A photo-finish system for Athletics in Norfolk and further afield

In recent years Athletics Norfolk has been improving the delivery of local meetings through the purchase of technology to aid accuracy, support officials and provide timely results.

Purchases have included wind gauges for jumps and sprints, an electronic distance measuring (EDM) device for throws with the final addition being an electronic start ‘gun’.

These purchases total over £12k in value and demonstrate Athletics Norfolk’s commitment to improve the provision of our sport locally. The purchase of the electronic start ‘gun’ had two objectives; firstly, to make it easier for new starters to be trained without the need to purchase the conventional gun and secondly to provide the first step towards a complete photo-finish system.

Photo-finish team.

Exciting times for Athletics in Norfolk.

It is an exciting time in Norfolk for athletics as we enter the 2022 outdoor season, with Olympians, British record holders and many athletes earning their international vests.....we strive to give all athletes of all abilities the opportunity to do their best and enjoy this wonderful sport, a Photo-finish system would enhance this for all athletes, bringing bigger and better competition to their door steps, along with the ability of getting qualifying times without the need to travel across the country to an open that has electronic timing.

So Far.....

With the goal of getting the photo-finish into the county, we have managed to generate and secure some funding from various sources, some of this will be from Athletics Norfolk ourselves and the rest from other partners. The system however costs around £38k so we have a lot of funding to find.

Even with the amazing fund raising efforts to date we are short by approx. £20k which will be needed to complete the purchase including laptops and a printer that is required to run the system.

If we manage to exceed the target of £20k there are additional add on items for the system that can be purchased including a display board to instantly display race times and positions to the spectating crowds and athletes.

Moving forward - sustainability

The system will not only benefit the county's athletes, but it will draw athletes into Norfolk for open events and give our athletes the competition they crave and deserve from around the country.

The system will never provide a full pay back but by putting Open events on in the Spring and Autumn each year should return approx £5,000 pa ... or possibly more once momentum grows (as experienced at Watford)

For hiring the equipment outside of the County a charge of between £400 and £1000 would be achievable and a competitive price. An additional fee for any expenses payment for travel and/or hotel would be considered.  

Donations.

Any donation small or large will be greatly received to make this long term goal a reality and allow Athletics Norfolk to purchase this system for all the athletes in the county.

Please get in touch if you can help in any other way, who knows maybe you have the ability to supply 2 new laptops and a colour laser printer?

We thank you for taking the time to read this article and for any donations made to this cause, the finish line is in sight just need one big push to make it all the way there now.

We will be producing a sponsorship board to go next to the system at the finish line at all events that we use the equipment, so if any businesses are interested in sponsoring the Photo-finish and donating they will/can be advertised and be acknowledged as a sponsor of the system. Please get in contact with us if you would like to sponsor as a business.

Keep a look out for the fundraising initiatives our friends at Bizclik Media Group and the BMG Foundation are putting on to help us achieve our target with a large donation towards the Photo-finish system. Link Below.

Bizclik Media Group

Athletics Norfolk

Photos provided by Tony Payne