Web: www.suffolksport.com
________________________________
David J Miller BA (Hons)
Athletics Development Officer
The Civic Centre, Ipswich IP1 2EE
Mobile: 07917 233399
Email: david.miller@ipswich.gov.uk
Suffolk Athletics Action Group Meeting
12 January 2005, 7pm, West Suffolk College (Room G1.10), Bury St. Edmunds
Chair: Ray Wells
Secretary: David Miller
Minutes:
Before the meeting began a one minute silence was held for the recent Tsunami disaster.
1. Present:
Brian Boardley Waveney Valley AC
Andy Burt Waveney Valley AC
Bill Cox Framlingham Flyers RRC
Jean Cox Woodbridge Shufflers RRC
Mike Crichton Advisory Teacher for PE and Sport – SCC LEA
Nigel Dadge Felixstowe RR
Peter Golding St Edmund Pacers RC
Jane Horner Sports Development Manager – Suffolk Sport Partnership
David Miller Athletics Development Officer – Suffolk Sport Partnership
Paul Turner Ipswich Jaffa RC
Ray Wells Suffolk County Athletic Association / West Suffolk AC
Apologies:
Rod Allard Bury Leisure Centre / St Edmund Pacers RC
Ian Blythe Haverhill Striders AC
Tracy Brownlow Sports Development Manager – Suffolk Sport Partnership
Richard Fellingham Stowmarket Striders RC
Terry McEntee Suffolk Sport Partnership Manager
Gwyn Potts Regional Development Co-ordinator – AAA of England
Mitzi Read Orwell Panthers AC
Terry Rigby St Edmund Pacers
Sarah Shinnie Leisure Development Officer – Suffolk Coastal DC
2. Minutes of previous meeting
These were accepted as a true record.
3. PADO Update
3.1 David informed the Group of his recent activity since joining the Partnership last November. This included meeting the County’s Local Authority SDOs, other PADOs, and representatives from the AAA of England and UK Athletics.
3.2 David informed the Group of his plans to hold a Suffolk Sportshall Athletics Easter Festival on 12 March in Ipswich. Current plans are to accommodate up to ten teams of ten from around the County (up to five able-bodied teams (years 5 and 6) and up to five disabled teams (years 5+)). The emphasis of the day will be to introduce the youngsters to a competitive athletic environment in a fun and friendly way. The Partnership budget will cover school taster sessions and team training (coaching and local facility hire) before the Festival, and Awards and transportation costs on the day of the Festival.
3.3 David distributed amongst the Group a number of hand-outs from the Partnership and UK Athletics. These included the Officials Education and Training Newsletter from Maggie Still, Director of Individual Services, UK Athletics, and the Coach Education Programme for 2005 from Chris Bowman, Regional Education and Training Administrator, UK Athletics.
3.4 David discussed with the Group the Partnership’s desire to increase the number of Level 1 and Level 2 Coaches within Suffolk. As a token of the Partnership’s appreciation for the support of those clubs that have attended the Suffolk Athletics Action Group, the Partnership would like to cover the full cost of one place per club at the forthcoming UK Athletics Level 1 Coaching Course in Ipswich on 9 April 2005. David spoke to Chris Bowman just before this meeting and confirmed that 20 places were still available on the course. If by the beginning of March there are still places available on the course, the Partnership’s support will increase to two places per club (on a first come, first served basis) for those clubs that have a Junior Section. Jane asked the Group if the clubs could liaise directly with Chris Bowman for booking and payment purposes, and then after 9 April Suffolk Sport would issue a cheque to each club which attended the course. David also said that for all other courses (including other Level 1 dates) the Partnership would like to support 75% of the full cost for coaches that are coaching on Active Sports activity and have completed an Induction Session. The group welcomed and agreed to all of the above.
3.5 David closed the PADO update by thanking on behalf of the Group all the hard work that Jane had put in as Secretary of the Action Group since the first meeting in February 2003.
4. 2005 Club Workshop Programme
4.1 Following Jane’s mail-out to clubs of the 2005 Coach and Club Workshops leaflet, Jane took the Group through the list of courses which will be running through 2005. There are over 50 workshops in all covering 15 different courses (including First Aid in Sport, Good Practice and Child Protection, How to Coach Disabled People in Sport, Equity in your Coaching, and A Club For All) all over the County. These courses are lottery funded and the programme is heavily subsidised to make it accessible to everyone.
