Email sent out today by England Athletics regarding affiliation fees 
(which make up part of your club membership)

(You can also view this information online at www.englandathletics.org/membership2013)

2012 has been a historic year for our sport in England. As well as successes at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games we have seen the number of athletes registered with England Athletics (and holding competition licences) rise to over 121,000 (from 96,000 in 2007/8) and Sport England’s Active People Survey indicating wider participation in athletics and running reached 1.98m, up from 1.3m in 2006/7. As has been well publicised around the Olympic and Paralympic Games the challenge for all sports is now how to maintain and build momentum:

• How do we grow the next generation of athletics champions and support more recreational participants?
• How do we fund the support needed for athletes, their coaches, officials and club volunteers? In particular the essential activities that go on week-in, week-out, usually far away from the spotlight or media attention.

England Athletics has operated a membership scheme of affiliated clubs and registered athletes since its formation in 2006. This has contributed some funding to the upkeep of the sport, such as the provision of insurance, welfare support and other benefits.

Our current membership scheme operates at a low cost. It has not risen since 2008, during which time other Home Country Athletics Federations have raised their fees. As a sport for the 2009-13 period we have been heavily subsidised by funding from Sport England and contributions from other partners including commercial sponsorship. These have provided 92% of our income with affiliation providing 8%.

In the 2009-13 period Government funds have tightened and the economic situation has also changed. Our sport needs to have greater self-sufficiency if we are to face a more certain future where we know we can fund core areas of our sport and build on the provision of services currently available.

With this recognition that we need to take our future into our own hands. England Athletics Affiliation from the year beginning 1st April 2013 is to be restructured. We will introduce packages to encompass different ages and disciplines which, based upon consultation with volunteers throughout the sport, we believe will provide clear rationale and additional incentives to become a member of England Athletics, as well as ensuring key services valued by the sport can be delivered.

Mr Tomas Cullen!

Wednesday night was a special night for Trafford AC Young Athletes Section as Tom Cullen was presented with the award of Northwest Development Coach of the Year for 2012.

Springing a surprise presentation at the end of training, Sarah Friday, our local Club & coach Support Officer from England Athletics commented,

 "I am pleased to be able to present the award to Tom in recognition of the work he has done over the last couple of years to develop the junior section of Trafford AC. 

With his commitment the youth section has grown from having next to no coaches and athletes to having very healthy numbers of both. 

The camaraderie within the training groups and between the coaches is excellent, and the relationship with local schools has developed well, with many athletes now making the transition between school sport and athletes at Trafford AC. 
Keep up the good work Tom! "

Tom will now go forward with a chance of winning the national award.