News

06/10/2026 00:00, In Club Notice Board /

Real progress, more to do: what you told us in the 2026 Members’ Survey

Diolch yn fawr/ thank you! In September, 446 of you took time to tell us what’s working in athletics in Wales, what isn’t, and where we should focus next. That’s more of you than last year (396), and it gives us our clearest picture yet of how our members feel.

Here’s what you told us, where we know we need to act, and how you can help shape what happens next at our Regional Club Forums this autumn.

The headlines: real progress

The biggest change is in how you feel about Welsh Athletics as your governing body. Our overall satisfaction score (Net Promoter Score) has risen from −16 in 2025 to +13 this year, a 29-point swing, with every region of Wales improving and now in positive territory. Last year, more of you were critical of us than were championing us. This year, that has turned around.

87% of members told us their membership is good value for money, and this year we asked everyone, not just athletes. Some of the biggest improvements came from our workforce: coaches and run leaders moved from −23 to +7, and officials from −8 to +9.

Once again, clubs earned your warmest feedback. Your clubs scored +63 (rated “great”) with 95% of you saying your club is welcoming and inclusive and 93% feeling a real sense of belonging. As one member put it: “Inclusive of age and abilities, we all train together.” Our clubs, and the volunteers who run them, are the heart of the sport in Wales, and that came through loud and clear.

Where we need to do better

Progress isn’t the finish line. Your feedback also points clearly to the areas where we need to act, and we want to be upfront about them.

Explaining what we do. 40% of you told us you don’t understand what Welsh Athletics does for members very well, or at all. Clearer communication about what membership includes was the single most common thing you asked us to change (23%), and fewer than half of you knew about benefits you already have, such as partner discounts and your Power of 10 profile. That’s on us to fix, with clearer and more regular information by email (your preferred channel) and through your clubs.

Closer to home. Location and travel is a barrier for almost a third of athletes (32%), rising to 47% in North Wales and 38% in the West. Satisfaction is noticeably lower in the North (+1) and West (+7) than in the South (+21) and East (+20), and many of you told us that championships, courses and seminars feel concentrated in the south. We need consider the spread of our events, courses and our own presence across Wales, including Mid Wales.

Coaching, systems and time. Coaches feel more positive than last year, but only 49% find our digital systems and platforms easy to use, and 55% say time is the biggest barrier to their development. You asked for simpler digital journeys, bite-size and flexible learning, and more chances to connect with other coaches. Building on the work already underway to improve our online learning platform, that’s where we need to focus.

Valuing our volunteers. Officials and club volunteers told us they feel valued: 82% of officials feel appreciated, and 94% of committee members feel valued by their club. But many of you carry more than one role, and you want clearer progression (only 69% of officials say it’s easy for new officials to get involved and progress), more recognition, and practical tools. 44% of committee members asked for templates and how-to guides.

Help shape what happens next

The survey tells us what matters to you. Now we want to understand why, and what you’d like us to do about it. Our current strategy comes to an end this year, and these results will feed directly into the development of the next Welsh Athletics strategy.

That’s why we’re inviting athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers to our Regional Club Forums this autumn. They’re your chance to hear more about the results, add the context that numbers alone can’t give us, and tell us what’s working, where the challenges are, and what support you want from Welsh Athletics in the years ahead. Forums are being held across the country, as well as online:

• Monday 12 October – Halo Cwmbran Stadium, Cwmbran, 6.30–8.30pm
• Wednesday 14 October – Cardiff International Sports Campus, Cardiff, 6.30–8.30pm
• Tuesday 3 November – Wrexham Tennis and Padel Centre, Wrexham, 6.30–8.30pm
• Wednesday 4 November – Eirias Events Centre, Colwyn Bay, 6.30–8.30pm
• Monday 9 November – Canolfan Gwili Centre, Swansea, 6.30–8.30pm
• Tuesday 17 November – Online, 6.30–8.30pm
• Saturday 21 November – Hafan Yr Afon, Newtown, 12.30–2.30pm

Every forum is free, with refreshments at all in-person venues. Places are booked through Eventbrite.

Find out more and book your place at a Regional Club Forum

Diolch yn fawr/ Thank you

Every response helps us build a better Welsh Athletics. The progress in this year’s results belongs to the clubs, volunteers, coaches, officials and staff who have worked hard over the past year, and the challenges are ones we’re committed to tackling together. We’ll keep reporting back on what we’re doing with your feedback, and we hope to see you at a forum.