The Triple Thread

We are really excited to announce that connectMyClub now has native companion apps for both Garmin and Apple Watch.

This has been a significant piece of development work and we think it is going to make a genuine difference to how club members interact with connectMyClub every day — particularly out on a run, at the track, or heading to a training session.

Here is everything you need to know.

---

WHAT CAN THE WATCH APPS DO?

Both the Garmin and Apple Watch companion apps give you access to the following directly from your wrist:

Your club badge — the first thing you see when you open the app is your club's badge. It is a small touch but it matters. Your club, on your wrist.

Your next booked training session — see your upcoming session at a glance, without reaching for your phone.

Your next booked race — your next event is always one tap away, whether it is a club 10k or a road race.

Your next booked athletics meet — for athletics club members, your next meet is displayed clearly so you are always prepared.

Your connectMyClub QR code — tap into training sessions by scanning your QR code directly from your watch. No phone needed.

Your parkrun barcode — your parkrun barcode is stored on your watch and ready to scan every Saturday morning. No more unlocking your phone at the finish funnel.

LiveMap location sharing — start sharing your live location with your training group directly from your watch. Your group leader can see exactly where you are in real time, whether you are on a long run through the countryside, a trail session, or a rep workout spread across a large area.

---

WHICH DEVICES ARE SUPPORTED?

Apple Watch: All Apple Watch models running watchOS from 2020 onwards are supported.

Garmin: The companion app is compatible with a wide range of Garmin devices, covering the Fenix, Forerunner, Epix, Enduro, Venu, Vivoactive, Instinct, MARQ, and D2 ranges. Full compatibility includes:

Fenix 5 Plus, 5S Plus, 5X Plus, 6, 6 Pro, 6S, 6S Pro, 6X Pro, 7, 7 Pro, 7S, 7S Pro, 7X, 7X Pro, 8 (43mm, 47mm), 8 Pro 47mm, 8 Solar 47mm, 8 Solar 51mm, Fenix E

Forerunner 55, 165, 165M, 245, 245M, 255, 255M, 255S, 255SM, 265, 265S, 570 (42mm, 47mm), 745, 945, 945 LTE, 955, 965, 970

Epix 2, Epix 2 Pro (42mm, 47mm, 51mm)

Enduro, Enduro 3

Venu, Venu 2, Venu 2 Plus, Venu 2S, Venu 3, Venu 3S, Venu 4 (41mm, 45mm), Venu D, Venu SQ, Venu SQ 2, Venu SQ 2M, Venu SQM, Venu X1

Vivoactive 4, Vivoactive 4S, Vivoactive 5, Vivoactive 6

Instinct 3 AMOLED (45mm, 50mm), Instinct Crossover AMOLED

MARQ Adventurer, Athlete, Aviator, Captain, Commander, Driver, Expedition, Golfer, MARQ 2, MARQ 2 Aviator

D2 Air X10, D2 Mach 1, D2 Mach 2, D2 Mach 2 Pro

Legacy Hero Captain Marvel, Legacy Hero First Avenger, Legacy Saga Darth Vader, Legacy Saga Rey

If your Garmin is not on this list and was released after 2020, please get in touch and we will look at adding support for it.

---

HOW DO I SET IT UP?

Setting up the watch apps is straightforward. In the connectMyClub app, go to My Menu, then Devices, and follow the steps to sync your Apple Watch or Garmin.

---

WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE WATCH APPS?

This is the first release of the companion apps and we have more features planned. As always, development is guided by feedback from our clubs and members, so if there is something you would like to see on your wrist, let us know.

---

The watch apps are available now to all connectMyClub members. If your club is not yet on connectMyClub, you can find out more and start a free trial at connectmy.club.

Why Generalist Apps Like Spond and Teamo Fall Short for Triathlon and Athletics Clubs

When it comes to managing a sports club, the "one size fits all" approach often leaves endurance athletes behind. Most club management systems, such as Spond or Teamo, were designed with team sports in mind. They excel at organising a football match or a netball practice, but they struggle to handle the complex, multi-discipline, and data-driven nature of triathlon, running, and athletics.

This is where connectMyClub changes the game. By focusing specifically on the needs of the endurance community, it provides tools that generalist apps simply cannot match

The Multi-Discipline Challenge

A triathlon club is essentially three clubs in one. On any given day, you might have a coached swim session at a local pool, a track interval session, and a social bike ride.

