07/01/2009 - Regional Committee Meeting

Minutes of the North East Regional Committee Meeting on Wednesday 7th January 2009 at Bunny Hill Centre, Sunderland

Present

Amanda Cantle, Georgie Rutherford, Phil Jameson, Bob Hogg, Ian Maddison, Paul Watson, Barrie Jameson, Steve Robertson, Donna James.

Apologies

John Howells, Jem Lawson, Dave Bell.

Observer

Colin Holt

Chair’s Report

The Chair formally thanked Georgie Rutherford for organising the Regional Dinner. The feedback was excellent.
The race calendar is full and busy.
All clubs should remind new members to enter races early.

Grand Prix

John Howells – Regional Grand Prix 2009 is proposing that all sanctioned triathlons should be in the GP – including the mountain bike tri in Kielder. Plus, Ripon, Helvellyn and Keswick – out of region but historically in and also mitigates against potential cancellation of races and difficulties in entering.

AGREED: Best 5 races for the Regional Triathlon Grand Prix

For Duathlon – Stokesley, Meadowfield, Hamsterley Spring, Scarboro’, Golden Leaves and the Dalby Forest MTB

AGREED Best 3 races for the Regional Duathlon Grand Prix

Regional Championships

Debate around the regional championships was had. The following were agreed

Newbiggin Aquathon – Regional Aquathon Championships
Stokesley Duathlon – Regional Duathlon Championships

Triathlon:
Sun City – Sprint Distance
Prince Bishops- Standard Distance
Steelman – Long Distance

Triathlon England Update

Tri England are currently looking at channels of communications – how to improve communications from members to the Board. Also ideas for sharing good practice between regions are being sought.

Directorship position – deadline end of play of 7th January 2009-03-04

Regional Pool of Equipment

Georgie has got quotes for scaffolding - £50 per 65ft
Need to meet Trihard regarding hire of scaffolding and timing chips etc. Need to ask for a package for the whole season.
Tyne still had some equipment
The large signs turned up.
Debate ensued about tents for registration – gazebo?
AC to follow up. – Logo?

It was decided that the finish banners are looking tired. Plus two new flags are needed.
A proposal was made and accepted to approach Nobles to put their logo on the finishing flag.

Treasurer’s Report

There is 20k in the bank with an extra 2k from the BRA expected. 2 large expenditures since the last meeting. Level 1 and 2 courses which were run at a profit; and the regional dinner, usually run at a loss.

Alistair Brownlea’s contribution – mileage – 27p; Debate around appearance £200 pounds to include travel.

Regional Development Manager’s Report

Benfield still charging for storing equipment – want a payment of £30. Agreement to negotiate a price and potential to store more there.
Car Stickers: Tri England, North East. The RDM brought more in for further distribution.
Stevie Walker offering to sponsor kids’ kit with his logo.
Finally used Sports match/Sport England.
Corus will give us £1k for junior development – equipment/coaching and now we have sportsmatch, that will total £2k.
BH has found a source of junior wetsuits
Sun City started a junior section. Now 11 youngsters on the register but ARC and Steve are the only lifeguards. There are enough coaches but more funding is needed to train more lifeguards. £300-£400 per lifeguard but do rescue test for training competent swimmers.

AGREED
Region put on a Rescue Test course in Bolden school or at Benfield.
Tyne and Wear Sport may have specific funding.
Northern Rock Foundation All complete.

North England Children’s Triathlon

The junior events are mostly sorted with the 1st OW junior tri at Hetton, draft legal 12th July,.
All events for points system. Last year there were 4 events 2 of which were triathlons. At the moment – there are 5 tris, 2 aquathons; and no duathlon – (Darlington, Croft duathlon?)

Some IRC ‘qualifiers’ won’t be qualifiers but selection races. The key race will be the new one…1st in each age group will qualify with the others being selection races.

Academy

Changed the structure so it will be moving around the region – Stockton, Ponteland, Hexham,…to give people a chance. All good facilities available.

Talent ID day – 31st Jan – 25 people so far and so might need some help from coaches.

Insurance - have insurance for the bikes

Any Other Business

Thanks were passed on to Barry for the Academy structure this year.
Sun City – kids and novice section Bolden school Community Pool, 7-8pm on Thursday – have to be able to swim 50m.

Date of Next Meeting

8th April 7-9pm Venue Bunny Hill.