IAFA AGM 2014 Review

Last Saturday, the IAFA AGM took place in CityWest Hotel, Dublin. The AGM gives the IAFA Board an opportunity to update the clubs on how the sport fared last season and announce new initiatives for the coming season. It also gives clubs a chance to ask questions of the Board 19 of our 21 clubs were represented along with representatives from the Flag Football, Coaching and Officiating divisions and a number of topics were discussed including:

Management Report
IAFA President Michael Smith outlined his report on the future of the sport and demonstrated how it has grown over the years. In particular he highlighted the increase in clubs, the success of the new adult Flag Football league, the establishment of a Youth Football programme and proposed developments to officiating, including a new training structure and an elite programme. Michael also outlined targets for 2016 including having a large IAFL1 conference and more international fixtures.

New Board Members
The position of President was up for election again and Michael Smith nominated himself for a second term. As there was no other applications, Michael was deemed elected. In addition, there were three vacant Board positions and three applicants, Ian Cahill, Fergal O’Hanlon and Michael Smith, so all three were deemed elected.

New clubs
IAFA received applications from two new clubs this season – DIT who were applying for Formative status and the North West Vipers who were applying for Associative status. As a Formative member, DIT can begin the process of setting their club up with assistance from IAFA but cannot compete in league fixtures. As an Associate member, the Vipers can participate fully in league fixtures. Both clubs’ memberships were approved and were welcomed into the IAFA community.

SBC Schedule for 2015
The Board released the schedule for the SBC conference and issued each team with their fixture list. Full details of the schedule will be released very soon. The IAFL1 schedule has been drafted, but after feedback from the clubs it will be redesigned to include semi-finals. The IAFL2 schedule will be released in the new year.

Online Registration
IAFA intends to introduce an online registration system to allow players register for the 2015 season. Again based on feedback from clubs, registration will also change slightly. To make it easier for potential players to begin training without paying the full registration fee, this fee will be split into a smaller membership fee and a competition fee.

International Fixtures
With the continued success of the Ireland programme, the Board intend on scheduling an away fixture against Belgium towards the end of 2015.

Events
A number of events are scheduled for next season – the Shamrock Bowl, IAFL1 and IAFL2 Bowl games, the final of the Flag Football league (to take place prior to the Shamrock Bowl), 4th July games and some other fixtures against International club teams.

Anti-Doping
The Irish Sports Council have released their 2015 Irish Anti-Doping Rules and the Board made the clubs aware of the anti-doping process and that IAFA fully supports and participates in this programme.