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Supporting our network of clubs this winter

Club Support visiting Larkfield AC

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 November:

Peco cross country junior race

Elsewhere, across the month, the team has:

  • Supported Dartford Harriers and Central Park Athletics on discussions around the re-development of the athletics track and development of athletes in Dartford.
  • Supported Taunton Athletics Club in a discussion on facility development at Castle School.
  • Supported with the induction of 13 new Welfare Officers at Chorlton Runners.
  • Supported the new club Chair at Middlesbrough Mandale Athletics Clubs, looking at enhancing their governance and future plans.
  • Supported the committee at Sneyd Striders, in creating a new club vision.
  • Attended the Merton Heritage Project, celebrates the Merton Women's Run Together Group.
  • Supported Grimsby Harriers with long-term sustainability of the coaching team, and athlete retention.
  • Visited Goole Youth Athletics Club, to discuss winter plans to keep athletes training whilst their facility is being redeveloped.
  • Discussed athlete retention, facility challenges and competitions with Rotherham Harriers.
  • Supported Stocksbridge Running Club with operational procedures, and developing their understanding of the county and regional governance structures and associated competition opportunities.

Emma Hurst, Senior Club Support Manager, said:

“It’s been another productive month for the club support team, as – as well as providing bespoke advice and guidance to individual clubs – we have also stepped up our work in supporting all clubs to achieve the soon-to-be mandatory club standard 6: safeguarding.

“The team have made contact with all clubs, as well as hosting regional webinars and producing new club standard content for Club Hub.

“The response from clubs to attaining club standard 6 has been positive, and as part of our visit to Battersea, we were able to speak to Clapham Pioneers’ Welfare Officer, William Bunker, who talked us through the process from a club perspective.”

Club Support Manager Amy visiting Clapham Pioneers

“This month also saw us launch the Club Leadership Programme for 2025 – now in its fifth year - and deliver an alumni event for those volunteers who have previously attended the programme.

“We also represented England Athletics at the Sport England Volunteer and Clubs leads event, which focused on challenges with volunteers and how NGBs can support clubs – it’s hugely important to us to keep up-to-date with the latest insight to better support our clubs, and this is something that we’re determined to continue to do to a high standard.”

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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