Annual Report

Transcription

1 Annual Report

2 Contents Acknowledgements 2 Membership 2 Affiliated Clubs 2 Office Bearers 3 President s Report 4 Finance Report 5 Executive Officer s Report 6 Slalom Report 10 Polo Report 12 Sprint Report 14 Wildwater Report 16 Marathon Report 18 Audited Financial Statements 21 Acknowledgments Canoeing Victoria acknowledges and thanks the following organisations for their support during : Major Supporters Victorian Government, Sport and Recreation Victoria, Department of Health and Human Services/ Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure. VicHealth Australian Government, Office for Sport, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Supporters Australian Canoeing Australian Sports Commission Jayco Outdoor Education Group Parks Victoria Polomania Murrindindi Shire Council Shire of Strathbogie Vicsport Victorian Institute of Sport We would also like to acknowledge the support of the hundreds of volunteers across our canoeing community. Front cover Photo by Balint Vekassy Membership Full Adult Recreational Adult Life 6 6 Full Student Full Junior U Limited Youth Social/Non Paddling Total Affiliated Clubs Ballarat Amateur Canoe Club Bendigo Canoe Club Canoe Factory Club Canoes Plus Racing Team Cobram-Barooga Canoe Club Echuca Moama Canoe Club Eltham College Canoe Club Essendon Canoe Club Fairfield Canoe Club Footscray Canoe Club Geelong Canoe Club Gippsland Kayak Club Ivanhoe Northcote Canoe Club Kananook Creek Canoe Club Kirinari Kayak Klub Melbourne University Mountaineering Club Melbourne Canoe Club Mercantile Kayak Club Mildura District Canoe Club Mitta Mitta Canoe Club Monash Outdoor Club North East Canoe Club Patterson Lakes Canoe Club Shepparton Canoe Club Sherbrooke Knox Canoe Club Swan Hill Canoe Club Tarwin River Canoe Club Victorian Canoe Club Warrnambool Kayak Club Whitehorse Canoe Club Yarrawonga Mulwala Canoeing Club Amanda Reynolds, Victorian paracanoe athlete, was selected in March 2015 at the Australian Canoe Sprint Championships to represent Australia at the ICF World Canoe Sprint Championships in Milan. Postscript: In September 2015, Reynolds won Australia s first gold medal at the World Championships in the Women s KL3 Final, securing an Australian boat in the Rio 2016 Paralympics P a g e 2

3 Office Bearers Board President, Chair & Interested Director Chair & Interested Director Interested Director Interested Director Interested Director Interested Director Independent Director Independent Director Independent Director Independent Director Administration Staff Executive Officer Finance Officer Membership & Club Administration Officer Education Business Manager Education Delivery Manager Education Administration Officer Equipment Maintenance Officer Communications Officer Paddlepower Project Manager Women in Canoeing Project Manager Women s Social Paddling Network Coordinator Coach Accreditation Administrator Gary Flanigan Tom Hirrschoff (retired October 2014) Marg Buck (elected October 2014) Steve Chamberlain Ward (resigned June 2015) Richard Lawrence Connie Todaro (resigned October 2014) Lawrie Chenoweth Tony Coventry (resigned May 2015) John McMorrow Daisy Brooke (appointed December 2014) Andrea Boothroyd Sandra Reaburn Roz Manester David Hagel (appointed Feb. 2015) John Moore Roz Manester John Shields Victoria Langley Warwick Draper Sharon Swoboda Jennifer Stevens (July-August 2014) Jennifer Stevens (July -August 2014) Discipline Technical Committees Marathon Chair Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary Trophy Officer Polo Chair Treasurer Secretary Communication Coordinator Melbourne Competition Director Equipment Manager Equipment Maintenance Officer State Teams Coordinator Slalom Chair Treasurer Event Director Facilities Director Committee Member Sprint Coordinator Wildwater Chair Committee Member Committee Member Volunteer (timing) Volunteer (starting) Representatives Victorian Olympic Committee Joseph Alia Graeme Bowes John Young Alan Opie Madeline Jones Rob McConnell Rowan Jenner Amanda Lane Michael Jarman Megan Bishop Larry Robb Ken Brownlee Matthew Farrington Mike Lau Gooey Chris Wharton Dean Tonkin Warwick Draper Jane Haddon Kieran Dews Chris Wharton Mathew French Wes Hurrey Dean Tonkin Angie Wharton Warwick Draper P a g e 3