Generalist apps typically operate on a "squad" or "team" basis. This makes managing different disciplines, varying venue capacities, and split groups a logistical nightmare. connectMyClub is built for this exact workflow, allowing you to manage sessions across different sports, locations, and coaches within one unified interface. Whether you need to limit lane capacity for a swim or coordinate pace groups for a Sunday long run, the system handles it with ease.

Performance Tracking: More Than Just a Scoreline

In a football club, the primary metrics are goals and wins. In athletics and running, the primary metrics are Personal Bests (PBs), Season's Bests (SBs), and club records.

Teamo and Spond have no native way to track a 5k progression or a marathon time. connectMyClub features a dedicated Performance Suite that includes:

• Race League Generators: Automatically manage club standings and handicap races.
• Personal Best Tracking: A central database for members to log their achievements.
• Automated Recognition: The system sends congratulatory emails when a member hits a new PB, driving engagement and motivation.

Safety on the Road with ActiveSafe

Most sports apps assume your activity takes place on a secured pitch or court. For runners and cyclists, the "stadium" is the open road, which comes with unique safety concerns.

connectMyClub includes the innovative ActiveSafe feature. This allows members to report both positive experiences and safety concerns while training, from identifying particularly safe routes to reporting street harassment or dangerous road conditions. By capturing a balanced view of the training environment, the club can view anonymised data to promote the best routes for the community. This holistic approach to athlete well-being is a priority that generalist platforms overlook

Built for Volunteers and Officials

Athletics, running, and tri clubs rely on marshals, timekeepers, and officials. connectMyClub provides specific tools for volunteer management and race timing that go far beyond a simple "availability" check. From managing race results to coordinating event logistics, the platform is designed to support the people who make the sport happen.

Conclusion

While the evenings are slowly drawing out, we are still several weeks away from the return of daylight training. For many, these final months of winter represent an annual fitness hiatus, driven by a reluctance to venture out after sunset. This raises a fundamental question: is the danger of exercising in public after dark a tangible reality, or is it a perceived threat shaped by instinct and headlines?

The "Perceived Curfew"

We fully support and applaud the work of Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign, which has been instrumental in highlighting the barriers women face when exercising outdoors. Their research for the "Let’s Lift the Curfew" initiative found that nearly half of all women (46%) change their activity routines because of the darker months, a phenomenon they aptly describe as a "perceived curfew." However, our own research suggests that this isn't a gender-specific issue. In our recent survey, we found that 45% of respondents across all genders adjusted their outdoor exercise habits during the winter. This suggests that the psychological weight of the "darker evenings" is a universal challenge that affects the entire fitness community.

The fear isn't just about crime. It is a mix of:

• Poor Infrastructure: Inadequate street lighting can make even familiar paths feel treacherous.
• Isolation: The "eyes on the street" theory suggests we feel safer when others are around. When the cold drives people indoors, the lack of witnesses increases anxiety.
• Vulnerability: For many runners and cyclists, the fear of harassment or unwanted attention is a daily negotiation, regardless of the season.

What Do the Statistics Say?

Interestingly, the data often presents a contradiction. Reports from the Greater London Authority and other urban studies have suggested that individuals are not statistically more likely to be a victim of violent crime at night than during the day in many public areas. In fact, some data suggests that because the "Night Time Economy" (pubs, shops, and transport) is active, there are often more "guardians" in town centres during the early evening than in quiet residential streets mid-morning.

However, "perceived" threat does not mean "imaginary." Harassment statistics remain sobering. A University of Manchester survey revealed that 68% of female runners had experienced some form of abuse. It is also worth noting that harassment levels often fluctuate with the seasons; while winter feels more threatening due to isolation, the summer can bring its own challenges. Increased footfall in social spaces, such as crowded pub gardens or busy parks, can lead to a higher frequency of verbal abuse or intimidation for those running or cycling past. While the crime itself might not be more frequent at night, the feeling of being unable to escape or be seen is significantly amplified by the darkness.

Bridging the Gap

If the threat is a mix of reality and perception, the solution must be a mix of practical safety and community support. We shouldn't have to wait for spring to reclaim our health.

