AthleticsCumbria.org.uk

[Tony Ward]

At a recent meeting of the coaches association it was mooted that instead of individual clubs entering league competition Cumbria Select teams could reach a higher grade of competition.
The advantages are a) athletes getting a higher standard of competition b)athletes not being asked to compete (very poorly) in a host of events other than their own thus risking injury. If necessary two Cumbria Select teams A & B could compete in the same league (but not division!)
Opinion is divided on this. What do clubs and mostl importantly athletes feel about this for 2007?

[JamesBowness]

this could be good for many athletes but what about those who arent good enough to make the teams , i suppose it could be a goal to aim for.Also i think the cumbria league is great as it is becuase the clubs come together and have fun whilst competiting.
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2 Lap Wonder

[paulsimmo]

First off, hello everyone and thanks to Tony/Tim for setting up the site.

Ive thought that something like this (the site) was necessary for a long time, some athletes would never have heard of these new select teams ideas for example, until they were competing in them without this forum.

What age level was the idea aimed at Tony? NYAL, NJAL? I think that its something that we are starting to see already with the likes of the North Cumbria Team in the NYAL and is a good way of producing a competitive team and saving clubs some valuable money...Its hard enough to keep kids in the sport, it could help if they felt that they were fufilling their own (and the clubs) potential competing in a decent standard league.

[paulsimmo]

However... Im not accusing anyone in Cumbrian Athletics of being this petty, but what about when we have athletes of a similar standard, or athletes on/off form...who would be responsible for selection-I would hate to see athletes lost to the sport because the athlete from the "bigger" club kept getting their plac in the select team.

Hopefully a mix from every club involved would get a say. (An independant panel would be good, but Id think that would be unlikely!) And hopefully, the proposed team wouldnt stop athletes competing in the Cumbria League- these were some of the most enjoyable meetings I attended as a junior

I would like to see a Cumbrian select team for the NJAL and eventually (ie in 2-3 years time) an under 23 team formed...Ive experienced first hand over the past couple of years how hard it is to make the transition from junior to senior in Cumbria, where we are cut of from REGULAR good competition in these age groups.

[brad]

[mikey boy]

thats a brill idea. i can't think why no1 has thought about this before. any1 need a challange do midlancs. next one at liverpool on 25th of november. 3rd in the first 1. but still cimbria league is fun!!

[paulsimmo]

it may not happen, but if there are leagues set up when the 9 new hubs are introduced (i.e; a north west league, london league, north east league etc...) I think it would be a good idea, entering a combined team(s) will help save money and help introduce young athletes to good regional competition in a competetive environment accross the season.

That's if these hubs are introduced and if they start leagues within them