Blyth Running Club
Constitution and Rules of the Club. 

1. The Club shall be named Blyth Running Club 
2. The Club colours shall be Green Vest with a single broad White Hoop. “Blyth Running Club” to be printed on the band. Club colours should be worn in all competitions under uk:athletics laws.
3. The object of the Club shall be the encouragement, promotion and furtherance of Amateur Athletics under the rules of the relevant Governing Body. Vis. uk:athletics.
4. A Committee consisting of a Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and nine others, to be elected at the Annual General Meeting, shall manage the affairs of the Club. Only paid up members are eligible to vote. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in the months of December or January each year. Such other official Club posts may be created and filled at the Annual General Meeting or as the Committee considers appropriate. The Committee may co-opt members to fill vacancies during the year. Either the AGM or the Committee has power to form such Sub-Committees as it may deem necessary. Four Committee members are necessary to form a Quorum.
5. Annual Subscriptions may only be adjusted at a General Meeting of the Club. The amount of the annual subscription shall include any affiliation fee payable to North of England Athletic Association. The yearly subscription must accompany the application for membership and thereafter is due on the 1st January each year.
6. Nominations for membership should be made on the appropriate form and should be accompanied by the appropriate subscription.
7. The Hon. Treasurer shall receive all money due to the Club and submit audited accounts to the Annual General Meeting.
8. The Hon. Secretary must call a General Meeting following a written request by not less than 10 paid up members, or following a majority decision of the Committee.
9. The Committee shall have the power to expel any member of the Club whose subscription is 6 months in arrears, provided a months notice in writing shall have been sent to such member by a Registered or Recorded Delivery letter, addressed to his/her last known address, informing him/her of the proposed action of the Committee. The name and address of any person so expelled from the Club shall be sent to the Hon. Secretary of the Area Association who shall enter the name in a book kept for that purpose. Every person whose name has been so entered shall be suspended from competing under uk:athletics Laws until the liability causing his/her expulsion, which shall not exceed one year’s subscription shall have been discharged.
10. The Committee shall have the power to suspend or expel any member guilty of conduct antagonistic or prejudicial to the Club, however, such action may only be taken following a vote in favour of this by three quarters of those present at a properly convened Committee Meeting in a secret ballot. The decision of the Committee must be communicated in writing to the member concerned within one week of the meeting and any appeal against the decision must be lodged with the Hon. Secretary in writing within two weeks of the meeting.
11. Where any member is suspended or expelled by the Committee, written notice of this decision should be sent as soon as possible to the appropriate Governing Body (and /or their appropriate Local Committee). 
12. Members wishing to resign must give notice in writing to the Hon. Secretary.  Membership will cease with effect from the date of the notice unless the member is in debt to the Club (in particular if his/her subscriptions are overdue) in which case acceptance of the resignation will be withheld until the debt has been cleared. Written acceptance of resignation will be withheld until the debt has been cleared. The Secretary in all cases should send written acceptance of a resignation. 
13. Alterations to the Constitution and Rules may only be made at a General Meeting of the Club following a vote in favour by two thirds of those paid up members present.
14. Notice of a General Meeting should be clearly displayed within the Club Headquarters for at least one week. Preferably, the Hon. Secretary should take appropriate action to inform members who may not be aware of the notice. The Quorum for a General Meeting shall be 10 paid up members.
15. The Committee shall have power to deal with contingencies not provided for in the Constitution and Rules.

‘Athletics Welfare’ is the document shared by UKA and AAA which forms the policy and procedures for best practice in the sport of athletics and lays down procedures to assist club members if things should go wrong. It contains flow charts of the actions club members and clubs must take when there are complaints about the welfare and treatment of club members. It covers such things as child protection, poor coaching, bullying and cheating. It lays down minimum standards of expectations within a club in the section entitled codes of conduct and it gives simple proofreads to assist clubs as they strive to provide the highest possible standards.
 Why do we need ‘Athletics Welfare’?
 All organizations which offer a service to the community offer an implicit statement that their services are safe and of high standard. Athletics is no different. Some of the disciplines within the sport are highly dangerous but there is a blind expectation that the coach is trained and knows how to teach/coach the discipline, or they entrust their children to the club on away journeys. Athletics clubs have a duty of care towards all its members whether they are athletes, official, coaches, volunteers or parents. Similarly ‘Athletics Welfare’ states that each has a duty towards the club and its other members. More than ever, clubs and its officials are being asked to examine the ways they fulfil their duty of care. The following extracts from the code sets out some of your duties. It is meant to help you to anticipate and overcome some of the problems which might occur.

