Is your organisation changing lives? Do you represent the very best that sport and recreation organisations can offer their community? If so, nominations are now being taken for the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Community Sport and Recreation Awards 2015.
The awards, which have been running for over 20 years, are the premier grassroots awards – spanning a sector of more than 300 different sport and recreation activities.
The awards are free to enter and if you win, you could bag yourself up to £2,500.
This year the Community Sport and Recreation Awards has six award categories:
• Community Sport + Recreation Overall Winner
• Volunteer Management
• School Links
• Professional Club Community Programme of the Year Award
• Green Thinking
• Innovative Project Award
• Youth Volunteering
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 8 July 2015 at the ceremony in London by HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
Application forms should be received no later than 5pm, Friday 8 May 2015
For more information about the Community Sport and Recreation Awards or to find out how to apply visit the Sport and Recreation Alliance website.
]]>Our Independent Directors are appointed by the Board (CEO, Elected Directors & Home Country Directors) based on who meets the skills and experience we are seeking. As a result, in order to apply for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have no association with an organisation in membership of Parkour UK at the time of your application.
With our new governance structure, vision and mission, we need individuals who can help develop and maintain Parkour UK’s strategic focus and direct the changing organisation towards its future. You would need to be able to make a commitment to Parkour UK and devote the necessary time, have strategic vision, independent judgement, an ability to think creatively and a willingness to speak your mind.
In particular, we are looking for an Independent Director who has skills and experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Legal
- HR skills
- Digital technologies/social media
- Commercial rights and/or sponsorship
- Local Government/regional issues
Ideally, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- An impressive track record of success in the private, public and/or voluntary sector
- The ability to operate at Board level for a National Governing Body (NGB)
- A good understanding of the role that sport plays in society
- Ability to think creatively and strategically; the skills to challenge current thinking at Board level
- A clear commitment to improving diversity and equality and understanding the needs of under-represented groups in sport
- A good understanding of the UK’s sporting landscape.
In line with our Equality and Diversity Policy we are keen to achieve a more diverse Board of Directors and would welcome applications from those communities under-represented on the Board, in particular people from ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and women.
We can pay travel expenses and provide a full induction to the NGB’s work. You will be expected to attend at least four to six Board meetings a year, which are normally held at the Parkour UK’s offices in Westminster, London. In addition we would encourage your attendance at a number of Parkour UK meetings and events, as well as our members events.
For more detailed information about Parkour UK and a list of the current Directors, please click here. For an informal discussion about the role of Independent Director please complete the interest form below, leaving your contact details and our Independent Chair, Stephen Mitchell will contact you directly.
[contact-form]Alternatively please send a covering letter stating your interest, suitability for the role of Independent Director and CV to Stephen Mitchell, Independent Chair, Parkour UK, 4th Floor, Burwood House, 14-16 Caxton Street, London SW1H 0QT.
The closing date for applications is 5.00 pm on Monday 1st June 2015. Interviews will be held in June with appointment being made at our AGM on Tuesday 7th July 2015.
]]>- Parkour UK 1st4sport Level 1 Award & Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Parkour/Freerunning (QCF)
- Parkour UK CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Instructing Parkour/Freerunning Fitness Training (QCF)
Bookings for all courses can now be made on-line, using the hyperlinks below. These also detail the course fees, terms and conditions.
