CATS mission statement is to promote, recognise and reward all young people for positive community action with sports based awards.

If you would rather watch than read…scroll down to the bottom of this page and click on the two CATS videos…. it explains it all and will inspire you! (We promise!!).

It was established in 2005 by a school Director of Sport and a police sergeant, both from Bude in North Cornwall, in answer to a dispersal area being imposed on young people. The youngsters insisted that they did not want to be ‘tarred with the same brush’ and wanted to be known for the good things that they do and be able to afford access to sports activities. CATS was the solution.

Simply put, far from assuming that all young people are bad, CATS offers young people the opportunity to get involved in a positive way with their community who are then awarded with sports activities and/or healthy living rewards. Very often sports, that the young person cannot afford or has not considered before.
CATS is aimed at ALL young people. Whether they need to be directed into positive community action or are already great community members. Recognition is the key. Sport is the driving force.

Aims and Objectives

Improve confidence and self esteem by recognising self achievement and developing life skills and qualifications for young people

To encourage access to sports facilities and healthier lifestyles by rewarding youngsters with sports not normally considered or afforded before

To increase levels of community engagement and respect by developing relationships/respect across groups and generations

To feel part of the community by ensuring engagement and recognition

To reduce instances of anti social behaviour (target projects at ASB) by increasing youth involvement in physical activity

Innovative ways to engage young people with the community by providing community project opportunities To ensure communities see the positive work that young people contribute to them and to celebrate that contribution in the public eye.

To enourage young people to become responsible adults for the future.

How does it work?

CATS works by drawing together the experience and facilities of different organisations. We work with:
Schools, both primary and secondary; Police; Councils; Youth groups and services; Sports providers; Sports clubs; Everyone in your community

A Young Person is nominated by

• Anyone for any positive volunteer action in their community.
• Nominations from community groups are sent to CATS committee (local branch that you set up with our help)
• Level of award(Level 1-5) designated and then an invitation to come to an Oscar-esque public awards evening is sent to the award winner.
• Award presented in public arena, in front of their peers and inspirational VIP’s.
• Choice of sport reward taken up by the young person

Click here to download a nomination form now! SW2596 CATS form.pdf

Effectively, it helps communities more to recognise the pro-social activity that is going on across the area by ALL young people. This in turn will impact on local levels of Anti-Social Behaviour, having been proven to reduce this in areas where CATS is already working.