2016 Irish Waterski and Wakeboard Federation
AGM
21st February 2016
Summerhill, Co. Meath
1. Welcome address
Chairman Andy Mc Quiggan, welcomed everyone to the meeting and informed all present that apologies were received from Linda Johnston (CWC), Paul Johnston (CWC), Rick Deegan (Golden Falls), Burt Taylor (Newferry), Johnny Crawford (CWC), Brian Johnston (Meteor) and Mark Monaghan (Portumna) Clubs.
Clubs Represented at AGM
Ballyhass
Carrig
Cork PBC
CWC
Golden Falls
IASC
Long Island
Muckno
Lower Bann
Meteor
New Ferry
Wakedock
2. Approval of 2015 Minutes
The following changes were proposed:
Change in last line of minutes to insert the word ‘President’ – no objections.
Clarification that no disabled equipment was bought with the Sports Capital Grant – no objections
Amended Minutes Proposed by Cormac Collins and Seconded by Paurig O Regan. Passed with no objections.
3. Chairman’s Report
Andy outlined that there had been a number of committee meetings held during the ‘off season’. The minutes of these had been sent to club representatives (who were typically club secretaries). He thanked the committee for the time and effort that had been put in to take the sport forward.
Andy outlined that 2 people had attended the Coaching Ireland Tutor Course in 2015 (himself and David Coates) and that they were currently designing a level 1 coaching course. He explained that level 1 was aimed at teaching beginners, level 2 at competitors who could take part in fun / local competitions, level 3 at competitors in Nationals and level 4 in International Competitions. He explained that Coaching Ireland prescribed what must be covered in the courses and that they were much wider than the technical aspects of teaching tricks. The level 1 course had to be between 20-40 hours and that would likely be 3 x 7 hour days. It was hoped this would be available later this year (although Coaching Ireland staff were slow to respond on work already submitted).
Andy then went on to talk about the Boat Driver’s Award. During 2015, the Federation’s approval to issue the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, had expired. After speaking to DTTS, we were then given an extension but no federation course was run in 2015. A small number of Drivers obtained the award from Rob Skelly and Barry Galvin.
Andy outlined that we are to be inspected in March 2016 by DTTS and it was hoped this would be a formality. Discussion had taken place with Stuart England with a view to holding a driver’s course at Meteor later in the year. Any club that wants drivers qualified should contact Andy, Rob or Barry. Carl Cautley asked if the course could be run in 1 day. Andy highlighted that it was possible but there was a requirement to have a first aid certificate and it was much easier to do the first aid and a little of the theory in day 1 with the rest of the theory and the written and practical tests in day 2.
Andy briefly mentioned the Cutting Edge Programme as something that was being developed but that Colin Harris and David Coates would speak about this later. He then highlighted a number of international performances by Irish athletes during 2015. These included:
Diane Kirby, Meteor, who was 2nd in tricks, 1st in jump and 1st overall in the over 55 ladies category of the 35+ EA Championships at South Lake Ski School, Cambridge UK.
Geoff Clarke, Golden Falls, who was 2nd in jump in the over 55 men category of the 35+ EA Championships at South Lake Ski School, Cambridge UK.
Eamonn Prunty, IASC, who was 8th in Slalom, 12th in Jump, 15th in Tricks and 9th Overall in the (Seated men) MP5 category at the Disabled World Championships at Shortline Lake, Elk Grove, California.
Nicole Carroll, who was 10th Overall in the u19s (Junior Women) category of the EA Wakeboard Cable Championships in Ravenna, Italy.
Brian Kavanagh, who was 29th Overall in the u15s (boys) category of the EA Wakeboard Cable Championships in Ravenna, Italy.
