The 2011 ITTA Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday 4th June 2011 at Sport HQ, Park West, Dublin. Good attendances of 41 members heard reports of the 2010/11 season’s activities and were updated about current initiatives within the Association.
Key Highlights/Initiatives:
Finance: affiliations for 2012 to remain at same level as in 2011; consideration being given to the introduction of a club affiliation system. Information will be circulated on the proposal shortly.
Schools: All Ireland Primary and Secondary Schools Team Championships were held in Banbridge and Castlebar respectively. Changes to the current format of these events are being considered and will be available in the near future.
Sponsorships: Butterfly and Stiga with a number of small event associated sponsorships, including the Challenger series.
Junior Challenger Series: this series was again highly successful and will continue in the 2011/12 season. A Senior Series will be introduced; 8 Junior Challenger and 3 Senior Challenger events targeted in 2011/12
Umpires: Umpires Association trained 16 new County Umpires during the season; umpires’ refresher courses planned; revised and updated Sanctions Scheme to be issued.
Need for Volunteers: there is a need for additional volunteers in all areas of ITTA activity and offers of assistance welcomed, especially for setting up and taking down of venues before events; those interested in lending a hand should contact ITTA Manager, Darren Coombes at [email protected] .
Marketing: significant increase in media and print coverage during season;
Women in Sport: active increased programme in place involving 27 projects; programme has been rolled out in conjunction with other participation programmes.
Performance: introduction of High Performance Committee to receive and consider nominations for appointment of HP positions, the Selectors and the HP Programme; Irish International teams competed in 19 events during the season; Irish Senior Men’s and Women’s Teams competed the World Senior Individuals Championships in the Netherlands; Irish Women’s Senior Team finished in 29th place in European Senior Championships in the Czech Republic.
Good junior results in Senior Schools Internationals and 6 Nations Junior/Cadet Championships.
Coach Education: courses at all levels to be organized in the 2011/12 season commencing with a Level 2 course in September; Marcus McDonnell qualified as an ITTA Tutor.
Child Protection: all working with children in the sport must receive Garda clearance in R.O.I. and from Access NI in Ulster; national children’s committee, involving Branch Child Protection officers to be set up; ITTA policies and practices on children to be reviewed.
Tommy Caffrey Trophy: this award of “Player of the Tournament” at the Senior/Under 21/Veterans Interpros was awarded to Pawel Sulkowski for his performances at the 2011 event
Colum Slevin Award: this new award was presented to Valentina Puotkalyte as the “Player of the Tournament” at the 2011 Junior/Cadet/Under 12 Interpros.
Calendar of Events 2011/12: Version 1 of the ITTA Calendar on ITTA website.
Review of Junior & Senior Ranking Schemes: Review of both schemes being undertaken and final drafts to be issued to Branches shortly for comment; thank you to those who have inputted to the reviews
Elections:
The following were elected:
v President: Mr. J. Hickey
v Chairman:
The meeting noted that the Chairman ( J. HIckey) had indicated several months earlier that he would not be seeking re-election and that the intended nominee as his successor had decided not to accept the post, due to a change in circumstances. Mr. Hickey recommended that the AGM leave it to the Board to appoint a new Chairman and this was agreed. At a Board meeting held immediately after the AGM, it was agreed that Mr. Hickey would continue as Chairman, until a successor was appointed, probably at the August meeting.
v Finance Director: Mrs. P. Hunter
v Technical Director: Mr. J. O’Donoghue
v Coaching Director: Mr. M. McDonnell
v International Director: Mr. K. Strong
v Marketing Director: Vacant
v Participation Director: Mr. B. Haughton
v Human Resources Director: Vacant
v Deputy Life President: Mr. A. Thackaberry
v Vice Presidents: Mr. T. Phillips MBE, Mr. T. Martin, Mr. P. O’Brien
v Disciplinary Committee: Mrs.L. Cooke, Dr. W.S. Chan, Messrs. J. Campbell, P. Conneely, C. Higgins & T. Mahaffy
v Jury of Appeal: Miss K. O’Hara, Messrs. N. Hitchcock, P. Talini & J. Wilson
ITTA Awards:
The following awards for 2010/11 were presented:
v Ken Strong Male Coach of the Year: RICHARD BUTLER
v Rhanbuoy Trophy Senior Male Player: JOHN MURPHY
v Eleanor McKee Trophy Senior Female Player: AMANDA MOGEY
v Billy Marshall Junior Award: ASHLEY GIVAN
v Press Officer of the Year: KIM SIN YAP
v Stiga Volunteer of the Year: CON O’CEADAIGH
v Joe Veselsky Merit Award: TOMMY KEENAN
Further information is available from ITTA Secretary, Darren Coombes at [email protected] or by telephoning +353 1 625 1135