EAST CORNWALL AND WEST DEVON ATHLETICS FORUM

 

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 10 SEPTEMBER 2007

 

 

Present:        N Rowe (DML) P Ross/K Reed (EVH); R Warne/R Quew (PH); B Phillips (TT); L Chatfield (ADSP); A Erith/ P Parritt  (ECH); C Carpenter (PAC); D Hatch/A Romilly (Moorhaven); S Rose/D Dane/S Williams (PRR); D Carey (DCADO); F Elford (Autumn Trail)

 

Apologies:            J Crockford; J & M Elliott; J McGhee;  

 

 

MATTERS ARISING

 

Sonia Oates should read Sonya Ellis.

With the above amendment the minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as being a true record.

 

Team Plymouth:

Team Plymouth concept would mean that athletes would need to register Team Plymouth as their first claim club and resign from their current 1St claim club and register with them as a 2nd claim athlete. At the July meeting clubs were requested to get feedback from their clubs to bring to this meeting.

EVH stated that their club were not willing to resign their first claim membership with EVH as this would mean they could not enter team competition as EVH as the current rule states that all team competition is only open to 1st claim club members. They further suggested that we should lobby UKA for a rule change to allow higher competition pathways for developing athletes. KR has spoken to Roger Simmonds (UKA) on the topic.

PRR shared similar concerns on the current rule.

PAC are positive towards the concept but have concerns on what will happen with the current League structures and they feel that we all need a greater understanding on the proposed link with Marjons.   

 

Brickfields;

 

Problems particularly with the long jump area and the building of a new stand/wall  by Plymouth Albion continue with no spectator area available in the vicinity of the long jump. Site meeting held 10/9 with Gary Sansom (PAC), Graham Stirling (PARFC) and Nigel Rowe to discuss. Agreed that before PARFC set their fence line there will be a further meeting. Albion are looking at allowing access to back of stand on mezzanine floor for athletics spectators. CC asked that if there was to be only one long jump area could the runway be extended to correct requirements. He also asked for clarification on what level of competition could be held with only one long jump area. Clive Turner (Director of Community Services) has been requested to look at a proposition that rather than pay out to upgrade the existing facility the Council look at obtaining the funding to provide an 8 Lane facility on the bottom field at Brickfields. It was felt that Albion were still riding rough shot over athletics. Given the current status with just one long jump pit and the building of the new stand athletes taking part in LJ competitions could cause H&S issues on the track. Track certification has not been seen nor is it displayed. 

 

 

Coaches Forum: No further forward with setting up a meeting to discuss. Coaches role is seen as important. Concern on where we are with coaching within the Forum Group.

Armada Forum T & F team: AGM of SW League on 22 October. Meeting agreed to continue to support and register the Composite Team which needs to be done by the end of September. Clubs need to give the Forum team more support in the future if it is to continue not just competing but also Official/Team Manager support.

 

Development Plans: Neil Parsley EA SW Region is holding two workshops in Plymouth on Thursday 4th October at Plymouth Community Partnership, Catherine St. Development 1830 to 1930 and Clubmark from 1930 to 2100. Clubmark is now available to all clubs. Further info available on EA Website – SW Region or direct from Neil on 01392 – 879733.

 

Finance:  £9,672.93 in bank and £117.69 cash (CC Has £88-00 of this).

Forum 5K profit £427.41

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

Agreement reached that Forum would hire track for Tuesday Evenings during the winter months.

 

PAC have been putting on events with very little support. Open meet  2nd 11th September and given enough support a 3K race will be staged. Thanks extended to Frank Elford for his support for 3K series

 

Revised Competition Structure proposal report has been circulated for comment and is to be reviewed. ESSA not happy with paper as it currently stands.  

 

CC raised concern that we are not integrated as a group with two clubs now catering for minors. SR stated that PRR were not a new club but the Satellite Club is giving the chance for prospective athletes to become involved. LC felt that this would lead to more young competitive athletes in the city as he is trying to get the new athletes into competition. DD stated that this has been the target with the juniors already at the club with very little success in the past.  

DC stated that they were trying to promote athletics clubs through the School Sportshall

Competitions and requested flyers from PAC.

CC also asked if Forum Sportshall equipment is still available to use by PAC. LC stated that it was available for all to use.

List of Sportshall equipment to be circulated – Action for next meeting – PR

 

RQ asked on current status of clock repairs/replacement. NR advised that the original supplier had suggested that the much cheaper option would be to repair. The meeting felt that we should continue to cost a replacement clock and look at repairing the current one. Action NR

 

KR stated that he wouyld be holding a T&F Officials course for anyone interested, dates on EA SW Region Web site.

 

Beacon Challenge and Charity Fun Run on Sunday 23 September.

 

DD - Plymstock RR had now achieved Clubmark status.  

 

LC – Thanks for donation Forum – monies now banked.

 

FE – Autumn Trail 30/9 – looking for help to set up and particularly on the day. Please contact Frank on shop@frankelfordsports Tel 01752 265122

Hoping for 650+ athletes.

 

BP – Tamar Trotters new clubhouse is at Aston House, Saltash.

 

RQ proposed that the Forum purchase some tents for use by all. NR stated that storing would be a problem with the majority of the Forum equipment now being stored at DML and space within the new allocated store is very limited. SR stated that he had borrowed tents from the TA at Brest Road, Derriford in the past. They are very fit for purpose but need to be collected and returned to the TA Centre and they are not small or light so vans would be required to transport. Contact names/Numbers etc to be circulated Action SR.

 

A continuation of sponsorship has been received from Robert Willcocks. NR/PR to discuss action for recommendation at next meeting.

 

Saltram 5K – Thanks to all who supported either running but in particular as officials/marshals etc. It was felt that numbers willing to help on the night were poor given that it was a Forum event. It was emphasised again that support from ALL clubs is expected for Forum events. Particular thanks to NR for his efforts on the night. KR proposed that the role of RD be rotated and/or shared by Forum Clubs.

 

RRLG Seminars have been taking place. Nearest to SW was either Birmingham or London but RRLG are willing to hold a meeting somewhere in the SW if there is enough interest. Names to PR asap – Action ALL

 

Devon Road Running Meeting – Exeter Harriers Clubhouse Monday 22 October 7-30pm

 

Clubs not affiliated to EA to date – Cornwall - Mile High Club, Launceston RR, Launceston AC. Devon – Torbay AC, South Molton Strugglers.

 

RR Races will require a Licensed UKA RR Official to obtain a permit for events from January 2008. PR is willing to run courses if there is enough interest. Names to PR asap.

 

Hoe 10 – Date should be 17 February. PR is willing to raise Permit for the event but will need more support prior to the event as he no longer has access to the resources he used to have.

 

Next Meeting is the AGM – nominations are invited for the management posts of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

Date of next Meeting – Monday 8th October 2007 at Windsor House at 7-30pm.