Why join an affiliated running or athletics club?
Joining a running or athletics club can be one of the best decisions you make for your training, performance, and enjoyment of the sport.
Benefits of joining an England Athletics affiliated club:
Training and coaching
- Bespoke face-to-face coaching and support
- Getting specialist advice from qualified leaders and coaches at a range of sessions
- Training with others can help you achieve your goals, make training more enjoyable, and provide variety to your schedule
- A safe place to exercise
Personal development
- Opportunities to enter races and challenging yourself
- Getting support to become a qualified coach
- Joining a club to get involved in volunteering rather than being an active athlete
- Learning new skills
- Having a purpose each week and something to hold you accountable
Expanding your social life
- Being around people who share your passion for athletics and running
- Making new friends – lots of social opportunities are provided at clubs
- Being part of your club community (clubs do lots of fantastic things like raise funds for local charities, organise food bank runs, and support community initiatives)
- Somewhere where all the family can attend
What are Club Standards?
All clubs that affiliate to England Athletics meet Club Standards - a benchmark for quality, safety, and governance. This means when you join an affiliated club, you’re choosing an environment that’s structured, inclusive, and committed to helping you thrive.
They cover key areas such as:
- Governance: clear leadership, financial transparency, and accountability.
- Safeguarding: policies and practices to keep everyone safe.
- Coaching quality: qualified, licensed coaches who understand your discipline.
- Communication: clear, consistent information about sessions, events, and opportunities.
For athletes and runners, this means peace of mind that your club is built on best practice and focused on your development.
Questions to ask before joining an athletics or running club
When choosing an affiliated athletics or running club, it’s important to make sure it suits your needs and lives up to our Club Standards in practice.
Key questions to consider:
Training and coaching
- How does the club support athlete development and progression?
- Does the club have licensed leaders and coaches for the event group I want to participate or compete in? Are there different training groups for varying abilities and goals?
- What is the club’s training schedule, and does it fit with my availability?
- What does the club offer, and will it suit my needs?
Personal development
- Are there opportunities for competition and social activities?
- Does the club have links to local competitions, leagues, or national events?
- Does the club provide access to facilities (track, gym, etc.) or partner discounts?
- Are there volunteering or leadership opportunities within the club?
Governance
- How is the club governed and managed?
(You may wish to ask for the club’s constitution and find out who the committee members are). - What safeguarding measures are in place to ensure member safety? What is the club’s approach to inclusivity and diversity?
- What are the membership fees, and what do they include?
- What insurance or protection does membership provide?
- How does the club communicate with members (email, social media, apps)?
These questions help you understand not just the basics, but the culture, structure, and opportunities the club offers - so you can make an informed choice.
We look forward to welcoming you into the England Athletics family at one of our more than 1,800 affiliated clubs and member bodies.