Naomi Dean has been involved with Tyne Valley Canoe Club for over 3 years and is now a UKCC Level 1 coach, coaching many of the club's young people and assisting on river trips. She also helps with the School Club Links programme.

Clubmark accreditation allowed the club to access funding for Naomi's coach education programme, which enabled her to gain a UKCC Level 1 coach (July 08), White Water Safety and Rescue (August 08) and Level 2 course in outdoor first aid (February 09).

The BCU Regional Club Coach (Simon Tibbitts) also targeted the club because of its Clubmark status and has delivered personal performance training to Naomi and other young people at the club.

The club has built strong partnerships between Tynedale Council, Northumberland Sport North Country Leisure (Local Authority Sports Development Officers) and the Prudhoe Community Partnership through being accredited, realising grants from these partnerships.

Naomi is proud of her achievements and believes that Clubmark has helped her to realise her ambitions. She said,

"It was great to gain my UKCC Level 1 Coach Award 4 days after my 16th birthday! With Simon's help I have developed my personal kayak and canoe skills and been able to meet other young paddlers from across the North East Region."