Executive Director’s Report

British Columbia Speed Skating Association

Annual General Meeting – May 2013

This past season saw transition across many phases of our sport including at the National Office.

A new SSC CEO was hired and Ian Moss has spent much time in talking to the branches, establishing relationships with the various SSC committees and, most importantly, tasked with getting SSC’s finances under control. Discussion is ongoing and systems are being put in place to ensure fiscal stability.

Dave Morrison was recently hired, in a joint partnership agreement with SSC and the Richmond Olympic Oval, as the Head Coach, Short Track Legacy Program and Regional Development Mentor. This arrangement creates many opportunities for BCSSA to raise the profile of our sport and take advantage of all that the Oval has to offer. We are, and will continue, to work closely with Dave to maximize his expertise and our growth needs as well as allowing our developing coaches another resource.

In BC, the sport delivery system, while still undergoing transition, is now being led by viaSport along with the Canadian Sport Institute and its regional deliverer of services – Pacific Sport. Discussions on how regions not directly served by Pacific Sport are ongoing. An expectation is that with expanded regional services coaches, officials and local sport administrators will see the direct enhancement of services.

The PSO review, referenced in my report last year, was completed last October with some PSO’s facing challenges to remain funded to previous levels. BCSSA was able to maintain its funding position this past season through viaSport .viaSport is the sole funding provider – Community Gaming grants aside – and as such BCSSA is required to provide periodic reports to them. The accountables/deliverables include membership growth (across all areas in our sport); results; fiscal management; programs and governance.

Funding: The public funding received this past season matched that received in 2012 with an unexpected $30,000 increase in Community Gaming. Many PSO’s were not as fortunate to receive this windfall. Funding through viaSport is directly linked to overall membership growth, and in particular, in the areas of skaters, officials and coaches. This past season saw an overall decline of 5% which followed a decline of 12% from the previous year. There has been a focused effort within both the Officials and Coaching Development Committees to grow their numbers and they are to be applauded for their efforts. Four clubs had double digit increases in their overall membership while six had double digit decreases. Skater numbers have shown a marginal drop while the Associate membership dropped 14%. The incremental growth target remains 10-15% by the 2014-2015 season meaning an overall membership increase of 335 in each of the next two years. Failure to meet these targets will result in loss of participation funding commencing 2015.

Direct funding to our athletes, this past season, exceeded $40,000 aided in part by Canada Winter Games specific funding. Additional CWG funds also helped double the financial support (from the previous year) the Association was able to provide to all our coaches. Officials funding remained at last year’s level but more officials were the recipients of direct and indirect support.

Governance:

Following up on the governance presentation at last year’s Annual General Meeting, the Association’s Policies, Procedures and Regulations have now been updated and distributed to the membership. The Saturday afternoon governance workshop will be an opportunity for further input. These documents, together with the Strategic Plan, are the “management tools” of the Association.

Next Steps:

  • Our Club and Membership Committee have some exciting initiatives to improve the visibility of our sport which may assist our clubs in growing their membership.
  • The Association will continue to explore non-public funding opportunities.
  • Our Officials and Coaching committees will continue to explore growth initiatives.
  • Continue to strengthen the relationship enjoyed with SSC and, where applicable, share resources.

Many thanks to the technical committee members who spent countless hours delivering their program mandates and responding to the many report requests our funders require. Their commitment to our sport and the membership is much appreciated.

I wish also to thank Christina and Lorna for all their work, often during non-office hours, in driving the Association’s programs and responding to the many and varied queries of the membership and other agencies. Clearly without their expertise and commitment, we would not be able to progress in the manner in which we have.

Finally, my thanks to the Board of Directors in supporting the various initiatives undertaken this past season. Fiscally, the Association is in a strong position and with committed members ensuring the strength in our many program areas there is reason for optimism in the coming years.

Respectfully submitted,

Ted Houghton

Executive Director

BC Speed Skating Association