Many Team GB athletes were inspired by the Olympic stage to achieve new personal bests, including Zak Seddon, Sophie McKinna and bronze medallist Charlie Grice in the athletics stadium, and Team GB's youngest member, 14-year-old gymnast Jessica Hogg who scored a personal best to finish fifth in the women's floor final.

Team GB Chef de Mission Jan Paterson said:

"Team GB's athletes have performed with passion, dedication and great quality here in Singapore.  They won medals in half of the sports in which we participated, demonstrating a real breadth of potential, and in achieving 25 further top-ten places, on top of the 13 medals won, our athletes have shown there is a depth of talent ready to be nurtured along the journey towards future Olympic Games."

An important element of success towards the future is the investment towards learning and development in the sports development field. ISPAL's Sports Development Foundation Workshop is a two day course which is divided into 8 modules:

- Course introduction;
- What is Sports Development?
- Sports Development Network and working in partnership;
- Sports Development Tools;
- Planning & Time Management;
- Information and Research (and how to use it);
- Issues based Sports Development;
- Working in the Community

Taking place on the 20 and 21 October at Chesterfield Football Club you can secure your place today by visiting our events booking website. Through the events website you can also find out more about this course.

Inspired by the success of the London Olympic bid, Sportstada has no geographical boundaries, therefore it is designed to get kids off the street and back to becoming more focused, enthusiastic & inspired through grassroots sport.

With the upgraded development of ICESTADA™, packages will now offer children the chance to experience sports such as Ice Hockey, Curling and Ice Dance/skating in a safe, secure environment.

The stadium consists of a series of patented interlocking panels and a specially developed synthetic Ice floor (recommended by the National Ice Skating Association of the UK) which has been designed to comply with all applicable European standards and accessibility guidelines. Every ICESTADA™ comes with ice skates, ice hockey equipment, floor cleaning machine and consumables, skate racks, auto skate sharpening machine and disability chairs to ensure a complete, fun- filled, exciting experience for children! All this, plus ICESTADA™ is fully portable, meaning it can be used indoors or outdoors.

Commenting on the phenomenal degree of interest, Nadeem Shaikh, Sales Director stated: -

"The official launch of ICESTADA™ does not take place until 6th & 7th October at the National Sports Development seminar in Telford, however, we have already had large scale interest from as far away as Poland! Therefore, there is no doubt in my mind that ICESTADA™ will be a huge global success - we may even have to consider moving premises at some stage to ensure production meets demand!"

Further information about SPORTSTADATM and ICESTADA™ can be found at www.sportstada.com or by contacting the Sportstada Team on 028 9044 9989

The Minister's officials have raised this matter with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The FCO has advised that it does not anticipate any problem with individuals playing or coaching with a Zimbabwean team. However, the Government's view is that 'there has been insufficient progress in the fundamental issues of political reform to justify sports tours to Zimbabwe by British teams, including county sides. The positive signal that such tours send would not be appropriate. However, this would not prevent British teams playing Zimbabwean teams in third countries'.

The Minister's letter goes on to state that 'the final decision on any tour is, of course, for the sports governing bodies to take.' At the same time I would stress that, in writing to you at the Minister's request to notify you of the Government's advice in relation to sporting relations with Zimbabwe, CCPR is in no way seeking to influence our member organisations' thinking on this matter.

As a further point, the Minister states that the FCO is keeping the issue under close review, and that he hopes that progress in Zimbabwe will mean that the Government can encourage teams to tour there again in the future. In the meantime, given the sensitivities over the UK's relationship with Zimbabwe, he says that the FCO is happy to be consulted on a case-by-case basis wherever necessary.

Strategic Leisure Ltd are recreation and sport management consultants, offering education, commercial and voluntary sectors advice on issues from operation to project implementation and funding. Strategic Leisure recently sponsored the successful ISPAL National Conference in June and now return to sponsor the 19^th NSDS at the International Centre in Telford.

Sportstada is the world's first portable multi sports stadium for children aged 5 - 12 years old. Delegates at the seminar will be able to experience the stadiums uniqueness and excellent design features first hand. NSDS will be the official launch of a new upgrade of the stadium which will be featured in next week's ezine.

