‘Grassroots to Gold’
A Strategic Plan
2016 – 2020
This is the 4 year strategic plan for the Scottish Water Ski Association Ltd. which trades as
Waterski & Wakeboard Scotland and incorporates member clubs and ski / wakeboard schools.
www.waterskiscotland.co.uk
INDEX:
 Index
page 1
 Who are we, Vision, Mission
page 2
 Values and Strategic Objectives
page 3
 Targets
page 4 - 12
 Acknowledgements
page 13
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
1
Who are we………….
Waterski & Wakeboard Scotland (WWS) is the Governing Body for the
sport in Scotland. We are primarily a membership organisation funded
by its members for the benefit of its members. We are fully affiliated to
British Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (UK National Governing Body)
with a remit to represent the interests of water skiers and wakeboarders
WWS is a non-profit making organisation with all of our income invested
in developing and protecting water skiing and wakeboarding across
Scotland from the grassroots level through to our top athletes
Vision………
Our Vision is to ensure that waterski & wakeboard maintains its position
as a dynamic and exhilarating sporting adventure accessible to all
Mission………
To create a national and sustainable growth platform for membership
and facilities
To provide an inclusive ‘Grassroots to Gold’ pathway to participation
Values…………
Waterski &Wakeboard Scotland values:
 Safe and accessible sporting opportunities to all
 Robust Governance to maintain the trust of all our stakeholders
 Fun and Enjoyment in delivering our inclusive sport
 Structured pathways - participation to podium
 Sustainability through development of new and innovative cable
sites
 Protection of Wildlife
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
2
Strategic Objectives………….
PARTICIPATION
PLACES
PEOPLE
AWARENESS
EQUALITIES AND
INCLUSION
STRONG
ORGANISATION
Targets………
Increased Membership
Target:
 1700 members by 2020
We will deliver this goal nationally by working in close partnership with
the UK NGB via the following programmes.
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
3
On the Edge Adult Participation Programme
(a new British Water Ski & Wakeboard programme first piloted in 2013)
Aims:
 Offer new adult skiers and riders the chance to get into a water
sports discipline and develop their skills by following a step by step
progression of skills through Bronze, Silver and Gold levels (similar
to Cutting Edge)
 Make it easier to track progress and see how much programme
participants have achieved. ‘
 Offer ‘On the Edge’ programmes to both waterskiing and
wakeboarding disciplines of our sport.
Youth Cutting Edge (CE) Programme
This will be further developed nationally across all clubs, ski schools etc.
Aims:
 Encourage all affiliated clubs to join up to the CE programme and
register their members.
 Encourage all ski schools to join up to the CE programme and
register their members.
 Encourage all new facilities to join up to the CE programme and
register their members.
 Look at our existing membership structure and make sustainable
improvements where applicable.
 Work with all clubs to identify needs to allow them to grow and
strengthen
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
4
 Engaging with all and embracing the delivery of an inclusive sport
 Work with partners, including the Active Schools Network, to
enhance the youth programme across the country.
 Providing a national development officer post to liaise with all
facets of our sporting community and drive forward a national
development plan.
Workforce development opportunities
Target:
 Qualify 30 UKCC L2 coaches plus 25 Cable
Operators by 2020
We will deliver this goal through,
Investing in our coaches / drivers paid or volunteer nationally across our
club base and through similar support to our ski schools and cable sites.
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
5
Aims:
 Deliver high quality UKCC Level 1-3 boat based coaching courses
through our National Training site.
 Deliver high quality UKCC Level 1-3 cable based coaching
courses through our existing cable site network.
 Deliver high quality Ski Boat Driver courses through the National
Training site.
 Deliver high quality Cable Site Operator courses through our
existing cable site network.
 Deliver any other associated courses, training and advice
pertaining to the above to achieve a robust and future proof
coaching workforce
 Delivering all of the above through the continual promotion of
equality and diversity
 Create a Coaching Strategy to reflect the growth in the sport and
align to the Coaching Scotland Framework

Understanding the needs of participants and providing
accessible opportunities for participation
Target:
 Deliver National Disability awareness course at
the NTS
 Achieve Preliminary level Equality Standard for
Sport
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
6
We will deliver this goal through,
Working in partnership with various agencies to create a positive
experience for all that participate in the sport. We will aim to understand
the needs of our membership to ensure our sport is accessible to all. We
will provide the opportunities for our coaching community and leaders to
develop through improved disability awareness and work towards
achieving the Preliminary level of the Equality Standard for Sport.
