Memorandum to coaches on operational concerns
7th January 2007
Internal Memorandum.
OPERATIONAL CONCERNS –
YOUR PERSONAL SUPPORT IS REQUIRED!
We bring to your attention a number of concerns that have arisen over recent weeks, and request your personal full and professional support to ensure that these practices are eliminated, and that compliance with the Club Rules and Stadium requirements is maintained.
This is a practice adopted by only a few male members but one that has raised concerns within the Club and by the Stadium Management. This is contrary to the Stadiums conditions of use of the facilities, which raises issues of Health and Safety and ability to ensure public decency. It is contrary to the Club’s Track and Field Rules that have been approved by the Club Committee.
Wristbands purchased by club members to gain admittance to the HPC, are intended for wear whilst training in the facility. It has been noted that some club members enter the HPC and train when it is clear that they have not purchased a Wristband. This action is in effect, defrauding the club of income and sets a poor example to all concerned. The Club Duty Officers and Stadium Leisure Assistants will have no need to interrupt a training session to check who has Wristbands, if they are being worn as intended. Where it is felt that any member is not complying with the rules or is keeping Wristbands in an unused condition with intention to use them at a later date to gain free entry, Duty Officers will report such instances to the Club Committee. The Club offers two sessions for use of the HPC on Club Nights. Athletes who are required to train over the whole or part of a second session must purchase TWO wristbands and wear them as described above.
·
Spectators in the HPC.
Spectators – which include club members not wearing a current wristband or not intending to train, parents and friends of athletes – are not permitted to enter the HPC. This rule is clearly stated on notices posted by Birmingham City Council. Spectators in the area give rise to Risk to the activities that we undertake and should be a part of the consideration by coaches when carrying out Risk Assessments. There is a limit on the number of people allowed into the HPC at any one time to comply with Fire Regulations. Spectators reduce the effective numbers that may train at any one time and deprives athletes from use of the facilities. There is no facility for Spectators in the HPC!
·
Use of the “Slow Gate”.
The “Slow Gate” is the term used for the Pedestrian Gate adjacent to the HPC that is Card Key controlled for access to the facility. It is observed that some athletes – some believed to be club members and also spectators – are “tailgating “ those who have cards issued by UKA or the EIS and are therefore gaining free access to the HPC. Some have been observed climbing over the gates and fence, which is not only dangerous but is also defrauding the Stadium and Club of income. Club Members who have legitimate access to the HPC must access the building via the Clubs Reception and the route through the Stadium complex unless instructed to do otherwise by the Club’s Duty Officer or Stadium Staff.
·
Use of the Clubs dedicated
facilities on Club Nights!
The Club require all athletes using the Stadium facilities that are set aside for the sole use of the club on Club Nights to be either -
o Fully Paid up Club Members.
o Potential members – prior to Membership approval by the Club Committee – who have fully completed a membership application form, submitted it to the Administration Manager, and where they have been formally proposed and seconded by a fully paid up club member who is over the age of 18 years of age.
o Visiting athletes who have the prior permission of the Club Committee to train on predetermined dates.
o Academy members only with the express permission of the Club Committee.
Athletes who are under
the age of 18 years are not permitted to train unless they are under the control
of their Personal Coach – who must be named on the Register of Approved
Coaches – or another of the Clubs Approved Coaches by specific arrangement,
who must agree to act as their coach for the session in question.
·
Free Weights Gym
Other than to Coaches who are qualified to instruct and those who are observing their athletes working, use of the Free Weights Gym is restricted to -
o Club Members – excluding Associate Members - who are over the age of 16 years!
o Those who have completed an Induction through the formal Club system operated in conjunction with the Stadium Leisure Staff!
o Who have paid the appropriate Club Night training fee!
o Whose Membership Card has been validated by the Administration Manager to indicate entitlement!
o Visiting Athletes who have the prior permission of the Club Committee to use the facility on pre-determined dates!
On entering the Gym, club members must provide details of Name, Membership Number, Personal Coach and entry time, on the sheet provided and must enter their exit time from the Gym on the same sheet.
It should be noted that should club members wish to only use the “Cardio” equipment in the Gym, they will still be required to have completed the Induction process and must have their membership Cards validated for admission. This avoids misunderstandings and operates on a common basis for all.
Spectators are not allowed to enter the Free Weights Gym unless accompanied by a Club Official or Duty Officer and then only with the acknowledgement of the Stadium Leisure Staff on duty in the Gym.
THE GOLDEN RULE IS
– NO MEMBERSHIP CARD, NO ADMITTANCE TO THE GYM.
Thank you for
your support in maintaining an appropriate working Environment
Issued
jointly by;-
DAVE NEWNHAM - Vice Chair - Coaching
EDDIE COCKAYNE - Vice Chair - Team Managers
NORMA BLAINE - Vice Chair - Security