The bureaucracy which governs athletics in the UK has undergone a change. As well as affiliating to our local region (South of England Athletic Association, SEAA) we also have to affiliate to England Athletics (EA). Affiliation is at club and individual level.
The affiliation to EA will provide the club with continued liability insurance and, among other things, allow affiliated individuals to pay the attached runner’s fee for entry into races organised under UK Athletics (UKA) rules. These include events such as our own Half marathon, the Eridge 10, the Kent Grand Prix events, road races organized by other clubs and the Kent League Cross Country. (Unattached runners pay £2 more per race entered.)
Affiliation is a lump sum per club and an amount (initially £3, rising to £5 next year) per competing member. The membership year runs from May to April.
This year the individual affiliation fees have been paid by the club. Next year we expect to pass on the increase by setting different subscription levels for competing and non-competing members. Non-competing, or “training” members are those who take part in club events such as Wednesday night runs, the club road/cross country champs, the handicap series etc, but do not intend to enter any races under UKA rules.
All Harriers are being registered with EA and, apart from the relatively new members, should have received an EA competing membership card. This will act as a licence to allow you to claim the attached runners’ discount in races.
