EAST CORNWALL AND WEST DEVON ATHLETICS FORUM

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 10 JULY 2006

Present: N Rowe (Chair); P Ross/K & G Reed (EVH); J & M Elliott/F Jenkins/B Aloof (IS);

C Bunting (TT); S Rose/ D Dane (PRR); C Carpenter/M Erith/K Rogers (PAC); J McGhee/R Warne (PH); D Hatch (Mhvn); D Allen/ S Grylls (BATs); F Elford;

Apologies: J Crockford; B Phillips; P Tabener; S Payne; A Erith; P Parritt; A Herdman;

L Chatfield

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as being a true record.

MATTERS ARISING

Track: Situation not much improved. M Erith suggested a sign be put up indicating changing and toilets.

England Athletics: Disappointing that less than 20% of clubs in this region have bothered to vote.

SW Congress: PR and NR and a couple of others involved in interviewing today for regional posts. Regional manager in post, admin assistant post starting in August.

Plymouth Half Marathon: Good piece in the paper.

Coaches Forum: Waiting to see what happens at the next meeting in September. We will see how it goes between now and September and bring it to the AGM in October. M Erith interested in distance running coaching. He will possible write out a schedule for people who can coach on Saturday mornings. England Athletics are putting emphasis on performance which is why it is essential to have good coaches in place.

J McG – if we are bringing people down for coaching, we need commitment that the events will be well supported.

Coaching Courses: Level 1 - 2.9.06 Ivybridge

Children in Athletics - 21.10.06 Ivybridge

Fitness in running and walking - 2.9.06 Ivybridge

Level 2 - 21/22.10.06 Ivybridge

SW League: KR - last fixture at Yeovil. Thanks to Plymouth Harriers for bringing along a team. Tavistock runners at another commitment. Relegation is likely this year. We need to know where Armada AC is going by the time of the AGM. We need to be in partnership with Plymouth AC. Strategy for next season is required. Now most of the leagues will take composite teams. We need to find some common ground. CC – we never take a full team and there are opportunities for people to compete.

PR will ask what the situation is for composite teams for relays.

NR congratulated Fred Jenkins on his MBE. Fred is held with high esteem through Connexions and the education system.

CB – Magnificent 7 this weekend is now full.

PR - Saltram 5K on 2.9.06 – entry forms available.

PR – the piece that caused concern wasn’t in the Plymouth Diary but the Plymouth Magazine. Reply received from Kerry Hewitt apologising for passing race numbers to other people. FAB running club, claiming to be affiliated (fitness centre in Stoke); they charge per session to take members out running. PR has written to K Hewitt advising that club members shouldn’t be entering races as “affiliated”.

NR attended meeting re permit standards. Be aware that on the new permit forms, wef 1.1.07, all references must be UKA accredited. Get log books endorsed when timekeeping etc at events to get a foot on the ladder.

Race referee looking at race rules in conjunction with UKA. Any misgivings in a particular race would be investigated. Looking at race referee being scrutineer.

KR asked what would happen if referee was not available on the day? We will have to look at putting on a course to get people qualified. Log sheet system (over 3 years/20+ events) or a course. Health and safety implications. Level 5 referees need to do health and safety course by the end of the week.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

CB: Thanks to K Reed and Erme Valley Harriers for the relays and to Plymstock for Duckponds.

CC: In April/May we asked if PAC could use indoor training equipment. They were referred to Sonia Ellis who suggested they contact PCC. Is Lance Chatfield still using the equipment? PAC not sure where minors are going to train as they heard Brickfields sports hall is going to be £30/hour. They are concerned that track prices will be going up. NR suggested CC contact Sport England to get Awards for All application. LC has several sports hall events at Brickfields – could the equipment be stored there so it could be used by PAC also? CC not aware what equipment would be provided for the sports hall. PAC use sports hall on Mondays.

LC has sports hall events on the following dates:

Date	Time	Area/Event	Location if different
11.9.06	4 – 6 pm	Sir John Hunt
13.9.06	4 – 6 pm	Parkside	Brickfields
14.9.06	4 – 6 pm	Lipson
15.9.06	4 – 6 pm	Plymstock
18.9.06	4 – 6 pm	Stoke Damerel
19.9.06	4 – 6 pm	Tamarside
20.9.06	2 – 4 pm	Eggbuckland/Estover	Eggbuckland
21.9.06	4 – 6 pm	Plympton	Hele’s
22.9.06	4 – 6 pm	John Kitto
27.9.06	9.30 am – 12 noon	Under 13	Brickfields
27.9.06	1 – 3.30 pm	Under 15	Brickfields
27.9.06	4 – 6 pm	Under 11 final	Brickfields
4.10.06	9 am – 12 noon	Special needs festival	Brickfields

NR doesn’t think it would be right to ask for our kit back from LC when he has a programme in place.

PAC asked if they could borrow the money from the Forum to buy the kit and pay it back monthly.

KR advised the Devon Sports Hall League is planned to be brought to Brickfields instead of Dawlish. The City Council are only involved with Brickfields for a transitional process only. Funding is available from the acorn fund (only available for Devonport projects).

CC will ask Louise Oates, PCC what equipment is provided as part of hire of hall.

All are happy to loan PAC £2,000 to enable them to purchase the equipment. Funding can then be pursued.

CC: Open evening tomorrow night – help appreciated.

CC: Active Plymouth conference on 16.11.06

CC: Concerned that secondary school children are still getting in touch saying they did not know anything about athletics in the area. SR agreed that once information arrived in the school it fails to reach those concerned.

KR: Thanks to those who attended the relays – 65 teams took part which is a record entry. Ivybridge Beacon Challenge – 10.9.06.

JMcG: Thanked those who supported the Plymouth 10K. Next year they may change the day or have an evening event.

DD: Hoping to bring 25 children to tomorrow’s event. 3 PRR members have done the Level 1 course, as have 3 PH members. The developing of such courses will be discussed at AGM.

SR: Thanks to those who supported Duckponds. Numbers were a bit down. Apologies to anyone who came across disruptive youngsters during the race.

Tony of the YMCA has contacted SR re a funding bid the YMCA are putting together to engage with young people, team building, use of the moor. One activity could be a run; details not finalised. They have talked to numerous groups about structuring this over the next 2/3 years.

SR has done small development plan for PRR. As a result they may put on another race, possibly like the Down Thomas or perhaps relays. PR reminded that there are already 80+ races in Devon throughout the year.

PR: Lance Chatfield is organising a special needs festival on 4.10.06 and is asking for help. We’ve received a cheque from Torbay Half Marathon as they had to borrow our clock at the last minute as their sponsor’s clock didn’t work. Sports Relief are also hiring our clock this weekend.

Plymouth Diary – you can contact them to log your event whatever it is.

3K Series – CC suggested monthly weekday event. KR/PAC involved. 800m and 1500m events could also be included. Dates tbc.

Hoe 10 – Genuine interest from Cornwall and some in Devon to compete for the Peninsula Cup for Devon and Cornwall Inter-County Championship. CB advised that Cornwall AC are suggesting different venues and distances each year. Needs to be discussed further.

Saltram 5K – 2.9.06; help needed for this Forum event.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

11 September 2006 at Windsor House.