THE JACK PETCHEY AWARD SCHEME

The Jack Petchey award scheme is very popular and widely used. Over 1000 schools and clubs run the scheme. Over £2 million is allocated to this scheme every year. Participating clubs select 1 young person (age 11-25) to receive an achievement award each quarter. The winner receives a framed certificate and sum of money (in our case, £600) to be spent according the recipient choice. The money must be spent on the club, not the individual. Examples of purchases include new tracksuits for team members, new equipment for the club, or any item that the recipient feels will benefit the club.

Adults (over 21) who are leaders/ volunteers can also be recognised and appreciated through the parallel leader's awards scheme. This results in an annual payment of £1000 to the club, again to be spent on a project of the recipient's choice. The scheme continues to run for as long as it operates effectively.

Each quarter, members of the club are invited to make suggestions for the quarterly recipient of the award. To win and award the recipient does not have to be the fastest or best athlete. They do need to be exceptionally hard working or to have done something really positive for other people and the club. It is especially important that the younger members of the club nominate athletes for this as well as parents, coaches and older members. Once nominations have been collected, the recipient will be chosen by the committee. The Jack Petchey co-ordinator will inform the recipient that they have won the award. The recipient will be presented with the certificate and cheque at a suitable occasion (i.e. club awards night, club champs etc). They will then meet with the Jack Petchey co-ordinator to decide how they would like the money spent. All members of the club are encouraged to come up with ideas to go on a 'wish list' of items they feel will benefit the club, although ultimately it is the recipient's choice of how the money is spent. The items must be purchased as soon as possible after the decision has been made, certainly before the next quarterly award is presented.

Barnet & District A.C have been placed on the silver award scheme. This means we receive 4 awards of £600 each year as well as a £1000 yearly leader's award. Our next award winner will be in January 2008.

How You Can Help

• Internal nomination forms are available to download. All club members are encouraged to nominate young athletes (aged 11-25) for the quarterly award and well as 1 adult (over 21) for the leader's award. The leader's award will be decided from March 2008.
• Nominate items to go on the Barnet & District A.C 'Wish List' [Wish List form to download]. There are restrictions on what the money can be used for, though not many! Equipment, team clothing, guest speakers and hiring out certain venues (i.e. Lea Valley) are fine. Paying travel expenses, accommodation or equipment/ clothing specifically for 1 or 2 individuals is not. If you are not sure whether something is eligible for the wish list nominate it anyway. Our area grants officer can confirm whether items are appropriate or not.
• Visit the website: http://www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/ to find out more about the scheme.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Barnet & District A.C to recognise young athletes and leaders of the club who have achieved something significant for themselves and the club. If you have any further questions about the scheme feel free to ask myself or visit the excellent website.

Katherine March Jack Petchey Scheme co-ordinator