SEFTON SOFTBALL LEAGUE
BaseballSoftballUK have been working closely with Active Sefton to create a 4-team or more Softball League for adults - beginners-. Active Sefton will promote it amongst their members and we want to promote it for the whole of Merseyside.
The games will be played at Litherland Sports Park, Boundary Road, Litherland, Liverpool, L21 7LA.
Tuesdays evenings, starting 25 May 2010.
From 5:30 pm to 6:00pm for coaching and 6:00 pm to 7:30 for games. (If you don't want to train just come at 6:00pm)
A number of clubs currently enjoy a degree of rate relief from the local authority. In some instances as much as 75%. The system is reviewed periodically, and a review is now proposed in advance of the next financial year commencing in April 2010. The process will start in September and clubs will receive more details shortly.
INDEPENDENT SAFEGUARDING AUTHORITY - DELAY IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION
Those clubs that attended the seminar at Aintree in April will be aware that the scale of the operation planned to create the new database - a project that will create a database containing upwards of 11.5 million people involved in work with children or vulnerable adults. Its not surprising therefore in view of the size of the project that the proposed start date of October 2009 has been put back to July 2010.
Members will receive further information as it becomes available.
COMMUNITY AMATEUR SPORTS CLUB (SUPPORT) BILL RECEIVES FAVOURABLE HEARING
Lord Addington's Bill to remove unnecessary regulatory costs and burdens from sports clubs received its second reading on 8 th May, and following a positive discussion was referred to Committee stage were amendments may be tabled. The Government view is that issues addressed in the Bill such as utilities costs need to be addressed on behalf of the broader voluntary sector, rather than for sport alone.
CMS SELECT COMMITTEE CRITICISES SPORTS CLUB LICENSING FEES
In its recently published report into the Licensing Act 2003 the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has made clear it view that the current licensing fees paid by sports clubs are excessive: "We are concerned that sporting and not-for-profit clubs should face the same fees as the commercial sector. Sporting clubs play an important role in ensuring community access to affordable physical activity. We recommend that they should be placed in a fee band based on 20% of their rateable value".
The Government is due to respond to the Committee's report, and if it accepts the Committee's recommendation will grant clubs a welcome reprieve from the onslaught of regulatory cost and burden they currently face.
FUNDING
New fund launched by the Big Lottery Fund and Channel 4. Check out the Funding page for more details.