EAST CORNWALL AND WEST DEVON ATHLETICS FORUM
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 12 MARCH 2007
Present: P Ross/K Reed (EVH); J & M Elliott/F Jenkins (IS); C & J McGhee/ R Warne/S Payne (PH); K O’Reilly (TT); S Rose/ D Dane (PRR); L Chatfield (ADSP); D Hatch (Mhvn); A Herdman/P Marshall (Tav); S Grylls (BATS); C Carpenter (PAC)
Apologies: N Rowe; J Crockford; A Erith; P Parritt
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as being a true record.
Brickfields: Still a few issues around triple jump. We were advised the run-up would be shortened but there is some confusion about the correct length. PAC requested that the build be delayed or that the fence be moved when the triple jump was taking place but no reply has been received from PCC. The build was supposed to finish by mid-April but to date it hasn’t yet started. An on site meeting was requested but no response was received. The main concern is the two men’s home fixtures.
N Rowe has been in touch with Clive Turner – it is an embarrassing situation when we are encouraging events to be held at Brickfields.
It was agreed that stronger representation needs to be made and even involve the press.
Training nights will be on Wednesdays (7 pm) commencing 18.4.07. K O’Reilly is happy to help.
Devon League: If the track isn’t ready the August meet will go back to Exeter. The Devon League is a good introduction to track and field events for juniors and seniors alike. There are proposals to change the league timetable.
Hoe 10: Thanks to everyone who came along and supported the event, the committee and those who helped on the day. Only positive feedback was received. Maybe next year we will look at closing a couple more roads. There are still some bills to pay but the income was £5000+ with outgoings to date £2400. Some prizes were paid for by Brooks. 652 entries, 543 finishers. Brickfields was booked from 7.30 but nobody turned up on site ‘til 8.30; consequently we are not prepared to pay the full price for this. Despite having the facility to swap numbers one of the prize winners was running under someone else’s name. Some clubs didn’t supply helpers and some not enough. Three people had their names down to marshal but didn’t turn up with caused Amanda problems on the morning.
England Athletics: Had a good meeting with John Temperton at Exeter; hopefully people left with a greater knowledge. Now looking only for first and last names, DOB, gender, contact address, first claim status. They now talk about a “membership” scheme as opposed to a “registration” scheme.
3K Series: Only 5 people did all three of the 3K series. It was agreed to award prizes for 1st man, 1st vet, 1st lady, 1st lady vet and one for each junior category. We will top up from our funds if this is too much to expect Frank Elford to provide. We need to decide whether we will continue with the series next year. PR thinks the poor results reflect the lack of interest. KR felt it was more successful on a Wednesday as a lot of clubs train on a Tuesday.
Please take this back to clubs and establish whether there is any interest and, if so, what would be the preferred night.
It is vital that all the issues we are promoting get back to individual clubs and as club reps it is our responsibility to ensure this happens.
Finance: £10,021.45 in bank with a few cheques still to be cashed. Ideas of what we can purchase as a group would be welcomed.
Composite Club: Support is needed. The Forum is supporting with £1,000 to cover travel costs. KR will let clubs know meeting dates, transport details etc. 22.4.07 at Millfields - names, DOB and gender of all potential athletes needed asap.
Now is the time to discuss what options are available – PR to forward the email from NR detailing the options. Please send any comments direct to NR.
Road Running Leadership Group: NR is on the group. Next meeting is coming up next week.
Coaching Requests: Application forms now available.
Brooks Sunday Runs: 25 people attended the last run despite the atrocious weather. There are two more to go in April and May. Local clubs are being promoted.
Bedford Mile: Martin Exley has said people in Forum clubs are claiming not to know anything about the event. Please ensure the information is cascaded down to your club members.
Cross Country: DD – last race this Friday then the league is completed.
London Marathon: DML still have places left on their trip.
Coaches’ Forum: Last night NR had call from Ron Blank who felt the night the meeting was held was irrelevant as attendance would be the same. Ron and Karen resigned from the Coaches’ Forum which is very sad. DD has been to several of the meetings but nothing ever got formalised. PR will write to Karen and Ron to thank them for all their efforts.
AH suggested we put 15 minutes aside at our monthly Forum meetings to discuss coaching; the benefits of this is that all clubs will be present plus it would encourage coaches to attend the Forum meetings.
Devon County AGM: Vacancies for cross country co-ordinator and club reps. There should be representation from the bigger Forum clubs.
Permit Secretaries’ Meeting: PR did not attend. He now has new permit application forms.
South West Region Athletics Conference: 70+ people attended yesterday. A lot of good things came out of it. John Graves and Alan Harrison of UKA joined in.
LC: Sports Hall League finished. Thanks to Keith Reed and Alan Herdman for all their help. Devon girls won the regional and are now in the national finals on 22.4.07. Thanks to the Forum for their financial help. It is hoped these young athletes will join clubs. PR congratulated LC on behalf of the Forum for the work he has done.
KO’R: TT are suspending membership for a couple of months. For health and safety reasons they can’t accommodate more people on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
KC: Open night tomorrow which will include 2K and 5K. Spring warm up on 1.4.07 – programme not yet formalised. Happy to put 3K in if people want it.
JMcG: Need to emphasise to club members that our session at Brickfields is a structured one and people can’t go down and do their own thing.
DD: Junior section still thriving; have 30 members and can’t take any more. Some of the juniors were in LC’s successful team.
This week Plymstock are sending off their folder to get Clubmark. (Clubmark is currently only open to junior sections but will soon be in place for all clubs). EVH and PAC have achieved theirs recently – congratulations to all!
KR: Ivybridge 10K forms available.
Officials course – level 2 (new scheme) 14.4.07 at 10 am at Exeter, aimed mainly at track and field officials (£10). Money is available from the Forum.
Workshops on UKA – Devon’s at Exeter on 19.3.07 and Cornwall’s on 21.3.07. It’s a good idea to get someone along to this. Many aspects are covered.
AH: TAC in 3rd year of organising cross country events. 180 youngsters involved. It is a good example of clubs working with schools.
PR: Any help for the half marathon would be appreciated.
It is planned to put up a road running resource website which will include a complete UK road running calendar for the whole country. There’s a separate area which can only be accessed by race directors using their permit number. The race directors’ conference will happen annually. If there is anything else you think should be on there please let PR know and he will forward to the organisers.
Development Plan: Thanks to those who replied to the request which was emailed around. There are still a few gaps from some clubs who have not replied. Every club has grown in numbers. Need to liaise all officials and coaches and levels, plus which discipline they are in. Responses required from East Cornwall Harriers, Moorhaven, Tavistock and Bere Alston.
14 May 2007.