At the Wakeboard (Boat) EA Championships in Maurik Netherlands,
Zack Zebedee 9th Boys
Nicole Carroll 6th Junior Women
Aisling Deegan 4th Junior Women
Philip McQuiggan 13th Junior Men
Lindsay Whelan 8th Open Women
Paul Johnston 7th Open Men
Team Result 6th
At the World Wakeboard (Boat) Championships in Mayan Wake Park, Cancun, Mexico,
Nicole Carroll – 13th Junior Women
Aisling Deegan – 9th Junior Women
Lindsay Whelan – 17th Open Women
Sian Hurst – 13th Open Women
David Coates – 29th Open Men
Paul Johnston – 9th Open Men
At Chill and Ride Boat Event in Germany,
Sian Hurst 1st Pro Women
Aisling Deegan 3rd Pro Women
Andy then spoke specifically about David O’Caoimh, who had had a great competitive year which included the following results:
Chill and Ride - 1st Pro Men
World Cup in Mandurah Western Australia,– Made Semi Finals
World Cup in Linyi, China - 5th
EA Championships Maurik - 1st in Open Men.
EA Championships Super-final – 1st
World Championships in Cancun Mexico - 9th =
Andy then asked David to come up and receive his certificate for the EA Wakeboard (Boat) Athlete of the Year 2015, which he had received on David’s behalf at the recent EA Congress meeting.
Andy concluded by stating that it had been a good year in many respects but that work still needed to be done. The number of clubs was down but the overall number of participants was up, mostly due to the commercial cable clubs. He highlighted that there was a lot of work needed on cable and water-ski to increase participation in those areas. He encouraged those with knowledge, ability and time to get involved, either in the federation committee or at their clubs, organising and supporting competitions or other initiatives at club level that progress the sport.
4. Presentation by Des Burke Kennedy on International Matters
5. Treasurer’s Report
Brid Deegan, treasurer gave an in-depth report on the finances and financial position. She was happy to announce an increase to €20,000 in our funding from Sport Ireland.
Brid spoke of the benefits of attending SI (Sport Ireland) and FIS (Federation of Irish Sport) meeting, where we are now known as well as the achievements of our athletes. This will have to be kept up and built on.
Sport NI currently do not give us any funding at all. They did fund individual athletes last year (Paul Johnston and Sian Hurst) but this has stopped and our Federation gets no funding from them.
Both Helen Dolan and Des Burke Kennedy suggested we write to Sport NI and seek some assistance. This will be discussed and addressed by the incoming committee.
Action: Incoming committee to discuss seeking funding from Sport NI and action.
Carl Cautley suggested we offer clubs a link from our website to their own for a nominal fee of €50. Carl also enquired about the ‘Buy and Sell’ feature of our website. Brid explained it was up and running but there had not been a massive take up on it. It worked well for the Brad Smeele collection but it had to be revamped.
There then followed a discussion on the increased fees to EA as a result of an increase in GDP for Ireland. Following discussion, it was agreed the incoming committee would contact EA administrators with a view to seeing if the billing process for 2016 could be clarified and amended if necessary.
Action: Incoming committee to discuss and take forward.
Brid informed the meeting that we now, for the first time ever, have Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance in place up to a value of €500,000. It was suggested we may increase this to €1,000,000 and that the incoming Committee would discuss.
Action: Incoming committee to discuss and take action as necessary.
Brid outlined the changes in Company Law which would allow us have an Audit Exemption, however it was decided by the meeting not to travel this route and remain as is having Audited Accounts annually
It was highlighted that the Sport Ireland Event Calendar is published in January every year, however we miss out on getting our events published as our AGM is not till Feb and no dates are fixed for events till then. Committee to discuss.
Action: Incoming committee to discuss and take action as necessary.
Following a read over of the 2015 Accounts
Rob Skelly proposed approval of same and Cormac Seconded – Carried unamiously
Before moving on Paul Carroll wanted it acknowledged that the amount of time and effort put in by Brid in 2016 was way beyond what could be expected of volunteer and her work had contributed in no small way to our increased funding and she deserved major credit for it. All agreed.