NSDS is taking place on the 6^th and 7^th October and bookings are already proving to be strong. It is recommended that if you are interested in attending NSDS that you secure your place soon to avoid disappointment.

There are three ways to book onto the National Sports Development Seminar:

+ Through our events website by clicking here
+ Download and send us a completed booking form, or
+ Contact a member of the events team on 0118 929 8355.

For more information about sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities please contact Jonathan Wilson at jonathan.wilson@ispal.org.uk.

Green Gym groups provide sessions of practical nature conservation or gardening, usually in 3 hour slots on a weekly or more frequent basis. Sessions are run to maximize the health benefits and include warm up and cool down exercises.

Over 100 Green Gyms have been set up in the last decade, including schools and prison groups. Through activities such as woodland management, bird and bat box making, dead hedging and tree planting, they help to maintain and improve community woodlands and green space.

BTCV is now aiming to attract leisure centres and gyms to develop Green Gyms and encourage club members that exercise is also available outdoors as well as within the space of four walls.

Nina Sperinck, BTCV Health Development Manager says "Green Gyms are a great way to meet people, get fresh air and exercise and help to improve your local area. Volunteers can learn new skills while also benefitting their physical and emotional wellbeing. BTCV are committed to eventually offering every community the chance to join a Green Gym and our Green Gym licence is an important step towards this."

To find out more about Green Gyms or to enquire about a Green Gym near you please click here to visit the BTCV website.

Competition keeps us all on our toes and has a positive effect on the market place; it constantly compares one product to another in price, quality and value. Those who have the job of marketing, doing or retaining the business must know how to quickly and effectively market themselves first, in order to gain the trust and attention of those to whom they are looking to influence and impress.

93% of communication is non-verbal, so first impressions really do count. Make the wrong first impression and it can take up to 20 subsequent meetings to change a wrong initial opinion - that's if you get a second chance

The event will:

+ Provide delegates with practical tools, tips and ideas on managing the perceptions others have of them.
+ Work from a basis of understanding the person's values and give practical advice on how to align their initial impact with the long term impression they wish to create.
+ Help delegates to develop their personal image and their impact skills by giving clear guidelines about how to enhance the way they present themselves visually.
+ Take into account the brand and reputation of 'Me plc' and give advice on how to make a clear and powerful impact both within the business and to external customers

Cost:

ISPAL members - £59 + Vat
Non-members - £69 + Vat
Students (holding a valid student card) - £39 + Vat

To secure your place today please visit our events website by clicking here or contact a member of our events team on 0118 929 8355.

NBS has continued reporting to deadlines and maintained a full service for clients.  The only change is that NBS administration is temporarily being handled by SIRC until new NBS administrators have been contracted.

For queries regarding NBS or to book for future NBS reports, please contact Peter Taylor on peter.taylor@shu.ac.uk or by phone at: 0114 2255922 or Shia Ping Kung on s.p.kung@shu.ac.uk or 0114 2255460.

The company have had a long association with blind football as they sponsor 34-year-old Jonathan Gribbin, who is England's top star striker.

Mark Harrod said: "We're delighted to be involved in this under-reported football discipline and listened eagerly to see how they were getting on in Hereford. The skill involved has got to be seen to be believed and our England squad are certainly one of the very best."

England finished 4th overall in the championship with Spain finishing as world champions.

Blind footballers play on five-a-side pitches, using footballs filled with ball bearings so players can hear the ball - an addition which can occasionally cause injuries.

Mark Harrod Ltd manufactures and supplies high-quality sports equipment direct to schools, colleges, local authorities and sports clubs. Mark Harrod, who has more than 30 years experience as a manufacturer and supplier of sports equipment, is a leading advocate of sports safety with all equipment conforming to the latest British and European Standards.

To find out more about blind football BBC Sport has an excellent video which you can watch by clicking here.

To find out more about Mark Harrod Ltd please click here.

During the workshop speakers will demonstrate ways of working that have been proven to deliver success by engaging volunteers and so have succeeded without the need for significant new inward investment.

The wider 'sports' industry has to re-think what it does, how it engages with the volunteer sector, how it encourages more people to give up their time to support their local communities and how it values and supports this commitment.

There is much that sport can learn from looking outside the industry and this workshop will provide a detailed view of three success stories that those working to deliver positive change in our industry can learn from and use to positively combat the challenges that lie ahead.

