Club Development Plan

Purpose and Scope

Purpose: The purpose of this document is to outline the actions that Canoe Avon as a club intends to take in order to deliver on its objectives as stated in the Constitution. However just writing the plan is the easy bit. The membership needs to agree with the stated aims and buy into the plans. And then be part of the change in taking on roles, helping out, supporting activities and being active members of Canoe Avon.

Scope: This development plan covers the club as it exists as bounded by the Agreed Constitution and Code of Conduct. This plan will be reviewed regularly by the committee, along with the Constitution and Code of Conduct. Progress made will be included in the Annual Report presented at the AGM. This Development Plan contains a mixture of short-term, medium term and longer-term aims to get us where we want to be in 3 years’ time.

Where We Are Now

Prior to the pandemic, Canoe Avon as a club was struggling to attract and retain members, at one point dropping to a membership of 37. Over the course of the last 3 years membership is now consistently over 100, capitalising on the growing interest in paddlesport nationally. This has put the club in a relatively stable financial position.

Canoe Avon is in a great location with excellent facilities, accessible changing area, with good privacy, showers and level access. We have a good range of kit including soft kit for all sizes and shapes. There is a safe, positive and equitable feel to the club and the potential to be a thriving club that offers a place to paddle for everyone. The club has a strong racing heritage with our longer-standing members. Included in the membership is access to a regular pool session, the use of club equipment and facilities, such as the clubhouse gym and excellent parking. Upstream we have the Brunel strait – a clear section of the Avon. Downstream we have Saltford weir with its potential for introduction to moving water.

Where We Want to Get To

Our Vision

To be a thriving, active community-centred club, rich in opportunity and participation.

Our Objectives

The aims and objectives of the club as stated in our constitution are:

  • To provide coaching, competitive, and recreational opportunities across a range of paddlesport disciplines
  • To promote the club within the local community and paddlesport
  • To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club
  • To offer its services in a way that is fair to everyone.

Our Goals

There needs to be a retained number of experienced paddlers in the disciplines that the club supports.

We need to have the commitment, the ability, and the empowerment to be able to run regular paddle activities, not just from the club, but further afield.

Those who want to compete at or on behalf of the club should be supported to do so, with access to training and equipment.

Members should be able to articulate their aims and pathways in coaching and personal development.

The club should feel equitable, a place for everyone and part of the community.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

This Club believes everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, marital status, or socio-economic background.

We are committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution.

We acknowledge that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and are committed to preventing abuse and neglect through safeguarding the welfare of all children and adults involved in club activities.

Our Commitment to Sports Equity

This club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:

  • Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.
  • The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.
  • The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.
  • All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.
  • The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures and code of conduct.

The Development Plan

Please download the full development: Canoe Avon Development Plan