4 President s Report Gary Flanigan President Good morning and a warm welcome to all attendees. I thank all attendees for giving up of their time to attend this, the 2015 Annual General Meeting of Canoeing Victoria. I would also express my thanks to those representing their club as their club s delegate. Whilst in the thanking mood, I express my wholehearted thanks to those who supported Canoeing Victoria and its activities over the past year. I thank all those who served on our discipline committees or volunteered their services to assist with any discipline event or operation. I thank our Executive Officer, Andrea Boothroyd, for her excellent work over the year and thank our hardworking and dedicated staff. I thank those who served on the Board of Canoeing Victoria including those who left the board during the year - Stephen Chamberlain-Ward, Tony Coventry, Tom Hirrschoff, and Connie Todaro. I would like to welcome new directors Marg Buck and Daisy Brooke who joined the board during the year. As to Canoeing Victoria operations during the last financial year, I would make brief mention of several areas. The accounts for show a surplus of greater than $70,000. After several years of accumulated surpluses, we are financially well positioned to invest in our future. The board has made the considered decision to invest in growth initiatives during the coming year in an endeavour to encourage greater participation. As mentioned in the Executive Officer s report, these initiatives include the rollout of our Paddlepower youth participation scheme, encouraging female leadership and participation within our sport, improving access to fit-forpurpose facilities and places to paddle, and expanding our role in education. During the year, much time has been spent by the board on updating the Canoeing Victoria constitution to conform with the recent amendments to the Associations Incorporations Reform Act 2012 and to the new Australian Canoeing constitution. I express my thanks to each member of the board for their efforts on this massive task. I would also make a special mention of the lead role undertaken by directors Richard Lawrence, and Margaret Buck for her endless proofreading. The changes to the constitution are a work in progress. The board will continue to review the constitution in future years to ensure it meets the requirements of our association. To ensure that we enshrine gender equality in our organisation, special provision has been proposed for inclusion in the constitution to ensure that, while our aim is for true gender equality, one gender cannot be less than 25% of directors at any one time. I hope that delegates will support this change to the constitution later at this meeting. Canoeing Victoria was successful in an expression of interest to work with Vicsport and the Australian Childhood Foundation to address how best to make paddling a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for children. The recent Royal Commission into Child Abuse has highlighted more than ever the need to ensure community organisations, like sports clubs, do all they can to safeguard children. The board formed a subcommittee to investigate how best to address the issues involved in safeguarding children. The board and executive have committed to ensuring the association s policies, procedures, and programs encourage a culture of safety. Whilst this area presents several challenges, Canoeing Victoria is committed to supporting clubs and disciplines in introducing and safeguarding more children and building family-friendly environments. Two of our discipline committees, Slalom and Canoe Polo, each successfully conducted Australian Championships during the last year. Both championships were supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria through Significant Sport Events Program funding. We continued to roll out our Paddlepower youth participation scheme. Through the scheme, we have seen more than 1,200 young paddlers introduced to paddling over the last two years. In light of the outstanding results being achieved by our pilot clubs, we encourage more of our clubs to introduce Paddlepower to their current and prospective new members. P a g e 4

5 Being a director of Canoeing Victoria takes time and hard work but is a very rewarding experience. The board is seeking to fill a number of vacancies with people who have skills in particular areas. I encourage anyone interested in helping to lead the future of paddling in Victoria to consider nominating for the board. I also encourage members to contribute to one of our six discipline based committees that are made up of hard working volunteers. In truth, we want more people, not just members but anyone who is interested, available and with skills to contribute, to volunteer to join one or more of the committees. Finance Report Canoeing Victoria as a whole posted an operating surplus of $73,931 for the financial year, up from $44,837 in Each of our disciplines and Administration posted a surplus. The consolidated surplus brings the association s retained surplus to $316,807. This is the seventh year in succession that Canoeing Victoria has posted an operating surplus and places Canoeing Victoria in a healthy financial position to continue to invest in our sport in the future. During , Canoeing Victoria continued to receive strong financial support from our supporters, in particular from the Victoria Government through Sport and Recreation Victoria and from VicHealth. As the Executive Officer s report highlights, this support has been critical to the implementation of a number of development initiatives as well as the staging of two successful Australian Championships in Victoria during the year. Canoe Polo: Canoe Polo had a very successful year financially posting a surplus of $18,158. The Australian Canoe Polo Championships held in April at Nagambie were supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria through Significant Sporting Events Program funding and offered several opportunities for sponsorship. Slalom: Slalom had a very successful year financially posting a surplus of $17,637 partly due to opportunities presented by the Australian Canoe Kayak Slalom Championships held in January at Eildon. The championships offered several opportunities for fundraising e.g. sponsorship and merchandising, and the event was supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria through Significant Sporting Events Program funding and by the Murrindindi Shire Council through the Community Grants Program. Sprint: Sprint posted a surplus of $866 this financial year. This was an increase from the previous financial year although only one event (the Victorian Sprint Championships) was held. Touring: The Touring discipline of Canoeing Victoria did not operate during Wildwater: There has been little financial activity for Wildwater this year with low participation numbers. The discipline posted a surplus of $160. Gary Flanigan Administration: Administration posted a surplus from ordinary activities of $32,604. Administration s closing retained surplus was $141,938. Several factors contributed to a higher than forecast Administration surplus. Education programs income was up slightly while expenses were lower, our rent decreased by $5,280 due to the closure of our Mildura office and a reduced electricity charge for our Westerfolds office, and Bunnings BBQ fundraising efforts again contributed around $4,000. Marathon: This year Marathon had a successful year financially posting a surplus of $4,524. Marathon s main events, the Victorian Marathon Championships and the Winter Series Races, with increased participation numbers and reduction in running costs made a significant financial contribution to this success. P a g e 5

6 Executive Officer s Report Andrea Boothroyd Executive Officer This year, Canoeing Victoria began to reap the benefits of our continuing investment in a number of initiatives aimed at increasing and improving participation and pathway opportunities for Victoria s paddling community. Our junior member numbers are increasing, there are more accredited female paddling leaders in our clubs, we received support from Australian Canoeing to enhance the daily training environments for pre-elite athletes at two clubs, the upgraded Nagambie Lake Regatta Centre has set a new benchmark for a quality national level canoe polo competition facility, and we secured funding to upgrade the Goulburn Whitewater Centre. At the same time, all our business areas (disciplines and Administration) achieved a financial surplus, despite lower than forecast memberships and issues with our ICT infrastructure. The positive financial results of will support continued investment over the next year. Membership Our membership was well below our expected forecast for the year. Membership revenue in was $7,545 less than in the previous year, the total number of new members decreased by around 15%, and our total memberships were 29 less. Membership targets were on track until October 2014 which coincided with the introduction of the new Membership Database and Online Member Registration Systems. We expect that the decrease in membership is a glitch resulting from the implementation of the new systems and that membership growth will be back on track when the system implementation issues are resolved. New Technologies In October 2014, Australian Canoeing introduced new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure including a new Membership Database, Online Member Registration System, Online Event Registration System and website. Implementation in Victoria at the club, discipline and state levels was not as smooth as was hoped. The Canoeing Victoria Administration team put in many hours over several months to support our clubs and disciplines and we are grateful to the many club and discipline volunteers who also dedicated many additional hours to test and provide feedback as the systems were implemented. The Canoeing Victoria team will continue to support our clubs and disciplines by working with Australian Canoeing to ensure the ICT requirements of our Victorian paddling community are met. Promotion In the last two annual reports, I have stated that Promotion, Promotion, Promotion would be a focus for Canoeing Victoria over the coming year. We have made some progress but there is still much to be done. Our communications team has been active in setting up the new Canoeing Victoria website, keeping the web news items up to date, and ensuring timely information is sent to clubs through regular committee enewsletters. The team has also drafted an association-wide social media strategy which will be finalized and implemented as a priority over the next year. We have, however, not achieved our broader promotional objectives as Administration resources for the second half of the year were diverted to support implementation of the new ICT infrastructure. We look forward to implementing our social media strategy over the next year. While membership numbers were consistently down across most categories, it was pleasing to see two exceptions the Junior and Limited Youth categories which were up 15% and 19% respectively. We believe the introduction of our Paddlepower youth participation initiative had a significant influence on these increased numbers. P a g e 6

