I have 2 main comments about the recent National Masters Championships.
1. The cost of 15euros per event is in my mind extortionate. The federation should be trying to encourage more participation. Most master athletes compete in several events. In fact that makes going to championships a worthwhile event. Why can there not be a costing scale such as 15euros for the first event then 5euros or half price for subsequent events.

2. The entry forms were only available for the championships from around 23rd July with a closing date of the 6th August. Entries by phone or email not acceptable. I was on hoilday from 22nd July to 5th August so the only way I could have entered was as a late entrant, at 25euros per event. It is not the event just appeared, it has been on the calendar since the start of the year. The form was identical to previous forms so why so late at getting on the website. With the scottish masters championship you can enter and pay your entry over the phone a couple of months before the event. Why can't the Irish federation be the same?

I totally agree with the above comments. Due to an injury I didn't know if I could compete until the last minute in 2009 and therefore had pay on the day as a late entrant for 3 events which cost €75. On top of this my wife had to pay a charge to spectate which I think should be free as it is in the Northern Ireland Masters Championships and also at last years World Championships in Finland. Charging exhorbitant prices discourages both athletes from competing and members of the public from spectating. Hopefully the IMAA or AAI will consider reducing these considerable costs to athletes in future competitions.

Further to comments on the Masters website Blog following the Masters Track and Field in Tullamore.

I have actually taken up your comments with Athletics Ireland
who are the organisers of the Championships, and conveyed to them
that some members feel that the charge for entry is somewhat on the
high side.

On the other side of the coin, AAI has to feed and pay some travelling expenses
to the Officials who kindly give of their time to officiate at the Championships.

I know they were to discuss the fee issue at a recent meeting. I will reply
further when they come back to me.

In regard to the late entry fee, this was flagged on the Entry Form as well as on the AAI Website. Having been involved in organising Championships for many years, late entries can seriously upset the best made plans and draws, particularly in sprints where there are heats and lane draws.

Kind regards


George Maybury
President
Irish Master Athletes Association.

At the British and Irish International XC last saturday I found a mans Irish Track Suit size Med which was left in the Irish tent. Please contact me on bernadette.kavanagh@gmail.com for return. Bernie

Hi George I was looking at the entry fee for the masters championships and I see you had no success with Athletics Ireland regarding the entry fee. I feel it is very steep at 15 euro per event and 25 euro for late entry compared to other master championships, take for instance the Northern Ireland Masters championships - for non-affiliated athletes its 7stg (approx 8.25euro)for first event and affiliated athletes its 5 stg (approx 5.95 euro for first event. Each extra event is 3 stg (apprpx 3.60euro and late entries on the day are double the fee. The British Masters championships charge 15 stg for first event (approx 17.85) and 7 stg ( approx 8.30 euro)for extra events. They don't take late entries. As you can see, with the sliding scale for extra events, these championships would be cheaper for athletes to enter. The above mentioned championships are also are free for spectators. I have been to numerous masters championships around the world and the Irish championships are the only championships my family had to pay to spectate. This leaves attending the Irish championships a costly day out for families.

I need to know if i can enter,and as stated above about the costs for irish masters champs,i'd like to know i can have a medal-as i am not resident and a VAANE(north east england)member.Any ideas anyone????

Just wondering what is the min age for entry to the masters track and field. I just turned 33.