Consultation FindingsLocation: BradfordDate: 20 May 2010

Clubs/Organisations Involved• Bradford Athletics Network• Leeds Athletics Network• Baildon Runners• Valley Striders• Holmfirth HAC• Pudsey & Bramley AC• Kirklees Council• Bradford College• Keighley & Craven AC• Bingley Harriers• St Bedes AC

• St Theresa’s AC• Halifax Harriers AC• Humberside AA• Abbey Runners• Regional Council

Overview / Summary• The consultation evening provided a lively forum for discussion and debate

between the Networks and Clubs present and there seemed to be consensus on some of the big issues.

• An update was provided on the progress to date of the 3 networks in West Yorkshire (Bradford, Calderdale & Leeds)

• The Regional Council provided an overview of their role.• Coaching and Coach Education were big talking points and the need to address

the quantity and quality of coaches was identified as a priority• Recruitment of volunteers, particularly officials was seen as extremely important

for the long term sustainability of the sport

Discussion and Feedback

LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF THE SPORT

What should this look like in 2013?

What do we need to do now to achieve that vision?

Long Term SustainabilityWhat should this look like...• All clubs to have a coaching structure• All clubs to achieve clubmark• All clubs have an effective club structure in place• Successful, fun competition structure• Excellent facilities and equipment in all clubs• Full programme of athletics delivered in schools• More Officials, Coaches & Volunteers• Membership fee structure in place• Sustainable club funding

Long Term SustainabilityWhat we need to do...• Clear leadership from NGB• Partnership working• Increase club membership fees• Flying Coaches to support teachers with delivery of athletics in

schools• Work with other sports / multi sport approach• Better recruitment and retention of volunteers• Social Enterprise clubs• Improve the marketing of clubs / networks

Discussion and Feedback

COACHING

What should this look like in 2013?

What do we need to do now to achieve that vision?

Coaching

What should this look like?• A clear pathway for coaching• Mentored coaching structure• Active and qualified coaches at every level and discipline

within clubs• Club coaches in schools• Sustainable funding for coaches• Professionalisation of athletics coaches• A clear payment structure for coaches

CoachingWhat do we need to do?• Full audit of coaches within network areas• Partnership working between clubs / schools• Ongoing CPD opportunities• Reward & recognition for coaches• Recruitment and Retention drive of coaches• Target experienced athletes to become coaches• Review club structures to support coaches• Better quality resources for coaches• Cascade of information from National coaches to a local level

Discussion and Feedback

CLUBS

What should this look like in 2013?

What do we need to do now to achieve that vision?

Clubs

What should we look like – • All clubs have good structures• Clubs sharing resources & best practise in

network areas• All junior clubs have school links• Clubs working in partnership to increase

sustainability• All clubs working towards clubmark

Clubs

What do we need to do:-• Attract new volunteers • Create satellite clubs for those clubs full to

capacity• School links including Flying Coaches into schools• Meaningful award schemes• Build relationships with partner organisations i.e

Local Authorities, schools, police, highways etc

Discussion and Feedback

COMPETITION

What should this look like in 2013?

What do we need to do now to achieve that vision?

Competition

What should it look like:-• Coordinated competition between school & clubs• Clear pathway for Quadkids• Consistent age groups• Retained volunteers and officials• Easy administration for event organisers• Consistent permits for competition• Coordinated race calendar

Competition

What do we need to do:-• Examine best practice• Influence competition managers to get athletics

on the school agenda• There is a need for more open meets• Evaluate permit requirements• Recruitment & retention of volunteers & officials

Evaluation

Yes No Not sure

Do you feel this event was beneficial? 20 (91%) 0% 2 (9)%

Did the event cover the things that you expected it to?

19 (86%) 0% 3 (14%)

Do you think it would be worth repeating this event in future years?

22 (100%) 0% 0%

Comments

• Will be useful evening depending on future actions• Provoked good discussion• Competition is a major challenge and issue for the

sport• Interesting to see the amount of work taking place

in the network

Other ideas, issues or suggestions

• 75% of discussions concerned T&F, more needed for RR clubs

• Important now for the network to examine long term sustainability issue if there is no more funding in the future