Developing the programme (DEVELOP)
Developing a youth judo programme is a process that needs constant maintenance. We look at it as an organic process that should be started as soon as a solid grounding has been provided. This process reinforces the programme, guarantees that it will develop as time goes by and will take in new developments in the world surrounding us.
Fixed and variable: the stepping stones
A number of fixed and variable stepping stones are part of the development of a youth judo programme and together they guarantee its success. These stepping stones are described below. We want to emphasise that materials, trainers and organisation will provide a solid foundation.
The development of the programme
It goes without saying that, from a strategic point of view, we think it is important that a programme, which is meant to promote the values of judo, has its roots in a local context in order to transfer the values of judo. The basis (trainers / lesson content, judo equipment and organisations) provides the key.
Long-range planning
A clear and detailed picture, based on the scan, has emerged that shows the available possibilities and how the programme can be organised and what it can be like. At this stage we advise to draw up long-range plans, preferably in four-year cycles. Long-range planning clearly shows what the youth judo programme will eventually look like, how it will work out in practice, where and how it will be organised, who and what will be needed and which partners will have to perform which roles or tasks. The long-range planning outlines the picture in four years’ time.
The following elements are included in the long-range planning:
- Mission, which ‘sacred aim’ are you working on?
- Vision, what is your point of view?
- Added value: which values concerning children and society do you take as starting points?
- Programme: how is the content organised and what does the communication structure look like? - Four-year forecast (to determine the structure and growth of the programmes).
- Organisation and structure: who will be members of the team?
- Budget
The long-range planning could also be used in presentations to authorities and those who can take care of financing the project. Or it could be put to very good use while writing applications for funds and grants.
Action plan
It is best to organise youth judo programmes on the basis of the long-range planning that contains a clear and detailed description. An action plan covers a period of one year and describes briefly and to the point how and in which way the judo youth programmes will take shape.
If programmes are started for the first time, an action plan for funding has to be drawn up. Who are the partners that will support the programme and what kind of support will they be prepared to offer in order to help the actual organisation of a youth judo programme get started?
Finances
During the Develop-stage it is important to gain an insight in the available money flows and how to access them.
There are two points of importance:
- What will it cost to realise the plan?
- What money flows are available?
Generally speaking the costs can be subdivided as follows:
- Organisation of the project / overheads: the costs of organising projects, management costs, applying for subsidies and bringing in sponsors.
- Costs of training: (depending on the national situation) the costs of training and refresher courses for judo teachers (e.g. IJF Academy).
- Judo teachers: in a number of cases the hours a teacher (often on behalf of a judo club) is at work will have to be paid for.
- Equipment: judo suits and mats, depending on the local situation. In some cases, the federation will buy extra equipment so as to be able to run the programmes.
- Communication: communication materials, promotional activities, diplomas, certificates, etc.
Draw up a budget per year, per programme based on the costs structure as set out above. Show how many participants can take part on the basis of the budget that was drawn up. This will provide authorities and those providing funds and subsidies with detailed information of the costs per child per lesson.
Variable factors per country or region
In the past period the JFC commission reviewed quite a number of programmes on the grounds of passing on the values of judo to children and winning them over to the sport.
So, there are a great number of conceivable and possible variations available per country. As previously stated, there is no ‘one-size- fits-all’ construction. This article mainly allows the commission to indicate the general direction developments should take, the stepping stones and the dos and don’ts.
The JFC commission offers several tools to help you with the development of the program and to have all players in place for the start of the program:
- IJF Academy for the education of the trainers
- Slide deck and movies to convince partners to support the program
- Forms and guidelines to make a project plan
- An explanatory document for the judo teachers that will guide them through the program
- Access to the online toolbox for everyone that registers
The JFC commission advises to start on a small scale and then to expand and develop. By starting in this way, the programme can be properly controlled at all stages. Moreover, it can easily be adapted and possible problems can be identified and solved.