Let us not willingly accept the 'axe' but initiate a process of review and proactive change in order to present a stronger case and be prepared to change how we work to ensure sport is recognised, not only as a genuine 'must have' service, but as a service that is prepared to innovate and adapt in order to maintain its position at the heart of positive societal change.

Confirmed speakers include:

+ Marianne Abley - Regional Associate, Local Government Improvement and Development Agency
+ Tony Berry - Visitor Experience & Volunteering Director, The National Trust
+ David Nuttal - Service Manager Sport and Arts Cultures, Leisure, Sport and Libraries, Coventry City Council.

Heythrop Park is one of the most historic Estates in England and in keeping with its status is now graced by a quintessential English golf course which meanders over ridges and through valleys and is studded with ancient woodland, lakes and streams. Following the workshop in the morning the delegate price also includes a friendly nine-hole round on the course to allow further time to network and enjoy the afternoon.

Attendance at the workshop along with golf in the afternoon is only £85+VAT for members of ISPAL. To secure your place today please click here to visit our events website.

To view a copy of the workshop brochure please click here.

This year the ISPAL award was won by German student Amelie Bernsdorf. Her course tutor, Rick Daniels, commented: "Throughout the Foundation Degree, Amelie has performed exceptionally well, and consistently produced excellent submissions in the modules she has studied. Given that English is Amelie's second language, to finish as the best performer within her year group of 30 students is an outstanding achievement.

ISPAL would like to congratulate Amelie on her achievements and look forward to witnessing the success in her future career.

Another 119 academies - schools being given new sponsors to raise attainment for the most disadvantaged - are also intended to go ahead. Ministers have been working with sponsors to ensure they can move forward with their academies, each designed to raise standards in areas of particular need. The 44 academies at the most advanced stage in their capital planning with Partnership for Schools will receive capital now, whereas capital allocations for the remaining 75 will be decided in the Spending Review.

Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, said:

"I am very pleased as this means the continuation of all the Building Schools for the Future sample schemes. Schools, local authorities and the private sector have worked hard to progress these projects and this will be welcome news for communities across the country."

Last month the Government announced the creation of a capital review led by Sebastian James, Group Operations Director of DSG International plc, to look at all areas of the Department's capital spending.

The aim of the review is to ensure that future capital investment is better value for money, less bureaucratic and more cost efficient. It will give priority to schools with the greatest need and seek to address rising primary school numbers.

Earlier this month, Sebastian James issued a call for evidence to inform his review. Views are being sought from all interested parties including schools, local authorities, construction industry and academy sponsors.

Sebastian James said:

"I believe that there is a chance for us all to make a real difference to how hard we can make any available capital work for us, and the speed that we can change the learning environment for our children. I am excited to be working with a team with great experience and commitment and the views that we can harvest from this call for evidence will be extremely helpful in shaping the thinking for the future. I hope that we will see a strong response from a wide range of people."

The call for evidence runs from 6 August to 17 September 2010 and can be accessed at the Department's consultations website. The Capital Review Team will report to Ministers in mid-September and a forward plan for capital investment over the next spending review period will be produced by the end of the calendar year.

The aim of CASE is to use interdisciplinary research methods and analysis to inform the development of policy in culture and sport. CASE is closely linked to the Taking Part survey both in terms of using data from the survey and in using the definitions of the sectors implicit in the choice of activities and levels of engagement included in the survey.

The programme was set up in 2008 and the 'drivers, impact and value of engagement' project was commissioned in December of that year. A year and half later, and the largest single piece of policy research in culture and sport is published.

The CASE programme is the most comprehensive piece of work in this field, assessing a huge range of research and data, setting the foundations for evidence-based policy-making in culture and sport upon which future work can build.

To download a copy of the report please click here.

The Taking Part survey is joint-funded by the CASE partners, but pre-dates CASE. It is the key national-level survey for measuring and monitoring levels of engagement in culture and sport in England. For more information, visit: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/research_and_statistics/4828.aspx   

The £235m Playbuilder scheme was started more than two years ago under the Labour government to develop 3,500 playgrounds which were designed by and for the communities they served.

Only those schemes that are currently undergoing construction are secured to go ahead. The Department for Education could not say exactly how many playgrounds would be scrapped as it is only now collecting information about which schemes are in construction.

