OK, so some want to disaffiliate because they DON'T like 'the blazers' interfering with the running of our sport, but they DO want them to look after & train up our juniors and look after the internationals?? Is that gaining more control of our sport?
And get upset when they don't put words in our mouth by filling in copy on their website although we're supposed to write it ourselves???
Britta
Britta..whats going on? Are some people being unreasonable.?
YT, why be so negative. If such activities attract funding (as we know they do) then surely someone will be keen to get involved?
Some might say that he golden era of fell running was 30 + years ago. How did they manage then and which financed training 'system' did those juniors come through ?
May even say the same about track and road running from 800m - marathon distance.
Much as now: a few excited & dedicated & willing souls put great energy into doing unto others what they found in themselves: because it was like nothing else they had ever found......Originally Posted by molehill
and maybe it will work out with the young & elite, as it does now....!
Hope so x
Said before and will no doubt say again. Wise words from LuvShack.
Fellrunning to me, and although I say it from afar now, is thriving and full of the spirit for which it was intended. Of all the races I have done I have never had anything but friendliness, concern ( having fallen from others when out on the course), great banter, great organisation, great cameraderie and the chance to run alongside some of the best althletes in the country without any sign of prima donnas anywhere.
Long may it continue - I believe it will
Back for a week on Sat June 23rd and looking for a race or two to do in the week
Negative Wheeze? I don't think suggesting forward planning is negative. Perhaps it is in Wales … I don't know, you tell me.
Nor is it either pro- or anti-UKA.
All I'm saying is that, whatever we do, we have to carry on encouraging kids to run in the mountains, and (more to the point) carry on supporting those who, bless them, provide races, training weekends and all the other infrastructure for those kids.
And I don't just mean money - I mean support in its broadest sense too.
Some of the words that have been written on this thread suggest that the most important thing affecting the future of this great sport of ours is whether we stick with UKA or not.
Well it isn't. It's juniors, and how we attract them, encourage them and look after them within our sport.
You've got to remember that 30+ years ago there weren't as many other attractions for youngsters as there are now. Nowadays, these kids are spoilt for choice.
But, while we've got a sport which is really exciting for young people, sadly it's getting populated more and more by old people.
It's one of the reasons why we have a structure which we call the FRA - so that there is some planned support for junior development.
It's no bloody good saying "it'll be OK, somebody will do, they always do". Whether we break away or not, the FRA (supported by us old fell runners) need to plan to cater for our juniors.
Otherwise we leave our future to chance.
YT,
How right you are!
The post of FRA Junior Co-ordinator has now been vacant for many months (although Madeleine is still filling the role in a temporary capacity) - see advert. on page 7 of Spring Fellrunner.
In view of your strong views on the subject perhaps you would like to apply?
Baldy
More food for thought on this. Article about UKA's treatment of one of athletic's biggest stars and a future one...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/6707395.stm
I don't think wanting to disaffiliate is unreasonable, but can't quite see the point if that doesn't involve taking care of ALL our own affairs!?Britta..whats going on? Are some people being unreasonable.?
If we disaffiliate but leave UKA in charge of some important parts of our affairs, what's the difference to being affiliated (with some reasonable authority in all matters 'fell') and UKA taking care of some of our affairs?
At least at the moment they consult us and we have a say...
If we don't take responsibility of the juniors and internationals and... is it not all just for the 'idea' of independence then???
Yo Baldy,
That's not a bad idea - it's one I was already considering, although it would mean reducing my commitments in other areas.
But what about your good self? You clearly have a vast knowledge of fell running affairs, and your experiences with the Stockport Harriers juniors must be a great advantage if you took on the job. I believe that you're now retired with few other commitments - what's stopping you?
But this is simply a diversion from the real issue. If we don't have a planned scheme for junior development, we may not even need a replacement for Maddy - and that would be a great pity.
Some people here believe that UKA have the capabilty to provide junior development - but where is the evidence. In the past they have only provided financial support - everything else was provided by the FRA, and that includes training, selection, management and even welfare rules.
It's not like Wales and Scotland where all aspects of athletics have been provided by the local UKA body since the original affiliation, and continued to be provided after the independent fell running bodies were set up. The FRA has always done this for England, and I believe that it must continue to do so.
What's wrong with fell runners looking after their own sport's future? It's not an olympic sport, you know. I doubt if anyone else cares!
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