7 Events As the discipline sections later in this report highlight, our technical committees, with support from our clubs, continued to deliver a broad range of more than 100 competitive paddling opportunities across Victoria, from grassroots introduction to national championship level. During the year, Canoeing Victoria delivered two very successful national championship events. In January, our Slalom discipline hosted the Australian Canoe Slalom Championships on the Goulburn River at Eildon, and in April, our Canoe Polo discipline hosted the Australian Canoe Polo Championships at the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre at Nagambie. Support from Sport and Recreation Victoria through the Significant Sporting Events Program enabled us to ensure quality infrastructure was provided at both events, which resulted in an improved and positive championship experience for athletes, officials, spectators and the organizing committees. Following the Australian Canoe Polo Championships in April, Australian Canoeing hosted the Oceania Canoe Polo Championships at the same venue. This was the first time an international level canoe polo event has been held in Victoria and provided a great opportunity for our Victorian junior teams to be inspired by and compete in an international level competition. Our thanks to the many Victoria volunteers who supported Australian Canoeing to run a very successful championships. Our Marathon and Canoe Polo disciplines introduced new formats to their events to respond to the changing ways in which people participate in sport. Marathon allowed clubs increased flexibility to decide the format of the events they hosted, and reduced the number of overall races. This resulted in increased total participation and decreased the demands on our busy volunteers. Canoe Polo introduced a new format for their A&B grade Melbourne competitions, and a mixed-grade A game during their interclub competitions providing an opportunity for our emerging junior paddlers to experience high performance competition, while providing our top players with an elite level competition Initiatives Youth Participation Initiative Supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria. Implementation of the Paddlepower youth participation program continued at three clubs in Victoria with outstanding results. Through the scheme, Canoeing Victoria and our pilot clubs have introduced paddling to over 1,200 young people over the last two years. The scheme has been delivered in a variety of formats including in school programs, holiday programs, and after school program including several successful ASC Active After-school Community programs during terms 3 and 4 in Responding to feedback from pilot clubs, a comprehensive Paddlepower club resources pack was developed and is now available to Paddlepower clubs. The pack makes it easier for first time clubs to implement a Paddlepower program and includes lesson plans and promotional templates. Canoeing Victoria expanded its fleet of junior sit-on-top kayaks with the money that was bequeathed from the Andy Clough Memorial and an additional Active Afterschool Communities grant from the Australian Sports Commission. The fleet has been added to the list of equipment available for clubs to borrow from Canoeing Victoria to support youth participation initiatives. As a result of Paddlepower, Melbourne Canoe Club was also successful in receiving a similar grant for a fleet of 16 sit on tops. During the year, the Board welcomed the formation of a Victorian Ocean Racing committee. The structure and terms of reference of our new committee are currently being defined. P a g e 7

8 Womens Participation Initiative Supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria. Canoeing Victoria continued to develop and support our workforce of women. The program of River Rambles social paddles for women and lead by women continued, as did our support for women to achieve paddling leader (coach and guide) accreditation. Education Initiatives During the year, the board made a commitment to invest in the development our Education area. To this end, the new position of Business Education Manager was created within the Administration area, and in February 2015, David Hagel was appointed and welcomed to the position. In addition to the women trained earlier in the project, during , an additional 5 women completed their flatwater guide training, 7 have been qualified as coaches, and one previously accredited guide completed her moving water endorsement accreditation. These leaders can now add to the River Ramble calendar of events and provide more participation opportunities for both female club members as well as the wider paddling community. Another major focus of the program was for the board to lead by example by establishing gender equity in our governance. The board will recommend to members at the AGM inclusion of a gender equity clause in our constitution. The change aims to strive for true gender equity and will ensure that at least 25% of each gender is represented on the board in the future. Throughout the year, our Education team continued to deliver training and skill development opportunities to the outdoor and education sectors through delivery of the Australian Canoeing Award Scheme guide and instructor courses, and to schools and the general public through Paddlepower and the Basic Skills Award. The team also delivered Australian Canoeing coach accreditation courses to support participation and performance pathway activities of our clubs and disciplines. For the first time, Canoeing Victoria was represented at the Outdoors Victoria Education Conference in May 2015 where we aimed raise to the profile of Canoeing Victoria and improve our understanding of the paddling related needs of the outdoor and education sectors. Our Business Education Manager also represented Canoeing Victoria and the interests of the paddling community on several industry bodies including the Play It Safe By The Water Committee and the Boating Water Safety Group. Community Participation Initiatives Supported by VicHealth, the Australian Government Office for Sport, and Sport and Recreation Victoria. We continued to support Aboriginal communities in Mildura and East Gippsland to develop locally managed, safe and sustainable opportunities to participate in canoeing. This was achieved by upskilling community members to achieve paddling leader accreditation under the Australian Canoeing Award Scheme. These accredited paddling leaders are now well prepared to run local canoeing participation activities for their communities. P a g e 8 Performance Pathway Initiatives Supported by Australian Canoeing, Melbourne Canoe Club, and Patterson Lakes Canoe Club. Canoeing Victoria received Pathway Program support funding from Australian Canoeing. The objectives of the funding were to enhance the daily training environment for slalom, sprint and paracanoe athletes and provide preelite development opportunities for emerging athletes through State Development Squad mini-camps. Melbourne Canoe Club (slalom) and Patterson Lake Canoe Club (sprint/paracanoe) were the key clubs selected by Australian Canoeing to participate in this year s program.

