Stocksbridge Running Club – building a stronger future through Club Standards

Founded in 2023 on the edge of the Peak District, Stocksbridge Running Club has quickly developed into a thriving and inclusive community, proudly supporting runners across road, trail and fell disciplines.

We spoke to Club Secretary, Rhianna Fulford, who plays a central role in shaping the club’s culture and day-to-day activity. She described her role as extending far beyond the administration to include being a “committee counsellor, social organiser, pub visit encourager and general social media guru.”

A collaborative approach to Club Standards

From the beginning, the club has taken a thoughtful and collaborative approach to Club Standards. Working closely as a committee, they ensured responsibilities were shared in a way that reflected individual strengths. By recognising lived experience within the group, responsibilities were allocated effectively. For example, their Welfare Officer, a healthcare professional, took the lead on safeguarding. Rhianna explained;

“Our chairman, Tim Daniell, has a keen eye for detail, making sure that the club’s constitution reflected the standards, and that every committee member had the opportunity to mould and adapt our approach.”

The club also made strong use of available guidance to support their journey. Rhianna told us; “The club case study videos were particularly useful in making sure we’d not got the wrong end of the stick anywhere, and that we had a general sense of what was required.” This helped the committee build confidence and clarity as they worked through each of the Club Standards.

Overcoming challenges together

Like many volunteer-led clubs, time and capacity presented challenges - particularly in the development of qualified run leaders. “All of our committee work full-time in areas that are not sport,” Rhianna explained, meaning that training and accreditation had to be carefully balanced around professional and personal commitments. Flexibility and ongoing communication proved key; “being flexible with timing and making sure that lines of communication were always open was key.”

Strengthening the club

Working towards Club Standards has had a positive impact on how the committee operates. In meeting the different requirements, the group strengthened collaboration and communication across all areas of the club.

“It really meant that we had to keep communication frequent and open. Overall, it has just meant that we have more open and honest dialogue.”

This collaborative approach has directly enhanced the member experience. With more qualified run leaders in place, the club can now offer a wider variety and style of training sessions, supporting a broader range of abilities and interests. The process also prompted the committee to reflect more deeply on inclusivity, with additional support being available to ensure all members feel able to participate fully.

“When we realised that finances were more of a barrier than we realised, we changed our constitution and inclusivity policies. We don’t feel finances should be a barrier to membership.”

For other clubs starting out, Rhianna highlighted the importance of being realistic and playing to strengths. This mindset has helped Stocksbridge Running Club create a sustainable structure that works for its volunteers and members alike.

“Be open and honest about what time and resources you can commit to roles, it’s okay to take on less but do a better job of what you’re committing to.”

Support from England Athletics

As a relatively new club, support from England Athletics has also been invaluable. With support being particularly helpful during key processes such as affiliation and membership management, giving the club confidence as it continues to grow.

“The friendly bods at England Athletics are only ever an email away, and they'd much rather you reach out for clarification or advice rather than getting things wrong. Previously, it was the blind leading the blind, but once we've had clarification, we were much clearer.”

Looking ahead

The future for Stocksbridge Running Club is full of momentum. As Rhianna put it, “bright and breezy!” With plans to host their first trail race, supported by committee members taking race director training, and continued growth in membership, the club is building on strong foundations.

Their journey demonstrates how engaging with Club Standards can strengthen governance, enhance the member experience, and support clubs to thrive!

For clubs looking to get started or strengthen their approach, explore the support and resources available through England Athletics Club Hub.