Athletics Framework Agreement

What is the Framework Agreement?

  • A document that builds on the intent set out in the high level ‘interim’ collaboration agreement (Summer 2020.)
  • A document providing a structure for how we will work together as 5 parties to develop the UK wide strategy and manage its implementation.
    The 5 parties are UK Athletics, Athletics Northern Ireland, England Athletics, Scottish Athletics, Welsh Athletics.
  • A document outlining that we will work together as equal partners to deliver the new UK wide strategy.
  • A document that gives a mandate to the CEO Forum and a new thematic Working Group structure to oversee the execution of the new ‘Athletics Unified’ strategy.
  • A document that outlines the importance of cross Board working between the 5 parties.
  • A document that outlines the importance of working together to monitor and track performance of the new strategy.
  • A document that demonstrates our commitment to working collaboratively to grow the sport across the UK.

Other Points

  • The Framework Agreement is not a funding document.
  • The Framework Agreement outlines the importance of shared services and efficiencies wherever appropriate and possible but does not detail what these are.
  • The Framework Agreement is not a commercial rights agreement and does not deal with this matter.
  • The Framework Agreement outlines a mechanism for negotiation and for dealing with any conflicts.
  • A document that also protects and preserves individual party rights such as UK Sport and Home Country Sports Council funding
  • It does not include nor deal with the future role of UKMC or any other related governance matter specific to each of the 5 individual parties.
  • The document protects the independence of each Governing Body to operate as separate entities.

The Framework Agreement Structure

  1. Definitions and Interpretations – the ‘parties’, who they are and provides a glossary of definitions.
  2. Vision/Strategy (shared with UKMC already) – how did we get to this point? – the ‘Street’ review, ‘An Athletic Nation’ and the importance of working together to agree a long-term UK wide strategy for the sport.
  3. Roles and Responsibilities (detailed as schedule 2) – who does what in delivering the strategy (to be reviewed every 12 months).
  4. *Governance of the Agreement – Joint working at Board level, the role of the CEO Forum and Working Groups (and their accountability to the respective Boards) in managing the execution of the UK wide strategy for the sport. The Agreement also references the introduction of the new UKA committee focused on ‘Standards, Ethics and Rules’.
  5. Funding – Protecting Home Country Sports Council Funding rights – other funding not referenced as this is not a funding agreement.
  6. Liability and Indemnity – Protections for each party.
  7. Term and Termination – outlining a process of review (and potential termination) every 4 years (roles and responsibilities will be reviewed every 12 months), devolution rights for HCAFs, termination clauses for each party and outlines an ability for parties to continue to work together without all involved (i.e., 4 out of 5).
  8. Notices and Other Communications – points of contact for each party with respect to the ‘Agreement’.
  9. Dispute Resolution – outlines a process for managing disputes beyond CEOs (to the respective party Chairs) and then beyond (i.e., courts).
  10. Confidentiality – relating to public announcements specific to the agreement.
  11. Appendices – An Athletic Nation Vision Document, “Schedule 2”, Interim Collaboration Agreement.

Themed Working Groups

These have been established covering the following areas and are following a clear Terms of Reference. The CEO Forum is responsible for agreeing membership of each of the Working Groups based on skills and experiences in those given areas. Each group has met on at least one occasion since Autumn 2020 and they will be responsible for formulating strategies in these given areas.

The working groups are in place to support the development of UK Wide strategies and initiatives in the respective areas and enable emerging challenges to be addressed whilst also sharing best practice from across the UK.

  • Coaching (coach education and development)
  • Officials (officials’ education and development)
  • Competition (competition strategy)
  • Performance (performance and talent strategy)
  • Development (schools, clubs, participation, facilities, volunteering)
  • Commercial (sponsorship)
  • Safeguarding

Useful links