Supporting Midlife Women

Long term athlete development is key in attracting new members, supporting existing ones and retaining our club athletes.

Currently 50% of our female members are over the age of 45 and 90% of women want to remain active and run but often do not know how to do this.

Clubs can think ahead to develop strategies to work with this group of members and look to support them into the future.

We want clubs to sign up to a new development support programme which will help them attract, support and retain all runners but with a specific focus on midlife women.

We will be holding an on-line information session to talk through the programme for clubs who are interested.

Please register for the Information Session (Sep 18, 2025 8pm)  HERE

What Club Support Looks Like

The LTAD Clubs Campaign will invite clubs to sign up to a development pathway and tool kit which will provide the following club support:

• Coach workshops (a three-part workshop series 1 in person and 2 on-line)
• Training plans for 5K-Marathon (when you have attended the coaching workshops)
• Athlete workshops (support you’re your club members)
• Clubs Assessment Toolkit (to develop and self-assess your current club)
• Club Action Plan Toolkit (next steps)

Clubs who sign up to the programme will be supported throughout with regular progress meetings and additional resources for the club.

At the end of the 6 months clubs will receive certificates for their coaches and a club mark kitemark which they can promote on their social media and website channels.

This programme is for clubs who work with female club runners or established Fit For Life groups that:

• Train runners 5K to marathon distances
• Write training plans for athletes at different ages and stages — but noticing they respond differently to the same sessions and want to improve their planning
• Would like support on providing an inclusive training environment for all and help retain their female runners

The programme is built around real-world coaching, with clear guidance for adjusting training across your group.

✅ Plus: Coaching strategies that support midlife women
✅ Frameworks for writing flexible, sustainable plans
✅ Support to help you retain and develop your members

Led by Irene Clark, a specialist in endurance coaching and coaching midlife women and developing inclusive club support.

For more information, please contact Anna Grealish Women in Sport Lead annagrealish@athleticsireland.ie