9 Facility Initiatives Access to fit-for-purpose facilities and places to paddle is critical to participation and performance at all levels in both recreational and competitive paddling. During the year, Canoeing Victoria pursued several facilities related initiatives. Strategic Facilities Plan: Supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria. In , with support from Sport and Recreation Victoria, consultant Inside Edge Sport and Leisure Planning (IESLP) was appointed to prepare a Strategic Facilities Plan. The aim of the plan is to provide a clear focus on the future development of canoeing facilities in Victoria over the next 20 years and include facility requirements for recreational and competitive paddling, education and introduction-to-paddling, and administration. The plan was presented to the board for consideration during the year. The board is currently reviewing the recommendations with a view to releasing the plan for consultation with clubs in the near future. North East Metro Regional Paddle Sports Centre Master Plan: Supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria. The Strategic Facilities Plan confirmed a clear need for a Regional Paddle Sports Centre serving Melbourne s northern and eastern regions. IESLP was appointed to prepare a master plan for a centre at Westerfolds Park which builds on the site s existing infrastructure and use. The plan includes significantly improve in-water and riverbank infrastructure including adjustable slalom gates; and improved river access, whitewater features, and a shared, multipurpose building for Canoeing Victoria and club accommodation. Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre Canoe Polo Facilities: Supported by Strathbogie Shire Council Prior to the Australian and Oceania Canoe Polo Championships, the Strathbogie Shire Council made further enhancements to the canoe polo field infrastructure that was established last year at the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre. Combined with the existing competition management and support infrastructure already available at the venue, Victoria has set a new benchmark for a quality national standard canoe polo venue. Goulburn Whitewater Facility: Supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria. During , we received support from Sport and Recreation Victoria to upgrade the Goulburn Whitewater Facility at Eildon to improve safety and course design. Unfortunately, water levels and weather conditions did not allow the upgrade works prior to the Australian Canoe Slalom Championship in January. We look forward to complete the upgrade in the new financial year. Photo: Dean Tonkin Pumped Whitewater Facility: The executive and the slalom discipline continued to pursue opportunities for a pumped whitewater facility in Victoria to support slalom and whitewater competition, training, education and skill development. While none have yet come to fruition, our focus on this important facility will continue. Club Facilities: Canoeing Victoria has been active in supporting clubs to have access to fit-for-purpose facilities. During the year, we supported the much needed upgrade of the Ivanhoe Northcote Canoe Club clubhouse, and have been active in advocating for an equipment storage facility for Melbourne Canoe Club. Acknowledgements The breadth and quality of our events and growth initiatives has only been possible to achieve with the widespread support Canoeing Victoria has received from across the canoeing community and from our major supporters. I thank our clubs, our individual members and the volunteers on our board, discipline committees and event teams, and our staff for your participation, your passion, and your dedication to strengthen and grow canoeing in Victoria. I thank our major supporters, particularly the Victorian Government through Sport and Recreation Victoria, and VicHealth for investing in our initiatives over many years to help canoeing prosper. Andrea Boothroyd P a g e 9

10 Slalom Report Events Yarra and Country Series Slalom Races Melbourne Canoe Club and Eltham College Canoe Club hosted the five Yarra Series Slalom Races. Melbourne Canoe Club also hosted three Country Series Races. The Yarra Series is a great opportunity to introduce new and young paddlers to slalom while the Country Series provide a greater challenge. The country series races were both well organized and well attended. The event was the selection event for the Australian Slalom National Talent Squad, and was one of two selection events for the Australian Canoe Slalom Junior Team. The Southern Cup was a selection event for both the Senior and Junior Australian Wildwater Teams. The series of events provided an opportunity for Victorian paddlers to experience national competition on 'home ground'. One of the key objectives of the carnival of events was participation by a range of paddlers, in particular young and emerging junior athletes who were inspired to paddle in the same event as Australia's Olympic representatives. The Australian Canoeing Slalom committee held a judging course in parallel to the Championships, and to use the event as an opportunity to develop the skill base of our volunteer community, particularly our Victorian volunteers. Victorian medallists were: Photo: Dean Tonkin Victorian Championships The Victorian Championships and the Victorian Schools Slalom Championships were run by the slalom discipline. High Performance Australian Canoe Slalom Championships The Australian Canoe/Kayak Slalom Championships were held on the Goulburn River at Eildon over nine days in January The championships comprised of the Australian Slalom Championships, plus a series of lead-up events: Australian Slalom Championships 2015 Australian Schools Slalom Championship 2014 Australian Schools Wildwater Championship 2014 (Classic and Rapid Sprints) Southern Cup Wildwater Races (Classic and Rapid Sprints) Southern Cup Slalom Race AGE GROUP MEDALS GOLD Senior K1 Team U16 C2M Junior C2 Team U18 C1M Senior K1 Team Open C1M Vet C2M Vet C2M U16 C2M Junior C2 Team Junior C2 Team U14 K1M, Junior C2 Team Senior K1 Team Open K1W Junior C2 Team Junior C2 Team Vet K1M U16 K1W Timothy Anderson Lachlan Bassett Jack Brenton Tristan Carter Warwick Draper Christian Fabris Andrew Farrance Jake Farrance Samuel Grant Ryan Hogg James Le Mottee Bradley McLaughlan Jaxon Merritt Dita Pahl Ethan Pride Daniel Shamieh Andrew Stamp Georgie Tonkin Photo: Dean Tonkin P a g e 10

