CHESHIRE COUNTY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Before the County meeting began another meeting took place at which Sarah Friday, who is the new Club Coach Support Officer for England Athletics North, covering  Cheshire and Greater Manchester , addressed Cheshire clubs. There is an opportunity to gain financial support, from EA, for coaching in Cheshire, if a tight time scale is met. A draft proposal was virtually agreed and final details were to be left with R Lynch and Sarah. 14 people were present, representing 7 Cheshire clubs.   
In addition to this source, JL Driscoll was seeking funding from another source for endurance coaching. Yet another source was referred to by AG Bunner, the AAA initiative sponsoring the Med-Ball Challenge. This seeks to identify raw talent in the throws in schools and clubs.

Minutes of the meeting held at Frodsham Community Centre on Wednesday 25th February 2009
Apologies: Marian Allen
1. Present: P Allen (Chairman), E Gore, D Wall, JL Driscoll, P Hicken, AFJ Thiemicke, M Cutler, MJ Lamb, JE Shellhorn, W Smith, R Lynch & BJ Warren.

2. Minutes of the Meeting held on 17.12.08
   Accepted after line 2 of item 7 was changed to read ‘’of the NW Regional Office’’.

3.Matters arising from the meeting on 17.12.08
   Dealt with under agenda items.

4. Correspondence
a) E mail from A Thiemicke regarding second claim clubs in the Cross Country Championships. The definition of second claim is controversial, however, it was agreed that the committee would continue to use its interpretation of the definition. The hassle caused by entry problems on the day had caused the Entries Secretary to withdraw her services for next year.
b) Letter from Peter Sutcliffe, UKA re track Status for Competition. There are 3 categories; A- for International and other, B- Domestic meetings and C-has restrictions and should not host full programme of events. For more information go to: http://www.ukathletics.net/governance/facilities/track-certification/

5. Financial Matters
	Current A/C		  1190.58
	Deposit A/C		    131.16
	Building Soc.		13230.60
	Total			14552.34
The first aid bill for the Cheshire Cross Country has still not been received.

6. Officials Report
An Officials Newsletter has been issued by J Shellhorn to our Officials which will also go on the web site. This explains that a new Vetting and Barring Scheme will be introduced on 12.10.09 which will run in tandem with the CRB check. The VBS is a one off scheme unlike the CRB which comes up every 3 years. For detailed information on CBR and VBS visit: www.isa-gov.org.uk
On 28.3.09 at Macclesfield there, will be Level 2 courses for Track, Field and T/K ; in the afternoon there will be an EDM course.

7. Coaching Report
  Two fell runners are to seek financial support for a coaching course.
  David Brown looks after CBR checks in UKA.
For up to date information on coaching courses visit www.englandathletics.org/coaching-courses

8. County Championships 
a) Cross Country at Knights Grange, Winsford on 10.1.09
A very satisfactory meeting in frosty conditions. A new Race Entry Secretary is required for next year. £25 was received from the photographer at the meeting. This was based on a percentage of his sales. Warrington RR has been asked if it will host next year’s event.(They also have a new secretary, but I do not know who)
A bus has been arranged for the Inter Counties Cross Country meeting.
b) T&F at Warrington on 9/10.5.09
P  Hicken will check that the track is booked. J Driscoll has still to examine it, but has had difficulty contacting the manager concerned.
c) Cheshire Spring Relays at Marbury Park on Sat. 4.4.09
AG Bunner will be the Entries Secretary.
d) Inter Counties Fell Race at Hutton Roof Crags, Cumbria, on Sat 23.5.09. Entries to A Barlow, 12 Redcar Close, Hazel Grove, Stockport, SK7 4SQ Tel: 0161 483 9330 
e) Track Relays on Sat 4.7.09
It was agreed to hold these at Stanney. Entries Secretary will be AG Bunner.
f) NW Multi Events at Sport City on 8/9.8.09- organised by A Pritchard. Lancashire has decided to opt out.
g)  Junior Multi Events at Macclesfield on 13.9.09 
It was agreed that the U17s would be an open event with the Cheshire event going into the NW meeting.

9. Road Races
Participation in the Grand Prix Races, having had 2 this year, is slightly up on last year.

10. England Athletics/Northern  Athletics Matters
The Regional Council election which was called for in Jan. ’09, resulted in no candidate emerging, because its future role is not understood. It is not clear if it has a future! 

11. Any Other Business
At the AGM, earlier this month, there was a view divergent from that of UKA which sought to pursue  Olympic  glory as a priority. At county level, it was felt that all athletes should be treated equally. By supporting the EA coaching policy it was felt that this coincided with our views. 

12. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 22nd April 2009.

BJ Warren, Secretary, 2.3.09