Minutes of NWOA Club Delegate Meeting
Saturday, October 20th 2007
Caton Institute
Present: Peter Knott (SROC), Stephen Richards (SELOC), Steve Round (SELOC), Sue Birkinshaw (MDOC),
Richard Tiley (Fixtures Rep), Sue Roome (NWJS), Martyn Roome (SROC), Iain Smith-Ward (LOC)
John Britton (MDOC), Bill Griffiths (PFO), Roger Jackson (WCOC), Graham Walkden (LOC), Andrew Tarr (DEE),
Angela Whitworth (BL), Matthew Cochrane (MEROC), Paul Turner (SELOC), Stuart Arnold (BARRO),Steve Buckley (LOC),
Sarah Watkins (SROC), Geoff Armer (BL)
The meeting was chaired by Peter Knott. Minutes were taken by Sue Birkinshaw
1. Apologies for absence
Frank Rose (GMOA), Steve McLean (SROC), Dave Mawdsley (MDOC), Dick Whitworth (BL)
2. Minutes of previous CDM (24/03/07)
Accepted. Proposed AT, seconded SRo.
3. Lakes 5 Day event 2010
The date is now on the BOF Fixture List. July 31st to August 7th 2010
SRi reported that Bretherdale could host 2 days, with parking at Bannisdale.
It was felt that at least one forested area should be used. LOC agreed to consider offering an area. SROC have nothing suitable.
Dunes at Haverigg would provide variety.
A city event would be acceptable, preferably in a pedestrianised zone – Carlisle, and Kendal were mooted.
Trevor Roberts is still looking for an event centre.
Decisions on areas to be used should be finalised by March 2008, so that flyers can be distributed in the summer. New maps should be done in summer 2009.
4. Major events
Sprint and Middle Championships April/May 2010.
SROC want to hold the Sprint Champs near Chorley largely because of good support from the local authorities.
It was agreed that MEROC should negotiate for the use of Formby for the Middle Champs. The event could pay for a necessary new map. PFO agreed to consider Hurst Wood and Pendle. Delamere might be possible.
British Champs May 5/6th 2012
May 5/6 is agreed date. We assume that the Relay Champs will take place the same weekend.
LOC agreed to start negotiations to use Graythwaite for the Classic Race.
It was suggested that Swindale might host the Relays.
British Schools Score Champs October 9th 2010
PFO and SELOC will host this event.
5. Youth Games
The Lancashire Games went well thanks to Steve McLean’s work and the full support of SROC and PFO.
The Cumbrian Games were held at Lowther, with full teams from the 6 districts.
It was pointed out that only 72 children take part in the Cumbrian Games Final, but it has to regarded as a worthwhile pinnacle of a year of work with schoolchildren. The number of sports involved will be reduced next year, but Orienteering will still be included.
LOC reported that they have funding for a part-timer for 3 months, to work on orienteering in schools.
Future Games. £1000 is available to each area, but participation must depend on the willingness of the clubs to put in the effort.
6. NWNews and NW website
There had been little response to the suggestion that NWNews copy should go to the Clubs for inclusion in their own newsletters.
RJ considered that NWNews was a good way of celebrating NW successes, but that Exec business should go to Club committees, not to all the membership.
It was agreed that, for the next 6 months, NW items of interest should be e-mailed to Club editors to publish as they saw fit.
The Fixture List should continue to be printed and distributed to the Clubs.
The website must be re-formatted and then maintained. The Exec were asked to ensure that this happened, with a budget of £500 should professional help be considered the best route. The website should act as a “gateway” to orienteering in the NW, with links to the Clubs and with pages for the Junior Squad, the Lakes 5 Day, and up-to-date Fixtures information.
7. BOF
SB had attended Council (in PK’s place).
EGM and Conference
It was ascertained that at least 5 Clubs would be sending representatives to the EGM and Conference on October 27th . A discussion on the proposed new event structure was inconclusive but the feeling was that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.
Whole Sport Plan
At least 5 Clubs intended to respond. Sarah Watkins, NW RDO, offered to help if required.
The Exec should respond on behalf of the NW on regional items such as the NWJS and the Lakes 5 Day.
Grants from Sport England may be regionalized in future, but it was hoped that they would still be administered by BOF.
Club/coach initiative.
No group within NW had felt able to take advantage of the initiative. SB reported that it might still be possible to take part, should any Club so wish. Mike Hamilton, BOF CEO, would be available for consultation. Contact should be made through Sarah.
BOF Committee and Group representation
Sarah is a “corresponding member” of the Junior Competition Group.
NW representatives will be required, either fully active or corresponding, on Groups for Development, Senior competitions, Major events and International. Clubs are asked to suggest possible people.
8. Grants for 2007/8
The Junior Squad is taking a group of 40 juniors and 10 adults to Norway in 2008. They ask for NW aid of £1000 towards the adults’ fares. MC proposed an amendment that this figure should be £2400, seconded RJ. (2 for, 7 against) . The original proposal for a £1000 grant was agreed unanimously.
Bearing in mind the money already allocated for Youth Games, the website, the half club subscriptions and other grants to juniors representing NW, England and GB (reduced Start Squad funding and the World Schools in Edinburgh next year could increase this commitment), the Treasurer proposed immediate grants of £500 to each club, but with GMOA and MUOC receiving £250. This was agreed (7 for, 4 abstain)
9. City Centre events
MDOC reported that they are going ahead with a Stockport event in 2008. DEE are planning to use Chester, with a trial event in 2008.
PFO are producing simple town maps.
10. Date of next meeting
Saturday March 15th
During the meeting there was a “Best Practice” discussion, led by Roger Jackson. He spoke of the event programme in WCOC, including the work being done to introduce children to orienteering. Racing on 3 parallel courses is a successful formula.
The club has mapped many very small areas. Other clubs are using similar “cabbage patch” areas.
