TALES FROM THE VALE

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.

The Diamond League is a series of elite athletics meetings held in cities across the globe. It an annual opportunity for the world’s greatest athletes, from powerhouse sprinters to record-breaking throwers and jumpers, to compete against the very best in their sport. For fans and aspiring athletes, it’s a chance to experience top-class athletics first hand.

On 19 July 2025 London hosted the latest instalment of the competition to a sell-out crowd. Amongst the 60,000 spectators at the London Stadium were families from Vale of York Athletic Community who had made the journey to see track and field superstars in action.

Our recent volunteering efforts manning the water station at the York and District Road Race League event on July 8th at Wistow has received praise from Ellie, the new Sustainability Manager at England Athletics.

Ellie was particularly impressed with the thoughtful and careful planning that went into making our water stations as sustainable as possible. From researching environmentally friendly materials to finding effective ways to reduce waste, our efforts haven’t go unnoticed.

Mark your calendars! Selby Fun Day is just around the corner, promising an afternoon of athletic excitement for the whole family. We’re thrilled to invite you to join us on Sunday, June 22nd, from 12 PM to 3 PM, at the astroturf facilities of Selby Leisure Centre.

This year, we are once again focusing on getting kids aged 5-15 active and excited about athletics. Imagine your children running, jumping, sprinting, throwing, and even hurdling their way through a series of fun and challenging activities designed to test their skills and boost their confidence. It’s not just about winning; it’s about participation, pushing personal limits, and discovering the variety of athletics.

We’ve got some exciting news to share that will directly benefit the young aspiring athletes of Selby. We are thrilled to announce that we’ve received a generous grant cheque from Selby Town Council to support our upcoming activities right here in Selby.

This money will go directly towards providing athletics activities for local children at Selby Fun Day on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025.