MINUTES OF THE EAST CORNWALL AND WEST DEVON ATHLETICS FORUM

Apologies: N Rowe/D Prescott/C Nunn

Hoe 10: We have 20 entries so far. All authorities have been written to. Race numbers awaited. Marshals are required. Amanda Erith is looking after the marshals this year.

Track and Field: Decision needs to be made by 1^st January 2003 whether we enter as a composite club. If PAC do not agree we will enter as a group in the lowest division; if PAC do agree we will take their place in the league as they are already entered. The name will be PAC (Plymouth and Cornwall). Clubs to go back to their membership. K Reed will liaise with UKA.

Sports Hall: There was due to be a sports hall event at Lipson Community College – introduction to sports hall athletics. The day before N Rowe ‘phoned around the schools to see how numbers were coming on but found nobody was going. We are now looking at focusing on teachers instead of pupils. K Reed suggested inviting teachers to Ivybridge. Active Sports are doing something similar.

UKA Forum: An interesting meeting held at Ivybridge Community College. There is a lot of money available to be pumped in to athletics nationwide.

Coaching Workshop: Held in Plymouth yesterday. Very good, informative, practical information – warm-ups and training. Looked at coach network. It is a pity there were not a few more there. It is being repeated at Exeter on 26^th January 2003. Talked about a sprints day where coaches come together and have some sort of competition, eg relays.

F Jenkins asked if funding was available for this coaching. Funding is available in Devon for Levels 1 and 2.

Leaders Award – Running and Walking: Course being held at Windsor House on 15^th February 2003, 9.15 am to 5.15 pm, for 15-24 people. It was agreed there would be one free place. Bring lunch.

Tomorrow is the closing date for South of England Cross Country Championships at Bicton to be held on 25^th January 2003.

Active Sports, particularly in Devon. We are the next one in the programme. Trying to get Lottery grant of £20,500; we have to match fund with £4,500. County Secretary asked for donations from clubs. County donated £2,000.

DML Cross Country Race Series: First one is 15^th December 2002 at 10.30 am at Ivybridge. Open to all. 50p entry fee. Interesting course. Future races – 2^nd February 2003 at Newton Abbot and 2^nd March 2003 at Eggbuckland.

Burrator Training Run: 26^th December 2002, 11.00 am at the dam. Bring presents!

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

K Reed said Grand Prix results are up to date. If you don’t have access to the website and want a copy of the results, let Keith know.

C Carpenter advised of forthcoming events – 6^th April 2003 spring warm up; 12^th and 13^th May 2003 County Championships; 17^th May 2003 Southern League Ladies and Mens; 18^th May 2003 UK Young Athletes; C D Brammall sponsored league event.

As a Forum we are hosting the County Championships so we will need input from members.

S Endacott advised that the pole vault needs looking at. Throwing events cannot be coached at the moment which is resulting in athletes going to Exeter.

S Rose advised that £2112 was raised for Children in Need by Plymstock’s event at Safeway.

D Hatch advised that Marie Sadler, a World Championship swimmer, has written a book on motivation and training and has offered to talk to the Forum. Hopefully this can be arranged for the new year.

D Hatch asked whether clubs would be happy for asylum seekers to join in events, clubs etc. P Ross felt that most clubs would welcome anyone.

D Hatch hopes the Hope 5 will be back in the race diary next year – with a permit!

N McClung thanked members for support at the Tavy 7 which was enjoyed by all.

M Erith said the Cornish Marathon was scrutinised. The ECH Committee are quite keen to get involved and hopefully meet the criteria required by the scrutineers. They would really like a change of venue. Profits went to Children’s South West Hospice and St Johns.

Camel Canter will be held in March.

Devon County Road Race Championships: Not much interest from this neck of the woods. Three of the events to count this year are in the Plymouth area – Ivybridge 10k, Duckponds and Hoe 10.

Road Running Officials: Tried to promote this. Steve Baker has sent his CV of races in; he is now a road race official.

This weekend at the Brickfields Peter Elliott is giving a course on endurance running, 10.30 – 14.30. Open to any athletes from 11 years +. Dress to train! There will be no charge as it is being funded by Devon County.

Devon County AGM 19^th February 2003. Treasurer’s post vacant. SEAA and County fees now due.

Plymouth Tri Club is now affiliated.

As part of the Club Development Scheme Plymouth City Council is holding a Volunteer Management Workshop for clubs on 3^rd February 2003.

N Rowe went to a UKA course at Loughborough on 24^th November 2002,. They did an introduction and broke off in to workshops. One of this year’s discussions was “legacy funding”, of which there is £41 million available, £20 million of which will be allocated to capital projects, £16 million for London development .

UKA Level 1 assistant officials award is coming in.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

13^th January 2003.