Athletics Tasmania reports on successful 12 months
24 Jun 2009
ATHLETICS TASMANIA REPORTS ON SUCCESSFUL TWELVE MONTHS
Athletics in Tasmania is enjoying good growth and success according to the Association's leadership.
In presenting his yearly report to the Annual General Meeting held on Sunday in Ross, the Association's President, Brian Roe said that registration and participation numbers were up in all forms of the sport.
He highlighted the success of the first twelve months of the two year trial single registration scheme with the Tasmanian Athletic League and an increased number of coaching courses as important elements of the year's achievements.
"Providing a single registration option for teenage and open age athletes has clearly been attractive and we are now beginning discussions towards achieving a similar arrangement for masters' competitors. And skilling more coaches to work at grass roots level is a major priority, " Mr Roe said.
"We were also pleased to report good sponsorship levels, following the signing of IGA as our Principal Commercial Partner and UTAS as naming rights sponsor of the Australian All Schools and Youth Championships to be held in Hobart in December, as well as the continuation of the arrangement with
Cadbury, which is now amongst the longest running sports sponsorships in the country."
Mr Roe said that providing opportunities for athletes of all levels of ability remained the prime focus of the Association.
"It is great that a state of Tasmania's size can produce eight national champions, including three of them in the open category, in just one season. We are particularly proud of what they, led by Donna MacFarlane, Tristan Thomas and Melanie Daniels, have achieved this year.
"We look forward to following Donna and Tristan at the World Championships in Berlin in August, as well as Huw Peacock's appearance at the World Youth Championships in Italy next month."
Brian Roe and Wayne Fletcher were re-elected as the Association's President and Vice President respectively, whilst Roe was also recognised with life membership. No other directors were up for re- election.
The Association's Merit Award was accorded to starter Jim Morgan, coach Peter Turnock and technical official, Shaun Wilson, whilst the President's Appreciation Award was presented to the State's chair of selectors and rankings officer, Mike Gunson.
Coaches recognised were Mike Pace (Max Cherry Memorial Award for Coach of the Year), Darrel Harington (Service to Coaching Award) and Brendan Hanigan (Emerging Coach Award).