2015 Provisional course dates & venues:
Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Parkour / Freerunning (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 17th (pre-requisite day) 18th, 19th & 20th February
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: Moberly Sports & Education Centre, Kilburn Lane, London W10 4AH
- Spaces: 16
Parkour UK CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Instructing Parkour / Freerunning Fitness (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 21st & 22nd and 28th & 29th March 2015
- Assessments: 25th April 2015
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: The Chainstore, Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, London E14 0JY
- Spaces: 16
Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Parkour / Freerunning (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 7th (pre-requisite day) 8th, 9th & 10th April
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC
- Spaces: 16
ASSESSMENTS: Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Parkour/Freerunning (QCF)
- Assessments: 2nd & 3rd May
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC – London
- Spaces: 12
Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Parkour / Freerunning (QCF)
- Age: 18+
- Dates: 16th & 17th and 23rd, 24th & 25th May (& Assessment at a later date)
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC – London
- Spaces: 12
Parkour UK CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Instructing Parkour / Freerunning Fitness (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 23rd & 24th and 30th & 31st May 2015
- Assessments: 27th June 2015
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: The Chainstore, Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, London E14 0JY
- Spaces: 16
Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Parkour / Freerunning (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 26th (pre-requisite day) 27th, 28th & 29th May
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC
- Spaces: 16
Parkour UK CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Instructing Parkour / Freerunning Fitness (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 18th & 19th and 25th & 26th July 2015
- Assessments: 22nd August 2015
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: The Chainstore, Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, London E14 0JY
- Spaces: 16
Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Parkour / Freerunning (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 28th (pre-requisite day), 29th, 30th & 31st July
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC
- Spaces: 16
Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Parkour/Freerunning (QCF)
- Age: 18+
- Dates: 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th & 14th August (& Assessment at a later date)
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC – London
- Spaces: 16
Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Parkour / Freerunning (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 25th (pre-requisite day), 26th, 27th & 28th August
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC
- Spaces: 16
ASSESSMENTS: Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Parkour/Freerunning (QCF)
- Assessments: 5th & 6th September
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC – London
- Spaces: 12
Parkour UK CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Instructing Parkour / Freerunning Fitness (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 19th & 20th and 26th & 27th September 2015
- Assessments: 24th October 2015
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: The Chainstore, Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, London E14 0JY
- Spaces: 16
Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Parkour / Freerunning (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 27th (pre-requisite day) 28th, 29th & 30th October
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC
- Spaces: 16
ASSESSMENTS: Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Parkour / Freerunning (QCF)
- Assessments: 7th & 8th November
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC – London
- Spaces: 12
Parkour UK CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Instructing Parkour / Freerunning Fitness (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 21st & 22nd and 28th & 29th November 2015
- Assessments: 19th December 2015
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: The Chainstore, Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, London E14 0JY
- Spaces: 16
Parkour UK 1st4Sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Parkour / Freerunning (QCF)
- Age: 16+
- Dates: 8th (pre-requisite day) 9th, 10th & 11th December
- Time: 9.00 – 5.00
- Venue: TBC
- Spaces: 16
If you would like further information please contact us on: [email protected] or 020 3544 5834
]]>Sportivate Crawley Parkour experience provided unique access to an activity that is popular with young people but still unknown in mainstream culture. Utilising Crawley’s outdoor Parkour facility during summer and the gymnasium at K2 Crawley during winter, participants were taught key Parkour skills; safe, efficient, fluid movement combining mental discipline, spatial awareness and confidence.
The project was able to engage with 54 participants, with a core group of 34 attending workshops; including nine female participants and 16 male participants aged 14+. The high numbers, consistent attendance and sustained interest led to 25 young people attending summer drop-in sessions and a summer holiday workshop in 2014. Regular and committed attendance by participants is demonstrated as the forthcoming autumn programme of workshops reached capacity within 48hrs of being promoted.
Freedom Leisure and Crawley Borough Council’s strong and successful partnership has enabled all-year round provision, by sharing venues. Further successful partnerships have been forged with one of the with our members – Brighton-based The Urban Playground Team and Parkour UK, as we delivered our Parkour UK Sports Leaders UK Award in Leading Parkour/Freerunning course.
You can read more here.
If you can to learn more about Sportivate contact us or your local County Sports Partnership
#GiveParkourAGo
]]>Natural Sports is a privately owned company dedicated to #Parkour /#Freerunning parks, facilities, equipment & coaching. The company has been formed with practitioners to realise the designs of local communities and make them a reality.
Natural Sports recently installed their first & the UK’a newest #ParkourPark in Southfields Park, Loughborough last month. The facility was developed, designed & delivered in partnership with Parkour UK members JUMP Parkour, with funding from Charnwood Borough Council
To find out more about Natural Sports and their services log onto their website: www.natural-sports.com
]]>- Associate (no subscription fee, non-voting)
- Affiliate (subscription fee, 1 vote)
- Accredited (subscription fee, 2 votes)
As a result there is now the introduction of annual membership fees for Affiliate & Accredited members (those with voting rights). Additionally ALL current members (& any new members taken into membership up to 31st Dec 2014) would now be Associate members, until the 2015 membership cycle. As of the 2015 membership cycle existing members & new applications for membership can apply for affiliate and/or accredited membership, subject to paying the membership fee as set by the board.
