Provocative - Part Two!

Well, that last post received a resounding silence from everyone! Does nobody really care? Well for what it is worth my own opinion is that Clydesdale Harriers has always from the very first day in 1885 been a Track and Field Club as well as a Cross Country running club and when road racing and hill racing came in, we went there too. It would be a backward step in my opinion were we to withdraw completely from any one of these areas of competition. The current situation is difficult and there is no sense in denying that but it will not last for ever. There will be a new track at some point and what must be done is to get ready to capitalise on it when it becomes available. Nor must we let down any of the young club members whom we have at present. Steps to be taken include what was laid out in the previous post:
1. Concentrate and develop the areas that we can develop most easily at present - ie the runners whether they are endurance or sprinters must be encouraged, the coaches working with them must be given all the help that they need.
2. The Committee must take steps to make better arrangements with West Dunbarton for the use of the facilities available at Postie's Park. I mean the Committee and not just Donald having a word with Bob. It will have to be formal if it is to last. I know formal arrangements are a bit of a bind but if it is to stick then it has to be that way. Anything less is letting the children down.
3. Steps have to be taken to recruit and develop more coaches and officials.
a. Existing potential has to be encouraged in every way possible. I mean that Donald must not in any way be overworked, that Donna and Paul should be encouraged in every way possible and that Philshould be helped at race meetings in declaring teams, in taking them round the trail by Senior athletes. That would not seem a lot to ask.
b. Senior members and parents should be approached to become coaches or officials. This is not hard and often parents are pleased to be offered the chance to help.
4. Councillors and former Councillors have to be acquainted with the club and its needs. eg invited to the annual presentation because it is the one occasion when they can see the club as a whole without going anywhere, they can see the club silverware and they can be quietly nobbled by the Committee.

I could go on but the steps above would not take much time or real effort and could make the difference between the club being ready to seize the opportunities offered by the new track. The club really should 'hit the ground running' when it becomes available.