You may have heard the announcement on Saturday at Match 4, that the Council have withdrawn their support for the already rearranged fixture at Sherdley Park, scheduled for Saturday 2nd March. We were told on Friday afternoon, after St Helens Sutton (the host club) carried out another site inspection with St Helen’s Council. Ian Roberts & the host Club had been working hard to win the backing of The Council.
We are still naturally keen to stage a final Match but we are now just three weeks away. We need to get approval from any possible venue, a new licence from EA amongst other things etc. The dates of our XC League fixtures as scheduled by England Athletics and to miss other key fixtures in March which include on other weekends, The Inter Counties XC Championships & the Schools Inter Counties. Plus, our chip timers, Crazy Legs, are only available on Saturday 2nd March.
What does this mean?
- Are there any of our existing host Clubs & Venues that believe that there may be an opportunity to stage the event? From conversations yesterday, we don’t believe that Tatton Park, or Kenworthy Woods are options again this season.
- Do those options have direct lines of contact to decision makers (council etc.?)…speed is of the essence!
- We would not expect those Clubs to host the event…we would be looking for a consortium of Clubs with a guiding brief.
- While we will explore options and try to stage Match Five, what are the thoughts of Clubs (some even suggested yesterday) to having a four Match Season, with the likelihood of awards being made on best three from four races, but TBC?
We will also update you ASAP on dates for The AGM & Presentation Evening.
Given the increasing challenges with venues, we do also intend to physically visit some alternatives.
Thank you as always for your support…please do respond ASAP, to allow us to look at all options.
Regards,
The MACCL Working Group
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