It was a red-letter day for Bradford Maroons Basketball Club when they were awarded Clubmark status by West Yorkshire Sport.

Clubmark is the national quality accreditation scheme for clubs with junior sections, ensuring a core of minimum operating standards.

Nigel Harrison, director of West Yorkshire Sport, the organisation tasked with co-ordinating sport across the county, said the Maroons passed the test with flying colours.

He said: “Basketball continues to grow within West Yorkshire, and Bradford Maroons’ commitment to achieving the clubmark accreditation reflects the excellent work they have done over the years.”

The County Sports Partnership was awarded the licence to accredit clubs on February 11, with the Maroons attaining Clubmark status thanks to the help of West Yorkshire Sport’s club development officer Vicky Joel and Louise Purdy, the England Basketball West Yorkshire development officer.

Harrison added that West Yorkshire Sport now hopes to assist more clubs in the area to achieve Clubmark.

He said: “This achievement for Bradford Maroons is one that we are pleased to have helped and reflects the positive work they do with and for their community.

“Now that West Yorkshire Sport has the license to accredit clubs we look forward to helping more clubs in West Yorkshire attain this important quality standard."

West Yorkshire Sport also helps in gaining Clubmark status by offering personal advice, club development courses and toolkit, developed with the support of sports development units in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.

Sport England’s Clubmark scheme, which recognises sports clubs that create safe, high-quality and welcoming environments for young people, has achieved its 2012 goal to accredit 10,000 clubs 13 months ahead of schedule.

To find out more about club development, call Vicky Joel on 01484-234087 or e-mail vicky.joel@wysport.co.uk or visit our website http://www.westyorkshiresport.co.uk/clubs.