Club:Connect, British Athletics’ campaign to reward and recognise the work of clubs, will be expanded for the 2014 outdoor season following its successful introduction during the recent indoor season. Using the award winning series of televised major events, British Athletics will aim to give a greater platform for clubs and also enhance their involvement in the Sainsbury’s British Championships in terms of attendance and recognition.

A range of new initiatives will be implemented throughout the Sainsbury’s Summer Series with clubs being rewarded and showcased at the Sainsbury’s British Championships on 27-29 June, Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix on 11-12 July and Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix and IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final on 24-25 August.

Club:Connect will help to kick off the 2014 outdoor season at the Sainsbury’s British Championships, where British Athletics will be contacting clubs with subsidised tickets for all club members to attend the event at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium and show their support for their fellow athletes. Points will be on offer to athletes in the top eight of each event and the clubs accumulating the most points will win a grant of £500 for both male and female categories.

There will also be relays featuring age group athletes from Midlands clubs, a Club:Connect zone as part of the Spectator Village, various free gifts, a Club:Connect Arena Agility Challenge and other competitions with further grants being available to the winning persons’ clubs.

Two weeks later the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix, being held on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July at Glasgow’s Hampden Park, will also play a big part in recognising the significant contribution of clubs in supporting athletes through their athletics journey. There will again be medley relays featuring young athletes from local Scottish clubs and the winning clubs will receive a grant of £500.

A busy summer of athletics will conclude with the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix and the Sainsbury’s IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final over the August bank holiday weekend at the Alexander Stadium and once again there will be Club:Connect medley relays for young athletes with another £500 grant on offer for both winning teams.

Key clubs working with domestic para-athletes will also be invited to come and watch the world’s best athletes in action at the Sainsbury’s IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final.

Cherry Alexander, British Athletics Major Events Director, believes that this campaign goes some way in recognising the great work done by clubs across the country.

She said: “Following the success of the introduction of Club:Connect during the indoor season, it is vital that we keep the momentum going. I’m sure that the various things we will be offering clubs during the Sainsbury’s Summer Series will allow this to happen.

 “Clubs are the foundation of athletics and it is really important that we recognise what they do. Club:Connect allows clubs to get involved in our major events and use it as a platform for them to receive the credit that they deserve. In particular, the Sainsbury’s British Championships is all about athletes and their clubs and therefore the wide ranging Club:Connect initiatives taking place over the weekend will reflect the importance of clubs.”

For more information on Club:Connect please visit: http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/competitions/british-athletics-club-connect/