Setting up a Club

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Powerlifting - Is as the name suggests, a strength sport consisting of three lifts, Squat or deep knee bend, Bench Press and Deadlift. From which a total from the three lifts will produce a winner, at a given body weight.

Health & Safety - As with all sports, coaching is of prime importance. Therefore good practice and technique should always be the norm. It is felt by some that weight training is bad for young people. Yet Eastern Bloc countries have proved that it creates greater bone density, lean body mass, flexibilty and a greater attention span. The feel good factor that one gets from strength training can be individual or communal. That is to say that Powerlifting is the type of sport that demands a high degree of teamwork and part of the induction must include assisting or "spotting" each other. Powerlifting as a sport is less likely to incur injury than almost all of the more common team games played within the school / college curriculum.

Drug Misuse - If one means social drugs or narcotics, it is not possible to train or attain any standard of performance whilst taking such and thus would act as an indicator to the coach tutor. Performing enhancing drugs, steroids etc. the BWLA British Weightlifters Association and the UK Sports Council issue strict guidelines regarding drugs in sport. With this in mind every effort is made to discourage the use of banned substances, whatever the sport.

Licensing Requirements - For the competition element of Powerlifting, it is a requirement that you are registered with the Governing body BWLA. A club affiliation allows inter club and divisional competition creating further ties within schools and communities.

Rewards of Powerlifting & How it can Effect Young People - A healthy lifestyle, greater self esteem, as a multi racial sport assists in better understanding. Male, female participation. Access for disabled and ethnic minorities. An ability to work or compete at own level of skill.

Physical Benefits - Greater strength, co-ordination, confidence, tolerance and a healthy attitude to life and those around them. Powerlifting exercise will assist in the development of other sports through the use of resistance training. Greater bone density, lean body mass, life long interest in sport.

Intellectual Benefits - It has been established that a healthy body will assist in the development of a healthy mind. Even if this is just to have greater knowledge of their sport, spin off's will occur.

Language - Powerlifting is an International sport with common rules throughout. Therefore an understanding through the sport can be established, thus language and its barriers need not be so.

Emotional Benefits - Teamwork, exercise euphoria, positive thoughts able to set achievable goals.

Social Development - Inclusion, respect for others, a willingness to help or understand can come about by working with like minded sports people.

Psychological Benefits - These can be numerous, self-esteem, social awareness, competitive edge, willingness to learn and a more open mind.

Parental Benefits - Pride in siblings achievements, knowing where they are whilst training, healthy lifestyle, less likely to be involved in drugs or crime.

BWLA Star Awards - These are an incentive to encourage young people to have a go in the sport. To develop technique and co-ordination.

Qualification to Teach - As this is a BWLA sport it is desirable that the minimum qualification be a BWLA Leaders Award. But the sport is of a specialized nature BWLA would encourage taking the Powerlifting Instructors Award. Thus giving a firm grounding in the sport. To get a greater understanding of the rules a Powerlifting referee's Certificate is also available.

Funding Access - This may depend on the area of the country or county you live in, the type of school or college, your local authority's attitude to the sport and the revenue they have allocated. Independent funding is possible through an assortment of charities, such as Awards for All. For more information contact your L.A sports organizer or local community volunteer service. They can offer help in setting up a club, assist in project application for grants and help to create a constitution if needed.

Equipment - To begin with you may not need to lay out a great deal of finance. The essentials being - squat racks, bench power bars * 3 and weights. This will allow your to coach as many as 12 at one time. With only a small outlay of £3,000 - £5,000, not a lot in today's terms.

GB Youth Development Powerlifting - My role is to try to promote the sport of Powerlifting to young people throughout the U.K. To encourage a feeling of wellbeing, social inclusion, a will to win, respect for themselves and others and to establish a fitness culture that will have lifelong benefits. To succeed I will need the help of many like minded people. Please contact me if you may be able to help fred_mackenzie@lineone.net