Aussies have their issues, too, as season climaxes
Just becuz it’s winter in the USA doesn’t mean outdoor track season is in a deep freeze everywhere. I’m reminded of this after stumbling across a New South Wales club in Australia with an odd-sounding Web site: lollylegs.com. Man, these folks have it together.
They have results, meet calendars, athlete profiles and photos.
They also have their controversies.
Peter Crombie, a world champion sprinter who frequently competes in USATF national masters meets, is a big voice on the site:
Under the headline “Is Athletics NSW looking after Masters Athletes?” Peter writes:
Dear All,
As you may be aware The State Titles (state meets) used to be run by the State Masters Athletics Club in the same fashion as the National Titles which are held by Australian Masters Athletics Club.
A couple of years ago the State Masters Athletics Club in good faith handed over the running of the state Titles to Athletics NSW & that has continued ever since. In fact those State Titles are being held over the weekend of 26/27 February. That handover was negotiated after the formation of the AAF (Athletics Federation) whereby there was supposed to be one body handling all athletics in Australia. Unfortunately Athletics Australia & particularly Athletics NSW have ignored the provisions of the handover Deed & acted in a way to suit their own needs(particularly financial).
As a result of the above Masters athletes in NSW are forced to join 2 bodies at a combined cost of around $150 whereas joint membership can be obtained in other states for less than half of that amount. Very little attempt has been made to look after & acknowledge the needs of the older athletes & as a result many have not joined ANSW & have left the sport in droves.
The State Masters Club has finally taken action to redress that situation & a resolution will be put to the AGM of the AAF in March(during the Nationals) by Masters Athletics Australia to redress the inequities created in the sport for Masters, particularly in NSW. The AAF was formed as an amalgamation of AA, Masters A, Coaches Association, School Sport & the Pros. It has not worked since inception because AA has refused to act as part of a combined body & merely carried on as before.
It would be appreciated if you would support the actions of State Masters Club in restarting the Club State Titles. It will be held in conjunction with the Police Games at Blacktown & should be a good quality fun meet.We will all be going.
Details of the meet are listed on the Lollylegs website & entries close on 26 February.
Help the State Club support you.
ENTER NOW.
Peter Crombie
Good on you, Peter, and best of luck with both your dashing and rabble-rousing.
