Here at Vale of York Athletic Community, our mission is clear. We exist to “provide facilities for athletic activity in a friendly, safe environment for the benefit of children and adults in the Vale of York“.
We’re proud to be a local charity dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of our community through athletics, running and fitness. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate, regardless of their background or ability.
We often get asked about membership. As a sports club with charitable status, our guiding principle is to “encourage broad community participation in healthy sport and recreation”. This means that, in general, we aim to be as open and inclusive as possible.
Open membership is essential for us to meet the requirement of public benefit that applies to all charities. We want Vale of York Athletic Community to be a place where everyone feels welcome and has the chance to get involved. We strive to be as inclusive as reasonably possible and remove all unnecessary barriers to participation.
However, like any organisation, there are some instances where restrictions on membership might be necessary and reasonable. The Charity Commission (the regulator for charities in England and Wales) recognises that certain limitations are justified. Here are some examples that apply to our charity:
- There is no test of skill required for admission. While we cater to a range of abilities and organise structured training groups and coaching accordingly, our focus is on maximising participation for everyone. Trial sessions are for you to determine if our community is right for you. Not for us to test your ability.
- Membership may be refused or rescinded for good reasons, provided they are properly explained to the individual. These could include concerns related to an individual’s physical or medical condition if they pose a risk during activities, or if they fail to adhere to our safeguarding policies or codes of conduct.
- We have limited facilities and are oversubscribed for junior members, so it is necessary to operate a waiting list. Membership is normally offered on a first-come, first-served basis and not based on athletic ability. However, if parents or guardians are able to volunteer or compete in some capacity then we are able to fast-track membership so that we can offer more places to our community as a whole
We are also committed to ensuring that our membership subscriptions are affordable for the majority of the community we serve. We aim to keep costs down to make athletics accessible to as many people as possible in the Vale of York. We have an access fund for anyone who needs assistance with membership fees.
Ultimately, Vale of York Athletic Community exists for the benefit of the public, not just for our existing members. Our aim is to foster a friendly and supportive environment where everyone can enjoy the benefits of athletics. If you’re interested in joining us, we encourage you to get in touch! You can find more information about membership on the “Join” section of our website.
We look forward to welcoming you to Vale of York Athletic Community!
