Hampshire Athletic Association Executive Committee meeting
Minutes of meeting held on Friday 11 November 2011
Fleming Park, Eastleigh

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Present:

Alan Ive, Pam Rogers, Mike Williams (Secretary), Mike Barratt (Retiring Treasurer), Mary Axtell, Steve Squires (Treasurer), Colin Goater (Chair), Christine Weeks, Reg Eade, Mike Coker, Alan Cropp, Graeme Lowndes, Betty Tabor, Eileen Williams, Terry Williams.

Apologies:

Doreen Old (Vice Chair), John Lofts, Mary Goater, Richard Dean, Orien Young (Vice Chair), Christine Benning, David Churcher, Sheena Fitzmaurice, John Fitzmaurice, David Vosser, David Stenson.

Before the meeting started Colin Goater stated that he would not be seeking re-election as Chairman at the forthcoming AGM. Colin was thanked for all his hard work over many years.

Minutes from Meeting on the 16 September 2011:

Accepted.

Matters Arising:

Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth now booked for Multi Events and Track and Field Championships in May.

Re Trophy Cabinet, Quote to be obtained and style agreed at next meeting.

Correspondence:

Details received re forming a UKA Youth Development League in 2013. Serious concerns were raised regarding timetables and being able to adequately staff the meetings with Technical Officials. Website - www.ukydl@uka.org.uk

South Region Coaching is being dissolved. Discussions ongoing on how best to dispose of any assets.

Richard Dean reported re the county website - www.athletics.hampshire.org.uk that:-

Thanks to the list of affiliated clubs that Mike Barratt sent me, I've updated the "Clubs" webpage, excluding the clubs who have disaffiliated. I've given some basic facts about each club which I've extracted from their websites (some better than others); there are still a few gaps to fill.

Incidentally, the website has been averaging about 300 visitors and 2000 page loads a day. On the Sunday after the first Hampshire League match, there were over 2000 visits and 8000 page loads.

Treasurer:

Steve Squires circulated his first Income and Expenditure Account report; this now shows figures for the past 3 years. Steve was thanked once again for taking on this extremely important role.

Finance and Sustainability Sub Group:

Mike Coker reported that:-

  • The Sub- Group had met 3 times in the last 12 months. The starting point was to address Hampshire AA financial position with losses of over £11K suffered during 2009/ 2010 and assets declining from c.£36K to £25K. NB at this rate of attrition Hampshire AA would cease to exist by November 2013. The Hampshire Athletics Business Plan had been constructed, with all branches of the sport tasked with breaking even in 2011 and returning to profitability in 2012 and thereafter. A whole set of initiatives have been implemented.
  • We recently had a very positive meeting with the UK Marketing Director of a leading sports clothing retail provider keen to work in future partnership. Assuming HAA successfully stabilises its financial position, the prospects for future cooperation look promising. Specific areas of interest/ potential sponsorship include:- Cross Country Championships, Hampshire 10K, Track and Field Championships, and a midweek 2012 Grand Prix event possibly coinciding with the Hampshire legs of the Olympic torch.
  • We met with Richard Neale (Mountbatten Centre Manager) in September 2011, and negotiated preferential rates for Sports Hall and Track Bookings.
  • 2013-2017 Planning. Colin Goater and Michael Coker attended an England Athletics meeting, with an encouraging emphasis on 'Counties' for future athletics delivery.

Cross Country Championships:

Saturday 7 January 2012
Dibden Inclosure

Pam Rogers reported that the arrangements to stage the championships were well in hand. There are changes with regard to the start and finish; full details are available on the HAA website, along with the entry form. Pam once again thanked Hardley Runners for all their support in the planning of this prestigious event.

Track and Field Championships:

The dates for 2012 are:-

Multi Events and U 11's events: Monday 7 May
Track and Field Championships: Saturday / Sunday 12 & 13 May

Hire of Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth to be arranged.

Alan Ive expressed his concerns re staging a 10k Road Race at the championships. This to be discussed fully at the next meeting in January 2012.

Team Managers:

The 29th Coutances International XC will be staged on the 20 November.

Teams have been selected for the Inter Counties taking place on the 10 December.

Joint Officials' Report:

Report circulated by Eileen and Terry Williams. Recommendations have been given to Alan Ive regarding the next T & F Championships. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed to include the ruling that: - athletes may only enter in one age group throughout the championships. This ruling will be shown clearly on the entry form when it is published on the county website.

Reg Eade stated his concerns about the lack of Walking Judges in the county, we do need to try and encourage more people to qualify for this role.

Road Running:

Colin Goater reported that regular meetings take place and are always well attended. For full and up to date details, including race results, visit: www.hrrl.org.uk.

Sportshall 2011/12:

Hampshire League Match 1 was held at Fleming Park on October 16th 2011, with a very encouraging attendance (9 Clubs and 1 School) - new entrants to the League were Overton and New Forest Juniors. Approx. 200 children participated - a record attendance. Match 2 is also at Fleming Park on 20th November, with Match 3 at the Mountbatten Centre on Saturday 28th January 2012. Good rates for facility hire had been negotiated for all 3 matches.

Development:

The Hampshire Wheel Chair Race Group was launched at Winchester Stadium in August with 3 new racing chairs purchased with grant aid.

57 Hampshire athletes ranked in the 'Power of 10' top 15 had applied to the Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme from 305 County representatives across all sports. Successful applicants will receive a range of support including financial grants, free facility access, fast- track physiotherapy and transport passes.

70 athletes attended the first 2011/ 12 Winter Coaching Day at the Mountbatten Centre on 15 October. 20 of these athletes had emerged from the various Schools Championships, and were linked to Clubs. The 2nd day is scheduled for Andover on 10th December and will have a strength and conditioning emphasis.

A proposal has been submitted to Sport England to encourage 1000 new adults into 'running' by April 1st 2013.

email:- www.sporthampshireiow.co.uk or visit the website:- www.sporthampshireiow.co.uk

England Athletics:

Detailed report circulated. Full details are available from cbenning@englandathletics.org. Future reports will also be published on the county website.

AOB:

Pam Rogers reported that many Technical Officials will be at the South of England XC Championships on the 28 January, and they will not be available to assist at the next Sportshall League Match, taking place on the same day.

Reg Eade reported details of the upgrades to the Basingstoke & MH Athletic Track. Could we now consider staging future T & F Championships north of the county?

Graeme Lowndes reported that he had attended the recent South of England Awards Evening with many Hampshire representatives receiving long service awards.

Date of next meeting:

13 January 2012
Fleming Park, Eastleigh
7.30 pm

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