Matamata Swifts AFC is pleased to announce that we have become accredited under New Zealand Football’s Quality Club Mark (QCM) ‘1 star – Developing Club’ criteria.
“This accreditation is important because it gives us the assurance that we have our administrative house in order,” says Dwayne Barlow, Matamata Swifts’ Club Development Manager. “We knew we were doing most things well, but the QCM process highlighted several areas we needed to tidy up, which we did. We now have a national level set of criteria to reference our operation. If they weren’t already, our players, coaches, supporters and sponsors can be assured this is a very well run organisation.”
The management committee is constantly looking to improve the services the club offers. “Being aware of how good organisations operate, and applying those principles to what we’re doing here will only help increase our capacity and capability,” says Barlow.
Matamata Swifts AFC is one of only six clubs within the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region, and 33 nationwide, to hold QCM ‘1 star – Developing Club’ accreditation.
To help New Zealand Football clubs perform at their peak, New Zealand Football has created the New Zealand Football Quality Club Mark. This is a national partnership with the seven district Federations as well as 17 Regional Sports Trusts and Sport New Zealand.
Quality Club Mark aims to promote continuous improvement in the way football is delivered and supports clubs as they adopt standards of best practice.
“Quality Club Mark means that Matamata Swifts AFC has demonstrated both desire and capability to achieve standards of best practice,” says Cam Mitchell, NZ Football’s Community Football Director, in a letter confirming the club’s QCM accreditation. “The standards have been set by its parent body, leading to Matamata Swifts AFC delivering football in a safe environment for players, coaches, volunteers, administrators and parents.”
The QCM ‘1 star – Developing Club’ accreditation is valid from 2015 – 2017.
Football is a high participation sport in New Zealand across children, adults and ethnicities. Sport New Zealand’s Young Persons’ Survey reported that 70% of boys and 51% of girls aged 5 – 15 years participated in football while the Active New Zealand Survey showed football to be the only team sport demonstrating growth in adult membership.
Football is a major contributor to healthy vibrant communities across New Zealand, with 83,633 registered junior, youth and college players, 24,557 registered senior players and 13,751 futsal players, all being supported by 1,000 official referees and 6,000 coaches, plus thousands of volunteers.
“We acknowledge that we are only able to achieve this through clubs like Matamata Swifts AFC and therefore encourage organisations to partner and support Matamata Swifts AFC so that they can continue to deliver football in the community they serve,” says Mitchell.
Pictured: Ken Cresswell, WaiBOP Football’s Football Development Manager, presents Dwayne Barlow, Matamata Swifts’ Club Development Manager, with a plaque recognising club’s QCM ‘1 star – Developing Club’ accreditation.