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Club Management

All about the club Management Committee

Stamford Striders is managed by a committee elected from members of the club.

The full constitution of the club can be inspected by looking at our Governance / Policies and Practices.

The committee has 4 officers : Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.

Election takes place at every AGM, with all committee members including the four officers standing down each year. Any paid-up member can stand for election or re-election including the officer posts, subject to giving the required notice of their willingness to stand.

The committee is responsible for managing all aspects of the club, with the proviso that the club constitution rules that certain major changes can only be approved by the membership as a whole, either at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting.

Committee operates democratically with all committee members having an equal vote, decisions can only be taken if a quorum including at least two officers is present.

A key responsibility of committee is the selection of people to take up the 'active' roles within the club such as 30k Race Director, Head Coach and Running Leaders. These roles are not elected. Typically a 30k Race Director will serve 2 or 3 years whereas the position of Head Coach is normally long term. It is the responsibility of committee, on behalf of the whole club, to select suitable replacements as and when positions need to be filled. Coaching requires specific qualifications and the club will pay course fees where there is a good expectation that the candidate will be active in role for a reasonable length of time.

There is no requirement to be a committee member for anyone to be considered for any of its active roles. The only requirements are to be a paid up club member and to hold any appropriate qualifications. Committee will inevitably tend to favour candidates who have a track record of working as team members within the relevant area of club life.

If someone taking up one of the key roles is not a committee member they will invariably be invited to join committee due to the importance of the role and the necessity of working closely with the committee. Technically that person is a co-opted committee member pending the next AGM but takes part as an equal at committee meetings.

Meet the Committee


Nick Wells Team Events co-ordinator	I had always done a bit of jogging, but it was with a fair amount of trepidation that I accepted a friend's invitation to join Stamford Striders in 2007. What if they were all super athletes and I ended up left behind somewhere in the wilderness? It turned out that they weren't, and I wasn’t, and I had a ball. The whole ethos of the club is to enjoy running first and foremost, and then to take it as far as you want. Our Coaches, Running Leaders and members have a whole range of running experience and will support you from those first few strides. Just want to run to keep fit and enjoy the social side? Then come along on a Tuesday night when we have over 100 runners of all abilities. Want to push yourself a little further? We have Thursday hill sessions or Coached track training. Fancy running further? Sunday long, slow runs. If you fancy competing, we have a Club Championship with a nominated calendar of local races. It doesn’t matter where you finish, just that you start. We will be there at the finish line cheering every Strider home. Don’t feel you have to - remember, our big thing is to be comfortable with your running and to enjoy it - I bet you do though!. When I started out at Stamford Striders I was jogging a couple of miles. Since then I’ve done 10ks, half and full marathons; run road, trail, and cross country; taken part in team relay events; and enjoyed many Club social events along the way. I certainly feel as fit as I have ever been. I’m still having a ball.
Robin Ball Club Chairman Membership Secretary Running Leader	I started running at the end of April 2009 when I finally took up Strider Brian Kearsey's challenge. I thought I was fit - 4 sets of enthusiastic tennis no problem - but not having run for over 40 years my running limit was about 300 yards before stopping, chest heaving and legs like rubber. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but at the age of 57, thanks to the 2009 Beginners course and Striders' regular meets I had a fantastic first year of running - solo runs, lots of club runs and some races. I rounded off Year One with the London Marathon and started Year Two with the Edinburgh Marathon. I love the sense of achievement and getting properly fit for the first time in my life. I love the mix of friendship, help and competition and now, eight years in, I wish I had discovered running years ago - maybe I could have been good!
Elaine Allwood Club Secretary Running Leader	My first contact with Striders was in May 2009 when I started the 10 week beginner course - it sounds a bit corny but it was life-changing especially as I was not a youngster! I am now a Running Leader and Secretary to this great Club. Not only have I got the running bug - but I have made loads of friends, have run five half marathons and numerous 5k Parkruns and 10k races. The less-than-flattering photo is when I had finished the Great Eastern, but I love that photo because I remember clearly how I felt - pretty chuffed that I had actually managed to get round the course in a decent time and at how much I had enjoyed the experience!
Gaynor Morris Club Treasurer	Gaynor was elected to the committee at the July 2021 AGM.
Calli Robertson Running Co-ordinator	Calli was elected to the committee at the July 2021 AGM.

