Run! is supporting the creation of new modern clubs in central London to provide ongoing partnership over the long term. Run! will create a truly sustainable legacy from the Games by embedding this activity into existing communities, where necessary by starting new clubs from scratch.

London Athletics' view is that it is logical to use heightened levels of interest and participation in athletics in Inner London to establish new athletics clubs in the area. This will additionally provide infrastructure during and after the 2012 Games. In particular clubs are groups of volunteers and represent the aims of the communities they are drawn from. Athletics clubs as such are an expression of community and its wish to act collectively. Delivery of athletics in the form of competition or participation will be stronger and more sustainable if it is supported by the local community. Clubs do not need to cater for all athletics events. It is possible to set up clubs particularly of road runners without a physical base. This is the basis for Run England's running groups. Parallel development of groups of volunteers to run clubs will remain central to our plans. We believe that this development will require enhanced levels of cooperation with local partners - sports development departments, volunteer agencies, school sports partnerships, as well as political drive from the GLA/Mayor's Office.
At this stage, we intend to proceed as follows:

• 1. We have sounded out commercial sponsors who have indicated they would be likely to invest once the project is in progress.
• 2. Co¬ordinate and enhance existing provision through consultation with existing adjacent clubs.
• 3. Agree number of new clubs required to cover the inner city - a minimum of two new clubs, one on each side of the Thames is envisaged.
• 4. Ensure adequate facilities at best venues.
• 5. Develop more up-to-date and adult friendly club
models.
• 6. Sign partnerships with local Boroughs.
• 7. Ensure existing facilities (say in schools) are fully utilised.

This will be a complex undertaking but we believe that new clubs can be unfettered by existing models of provision, and that they can set themselves up however they want. Accordingly, a new club can be more innovative, and incorporate non traditional provision (fitness, triathlon, Quad Kids, disability, cross training) with a flourishing community based social agenda. London Athletics believes that this may prove a more sustainable model, as it establishes a base of adult potential volunteers in addition to parents of young athletes. Of course, new clubs in Inner London are very tangible evidence of legacy benefits from the 2012 Games. We believe this model will also be suitable to be replicated in other parts of the country.

RUN! Clubs

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