Category Archives: News

On Wednesday, 12th March 2025, our planning application was heard by the Selby and Ainsty Area Planning Committee. We were grateful for the opportunity to present our case and highlight the overwhelming support we have received from the community and key sporting bodies.

Excitingly, the planning committee has decided to defer the application with a view to approval.

While not an immediate approval, this decision is a positive step forward as it allows council officers to work on potential conditions for approval, specifically addressing those concerns raised during the meeting.

After a super summer last year, Vale of York Athletic Community finished the season top of Division Two of the West Yorkshire Track and Field League. Now, as we step up to the top division, we face our toughest challenge yet – and we need you to help us stay there!

We stand at a crucial moment for the future of health, wellbeing, and community spirit in Selby. On Wednesday, 12th March 2025, the Selby and Ainsty Planning Committee will make a decision on our application to build a dedicated athletics facility at Land Off Friars Meadow. As we approach this decision, we want to reiterate the profound and lasting positive impact this project will have on our community.

Looking to boost your fitness and meet like-minded people in Selby, without the pressure of a traditional club? Vale of York Athletic Community offers a welcoming space for adults of all abilities to stay active, build connections, and achieve their personal fitness goals right here in Selby.

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.

Like many community sports clubs, especially those with charitable status, Vale of York Athletic Community relies heavily on the dedicated efforts of our volunteers. Running a thriving and safe athletics club takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Handling memberships, organising training sessions and events, keeping our website updated and planning for our own permanent track and field facilities takes a lot of time and effort. All this work has to be done while keeping costs down so that we can be as accessible as possible to everyone in the Vale of York.

On a recent club visit, in his role as England Athletics Regional chair for Yorkshire and Humberside, our founder, Ian Martin, recently had a discussion with a fellow Club Chair about the range of free software and services to which UK charities are entitled. We wanted to share details of some of this software, and what it can be used for, specifically from the perspective of an athletics club like ours.