11 SILVER U23 K1M Senior C2 Team Senior C2 Team U18 K1M, U18 C2M, Junior C1 Team Open K1M, Open C2Mx Vet K1M, Senior C2 Team Senior C2 Team Junior C2 Team Open K1W, Open C1W U18 C2M, Junior C1 Team Junior C1 Team, Junior C2 Team Senior C2 Team Junior C2 Team U14 K1M, Junior C2 Team Senior C2 Team Junior C2 Team U18 C2Mx, Junior C2 Team U18 C2Mx Vint K1M Open C2Mx BRONZE Open C2M, Senior C1 Team U23 C1M U16 C1M Senior K1 Team Open C2M Senior C1 Team U16 C2Mx Senior C1 Team Senior K1 Team U23 C2M Senior C1 Team U18 C2W Open K1M Senior K1 Team U23 C2M U16 K1M, U16 C2M U16 C2M Open C2W, Open C1W, Senior K1 Team U16 C2Mx U18 C2W Vint K1M Open C2W, Senior K1 Team Senior C1 Team Senior K1 Team Senior C1 Team FINALS MEDALS GOLD Open K1M, Open C2M Open C1M Open K1 SILVER Open K1M, Open C2M Open K1 Timothy Anderson Kaylen Bassett Lachlan Bassett Tristan Carter Warwick Draper Andrew Farrance Timothy Farrance Sarah Grant Leanne Guinea Ashley Hobbs Robert Janiszewski Tim Lau Bradley McLaughlan Josh Montalto Samuel Nightingale Aiden O Callaghan James O Donoghue-Hayes Kate Poulier Eugene Stackpole Sally Wright Alastair Anderson Timothy Anderson Lachlan Bassett Tristan Carter Warwick Draper Christian Fabris Samuel Grant Leanne Guinea Ashley Hobbs Tim Lau Zoe Lau Hannah McConnell Jaxon Merritt Max Myers Samuel Nightingale Aiden O Callaghan James O Donoghue-Hayes Dita Pahl Genevieve Perrignon Kate Poulier Chris Runting Eliza Singleton Madison Wilson Sally Wright Lewis Wylie Alastair Anderson Christian Fabris Chris Runting Warwick Draper Sally Wright ICF World Canoe Slalom Championships During , seven Victorians represented Australia at ICF World Canoe Slalom Championships, and one Victorian was selected to represent Australia at the Championships in ICF World Canoe Slalom Championships, September 2014, USA: Christian Fabris Sarah Grant Jaxon Merritt ICF World Canoe Slalom Junior & U23 Championships, April 2015, Brazil: Timothy Anderson (U23) Tristan Carter (Junior) ICF World Canoe Slalom Championships, September 2015, United Kingdom: Jaxon Merritt Australian Canoeing National Talent Squad During , four Victorians were part of the Australian Canoeing Slalom National Talent Squad 2014, and eight Victorians were selected to the squad for Australian Canoeing Slalom National Talent Squad 2014: Tristan Carter Ashley Hobbs Robert Janiszewski Georgie Tonkin Australian Canoeing Slalom National Talent Squad 2015: Lachlan Bassett Tristan Carter Samuel Grant Ashley Hobbs Max McDonald Bradley McLaughlan Aiden O Callaghan Georgie Tonkin Scholarships and Travel Grants Supported by the Victorian Institute of Sport. Slalom athletes Sarah Grant and Jaxon Merritt were awarded an Individual Athlete Scholarship from the Victorian Institute of Sport. P a g e 11

12 Canoe Polo Report Canoe Polo has been an established sport within Victoria since the late 1980s. The purpose of the Canoeing Victoria Canoe Polo committee is to promote the sport of canoe polo (or kayak polo as it is known in Europe). Importantly, this year was the first year for a completely new Canoe Polo Committee. It has taken some time for the committee to gather momentum, but now new projects and plans are starting to take shape, and fresh new energy of the new committee members will help to move the sport forward. Events Melbourne Competition The Melbourne Canoe Polo competition is based at the Richmond Recreation centre, where the committee runs four grades of competition. Our capacity to run competition through the winter months makes our competition unique within Australia. In Victoria, we run both an autumn and spring season. This year the organising committee changed the structure of the A&B levels of competition by splitting the season into two halves. The first half ran the standard season structure, with the second half of the season, splitting the top four A-grade teams into their own competition, and the mixing of the lower level of A-grades and the upper level of B-grade teams. This allowed the elite of the competition to compete at a higher level, but also gave the higher B-grade teams a taste of the competition at a higher level. This concept appears to have been well received. Interclub Competition Rob McConnell Canoe Polo Chair The interclub competition runs through the summer months of the year beginning in late October, and running through to the end of March. The interclub competition is run in suburban and regional locations. Interclub competition provides an opportunity for junior competition, as well as giving regional teams an opportunity to compete for their club. This year the organising committee introduced the concept of a mixed A-grade game during the lunchtime break. The concept game pulled the best players (both senior and junior) from all canoe clubs into a competitive game. This provided an excellent experience for our up and coming junior paddlers and provided them with an insight into the speed and skill level required to play highlevel canoe polo. Additionally, the interclub competition provided a good platform for Victorian team selection, and preparation for the Australian Canoe Polo Championships at Easter. This year was the first that maturing Geelong Canoe Club juniors have started to win the interclub competitions. The Geelong Juniors were successful in winning two of the interclub competitions. This is a great reflection of the quality of coaching that has developed the junior talent, as is an example of how canoe polo can be developed within a canoe club to encourage juniors into paddling. High Performance Australian Canoeing Summer Series The Summer Series provides the pinnacle of competition for Australian Canoe Polo. The best players across the state form teams to compete monthly in most eastern capitals of Australia. At this point, Victorian Canoe Polo is in a re-growth period, with many of our experienced players moving interstate and internationally. This has provided a great opportunity for our up-coming players to take more senior positions in the teams, and in the future years we hope we can re-attain ascendency in this level of competition. Our Victorian juniors (under the guidance of John Yacoub) have been dominant in the junior levels of competition, with wins at the junior levels in all of the competitions they attend. P a g e 12

