Bucs annual review 2008 - 2009 1

REgIONS & pROfESSIONAL
DEVELOpmENT
In September 2008 the Professional and
Regional Development Department was
created, amalgamating the professional
membership services offered by UCS and the
functions of the BUCS Divisions.
Regions & Nations
BUCS members operate under nine English regions,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In the first year time
was spent establishing new structures that reflected the
ethos of BUCS, and so brought together student and staff
member groups that had previously met independently.
Acknowledging the fact that each region and nation
was unique - with some facing challenges such as
geographical spread, varying numbers of institutions and
levels of engagement – structures have developed that
reflect these differences but are sustainable and deliver the
services required by its members.
Where structures were already well established groups
were quick to adapt to BUCS and over the past twelve
months have continued to support and respond to the
needs of the members. The North West saw two years of
hard work come to fruition with the appointment in January
of James Birdsey as the NW HE/FE Sports Manager.
In the first six months James has been responsible for the
FE Pilot Project, producing minimum standards for the
employment of sports coaches, co-ordinating an officiating
programme and working with Sports Leaders to support
BUCS
20 annual review
the transition into volunteering in Higher Education. The
Yorkshire region bid to Hefce and Sport England for ten
Sports Participation Volunteer Coordinators across the
region was unsuccessful but they continue to explore
the possibility of a smaller scale project funded by the
universities in the region. Wales, with support and
funding from the Sports Council for Wales conducted
an Audit of Sport and Recreation Provision in Higher
Education providing a comprehensive picture of the
contribution made by the sector in relation to facilities,
services and participation. Other regions continue to
develop and will start the 2009 season in a much
stronger position than before.
The student and staff chairs from the regions and nations
attended Chairs Forum where competition related issues
were raised, updates from regions and nations and Home
Nation Sports Councils were received and communication
and consultation on areas of BUCS business occurred.
The Student Officers and elected staff representatives
were also present and represented this group and issues
raised at BUCS Executive Group.
Over the course of the year it was apparent that
representation was duplicated and activity and effort
repeated through the work of the Chairs Forum and
Executive Group. This, combined with a lack of clarity
around communications and functional relationships
between BUCS staff and elected representatives, led to
the establishment of the Advisory Group. Full details of the
composition of this group can be found in the governance
section of the website.
Professional Development
The Professional Advisory Groups are an important
element in the delivery of services to members, providing
the opportunity to network, share best practice, develop
partnerships and support the professional development of
members. To this end Development Days were organised
addressing a wide variety of topics based around themes
of ‘Surviving the Credit Crunch’ and ‘Achieving Potential’.
The days were well supported and attracted delegates
from Sports Departments and Athletic Unions. The
Advisory Groups (Facilities & Operation Management,
Sports & Physical Activity Development and Marketing &
Business Development) which were identified in the BUCS
structure were not clearly established and will be reviewed
for 2009 /10.