Chairman’s Report 2010 – Look to the future
The Chairman’s report is traditionally a review of
the year’s activities but before I start on that I would like to turn
the eyes of all the club’s members to the future.
You will notice when the presentations are made that
more of the awards are going to the younger athletes. There are some
really bright stars who have still not reached the age that UK Athletics
considers for competition under its rules. We find it difficult to get
competition for them and the challenge for us is to create a club and
competitive environment which keeps them interested in the sport. At the
same time we are still losing older athletes and the Committee doesn’t
get any younger. We need some new blood on the Committee and amongst
our helpers to ensure that we can give the athletes what they need and
that coaches and administrators can draw satisfaction from seeing them
progress. Please think about it and join the debate on what sort of
club members want and how it can be achieved. How can you help?
Amongst the successes this year are the continuing
upsurge in interest in cross-country and middle distance running ably
led by Ian Kennedy and his team. Roadrunning continues to attract the
crowds and we hope for good weather for our own Wimborne 10. The
under-13 girls Sports:Hall is getting good turnouts and we continue to
do well in some technical events such as triple jump and pole vault.
There was some increase in the numbers attending the
South West League and though we remained in last place the overall
performance was much better than the previous year. If we could fill
more of the senior events our points total could improve significantly.
The club made a solid contribution to keeping Team Dorset in the
Southern Premier Division of the Young Athletes League and stepped up to
the mark to supply athletes and officials in the Southern Men’s and
Southern Women’s leagues. These leagues may change in 2011 and we will
have to assess developments as they happen.
Cross-country is very healthy. We are making a real
impression in the Hampshire League and have taken on a lot of the
operational work to keep the Wessex League going. The cross-country
squad will have its own presentation event in April.
The roadrunners continue to attract new members and
the red and black is seen all over the South and in some distant and far
flung locations worldwide. We have this year decided to award
additional trophies for roadrunning to reflect the level of interest.
More roadrunning representatives on the club’s committee would help us
to keep pace with the needs and aspirations of this section. The club
continues to punch above its weight in the Dorset Road Race League and
if you read the excellent Roadrunners Newsletter you will see
tales of excellent performances and hard graft from across the country
and beyond.
Our coaches continue to willingly offer their
services to all comers and they are to be congratulated and thanked for
their work. The club is very pleased to have Paula Hine on the team to
give hurdling a boost but we still need to strengthen the coaching team
particularly with support for Glyn on throws.
Parents have responded well to ‘on the day’ requests
to help with officiating but it would be useful to take some through to
a qualification. Dick is also looking for an apprentice starter!
My thanks to the committee particularly Glyn and
Richard who have taken on additional work in respect of our
participation in the Team Dorset Network. Again responding to new
initiatives takes somebody’s time and new help would be welcomed.
Our thanks must go to Clare and Roz for keeping us
social.
The club needs to move forward but it needs more help
to do it.
And if anyone has a burning desire to be chairman………!
Peter Impett
