Yesterday we held our 2016 Annual General Meeting in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel in Dublin.
New Board
The meeting opened with the annual report and then progressed on the Board elections. Four new Board members were elected to the nine person Board. For the first time in the history of the sport, there will be two female Board members – both of whom bring very relevant skills.
The 2017 Board is as follows:
Michael Smith (President)
Brian Cleary
Colum Lavery (external)
Declan McNally
Cillian Smith
Joining these existing Board members are (in alphabetical order):
Emma Burrows, a Sports Psychology PHD student, who has an academic background in human performance
Aidan Maguire, President of Louth Mavericks, one of the leagues fastest developing clubs
Derek Ward, former Director of Officiating with coaching, management and playing experience at club level
Janice Ward, HR/financial services professional who is currently on the Presidium of the International Federation of American Football
Other topics
At the AGM, the Association announced that it is currently focusing on recruiting volunteers with professional experience to communications, event management and financial positions within the organisation. These are currently being advertised on our website, sportsjobs.ie and via Boardmatch. Other items discussed/announced included:
- A new Strategic Planning process is due to start – Barry Kiel (Belfast Trojans) and Pete Kloehn (Dublin Rebels) were appointed as ‘Captains’ of the process
- Team representatives advocated asking members with relevant skills to put themselves forward to a panel, based on their expertise and experience, that can be called upon for specific projects and advice
- The Competition Committee recommended getting the SBC back to 10 teams by 2018, changes to promotion/relegation and structures to help clubs to field 2nd teams
- Review of membership fees
- The association will look into the introduction of baseline testing for concussion
- Team Ireland’s participation in a new IFAF sanctioned International competition with both kitted football and flag tournaments, alongside Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium & Luxembourg and taking place in Spain next year
- Cheer Dance Ireland to come on board as a constituent part of the IAFA which will be the National Governing Body and National Federation for the sport of competitive cheerleading going forward
- The disappointment with the organisers of the ALCFC and the push for sporting sector regulatory changes at Government level which will compliment the Association’s position on visiting events
- New club, Antrim Jets, which is planning to play in IAFL2, was welcomed to the Association