Athletics Ireland release club stats for May 2016

Athletics Ireland have just released the membership stats for all the athletic clubs in Ireland as of the end of May 2016. The biggest change in terms of position is that of Mallow AC. With a successful Fit4Life programme, they have jumped from 6th to 3rd largest club in Cork. These are the athletic clubs in Cork with more than 50 adult members...

Club (Seniors & Masters)...End of May 2016
1. Ballymore Cobh AC    180
2. Eagle AC        177
3. Mallow AC    161
4. Midleton AC    159
5. Leevale AC    156
6. Youghal AC    152
7. Ballintotis Fit4Life    149
8. St.Finbarrs AC    149
9. Watergrasshill AC    131
10. Togher AC    128
11. Dromahane Road Runners    101
12. Bandon AC    94
13. Grange Fermoy AC    80
14. Tracton AC    78
15. Clonakilty Runners AC    76
16. Aghada Running Club    76
17. St.Nicholas AC    63
18. Rosscarbery Steam Runners AC    58
19. Bantry AC    57
20. Bweeng Trailblazers    55
21. North Cork AC    54

Last year, there were 18 clubs with 50 or more adult members. This year, it's 21. This is due to three new clubs...Dromahane Road Runners, Aghada Road Runners and Bweeng Trailblazers.

In comparison to 12 months ago, there are a number of changes in those clubs with 50 or more adult members.

Top 3 increases...
1) Togher AC...up 38
2) Youghal AC...up 33
3) Mallow AC...up 24

Top 3 decreases...
1) Bandon AC...down 55
2) North Cork AC...down 26
3) Midleton AC...down 14

Some points...
1) Clubs with Fit4Life beginner programmes tend to have a large membership. There are plenty of smaller clubs that are more focused on other areas like track and field and the faster end of road running.

2) Adult membership tends to reflect the clubs active in road race. There are plenty of clubs with lots of juvenile members but the number of adults coaching them would be relatively small.

3) These stats are for clubs registered with Athletics Ireland. There are a growing number of small running clubs who are doing their own thing.

You can find the stats for May 2016 up on the Athletics Ireland website.

The chart for May 2015 can be seen below for comparison...