Aims:
 Encourage all existing coaches to attend a Disability Awareness
workshop.
 Encourage all existing volunteers and leaders to attend a Disability
Awareness workshop.
 Integrate existing disabled athletes within able bodied training
sessions where practical
 Integrate existing disabled athletes within able bodied events
where practical
 Liaise closer with other sporting disabled groups
 Liaise closer with other disabled groups
 Breaking down boundaries perceived or otherwise
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
7
Strong governance and staffing structure growth
Target:
 Development Officer in post and fully funded for
4 years
 Satisfactory achievement rating on development
audit
We will deliver this through,
Maintaining an effective, strong and transparent organisation that has
clear strategic goals and is driven by an enthusiastic, dedicated and
diverse board in order to develop the sport throughout Scotland. We will
strive to a nationally focused additional post within the organisation,
operating from our HQ at Townhill, Dunfermline that will have a clear
remit and contribute to achieving the overall strategic aims of the
organization.
Aims:
 To offer developmental opportunities for board and staff to ensure
a strong and skilled organisation.
 To undertake an independent audit and comply with any
recommendations.
 To develop our sport through the NTS, existing clubs, ski schools
and cable sites.
 To develop our sport through the creation of new clubs, ski schools
and cable sites.
 To work closely with Active Schools and similar organisations to
develop and promote our successful national Cutting Edge
Programme targeted at kids / youth
 To engage with local authorities nationally promoting our sport
 To develop sustainable partnerships with funding agencies and
potential sponsors.
 To work closely with our UK NGB development team in developing
new initiatives and opportunities both nationally and unique to
Scotland.
 Gain support for this post through consultation with sportscotland
and British Water Ski & Wakeboard the UK NGB.
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
8
Formation of Wildlife Protection Group
Target:
 Fully operational group with various partners
based at the NTS
We will deliver this goal through,
The formation of a Wildlife Protection Group based at the National
Training Site
Aims:









Engage with the local community
Engage with the local community council
Engage with the local wildlife police officer
Liaise with Scottish SPCA
React and respond to any local issues
Hold regular meetings
WWS will chair this initiative
Engage with other similar groups within our sporting community
Disseminate information to our community
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
9
Work in partnership to create a network of facilities that
provide quality opportunities to a wide range of people
Target:
 Total of 6 cable sites fully operational
 Create NTS education and training hub situated
within new extension to existing building.
Traditionally the sport has been delivered through a small network of
affiliated clubs and purpose built ski schools, however the nature of
participation in the sport is changing and our approach to facilities must
reflect this.
Current landscape:
6 boat driven ski schools
2 cable sites
7 affiliated clubs
Waterski and Wakeboard Scotland has been long aware of the
challenges to increase membership through a more affordable and
accessible model. The innovation and introduction of Cable Tow Parks
has presented itself as a strong sustainable model for participation.
In 2013 Waterski and Wakeboard Scotland commissioned a feasibility
study on the potential demand for cable facilities throughout Scotland
and the impact this would have on participation and membership. The
results along with the statistics from the existing sites have shown a
clear path to developing a sustainable and accessible model for the
sport.
The 2 cable sites in operation are based in East Lothian and Glasgow.
We will continue to work with boat driven clubs as well as the cable sites
to develop membership, expansion and providing a quality experience
for all that attend.
Our target is to work with the relevant partners and providers to develop
a further 4 cable sites located in Tayside and Fife, Stirling, Renfrewshire.
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
10
Supporting Partners
‘Waterski & Wakeboard Scotland would like to take this opportunity to
acknowledge and thank the following partner organisations for their
continuing support, without them this journey would be very different’
Alan G Murray
Chief Operating Officer
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
11
sportscotland / lottery
Scottish Sports Association
British Waterski & Wakeboard
Cutting Edge Programme
WWS www.waterskiscotland.co.uk WWS Strategic Plan, Draft v1 (26/06/2014) Draft v4
(04/09/2014) Draft v5 (09/09/14) Draft v6 (26/08/15) Final Copy 06/10/2016
12