaps in Lochaber’s sports facility provision and that those gaps might be best filled with the development of a multi-use sports facility. We did not send the Questionnaire to Primary or Secondary Schools, as we understood that a Facilities Survey was being undertaken by the Highland Council, and would make use of the information from this Survey when published. The Questionnaire was sent to the following clubs: (* indicates that the Questionnaire was completed and returned) Lochaber Gymnastics Club* Caol Duke of Edinburgh’s Group* Phoenix Boxing Club* Lochaber Rugby Football Club* Lochaber Ladies’ Shinty Club* West Highland Wheelers* Lochaber Camanachd Club* Glengarry Girls Shinty Club* Glengarry Shinty Club* Fort William Football Club* Lochaber Street League* Lochaber Artistic Roller Skating Club* Mallaig and District Canoe Club* Lochaber Judo Club* Kilmallie Shinty Club* Lochaber Athletic Club* Young Heavy Highland Games Group* Fort William Cricket Club* Lochaber Bowling Club* Fort William Tennis players* (club is currently being formed) Fort William Football Youth Development* Tae Kwondo* Fort William Badminton Club* (responded, but now run from Lochaber High School, so questionnaire n/a) Highland Disability Sport Lochaber* Lochaber Hockey Club* (responded, but disbanded due to SHU/transport costs so questionnaire n/a) Fort William Golf Club (club contact in hospital at time of publication) Lochaber Squash Club* Fitness Culture* Ballachulish Shinty Club* Ardnamurchan Camanachd Club*

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CLUBS’ QUESTIONNAIRE 2009 RESULTS

Total no. of clubs sent questionnaires 30 Total no. of respondents 30 (100%) Total no. of members represented 2239+ Are your facilities adequate for current use? Great 18% Could improve 56% No 26% Are your facilities adequate for future use? Great 7% Could improve 52% No 41% Are your facilities adequate for supporting those of high aptitude? (as a percentage of those clubs who felt this relevant) Yes 26% No 74% (N/A 16%) Can you use your facilities as often as you need? Yes 50% No 50% Do you think Lochaber would benefit from a Multi-Use Sports Facility? Yes 100% No 0% Would you support the proposal to commission a Feasibility Study into the above? Yes 96% No 4% (i.e. 1 respondent, who feared the possible cost implication)

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CLUBS’ QUESTIONNAIRE 2009 CONCLUSIONS

100% of the respondents consider that Lochaber would benefit from a multi-use sports facility. (Only 1 club did not want to support the proposal for a Feasibility Study because of the feared cost implications.)

82% of clubs are dissatisfied with their current facilities.

93% consider their facilities unsatisfactory for future use.

Only 26% of the clubs consider their facilities able to support those of high aptitude.

Only 50% of the clubs can use their facilities as often as they need.

As a result of this Questionnaire, we conducted a further in-depth Clubs Survey 2010, collated and summarised by sportscotland, and this is shown as a separate document. Through this, we obtained information about the clubs’ profiles, aims, facilities and needs.

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CLUBS’ SURVEY 2010 – CONCLUSIONS on FACILITY NEEDS As a result of this survey and following further in-depth discussions with clubs, LSA realised that there is an urgent need to develop an indoor multisports facility that will address the needs of Lochaber’s rugby, shinty and football clubs and provide training facilities for several sports and community groups . Currently, matches and training sessions are constantly being postponed or even cancelled due to Lochaber’s heavy rainfall, and the unsustainable pressure on the outdoor grass pitches. Fort William gets, on average, 75 inches rainfall pa, compared with Inverness that gets 29 inches.

Hamilton Palace .

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FACILITIES STAGE ONE In 2012, with funding from LEADER, Highland Council and the local community, LSA commissioned a Feasibility Study into a MultiSports Indoor Training Facility. The consultants were John Gilbert Architects, and the study is available on request. The result of the study was that the facility should be a 60m. x 40m. covered 3G artificial turf pitch, suitable for a wide range of sports, including rugby, shinty, football, cricket and golf nets practice, junior athletics, general fitness and healthy physical activity. It was agreed that the facility should be sited at Lochaber High School, next to the existing outdoor artificial pitch and grass pitches, and making use of the existing showering/changing and parking facilities. FACILITIES STAGE TWO In 2013, with funding from the Wards Discretionary Fund, Foundation Scotland and the community, LSA commissioned a Business Plan for the facility. The consultants were Alan Jones Associates. The Business Plan included a 25 Year forecast to ensure annual maintenance costs would be covered as well as a "sinking fund" for 2 pitch replacements and 1 roof recovering in that period. The conclusions, agreed by all stakeholders, were that: • Bookings would be managed by the school along with their other sports facilities available for community use • The facility would be accessible to all. It iss envisaged that it will be used mostly by the school and Active Schools Co-ordinators during the school day and by clubs and community in the evenings, weekends and holidays • The day to day maintenance should be carried out by school janitorial staff • The annual pitch maintenance should be carried out along with the outdoor 3G pitch • The school will get "free" use of the facility in return for the supply of electricity and their management and janitorial services • The clubs and community will be charged an hourly charge commensurate with the Highland Council charge for the outdoor pitch • The overall management should be by a Management Committee drawn from LSA, LHS, Highlife Highland, the Clubs - responsible for finances, marketing, insurances etc. 19.

FACILITIES STAGE THREE After extensive consultation with HMRC, it seems that we are unable to zerorate the building costs of the facility. Detailed estimates would indicate that the capital costs will be in the region of £1.47m. including VAT

At the time of going to print, we have so far raised £1.11m.: • £10,000 from Score Environment • £500,000 in principle from sportscotland (pending approval of our Stage Two Application) • £600,000 in principle from Highland Council We are now applying to several funders, and will be appealing to local businesses and the local community. To this end we have set up a fundraising page with VirginMoneyGiving.

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