Hampshire Athletics - Executive Committee
Minutes of meeting held on Friday 8 May 2015
Fleming Park, Eastleigh

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Present:

Kate Longhurst (President), Colin Goater (Chair), Mike Williams (Secretary), Richard Dean (Treasurer), Betty Tabor, Mike Barratt, Pam Rogers, Alan Cropp, Christine Weeks, Mary Axtell (Vice Chair), Michael Coker, Jackie Tobin, Mary Goater, Richard Pearson

Apologies:

Reg Eade, Eileen Williams, Terry Williams, Kathy Bailey, Sheena Fitzmaurice, John Fitzmaurice

Minutes from Meeting on 9 January 2015:

Minutes accepted.

Matters Arising:

No matters arising.

Secretary: Mike Williams

Letter of concern was received from father of Caitlin Dyer, who was the overall winner for the U15's girls in Hampshire Athletics Sportshall League 2014/15. Caitlin was very distressed as she was not picked to represent Hampshire in any Championships Events, and he was asking why? Michael Coker did point out that he had spoken to Caitlin and her coach at the final league match, and explained how he selects the teams, but he will be replying to Mr Dyer's letter as well. Selection criteria for the future will be discussed, as it was agreed that it did seem very unfair that if you won overall, you were still not selected.

Email received from Eileen and Terry offering to run a presentation for 'Organising a Meeting'. It was agreed that this should take place, and details will be sent to all clubs shortly. Pam Rogers asked if a section for Endurance Officials could be included as well.

Details about changes to the Age Groups proposed by UKA have been sent to all clubs. It was imperative that clubs respond to this! The Hampshire XC League have replied and stated that they do not agree to these changes! Mike Williams will respond on behalf of the county and state that Hampshire Athletics do not agree with these changes either!

Treasurer: Richard Dean

Download Treasurer's Report (PDF)

Finance and Sustainability Sub Group: Michael Coker

Hampshire Athletics are very grateful for the support of Saucony during the very successful Business Partnership which ran for 3 years up to February 2015. Saucony are unable to extend the partnership, due to a number of reasons, principally a strong internal business directive to not focus on the spikes market, but seek growth elsewhere (10K/ Half Marathons - trainers). Saucony are also cutting back on 'Events'. Saucony European Marketing Director, Jon Quint expressed the view that the Hampshire Athletics partnership had been excellent for the Company's 'brand awareness', and that the Grand Prix events had been very "well-managed". These events will continue in 2015 as Hampshire Athletics Grand Prixs. We have approached Mizuno, as a partner, but they too are focusing away from spikes. An approach has also been made to New Balance, and all Hampshire Athletics participants will be asked to assist in the search for a new sponsor.

Thule are planning to stage a National Primary Schools Cross-Country Championships on 19 March 2016 at a Midlands venue. There is likely to be some 'infrastructure' funding to support a Hampshire Primary Schools preliminary event in February/March 2016. Hampshire Schools AA are involved in the planning.

Proposal submitted at AGM re Affiliations:

"Hampshire Track & Field Clubs to raise funds for Hampshire Athletics Development work through introduction of Club members paying subscriptions by monthly Direct Debit (Basingstoke & Mid Hants have introduced this). If the Clubs implement this, we would seek a levy of 50p per member a month - not an unreasonable amount @ 12p a week (£6 annually) per member to run the County Development work. This would replace current £100 Club annual affiliation fee to Hampshire Athletics' Plan to implement 1 January 2016."

Email received and was circulated from David Howells, Secretary, Wessex Road Runners, with regards to these changes. They suggested introducing a sliding scale for clubs based on their total membership. This will be considered.

A lengthy discussion then took place with regards to this proposal, and clubs will be approached shortly for their views.

Mike Barratt summarised with the following:-

For many years Hampshire Athletics has benefitted from the employment of an Athletics Development Officer. Significant changes are occurring, especially relating to the funding which pays for the post. In the next six months Hampshire Athletics and particularly the Track and Field Clubs will need to answer two fundamental questions:

Does Hampshire Athletics wish to continue with the support of a Professional Development Officer?
If the answer is yes, how will the Post be paid for?

Urgent on-going discussions are taking place with a view to putting specific proposals to the Executive and Clubs, for consideration, in the near future.

Track & Field Championships: Richard Dean, Mike Williams and Christine Weeks

2015 Multi Event Championships, QuadKids Events, 3000m and Mile Races: 4 May

A huge thank you to the Meeting Manager, Alison Friend, and the Technical Officials who all ensured the day was a great success.

The 2015 Track and Field Championships will take place on the 23 and 24 May: Venue, Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth.

Cross Country Championships - 9 January 2016: Pam Rogers

Discussions are taking place with regards to a venue to stage the championships next year.

