Minutes of Welsh Athletics Cross country Committee held at CISS Thursday Jan 31st 2013.
1)Meeting was postponed from previous week due to bad weather.Present: K Evans (W-Chair), G Finlayson (S), Tracy Allen (Sec), JH Collins (Council rep), Dic Evans, Ceri Morris & D Hains (coopted) and A Donald (WA). Apologies from P Banning (E) & T Alcock (Officials). Tracy Allen was welcomed to her first meeting and Kevin Evans was re-appointed Chairman.It was noted that DA Williams had agreedto be representative of North Regionand would participate infuture by skype or similar.Also agreed that whilstTrAwould take onpost of secretaryJHC would continue to sit onWA Council for time being. The Meeting reviewed the relevant WA Byelaws. Our current structure, membership and procedures were confirmed as being in accord with the exception of no representative of Welsh Schools on the committee. KevinTobin to be invited to accept cooption onto the Committee. Council to be formally advisedof situation;it being noted that Endurance Committee no longer exists.
2)Minutes of Dec 10th Meetingwere accepted. (It was noticed at later date that the circulated copy had one line of text missing.) Agreedthat infuture a copy of Minutes would be sent to Regional Secretaries as well as Council Secretary and WA office (for posting on website).
3)Matters Arising The need to resume the issue of comprehensive Team Managers Packs was stressed.(AD).JHC to submit item,via Steve Brace,to UKA Rule Revision Group regarding League scoring systems. Congratulatory letters had been sent to the three Welsh athletes who gained medals in the recent European Cross Country Championships.
4)Cardiff Cross Challenge. Despite snowthe event went off very wellwith some excellent races. Competitor numbers were downdue to a combination of travel problems and financial constraintson some representative teams,particularly Ireland.The matter of a contribution from England to their costsand the absenceof their hostingfixtures were again raised. It was suggestedthat they not be invitednext year. It appears possible that Midlandswill host a matchin conjunctionwith the McCain Bristol eventbut no others likely. The presence of anenthusiastic contingent from Waterford,who obviously enjoyed their participation, was noted.GFdrew attentionto the fact thatthe Schools athletes’participationwas heavily subsidisedand also created complications due to conflict of age categories.The need to encourage these age groups was recognised and the needto seek additional specific fundingwasstressed. For 2014the event is scheduled for same weekend-third in January.
5)Welsh Cross Country Champs. Arrangementsproceedingfor the event at Glanusk, Crickhowellon Sat Feb 16th;first race at 10.30am. AD tableda map of the course and venue.
6)Inter-Region Cross Country Champs.inDec2013will againbe at BuilthWells,hosted by North region,with further modificationsto course and layout proposed.
7)Match Report. DE gave a verbalreport,observing that he had not been provided with a report formnor other information such as details of athletes and reserves. He also expressed concern at the apparent lack of athletes keen to participate. Once again, kit provision had also been a problem. DH confirmed these views. In subsequent discussionseveral points were made.The lackof an overseas competitionwas considered to be a demotivating factor. GF stressed the importanceof apre-season committee meeting to decide fixture programmeand appointteam managers;which should then be widely publicisedtogether with selection criteria.AD advised that some athletes had failed to returnkit forms promptly whilst others contested the factthat they already had kit or failed to bringit withthem. AD to provide TrAwith details of athletesalready having kitand the date of issue. On the credit side there had been some excellent performances, notably by Liam Lloyd and Jac Hopkins.For results see Appendix.
8)Home Countries International-_Dinefwr, Llandeilo - March 23rd, Agreed that selection be made immediately after the Championships at Crickhowell; room to be booked at Bear Hotel(AD). First two Seniors and first two eligible Juniors in the championships to be automatically selected.Competing teams are Wales,Scotland,Ulster,England,Northof England,Midlands Combined Services; Senior Junior Men and Women; 4to run, 3to score.
9)Budget Update. As many items from Cardiff Cross had yet to be booked firm assessment not possible bur it appeared we were not far off targets.GF observed that whilst Road and Cross Country Committees received similar annual budget allocations the former tended to only cater for senior competitionand this aspect should be drawnto attention of WA Council(JHC).
10)Future Committee Dates.Sat Feb15th (Crickhowell); Wed April 17th(CISS); Aug & Sept (details to be confirmed).
11)Any Other Business. DH drew attention to the fact that the team Trophies at Celtic match had not been returned nor presented. DE expressed concern at current trends which are serving to alienate the volunteer base on which our sport depends. This was endorsed by others present. KE expressed thanks to AD for all his work stressing that adverse comments made during the meeting were of the system and procedures not of an individual.
The Meeting then closed. JHC/Feb2013.