Benefits for Senior Membership of Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club

 

Introduction

There are many social, health, physical-well-being and competition benefits to be gained from joining Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club.  Importantly, there are also potential financial savings. This document highlights potential benefits available to existing and new members. New members, considering whether to join, may already be doing ad hoc races, training alone, with friends or in an unorganised group, often with little idea about how to focus their training to achieve target goals.  Road runners, for example, may want to try other disciplines such as cross country running, fell running, track running or field events. Others may want to participate in running/athletics within a disciplined and organised environment, but are nervous of potential costs for only 'running'.

The purpose of this exercise is to illustrate many of the benefits enjoyed by MMK members and quantify these as potential savings. Savings are based on typical costs for non-members entering races, using a personal trainer, training at a Boot Camp and so on. These are broken down into various headings based around how current senior members utilise the Club and what it offers to them. There are also numerous off-shoot activities organised by individual MMK coaches, not covered here, which would also give further potential savings. The cost of Club membership in 2012 is £55 for the year. There are no sessional fees or fees for using the clubhouse facilities. Regular track users will pay an additional track fee of £45 for the year.

The various spreadsheets and tables aim to illustrate and compare potential financial benefits. Five potential types of club member are used to illustrate typical benefits of membership:

A:          Average (non-track) member.

B:          Very active member.

C:          Low usage member.

D:          Very active vet member.

E:          Track & field only member.

 

The summary chart below highlights potential savings for the above five examples which will depend on their level of participation. Table 1, shows beneficial gains from typical race entries throughout the year. Table 2, shows the possible gains from available resources, coaching and facilities available to club members. Table 4, shows the breakdown of these beneficial savings that could be gained.

 

Summary chart

Member

Illustrative Activities

Savings (£)

A

Average Male or Female: (mainly non-track), 3 Cross Country races , MK 10km, 5 other road races, Tour of Milton Keynes, training once a week, no courses.

246

B

Very Active Member: (Road/Track), 3 Cross Country + National Cross Country, Wolverton 5, 8 other road races, 3 track meetings, Tour of Milton Keynes, training twice a week, going on 1 course

337

C

Low Usage Member: Trains alternate weeks, MK 10km, buys goods

121

D

Very active Veteran user: 4 Cross Country races, 5 Vets track meetings, MK 10km, 8 other races, Tour of Milton Keynes, Round Norfolk Relay, 2 courses. Trains 1+/week, 50% condition classes, buys goods

404

E

Track only person: All track events, training twice a week, buys goods

300

 

Conclusion

There is a substantial financial beneficial gain that is achieved by any participating person joining Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club. This is for the ultimate competitor to even the very low usage social member.

 

Table 1: Potential savings on race entry fees.

 

Note: There are further comments on bracketed items [*] in Table 3.

 

Discipline

Item

No. of Events

Possible Cost
 (£)

 Possible

Savings (£)

Comment

Road/Cross Country

Free entry to Chiltern League Cross Country races.

5

6

30

[6] Based on cheap Cross Country races.

 

Free entry to Southern and County Cross Country races.

2

10

20

Higher level standard Cross Country race.

 

Free entry to National Cross Country race, (where selected)

1

10

10

 

 

Free entry to National Cross Country relays.

1

7

7

 

 

Free entry to Wolverton 5 mile road race

1

10

10

[1]

 

Free entry to Milton Keynes 10 km.

1

8

8

[1]

 

Additional savings if all East Midlands Grand Prix races are entered as a series.

7

2

14

[1]

 

Open Race entry fee saving.

12

2

24

[14] Say 1 race a month.

 

Free entry to Round Norfolk Relay

1

15

15

[4] Team event. 17 member relay

 

Free entry to various road relays, Southern, National, etc.

3

5

15

[5]

 

Free transport to London Marathon

1

14

14

Club provides free transport for members.

 

Reduced entry fee for Tour of Milton Keynes

6

2

12

[1]

 

Road Sub Total(£)

 

179

 

Track

Southern Athletics League. Male/female league (includes non-scoring). Free entry

5

12

60

[2] Say 3 events @£4 competed at

 

Southern Men's League (includes non-scoring). Free entry

5

12

60

[2] Say 3 events @£4 competed at

 

UK Women's League. (selected) Free entry

3

5

15

[2] Say 2 events @£4 competed at

 

Free Coach Transport provided for some away matches.

5

5

25

[3] Potential saving if used at least £5/person. Say 5 matches.

 Track sub-total (£)

85

 

Veterans

Road Relays. Free team entry)

1

5

5

[5]

 

Track meetings. Free entry. Includes non-scoring)

4

12

48

[2][9] Say 3 events @£4 competed at

 

Track final. To qualify.

