Sign up here for our 2024 Club Conference – ‘Back to Basics’

Thursday 19th September 2024

scottishathletics are delighted to open the booking process for our 2024 National Club Conference.

Join us at Hilton Glasgow on Saturday 26 October for another instalment of our flagship club education event.

This year we aim to showcase clubs that excel in the basic practices of delivering our sport. As such, the 2024 conference will be themed ‘Back to Basics‘.

‘Over recent years, we’ve showcased clubs that are working at the forefront of sport in Scotland – highlighting some fantastic programmes, initiatives and practices,’ said David Fallon, Head of Development.

‘Whilst that’s certainly still the case, and we continue to be amazed and proud of our clubs operating in this way, it is only right to continue to nurture and promote the foundations and basic practices that makes our sport an inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable option for so many people in Scotland.

‘scottishathletics are committed to supporting and developing the basic practices across our 150 affiliated clubs and 330+ jogging groups to ensure our members and participants have a safe, enjoyable, and life-ong relationship with athletics and running in Scotland.’

We are privileged once again to have clubs at the forefront of our conference.

We will be joined by Perth Road Runners, North Ayrshire AC, Giffnock North AC, and Orkney ARC, who will be hosting workshops that will share their club development work, their good practice, and showcase some of their innovative approaches to their club operations and programmes.

Date: Saturday 26 October 2024Venue: Hilton Glasgow, 1 William Street, Glasgow, G3 8HT

Time: (08:45 networking & coffee) 09:30 – 16:40 (16:40-17:00 networking)

Cost: FREE to scottishathletics affiliated club members/£50 non-affiliated

Lunch will be provided and refreshments will be available throughout the day.

4J Annual Awards Dinner later that evening at the same venue.

Buy tickets for 4J Awards

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Our short video looks back at the 2022 Club Conference

We will have three workshop slots throughout the day, with four workshops to choose from. You can only go to one per workshop slot.

This means you will have to miss one of the workshops, however, we will send around a copy of all presentations and short summary of each workshop to all delegates post-conference.

There are only 30 spaces per workshop – book quick to avoid disappointment.

Below is a short synopsis on each workshop to help inform your choice:

Perth Road Runners

Perth Road Runners are a charity, and up until April 2024, were an adult-only friendly running club based in Perth.

As of 1 April 2024, the club lowered their entry age to 16, inviting 16 and 17-year-olds to join Perth Road Runners for the first time in their history.

This workshop will focus on the process the club went through from agreeing on lowering the membership age, reviewing of the club governance, coaching structures, welfare, any issues they faced, and the support received from scottishathletics.

North Ayrshire AC & scottishathletics Community Impact Team

North Ayrshire Athletics Club are an innovative, proactive, forward-thinking fully inclusive athletics club. The club, a charity, provides athletics activity and competition for athletes of all ages and all abilities across the North Ayrshire area.

Over the last 12 months the club’s athlete membership and community delivery has grown by 30 percent and the club now have over 250 adults and young people involved in regular athletics activity. This is supported by a significant growth in the club’s workforce – volunteers, coaches and officials.

Alongside North Ayrshire AC, hear from the newly deployed scottishathletics Communtiy Impact Team, and how their learnings can support clubs to take a community-led, inclusive approach, and how clubs like North Ayrshire AC are significantly benefiting from this approach.

Giffnock North AC gave their first Olympian, Neil Gourley, a big welcome home after Paris 2024 (photo by Colin Mearns)

Giffnock North AC

Giffnock North AC based in East Renfrewshire and the south side of Glasgow is one of the largest athletics clubs in Scotland with around 700 juniors and 200 seniors athlete members.

Giffnock athletes compete successfully on the track, road, cross country and hills.

This workshop will provide and overview of how the club operates and manages its activities including how it recruits and supports its volunteers, coaches and officials, and how training and competition are organised.

Orkney ARC

In this workshop, we’ll explore the journey and success of Orkney Athletic and Running Club (OARC), a thriving community-based sports club, uniquely positioned on the Orkney Islands. OARC was born out of the merging of two local clubs, and today it stands as a hub for athletics and running enthusiasts, embracing the islands’ unique challenges and fostering a love for sport.

Orkney’s remote geography presents logistical hurdles, from travel restrictions to a finite pool of potential volunteers. However, OARC does its best to overcome these obstacles with innovative solutions, community spirit, and a deep commitment to inclusivity.

The club thrives thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers, who serve in a variety of committee roles that are essential to maintaining operations. There is a strong focus on boosting morale through appreciation, social events, and providing opportunities for development and involvement.

Round Table Discussions

Returning for the 2024 conference will be our popular ’Development Team Round Table’ session. These short 30-minute discussions will give delegates the opportunity to learn about and discuss a number of topics from across our sport and ask questions that may lead to further work with the development team.

Sign-up now for our Club Conference