Changes to the Articles of Association at the national governing body means clubs will have a non-voting presence in future meetings

Athletics clubs will have a non-voting role at UKA Members meetings in future after an EGM on Friday (Jan 28).

The governing body said: “UKA is pleased to confirm that following the UKA Members’ EGM that was held this morning the proposed changes that were outlined here received the required number of votes for those changes to be agreed. The revised Articles of Association will shortly be published on the UKA website and at Companies House.”

This follows a strong letter from the newly-formed Athletics Research Group (ARG) on the AW website last week urging clubs to oppose the change.

Jason Gardener, President of UKA, said: “I am very pleased that these changes have been agreed and that I hope we can now look forward and continue to work together for the benefit of athletics in the UK.”

But Tony Shiret from ARG said: “It is obviously a very disappointing outcome, especially as one of the elected club representatives, Julian Starkey, voted for the motion which has disenfranchised the clubs. He is also the Chair of the National Council. So very many people that felt that he represents them will be shocked.

“The irony of the vote is that UK Sport will think that the war is over whereas they have just increased the resentment and made their brand even more toxic.”

UKA felt the clubs will be represented via the home country athletics federations and the changes mean the UKA Members meetings will include the following:

Voting members:
President (1)
Vice President (1)
Officials’ representative (1)
Coaching representative (1)
Athletes’ commission representative – non disabled athlete (1)
Athletes’ commission representative – para athlete (1)
England Athletics representative (3)
Scottish Athletics representative (1)
Welsh Athletics representative (1)
Athletics NI representative (1)

Non-voting members:
First track and field club elected representative (0)
Second track and field club elected representative (0)
Road running representative (0)