13 Oceania Canoe Polo Championships Oceania Championships is a biannual event between Australia and New Zealand with additional Asian teams competing for the Oceania cup. This year the event ran several days after the Australians at the same venue. Victorian volunteers did an outstanding job in supporting Australian Canoeing to host the Championships. Victoria paddlers were represented at all levels: Senior Men B Stephen Porter Senior Women A Jennifer Stevens Senior Women B Kirilee Chapman Pandora Hope Adele Ross Under 21 Men Liam Farrington Callum McConnell Spencer O Brien James Winter Nick Waters Under 21 Women Brigit Doyle Kara Farrington Gabriela Newlands Martina Newlands Under 18 Men Byron Brice Luke Halpin Lachlan Reekie Benjamin Winter Under 18 Women Brigit Doyle Mardi Stapleton Sarah Waters Under 15 Kal Rawson Chloe Rosin Over 30 Andrew Waters John Yacoub Over 45 A Frank Magee Robert McConnell John Moore Robert Newlands Lee O Shannassy Dale Tomlinson Over 45 B Geoffrey Blyth Bernhard Knorr Australian Junior Tour of New Zealand Following the Oceania Canoe Polo Championships, the following Victorian junior paddlers were selected to travel to New Zealand in September 2015 as part of an Australian Junior Development Team: Kal Rawson Lachlan Reckie Ben Winter James Winter The Challenges Ahead Like most sports, Canoe Polo competes against bigger sports for media attention and sponsor dollars. Over the next few years, the focus for the committee will be on growing the number of teams and players. We will need to focus on methods of gaining the attention of the public, and to advertise Canoe Polo as a sport that anyone can participate in. Acknowledgements To have a canoe polo facility in Victoria suitable for international grade competitions like the one established at the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre by the Shire of Strathbogie is an enormous boost to our sport. On behalf of Canoe Polo, I sincerely thank Libby Webster and the Shire for the outstanding support provided to Canoeing Victoria Canoe Polo as we prepared for and ran the Australian Canoe Polo Championships at the venue. It would be hard to imaging Canoe Polo being able to run without the assistance of Canoeing Victoria. Special thanks must go to the EO Andrea Boothroyd for her guidance and assistance over the last year, and to Sandra Reaburn for her help with financials, and for the task of tracking outstanding payments, and the preparation of budget reports. P a g e 13

14 Sprint Report Kieran Dews Sprint Coordinator High Performance Australian Canoe Sprint Championships Victorian athletes who medaled at the Australian Canoe Sprint Championships were: Noah Cameron 2nd (K4 200) U18 2nd (K4 500) U18 2nd (K4 1000) U18 This year has been a successful year for the Victorian Sprint community. Eleven Victorian athletes finish on the podium across 39 events at the Australian Sprint Championships, with four of those athletes going selected to represent Australia at their respective age group at the ICF World Canoe Sprint Championships. In addition to this, the Victorian Sprint Championships were successfully run at the National Water Sports Centre in Carrum. Events Victorian Sprint Championships This year only the Victorian Sprint Championships were run, located at the National Water Sports Centre in Carrum, with 38 entries. The event ran smoothly and, after a late start, managed to finish on time despite a sudden change of weather conditions (strong winds) that lasted throughout the event. Victorian Team The following athletes were selected to represent Victoria at the Australian Canoe Sprint Championships at the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC) in March 2015: U14M Sean Jones U14W Imogen Douglass U16M Carter Turnbull U18M Noah Cameron U23W Kayla Whinray U23W Nathalie Walkington U23W and Open Rebecca Mann Hannah Dixon 1st (C1 200) 1st (C1 500) 1st (C1 2500) Imogen Douglass 1st (K2 500) U14 2nd (K4 200) U14 2nd (K4 500) U14 2nd (K4 1000) U14 3rd (K1 200) U14 3rd (K1 1000) U14 Macgregor Doyle 1st (K2 2500) U16 3rd (K4 500) U16 Oliver James 1st (K1 1000) U18 1st (K4 1000) U18 1st (K1 200) U18 1st (K2 200) U18 1st (K4 200) U18 1st (K1 500) U18 1st (K2 500) U18 1st (K4 500) U18 2nd (K2 1000) U18 Sean Jones 1st (K4 200) U14 1st (K4 500) U14 1st (K4 1000) U14 1st (K2 2500) U14 2nd (K1 2500) U14 Rebecca Mann 3rd (K4 500) Amy Peters 3rd (K1 1000) Open P a g e 14

