A report on ABAC’s fourth  year of operation.
 

At the end of its fourth year the Association of GB Athletic Clubs (ABAC) remains the only truly democratic body in the UK representing the interests of member clubs. ABAC was initially established to provide grass root comments on Government led plans for re-organising our sport. Ignoring detailed alternatives put forward by ABAC, major changes were imposed on the sport as a condition for the release of lottery and tax payers’ funds to UKA.  However in the past year ABAC’s earlier warnings have been heeded and we have seen major structural and policy changes by England Athletics based on proposals made by ABAC. We summarise our successes.
 

ABAC’s positive contributions
 

1.         Retention of AAA’s and the Territorial Associations.

The discredited Foster report led to calls for the closure of the AAA’s and the three Territorial Associations.(T.A’s).  This plan was initially promulgated by UKA.
 

ABAC result. By calling EGM’s and tabling special resolutions ABAC ensured the retention of the AAA’s and its commercial property rights. Similarly the three T.A.’s avoided closure with ABAC help and they remain key competition providers.
 

2.         England Athletics and governance in England.

In 2006 England Athletics was established by UKA. At the time ABAC produced several papers arguing that the set up was flawed and would be so costly that there would be no funds for grass roots clubs. Despite these warnings 9 Regions were set up with replicated management and associated bureaucracy .

ABAC result. In Dec 2008 EA announced a major restructuring with the abolition of its 9 Regional offices.. Staff numbers have been reduced and over £1.5 million p.a. released for grass roots initiatives over the next 3 years.

3.         Coaching

Ten years of UKA control has seen the decimation of the coaching of athletics in the UK. In Dec 2008 England Athletics announced a new structure aimed at restoring coaching to the centre of its plans.

ABAC result. The new plan for coaching mentors using experienced and successful coaches from the past is exactly the same as the Coach Mentor scheme produced by ABAC in 2006.

4.         Club Networks

The new smaller EA structure is resulting at last in more monies for grass root clubs. Initially EA supported funds were distributed to individual “beacon” clubs but this was soon branded as elitist and funds are now being released to Networks comprising typically of four or more clubs with agreed common objectives.

ABAC result. In Feb 2008 ABAC produced a discussion document which included a proposal for clubs to work together locally and to combine resources to compete as a unit. The new EA network scheme is a variation of the ABAC proposals.

5. New Track and Field competition structures

UKA has established a new mid week competition which started in June 2009 and comprised 8 city teams.

ABAC result. As part of its review of possible club developments ABAC produced a proposal for a mid week league of “Super Clubs”. This involved athletes from several adjacent clubs combining to form an 8 club league. The UKA inter-city mid-week competition is a variation of the ABAC proposals.

6. New organisation for runners

UKA has introduced new web based initiatives for runners including on line clubs.

ABAC result. In 2007 ABAC spawned the Association of Running Clubs (ARC) which now acts as an independent governing body for member clubs. Membership is now 156 clubs and for events during 2009 ARC has  issued 232 race permits.

7. Strategy for the sport

Since 1997, when UKA took over governance of the sport, policy has been made on the hoof. Initiatives have been produced without consultation, often to satisfy commercial sponsors. The resulting lack of joined up planning has resulted in the overall decline of all aspects of our sport from grass roots to elite level. The most recent volte face has been the plan to close some of the expensive High Performance Centres which were set up at great expense without a long term strategy for the sport.

ABAC result. ABAC has raised the question of strategy on its web site and the most in-depth assessment of what is needed has been produced in a series of interviews with a leading sports consultant. ABAC has offered to help develop a future strategy.

Other ABAC initiatives and achievements in year 4. (Articles on web site)

#          Two constructive meetings with senior officials of England Athletics.

#          Publication of an analysis of falling cross country standards

#          A critical review of the new UKA insurance scheme (Now Changed)

#          Production of a Safety Guidance Brief for endurance group leaders.

#          Proposal for a success based payment scheme for athletes

#          A review of state sponsored athletics in schools.

An Independent Review of Athletics in the UK

Until recently ABAC has been a lone voice in the criticism of the way athletics has been governed in the UK. In March 2009 Dr Jonathan Grix (who is a senior academic in Politics at Birmingham University) published a paper on “The impact of UK Sport policy on the governance of athletics in the UK since 1997” in the International Journal of Sport Policy. The findings of this independent study are available on the ABAC website.

Future actions. ABAC will continue to act as the democratic watchdog and voice for the sport and its members. ABAC will be using the FOI act to find out more about the actions of our sports quangoes and their officers