Team Managers:

Hampshire representative teams are competing in the following Inter-Counties Track & Field Matches during 2015 (with thanks to the various host counties):

UK CAU Senior (Bedford, 1/2 August)	Senior Men	Senior Women
8-Counties Senior (K2 Crawley, Sussex, 12 July)	Senior Men	Senior Women
SEAA Under 20 (Allianz Park, Barnet, 23 August)	Under 20 Men	Under 20 Women*
8-Counties Under 17 (Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire, 19 July)	Under 17 Men	Under 17 Women*
SEAA Under 15 (Allianz Park, Barnet, 23 August)	Under 15 Boys	Under 15 Girls
Derek Crookes Under 13 (Kingsmeadow, 26 July)	Under 13 Boys	Under 13 Girls

The County urgently requires Track & Field Managers for the following age groups:

U17 Women and U20 Women

If these posts not are filled then regrettably the county cannot enter teams in these categories. NO TEAM MANAGER - NO TEAM.

If you are interested please email the County Secretary, Mike Williams

Latest reports are published on the website:- www.hampshireathletics.org.uk

Joint Technical Officials Report: Eileen & Terry Williams

Good turnout of Officials for Multi-Events and QuadKids and thanks to Alison Friend we actually finished early. It was great to see so many of our new and Young Officials at this meeting which augurs well for the future.

Officials all in place for the County Championships with Photofinish and two EDMs booked.

Arrangements for World Island Games in Jersey all in hand with travel and accommodation all sorted out and also draft Timetable received although subject to slight changes depending on final entry details from the Islands.

A number of Officials are now progressing but we still need to chase those who have taken the new Officials Course and not yet applied for their Licence. The new on-line DBS system appears to be operating quite well and we are advised monthly of those who have their DBS about to run out which means we can send reminders.

Steve Snodden received the Officials Award at the recent Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sports Awards so Hampshire athletics Officials are still to the forefront.

We held our 10th annual Officials 'Get Together' at Basingstoke Hockey Club in April and the Sinfield Trophy went to Liz Flitcroft, Phillips Trophy for the Young Officials to Matthew Bartlett and the new John Lofts Award for enhancing the reputation of Hampshire Officials to Chas Harvey. The first two were presented by our Guest Speaker Cherry Alexander MBE - UKA British Major Events Director - and the John Lofts Award by Sheena Fitzmaurice and her brother Alan Lofts and we thank John's family for donating this award in John's memory. All our thanks to Michael Coker and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Network for their support. We hope to carry this on next year and have already approached a Guest Speaker.

At the UKA Officials Conference Darryl Quinn received the Inspiring Officials Award.

We have come across a number of clubs recently with new people in charge who need help in organising a meeting, especially with regard to Officials and understanding the needs of Photo finish and EDM. We have a presentation on this which we would be willing to do if Hampshire were to agree and pay for a venue. We have a projector. It would also be a good opportunity for clubs to share good practice. It would only take a couple of hours. We would also provide a handout.

Road Running: Colin Goater

As reported to the AGM a recent initiative of the Road Running Sub Committee was the reinstatement of the Hampshire Road Relays which took place at Lakeside 1000 Cosham on the 12th April. Organized by a small number of Sub Committee members comprising Peter Newton, Richard Dean, Malcolm Price and myself the event proved very successful. Although a little low on competing teams it was enjoyed by many Hampshire athletes. Races were held for all age groups and in addition a straight race for under 11's.

Important also is that the event produced a small profit of £97

The AGM of the Road Running Sub Committee will be held at the Fleming Park Bowls Club on Monday 8 June. At that meeting the races for the 2015/2016 Road Running League will be decided.

Full details for the league and further races are available at www.hrrl.org.uk

Sports Hall: Michael Coker

Two Hampshire athletes became National Sportshall Champions at the UK Sportshall Championships at Sportcity, Manchester on 25/26 April 2015. Ellie Hodgson, Southampton, retained her U15G All Rounder Champion from 2014, and Serena Vincent won the U13G Shot with a Personal Best throw. We need to organise a 2015/16 planning meeting with the participating Clubs/Schools, as Carol Quinn has now stood down as Hampshire Sportshall League Secretary after 14 years sterling service to the County, in this thriving part of our sport.

Development: Michael Coker

The 2015 Hampshire Athletics Grand Prix events have been finalised as:- Basingstoke - Wednesday 22nd July; and Southampton - Sunday 23rd August. We hope to attract 400+ athletes to both events and will include Wheelchair Racing at both, and QuadKids at Southampton. An initial planning meeting has been held and promotion/publicity has now commenced. All income generated to Hampshire Athletics to support our development activity.

The SLD Athletics Festival is at Portsmouth on 3 June. Officials appointed and detailed preparations in place.

The School Games is scheduled for Aldershot on 19 July 2015 and will include the 'Parallel' Games, QuadKids and Hampshire Schools Track Knock-Out Finals.

The new Gosport parkrun will launch in June 2016. It is likely that a further event will start in Fareham in 2016 with the build of a new Leisure Centre, and possibly a Romsey event in 2017?

email address for Michael is :- michael.coker@hants.gov.uk

England Athletics: Christine Benning

Christine's latest report will be published on the counties website.

email address for Christine is:- cbenning@englandathletics.org

A.O.B.:

None.

Dates of next meetings:

10 July
11 September
13 November
8 January 2016