15 Amanda Reynolds 1st (K1 200 LTA) 1st (K1 500 LTA) 1st (K LTA) Samantha Silvester 3rd (K4 200) U18 Carter Turnbull 1st (K2 2500) U16 3rd (K4 500) U16 Sabastian Wakim 1st (C2 200) 1st (C4 500) 2nd (C2 500) 3rd (C1 5000) International Events During , four Victorians represented Australia at international sprint events, and four Victorians were selected to Australian Sprint Teams to represent Australia at these events in ICF World Canoe Sprint Paracanoe Championships, August 2014, Russia Amanda Reynolds ICF World Canoe Sprint Junior and U23 Championships July 2014, Hungary Rebecca Mann (U23) ICF World Olympic Hopes Regatta, September 2014, Slovakia Oliver James Samantha Silvester ICF World Canoe Sprint Paracanoe Championships, August 2015, Italy Amanda Reynolds ICF World Canoe Sprint Junior and U23 Championships August 2015, Portugal Oliver James (U23) Rebecca Mann (U23) ICF World Olympic Hopes Regatta, September 2015, Poland Noah Cameron National Elite Development Program During , eight Victorians were part of the Australian Canoeing Sprint State Development Squad, and one Victorian was selected to the squad for Sprint/Paracanoe State Development Squad : Luke Buckthorpe Kieren Carson Oliver James Christopher Martin Madeline Hurst Amanda Reynolds Samantha Silvester Natalie Walkington Sprint/Paracanoe State Development Squad : Photo: Sportscene Noah Cameron Australian Canoeing Pathway Programs During , Canoeing Victoria received Pathway Program support funding from Australian Canoeing. The objectives of the funding were to enhance the daily training environment for sprint and paracanoe athletes at Patterson Lakes Canoe Club, provide pre-elite development opportunities for emerging athletes through Sprint State Development Squad mini-camps, and to assist with coach development. Australian Canoeing appointed Craig Pickett as Head Coach and Kieran Dews as Assistant Coach of its Victorian State Development Squad. Scholarships and Travel Grants Supported by the Victorian Institute of Sport. Paracanoe athlete Amanda Reynolds was awarded an Individual Athlete Scholarship from the Victorian Institute of Sport. P a g e 15

16 Wildwater Report Events Chris Wharton Wildwater Chair The Yarra and Country Series The Wildwater Technical Committee runs events on the Yarra (sprint and classic and state classic championship) and two country rivers (classic). The number of paddlers entering Yarra Series events is small, consisting of 10 to 20 paddlers, but we are starting to see more regular attendees. We are getting more juniors into the Yarra Series but numbers are dropping at the Victorian Schools Downriver event. High Performance Australian Wildwater Championships Victorian athletes medaling at the Australian Wildwater Championships at the Mersey River in Tasmania in October 2014 were: Long Course Sprint Open: 2 nd Mathew French Masters: 3 rd Chris Wharton Under 16: 3 rd James o Donoghue-Hayes Open: 1 st Kristy Packham 2 nd Dita Pahl Under 16 : 2 nd Georgie Tonkin Short Course Sprint Open: 3 rd Mathew French Masters: 3 rd Chris Wharton Under 16: 3 rd Lachlan Bassett Open: 1 st Kristy Packham 2 nd Dita Pahl Under 16 : 2 nd Georgie Tonkin 3 rd Shayanna Beck Classic Course Open: 1 st Mathew French Masters: 3 rd Chris Wharton Under 23: 3 rd Corey Beck Under18: 3 rd Lachlan Bassett Open: 1 st Kristy Packham Under 16: 1 st Georgie Tonkin Under 18: 2 nd Shayannah Beck 3 rd Kate Poulier Standard Classic Course (Classic Teams) Open: 2 nd Mathew French Under 23: 3 rd Corey Beck, James O Donaghue Hayes and Lachlan Bassett Open: 1 st Kristy Packham, Kate Eckhardt and Georgie Tonkin Lower Course (Junior Team Selection Race) Open: 2 nd Mathew French Masters: 2 nd Chris Wharton Under 23: 3 rd Corey Beck Under 16: 1 st Lachlan Bassett 2 nd James O Donoghue Hayes Open: 2 nd Dita Pahl Under 16: 1 st Georgie Tonkin Under 18: 2 nd Shayanna Beck 3 rd Kate Poulier Long Course Sprint Open: 2 nd Mathew French P a g e 16

17 ICF World Wildwater Championships During , seven Victorians were selected to represent Australia at international wildwater events in ICF World Wildwater Sprint Championships and World Wildwater Classic and Sprint Cup, August 2015, Austria and Slovenia Madeleine Batters Kristy Packham Dita Pahl ICF World Wildwater Junior and U23 Championships, August 2015, USA Lachlan Bassett Madeleine Batters Sam Grant Robert Janiszewski Georgia Tonkin Australian Canoeing Wildwater Development Team During , eight Victorians were selected to the Australian Canoeing Wildwater Development Team 2015: Corey Beck Luke Buckthorpe Chris Martin Max McDonald James O Donoghue-Hayes Kate Poulier Lucas Teasdale Madison Wilson Scholarships and Travel Grants Supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria Wildwater athlete Madeleine Batters was awarded an Elite Athlete Travel Grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria to assist with travel to the ICF World Wildwater Championships. Chris Wharton P a g e 17

18 Marathon Report Photo: Malcolm Scott Joseph Alia Marathon Chair The primary task of the Canoeing Victoria Marathon Technical Committee is to conduct marathon races on behalf of Canoeing Victoria. The events are for members of Canoeing Victoria but all paddlers are accepted on a come and try basis. Our aim is to provide a standard of competition that caters for all levels of paddlers, from elite to novice and junior age paddlers and in a wide range of boat classes. This is done by conducting a series of races known as the Winter Series races and by endorsing a Summer Series of races that are held by clubs throughout Victoria. This year, the committee held a Winter Series of six races. The Victorian Marathon Championships were held prior to the 2015 Australian Marathon Championships and was the selection event for the Victorian Marathon Team. fewer number of races as compared to the previous year but higher attendance at individual events. Another contributing factor was that hosting clubs where given greater autonomy in choosing a race format and the paddlers where give a choice as to what distance they could paddle in. These changes in race formats and distance will be an ongoing development. Victorian Marathon Championships The premier event held by Canoeing Victoria Marathon Technical Committee in 2015 was the Victorian Marathon Championships. This event was held over two days on the Barwon River at Geelong. The event was well attended and congratulations to the Geelong Canoe Club for hosting the event. High Performance ICF World Canoe Marathon Championships Victorians were well represented in the 2014 Australian Marathon team at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in September in Oklahoma City, USA. Australian Marathon Team 2014: Marlena Ahrens Logan Dutton Casey Haynes Oliver James Kate Leverett Michael Leverett Edward Lovick Alexander Neilson Brea Roadley Kayla Whinray Penny Young At the Australian Marathon Championships in April 2015, 13 Victorians were selected as part of the 16 member Australian Marathon Team 2015 to completed in ICF World Canoe Marathon Championships in Hungary in September. Photo: Sam and Caroline Lovick Events Winter Series There were six winter series races held this year of which three were held in regional Victoria - Nagambie, Warrnambool and Geelong. Australian Marathon Senior Team 2015: Reka Abraham Marlena Ahrens Michael Leverett Edward Lovick Rebecca Mann Penny Young Participation in the Winter Series has increased slightly (approximately 800 entries) this year and is starting to look healthy, but still more work needs to be done in the area of participation. This increase is attributed to the P a g e 18