Welfare & Child Protection Policy
Aim of the Policy
Our aim is to create an environment in which the young athlete (child) and their parent(s), guardian, responsible adult, carer, closest relative; can feel confident that our Running Club is providing a safe and wholesome setting for all participants in the sport of athletics.

As a club, we can support and offer advice to every athlete, coach, helper, official and officer of the club in order to protect them from neglect, exploitation and abuse.

Child Protection
All suspicions and allegations of abuse against young athletes will be responded to, and followed up appropriately in accordance with this policy and local Area Child Protection Policy guidelines and procedures.
Key Principles
All people under the age of 18 years are defined as children for the purpose of this policy. All children regardless of their gender, racial origin, culture, ability, religious belief and sexual orientation have the right to protection from abuse.
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and will be responded to by any officer of the club, who through the Club's child protection officers will refer the matter to the Social Services Department in whose area the incident or suspicion occurred.
All coaches and officers who come into active contact with children will be subject to a police reference.
Code of Practice for people working in Athletics with children
Avoid when possible, situations when you and an individual child are alone.
Avoid physical contact. Teach techniques by demonstration.
Coaches are expected to hold appropriate qualifications recognised by UK Athletics. Otherwise they must work under the direct supervision of a qualified coach.
Adults should never over-criticise young athletes, or use language or actions which may cause children to lose self-esteem or confidence.
Coaches and adults should not take unrelated children to their (i.e. the coach or adults) home. Permission must be obtained from the child's parent or guardian for car journeys. The presence of a further person should be sought. It is sensible to seat any child in the rear of the car.
Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in all conversations; so coaches and adults must not give children a promise or expectation of confidentiality
Actions to be taken by Child Protection Officers of Blyth Running Club, or in their absence, any officer of the club.
Advise the child that you will not be able to maintain confidentiality.
Listen to the child rather than question him/her.
Never stop a child who is freely recalling significant events.
Make a note of what is said, taking care to record the time, date, setting and people present.
Any person with a suspicion or allegation of child abuse shall report to the Child Protection Officers or any club officer who should without delay, refer the matter to the Social Services Department where the alleged incident occurred.
Telephone numbers   Out of hours  
The person reporting the suspicions or making the allegations must be prepared to speak to the Social Services to clarify their concerns.
Any person suspected of abusing a child should not be approached by another member of the Club concerning the abuse issue.
Other Club officials should deal with matters if the person who would otherwise deal with the matter is compromised by a relationship or friendship with the person against whom the suspicion has emerged.
Any child, parent or person is encouraged to contact the Social Services or the police local to them, directly, without referring the matter to the Child Protection Officers of the Club.
Any coach or member of the club who has been accused of abusing a child will be suspended by the Club "without prejudice" pending the investigation.
Definitions of Child Abuse
Physical Abuse. Occasions when adults or other children deliberately inflict injuries upon a child, or knowingly do not prevent such injuries. This could include the nature of the intensity of training or competition. Offering alcohol or drugs.
Emotional Abuse. Where adults or other children fail to show due care or attention or threaten, use sarcasm, taunt or shout at a child causing them to lose confidence, self-esteem and become nervous or withdrawn.
Neglect. Where adults fail to provide help and care to the child. This also includes leaving a child without proper supervision or placing the child at risk of injury.
Sexual Abuse. Where adults or children use children to fulfil their sexual needs.
The coach, volunteer, official or Officer of the Club may be placed in a position of trust by the child who may feel able to disclose incidents which have occurred at school or at home. These must be taken seriously and referred immediately to the Social Service Department. It may not be safe for the child to return home.

Athletics Welfare Roles

The Athlete: Code of Conduct
As a responsible athlete you will 
Treat others with the same respect and fairness that you would wish to receive
Uphold the same values off the field as you do when engaged in athletics
Anticipate your own needs, be organised and on time
Thank those that help you participate in athletics
Inform your coach of any other coaching you are receiving.
Show patience with and respect diversity in others
Act with dignity at all times
Notify a responsible adult if you have to go somewhere( why, where and when you will return)
Not respond if someone seeks private information, unrelated to athletics
Use safe transport or travel arrangements
Avoid destructive behaviour and leave athletics venues as you find them
Never engage in illegal or irresponsible behaviour
Challenge anyone whose behaviour falls below the expected standards of   ‘Athletics Welfare’
Speak out immediately if anything makes you concerned or uncomfortable (telling your parents/carers and or the club Welfare Officer) or if you suspect a club mate has suffered from misconduct by someone else.

