Great Britain Wild Water Racing

The minutes of the last meeting have not been circulated because of the changeover in secretaryship. Mary-Jean Smith kindly agreed to take the minutes. Matters arising have been covered under issues.

2) Competition issues

2003 Calendar Review. We now have the new calendar. J Embrey has requested for the rules for the home nations championship and need to know if pre selection is required. The view of the committee is to use the already organised events.

John Handyside also wants to run a "free event". The committee agreed in principle to not charging race fees (as already happens with the Wavehopper Challenge. There may also be development funding available from the exec once we have a proposal from JH. Action JE to speak to JH to clarify the arrangement.

2004 - do we want top change sprint + classic to different weekends so that people will race at both. Action PJS to ask JH to put a note on the discussion forum.

Key events and attendance: Attendance at Div A's is falling dramatically. Discussion was held as to how we would get 100 people at 4 races per year with the venues being Tully (prize giving), Dee (agm), Nottingham sprints, and May Bala. (also perhaps the Tyne and Tees weekend in November). How to achieve:-
· Hold a wavehopper Challenge at the venue,
· Hold a Div B on a different piece of the river,
· Market the races more,
· Get the year book out earlier and also print 3 x's as many.
· Perhaps create a race flyer for monthly races with race description and a description of wwr.
· Also look to put flyer in canoe focus and canoeist (perception are willing to sponsor flyer with wording such as "WWR Development supported by Perception"

Accommodation and Transport:-
· There needs to be more accommodation made public,
· Consider a free shuttle with the minibus,
· Perhaps arrange minibuses from regions - needs to be looked into.
· Put tourist information numbers in the yearbook,
· We need to put a package together for the 4 races e.g. accommodation + travel for £50 e.g. accommodation could be at Glan Lyn in Bala.#
· We need to develop the ideas on the forum.
· perhaps develop Tour d Ecosse social for Sunday
ACTIONS
HP to see if we can coordinate distribution with slalom.
JO to look at printing and distribution
JO+HB to look into

Promotion from Div B. It was agreed the current methods were satisfactory, but insufficiently well understood and need to be better explained in the Yearbook and on the Website

3) Development issues. Discussion was led by Howard Blackman.

New BCU Child Protection & Harassment policy implementation. People involved with youngsters in the sport need to be CIB checked to keep in line with the youth programme.

Anyone involved with the youth in WWR need to be checked - ask Miranda Churchill to be Child Protection Officer (she needs to go on a NSPCC course). Action JO

We have received and discussed the child protection booklet and have adopted its strategies.

We need to put the policy and contact info in the yearbook. Action PF

2003 Development Plans. The plan was agreed. It needs to be changed to fall in line with the BCU objectives. Action PJS

4) Excellence issues

JC is now the Senior Team manager and Performance manager.

Selection.

If we keep sending paddlers to world champs who fail to meet the sports councils requirements of 110% then they will stop our funding - we can send them if they provide all funding themselves. Idea to make everyone pay upfront and they are within the 110% at the WC then their funding is returned. For example if ½ a C2 wants to attend the World cup as a C1 he has to prove that he is safe to and also of a suitable standard. The new proposal for selection to be based on potential and international performance standards, with funding provided by WWR and Athletes. The performance element of funding to be retuned on achievement of international performance standards at race venues. We also need to define development and Excellence,
The selection proposal was circulated separately and needs to be finalised for the yearbook. Action JC

Squad Training plans and resourcing. As well as running the full team he will be selecting an elite squad of the 8 best paddlers from all classes for additional training and support. Action - everyone to get people to help next year

The Performance Plan will need to be discussed at our next meeting. It has been circulated and any comments would be welcomed. Action All

Team Management event in Q1 2003. There will be a team management event to discuss plans for 2003/4 and to resolve any issues. The format and objectives will be discussed by a small group comprising Peter Schofield, Simon Wright and James Wingfield with Paul Van Casteren, a management coaching expert.

5) Committee issues
Agree Budget/ Funding for 2003. The balance is £40,000 and proposed budget is £30,000, dependent on the SMC grant. SW needs to know where the cheque from the minibus is coming from and when it is needed. Action - PS to check where we are up to with the minibus with KB.

Review 2002 Development Plan and agree actions for 2003
Sub Committee structure. We need to have the Sub Committee structure back in the yearbook. Mike Mason Should be moved to excellence. Action - PS to circulate list of proposed potential volunteers

Communications. Not discussed due to time pressures.

6) Senior World Championships

Update on Progress / Plan. Richard Lee is approaching Gwynedd Council about support and funding. Once we have a response we can approach Paul Owen and the BCU for funding to put forward the bid proposal.

Budget/ Funding. An initial budget proposal was put together in the spring with costs broadly aligned to the Junior Worlds. This was put on hold once it was understood the potential level of funding that might be available to put on a senior event. (Rowing are getting £1m). Whilst clearly funding is an issue our ability to run an event at low cost is proven and the controls we had in place for the Junior Worlds, with all funds managed through the WCA accounts means that the BCU are confident in our financial management. The bigger issue will be the amount of volunteer commitment we will need to ensure it is a success. This will stretch our organisation and I we need to ensure we get the right people involved to set it up and manage it so we have a top quality, enjoyable event.

7) Any other business

There was no other business discussed.

top