Steve Chown, programme development manager at Play England, the charity commissioned to aid councils with their schemes says that many would not now go ahead.

He said: “Communities are going to be disappointed that these play areas, that they have worked so hard to set up, are not now going forward. There would have been nine months to go on the programme, and therefore  a lot of organisations who were ready to start building.”

A Department for Education spokesman said play was important for children and families, but investment had to be realistic and affordable.

"We are currently talking to local authorities across the country to determine the level of play capital funding for this year that has either not already been spent, or is not yet contractually committed, and which can be saved.

"We've asked local authorities to put on hold projects where contracts have been entered into, but where works have not yet begun.

"We hope to be able to progress these sites subject to future affordability. Those play sites that are already under construction can continue and will be paid for."

Cybex International who is National Partners of ISPAL will be supporting the event for the second year running, following on from a successful debut in 2009. The sponsorship is the second major event to have the support of Cybex this year, following their support of the recent National Conference which feedback has proven to be our most successful to date.

This year's National Sports Development Seminar takes place on the 6^th and 7^th of October at the International Centre, Telford. With 34  leading industry speakers confirmed to take part the seminar promises to be a big success with bookings having exceeded expectations since going live just a few weeks ago.

Rob Thurston, National Sales Manager for Cybex International said: We are really looking forward to taking part at this year's NSDS. Working with ISPAL and meeting the members allows us to build on our knowledge and understanding of the sports development and wider leisure sectors and after a great event in 2009 we are sure Telford will build on this success.

Jonathan Wilson, Consultant Head of Business Development at ISPAL said: We are delighted to be working with Cybex International at this year's seminar. The company continue to be significant supporters of the Institute and we know from speaking to our members that they very much respect our choice of partner from this sector.

If you are interested in other sponsorship opportunities along with exhibitor spaces please contact Jonathan Wilson directly on Jonathan.Wilson@ispal.org.uk or on 07980826781

To book your place as a delegate visit www.ispalevents.org.uk or click here.

The most recent fact sheet to be uploaded to the member's area looks at the latest sports participation figures, following on from the most recent Active People Survey Results.

Along with fact sheets there is also a FAQ section of the member's area looking at various common questions within the sport, parks and leisure industries that are being posted to the Information Centre. The most recent FAQ you can find in the member's area was uploaded yesterday and asks 'What is the latest legislation on facilities legal obligations to Fitness/Gym Inductions?'

To visit the member's area please click here or you may visit the area through any page of the ISPAL website by clicking the link in the top left.

Sport England has contracted Liz Austin and Jenny Hawtin, to manage the scheme on a short term basis.  Their contact details during this time will be as follows:

Liz Austin:         quest.manager@sportengland.org            07939 555685

Jenny Hawtin:    quest.administrator@sportengland.org      0207 273 1893

Their first task will be to review the assessments and mystery visits which had already been paid for and scheduled by PMP to take place, prioritising those which have already been missed, then the remaining ones in date order.  Next they will contact Quest members who have paid for assessments but not had them actually scheduled in and will then contact members who are due for either re-assessment or maintenance assessment in the next few weeks but have not paid or had anything scheduled.

It is anticipated that all assessments/visits will likely be postponed until after the new contract is awarded, and details of the new arrangements will be communicated as soon as they are agreed but cannot be pre-empted at this stage.  Liz and Jenny will therefore be giving you as much information as they can and keeping you informed over the next few weeks of developments.

If you are one of the Quest members who have either missed a visit or are due to have one within the next few weeks, and you have not heard from Liz or Jenny within the next few days, please get in touch with us as a matter of urgency in case you have been missed off the list.  If you have had any contact with your proposed assessor since the 13 July, please let them know what you have discussed with them as it may be that any arrangements have to be changed.

The other thing Liz and Jenny will be concentrating on is gathering reports for assessments and visits which had already taken place before 13 July to try to get these distributed to Quest members.  They are aware that some draft reports have been distributed already, please let us know if you are one of the members who has received one of these.  They will be looking back through the records they have available to ascertain which members are effected, however would really appreciate you contacting them if you have had your assessment and/or mystery visit and have not yet received your report. 