At the board meeting held on the 7th October 2014, the membership fee for 2015 has been set at £100+VAT p.a for Affiliate & Accredited Members.
Applications from existing Associate members for Affiliate and/or Accredited membership will open in January 2015, with membership fees due on or before 31st March 2015. Applications for new members, across all categories of membership will be provisional until formally approved by the board at the next available board meeting, with membership fees will be due within 30 days of approval.
We are in the process of building and testing a new online system to manage our memberships and payments. This should be operational in-time for the new membership cycle for 2015.
If you have any queries relating to membership please contact our Chief Executive – Eugene Minogue on [email protected] or 020 3544 5834.
]]>
The Parkour Project is Dorset’s first dedicated parkour facility and is the creation of Parkour UK members – Train Hard Parkour. Train Hard have been coaching Parkour/Freerunning in Dorset since 2006; creating a dedicated training facility has been a goal of theirs from the very beginning.
For the first time ever in Dorset, Parkour/Freerunning practitioners will have a dedicated space, with Parkour UK qualified and insured coaches to help guide them with their training. Train Hard expect The Parkour Project to tear down many of the barriers that prevent people from starting Parkour/Freerunning training. The Parkour Project welcomes people of any age from absolute beginner, right through to experienced practitioners, looking for a place to call home.
The creation of this ground breaking facility would not have been possible without the amazing support of The Project Climbing Centre, who have transformed the sports centre above the Dolphin Centre into a first-class climbing wall and Natural Sports, a company that specializes in the construction of parkour facilities, who have sponsored a lot of the build.
The Parkour Project will be opening its doors for its official launch over two days, the 25th & 26th of October:
Saturday 25th: 12:00 20:00 & Sunday 26th: 10:00 20:00
There’ll be mini-workshops, giveaways, and lots of opportunities to use the purpose built facilities. The event is absolutely free and open to everyone. The Parkour Project can be found inside The Project Climbing Centre. The Project Climbing Centre is on the same floor as the library in the Dolphin Centre, in Poole.
You can find out more about The Parkour Project & the launch on their website, Twitter & Facebook or call 0808 189 3253
The Parkour Project follows in the footsteps of other Parkour/Freerunning facilities in the UK, from Parkour UK members including Parkour Generations – The Chainstore & Airborn’s – Airborn Academy
If you would like more information on Parkour Parks or facilities please do contact us.
#MoreParkourParks #GiveParkourAGo
]]>The current 2012 edition of Safe practice in Physical Education and Sport, has a section (3.10.8 – 3.10.17) on ‘Emerging Activities’. These are described as activities for which ‘codes of safe practice are still under development’. One of these activities is Parkour/Freerunning. Many teachers and students would have come across different versions of activities similar to Parkour, and quite clearly they are very engaging and active pastimes. In this article the specific activity of Parkour is discussed, and information is provided to help teachers who might be considering how to safely introduce Parkour into their programme.
What is Parkour/Freerunning?
The term ‘Parkour’ originating in France in the 1980s, was adopted from 1998. It derives from the French word ‘parcours’ meaning ‘route’ or ‘course’. Used interchangeably, “Parkour, Freerunning, Art Du Deplacement, is the non-competitive physical discipline of training to move freely over and through any terrain using only the abilities of the body, principally through running, jumping, climbing and quadrupedal movement.” Whilst there is no set list of moves those that are often practiced are:
- running towards a wall and then jumping and pushing off the wall with a foot to reach the top of the wall
- moving from a position hanging from a wall-top or ledge, to standing on the top or vaulting over to the other side
- Vaulting over obstacles
- jumping and landing accurately with the feet on small or narrow obstacles
- jumping and catching a ledge with the hands while the feet land on the vertical surface below.
- using a rolling motion to help absorb large impacts
What does the activity do?
In sporting terms (as opposed to describing the philosophy of Parkour), it aims to develop the functional strength and fitness, balance, spatial awareness, agility, coordination, precision, control and creative vision that are required to achieve the movement, whilst at the same time aiming to build confidence, determination, self-discipline and self-reliance, and a responsibility for one’s actions.
The footage and pictures I have seen show the activity as being highly dangerous. Is it really something that we can develop safely in schools?