1

12

12

[2] Say 3 events @£4 competed at

Vets sub-total(£)

65

 

 Table 2: Potential savings from the use of facilities and resources by MMK members.

 

Item

No.

Typ. Cost

Poss. Benefit (£)

Comment

Free use of Coaches and Leaders:
MMK currently has over 60 qualified coaches, up to Level 4 standard, covering various aspects:-
Endurance, jumps, Throws, Sprints/Hurdles, Multi events,
and disability.
Typically twice a week, all year (there are many additional sessions at weekends).

1

200

200

[11][12] This is a very valuable resource that can and is used by all members. The coaches are all volunteers who put a great deal of time and effort to help members. If these were personal trainers, or utilised as part of a professional sports/fitness centre, then costs approaching £200+ a year would be easily envisaged.
Members who wish to qualify as coaches or officials will have their course fees paid by the club on the understanding that coaches will give time to the club.

Free circuit training and conditioning.  Winter weekly Sessions. Suitable for track or road athletes.

16

3

48

[7] 16 weeks. Indoors. Could be £3+ a week at an external Gym. Use of weights conditioning all year in equipment building.

Free insurance.

 

 

included

MMK is affiliated to England Athletics. Any registered member is provided with insurance cover for training and racing. Any qualified Coach, Leader or club official is automatically provided with insurance cover related to “athletics activities”.

Free use of Clubhouse, full changing and shower facilities. The Athletics Stadium is managed and maintained by volunteer club members.

 

 

included

Used as a base for the twice weekly sessions. Although many other nights can be used by agreement with coaches and committee. Refreshments available.

Free training courses for Coaches, Leaders and Officials. Track or road.

1

20

20

[8] Various courses available throughout year. Club pays. Anyone can apply. Potentially £20+, per course if applied individually. (say just 1 course).

Sweatshop. £5 Voucher to use when registered with England Athletics.

1

5

5

See England Athletics website to activate the voucher.

Sweatshop. 10% discount on goods using the England Athletics membership card gained through the Club.

0.1

100

10

[10] Say £100 spent on goods a year.

Free 24+ page full-colour Club Magazine 4-5 times a year

 

 

included

[13] Hard copy published for each member.

 Potential Benefit (track or road)  £

 

283

 

 

Table 3: Additional notes for commented items in Tables 1 and 2.

 

1

Based on early entry applied for.

2

Typical cost for an open event at Watford being £4 per event.

3

Club provides a mini bus transport. Travel cost saving based on nominal £5. Could vary depending on distance.

4

A team event where early intention to compete is required. Up to two teams have been entered previously. Cost based on team entry of £260.

5

Team selection required, but generally additional teams entered to allow for all. Early notice again required. Nominal £5 allowed for this type of race.

6

Typically, Ampthill Cross Country costs £7

7

For boot-camp type training, typical fees are (1 class p/w = £30 p/m, 2 classes p/w = £40 p/m, 2+ classes p/w = £50 p/m). So based on just a three month period, once a week, would cost £90. But here we have allowed a nominal £3 per session.

8

Training-course costs vary tremendously. Depending on duration, level, experience and resources. A nominal £20 put here, but actually an average cost would be much more, approaching £50.

9

Vets competing in the Eastern vets League need to join Eastern Vets AC (£12). Vets can compete in many events at each meeting. EVAC membership is needed for their track, road and Cross Country Championships.

10

Competing members are registered with England Athletics who issue individual competition licences. This license must be shown to Sweatshop to gain discount.

11

The most difficult costs to quantify.
Road runners have two organised sessions a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with other alternatives at weekend. (There is also a social run every Thursday.) These are led by trained and experienced Coaches or Leaders to set training schedules an plans.
As item [7], Boot-camp style costs £30 per month for just one session a week. Up to £300+ per year!
If used as six-person group for a £25 session personal trainer at once per week. Then typically say 48 weeks at £25x48/6 = £200 per year.
Some clubs may typically have a £10 membership fee + £2.50 fee per session. Based on 3 training sessions a fortnight, the total cost would be (£10+48*1.5*£2.50=£190 per year). We use a figure of £200.

12

As item [11] but for the track users. A similar beneficial saving would be gained from using the qualified Coaches and Leaders. (Note: The additional track fee contributes towards the maintenance of the track and replacement of equipment.)

13

The Club publishes a full-colour 24+ page newsletter “Athletics MK” four or five times a year, which reviews the news, publishes the Club rankings, and outlines all the events, social and athletic, which will be taking place in the coming months

14

The Club pays £5 for each paid-up member to register with England Athletics who issue a Competitor’s Licence to the individual. It is this that allows reduced race entry fees.

 

Table 4: Beneficial savings gained for various member types.

 

A

Average Male or Female: (mainly non-track), 3 Cross Country races , MK 10km, 5 other road races, Tour of Milton Keynes, training once a week, No courses.

