25 March 2020

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO MEMBERS

The committee held our March meeting on 18th March via conference call to deal with urgent business.

In line with the guidance issued by our governing body, England Athletics, to reflect the latest government advice, the Committee confirmed that the Club is suspending all its activities with immediate effect. Clearly we are living in unprecedented times and this will lead inevitably to some disruption to the way we normally lead our lives. If we all follow the advice then the quicker we will come through these challenging times. Activities will therefore remain suspended until such time as England Athletics notifies us that we are able to resume training and competition. We will continue to keep members informed of the latest guidance as it relates to our sport via the website.

There are a number of practical consequences that flow from this:

First, our Annual General Meeting, which was due to be held on Tuesday 31st March is being postponed. We will aim to hold it as soon as possible after England Athletics advise us that we are able to resume normal activities.

Second, as there is no activity going on, and there will be other priorities at this time for family budgets, the Club will roll forward existing memberships. We will not be collecting at this time membership fees for the new membership year. When we are clear when training and competition can resume we will review the situation and ask members to renew at that point, with the appropriate membership fee. With regard to athletes’ competition licenses, we have sought from England Athletics clarification of how they intend to handle this in light to the disruption to the events calendar. There is time to deal with this, as the cut-off point is not until the end of June. We have requested though that England Athletics provide clarification as soon as possible.

Third, our Portsmouth Open Track & Field Meeting is being cancelled. Entrants have been advised and entry fees refunded,

The Committee is also very aware that we have not yet been able to hold outstanding awards events. We have not forgotten these and will organise dates in the diary as soon as we are able to so that we can celebrate the successes of our athletes.

So to re-iterate, the Club will continue to stay abreast of the latest guidance and inform you via the website of fresh development as soon as we are able to.

In the meantime, please all of you in the club stay safe, keep fit, and we will see you all soon.