One Club's Foundation Is Not Talent

Alison Schwalm, 47, says the Greater Philadelphia Track Club's growth on the women's side is based on something that has nothing to do with skill. There is talent, to be sure, with Schwalm (800 meters) winning one of GPTC women's 14 gold medals at the national indoor meet last month. But what else is present? Photo by Keith Davies.

 

By Ray Glier

Week after week, Geezer Jock glorifies individual older people doing things and inspiring the rest of us. 

This week, the glory goes to a group of older people.

I hold these particular people up for recognition in Geezer Jock because when the Greater Philadelphia Track Club  started in 2003, there were 0 women, according to Chuck Shields, a distance runner, who was one of the 12 men at the inaugural meeting.

The GPTC has grown to about 200, which now includes 63 women.

This story is about the base ingredient you must have to grow a club.

It's not talent.

Please read on:

GPTC finished second overall in the club standings in the USA Track & Field Masters Indoor Championships in Gainesville, Fla., Feb. 23-30. On the women’s side, GPTC finished second in points powered by 14 gold medals. Former U.S. Olympian Michele Rohl, 59, claimed three individual gold medals (800, 1500, 3000) for the Philly fillies. 

GPTC’s Cheryl Bellaire, Debbie Hammond, Claudia Simpson, and Julie Hayden set an American club record in the 4x200 (W65) with a time of 2:26.17.

The growth on the women’s side is not by accident. Clear communication and organization play a part, no doubt. There is also the large metro area to attract like-minded competitors.

But there is a culture and community vibe around the GPTC women. That’s the foundation. When you are talking about valuable resources to older Americans community is huge and people respond and join…if they feel like a certain community is a fit. 

“Our growth is definitely because of the culture,” said Alison Schwalm, 47, who won a gold medal (W45) in the 800 at the indoor nationals and is the secretary of the club. “It’s being friendly, encouraging, and making members feel valued. 

“We've had team members who've been at Greater Philly and then moved out of state, and they stay affiliated with Greater Philly because they want to stay connected; they still feel part of the family.”

The culture is palpable in the comments Geezer Jock got back from GPTC members. 

Borrow these comments from GPTC members if you live in a town or community and want to form a club. Culture, not talent, is the first plank down.

*Deb Hammond:
“Team culture definitely!  Supportive, welcoming, big track & field/running family of competitors that love track and love to work hard to meet their goals!”

*Lauren Seigel
“It’s a combination of superior athletes who want to be their best, and win, and the team culture of support, encouragement, and hard work.”

*Julie Hayden
“I do enjoy the camaraderie at regional and national meets. The positive and inclusive culture is also reflected in the team's social media.”

Here are more comments for your template:

Deia Goff:
“Definitely the team culture sets us apart, everyone brings such a good vibe. We rally each other if we have a bad event.

Erika Holroyd:
“I am fairly new (2 years in) to the Greater Philadelphia team, but right away I loved how open and welcoming the team is. No one asks you your times or how fast you are. Everyone just wants to encourage one another and be supportive.  Everyone is out there working hard and on the same journey of self-improvement and that is what bonds teams together.”

Understand this first:  GPTC is not a social club. It’s a track club, with social benefits. 

“I’d describe the culture as easy-going high performance,” said Claudia Simpson, 71, who is ranked No. 1 in the U.S. in the 200 and 400 heading into this week’s World Masters Athletics championships back in Gainesville, Fla.

“The culture is to train, do your best, have fun, be nice.”

Of the 63 women in the club as many as 30 have competed in national events, Shields said.

That means, we can assume, half of the women in the club are focused on fitness and participate in local meets, which is enough competition for those having to juggle family and career needs.

Schwalm said there is a Slack channel and a What’s App group where training tips are made available for the team. Shields said there are a number of track coaches affiliated with the GPTC and questions and workout plans are routinely discussed.

What many of the members stressed, and Shields supported, was the absence of pressure to score points for the team in meets when personal goals are at stake. Geezer Jock has talked to many athletes “unattached” to a club and the reason they fly solo is to avoid pressure of team relays, or being nudged to enter events they do not train for full time.

“When we have somebody that is interested, but they're reluctant to join, I try to emphasize that when you join a club, it should enable you to do more than what you would do on your own, not less,” Chuck said. “If your goal is to run a record in the 800 we're not going to run you in mandatory relays right before your race.”

Schwalm, a business consultant, said there are steadfast principles with this club.

“A focus on well-being, leveraging athletics for personal growth, and supporting each other through injuries,” she said.

Keep these in mind when you want to build a community around athletics.