EFDS Inclusion Club Hub finalist in Sports Technology Awards
The finalists for the first ever Sports Technology Awards have been announced and the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is delighted to be one of them for the online toolkit: Inclusion Club Hub. EFDS is among finalists in the category- Best Use of Technology for a Federation of Governing Body.
The Sports Technology Awards have been launched to recognise the increasingly important role that technology plays in sport and the positive impact of advances from the perspective of officials and players as well as spectators. These Awards present the opportunity to celebrate excellence and acknowledge successful technological innovation across all aspects of the sports sector.
Clubs are often the starting point for many participants to begin and develop in sport and physical activity. To increase participation and the enjoyment of sport at a local level, it is important that clubs are inclusive and welcoming to disabled people.
The Inclusion Club Hub (www.inclusion-club-hub.co.uk) was developed by EFDS, using the digital expertise of Corporate Culture, in 2012. It built on the momentum of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, supporting local level participation.
Using an innovative web based approach; the toolkit is free, interactive and accessible for all sports clubs across the country. It enables clubs to think about their offer and activities to disabled people through a series of questions. This is backed with effective resources and information empowering them to make positive changes at a local level.
Since its launch, as well as being warmly received by the sports sector, the site has had more than 500 clubs using the toolkit. Over three quarters of those clubs have found the site useful for their development.
The standard of nominations has been extremely high. Entries have been received from all over the world including: Austria, Holland, Finland, Turkey, Italy, South Africa, USA and Australia.
Sarah Marl, Marketing and Communications Manager for EFDS, said:
"We are delighted to be a finalist for an online tool we are very proud of. The Inclusion Club Hub has been influential in opening up more doors to activity for disabled people. As a charity, it was important to us to maximise the budget available and develop an easily accessible toolkit for anyone to use at any level. The feedback from clubs has shown it to be a highly valued tool."
The shortlisted companies are an intriguing mix of technology companies, sporting bodies and clubs as well as large global brands. Just some of those involved include: Adidas, BT Sport, Continental, Opta, O2, Vodafone, BBC Match of the day, Turkish Airlines, Sky Sports, William Hill, Wilson, the R&A and IBM. See the full list of finalists here.
Tables are now being booked for the lunchtime Awards ceremony taking place at The Brewery on Friday 4 April 2014. If you would like to be a part of the ceremony, you can reserve your table here.