5. Community Sports Coach Scheme Update
5.1 Jane gave a presentation and hand-out to the Group detailing the Community Sports Coach Scheme. This scheme is funded by the Government through its Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The aim of the scheme is to establish 3,000 paid professional coaches working at a local level to increase the number and range of high quality coaching opportunities by 2006, according to local and strategic need. Suffolk will have six full-time and 34 part-time Community Sports Coaches employed by 31 March 2006, working in various locations and in various sports. Up to 50% funding will be provided by DCMS. The remaining funding is provided through various local partnerships between sports clubs, Local Authorities, School Sport Partnerships and other organisations.
6. Clubs:Future UK Club Awards 2004
6.1 This material had been provided by Gwyn Potts, AAA of England. Hand-outs were provided to the Group and Jane detailed to the Group that these awards are intended to recognise and reward Clubs, Volunteers, Officials, Coaches and Partnerships for their contribution to the sport of Athletics throughout the preceding 12-month period. The deadline for nominations is 4 February 2005.
7. Suffolk Sport Partnership Update
7.1 Jane informed the Group of the recent staff changes within the Suffolk Sports Partnership, including the interim appointments of Terry McEntee to Partnership Manager, Tracy Brownlow to Sport Development Manager (Sports) and Jane to Sport Development Manager (Generic).
8. General Club Updates (inc. Clubmark etc.)
8.1 Peter notified the Group that the St Edmund Pacers were currently re-structuring at the Officer level. He believes that most of the club’s Clubmark criteria are in place. The club’s Junior Section continues to go from strength to strength with 100 children regularly attending training on a Monday evening.
8.2 Jean informed the Group of the difficulties that Woodbridge Shufflers are having in recruiting Officials for their 10K in May. Bill reported that one problem at Framlingham is the shortage of facilities. Ray said that there was a shortage of Officials generally around the County. Jane notified the Group of the Step into Sport Scheme for young volunteers.
8.3 Mike told the Group that by 2006/7 the Suffolk Sport Colleges would be in place and that there would be a re-modelling of the curriculum so that eventually there would be opportunities for full-time coaching careers.
8.4 Nigel announced to the Group that Felixstowe were progressing very well with Clubmark. The club’s new Junior Section is also doing very well with 20 to 30 youngsters regularly attending for training.
8.5 Brian said that Waveney’s partnership with the Benjamin Britten School was very encouraging. Within Waveney’s Junior Section there are regularly 80 to 90 youngsters attending training.
8.6 Paul notified the Group that Ipswich Jaffa are also progressing well with Clubmark. From next week the club will be training children aged 10+. The club now has 12 Level 1 coaches in place, and have applied for six Level 2 courses and six Children in Athletics courses. A discussion followed around the Group regarding various charging policies within the County for CRB checking.
8.7 Ray reported to the Group that the recent School Grand Prix XC on 18 December had been a great success with 180 to 200 children taking part. There would be two more School GP XC events to follow.
9. AOB
9.1 Jane informed the Group of a group of organisations called the Local Volunteer Bureaus. This could be a possible avenue to explore for race-day marshals, club helpers etc.. Jane believes that there are no fees (except possibly an admin charge) and that they require a month’s notice. There are Bureaus in most Suffolk towns and details can be found on the internet and the Yellow Pages. Jane would be very interested to hear from anyone who makes use of this service.
9.2 Bill asked the Group if anyone had any updates on the recent news that 10 major national clubs could be breaking away from UK Athletics. Nobody had any news.
9.3 Ray asked if the Suffolk Youth Games Organising Group had accepted the Action Group’s recommendations for the Athletics part of the Games. Jane replied that the recommendations had been most appreciated and had been accepted.
9.4 Andy reported to the Group that on a negative note, the feedback from parents in the Waveney area regarding the Suffolk Schools XCs was that there had appeared to have been very little support from the schools. Paul also reported similar comments. Mike stressed that Bruce Andrews, Suffolk Schools AA has also said this in the past and has made a number of pleas to PE teachers. Mike said that he would pass Andy’s comments to Bruce. Mike also said that this was not unique to Suffolk and believes it to be a national issue.
10. Dates and venues of future meetings:
Wednesday 20 April 2005, 7pm, Northgate Sports Centre, Ipswich
Wednesday 20 July 2005, 7pm, Northgate Sports Centre, Ipswich
Wednesday 19 October 2005, 7pm, West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds
Ray closed the meeting at 9.15pm.
End