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CEO club visit: Stratford Upon Avon AC

On Wednesday 22 January the first CEO club visit of the New Year took place – Chris Jones visited Stratford-upon-Avon AC, alongside Club Support Manager, Stephanie Cameron, Chair of the England Athletics West Midlands Regional Council, Stuart Paul, and England Athletics Head of Insight and Performance Management, Dan Isherwood.

Chris visits a number of our member clubs throughout the year, to find out more about their work, their history, what they do well, the challenges they face and to understand more about how we as an organisation can support our clubs to develop and thrive.

About the club…

Founded in 1979, Stratford-upon-Avon Athletic Club is a friendly, successful and well-respected club run by a host of volunteers, in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon.

A club that welcomes all from the ages of 8 upwards, they have thriving track & field, road running, cross-country and triathlon sections, as well as a supportive Couch to 5k. Regardless of ability or experience, they are there to help and support athletes to meet their aspirations. If you just want to enjoy the benefits of training in different disciplines, would like to compete or meet like-minded people – Stratford is the club for you!

The club’s values and commitments highlight the importance of promoting a supportive, family environment where people of all ages feel welcomed and are encouraged to enjoy athletics. Helping athletes to improve their skills to meet their potential, irrespective of their ability level and provide the opportunities to compete in the different competitions the club is involved with, including providing the opportunity for gifted athletes to be coached and to compete all the way to international level. Having a good social environment for all ages is high up on their agenda too.

It was a great visit in which Chris, Stephanie, Stuart and Dan met with some of the club’s athletes, coaches, volunteers and committee members.

Speaking about the visit, Chris said: ‘It was clear that there is a strong and positive culture at the club. We were made to feel extremely welcome and in meeting with the senior officials on the committee, and listening to their own stories relating to the history and successes of the club, it was evident that there is a huge warmth, passion and commitment from all the volunteers who put in a huge shift to provide for the hundreds of members.

‘I was also impressed with the way in which the club works with the wider Stratford community and how they cooperate and collaborate with other sporting clubs in the town. It is a club with a track record of producing excellent young athletes, but also in providing for runners of all aspirations and abilities.’

If you are local to the club and would like to find out more about all the ways you can join and get involved, visit the club website: stratfordac.co.uk