tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754842016871116779.post7449035145024149443..comments2023-10-29T08:37:45.489-07:00Comments on Track Chat: Yet Another Brave New Worldtonywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09865840248846651461noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754842016871116779.post-63590783020497942342009-02-01T04:10:00.000-08:002009-02-01T04:10:00.000-08:00Tony, Could the low numbers of women and members o...Tony, <BR/><BR/>Could the low numbers of women and members of the ethnic minorities you complain of be down simply to the fact that they don't volunteer in the first place? All athletes have a mother and a father. In the same vein, how can you explain the good number of ethnic minority athletes compared with the very small number of ethnic minority officials and administrators? No one is keeping anybody out - they're just not coming forward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4754842016871116779.post-39738749949385117002008-11-11T15:21:00.000-08:002008-11-11T15:21:00.000-08:00Tony, I'm sure you're right that England Athetics ...Tony, I'm sure you're right that England Athetics is being 'guided' (bullied?) by Sport England. The problem with the development of the nine regions was that there was inadequate guidance initially. wih a naive assumption that allowing each to develop 'in its own way' was the right thing to do. It simply lead to inconsistency and inefficiency. The best Regions were creative and efficiently managed; the worst little more than a shambles. The calibre of the personnel recruited was very variable. Bringing the sport closer to 'local people' was a laudable aim and I suppose, in theory, the new system ought to do that ..... but I suspect that won't be the case. Finally, I have yet to find anyone, from Regional Chairs to club members who knows of any consultation. Many will regard these past years of England Athletics existence as a sheer waste of time. But don't despair ...the vast majority of athletics nationwide will still be run by the legion of volunteers who are the real talent in our sport, many of whom are active through the highest levels. You don't have to be paid to bring the real expertise into our sport. Salaried staff have time and more administrative support, but the dedicated volunteer is often more committed and often has the skills gained in their own working life (often at the highest levels of business, industry and education), plus a lifetime of knowledge of athletics, to bring to bear. They are no longer the 'blazerati' - the one thing I've achieved above all else in forty years in the sport (I say this somewhat tongue in cheek)is getting rid of technical officials' blazers! Which might lead some to identify me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com