Legal
Terms & Conditions
Everything you need to know about membership, training sessions, competitions, and what we expect from each other as part of the Silk City Striders community.
Everything you need to know about membership, training sessions, competitions, and what we expect from each other as part of the Silk City Striders community.
These terms and conditions set out the rules and expectations for anyone who joins, trains with, or competes as part of Silk City Striders. We've tried to keep them straightforward because nobody reads a wall of legal jargon — but at the same time, we need to make sure everyone is clear on what they're agreeing to when they come to a session or represent the club at a meet.
By registering as a member, attending any of our training sessions, or wearing a Silk City Striders kit at a competition, you're agreeing to these terms in full. If something here doesn't make sense or you've got questions, just reach out to our committee. We're happy to talk through anything.
Silk City Striders is open to anyone aged eight and above. Junior athletes (ages 8–17) need a parent or guardian to complete the registration form and give consent. Senior athletes (18+) register independently. There's no upper age limit — our Masters group regularly trains athletes in their sixties and beyond.
All members must complete our official registration process, which includes providing personal details, emergency contact information, relevant medical conditions, and agreeing to these terms. Registration is valid for the current calendar year and must be renewed each January.
The committee reserves the right to suspend or terminate membership if a member consistently fails to adhere to the code of conduct, fails to pay fees after reasonable notice, or behaves in a way that is damaging to the club or its members. Any termination will be communicated in writing with a clear reason given, and the member will have the right to appeal within fourteen days.
Training sessions run on a scheduled basis throughout the year. Members are expected to attend the sessions appropriate to their group. Turning up to a session you haven't been placed in without prior approval from the head coach isn't allowed — it's not about being exclusionary, it's about keeping session sizes manageable and making sure every athlete gets proper attention.
Sessions may be cancelled or moved due to extreme weather, venue unavailability, or coaching staff illness. We'll always try to give as much notice as possible through our group chat, email, and social media channels. We can't guarantee every session will go ahead as planned, especially during the winter months when Manchester weather does what it does best.
This is probably the most important section, so we'll be direct about it. Silk City Striders operates on mutual respect, and we have zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, harassment, bullying, or abusive behaviour — whether that's directed at another member, a coach, a volunteer, or anyone else associated with the club.
What happens in training stays in training, but what you post on social media doesn't. Members should be mindful that anything shared publicly that reflects poorly on Silk City Striders — including offensive language, discriminatory comments, or inappropriate behaviour — may be subject to disciplinary action.
All members are expected to comply with UK Athletics and WADA anti-doping regulations. We take clean sport seriously and will cooperate fully with any testing or investigation conducted by the relevant authorities.
Club entry to league meets and championships is typically handled by the coaching team. Athletes are selected based on ability, event specialisation, and squad availability. Being selected for one competition doesn't guarantee selection for the next — each meet has its own requirements.
Individual competition entry fees are generally the responsibility of the athlete. The club may cover entry fees for specific championship events or league fixtures where the team requires certain athletes to compete. This will always be communicated clearly in advance.
When competing in a Silk City Striders vest, you represent the entire club. Sportsmanlike conduct, respect for officials, opponents, and teammates, and adherence to competition rules are all expected. Unsportsmanlike behaviour at any meet may result in the athlete being withdrawn from future club entries.
Membership fees are set annually by the committee and communicated to all members before the start of each season. Fees cover club affiliation to England Athletics, insurance, coaching costs, venue hire, and equipment. Current fee details are available upon request or on the membership registration form.
Fees are due within thirty days of the invoice date. We offer payment plans for annual fees if paying in full isn't feasible — just speak to the membership secretary and we'll work something out. Unpaid fees after sixty days may result in suspension of training privileges until the account is cleared.
Membership fees are non-refundable once the season has started, unless the member is unable to participate due to long-term injury or illness, in which case a pro-rata refund may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
While the club takes reasonable steps to ensure all training environments are safe, athletes participate at their own risk. Members are responsible for ensuring they are physically capable of participating in the activities they undertake. If you're managing an injury or medical condition, it's your responsibility to inform your coach before the session.
Silk City Striders maintains public liability insurance and personal accident cover for all registered members. This covers incidents that occur during official club sessions and competitions. It does not cover personal travel to and from events or injuries sustained during unsupervised personal training.
Members must provide accurate and up-to-date medical information at registration and must notify the club of any changes to their medical status. Failure to disclose relevant medical conditions may affect insurance coverage and the club's ability to respond appropriately in an emergency.
Silk City Striders is committed to the welfare and protection of all junior athletes. We operate in accordance with England Athletics safeguarding policies, and all coaches working with under-18s hold current DBS checks. Parents and guardians are welcome to observe sessions and are encouraged to raise any concerns with the club's safeguarding officer.
These terms may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in the club's operations, legal requirements, or England Athletics regulations. Any significant changes will be communicated to all members via email and posted on the club website at least thirty days before they take effect. Continued membership after the changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
If a member disagrees with the updated terms, they may terminate their membership by providing written notice to the committee within thirty days of the notification date.
If you have any questions about these terms, need clarification on anything, or want to discuss a specific situation, please reach out to us: