25/05/2005 - Regional Committee Meeting
North East Region Committee Meeting - 25th May 2005Barmstom Mere Training, Nissan Way, Sunderland
Present:
Eddie Cooper, Paul Jones, Amanda Cantle, Andrew Smith, Dave Stevens,
Nigel Ellam.
Apologies:
Ian Maddison, Sandra & Tony Main, Tony Dixon, Richard Dodgson, John Howells, Sam Haddock.
New Regional Targets:
Paul Jones outlined the new regional targets for the North East. The targets have been reassessed as the North East has developed extremely well in the last twelve months. The new targets are attached.
School Aquathlons:
It was noted how the school Aquathlons have continued to go really well. With over 650 children taking part in the events to date. There are still several events to take place:
Easington Schools Event – 8th June, Seaham Comp, Peterlee.
Chester Le Street Schools Event – 22nd June, Chester Le St Pool.
Darlington Schools Event – 5th July
Paul Jones outlined the importance for local clubs and representatives to attend the events as they are crucial to provide the school / club links for the kids.
Regional Grand Prix Format:
This year (2005) we increased the number of events which competitors have to complete to take part in the Regional Grand Prix from 4 to 6. This was due to the increased number of events in the region, and to try and increase participation in the events in the series.
However, it has been noted that some people have been struggling to get into the events due to increased popularity. Also as we lost one of the more popular events in Blyth this year, which has reduced the options.
It was decided to keep the series as it stands for this year as it had already started, but we would reconsider the options at the next meeting. The options we came up with were:
- 1. The BTA National Ranking Series races are required to keep open places for BTA members up to one month prior to the race. It would mean race promoters agreeing to keep open their races until one month before the race and then filling the race up first with BTA members on a basis of when the entry was received (first come, first served) and then filling up the event (if places remain) with non-BTA members on the same basis. We concede this is unlikely to get the full approval of all the race promoters and in any case there are events; Peterlee, Cleveland Sprint and Blyth in particular, that are attractive to novices and this method is going to reduce the number of novices in races, which is not a good thing.
- 2. Reduce the number of qualifying races to four.
- 3. As we are this year.
Coaching Courses:
The dates for the Level Two course have been set for Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th September and Saturday 15th, Sunday 16th October this year, the venue for the course is still to be confirmed. The cost of the course is £295.
Due to events moving, I has been note there is a clash with the Cleveland Relays. However, the course dates have been set, and it has also been pointed out that we need to fill this course for it to run. In addition it has been pointed out that if we don’t run this course this year it won’t be available next year. It is also important from the point of view of the regional targets that we increase the number of level two coaches.
The dates for the level one course are still to be confirmed, but likely to be end of February and beginning of March 2006.
The Volunteer Management Course will run of Thursday June 9th (6:30-9:30) at the The Parks Leisure Centre, North Shields. The course is free, but to register you need to contact Paul Jones. This is a missing link in the arsenal for clubs working towards STAR accreditation.
Funds from British Triathlon and Grants:
British Triathlon have recently given the North East an additional grant (£2300) for the region and also some vouchers for (£500) coach education and (£400) officials education.
How we spend this up to the committee. It was decided that for the next meeting we needed to come up with some ideas about how to use this funding. We need to use or we will simply lose it.
In addition Paul Jones has received some funding (£750) for equipment for the Region from the Community Sports Fund.
Ideas for spending the money were: Regional Finish Banner; Traffic Cones; Stakes for taping out courses etc, megaphone and walkie talkies. Paul is to look into costs os the above.
Presentation Dinner
Currently getting looked into by Sam and will have a possible venue lined up for the next committee, somewhere central for all clubs to attend.
National Youth Aquathlon Championships
Nigel Ellam queried the selection for the events as an additional place had become available due to the results at two recent events.
Paul Jones was under the impression that you no longer had to qualify for the event as it was open-entry and agreed to clarify – it is an Open event.
Next Meeting:
Will be held at Barmstom Mere Training Centre, Nissan Way, Sunderland on Wednesday 14th September at 7pm.