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How should you run your group?

Should you become affiliated? Or accredited?

Read on to find out. 

You can also find out about Buddle's health check tool, which will enable to you take the pulse of your organisation. 

Affiliation Q&A

  • What's affiliation?

      Affiliation is when your club aligns itself with a set of requirements.

    These requirements are defined by another organisation.

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  • How can we become affiliated?

    Some groups choose to become affiliated to one of the national governing bodies.

    These bodies often allow clubs to become ‘members’. This gives them benefits such as further levels of support and access to competitions. 

    Several other organisations offer affiliation or membership too. These include Sported, Street Games and the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

    Do your homework, and see which organisation might align with your audience or ethos.

    Tip: Before committing to any affiliation, consult with your members, committees and volunteers. You'll need to understand the cost implications and time needed to align to any requirements. 

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  • Do we have to be affiliated?

    Not necessarily. You don't have to be affiliated to run your group and take part in activities.

    However you should consider the needs of your organisation. Also check if it's a requirement of your group's legal structure or entry in competitions and leagues. 

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Accreditation Q&A

  • What's accreditation? 

       This shows that you meet a particular standard. 

    You're able to prove that your organisation meets certain criteria. 

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  • How can we get accreditation?

      A number of national governing bodies run accreditation schemes, so get in touch if you're interested. 

    Please note: Sport England's Clubmark programme has expired. Please remove these logos from websites, funding applications and marketing materials. 

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Organisational health check

How can we check the health of our organisation?

Buddle has a health check tool, which enables you to analyse how your club is run. 

It covers:

  • Governance.
  • Welfare and safeguarding.
  • Financial management.
  • Workforce and facility development. 

The tool is designed to help you to identify your organisation’s strengths and any areas for development.

This helps to ensure that you are providing a safe environment and meeting your legal requirements. 

Buddle's health check tool