Having spent a great majority of my working like abroad and sitting through two army coups as well as a complete lockdown for a month through curfews, I can truly say that what is happening through the COVID-19 virus is a once-in-a-lifetime experience which I hope never to see again.

Athletics has come to a complete stop and quite rightly so. There are more important matters in life. We, as a club, have followed the guidelines set by UKA/EA and the club is at a standstill in terms of competition. However, the club committee is aware that coaches are keeping in touch with their athletes and sending out training sessions. In this way we hope that the club continues to support members. The club committee would like to thank all the coaches for their support in keeping training going. The club administration and management activities are also continuing, also remotely, and the club committee will continue to monitor and update club members on any new developments.

This will not be a short-term issue and the ramifications will continue for many years, not only impacting on families, but on jobs and businesses. In our own small way, once this is over, we will return as an active club and once again we will be the community amateur sports club as set out in our charter.

Currently, England Athletics have suspended all athletics activity until the 31st May, with the hope that athletics can resume in the autumn. We shall be ready when the time comes. The club committee is certain that, eventually, we will return to normal times and, however long it takes, the club will continue to be there when normal times return. In the meantime, stay safe and look after yourselves.

COWSI MAGOL

CLUB PRESIDENT

The Youth Development League has decided to cancel the 2020 season. This is their full statement:

In the light of the continuing uncertainty around the Coronavirus situation the YDL management committee held a Skype meeting on 29 March to look at all the possibilities for the 2020 season and have decided regretfully that all matches scheduled for the 2020 season will be cancelled forthwith.

There were a number of factors influencing our decision, namely:

Coronavirus Statement

Athletics in England suspension extended until 31 May 2020

24 March 2020

Following the further restrictions on movement put in place by the UK Government last night, UKA and the Home Country Athletics Federations have made the following updates to our previous statement issued on 17 March:

Ashton Playing Fields has now officially closed.

The club very much looks forward to welcoming its members back when the crisis is over. We wish all members, and their families and friends, well.

Stay safe.

The graded meeting on 28th March has been cancelled due to England Athletics coronavirus advice.