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Chelmsford Athletic Club |
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CHAIRMAN'S
REPORT TO THE AGM 25
MARCH 2005 Welcome
to the AGM of YOUR club 2004 was a mixed year for the Club with both good and bad experiences .
Turning
first to the less happy events :
We
lost the battle with Chelmsford Borough Council
over the change in use of the Athletic Stadium , and we were disappointed by the
attitude of Sport England in the
matter
We
were very sad to lose a staunch supporter of the Club when Graham Smith
died some time after a fall
at the St Ives Track . For Graham ,Athletics was his life and Chelmsford AC
benefited from his Coaching and timekeeping services over many years
--the Committee have decided to purchase 2 Trophies in his name (1 for the club
and 1 for the County )
The
Club has lost the services of 2 more timekeepers as Sheila Waite and Harry
Engwell have retired-- we thank them for their services over many years , and
wish them the best of health in
their retirement . On
the track , the Men’s A Team were relegated from Division 1 to 2 in their
Southern League Turning
now to the better aspects of 2004 Membership
( aided by the excellent facilities at Chelmsford) continued to grow -- we now
have nearly 500 names on the register of members .This does give some problems
with communication to everyone ,and members are requested to
read the Notice Boards as they may contain important information
on such matters as Entry dates for Championships and the dates when the track
will be out
of action for repainting etc.
Increasing
numbers of athletes has led to increases in the number of talented
athletes at Chelmsford especially at younger age levels
. Too many to name here have
attained medals at the County Indoor
and Outdoor Championships , and in
Road Races and at Cross Country . Several athletes are listed in the National
Rankings Tables for their events including Laura
Condron, Hannah Besford, Ryan Judge, Lewis King, Matthew Tong and Rebecca
French. Teams at the younger
age groups performed very well in their EYAL and Anglian Leagues Special
mention should be made of the successful Veteran Section of the
Club in all of its activities , and in particular of Steve Toogood who was
placed 3 rd in
the European Vet Masters 800 Metres
recently The Ladies Team finished in Mid Table in division 1 of the Southern Women's League, which was a tribute to all he hard work by the team managers, officials and athletes.
The
Men’s Teams were weakened by injuries and illness during 2004 --
this hit hardest for the A team which
has been unable to attract
sufficient athletes in certain
technical events such as 400H , PV ,
TJ and certain Throwing events .
To
some degree , this reflects the Club’s history,
as it was unable to attract athletes when the old facilities existed --
with the new facilities , we hope to develop our own athletes to fill
these events.
The
Clubs Finances are very strong , aided by the increased membership
and attendance during the winter months , and also by the astute observation of
Steve Mitchell our Secretary in noticing that the Queens Jubilee Fund would make
grants to Clubs .to enable us to carry out substantial
work on the exterior roof , the interior ceiling insulation and
new heating which will
benefit everyone . Thanks to
Steve M. and to Stephen Williams for the excellent job of painting the ceiling .
Success
in all areas of the Club requires
a good deal of hard work by a lot of people-- the Committee ,
Athletic Coaches ,
Team Managers , Race Organisers,
Meeting Organisers ,
Drivers ,Course Marshals,
Stadium Reception Desk Helpers ,
Caterers ,
Cleaners ,
Press Reporters and so the list goes on . Everyone
who has been involved in the Club, success in the year deserves thanks ,
especially as all the time and
effort is given voluntarily-- I sincerely hope that all members of the Club
appreciate all the efforts made on their behalf. Looking
Forward to 2005 : We
will have the disruption resulting from the track repair and repainting
to suffer sometime in May/June
(watch the Notice Boards) We will have our first years experience of sharing the stadium with the Football Club . The Committee will do everything possible to ensure the interests of Athletics and Athletes are not overruled by football interests . However, we must develop a good working relationship with the Football Club.
We
continue to have an excellent relationship with the Melbourne Park Management
and Stadium
Staff, who provide us with a good deal of help to make events at Melbourne Park
Athletic Centre go so smoothly. We
sincerely hope that several new Coaches will be able to take an
increasing part in the coaching of the ever growing number of athletes -- a
number that will almost certainly grow again
once the schools return after their Easter Break . Would
all athletes ensure that they have a copy of the fixture list for 2005
and keep their Team Managers informed on their availability. Please
note that the first opportunity for many of you to compete outside this summer
will be at the Club Open Meeting on
Saturday 26
March (10 AM onwards . Entries will be taken on the day .
Anyone willing to help with judging of field events will be
welcomed I
wish you all an enjoyable and successful season of athletics in 2005 .
Looking at the efforts that many
of you have made over the winter -- both indoors and in cross Country
, the prospects are looking very good . John
Weir 23 March 2005 |
