Club Membership Part Two

There have been several comments - verbal and by email - since the first of these posts and some of the comments will be incorporated into this one, the second and last! I asked what the responsibilities of athletes were to their club and to their coach - I was pleased that one of the emails said 'our club not the club' because how you see it reflects what you see as your responsibilities if any to the club. The phrase that I got from David Bowman when I was a new member was "You do what your club needs you to do." That's fine but different people have different talents and different responsibilities away from the club and they must be borne in mind.If the club is seen as 'our club' then we will want to do what we can for it. Let's take athletes first.

The club provides members with training partners who often become good friends socially, training routines, coaching if you want it, training premises, information about races and often help with expenses and even the occasional social outing such as Brampton - Carlisle. In return for that it is not unreasonable to expect the athletes to support the club in the few races which matter to the club and determine its status nationally. There are seven main races in the cross country season which should be supported by senior club members - the County, District and National Relays, the County, District and National Championships and the Six Stage Relays. My opinion for what it's worth is that all racing members who are fit enough to do so should support the club in as many of these races as you can. It's clearly not my opinion alone as Peter Rudzinski has run in and completed 25 consecutive Nationals and 26 consecutive district championships. All club members used to do the championships. There are people in the club who were at the Brampton trip last year, supported by the club who have yet to run in a championship for the club this year! Club members should also run in club races - the Sinclair Trophy, the Hannah Cup and the Championships. It doesn't matter whether you are 'good enough' -whatever that means. A bulk of club men on the start line helps the morale of those who are the counting runners, they can help the club's position - on one occasion I was fifth club runner in the County Championships and helped the team to first place because I was one place ahead of Dumbarton's fourth runner. The extra point made the difference. Running in major championships also adds a new dimension to your own racing experience that will affect furure racing wherever it is done. Basically I am saying that it is the responsibility of club athletes to support the club in as many championship events as they can, health and work commitments permitting. Athletes working with a coach should always turn up in time, appropriately clad for the upcoming session and be prepared to start the warm up on their own if necessary.

Wider than that, they have the same responsibilities as all club members in any club anywhere. The very least they can do is to attend the Annual General Meeting. This is where the club's committee is held to account, where an oversight of the club's business and activities is possible and where every member can have his/her say in the running of the club. Of course if you have the time and you can help the Committee, ease the lot of existing Committee members, and develop your own skills in that direction, then you should do that but I would suggest not at the expense of your own running.