Appendix 1 is the Balance Sheet for 2015
6. Election of Auditors
Paul Carroll proposed O Donovan Keys & Co remain and Barry Galvin Seconded , Carried with no objections.
7. R.O.I Chair Report
Paurig O Regan gave an outline of Waterski events and activities for the year. There were two ski competitions, one at CPBC, The Nationals and the second at Golden Falls. Both events were well attended but more needs to be done to encourage participation in water-skiing.
Paurig said that there were positive reactions to the “Mini Course” being used at competition as it allows less skilled skiers to complete a course. Student days also very well received and Golden Falls to be complimented for their running these.
8. N.I Chair Report
David Coates gave this presentation and spoke about the current position in Boat Wakeboard in Ireland and further afield. David outlined the very successful judges/calculators seminar that was run in Belfast in January. We qualified up several Judges and Calculators and the event was a resounding success.
David then ran through our International successes in Maurik, Holland at EA level, Ravenna Italy at Cable EA’s and at Cancun Mexico at the IWWF World Championships. We are really fighting above or weight internationally and this reflects very well on our federation.
David then gave a short but very well structured presentation on David O’Caoimh, highlighting his achievements in 2015 from his own TV show to winning the EA Championship in Holland, along with a string of national titles. David has been awarded Athlete of the Year by the IWWF/EA and this award was well earned.
Barry Galvin enquired as to whether The BWSF had an input into the Grassroots Competitions on cable. DC explained that in 2014 they had but it was now an Industry Wakepark event with no BWSF involvement.
Stuart England congratulated both ROI and NI Chairs on their presentations and asked would we consider a Cable and a Disabled Chair also to report to AGM. DC explained that Sport Ireland have a requirement and as an NGB funded by them we are obliged to follow their structure.
Des Burk Kennedy suggested that at all national/international events a Media and Marketing person should be appointed as the point of contact for all such matters. Rob explained that we have this covered for EA Championships at Coleraine and Waterways Ireland are providing a staff member for this purpose.
9. Child Protection
Paul Carroll gave a short talk on the new Garda Vetting Act that is due to be enacted. He spoke about the lack of uptake on our vetting facility and also about the need for vigilance and to comply with the Code of Ethics. These guidelines are as much to protect the adults as the children. Each club should have a Child Protection Officer and all staff/members who have regular contact with children/vulnerable adults should be vetted.
A short discussion followed on do’s and dont’s and how we all should have structures and protections in place on an ongoing basis.
10. Cable Presentation
Colin Harris gave an excellent overview of the Cable Scene and the Cutting Edge Programme, which was very well received by schools and participants.
Rob Skelly suggested the Federation should, in some way, put some funding towards the Cutting Edge Programme and it was agreed that it should be discussed by incoming committee.
Action: Incoming committee to discuss and take action as necessary.
Stuart England informed the room that many years ago the Federation had a programme of certificates for different levels from Level 1 to 9, but at the time there was little uptake on it. This complimented the Cutting Edge Programme.
Scholarships were also discussed and Eoghan Mc Carthy from Ballyhass informed the room that Ballyhass had a Scholarship Programme that was very successful. Des Burke Kennedy suggested the Federation fund some type of Scholarship and taking the lead on writing to Schools etc.
Carl Cautley saw an opportunity for the Federation for an income stream. The meeting was informed by DC that our Committee had discussed this at length and was an ongoing issue we were visiting.
Helen Dolan suggested we fly in a Cable Guru (Varna Laco ) to speak to Cable Parks. To be discussed by incoming Committee
Action: Incoming committee to discuss and take action as necessary.
11. Anti Doping Presentation
Helen Dolan gave a presentation on this and a short discussion followed.
Helen spoke about the 2016 year ahead and where we are going with regards to Anti-Doping. Helen stressed the need for “The Real Winner” Programme and she also showed that we were ahead of the game by having all our athletes certified.