The Coach: Code of Conduct
As a responsible coach you will: 
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete and treat everyone equally, regardless of background or ability
Place the welfare and safety of the athlete above the development of   performance
Develop appropriate working relationships with athletes (especially under 18s), based on mutual trust and respect
Not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward
Encourage and guide athletes to accept and take responsibility for their own behaviour and performance and give them as much autonomy as possible
Never do something for an athlete that they can do for themselves (in the case of some disabled athletes or vulnerable adults tasks of a personal nature may be requested or necessary. In such cases the full understanding  and consent of the athlete, parent or carer should be sought and the individual’s dignity should be respected.)
Avoid critical language or actions, such as sarcasm, that undermine the athletes self esteem
Not spend time alone with a young athlete unless clearly in view of others
Avoid taking a young athlete alone in your car
Never invite a young athlete alone to your home
Never engage in physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay, or share a bedroom with a child
Always explain why and ask for consent before touching an athlete
Work in same-sex pairs when supervising changing areas
Ensure that parents/carers know about and have approved in advance if taking a young athlete away from the usual training venue
Respect the right of  young athletes to an independent life outside athletics
Make sure you are appropriately qualified for activities that you coach and update your licence and education when required by UK Athletics
Adopt safe training regimes appropriate to the age, stage of development and capacity of the athlete
At the outset, clarify with athletes (and where appropriate their parents or carers) exactly what is expected of them and what performers are entitled to expect from you
Never try to recruit, either overtly or covertly, athletes who are already receiving coaching
Co-operate fully with other colleagues (e.g. other coaches, officials, team managers, sport scientists, doctors, physiotherapists, governing body staff) in the best interests of the athlete
Consistently promote positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited or age inappropriate substances
Strictly maintain a clear boundary between friendship and intimacy with athletes
Challenge inappropriate behaviour or language by others
Report any accidental injury, distress or misunderstanding or misinterpretation (including if a child appears to have been sexually aroused by your actions). A brief written report of such incidents should be submitted to the Welfare Officer as soon as possible, and the parents/carers notified. Your club should have incident report forms, otherwise see sample Incident Report Form in appendices of ‘Athletics Welfare’) 
Report any suspected misconduct by other coaches or athletics personnel (see figure 1 in ‘Athletics Welfare’)
Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance

Guidance Notes for Parents/Carers
The parent/carer is the person who the young athlete looks to for support. You are accused of interfering but you have to provide the transport to training and you have to console if things don’t go right or encourage when it is needed. You will be taken for granted simply because it is your job and you will be asked to watch and support in all temperatures after all you are the parent/carer and it is expected. The club will also make demands – you should fill in all the forms, pay the subs, pay for the kit and make sure the kit is clean and in good order. You would like to travel to competitions but you have other children to look after and you don’t want to show favouritism. You join in the activities because other parents do and you don’t want your child to feel different The club would like you to volunteer to work for them and your little charge wants you to but you have lots of other commitments. You trust that your child is receiving the best attention and is safe. You do all of this because it comes with the job.

Code of Conduct
As a responsible parent/carer you will:
 
Check the people who are coaching or managing your child
Take an active interest in your child’s participation
Attend training and competitions whenever possible
Ensure that your child does not take unnecessary valuable items to training or competition
Know exactly where your child will be at all times and who they are with
Return a written informed consent form to the club/team manager/chaperone, including next of kin details, health and medical requirements, before your child goes to any ‘away’ trips
Inform your child’s coach of any illness or disability that needs to be taken into consideration for athletic performance
Provide any necessary medication that your child needs for the duration of any trips
Never make assumptions about your child’s safety
Report any concerns you may have about your child’s welfare/ treatment by the club or its members to the club’s welfare officer immediately. This does not affect your Rights to notify the social services department or police if you feel that a crime has been committed
Members should be aware of the following rules of competition as laid down in the UK Athletics Rule Book.
 
