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Round-up of the 2021 Canoe Wales AGM
Canoe Wales • 13 October 2021
It was fantastic to have over 90 people register for this year's Annual General Meeting, which was held online via Zoom on Monday 11 October - with nearly 80 attending on the evening.
Let's talk SUP...
A warm welcome and overview from the Chair of the Board, Kerry Chown, was followed by a 25-minute presentation on Stand Up Paddleboarding by Phil Scowcroft, Club Support Officer at British Canoeing. Phil delivered an informative presentation on SUP and his journey and experiences within the discipline, and talked through different SUP disciplines, why it’s increased in popularity, gender parity, how it’s evolving and some safety considerations.
Elections to the Board of Directors
Using an online polling function, three candidates were elected onto our Board of Directors: Jethro Moore (re-elected), Lowri Davies (re-elected) and Rhys Green (new Board member):
We'd like to say a special welcome to our newest Board member, Rhys Green. Asked what he hopes to bring to the Board, Rhys commented:
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who nominated me and those who voted for me to become a Board member in 2021. As paddlers I am sure that everyone can identify with the desire to assist others within our sport, from fitting out boats through to advanced journeys, For me, being on the Board of Canoe Wales allows me to be able to assist even further. Through my paddling to date I have enjoyed most environments, and most disciplines. I would like to ensure that others are able to enjoy what I have over the years through progressive, sustainable development of our sport. I'm always open to listening to the concerns or to pass on praise from our community to better shape and safeguard the sport we enjoy."
Annual Reports
After agreeing the minutes of the 2020 AGM, annual reports were presented by Kerry Chown (Chair), Alistair Dickson (CEO) and Andy Booth (Finance Director). These reports have now been added to the 2021 AGM papers and can be found here.
The CEO presented a summary of achievements throughout the 2020/21 financial year and an update on progress since then. Alistair spoke about some of Canoe Wales’ work supporting members and the paddling community through the COVID-19 lockdown, the very different challenges following the release of restrictions in May, and the increasing popularity of paddlesports since. You can download the full presentation
here.
A few words from Amlwch Canoe Club
Phil Edwards gave a presentation on how Amlwch Canoe Club had managed through the lockdowns and the subsequent return to paddling during the summer of 2021. He spoke about the increased demand for paddlesport and the challenges this was presenting to the club. He also talked about the successful Go Paddling event the club had run earlier this summer and how this had roughly doubled club membership. He finished by thanking Canoe Wales for all the support and guidance through the lockdown period - and also the Outdoor Partnership who had been instrumental in the club’s formation and onward success.
Opening of the 2021 Awards
Before the AGM came to a close, Alistair also announced the opening of the 2021 Canoe Wales Awards and encouraged members, clubs and other organisation to start submitting their nominations. Nominations are open till 21 November and winners will be announced in December.
Looking ahead
We'd like to thank all of the members, presenters and stakeholders who attended and supported the 2021 AGM, making it such a valuable event.
We'd be interested to hear whether members would like to keep the current online format for the 2022 AGM, or would be interested in a face-to-face event that alternates between North, Mid and South Wales every year (similar to the Eisteddfod). Do contact us to let us know your views.
Jf you weren't able to attend the AGM, a recording is now available on the
Canoe Wales YouTube channel:
Recent Posts
A huge congratulations to the following paddlers for making it onto the Canoe Wales Slalom Programme. Your dedication and commitment over the past twelve months have truly paid off, and the progress you have all made is commendable. Such good work everyone!
On Tuesday evening, Canoe Wales welcomed over 80 people to it’s online AGM and Annual Meeting. The evening started with an introduction from the Canoe Wales Chair, Kerry Chown who then introduced Tavi Murray and Russell Scaplehorn who began the evening with a talk on their incredible sea kayaking trip around Wales. Tavi and Russell took us on a journey around the coastline, into the canals and estuaries, and through storms and other challenges. They inspired us all to do something similar with tales of connection and achievement and it was a great start to the evening. The normal business of the AGM came next, and viewers received an update on the Canoe Wales Board. They also received an overview of the five nominees for the two vacant elected positions and we moved into the voting. It was clear the voting was a key focus of the evening and significantly contributed to the bumper turnout. Many proxy votes had been received demonstrating the interest and engagement and also the high calibre of the five candidates. As a consequence of the voting, Megan Hamer-Evans and Jim Potter were selected as the two candidates and will be inducted on to the Canoe Wales Board of Directors in the coming weeks. Kerry Chown then gave her Chair’s report where she announced she would be standing down as Chair next June. Alistair Dickson, CEO, followed with an update of the activities of the association across the various functional areas. Andy Booth, Canoe Wales Finance Director, then followed and gave a detailed picture of the financial situation of both Canoe Wales and Canoe Wales Sales and Services. Votes were taken where the accounts were approved as presented and Bevan Buckland LLC were reappointed for 2024-25. Kerry then introduced the Board’s proposal to change the trading name of Canoe Wales to Paddle Cymru. This was approved with 80% of voters in approval of the change. Canoe Wales will be changing its trading name to Paddle Cymru, heralding a new era for us as the national governing body for paddlesport in Wales. The new name and brand identity were approved by the Canoe Wales membership following it’s AGM on Tuesday evening. This is following an extensive process of consultation with its paddling community, partners and stakeholders over the past two years. It’s also following the proposal of the International Canoe Federation to become Paddle Worldwide which was agreed at the annual congress last week. Following the vote, Canoe Wales will be updating the branding and launching a new website in weeks to come. Please watch this space!
Welsh Sailing, Canoe Wales and Welsh Triathlon sign up to Clean Water Sports Alliance Three national governing bodies for sports in Wales have joined the Clean Water Sports Alliance to call for the protection of blue spaces for people and wildlife. RYA Cymru Wales, Canoe Wales and Welsh Triathlon announced their backing for the campaign at a Sustainability in Sport conference hosted by the Welsh Sports Association (WSA) at The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, Newport (12 November 2024).
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