Many students are drawn to this activity as a result of watching exciting clips and films on social media sites. afPE members will know that a great deal of the safe practice guidance has been developed along side the national governing bodies (NGB) of many different sports and activities. Where appropriate, the guidance overlaps and agrees, and in other cases, whilst taking the NGB rules into account, adjustments need to be made to make the guidance ‘school appropriate’. An example of this might be where an NGB could insist on the wearing of certain items of personal protective equipment (PPE) whilst competing in an event led by an NGB, whilst a school could not make the wearing of PPE compulsory for school activities, unless it chose to provide the equipment for everyone. Parkour UK is currently in the final stages of being recognised by Sport England (along with the other sports councils of the UK – Sport Wales, Sport Scotland, Sport Northern Ireland & UK Sport) as the recognised NGB for the sport, and is working with afPE to develop appropriate professional learning to enable Parkour to be carried out safely in schools, delivered by teachers.
I would like to see some school based Parkour/Freerunning being delivered at my school. Could I bring in a coach, and if so, what can I look for as part of my competency assessment of the coach?
Table 1 provides the current Parkour UK Model for training and development. The coaching strand is clearly outlined showing the different stages that a Parkour/Freerunning coach can go through. As with most activities delivered by external coaches, for Parkour/Freerunning, schools should be looking for an individual to hold at least the Parkour UK 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Parkour/Freerunning (QCF).
In addition to this they should be registered with the Parkour UK Parkour Professionals Register which provides proof of occupational competence & Insurances of £10m. Additionally it is recommended a Disclosure and Barring Service check / membership is supplied (NB a DBS certificate is not always required unless the coach is likely to be working alone with a group of students). Parkour UK can provide this service for members.
As part of the on-going relationship with afPE, Parkour UK also recommend that the coach has completed the afPE 1st4sport Level 2 certificate in Supporting Learning in Physical Education and School Sport (QCF).
Does holding the qualifications outlines above, enable the coach to deliver the Parkour/Freerunning session alone?
In a curriculum setting, it is ideal for a (PE) teacher to work alongside a coach as part of their on-going professional development and as part of the process of them becoming qualified. The teacher retains responsibility for the class the coach is working with. If therefore the teacher decides to allow the coach to work ‘at a distance’ from the them, this should only happen after a period of observation and competency assessment has been carried out. ‘At a distance’ means that the responsible teacher is easily and quickly on hand to intervene or help out should the need arise. (See Safe Practice in PE and Sport 2012 pp 62-70 for more information).
If as a specialist PE teacher I decide that I would like to qualify to deliver Parkour/Freerunning in school, what routes can I take?
As illustrated in Table 1 below, qualified teachers (QTS), wishing to teach Parkour during curriculum time or as an extra-curricular activity, need to undertake the Parkour UK 1st4sport Introductory CPD Award in Teaching Parkour/Freerunning (QTS). This enables them to deliver the activity indoors using appropriate equipment and/or purpose-built equipment.
Specialist PE teachers can take their training further, enabling them to deliver indoors and outdoors in curriculum (KS3+) and extra –curricular time, by undertaking the Parkour UK 1st4sport Intermediate CPD Award in Teaching Parkour/Freerunning (QTS). This does not enable them to teach in an external or community setting.
Alternatively teachers can take the NGB coaching route by completing the Parkour UK 1st4sport Level 1 Award and Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Parkour/Freerunning (QCF).
So non-specialist PE teachers are able to access these awards?
Yes, as above, teachers with QTS can access the Parkour UK 1st4sport Introductory and/or Intermediate CPD Award in Teaching Parkour/Freerunning (QTS). afPE is currently considering whether this award could also be undertaken by those practitioners who have completed the afPE Level 5 Certificate in Primary School Physical Education Specialism and Level 6 Award in Primary School Physical Education Subject Leadership.
What about non –QTS staff, could they safely contribute to the teaching of Parkour/Freerunning in schools?
See Table 1. Teaching Assistants who have completed the Parkour UK Sports Leaders UK Award in Leading Parkour/Freerunning, or the Parkour UK 1st 4sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Parkour/Freerunning (QCF), can assist teachers or coaches in school.
Lunchtime supervisors who have completed the Parkour UK Sports Leaders UK Award in Leading Parkour/Freerunning, can facilitate students in the playground undertaking basic parkour related moves, as set down by the school. This training enables them to facilitate such activity in the same way that they may be trained to facilitate other lunchtime games and activities. The award provides them with an awareness to appreciate what Parkour/Freerunning activities are acceptable in a recreational setting, (e.g. some jumping, landing) and to distinguish these from those moves which require further supervision and direction from a qualified teacher or coach.
