14/09/2005 - Regional Committee Meeting
North East Regional Committee MeetingWednesday 14th September 2005
Present: Eddie Cooper, Paul Jones, Dave Stevens, Tony Weed, Tony Dixon, Amanda Cantle, Dave Bell, John Howells, Mike Paul, Michelle Paul, Ian Maddison, Nigel Ellam, Tony Main, Sandra Main
Apologies: Sam Haddock, Richard Dodgson, Helen Jones, Mark Barfield
Regional Targets: Paul Jones went through the Regional Key Performance Indicators. The region is judged on achieving these targets. We have had 3900 people involved in multisport activity in 2005. This is thanks to more races, more capacity at races, the schools series and general promotion of Triathlon.
We have increased the number of clubs in the region, but we have five clubs working towards STAR and one working towards Club Mark. These clubs should have achieved these standards by April 2006.
The number of club members is currently about 40% of those people taking part in races across the region. It was suggested that at races we give a list of affiliated clubs in the region to competitors to push club membership up.
We have increased the number of level one coaches in the region by 28 with the course we held in March 2005. We have the level two course in September / October. Currently we have 14 booked on the course.
Volunteer of the Year: National system has been put in place to recognise the efforts of volunteers. There are three categories for the awards. Volunteer of the Year, Referee of the Year and Coach of the Year. Volunteers can only be nominated in one category and British Triathlon employees or Exec Board members cannot be nominated. British Triathlon members will be able to vote online for the nominated people.
Club Competition: We have a club competition which exists as part of the North East Grand Prix. However, it isn’t widely known about. Paul Jones suggested a league system. Mike Paul suggested a system similar to the Harrier league for athletics. Committee members were asked to go away and think about some options and bring them to the table at the next meeting.
2006 Grand Prix Series: Should be approximately 15 Races in the North East. In 2005 we had any 6 races counting towards the Grand Prix. It was previously suggested this was too many. Paul Jones pointed out that as a Region we are judged on participation figures. If having 6 races means we encourage people to do more races in the region that is a good thing. A vote was had on the number of races to count for the series and 6 was decided, although 2 people were against.
Prizes in Races: Very contentious issue this year. Almost every race has been different. The point has been that with veterans doing particularly well they have been getting more prizes than other age-groups.
Eg. Prizes given for 1-2-3 overall and 1-2-3 vets. If a vet (or 2) finish in the top three then vets get 4 (or 5) prizes and seniors get one.
This issue has been discussed with Director of Development, Mark Barfield. British Triathlon cannot dictate to race organisers what their prize structure should be. British Triathlon ask race organisers to jump through a lot of hoops to put races on. In addition there could be a cost implication or a sponsor’s issue. We are encouraging participation in our sport. Traditionally this has been encouraged with such things as a T-Shirt for finishing.
It is the Race Organiser’s decision on what prizes to issue.
As a regional committee we can make suggestions or give guidelines on what to do to help overcome this:
- 1. Make public the prize structure before the race starts.
- 2. Ask for results to be put into a format which can be sorted in groups later.
- 3. Suggestion for prizes to be made available for race organisers:
1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall, 1st Senior (not in first 3), 1st Vet (not in first 3), 1st Super vet, 1st Junior (u21).
It must be stressed again that this is only a suggestion and the Race Organiser makes the decision.
Regional Pool of Equipment: Most clubs in the region donated money to a pool which enabled the region to get equipment to be used in races across the region. Every club which donated money has had use out of the pool.
The Region has been given £750 to be used for purchasing equipment for the region. Paul Jones was asking for suggestions on what to buy with the money.
Suggestions included: Buoys for Open Water Swimming (Amanda Cantle was looking into the possibility of accessing some); Regional Finish Banner (with BT NE logo, and logos of clubs which donated to the pool); Walkie Talkies; Megaphone; Air Horn; Flags with BT NE Logo on, Barrier Tape.
Paul Jones will look into the costs of the above and have a shopping list for the next meeting.
Schools Project 2006: In 2005 we had 7 schools events. We had over 1200 children through the project. Events where clubs attended went really well. In 2006 Paul has set a target of 2000 children through 12 events. Paul is looking for a club presence at the events to really push the school / club links.
Any Other Business:
Regional Grants: Sport England have donated £1150 to the region to be spent on fulfilling the Regional Plan. An additional two donations of £575 will be made in November 2005 and February 2006.
Coaching Courses: Level Two course has a couple of spaces left. British Triathlon has given £500 in coaching vouchers to the region. It was suggested that we nominate club members for the award. An application process needs to be gone through as if the Region is helping towards costs we, as a region, need to ensure we get something back from the candidates.
Nigel Ellam to forward an existing application form to Paul Jones.
Eddie Cooper nominated Peter Tweddle to receive funding for the Level Two course. Peter is prepared to help out with the Regional Academy which is being formed in addition to showing his commitment to NE31 Tri Club. The Committee agreed to give £100 in vouchers to Peter.
Referees Courses: Level 1 is online now. Go to the British Triathlon website. It costs £10 which is submitted with the completed workbook. The Region has £400 in vouchers from British Triathlon to put towards referees. The Region is looking to have a Level Two course before the end of the year but definitely before the start of the season. Need a minimum of eight people for the course.
Tony Main requested that he get an updated list of referee’s for the region as soon as possible.
Regional Dinner: Struggling for a date before the end of October. We don’t want to clash with anyone else’s Christmas / Club dinners or the British Triathlon awards dinner. Paul Jones to arrange with Sam Haddock when the date is to be.
Drafting: Tony Weed raised the issue of drafting in races. Is there anyway we can stop it? Motor Bike marshals, Referee’s need witnesses, 5 meters is not enough. Paul Jones pointed out this is a national issue which is being looked at by British Triathlon, but for the moment there is not much we can do.
North East Regional Sports Awards: Amanda Cantle pointed out that Triathlon had not had a representative at the awards for the last two years. It was agreed that we really should. Suggested nominations need to be made by end of December 2005.
Grievances: Eddie Cooper as Chair pointed out that if there was an issue between people within the region, whatever that issue is it should come to him. He would then try to resolve the issue, if not it could go to the committee, or higher if necessary. But we really should try to keep issues from the region in the region.
Race of the Year: It was suggested that we have a Race of the Year category at the Regional Dinner. The North East has had some fantastic events this year, many taking place for the first time. It would be good to acknowledge those efforts. The committee agreed this was a good suggestion.
Date of next meeting: to be confirmed
Thank you to those who attended. Fantastic turnout.
Meeting closed at 8:55pm.