This and That

I spoke to several club members on Tuesday night and there was a lot of good stuff about the club in the discussions. First of all, former club captain, three times club champion and long time committee member John Maclachlan came along - he had read about us at the new track and wanted to see it for himself. He was, like all the rest of us, impressed and like many of the former members and office bearers he still keeps up with the club's activities. It's good to see that they are still interested.
First was the news that the young athletes were second in their SYAL Division Two match last week. Two things about that: first the performances were equally good in the first two matches but we did not do well because of the shortage of athletes. This time thanks largely to the new track there were many more athletes out and fewer blank spaces on the team sheet. Second, they would have done better with a few graded officials. To be a graded official means going on a one day course at either Scotstoun or Grangemouth in about October, no fee required, no exam required and you are then a graded official. If you want to progress beyond that there are of course certain steps that must be taken, but just to be a graded official costs nothing but one day's time. Think about it committee members, athletes and parents!
Second was the news that we should with minimal luck be promoted from Division Three of the Central and Southern Scotland League Div Three to Div Two this weekend at Wishaw. With all age groups from Under 11 right up to veteran, men and women, Boys and Girls it is a good club bonding exercise and in the last two matches we have been no lower than second. There are not many events but lots of age groups for all of them - eg there is only either a 100m or a 200m, never both; only ever an 800 or a 1500m never both. Phil has spoken to all the seniors bout it so let's hope there are a number in evidence on Sunday.
Physiotherapists: club members should have access to a recommended physio. It is a fact of life that athletes get injured. Therefore the club should have at the very least a recommended physio for members, and if they can do a deal with one, so much the better. I heard of two club members who have needed some access to a physio this year and who did not know where to turn. How about it committee? And don't look for one at the Meadows Centre - that went out of opetration over a year ago. When I joined the club, it was David Kinloch in Sandyford Place, in the 70's it was the Rangers FC physio at the end of Sauchiehall Street (I can't recall his name) and in the 80's it was Eric Neville in Hyndland Road. There was a deal with someone in Paisley but it's a bit far but at least it was a club recommended person. Can we have access to a physio on the next Committee Agenda?
And finally, best of luck to Ian, Peter and Johnathan in Gothenburg!