EAST CORNWALL
AND WEST DEVON ATHLETICS FORUM
MINUTES OF 8TH DECEMBER 2003
Present: P Ross (Chair); M & J Elliott/G French (IS); S Payne/R Warne (PH);
S Rose/D Dane (PRR); L Chatfield/J Smith (TT); C Carpenter (PAC); M & A Erith (ECH); F Elford
Apologies: N Rowe; F Jenkins; N McClung; I McLeod; C Bunting; J & C McGhee;
A Smyth; J Crockford; A Sparrow
Brickfields: N Rowe has not undertaken the costing exercise but has spoken to Brandons. They could supply floodlights but they have to be 100 luxe. M Erith advised that on Thursday nights youngsters are running in the dark. C Carpenter said permanent floodlights were supposed to be installed in January 2004. Lottery funding is in place and gone out to tender. Retexturing scheduled to take place when the weather warms up. C Carpenter considers it has to be done before 1 April 2004 as it will disrupt the season. P Ross suggests PAC put their thoughts to PCC and copy it to N Rowe who will also pursue the matter.
Track Inspection: No adverse report received so we are assuming that no news is good news.
Marathon Seminar: First one Monday 15 December. Please promote this to your clubs. Other sessions on 23 February and 29 March.
Plymouth to Exeter Run: P Ross thanked Brian King and Pat Lomax for running with them. Not yet aware of how much raised but know it is in excess of £1,200. S Rose reported that Plymstock raised £1,800 on the treadmill at Safeway.
Beach Training Session: Sunday 21 December, 9 am in the car park at Tregantle. A few coaches have volunteered. Expecting 50-60 people.
Composite Teams: We did not register. However, talking to Andy Paul at Congress, 32 clubs are interested and 8 followed it up which they are pleased with due to the short timescale. M Erith said he had spoken to Sonia Ellis who thought we really needed a combined Devon and Cornwall team.
South West Cross County Championships: PAC won in under 13 girls and under 15 boys categories and came 3rd in the ladies. S Payne and M Erith both came 3rd in their respective age groups. S Hall was 3rd over all.
Devon Championships – 4 January 2004.
Devonport Regeneration Company: Meeting held between them, PCC and others. Pursue PCC for a decision on the sports hall. Apparently we have a say on it as well as Albion. Clubhouse also proposed; including meeting rooms and changing facilities. PAC are looking at alternatives because they have not been included in any discussions.
Award Last Month for Tamar Trotters: The May 2003 minutes said “it was agreed to support coaches (1 per club) to £45 towards coaching and/or development costs, bids to be submitted monthly and reviewed annually” At the last meeting we agreed to give Tamar Trotters £200; it was decided to review each proposal on its merits.
N Rowe requested a list of clubs’ coaches and officials but has not received any.
Sir John Hunt Community College Sports Day: Six feeder schools took part and those that were there enjoyed it. Two more events are now planned – one at Stoke Damerel Community College and possibly Eggbuckland Community College. It may be useful for clubs with junior sections to promote this. The purpose is to make the schools to club link. C Carpenter said he had not been contacted by Debbie Priscot for information on PAC. P Ross said if she is contacted she will come to clubs. Her email address is – dpriscot@devon.gov.uk
M Erith has been paid to run sessions in schools in Cornwall.
Hoe 10: 30+ entries. Entry forms available and have been sent to all clubs in Devon and Cornwall.
Burrator: Boxing Day – no prices for fancy dress. 11 am start.
S Rose introduced Dave Dane.
S Payne raised the subject of vets teams. Exmouth Harriers won’t accept vets in a senior men’s team. Is this usual? P Ross said in the rule book this is up to the race organiser as long as they make it clear. S Payne has been asked by his club members to write to Exmouth Harriers.
F Elford presented St Lukes with £1,000 from the Autumn Trail. Next year’s race will be on 26 September (which clashes with Great North Run). Thanks to everyone.
J Smith said one or two Tamar Trotter members have questioned the increase in Plymouth Half Marathon price. P Ross advised that they actually lost money last year. They are still trying to get a package from sponsors. It was underwritten by DML Sports and Social Club last year and it can’t happen again this year. They have introduced a two tier fee. T shirts are currently being printed and a “swap shop” will be available at the end. There will be no mini marathon next year, just a fun run. 330+ entries to date.
C Carpenter said Southern Cross Country Championships will be held on 24 January 2004 and suggested if any other clubs are going there could be a transport share.
Spring warm up 4 April 2004.
P Ross advised that C Bunting has race diary on Trotters’ website.
TT’s endurance day went well and they are looking at another one.
Sonia Ellis has sent out a newsletter; she has been in post for three years and has reported on what she has done.
List of high performance centre items – level 1 and 2 courses. Thought there was one planned for Plymouth in March but not listed.
A bit about the Forum. N Rowe contacted by UKA to become part of a team looking at proactive organisations and clubs. He has to go to Bisham Abbey on 12-14 March and a similar one in Stockholm. It is good that we are getting some recognition.
P Ross and N Rowe attended UKA Congress. Looking at hubs – total of 9. Sport England have said that money would be withdrawn if a decision was not made by the end of this year. It has virtually been set in stone that there will be hubs and we will become part of the South West. How championships come out has still to be decided. AAA told they have to come on board. One thing that will definitely come out of this is that there will be a membership scheme – details to be decided.
Key Things:
§ Communication; looking at sustainability, democratic process.
§ It is believed Sport England have given them more time.
§ £41m gone to developing facilities such as Brickfields etc.
§ Shine Awards.
§ Very little discussion on road running; P Ross does not think that UKA have a direction on this.
Some Highlights of the Day:
§ Good opening address by Lyn Davis. He is keen to develop athletics. Dave Moorcroft also good talker and dedicated to the sport.
§ Mike Winch voted Vice President.
§ Chance to go to indoor performance centre at Loughborough – state of the art facilities.
§ Breakdown of the SW hub not finalised.
12 January 2004.
Compliments of the season to you and your club members.