"Interesting" might be a good way to describe the meetings and events of the weekend. The race organisers and officials seminar was pretty lively at times with some excellent debate on issues a diverse as the 2002 rules changes, insurance and the proposed day membership/licence scheme. We haven't had any feedback from the age-group training day - anyone out there want to comment? The awards dinner, despite a distinct feeling of being back at school..., was admirably hosted by Dave Bellingham (in a shirt that could only be described as loud and clashed badly with my tie) and handed out IOC Volunteer Awards, the male and female Athlete of the Year which went to Richard Allen and Jodie Swallow, and the Event of the Year trophy which went to HIMUK/Llanberis.

At the AGM itself there were the usual reports from Norman Brook as Chief Executive and the various Executive Board members. Highlights were the introduction of the new Child Protection Policy for Clubs, the review of the year's performances by the elite and age group squads and the news of the BTA securing £25,000 to update its office technology with a new database system.

The only proposal put to the meeting for voting was Jem Lawson's amendment to confirm funding for the English Triathlon Forum and this was accepted after an amendment from the Executive Board.

Peter Coulson's opening address as the new Chair was short and proposed 24th November 2002 for the date of the next AGM which effectively finished the formal business for the day.

In the informal business we had questions on the age limits for bike insurance (Patrick Barnes discovered that he's too old for the current cover after he was knocked off at London), Peter Howard questioned the rumoured removal of the automatic qualification for top ten finishers in the current years world championships (it's not going to be removed) and Mark Cathcart asked about the BTA's policies on promoting the sport for physically challenged athletes. Clive Faine sought assurance that the Executive Board would continue to seek ways of providing some funding to support age group athletes.

Other news from the weekend is that Jasmine Flatters and Ian Pettitt have both retained their positions as age group team managers which is an excellent result and provides even more recognition for the work that they have done for many years in looking after the age groupers who travel to European and World Championships.