Brian Kearsey Running Leader Championship Co-ordinator Club Kit	I’ve been running for a long time, having joined my first running club in London in 1960 (the Crown & Manor - not a pub), I did a lot of road running and cross country in those days. Alongside a lot of football and squash, I've run ever since. Needless to say, I enjoy running both as a physical and emotional release valve, despite the fact that in recent years I have become more of a “plodder/back marker” than a true runner – even as a Running Leader I seem to spend more time following the group rather than leading – but, hey, who cares! Striders is a great club for runners of all levels, and I can highly recommend the Tuesday and Thursday sessions and the 'long slow run' on a Sunday morning. I am a committee member dealing with club kit and the club championship. Running is a fun sport and, through Striders, I have made lots of new friends of all ages since arriving here nearly 11 years ago. It is pleasing to see so many new members committed to promoting running locally.
Suzanne Moon Running Leader Junior Coach	I was delighted to see Striders' Beginners course advertised in 2009 because I'd been toying with the idea of joining for months, but the thought of turning up and asking to run with a 'proper club' terrified me. Turns out I was being silly - Striders are friendly, supportive and downright kind to everyone who runs with them. Around 100 runners of all abilities turn up each Tuesday evening, and although it's tricky to remember everyone by name, there are plenty of smiles, "hellos" and laughter, making the hour-long routes whizz by. I usually run with the B-group (B for best, in my opinion) as well as helping Becca to coach the Junior section of the club. I'm now looking forward to our first Juniors 'graduating' to the Senior section of the club.
Nick Harding	Nick was elected to the committee at the July 2021 AGM.
Andy Wade Running Leader Championship Co-ordinator	I started running in early 2006 when my sister-in-law asked me to train with her leading up to the ‘Race for Life’. Soon after, I started running with the club. I've always found everyone at Striders very friendly, encouraging and very supportive. Many have become good friends, who I thoroughly enjoy running and socialising with. I have competed in many races and, in 2014, I completed my first marathon and finished in what I think was a respectable time. During my time at the club I have been awarded the ’TEN UP’ trophy twice for completing all championship races for the year and also the ‘Most Improved Male’ trophy. I am currently a committee member, running leader, first aider and I also produce the club championship results.
Cameron Harris Head Coach	I’ve enjoyed running as long as I can remember and, as a teenager, took any opportunity to race someone or take part in a school run. In 2019 I was made head coach of the club. On top of my coaching role with the Striders I train and compete competitively, with my main focus being fell and XC races. One of the most satisfying aspects to my role is helping people gain confidence in themselves to achieve their running ambitions. I like to utilise the club’s sessions and plan them out to be progressive, variable and structured so that all members can benefit from them. Ultimately, my personal objective for Striders is to not only make it welcoming to those new to running, but to provide the seriousness and focus needed to help all members make performance gains and to feel confident with themselves and the sport.
Ed Fancourt Team Competition co-ordinator	When I started running in 2012, I was persuaded along to Striders one freezing February evening - and haven't looked back since. A fantastic friendly welcome was given and in the last 5 years, lifelong friends have been made, and I'm sure there are more to come. Plus, you get to be fit and feel great (except maybe for the last 6 miles of a marathon!). I really can't recommend the sport, or this club, highly enough.
Clare Morley Vice Chairman	I started running in 2014 at the ripe age of 43, as a way of getting fitter. After doing a 5k race, and being terrified beforehand, a friend told me about joining Stamford Striders. I’ve not looked back since. With the support of the club I moved to 10ks, half marathons, (my favourite) and ran the London Marathon. I would not have kept going during training without the company of other runners, many of whom I now call friends. I have now set my sights on the Manchester Marathon and my first Ultra: Race to the Towers, 54.4miles! That’s a long way from that first 5k run! Since becoming a Running Leader and Assistant Coach. I’ve also been part of the team behind our 10-week Beginners Course in May. This course is a great journey from start to finish, helping people of all shapes, ages and sizes to believe in themselves, and encouraging them to run a bit further each week. It’s a great feeling for all involved. I believe in making running fun. Let’s face it, at my age I’m not going to break any records, apart from my own, but I want to be the best I can be, and be a good role model to my children.
Bev Lewis Juniors Co-ordinator	I joined the club through the Beginners’ Course in 2015 with a view to getting fitter and to try and keep up with my two children! Having not really run since school (and I wasn’t great then!) it was a challenge, but the excellent coaches, running leaders and like-minded people that I met kept me coming back each week. I run with the ‘A’ group and love that Striders really does cater for all running speeds. When Junior Striders started in 2016, I got involved with taking the weekly register, and eventually took over as Junior Co-ordinator in 2018. I love being involved with Junior Striders and the support between Seniors and Juniors is great to see, and inspiring for the juniors.