‘United approach can keep sport moving forward’ – Mark Munro

Saturday 26th September 2020

Global impact . . . three Scots in the men’s 1500m final at the 2019 World Champs in Doha was a special moment

Annual Report 2020

Mark Munro believes a collective will and togetherness can help lead athletics in Scotland through the coronavirus crisis.

Our chief executive addressed the Annual General Meeting on Saturday morning – as delegates gathered for the first time for an online meeting rather than in person.

The AGM and the Annual Report – see link above – covers the year from April 2019 to March 2020 and as such takes in a raft of international success at the World Champs and World Para Champs as well as mass participation at grassroots level.

With more than 35 folk on the Zoom call in total, the meeting was quorate with 26 mandated representatives and two by proxy.

Covid-19 has changed that landscape for six months and more, of course, but this article, in general terms, refers to the year in question and decisions from the AGM to be implemented forthwith.

Membership prices have been frozen at the current levels and those prices will apply from April 2021 for 12 months thereafter.

That means it will remain at £22 for an attached Senior and £12 for an attached U21 athlete (aged 13-20); £25 for three years for Coach Member; Free for Officials.

Membership

David Ovens, who is a coaching assistant with Fife AC, has agreed to become the new chair of scottishathletics when Ian Beattie concludes his tenure next September.

David was a middle distance athlete with Law and District AAC and Pitreavie AAC and is married to Hayley, who represented Scotland at 1500m and was a Commonwealth Games finalist in 2002 and 2006 and for GB and NI at a World Indoors.

Ian chaired the AGM for the final time on Saturday but will remain in the role for the next 12 months.

Chief executive Mark Munro

‘Once again, 2019-20 continued to build on the progress from the last few years and we are extremely grateful for the role that everyone has played in that progress,’ said Mark.

‘Whilst the end of the year has left us in unprecedented times with the outbreak of Covid-19, we should reflect positively on another incredible year for the sport in Scotland.

‘One of the most memorable sights last year was the start of the men’s 1500m World Championship Final with Jake Wightman and Josh Kerr of Edinburgh AC and Neil Gourley (Giffnock North AC) all lined up and delivered some brilliant performances.

‘Scottish athletes and coaches continue to deliver success across all disciplines of the sport with athletes ‘punching above our weight’ in GB team population representation terms and all successes will be detailed later in the Roll of Honour report.

‘Our focus as an organisation remains primarily on supporting our membership and delivering against the national strategy, Building a Culture of Success.

‘Our aims remain the same – to build an integrated and transparent system that supports our constituent members as well as continuing to develop the sport of athletics in Scotland as a whole.

‘It is certainly not just about performances on the world stage but is about the whole sport pulling together in the same direction and recognising the importance of all parts and individuals within the system. Success comes from the community of athletics in Scotland.’

During the AGM, Mark drew attention to some highlights and stats for the year April 19 to end March 2020:

*Membership slight decrease from 14,188 to 13,876* (Covid-19 impact)

*£8.8M in volunteer hours

*600+ licensed events – drop off in March onwards

*Para Prize Pot within Track & Field; Equalising of team medals (6 to count)in Cross Country

*Hosted the Stirling International Cross Country, World Tour Indoor Grand Prix and British Indoor Championships

*Fantastic performances on and off track on global stage and across many disciplines

*1,333 coaches, leaders and teachers ‘trained’

*32 coaches attained a Level 3 qualification (highest level); 118 coaches qualified at Level 2; 296 coaching assistants (Level 1)

*423 Jog Leaders trained

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Jo Butterfield – re-elected to our Board again

A number of proposals were approved by the AGM and will come into effect in due course.

In terms of the scottishathletics Board, Jo Butterfield was re-elected as a Non-Executive Director.

It means Jo will serve a second four-year term on the Board after initially joining in 2016.

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We’re delighted to confirm that Honorary Life Membership has been conferred for the following unstinting stalwarts of our sport:

Dave Finlayson, Moira Maguire, Joyce Wighton.

These individuals will be formally acknowledged at our 4J Annual Awards (taking place online on October 10).

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A series of Officer-bearers were also re-appointed or appointed to our four Commissions.

We offer sincere thanks to all those continuing to serve in these roles or indeed stepping up for the first time – great to see current WMRA World Cup winner Andy Douglas joining the Hill Running Commission in a finance role!

The Commission roles moving forward are as follows (with nominated by in brackets):

Track and Field Commission:

Convenor – Leslie Roy (VP-Glasgow); Secretary – Lesley Thirkell (Fife AC); Finance Officer – no nomination.

Road Running and Cross Country Commission:

Convenor – John Rodger (Shettleston); Secretary – Julia McAfee (Kilbarchan AAC); Finance Officer – no nomination.

Hill Running Commission:

Convenor – Hugh Buchanan (Central AC); Secretary – Helen Fallas (Carnethy HRC); Finance Officer – no nomination.

Officials Commission:

Convenor – Margaret Brown (VP-Glasgow); Lorna Simpson (Linlithgow AC); Finance Officer – no nomination.

AGM
‘Success comes from the athletics community in Scotland,’ says @SALMarkMunro
‘It is delivered by our members be they Athletes, club volunteers, Coaches, Officials or event organisers.’#SALtogether @ianbeattie1 @SALDevelopment @SAL_Coaching pic.twitter.com/bv1outajyd

— scottishathletics (@scotathletics) September 26, 2020