Irish Wild Water Racing Committee Meeting Minutes

28th March 2007

 

Held at Bewley’s Hotel, Sandyford

 

Present: Martin McCarthy, Caoimhe Ní Chuinn, William Irwin, Bruno Halter, Liam McCarthy.

 

 

International Selection

The following paddlers are selected for both European Championships and World Cup events in 2007:

Elizabeth Shouldice (Women’s K1)

Caoimhe Ní Chuinn (Women’s K1)

Keith McGuirk (Men’s C1)

Tadhg McIntyre (Men’s C1)

Kevin Pierce (Men’s K1)

Vincent Pierce (Men’s K1)

 

The following paddlers are selected for World Cup events only:

Jason Fitzpatrick (Men’s K1)

Sean McIntyre (Men’s K1)

Simon McGarry (Men’s K1)

Patrick Hynes (Men’s K1)

 

Cillian Duggan has been selected as first reserve for the team. In the event of one of those selected to the Men’s K1 team in the World Cup events deciding not to take part, Cillian Duggan will be eligible for selection.

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The Secretary will send an email to those selected containing the following:

·        Confirmation of their selection

·        A request that they indicate, as soon as possible, the events in which they intend to take part.

·        A request that they to return a signed code of conduct to the Secretary

·        Information regarding the necessity to make their own arrangements for transporting their boats.

·        A request to send a deposit of €200 which will be put towards the cost of the trip.

 

The position of Team Manager will be advertised on the website and the wwr news group. 100% of the travel and accommodation costs incurred by the team manager may be paid out of the International Grant.

 

Decisions regarding the selection and acquisition of Irish team clothing and whatever other equipment is required, is to be the responsibility of the team and its manager.

 

As yet, the distribution of the International grant has not been finalised, and so the committee is unsure of how much we have to spend on travel and accommodation for international competitors.

 

Martin will send the numerical entries for Bihac.

 

 

Squad Training.

A squad session (open to all) is organised for this Saturday (30th March) at 12.00. This session will be run by Tadhg McIntyre who has also offered to run other squad sessions on later dates.

 

Squad members should take part in the training weekend organised for the weekend of the 28th April. The coaching session is being organised by Keith McGuirk and John Handyside will present the course. Keith’s approval is to be sought before the squad is invited to attend.

 

The committee will investigate the possibility of having a squad session on the day of the Riverfest in Limerick (5th May). The actual WWR sprint event, which is to be part of the Riverfest activities, is to be opened to all types of boat (from GP boats to k-boats) and the ctte. will try to ensure the availability of Wavehoppers on the day for those who wish to try our WWR racing.

 

The committee will also look at the possibility of a development training weekend abroad.

 

 

Junior Squad

Efforts will be made to arrange some training and/or competition abroad for Lorcan Feely in the near future.

 

The expansion and development of a junior squad is a priority for this committee. To this end, it is proposed to run 4 events, on the Liffey, on consecutive weekends, at the start of next season targeted primarily at juniors. This proposal is prompted by the large number of juniors who participated in the Liffey Series last year. It is also hoped to encourage more juniors to take part in ranking events.

 

Juniors will also be invited to the Handyside coaching session.

 

It was decided to proceed with the organisation of trip to the UK for juniors in July. A date is to be set and the level of interest assessed.

 

 

AGM

A proposal to move the AGM to the summer was discussed. No consensus was reached on this matter and it will be discussed at another meeting.

 

 

The Website

It was decided that separate email addresses be set up for the committee and that these be put on the web. This would allow a change of personnel without changing the email address.

It was decided that a photograph gallery is to be put on the website. Bruno Halter is working on this, along with slightly changing the look of the website.

 

 

Review of the Year

Accurate accounts are not yet available as some revenue and expenses are still outstanding. The organisation is neither asset nor cash rich but is solvent.

 

The committee will draw up an asset register.

 

It was decided to purchase throw bags for use at events.

 

We need to concentrate more of our efforts on getting juniors into the sport.

 

It was suggested that we should have some ranking events held in the Dublin area in order to attract greater numbers.  Holding events earlier in the day may have the same desirable result.

 

Martin will calculate the total ranking points earned be each competitor.

 

The committee felt that, in general, the season had been a relatively good one. Events had been well run and numbers were up.