News

Club Support Manager club visits: May round-up

Kirsty Fardell at club visit Dartford Harriers

England Athletics’ seven-strong Club Support team provides a valuable and comprehensive service to our clubs: engaging in two-way conversation; acting upon club feedback; providing support and guidance; and ensuring that our affiliated clubs are well-placed to grow and thrive.

Each month, our team is out and about, up and down the country, visiting clubs in-person as regularly as possible, alongside their ongoing digital communications with clubs. Below is a round-up of their activity in May:

generic video still graphic

With visits to clubs including Retford Athletics Club, Macclesfield Harriers & Athletics Club, Dartford Harriers Athletics Club and Bristol & West Athletics Club, we were – as always – able to meet some of the many volunteers who help our clubs to function and thrive. Some of them gave us an explanation of their roles, and an update on their club’s activities, including Emily, from Retford.

Retford Volunteer Emily

We also attended the Track & Field County Championships, in Suffolk, Nottinghamshire, Middlesex, Cumbria and Warwickshire.

generic video still graphic

Elsewhere, throughout May, the team has:

  • Facilitated cIub improvement pre-panel calls and wider club development calls with Blyth Running Club, Northern AC (Isle of Man), Vets AC (Isle of Man), Quakers Running Club, Evenwood Runners, Rock Salt Runners, Dengie 100 Runners, Shenley Striders, Pound Hill Pounders, Liss Runners, Leighton Fun Runners, Cambridge & Coleridge AC, Thanet AC, Loughton AC, Dorking & Mole Valley, Rotherham Running Club, Desford Striders Running Club, Ackworth Road Runners, Scarborough Athletics Club, Leeds City Athletics Club, Chapel Allerton Runners, Amber Valley and Erewash AC, Saffron AC, Owls AC and Mickleover RC
  • Provided facility support for Billingham Athletics mini athletics track, Wentworth Track future investment, and at Northgate, via ongoing support with Sport Structures and three clubs based at the site (Ipswich Jaffa Running Club, Orwell Panthers Athletic Club and Ipswich Harriers Athletic Club)
  • Held club support meetings with Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde AC and Leven Valley AC (internal club matters), Netley Abbey Runners (general check in and club support), Hedge End Running Club (detailed discussions around risk assessments and run leader ratios), City of Portsmouth AC (Club Leadership Programme follow on support for future club development), Newmarket Joggers AC (Club Leadership Programme follow on support for future club development), Fairlands Valley Spartans (support with ratios), Haxby Runners (Guide Running), Market Rasen RC and Ilkeston Running Club (U18 members), Bradford Airedale (Facilities)
  • Held in-person meetings with Macclesfield Harriers (club sustainability), Stowmarket (long term development)
  • Attended Humber Open Series Track and Field competition - caught up with Bridlington Road Runners, Scunthorpe Harriers, Cleethorpes AC.
  • Met with newly affiliated club The Fitness Coach Ltd to discuss governance, legal structures and growing club membership.
  • Offered Club Standards support to Smalley Road Runners, Stocksbridge Running Club, Skyrac Athletics Club Bingley Harriers, Ripon Runners and Kingston Upon Hull AC, Pennine Fell Runners
  • Attended Playing Pitch Strategy meetings for East Riding and North Yorkshire

Emma Hurst, Senior Club Support Manager, said:

“As the outdoor season ramps up, it’s been fantastic to get out and about and see so many of our clubs thriving in what has been a glorious spring. We’d like to extend our appreciation again to those that have reaffiliated for this season, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that our clubs benefit in tangible ways from their work to align with Club Standards, be that in terms of policies, governance or duty of care principles."

“Our support extends further, and this month our team has been busy working with Regional Councils on their plans for club support; planning regional club forums; and beginning to put arrangements in place for Regional Volunteer Awards."

"We have also seen 47 Club Improvement Fund grants approved, which we know will provide a great boost to so many of our clubs."

As always, we would encourage clubs to get in touch with their Club Support Manager if they would like support with club standards or club matters:

Your Club Support team

As always, we would encourage clubs to get in touch with their Club Support Manager if they would like support with club standards or club matters:

Useful links for clubs

About Us Athletics News Clubs and Facilities