What about students’ safe progression out of school?
Teachers delivering Parkour/Freerunning in school, may wish to signpost students to the other awards which are available to them in the Achieving, Leading and Instructing categories, depending on their age. (See Table 1).
Where can I access these qualifications, and how can I be sure they are being delivered by qualified staff ?
Professional development in Parkour/Freerunning should be endorsed by Parkour UK and delivered by a Parkour UK Educator, who will hold at least Level 3/4 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) or equivalent.
The higher teacher’s award – Parkour UK 1st4sport Intermediate CPD Award in Teaching Parkour/Freerunning is due to be made available later in 2015. For information about any of the professional development covered in this article contact [email protected] .
Table 1
Where can Parkour/Freerunning be taught?
In most cases, where Parkour /Freerunning is taught in schools, it takes place indoors. This will also be dependent on the type of qualification that is held by the teacher/coach. As noted above a teacher would need to complete the higher level – Parkour UK 1st4sport Intermediate CPD Award in Teaching Parkour/Freerunning, in order to deliver outdoors or use a Parkour UK 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Parkour/Freerunning (QTS) or above qualified coach.
Whilst some existing indoor PE equipment can be used, purpose built Parkour equipment can be purchased from a number of suppliers including Freemove, Natural Sports and Coachwise 1st4sport. Purpose built and ‘portable’ Parkour/Freerunning facilities are also available, these should comply with the BSI British Standard for Parkour Equipment BS10075:2013. Teachers should avoid improvising with existing equipment other than those items deemed suitable for this activity. Guidance on this can be sought through enquiring to Parkour UK or attendance at one of their courses, or from a qualified Parkour/Freerunning coach.
afPE has endeavoured to keep members informed of developments within Parkour to ensure that those schools wishing to introduce it can do so safely. Introducing new activities into school, always involves a considerable amount of organisation, research and a willingness to ‘give it a go’. Whilst Parkour/Freerunning is an exciting and potentially engaging activity, preparation for introducing it needs to be approached in the same way as any other activity. Identifying a need in the first place is key. Which students are interested, what target groups would it provide a good learning context for, how will it be safely developed both from the school’s point of view and for the students? Having considered some of these points it is then time to decide what staff investment to make. Coaches can play a part in this planning, liaising with other schools who already provide the activity is another useful method. Hopefully this information will help with some of those decisions, and enable safe practice.
Angela James
afPE Health & Safety Officer.
]]>- Parkour UK – Special Congress (EGM) Agenda
- Parkour UK – Proposed Articles of Association & Parkour UK – Articles of Association (Comparison) to current Articles of Association
- Parkour UK – Voting Form [Accredited, Founding & Affiliate Members]
- Parkour UK – Voting Form [Associate Members]
- Parkour UK – Proxy Voting Form [Accredited, Founding & Affiliate Members]
- Parkour UK – Proxy Voting Form [Associate Members]
Notes:
- All current Parkour UK Members are invited to attend. All members must RSVP by 5pm on Friday 31st October 2014 if they wish to attend in person, this will help us in our planning and administration of Special Congress. Members are able to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in their place. A proxy need not be a member of Parkour UK.
- Entitlement to vote is based on the company’s current Memorandum & Articles of Association. If the special resolution to adopt the proposed Articles of Association is adopted, as proposed by the board, membership categories & voting rights will be changed and entitlement to vote will be amended.Voting & proxy voting forms can be downloaded using the links above^ and hard copies will be available at the meeting. ALL proxy votes must be received (either by post or email) by 5pm on 4th November 2014.
- If you have any queries relating to Special Congress please contact our Chief Executive – Eugene Minogue on [email protected] or 020 3544 5834.
The Scottish Sports Association (SSA) brings Scottish Governing Bodies of sport together with a wide range of partners with the aim of ensuring that sports policies, and those that impact on sport, work in harmony so as to be most effective in practice. They work with national and local government, The Scottish Parliament, Sportscotland, business, the voluntary sector and other key organisations to shape, strengthen and promote sport in Scotland.
We look forward to forming a strong relationship with at Scottish Sports Association to promote, protect, facilitate and develop Parkour/Freerunning in Scotland for and with our members in Scotland.