The Physical Education (PE)and Sport Strategy Unit is responsible for the strategic development and co-ordination of PE and Sport across Sandwell in partnership with local, regional and national agencies.

The key areas of our work are:

• Co-ordinating the implementation of the Physical Education and Sport Strategy
• Commissioning the Sandwell Sports and Leisure Trust to deliver priority sports services to the communities of Sandwell
• Attracting regional and national funding to the borough by facilitating and bringing together appropriate programmes and local partners
• Working in partnership, supporting boroughwide and Black Country initiatives, as well as identifying other regional and national partnerships for development
• Work with schools to promote enhanced opportunities for curriculum, extra-curricular and community sport and physical education

Headline News

NRF Triple S Project
The unit has recently been successful in gaining a significant amoutn of NRF funding. This has enabled the appointment of a team to develop an exciting new project - Triple S/Olympics. The overall purpose of the project is to enable more people to take part in sport and physical activity.

Indoor Rowing Initiative
Sir Steve Redgrave visited Sandwell in February 2006 to launch the school indoor rowing programme. The funding from Sir Steve Redgrave Trust has enabled 100 indoor rowing machines to be used in every borough secondary school.

New Opportunities for PE and Sport (NOPEs)
Sandwell MBC gained funding from the Big Lottery Fund (£5.529m) for the development of the NOPEs programme. This amount has distributed amongst 23 primary schools, 3 secondary schools and 3 activity centres in Sandwell and some projects are now complete.

The Coach Education & Support Programme
The Coach Education and Support Programme (CESP) is a free scheme delivered by Sports Structures Ltd, aimed at providing local people actively interested in sport (16 years +) with access to sports coaching and development opportunities based within Sandwell.

As part of the CESP participants take part in certified workshops covering the areas of Coaching Children & Young People, Safeguarding & Protecting Children, Equity in Coaching, and an Emergency First Aid course. Full access is also provided to a Level One National Governing Body award in a chosen sport or a Community Sports Leadership award which is multi sports based.

Participant’s are able to gain the practical coaching experience by taking part in a 30 hour voluntary coaching placement at an approved and supportive coaching environment, organised around the participant’s commitments.

If you would like to take part in the CESP or gain further information please contact Hannah Bussey (hannah.bussey@sportstructures.com / 0791 7388 166) or Katherine Robinson (katherine.robinson@sportstructures.com / 0791 7388 174).