Rule 211 General
All runners must be eligible as currently laid down by UK Athletics rules.
Any runner found to have taken drugs prohibited by the IAF will be disqualified and reported to UK Athletics. It should be noted that if confirmed this could lead to a four-year ban from all athletics worldwide.
Race numbers must be worn on the front of the vest as issued, i.e. not mutilated or folded in any way. The race number must be so worn that it is visible at all times. Failure to comply may lead to immediate disqualification.
A runner must retire from a race immediately if ordered to do so by a medical official of the race.
A runner who retires from a race must not remove his/her number until he/she has reported to an official as having retired from the race.
A runner who competes in a race, which does not have a UK Athletics Permit, may thereby render himself/herself liable to suspension. This does not apply to Fun Runs.
Rule 212 Clothing
In all races, runners must wear at least a vest and shorts or other garments so as not to be objectionable.
Rule 213 Refreshments 
No drinks may be carried or taken by a runner other than those provided by the Promoter.
Rule 214 Assistance
No attendant shall accompany any runner in a race unless to assist a blind or partially sighted runner.
No person is permitted to join in a race, whether to accompany the runners for the whole of the distance or any part or stage of the race, unless he/she has been properly entered for that race and is eligible to run.
Pacing of an athlete by a runner in a different category (e.g. pacing of a competitor in the female or veteran category by an entrant in the open male category) is deemed to be assistance and may render both the paced and pacing runner liable to disqualification.
Rule 215 The Course
All runners must follow the course as designed and follow the normal rules of the road except where otherwise instructed by the Police or Local Authority.
Where any part of a road used for a race is open to traffic at the same time as the competition is in progress, a runner must remain on the left hand half of the road(unless directed otherwise by the Police or a race official).
The race referee has the power to disqualify any runner who does not follow the correct course or the instructions of the Police and race Officials. 
Rule 216 Entries
Every entry for a race shall be made to the Race Secretary on the official entry form, or the Universal entry form (if acceptable to the Promoter), as approved by the Regional or National association.
Entries shall be made in the competitor’s true name as legally registered and must be complete with the correct age/date of birth and other details
Numbers are issued to the individual athlete completing the application form and are non-transferable except with the specific authority of the Race Secretary.
Where any part of a road used for a race is open to traffic at the same time as the competition is in progress, a runner must remain on the left hand half of the road(unless directed otherwise by the Police or a race official).
Every entry for a race open only to specific age group(s) shall state the date of birth and the age of the runner in years and months on the day of the race.
A runner whose entry is accepted after the published closing date may at the discretion of the promoter:
Not be eligible for any individual prize.
Not be eligible as a scoring team member in a team race.

Competition
Track and Field season (April to August)
Cross Country season (September to March)
Road Races All Year round

Minor Athletes
Age Group: Under 11 girls and boys
Ages 9 to 10 (years 4 and 5) 
Competition in this age group is limited. The club do strive however to identify available competition to give these athletes as much experience as possible.
Young Athletes

Age Groups: Under 13 girls and boys / Under 15 girls and boys / Under 17 women and men
Ages 11 and 12 (years 6 and 7) / 13 and 14 (years 8 and 9) / 15 and 16 (years 10 and 11)
The club is affiliated to the Athletes North East Track and Field and competition is available in the 6 League meetings held on Wednesday evenings over the season and in open meetings organised by a variety of clubs in the area.
During the winter months young athletes may compete in various road and cross country races. The main competitions are the Durham Pine sponsored North East Harrier League, a series of 6 cross country races held at different locations throughout the region and the North Eastern Counties AA Cross Country Championships.
Junior Athletes

Age Group: Junior women and men
Ages 17 to 19
During the track and field season, competition is available in the uk:athletics National Junior Athletes League. This operates on a similar basis to the Young Athletes League.
Junior athletes may also participate in the North Eastern Counties AA Track and Field Championships, North East Track and Field League and open meetings as detailed above. The same road and cross country races are also available at this age.

Senior Athletes Age Groups
Senior women - 20 to 34
Senior men - 20 to 39
Competition is available during the winter in North East Harrier League, and also local relay races, but there is plenty of opportunity to try new races.

Veteran Athletes Age Groups
Veteran women - 35 and over
Veteran men - 40 and over
Veterans tend to compete mostly alongside their senior colleagues as described above. However, there are various dedicated competitions for vets throughout the year.

Club Sessions
Seniors meet for training every Monday and Wednesday evening between 6:45pm and 7:00pm usually at Blyth Sports Centre although on occasions during the summer some sessions may be at Churchill Playing Fields, Whitley Bay
Small groups often run together on Sundays with those aiming for the Great North Run or the London Marathon often training together on other days.
Training venues vary dependant on time of year.
Juniors meet every Monday at 6.45pm at Blyth Sports Centre; Thursdays 5.30pm venue depends on the time of the year.  Summer sessions are held on the beach with winter sessions on the Quayside.  Saturdays 10 am venue depends on the time of the year. 
During the winter months a series of seven (2.5 mile) handicap races are held. Trophies for the overall winner, fastest girl and boy, team and athletes who complete 6 of the 7 races are awarded at a special presentation evening.
On training nights during the winter in the interests of safety to yourself and others it is strongly recommended that you have a WHITE OR REFLECTIVE TOP, for training with Club groups in the hours of darkness. Junior members will not be allowed to run without reflective tops.