ARA REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

SUNDAY 22 JANUARY 2006 - THE GLEBE CENTRE, MURTON

Report from Andrew Bryant - Chair Northern Region Rowing Council.   

The Northern Region in conjunction with the ARA held a Development Conference at the Glebe Centre, Murton on Sunday 22 January 2006.

Nineteen clubs from across the region were represented comprising nearly forty delegates.

The key messages from the event are outlined below and I would ask that all clubs consider these and take forward as part of their management arrangements.     

1. Alan Meegan – ARA Facilities Manager      

Outlined the structure of the ARA and the role of the Coaching Development Officer (CDO) whose time is divided between the Young Person’s Programme (66%), Coach Education (22%) and Club Development (12%). Funding for the role of the CDO is linked to these areas of work.

Highlighted various sources of potential funding available to clubs and provided a handout with details.

Talked through the benefits of being a Community Action Sports Club (CASC) and in particular how the granting of charitable status can give access to Tax Breaks.

Confirmed what is covered by the ARA Insurance Policy in respect of clubs, coaches and members.  

Handouts were produced on each of these subjects and copies can be obtained from the Northern Region CDO Rob Cree (e-mail: Rob.cree@ara-rowing.org)

2. Water Safety Update

Unfortunately Stuart Ward the ARA Water Safety Officer was unable to attend so the session was delivered by Rory Semple ARA Volunteer Support Manager.

The slides from this session have already been distributed by John Mulholland (Regional Safety Adviser) on North East Rowing On-line.

A further reminder to all clubs that your Summary of Incidents for 2005 is due to be forwarded to the ARA with a copy to John Mulholland by 28 February 2006.  Also the Safety Audit should be available on OARA after 4 February for clubs to complete.



3. Child Protection/Participant Welfare

Rory Semple outlined current developments and asked delegates to consider whether they felt the region would benefit from someone working at regional level covering Child Protection and Participant Welfare.

Annmarie Phelps, Child Protection Officer for the ARA is working towards an area on the On-line ARA System dedicated to this area.

There is a further contact in the ARA Office Pippa Randolph who covers this area of work.

4. Northern Region Forward Plan 2005-2009

Wade Hall-Craggs walked delegates through the plan which is on the regional website.

The CDO and officers from the region will be visiting all clubs to discuss how they can contribute to the plan.

Wade also talked about the London 2012 Legacy Bid which the region has presented to the North East Sports Board. This covers the setting up of a regional structure to identify and nurture high performance athletes capable of reaching Olympic standard.

5. Coach Education     

Debbie Connolly Regional Coaching Commissioner outlined the changes to the coaching qualifications.

The first of the new Level 2 courses is currently being held in the region down on Teesside.

Debbie mentioned that she will be forwarding a questionnaire to all clubs shortly seeking details of their coach numbers and qualifications plus information on coach education requirements.

6. Junior Inter-Regional Regatta

Andy Clark from Yarm School who is the Team Manager for the 2006 Regional Team outlined the selection process for the event at Nottingham on Sunday 14 May.     

There is a Trials day for Sculling seats at Yarm School on Sunday 5 February. Rowing seats will be decided at a further trials session yet to be arranged.


7 Event Administration

Andrew Bryant outlined that both he and the NRC are keen to improve the standard of club administration (accepting that a few clubs already operate to high standard) and in particular the part clubs play when entering for events. Most rowers train with the aim of competing but to do that we need individuals and committees prepared to run events. Plus everyone should understand that the fee paid is a fee to enter an event and not a fee to race.

Improvements being sought are:

焠 Clubs to abide by the rules of the event and in particular to make the entries on time with the appropriate fee enclosed. Both Rutherford Head and Durham SBH insisted on payment being made by the entry closure date and other events are being encouraged to do the same. No fee = no entry.
焠 Clubs to make their entries via one source i.e. Club Secretary or Entries Secretary rather than individuals or crews making their own entries. OARA takes us down this route and having one recognised point of contact will make it easier for event secretaries. Plus the club is responsible for ensuring your entry is correct.
焠 Complete your entries in full including ARA numbers and have licences available for inspection on the day.

If you have any comments or observations including on the conference itself then please forward these to Rob Cree in the first instance. His e-mail address is shown above   



Andrew Bryant
2.2.06