SPORTS clubs in Swindon and Wiltshire are being given a head start in the race to become more effective.

Wiltshire and Swindon Sports Partnership and Sport England are running a series of workshops designed to help people who run clubs develop their skills.

WASSP sports development officer Nancy Tillier said: "These workshops recognise the hard work that people put into their clubs and offers them a little extra help.

"Courses are designed to restore the fun and provide professional skills for working with local clubs."

Courses on offer include:

A Club for All: a workshop outlining how clubs can reach more sections of the community, along with the benefits that this can bring to membership and competition.

Developing Sporting Partnerships/ Developing Junior Clubs: a course showing the best ways of providing quality opportunities for young people to progress in sport.

Funding and Promoting: a course illustrating how best to raise much-needed club funds and how to promote clubs effectively.

Sports Development Planning: a complete guide to the production of effective development plans for sports clubs.

All workshops will be run by experts in sports development at locations throughout the area, and will be supported by a range of home study materials.

Further information is available from Alison Giles on (01380) 724911.