BMC Affiliate Clubs

What are Affiliate Clubs?

BMC Registered Clubs are either Affiliate Clubs or Associate Clubs. This page explains Affiliate Clubs.

Affiliate Clubs are volunteer-run, not-for-profit clubs providing mountaineering activities to their members. While modern clubs have evolved from those that founded the BMC in 1944, the core focus remains the same: mountaineering for members in a community-led environment.

Key requirements for all BMC-Registered Clubs:

• One or more of the broad range of 'mountaineering' activities has to be a core part of what the club provides (e.g., indoor/outdoor climbing, bouldering, hill walking, scrambling, ice climbing, ski-mountaineering)

• Must be based in the UK (trips abroad are welcome)

• Must operate for the benefit of members

Additional requirements for Affiliate Clubs:

• Must operate on a not-for-profit basis

• Typically have a constitution or governing document, with a committee, management group, or trustees

• Common legal forms include unincorporated associations, companies limited by guarantee, or charitable incorporated organisations

Examples of Affiliate Clubs:

• Local climbing club for children, run by parents and coaches

• Adult hill walking group run by volunteers

• Mountaineering club offering membership for families and adults

• University mountaineering club

If a group can’t meet the Affiliate Club criteria, see the Associate Club model.

Benefits of becoming an Affiliate Club

Registration

To become a BMC-Registered Club, the club will need to submit an application via our online registration form.  In the application you will need to tell us how the club is run, provide evidence on how it complies with the BMC’s safeguarding requirements, and identify the key people.

More details about becoming a BMC-Registered Club can be viewed HERE

Key features of a BMC Associate Club

• Associate Clubs can make a profit aka commercial clubs and must be run by an active BMC Associate member.

• Climbing, hill walking or mountaineering must be a core activity

• The club must be UK based

• Everyone in the club becomes a BMC Club Member

• Your club and members will gain many benefits from joining the BMC

Benefits of BMC Associate Club membership

As an Affiliate Club, you will be able to

• access specialist support from BMC staff and key volunteers

• provide discounted BMC membership for all club members

• access bespoke training and support for club volunteers, leaders and managers

• receive protection through the BMC combined liability insurance whilst undertaking voluntary roles within the club

• prove membership to the BMC to be eligible for external grant support, such as from Sport England and Sport Wales.

All the members of the Affiliate Club will become BMC Club Members and gain from our broad array of benefits, including:

• Access to BMC events and festivals

• Access to competitions

• Personal accident insurance

• Combined liability insurance

• Discounts at outdoors retailers  and discounted entry at some climbing walls

Registration

To become a BMC-Registered Club, the club will need to submit an application via our online registration form.  In the application you will need to tell us how the club is run, provide evidence on how it complies with the BMC’s safeguarding requirements, and identify the key people.

Questions?

Contact us via our contact form if you are unsure about the club registration process or want further details.