Subscriptions:

The club is now affiliated to England Athletics. One result of this has been to revise the subscription year from September onwards to a specified subscription period for registration purposes to between January and March each year. Members can pay any time after the AGM in September if they wish to ensure the club's cash flow is maintained.

Competition Licences:

All athletes competing after April 1st will have to have a competition licence from England Athletics. However, England Athletics accepts that it will be September before they are able to issue licences for this year. Therefore, members should use their current North of England (Club membership) number if requested for it by race organisers. Anyone who doesn't know their NoEAA Number should contact Pam Appleton or Phil Thomas.

Affiliations:

The club affiliation to England Athletics means we are automatically affiliated for Track and Field, Road Running, Fell Running, Race Walking and Cross Country. Normal competition rules apply. In all instances we would encourage members to represent St Helens-Sutton and to coordindate matters with the senior cross country and fell captains (Ian Hayburn and Julia Eccleston) so we consistently have teams at Fell, Road Running, cross country events.

Child Protection

Marc Laithwaite has produced a revised child protection policy. Full details will be on the club noticeboard and interested members can obtain a copy from Marc or the Secretary, Julia Hayes.

North West Council

The club has noted with dismay the decision of the two remaining elected members not to hold elections to replace the four members who resigned earlier this year. We consider this decision devalues the status of the Council which has appointed those acceptable to England Athletics rather than those acceptable to the clubs.     (All three appointees were heavily defeated in last June's election). Your club is actively campaigning for democracy to be restored.

The History of Sutton Harriers 1899 -1999

Copies of this book, entitled, From Acorn to Oak, are available from Wardleworths in Westfield Street priced £9.99. It may be possible to order them at the club on club nights. The great Ron Hill was present at the launch of the book at the Rainford Gallery, St Helens Library, on Monday April 2nd  as were members of Sutton's medal winning teams of the 1960's Ron Barlow, Brian Renshall and Johnny McLoughlin. Ann Griffiths (formerly Ann Williams) and former Secretary and current Field Referee, Roger McCall were also amongst those who attended.

The Association of British Athletic Clubs (ABAC)

ABAC has been formed to promote the interests of road running which it believes is ill served by UK Athletics. The club supports the broad principles underlying ABAC's discontent with UKA and is holding a watching brief on developments. Hopefully, differences of approach by ABAC and UKA will be reconciled this preventing the road running fraternity from splitting the sport.

David Forrester and Ray Vose:

At the last committee meeting the Committee recorded its appreciation of David's outstanding achievements and the contribution of Ray to Dave's excellent season.

Phil Thomas

Has been appointed Manchester Metropolitan University's first head Coach of Athletics.

Congratulations

To Carl Bibby on attaining his Level 2 coaching qualification in sprints., Carl will be adding the throws to his repertoire in the near future

Fixtures

Fixture list are up in the clubhouse on the website and, for those unsure of the events for which they qualify, specific details can be obtained from Phil Thomas or their coaches.