The Alliance wants to take your temperature

As we bask in the success of London 2012, the Sport and Recreation Alliance is asking: “How ready are our sports clubs to deliver a meaningful and lasting Olympic and Paralympic legacy?”

Wouldn’t it be good if in ten years’ time – the sports that shone during the Games as well as wider sports and recreational activities – had all contributed towards a successful legacy that everyone could benefit from?

At the end of 2012, the Alliance’s Olympic and Paralympic legacy snapshot survey revealed cause for optimism, but that more could be done to help sports clubs drive up grassroots participation.

The survey showed that:

o Two in five clubs (42%) are experiencing an increase in the number of people joining their club since the Games but a quarter (26%) of these clubs are struggling to meet this demand
o A lack of funding is preventing three in five sports clubs from growing their membership
o Increased running costs are holding back the growth of 54% of sports clubs and half are struggling with a lack of affordable venues or facilities.

Do you think this outlook reflects the experience at your club?

The Alliance is carrying out its biennial sports club survey to piece together a picture of how our community and grassroots sports clubs are faring in the afterglow of the games. It will ask:

o What opportunities, challenges and barriers do you face as a sports club?
o How are you coping financially, and in terms of sustaining or growing your membership?
o Are you feeling the squeeze of local authority cuts?
o What training and support would you like to see offered by non-profit organisations to clubs in the future?

Armed with your answers both the Alliance and the ETTA will work to improve the environment for sports clubs and campaign to get the best deal for table tennis.

You can answer the Sports Club Survey between April and June this year, and results will be revealed in October. Visitwww.sportandrecreation.org.uk/policy/SSC to find out more.