Crewe and Stoke Youth Tenpin Bowling Club, achieved accreditation in just 4 months, by ensuring that everyone involved fully understand and embraced the culture of Clubmark before embarking on the process.

Formed in 1992, it has 36 members and seven coaches providing coaching and competitive opportunities for young people aged from seven to eighteen years.

At the start of the Clubmark process, the Club thought it already had in place many of the requirements of accreditation but on closer examination of the criteria, realised that little was documented. For example, although club members behaved well, there were no written codes to describe the conduct expected from members, coaches, volunteers and parents.

Club Welfare Officer, Mark Elliott conducted research with Cheshire and Warrington Sports Partnership, Cheshire East Leisure and Play Development Team, the NSPCC and other agencies to produce safeguarding policies and procedures. He invited parents and members to and took time to explain all documents to each member and their family to ensure they understood not only the content but also the ethos behind them.

The resulting policies and procedures are hence directly relevant to the sport, members and the environment in which the club operates and are members and parents readily signed up to the codes of practice because they had been consulted and their views had been taken into account.

The club has also developed links with the local schools through the Schools Sport Partnership and coaches have been into seven schools to provide a ‘Taste of Tenpin' using a portable bowling lane. The club is now keen to attract local schools to take part in Sport England's Sport Unlimited programme.

Neil Coe, Vice President and Coach said, "Clubmark is not just words on paper. If I had to offer just one piece of advice it would be to ensure that everyone involved, coaches, volunteers, parents and members, fully understand and embrace the culture of Clubmark before embarking on the process."

Richard Howison-Johnston from the National Association of Youth Bowling Clubs endorses this approach. He said,

"We are extremely proud of the club's success. They are only the third youth bowling club in the Country to achieve the national standard. The partnership approach has helped bring everyone together with a common purpose. Julie and Neil Cole have been welcomed into our National Clubmark Steering Committee to share their experiences with others to help other clubs in the region embrace the culture of Clubmark."