Swiss Masters Athletics (SMA) held its AGM on April 12th in Olten. Close to 40 members from all over Switzerland attended.
Thomas Marder, SMA President, opened the meeting and expressed what a remarkable year 2024 had been. About 50 SMA athletes had represented Switzerland at international competitions at the Swiss, European and World championships.
EMA launched its first Masters Circuit with competitions in Albania, Italy, the UK and Switzerland. Gruppo Atletico Bellinzona (GAB) hosted the final event in Bellinzona at the occasion of the 2024 SMA championships. This Circuit offered valuable racing opportunities but also fostered international camaraderie and visibility for Swiss Masters.
Highlights of the year 2024 included:
- New members, thanks to improved visibility and outreach efforts
- A stronger collaboration between the German- and French-speaking regions of Switzerland
- Improved marketing and communication activities
- A deeper partnership with Swiss Athletics
- New sponsors – Schulthess and Hirslanden Clinic
- The first steps to setting up a new member management system through SportMember App.
Tom thanked all SMA athletes, board members, and partners for their passion, energy, and trust.
Andy Habermacher, responsible for Projects, announced the launch and organisation of a Swiss Masters Series for 2025. The objectives being to help build the spirit amongst Masters athletes and have key meetings where we can all compete – and socialise.
The Series consists of multiple meetings across different regions in Switzerland. A small prize will be given for the best male and female athlete in each category according to age-graded ranking. The two best results in the category count towards the final ranking.
Andy also presented the launch of SportMember, an online tool and App for membership management. SportMember is a centralised platform with up-to-date information where communication between SMA and between members is easy. Backoffice administration will be simpler and more efficient.
The App will centralise all membership data and provide:
- – Quick and easy access for administrators
- Easier communication with all members (currently only about 33% are in the Whatsapp Group)
- Easier access to key information for all members
- Easier communication between members
Pino Pilotto, SMA Vice-President and Technical Manager, presented the sports awards for 2024 that reward SMA athletes for their exceptional performances.
The following athletes won medals in the European indoor championships in Toruń and World championships in Göteborg. Hansjörg Brücker, Martin Kuster, Mägy Duss, Ruth Raaflaub, Adelheid Graber-Bolliger, Roger Strasser and Margaritha Dähler-Stettler. Alison Bourgeois and Roger Strasser were nominated Best Master 2024 based on their indoor records.