 

Item

No.

Typical Cost

Poss. Benefit (£)

Comment

Free entry to Chiltern League Cross Country races.

3

6

18

[6] Based on cheap Cross Country race.

Free entry to Milton Keynes 10 km.

1

6

6

[1]

Open Race entry fee saving, from being registered with England Athletics.

5

2

10

£2 per race

Reduced entry fee for Tour of Milton Keynes

6

2

12

[1]

Use of Coaches and Leaders.

1

200

200

[11]

Beneficial Savings (£)

246

 

B

Very active member: (Road/Act/Track), 3 Cross Country + National Cross Country, Wolverton 5, 8 other road races, 3 track meetings, Tour of Milton Keynes, train twice a week, goes on 1 course

Free entry to Chiltern League Cross Country races.

3

6

18

[6] Based on cheap Cross Country race.

Free entry to National Cross Country race.

1

10

10

 

Free entry to Wolverton 5 mile road race

1

10

10

[1]

Open Race entry fee saving from being registered with England Athletics.

8

2

16

The club membership fee includes £5 for England Athletics registration. Say 1 race per month.

Reduced entry fee for Tour of Milton Keynes

6

2

12

[1]

Southern Athletics League. Male/female league. (includes non-scoring). Free entry

3

12

36

[2] Say 3 events @£4 per event.

Free transport provided for some away matches.

3

5

15

[3] Coach/mini bus provided. Potential saving where used at least £5/person. Say 5 matches

Free training courses for Coaches, Leaders and Officials. Track or road.

1

20

20

[8] Various courses available throughout year. Club pays. Anyone can apply. Potentially £20+, per course if applied individually. (say just 1 course).

Use of Coaches and Leaders.

1

200

200

[11]

Beneficial Savings (£)

337

 

C

Low Usage Member: Trains alternate weeks, MK 10km, buys goods

Free entry to Milton Keynes 10 km.

1

6

6

[1]

Sweatshop. 10% discount on goods using the EA membership card gained through the Club.

0.1

100

10

[10] Say £100 spent on goods a year.

Sweatshop. £5 Voucher to use when registered with EA.

1

5

5

See EA website to activate the voucher.

Use of Coaches and Leaders.

0.5

200

100

[11]

Beneficial Savings (£)

121

 

D

Very active Veteran user: 4 Cross Country races, 5 Veteran track, MK 10km, 8 other races, Tour of Milton Keynes, Round Norfolk Relay, 1 course. Trains 1+/week, 50% condition classes, buys goods

Free entry to Chiltern League Cross Country races.

4

6

24

[6] Based on cheap Cross Country race.

Free entry to Milton Keynes 10 km.

1

6

6

[1]

Open Race entry fee saving from being registered with England Athletics.

8

2

16

The club membership fee includes £5 for England Athletics registration. Say 1 race per month.

Reduced entry fee for Tour of Milton Keynes

6

2

12

[1]

Veteran Track meetings. Free entry. Includes non-scoring)

4

12

48

[2] Say 3 events @£4 per event

Vets Track final. To qualify.

1

12

12

[2] Say 3 events @£4 per event

Reduced entry fee for Tour of Milton Keynes

6

2

12

[1]

 

Free entry to Round Norfolk Relay

1

15

15

[4] 17-member relay team

Free training courses for Coaches, Leaders and Officials. Track or road.

1

20

20

[8] Various courses available throughout year. Club pays. Anyone can apply. Potentially £20+, per course. (say just 1 course).

Free circuit training and Conditioning.  Winter weekly Sessions. Suitable for track or road athletes.

8

3

24

[7] 16 weeks. Indoors. Could be £3+ a week at an external Gym.

Sweatshop. 10% discount on goods using the EA membership card gained through the Club.

0.1

100

10

[10] Say £100 spent on goods a year.

Sweatshop. £5 Voucher to use when registered with England Athletics.

1

5

5

See England Athletics website to activate the voucher.

Use of Coaches and Leaders.

1

200

200

[11]

Beneficial Savings (£)

404

 

E

Track only person: All track events, training twice a week, buying goods

Southern Athletics League. Male/female league. (includes non-scoring). Free entry

5

12

60

[2] Say 3 events @£4 competed at

Free transport provided for some away matches.

5

5

25

[3] Coach/mini bus provided. Potential saving where used at least £5/person. Say 5 matches

Sweatshop. 10% discount on goods using the England Athletics membership card gained through the Club.

0.1

100

10

[10] Say £100 spent on goods a year.

Sweatshop. £5 Voucher to use when registered with England Athletics.

1

5

5

See England Athletics website to activate the voucher.

Use of Coaches and Leaders.

1

200

200

[11]

Beneficial Savings (£)

300