Athletics In The South-West

Describing the sport of Athletics
in Avon, Cornwall, Devon,
Dorset, Gloucestershire,
Somerset and Wiltshire.

News From The South-West

December 2021: EA Volunteer Awards -- South-West
The announcements of the 2021 South-West award winners and runners-up were made on the evening of Wednesday December 1st; The video of the awards evening can be seen Here.

The SW winners in each category will go forward to the National Awards decision process.

The full details of the process can be found at The EA Website

The 2021 list of South-West winners can be found at This Web Page.
The 2020 list of South-West winners can be found at This Web Page.
The 2019 list of South-West winners can be found at This Web Page.
 
October 2021: A Bit About Starters

Starters? They just fire their guns a few times and go home, don't they?

Well, for one thing, they need to Maintain Their Pistols.


Can't someone invent something cheap that gives a clear bang (for the athletes), a clear flash (for the timekeepers), and doesn't involve all the Firearms Licence formalities and associated security, both at the meetings and when back home? That's been talked about for many a long year.

This is a response from a regular Starter in the South-West region:
  • Most international meetings now use electronic start systems and there are an increasing number available on the market. Many are usually compatible with electronic time keeping, photo finish and false start systems and can be added to a club's existing facilities. I know [two venues] have invested in electronic start systems but I am not sure if they were that cheap.
  •  
  • In the few cases where I have used electronic systems athletes have commented that the 'bang' takes a bit of getting used to and timekeepers have their own opinions on the 'flash'. The systems are getting better though in this respect and much depends on the system used.
  •  
  • A couple of us local starters are doing some research into electronic start systems and there are a few outlets that can supply such systems. We feel an electronic system is an important step to take for two main reasons:
    1. UKA are under pressure from the Home Office to phase out firearms and individual police forces are putting more stringent requirements on starters with guns.
    2. To aid recruitment of new starters.
  •  
  • We have recruited a couple of starters assistants in the past year or two but, while there is interest in starting, firearms with all the incumbent security and maintenance put most people off. We feel electronic start systems would really help recruitment.
 
October 2021: EA South-West Conference (Virtual)
The 2021 EA South-West Conference was held virtually on Saturday 16th October; the draft Notes of the Conference are Here.

The 2020 EA South-West Conference was held virtually on Saturday 31st October; the draft Notes of the Conference are Here.
 
October 2021: Road and Cross-Country Relays
The Autumn National Road Relays (6-stage for Senior Men, 4-stage for Senior Women, 3 stages for U13/U15/U17 M/F) were held on Saturday 9th October in Sutton Park. The Midland Cross-Country Relays were held on Saturday 23rd October at Wolverhampton, and the National Cross-Country Relays on Saturday 6th November at Mansfield. The Spring Road Relays will be the 12-stage for Men and the 6-stage for Women (Area: March 23rd; National: Apr 9th).

Area Road Relays: Clubs from the 'Original' five South-West Counties (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire) may opt to enter either the Midland Relays or the Southern Relays (but not both in the same season).
 
August 2020: Athletics History Websites
Athletics Museum

The Athletics Museum Website. An on-line collection of athletics nostalgia, inculding from past English Schools meetings.


Okay, City of Hull AC scarcely counts as a South-West club, but its website has an excellent Athletics History section, with earlier pages covering events well beyond Humberside.


A Bit Off Course -- Another Athletics History Website
 
July 2019: County Officials Secretaries
South-West Schools Officials Secretary: Irene Brown
 
April 2019: A Re-Arrangement of the EA South-West Council
From April 1st 2019, David Cooke, Sonya Ellis and Richard Llewellyn-Eaton are re-elected to the council, and Paul D'Arcy and John Deaton are elected for the first time. Council Chair Keith Reed steps down after serving the maximum of two four-terms, as does Mo Pearson; Tony Gale has opted not to seek a second four-year term.

The new Chair of the EA South-West Council is Richard Llewellyn-Eaton.


Sections of This Site:

The South-West Counties

This will direct you to the websites of the seven South-West Counties and of the corresponding County Schools Associations


The EA South-West Council

What it does for athletes, coaches, officials, etc.; Who currently serves on it.


South-West Championships

Details of the Championships which the South-West Council organises or manages.


Other SW Competitions

Information about other competitions available to athletes in the area.


Non-Competition Events

Opportunities other than competitions for athletics activists.


Other SW News

Other aspects of athletics in the area; Information links.


Tech. Stuff

Suggestions for enhancements for websites, meeting arrangements, and the like.