1. Visibility is Safety

In the eyes of a motorist, a runner in black leggings is essentially invisible. Invest in high-quality reflective gear and active lighting. Being seen by traffic is the most immediate way to reduce the "real" physical threat of accidents.

2. Strength in Numbers

There is power in collective movement. The fact that female membership in running clubs has surged by nearly 90% in recent years highlights a growing desire for the safety and accountability that a group provides. Community platforms are essential for bridging this gap. By using tools like connectMyClub, you can easily discover local clubs and training partners, ensuring you never have to tackle a dark route alone.

3. Tech as a Tool

Modern safety apps allow you to share your live GPS location with a "buddy" or set an alarm that triggers if you don't check in by a certain time. These don't just provide a safety net; they provide the peace of mind necessary to actually enjoy the workout.

Final Thoughts

Within the connectMyClub app, we have introduced the ActiveSafe feature. This tool allows you to record incidents of harassment or identify the specific perceived threats that cause you to change your plans. By sharing this anonymised data with local clubs and our ActiveSafe Partners, we can work together to map safer routes and advocate for better local infrastructure, and social change.

The "threat" of the dark is a complex blend of ancient instinct, genuine infrastructure failings, and very real societal issues regarding harassment. While we advocate for better lighting and safer streets, we can take immediate steps to ensure our fitness doesn't have to be seasonal.

Stay visible, stay aware, and most importantly, stay connected.

Have you ever been asked by a member of the public for more information about your club whilst you were out training? Good news! In the upcoming app update, your members will be able to simply show people your club's new QR Code, which will display in the club information section of the connectMyClub app.

This QR Code is a fantastic, simple way for your members to direct people instantly to your club’s website, or other specified link.

How to Get Your Club QR Code

Setting this up is quick and easy:

If your club hasn't already, upload an SVG version of your club logo.

Add your club’s web address or the QR code link in the club setup section of your connectMyClub portal.

Why an SVG Logo?

The system generates SVG QR Codes, which is a scalable format. This means the QR Code can be scaled up to any size without pixelating, ensuring it looks professional whether it’s on a phone screen or a large poster.

Free Download for Marketing

Once generated, your club can download the QR Code, free of charge, to use on flyers, posters, and other artwork that your club may produce. It's a powerful tool for your marketing efforts!

We're excited to announce a powerful new option for your training groups, designed to support your club's community engagement and enhance safety: the "Allow Non-Club Members" toggle switch.

This feature was inspired by clubs hosting relaxed, social run groups—like Northbrook AC's  "Run together" initiative—during winter months, where the focus is on camaraderie rather than structured training. These groups encourage participation from unaffiliated runners and members of other clubs.

The primary driver for this update is safety. Enabling this toggle will, in the upcoming app release allow external participants to tap into your group, providing leaders with instant access to their crucial In Case of Emergency (ICE) details during the session.

How it Works
You will find the new toggle switch within the settings for each training group.

Important Safety Guardrails

To protect the integrity of your club's main training sessions, this feature cannot be enabled if the selected group has any of the following restrictions:

• Limited places or capacity caps
• Associated costs or fees
• Gender restrictions
• Age restrictions

We believe this feature will be highly valuable for building community and ensuring participant safety during your more relaxed, informal sessions.

We have an update regarding the next connectMyClub app release.

We are currently working on a major app update. There's a small delay because we're awaiting essential updates for a few third-party plugins, which became necessary after a recent Android operating system update. We are using this waiting period to perform a full, strategic overhaul of the app's entire underlying code.

What This Means for Your Club

This comprehensive code refresh is focused on delivering a smoother, more powerful experience:

Faster, Modern Loading: Say goodbye to those slow, outdated page loading spinners. You can look forward to a much smoother and quicker experience across the entire app.

Highly Requested Features: We are integrating several key updates you've asked for, including image saving, and the ability to add additional member notes for calendar events.

Resolving Complex Bugs: We are dedicated to finding and fixing reported bugs. We appreciate your patience, as the most challenging issues are those we cannot consistently replicate on our internal testing devices, but we are committed to their resolution.

While we understand delays are never ideal, this deep dive into the code will result in a more robust, stable, and future-proof platform for your club's operations.

We will provide a precise launch date as soon as the third-party plugin updates are confirmed.

Thank you for your continued support, and we're excited to deliver this improved version soon.