Dear Andy & Wendy,

You were correct in your guess at my email address. Thank you for your email.

You will appreciate that England Athletics Ltd. took over governance of the sport from the AAA’s and the three territories, North, Midlands, and South, from 1^st April 2006. In bringing together a single, unified, affiliation fee scheme for the sport of athletics, careful consideration was given to the three existing schemes, two of which include a per capita charge. Under a unified scheme, the increase in cost for those clubs in the South would always be an issue as under the existing territory affiliation schemes both the North and Midlands clubs pay significantly more to affiliate to their territories than clubs in the South. It is for this reason that after consultation with the England Athletics Council, the volunteer body elected by the member clubs, due consideration was given to the clubs in the South and the per capita fee for competing athletes in England was reduced to £3 for the coming year 1^st April 2007 to 31^st March 2008.

I note you quote your membership as being 211 people. Are all of these members competing athletes wishing to take part in competition organised under UK:A rules? If not then a payment of £3 would only be due from those athletes wishing to compete in such competition along with the “flat” club fee of £50. I can confirm that a competing athlete will only be required to pay £3 - regardless of how many clubs they join. Surely on this basis a competing athlete would only have to enter 2 races as an otherwise unattached runner to make affiliation worthwhile?

As well as eligibility to compete under the rules of the sport, there are other benefits associated with affiliation. These include insurance cover for club coaches and officials, access to development activity through the England Athletics regional staff and elected regional councils along with provision of funding for development. Health and safety and risk assessment are managed through the governing body, as are welfare, disciplinary and eligibility activities and rules development for the sport.

I would urge that you engage with your local England Athletics Regional Manager to highlight specific issues where England Athletics in the region may be able to help your club.

Yours sincerely,

Alan Harrison.