edinburgh rc cycling club

ERC Tri Sub-Committee Meeting - 3^rd January 2008

Present - Peter Ness, Angela Kidd, Rachel Henderson, Martin Gore, Martin Farrel, Louise Smith, Bruce Kidd, Jim Leach

Swimming Fees - it was agreed to keep the swimming fees unchanged at £5 per 2-month block for members and £1 per session for non-members.  The committee forecast that any shortfall from fees should be covered by payments from Edinburgh Racing in relation to club members volunteering at races (more on this below).

Edinburgh Racing Races - Due to the difficulty of obtaining volunteers to help/marshal at these races, the committee has agreed to encourage every club member to volunteer for at least one race per year on the basis that this will help to subsidise swimming for everyone.  This is all the more important now that Edinburgh Racing has taken on the responsibility for organising the Midlothian Sprint and the Lochore Meadows Open Water Sprint.

Action - Martin Farrel to work with Edinburgh Racing to develop a system of allocating volunteers to races on their website.  Once this is up and running, we will communicate it to the club, probably via the mailing group.

Tri-kit - Orders coming in but we are still some way off minimum orders.  Hoping to send final order to Sugoi by end Jan at latest.  Some possibility that we can use club funds to buy a few extra if necessary.

Action - Louise to send an email with mid/late Jan deadline and also to encourage members with old Sugoi kit to bring it along to swimming sessions to allow others to try it on.

Priority races - the committee agreed it was a good idea to highlight some races where a lot of the club would go to.  We thought the British Club Relays in Nottingham on 2^nd August would be a good event to go to.  Format is teams of 4 where each member swims individually in a relay style then repeats for cycling and running.  The Aberfeldy Middle Distance triathlon was very popular last year and also offers a relay option, although in the traditional sense with each team member just completing one discipline.  This year, it's on the 16^th August.

Action - Louise to speak to Geoff Earl to find out whether he's booked accommodation for Aberfeldy.  Entry isn't open for the club relays yet but over the next few months, might be an idea to gauge who might be interested and look into accommodation etc.

Pool Time - the committee discussed the problem of losing the Commonwealth pool in March 2009 when it will be closed for refurbishment ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (it is to host the diving competition).  Bruce Kidd has already enquired with Portobello Baths and there is a good possibility that we can get a Sunday session, around lunchtime.  Idea would be to start off small with a couple of lanes and build on it dependent on interest.  In addition, once a relationship is established with the pool, there is a chance of obtaining further sessions there.

Action - Bruce to liaise with Portobello Baths to confirm arrangements.

Training weekends - after the success of last November's training weekend in Aberfeldy, it was agreed that we should organise another one, perhaps in mid/late April. 

Action - Ali Smith to contact pool and Dunnolly House to find out availability.  Martin Gore to organise training sessions and coaches for the weekend.

Coaching - since the club relies on the services of volunteer coaches, we are always looking for more people to train as coaches.  Niall Baxter is doing Level 2 in the spring.  Level 1 likely to be in the autumn.

Action - Martin Gore to let prospective coaches know about course dates.

Swimming Gala - the committee agreed to reschedule the postponed swimming gala, for late Feb/early March and to invite other Edinburgh clubs.

Action - Peter and Angela to contact Edinburgh Uni Tri Club to see whether their pool may be an option and agree upon a suitable date.

Admin - the collection of swimming fees will continue in a 2-month rota.  Neil Gordon will be collecting fees in Jan/Feb.

Action - Rachel to ensure cover for subsequent periods.

A.O.B -

Given the importance of Edinburgh Racing within ERC, it was agreed that they should have a representative on the tri sub-committee.  With immediate effect, Jim Leach will assume that role. 

The committee also agreed to improve communication within the club.

Action - Martin Farrel to hand out details of the mailing list at swimming on Tuesday.  He will also co-ordinate an email newsletter to be sent out monthly, or when we have relevant information.