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Meeting with David Sparkes
Memorandum
| to: | GBDF board |
| from: | Jim McNally, chief executive |
| subject: | Meeting with British Swimming |
| date: | 30 January 2003 |
| cc: | for inclusion in gbdf newsletter & on website |
On Monday 27th January 2003,Tony Hunter & I met with David Sparkes, Chief Executive of British Swimming & the ASA. The object of the meeting was to discuss whether there was any commonality between the organisations, with regard to Masters Diving, and if so, whether the conditions existed, which would enable the Masters diving programmes run by the ASA and GBDF to be combined, under the control of Masters Divers.
This meeting was not to discuss anything in detail, but to ascertain agreement of broad principles, i.e.:
- Is it possible to combine the two competing programmes, which can then be run by Masters Divers?
- Could a budget be made available to run Masters Diving?
- Will Masters Diving remain autonomous?
I floated the idea of the establishment of a Masters Diving Committee, similar to that provided for the swimmers. David suggested that it might be easier for an organisation to be affiliated (perhaps named Great Britain Masters Diving Federation), which would be provided with a budget and be recognised as the focal point for all Masters Diving. This organisation would have autonomy and not be subject to outside interference.
In practice, there would be little change, except that the Masters Diving programme would no longer be fragmented and proper co-ordination will be possible. I see this as a positive step forward, assuming that David Sparkes is able to convince policy makers within his organisation to support the initiative.
David has undertaken to provide me with a response in time for the Annual Meeting of the GBDF, on 22nd February 2003, at Hemel Hempstead. I hope that you will be able to attend this meeting; if you cannot, feel free to e-mail your views to me, so that they can be taken into account.