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England Athletics supporting the club community: Club Support round-up June 2025

Heidi Bradley with Holmfirth Harriers

The England Athletics network of 1400+ clubs spans the whole country, each providing opportunities for athletes and runners of all ages to enjoy our sport at all different levels. Each month, our six-strong Club Support Team Managers are out visiting clubs both in-person or digitally to assist with any queries and see our grassroots sport in action.

Here is a snapshot of some of the action in June, including visits to Liverpool Harriers, Tonbridge AC, Burton AC, Holmfirth Harriers and also watching exciting competitions at the West Yorkshire League and Trafford Open.

Club advice and guidance

  • Axe Valley Runners: developing a youth section. Advice provided on DBS/self-declarations to safely recruit volunteers. 
  • Met with Sandwell Council to explore funding available for NGB projects which has enabled us to support Tipton Harriers on an outreach programme. 
  • Bridlington Road Runners to support junior development. 
  • Meeting with Kirklees Council and Yorkshire Sport Foundation to identify needs of clubs in this area.  
  • Grimsby AC: supported the onboarding of a new welfare officer 
  • Leven Valley:  discussed the future direction of the club, including participation to talent ambitions, evolution of committee and managing difficult individuals and developed an action plan 
  • North Somerset AC: Information on insurance and affiliation provided to support with facility bookings. 
  • Cannock and Stafford AC : support with tackling waiting lists and given information on funetics Multi-Challenge. 
  • Kingston Upon Hull AC, Barnsley AC and Ackworth Road Runners: Club policy advice 
  • Cleethorpes AC: Volunteer renewal processes. 
  • Race Hub, Easingwold AC and Home Pierrepoint: Club Standards. 
  • Bitton RR: supported club chair with membership linked to an EGM vote. 
  • Avon Tempo (newly affiliated): with Club Standards, and the club implemented a plan. 
  • Middlesbrough Mandale: Induction for a new committee. 
  • Prestwich AC: Retain runners. 

The Club Support Team are frequently out and about in the community, and it's great to hear about the impact they are having. In a recent survey, 50% of those clubs and groups assisted felt very supported, with 50% feeling extremely supported by their regional Club Support Manager. Here's just a short demonstration of how Sarah Friday (North East & North West) has been supporting Delamere Spartans:

“I’ve been dealing with Sarah Friday our England Athletics liaison for about 12 months now and she is always brilliant! This time I asked her at short notice to join a Teams meeting as I was handing over my England Athletics duties to two new committee members. Sarah obliged as always and was brilliant and enthusiastic with the two new committee members. She makes all things England Athletics a pleasure!”

Facility project support:

There are some really exciting facility developments across England, as well as some real challenges that clubs are facing. Here's a June round-up of how we have been supporting clubs:

TrackMark

  • Supporting Corby AC with stadium management and TrackMark.
  • Organised a facilities meeting between the management of Carn Brea Leisure Centre and Labosports to discuss the track as it isn’t currently TrackMark accredited
  • Support and resolution for Bristol & West AC over TrackMark queries.

Additional club and facility project support

  • Support of Playing Pitch Strategy meetings for: Peterborough, Southend on Sea, East Region and Harrow
  • Meeting between three Herefordshire clubs to see how work together and improve training offer.
  • Phone call with Cheltenham Harriers to discuss facility development and connecting with key individuals who have had facility developments elsewhere.
  • Held a facilities meeting with Dursley RC to explore running loops and compact tracks with follow-up meetings confirmed.
  • Facilities meeting with North Somerset Council. The next steps will be to contact seven affiliated clubs for further feedback and consultation.
  • Support to Thanet AC to provide ongoing support with the refurbishment of their facilities.
  • Supporting Goole Youth AC with facility plans for new mini track, including marking requirements and field event provision.
  • Support to Tynedale Harriers in relation to the potential loss of facility infield at Wentworth Stadium
  • Attended the official opening of Longford Park (home of Trafford AC).
  • Meeting with the local council to discuss athletics in Bolton and future track plans for the area.
Emma Hurst at Tonbridge AC

Partnership work

In addition to simply supporting clubs, the Club Support Managers also work alongside key partners to see how they can benefit local communities and grassroots sport. Here's an overview of the impact this month:

  • Attended Birmingham Athletics Strategy Group Meeting. This included representatives from a range of stakeholders including Birmingham City Council, England Athletics, University of Birmingham, London Marathon and Birchfield Harriers. The working group continues to focus on the wider development of athletics and running within the City. A further meeting is scheduled for July.
  • Meeting with Birmingham City Council and Muslim Sports Foundation. This is leading to a proposal to be sent to two track and field clubs in Birmingham to explore working with the Muslim Sports Foundation moving forwards.
  • Met face-to-face with Bankside Open Spaces Trust about how we can develop athletics at the Marlborough Sports Garden (there is a four lane 40m track being installed)

It has certainly been a busy month! Here's Head of Club Support, Emma Hurst's, summary:

It has certainly been a busy month! Here's Head of Club Support, Emma Hurst's, summary: "June has seen the Club Support Team continue their work across the nation, with a focus on supporting clubs to embed club standards into their day to day operations. We have also started an exciting new project to film clubs who are proactively recruiting and retaining young athletes.

"Alongside our dedicated Regional Councils, we are currently planning the upcoming Regional Club Forums which will give a fantastic networking opportunity for clubs, as well as at the Regional Volunteer Awards in the autumn.  

“We are excited to announce that we have two new Club Support Managers starting with us soon, to expand our support across the Midlands and South East.” 

Get in touch

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:

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