19 Australian Marathon U23 Team 2015: Casey Haynes Kayla Whinray Penny Young Australian Marathon Junior Team 2015: Callum Gosbell Andrew Holloway Oliver James Stephanie Langley Isabel Neilson Hamish Young Marathon Emerging National Team Tour Two Victorians represented Australia as part of the Australian Marathon Emerging National Team 2014 tour of South Africa in June. During , two Victorians were selected to the Australian Marathon Emerging National Team 2015 to tour South Africa in September. Australian Marathon Championships The 2015 Australian Marathon Championships were held at Canberra on the Molonglo River. Victoria was once again the dominant state in marathon racing. A total of 215 athletes entered the event including 70 Victorians. Victorians were well represented on the podium: GOLD Men Under 14 K1 Men Under 18 K1 Men Under 18 K2 Men Open K2 Mixed Vet 55 K2 Women Under 16 K1 Women Under 18 K1 Women Under 18 K2 Women Under 23 K1 Women Open K2 Women Vet 60 K1 Sean Jones Oliver James Oliver James/Hamish Young Michael Leverett/Edward Lovick Peter Currie/Annette Scott Hannah Scott Isabel Neilson Stephanie Langley/Isabel Neilson Penny Young Rebecca Mann/Marlena Ahrens Adele Walker Australian Marathon Emerging National Team 2014 Christopher Gundy Andrew Holloway Australian Marathon Emerging National Team 2015 Brigitte Blood Brea Roadley Scholarships and Travel Grants Supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria Marathon athletes Logan Dutton and Brea Roadley were awarded an Elite Athlete Travel Grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria to assist with travel to the ICF World Canoe Marathon Championships. Photo: Sam and Caroline Lovick SILVER Men Under 16 K2 Men Under 18 K1 Men Under 18 K2 Men Under 23 K1 Men Vet 55 K1 Men Vet 60 K1 Men Vet 60 K2 Men Open K1 Mixed Vet 40 K2 Mixed Vet 50 TK2 Mixed Vet 55 K2 Women Under 14 K2 Women Under 16 K2 Women Under 18 K1 Women Under 18 K2 Women Under 23 K1 Women Open K1 Women Vet 60 K1 Women Vet 65 K1 Women Vet 60 K2 Women Open K2 BRONZE Men Under 16 K1 Men Under 16 K2 Men Under 18 K1 Men Under 18 K2 Men Under 23 K1 Men Vet 40 K1 Men Vet 40 K2 Men Vet 50 K1 Mixed Vet 55 K2 Women Under 14 K1 Women Under 16 K1 Women Under 16 K2 Women Under 18 K1 Women Vet 60 K1 Macgregor Doyle/Carter Turnball David Inguanti Callum Gosbell/Andrew Holloway Casey Haynes Peter Currie Terry Poole Terry Poole Michael Leverett Andrew Cox/Candice Charles Jennifer Ackerly/Trevor Ackerly Suzanne Lipe/Rob Russell Emily O'Rourke/Ruby O'Keeffe Bridget Barnes/Hannah Scott Stephanie Langley Megan Macko/Brigitte Blood Kayla Winray Marlena Ahrens Maggie Vegh Terri Hynes Adele Walker/Gayle Burke Penny Young/Reka Abraham Macgregor Doyle William Camfield/Jack Osborne Hamish Young Isaac Johnson/David Inguanti Logan Dutton Ben Johnson Dominic Scarfe/Ben Johnson Dominic Scarfe Steven Vegh/Maggie Vegh Emily O Rourke Alana Johnson Alana Johnson/Shania Smee Megan Macko Gayle Burke P a g e 19

20 At the championships, Victorian Hanna Scott was awarded the Coulthart Trophy, and following trophy places were awarded to Victoria: International Class Trophy 1 st Halford Trophy 1 st Frank Whitebrook Trophy 2 nd Touring Class Trophy 3 rd Acknowledgements In conclusion I would like to thank all the paddlers that have competed in our events and I look forward to their continued support in I would like to express a very special thank you to all the volunteers and host clubs that helped in staging the events in 2015 and we look forward to working with you in Last but not least a personal thanks to the Marathon Committee for their contributions and support in particular a special mention to Alan Opie and John Young for their patience and dedication to making Marathon events successful. Joseph Alia Photo: Sam and Caroline Lovick Achievements in 2015 Key achievement for the marathon discipline during included: The purchase of an online entry system. This allows for entries to be taken later than previously and provisional results to be posted very shortly after the race has been completed. The online entry system has now become the norm for entering races. A new safety boat, motor and boat trailer have been purchased. An online marathon events calendar has been published well in advance and a printable version is available for those that want a printed copy at no cost. The appointment of a web coordinator to ensure that all information on the Canoeing Victoria website is current, accurate and up to date. Initiatives for 2016 During , the Marathon Committee plan to: Continue to develop and introduce new race formats to offer a greater variation for competitors. Continue reviewing our current ranking system so that paddlers needs and expectations are met. Encourage a higher participation from all levels of paddler competency by promoting marathon racing at the club and school level. P a g e 20