If you have paid for your assessment and would like to seek a position statement on the refund of monies that have been paid, you will need to contact the administrators to register as a creditor:

Victoria Bailey on 020 7486 5888 or Victoria.bailey@bdo.co.uk.

If you need to obtain Quest in order to discharge a condition of grant and/or release payment we recommend you contact your Sport England Development Manager and seek an extension of the time by which you need to achieve the accreditation.

Liz Austin said "We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone very much for their loyalty and dedication to Quest.  I appreciate that this is an uncertain time for everyone, but would like to reassure you that the future of Quest is secure.  The current situation is regrettable but we are working hard to minimise the impact it has on you as valued Quest members, the new contract still looks set to bring about an exciting evolution to Quest which we hope will both improve your experience of Quest and attract a whole new membership".

"If there is anything you would like to speak to us about which we have not covered here, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us, however please appreciate that we are likely to be swamped in the short term, and bear with us if we do not get back to you straight away".

A spokesman for the Nevis Partnership, Brian Wilshaw, said: "The £1 fee would secure our future and the future of the maintenance of the Ben Nevis track. That small donation would make all the difference."

In an interview with STV, Owen Llewellyn, team leader of Highland Conservation Ltd, said: "The old path was unbelievably rough, it was basically a boulder field. It is incredible the gear that some people go up Ben Nevis in...really inappropriate footwear and clothing. It's crazy. So this path certainly makes it a lot easier."

"Ben Nevis is hugely popular, so surely people can pay just £1 a time in order to go up this wonderful mountain. It is surely a small price to pay."

With many people visiting the mountain every year the Nevis Partnership was set up in 2003 after concerns over the impact of visitors on the fragile environment.

Highlights of the event last week included world champions Jessica Ennis (heptathlon) and Philip Idowu (triple jump) winning gold along with Mo Farah showing everyone what he is capable of, by taking gold in the double - 5,000m and 10,000m. 

With two years to go until the Olympic Games start in London, Van Commenee is already looking for further improvement. "Quite a few athletes stepped up a level, but there is a lot of work to be done," he said. 

London 2012 chief Lord Coe believes the future is bright for the team ahead of their home Olympics, although he acknowledged Dutchman Van Commenee still has work to do.

"I think the team is in really good shape with two years to go and what Charles will be figuring out is the route through for some of these European medallists to challenge again in 2012," he said.

"It's now a team that is buzzing and they are on the move. It is still a long time to 2012 but there is real light at the end of the tunnel."

Following successful major sporting events, those who work within the industry need to capitalise on the success and ensure that there is a lasting legacy. 

One of the main aims of the London 2012 Olympic games will be to sustain this sporting legacy across all of the UK and this year's National Sports Development Seminar, hosted by ISPAL, will focus on the way's in which sports professionals in our industry can maximise the Olympic platform in order to improve sporting opportunity at the grassroots of all sports and in turn, develop sports at the elite level. To find out more about the National Sports Development Seminar please click here.

Skills for Justice are working on a funded project from the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to develop QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) and guidance based on Core Competencies for the Children's Workforce. Skills for Justice are proposing to develop two units, a level 2 and level 3 and guidance which will introduce all the core competencies when working with children and young people in a manner appropriate for roles within the wider workforce.

The units, which may become stand-alone qualifications, covering the knowledge requirements of everyone working with children and young people, including those in the 'wider' workforce, i.e. those who work with children and young people as only part of their role. Examples of such roles can include, a police officer, a school caretaker, or a 'part-time' volunteer sports coach. These are for illustration only as the range of roles is extensive.

This work is separate from that completed already by the Council in developing the:

• Refresh of the Common Core of skills and knowledge required of those who work with children and young people
• Core QCF units for those who work with children and young people all of the time

In order to support your knowledge and understanding of the content and layout Skills for Justice have provided additional guidance for your information. To ensure your feedback is included within the consultation process, please ensure you have completed the Questionnaire by Monday 23 August 2010.

Click on the below link to go to the survey, this will take approximately 15 minutes to complete

QCF for those working with Children and Young People

Alternatively you can view the units and complete the questionnaire in word on the Skills for Justice website: Children's Workforce - Skills for Justice

For further information on the project please contact Rebecca Morgan on 0114 2317252 or email rebecca.morgan@skillsforjustice.com