About Us
The Sussex Athletics Network was established in April 2009 as a result of a successful bid by the county proposing to develop the all round strength of athletics in the local community. It is one of the first ten Networks in the UK, initiated by England Athletics and funded by Sport England with sponsorship from McCain.
All Sussex-based clubs who are affiliated to England Athletics and Sussex County AA are included in the Network. Each one has the opportunity to get involved by taking advantage of what is being offered and working together with other clubs for greater success.
Network Activities
Activities fall largely into the three areas of Development, Communication and Support.
Development activities are designed to benefit coaches, officials and athletes and include :-
· Arranging Coach and Athlete Development Days through the winter.
· Assisting England Athletics with organising and advertising new courses (eg. Leadership in Running Fitness).
· Assist England Athletics with the introduction of initiatives (eg Athletics 365).
· Working with the Sussex Officials Secretary to update the Officials Database and arrange courses as required.
· Developing a Clubs’ Handbook.
· Helping to organise Flying Coach visits for endurance and track & field coaches within member clubs.
Communication and Networking activities provide a means of sharing and spreading knowledge amongst members of the Network by such means as :-
· Organising Spring and Autumn Network Forums with specific workshops for clubs, coaches, officials and road running members.
· Producing a bi-annual Network Newsletter with details of the past six month’s activities.
· Developing a website to communicate news and forthcoming events.
· Finding out what clubs and their members want and getting them to share ideas.
The Support offered to clubs, schools and universities helps with their athletic activities and includes the following :-
· Highlighting the funding opportunities available to clubs, coaches and athletes.
· Initiating a Race Equipment Pool for road running, starting with a race clock.
· Helping schools to deliver Sportshall and Quadkids Competitions.
· Working with colleges and universities to help sustain participation and provide a pathway into local clubs.
· Providing a point of contact for coaches, officials,schools, clubs and members for advice and information.
The Network Executive Group
The purpose of the Executive Group is to help steer the direction of the Network by bringing experience and advice from all areas of athletics within the county. The group includes Peter Masters (Chairman), Chris Carter, John Gill, Reg Hook, John Linfield, Keith May, Martin Etchells and Elspeth Turner.
Click here to view profiles of the Executive Group members.
The Network Staff
Network has a part-time Co-ordinator and a part-time Administrator.
Diane Farmer : Sussex Network Co-ordinator
Diane moved to Sussex from Bucks in late 2006 - a member of Marshall Milton Keynes, she gave up a commercial role in IT to move into sports development and has a strong passion to raise participation levels and encourage the inactive to reap the benefits of taking up exercise.
Locally Diane runs for Eastbourne Rovers, competing in ‘Vets’ Track and Field and local Road Races. She has even completed a couple of Double Heptathlons! A keen hockey player, she originally ran to maintain summer fitness, but took up running more seriously 10 years ago, moving straight into the ‘Vets’ (or ‘Masters’) age groups. She is really excited about her new role with the Network, and is particularly keen to extend the successful Development Days to include endurance oriented sessions for the county's elite athletes and club runners alike, so please get in touch with her if you have any particular suggestions or requests.
Diane will also continue to activate the Run in England scheme across the county, so also speak to Diane if your club is interested in establishing a beginners group under this banner.
Email : dianefarmer@btinternet.com
Telephone number 07734 941307.
Dawn Piechoczek : Sussex Network Administrator
Dawn came into athletics as a road runner, and is currently the Secretary of Mel’s Milers Jogging Club. She has also taken over the position of Administrator for Sussex County AA. Dawn comes from a computer programming background, and her role is to provide administrative support for Trevor and Diane and maintain the website.
Email: dawn@piechoczek.com
The Website aims to :-
- Bring relevant news items and announcements to the attention of those involved with athletics in the county.
- Be the central reference point for athletics development initiatives across the county.
- Document the stages in the development of the Network as it evolves.
Please Contact Us if you would like to know more, or have any relevant information or views you would like to share.
