CHESHIRE COUNTY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

 OFFICIALS WINTER NEWS LETTER 2009

Although mainly of interest to T & F Officials this is being sent out to the Endurance Only Officials as well.

Rule Book 
As the UK rulebook is only published every two years the 2008 book is still valid, so there are no changes to report. The IAAF book does not have any significant changes.

UKA 
The “big “ news is that UK Athletics have rebranded themselves, and are now to be called UKA, with a change of logo and website, this is uka.org.uk

Upgrading / Reporting
No doubt you are now familiar with the changes made to the Officials education system. A committee of UKA now oversees the previous County method of recommendation for upgrading. As you are now aware the system introduced is rather extensive and protracted, and sometimes confusing, requiring several reports to be obtained.
If you wish to be considered for upgrading the report forms (all disciplines) can be downloaded from the UKA website.

CRB
All our active officials have now had a satisfactory CRB check, although I have been advised that several new Level 1 recruits have not bothered so their licence has been withdrawn. It is noticed that several of the Endurance Only Officials have not yet had the check, as this is now a condition of holding a licence it is suggested that this be completed as soon as possible, if you require the application form please contact me and I will send one on.

Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS)
This is new scheme that will run in tandem with the CRB, however this will be mandatory, for those working with young people and vulnerable adults and comes into force on the 12th October 2009.
Attached is a copy of the guide to this scheme. It would appear that Clubs will require to make the risk checks of its members, however I will keep in touch with the UKA welfare officer and advise as to the procedure for non club officials.

Level 2 Track and Field Courses
A level 2 course has been arranged for 28 March 2009 at Macclesfield. If requested it is proposed to hold a Health and Safety course and also an EDM familiarisation course after the Level 2 course on the same day.
Details attached including application forms. Can you please pass the word on to any prospective officials?
The method of application is rather new to me so all I can do is pass on the message I received from Debbie Beresford England Athletics –North.
If the above date is not suitable it has been agreed that anyone interested can attend any of the adjacent Counties for the course that is available.

Work Sheets
Please remember that work sheets are required at the end of the year particularly to support any reports for upgrading, Apologies to those of you who do send them in regularly, but I am still waiting for a few from last year.
If you do not have a copy of the form this can be downloaded from the North of England website.
This also applies to the Endurance Only officials; this is a separate worksheet to the T&F therefore if you require a copy please let me know.

Joe Shellhorn

Cheshire County Officials Secretary