Sports Specific Development Groups
Sports and Leisure Development Services help run seven Sport Specific Development Groups, bringing together clubs from throughout the borough to co-ordinate the development of sport within Walsall.
The Sports Specific Development Groups’ currently operating within Walsall are:
| Contact | Telephone | |
| Basketball | Anthony Wood, Basketball Development Officer | 01902 605500 |
| Cricket | Richard Adams, Cricket Development Officer | 01902 605500 |
| Hockey | Richard Bradford, Club Development Officer | 01902 605500 |
| Netball | Sandie DeBechi, Netball Development Officer | 01902 605500 |
| Rugby | Kate Hollis, Senior Sports Development Officer | 01902 605500 |
| Sailing | Geoff Moore, Outdoor Pursuits | 01922 409834 |
| Swimming | Richard Bradford, Club Development Officer | 01902 605500 |
If you are interested in attending one of the meetings and feel that you would have a valuable input into the development of a particular sport in the borough please contact the Club Development Officer or relevant contact above.
The Club Development Officer also offers support and advice to sports clubs without an active development group.
Please see the section on the Club Development Officer.
Cricket Development Group
Walsall Cricket Development Group is an active and successful forum for Cricket clubs within the borough who meet on a regular basis to steer cricket in the area, largely focusing on youth opportunities and developing young people through cricket.
The group works closely with the Staffordshire Cricket Board, Walsall Council, Black Country Sports and other key partners to ensure its effectiveness. The development group consists of Walsall *Sports Club Standard (SCS) clubs whose policies and procedures ensure they are well suited to children wishing to become involved in a club environment.
Walsall Cricket Development Group Clubs
- Aldridge Cricket Club (SCS Club)
- Bloxwich Cricket Club (SCS & Clubmark Accredited))
- Bronze Cricket Club (SCS Accredited)
- Pelsall Cricket Club (SCS Accredited)
- Rushall Cricket Club
- Streetly Cricket Club
- Walsall Cricket Club (SCS & Clubmark Accredited)
All of the clubs listed above provide coaching provision for both junior and senior players. To find your nearest Cricket Club visit the Sports Club Standard - Club Database. For more information call 01902 605500 .
Hockey Development Group
Walsall Hockey Development Group is an active and successful forum for Hockey clubs within Walsall to initiate development opportunities to improve and develop the provision of hockey within the borough and promote and ensure equity and opportunity.
The three Walsall Clubs that attend the group work closely with the Walsall Hockey Development Officer (the Group played a large part in the creation of this post), the Walsall Club Development Officer, the Regional Hockey Development Officer from England Hockey and Black Country Sports.
The Group creates opportunities for coach / volunteer education and development; and initiatives to increase and promote participation to further develop Hockey within Walsall.
Walsall Hockey Development Group Clubs
- Aldridge Hockey Club
- Bloxwich Hockey Club (*SCS Accredited)
- Walsall Hockey Club
All of the Hockey Development Group clubs have either achieved or are working towards the Walsall *Sports Club Standard (SCS) which is a quality mark for sports clubs which ensures safe, effective child-friendly sports clubs within Walsall; with a view to developing further to achieve the higher award of the England Hockey / Sport England “Clubs 1st Accreditation”. They all offer senior and junior coaching.
To find your nearest Hockey Club visit the Sports Club Standard - Club Database. For more information call 01902 605500.
Rugby Development Group
Walsall Rugby Development group assists, partners an initiates projects to enhance, allow and attract improvements to all Rugby opportunities.
From Training, resourses, equipment, funding opportunities, creating coaches, training volunteers or providing vocational qualifications, the group is there to develop the sport in Walsall further.
The group works at regional level with government bodies to ensure equity and opportunity.
Leagues
Clubs in the Walsall area play in a variety of leagues and merit tables. The standards vary from Midlands (5+6) through to Midlands (3+4) and up to the midlands (1+2). Above this teams enter into the National Leagues.
Mini / Junior Rugby Teams
Junior Rugby is played on Sunday mornings from September through to April.
Why not give your local club a call or visit their website for further information on how to start playing.
All clubs aim to have qualified governing body coaches and first aiders on site. All local clubs adhere to the RFU Child protection Policy including Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checking procedures.
Walsall Rugby Development Group Club List
- Bloxwich RFUC (RFU / S / J / SCS)
- Bloxwich Blues (RFUW / G / SCS)
- Handsworth RFUC (RFU / S / J)
- Walsall RUFC (RFU / S / J / SoA / SCS)
- Willenhall RUFC (RFU / S / J / SoA / SCS)
Key
RFURFU - affiliated
RFUWRFU - for women affiliated
S - senior coaching
J - junior coaching
W - ladies team / coaching
G - girls team / coaching
SoARFU - seal of approval
SCS - Walsall sports club standard
To find your nearest Rugby Union Club visit the Sports Club Standard Club Database or www.community-rugby.com home page and simply type in your postcode.
For more information call 01902 605500.
Swimming Development Group
Walsall Swimming Development Group is a recently reformed forum for Aquatic sports clubs within Walsall to steer, create and initiate development opportunities to improve and develop the provision of swimming and aquatic sports within the borough and promote and ensure equity and opportunity.
The three Walsall Clubs that currently attend the group work closely with the Walsall Club Development Officer and the Black Country Sports Swimming Development Officer.
The Group creates opportunities for coach / volunteer education and development; and initiatives to increase and promote participation to further develop swimming and aquatic sports within Walsall.
If you are interested in attending one of the meetings and feel that you would have valuable and positive input into the development of a swimming in the borough please contact the Club Development Officer or relevant contact above.
Walsall Swimming Development Group Clubs
- Walsall Swimming Club (*SCS and Swim21 Accredited)
- Walsall Water Polo Club
- Walsall Synchronised Swimming Club
All of the Swimming Development Group clubs have either achieved or are working towards the Walsall *Sports Club Standard (SCS) which is a quality mark for sports clubs which ensures safe, effective child-friendly sports clubs within Walsall; with a view to developing further to achieve the higher award of the ASA Swim21 Accreditation.
To find your nearest Swimming or Aquatic sports club visit the Sports Club Standard - Club Database. For more information call 01902 605500.