Athletics

Club Accreditation

The Athletics Clubmark Accreditation requires clubs to meet specific criteria set for athletics in the 4 Clubmark categories to show they are a safe, effective and child friendly club.  UK Athletics operates a Clubs: future development programme. This is not an accreditation. Clubs are encouraged to sign up to clubs : future and complete an audit which will then support them to work towards Clubmark accreditation.

Which clubs have already achieved Clubmark?

  • Corby AC
  • Kettering Town Harriers
  • Wellingborough & District AC
  • Daventry AC

Which clubs are working towards Clubmark?

  • Rugby & Northampton AC

What Support does England Athletics/UK Athletics provide clubs working towards accreditation?

Once a club has committed to work towards the accreditation they receive a Clubmark file in  which to collect and collate their evidence of meeting the criteria set. They will also be supported by the Northamptonshire Sport Club Development Officer.

Does England Athletics/UK Athletics offer a benefits package?

Yes.  Within the Northamptonshire Athletics Development Plan £250 has been allocated for clubs who successfully achieve Clubmark. Clubs will also be invited to a national profile event to be presented with their certificate.

Child Protection

UK Athletics has a Welfare Policy and Procedures for athletics in the UK (incorporating Child Protection) - This document has been signed up to by UK Athletics and the 4 home countries in Spring 05. A copy was sent to clubs in April 05 and they were requested to adopt them.

Who is the England Athletics/UK Athletics designated Child Protection / Welfare Officer

Child Protection Officer: 
Tony Gardner (AAA Welfare policy Officer)
Tel: 07970 792561.
Email: tgardner@englandathletics.org

David Brown CBE (UK Athletics Welfare Officer)
Tel: 0870 9986777 or 07803 671975

Is England Athletics/UK Athletics registered to process CRB checks?

UK Athletics is registered to process check. The initial priority is to check all coaches in the UK. This is being done in a phased process and coaches in the East Midlands were targeted for checks in Oct - Dec 05. All coaches have received direct correspondence from UK Athletics informing them of the process and what they need to do. Officials and volunteers will then be checked once the initial coach check is complete.  Club coaches and volunteers in Athletics do not pay for checks.  Each athletics club has been asked to identify a verifier who can verify the coaches' identification documents as part of the CRB process.

What is England Athletics/UK Athletics recommended player: coach ratio?

No general recommendations. However Star: Track recommends 1:12 - this is probably a useful guide to work within

Does England Athletics have a code of conduct which athletics coaches are expected to sign up to?

Yes. It is included in the Welfare Policy and Procedures

Volunteers

England Athletics/UK Athletics has a Volunteer Policy but it is currently in draft format - nothing has been published yet.

Does England Athletics/UK Athletics run any volunteer support schemes?

Comprehensive support available through the Clubs: future Development Programme. The clubs manual folder contains a wide variety of support material and templates etc. with regular updates from UK Athletics.

What volunteer support tools are available to assist volunteers?

  • There is the Clubmark support document. 
  • Northamptonshire (10th March) & East Midlands Awards Evenings to recognise and reward volunteers.
  • SCL Resource Pack - sent separately.
  • UK Athletics and England Athletics websites.

Training & Support

What England Athletics/UK Athletics training opportunities are available outside the standard coach education structure?

  • Please see attached Athletics Courses for Teachers Leaflet.  Many courses are available to non teachers! e.g. Level One Officials Course and Shine Road Show
  • Coaching Athletes with a Disability
  • Eating Disorders
  • Strength and Conditioning
  • Coaching Female Athletes
  • Home study packs are available for Child Protection and Health and Safety - Application forms on the UK Athletics website

 

Funding

What funding schemes does the England Athletics/UK Athletics run to support club development?

UK Athletics offers Clubs: future Grant Aid to Clubs who have completed their Clubs: future audit. Applications can be made for 'Retention' and 'Raising Performance' up to a maximum of £2000. Grant panels are held approx twice per year.  No dates currently set (the last deadline for applications was 30th Nov 05 - Corby AC were successful in receiving funding)

Coaching Development

England Athletics/UK Athletics do not run a coach recognition scheme

Does the England Athletics/UK Athletics run a coach mentoring scheme?

Yes.  2 Day UK Athletics Mentoring Courses available. UK Athletics matches mentors who have attended this course to candidates taking Level 3 and above Coaching Qualifications.

England Athletics/UK Athletics
www.englandathletics.org.uk
www.ukathletics.net

Regional Manager: Chris Mallender
Tel: 07967 317341  Email: cmallender@englandathletics.org

Performance & Development Coordinator: Helen Pearce
Tel: 01509 228765  Email: hpearce@englandathletics.org

County Athletics Development Officer: Laura Eddie
Tel: 01604 236170  Email: leddie@northamptonshire.gov.uk