Minutes of the Far North Coast Swimming Association Inc

MINUTES OF FNC MEETING

Minutes of the Far North Coast Swimming Association Inc.

General Meeting

held at the Alstonville Bowling Club

on Sunday 17th February 2002

Meeting opened at 1.18pm

Present
Maree Field (Lennox Head), Trish Barnes (Kingscliff), Gail Hunter (Twin Towns), Margaret Harding (Alstonville), Bernie Thompson (Alstonville), Chris Mills (Lismore), Margaret Nind (Lismore), John Smits (Alstonville), Warren Watson (Casino), Elva Jones (Kyogle).

Apologies
Graham Canning, Graham Lees, Glenn Moriarty.

Minutes from the previous meeting were accepted as presented
Moved Trish Barnes - Seconded John Smits
That the Minutes be accepted as presented - Carried

Treasurer’s Report:
Gail Hunter presented the Treasurer’s report. Gail reported that the Auditor had only just returned the ‘books’ so there are a number of outstanding deposits. The bank balance is currently $12,781.43, the Book balance being $18,439.53, with an outstanding deposit of $9,745, which has since been deposited. A number of cheques were also to be drawn and Gail asked that permission be given to pay these accounts and permission was given: Your Computer Wizard: $40, Magnacard: $159, Lismore Trophies: $3,231.90, Ballina Fair Swim and Gym: $195, Magnacard: $127, K B Butler Accountant: $275, Margaret Harding: $121.02.

Moved Gail Hunter - Seconded Margaret Harding
That the Treasurer’s Report be accepted as presented - Carried

Correspondence In:
A list of correspondence was read by Trish Barnes

Moved Trish Barnes - Seconded Bernie Thompson
That the Correspondence In be accepted - Carried

Correspondence Out:
A list of Correspondence Out was read by Trish Barnes

Moved Trish Barnes - Seconded Margaret Harding
That the Correspondence Out be accepted - Carried

Business Arising:
Ballina Memorial: A letter was received from Ballina Memorial regarding fees for the NSWSA Educational Seminar and Team Manager seminar that was held on the FNC. Ballina Memorial felt that any decision regarding fees for seminars should be put on an agenda and forwarded to all clubs for discussion. Ballina Memorial also felt that as they ‘were not present at the meeting when the motion was passed’ they feel this decision should be reviewed at the next meeting. Discussion on the Educational seminar was held at the FNC AGM in May 2001, when two members of Ballina Memorial were present at the meeting. Originally this seminar was to have been a Technical seminar run by members of the NSWSA Technical Committee, but on the insistence of a member of Ballina Memorial club, was changed to an Educational Seminar, the reasoning being that this would be more of a benefit to clubs. Costs and venues were discussed as well as fees for each club which would have to be paid, whether or not they attended the seminar.

FNCSA then arranged to have the Education Committee visit our District and invited all clubs to attend. Many clubs did not take this opportunity, Ballina Memorial being one of them. FNC Swimming were very disappointed at this as Ballina Memorial was the club who asked for this seminar and felt it would be most beneficial. To date, only three clubs have not paid for the seminar: Ballina Memorial, Lower Clarence and Tweed Heads. All FNC clubs are asked to attend FNC meetings where the issue of costs etc. are discussed, but attendance from some clubs is very poor. FNC Swimming again asks all clubs to attend meetings and have an input on how your District is run, it is very hard to make decisions with only a few clubs attending. In the past we have sent agendas and discussion papers to clubs with no response, and items were continuously being deferred to the next meeting and the next meeting and so on, with no decisions being made.

A letter is to be sent to Ballina Memorial, Lower Clarence and Tweed Heads requesting payment for the Seminar.

Windows version of Meet Manager: Lin Johnson has requested that FNC purchase the Windows version of Meet Manager. NSWSA is now using this program and it would be easier to send results etc. to NSWSA. Lin has obtained a quote for the system at the discounted price of $475.00.

Moved Bernie Thompson - Seconded John Smits

That FNC Swimming approves the purchase of the Windows version of the Meet Manager program. Lin Johnson to organise. - Carried

State Councillor’s Report:
Margaret reported that Chris Mills, in his role as Vice President, will be attending the next NSWSA forum with Margaret, as Maree Field is unable to attend. Margaret reported that the recent NSW Regional meet held at the Banora Point complex had been a huge success, with record numbers competing. But Margaret was disappointed with the level of support from FNC Officials. If FNC is to host a carnival again, support from all officials is required.

Margaret recommends that FNC purchase 6 sets of headsets for use at carnivals. These headsets were used successfully at the Regional Meet. Tandy Electronics sells them and they are not expensive.

Margaret had printed disqualification sheets and time keepers sheets for the Regional meet, costs to be born by FNCSA.

New carnival sub-committee has not gotten together yet but will do so after the Summer season ends, after March.

Moved Margaret Harding - Seconded Warren Watson
That FNC Swimming purchase 6 headsets for use at FNC Carnivals - Carried

Margaret congratulated Emma Byrnes and Matthew Lance from Twin Towns for selection in the NSWSA 12 years 200m I.M. training squad. Congratulation also to Doug Benzie of Kingscliff for selection in the NSW touring squad to New Zealand.

General Business:

FNC Membership fee for Non Swimmers: Elva Jones raised the question of the $5 membership fee for non swimmers to FNC. Some clubs have not paid for their non swimmers this year while some clubs have. A general discussion took place and it was decided that non swimmers will not be charged the $5 fee. Gail will return to clubs cheques to cover the amounts paid.

Moved Bernie Thompson - Seconded Elva Jones
That the $5 membership fee to FNCSA will not be charged for non swimmers - Carried

Winter Development Squad: Graham Lees of Lennox Head proposes changing the WDS to a one weekend format. Graham suggests that the Lennox Head Sport and Recreation facilities could be ideal, swimmers would arrive on Friday at noon and finish at lunch on Sunday. All meals, accommodation and activities at the camp (canoeing, archery, grass skiing etc.) would be included in the cost. Graham has had preliminary discussions with the manager at the centre and was quoted $110 for those 13 years and over and $55 for those 12 years and under. We may be able to receive a student rate of around $45 per person, depending on numbers attending. It was discussed that as this is to be a one weekend camp, we could invite our ‘visiting coach’ who was appointed to our District from NSW swimming as part of their Country Swimming Development Program. It was also suggested that we could open up the weekend to swimmers up to National Qualifying Standard. The new pool at Lennox Head could be used for the swimming sessions.

Moved Chris Mills - Seconded Bernie Thompson
That FNC investigate the possibility of holding a one weekend camp at the Sport and Recreation facilities at Lennox Head with a view to keeping costs to around $45 a head - Carried

(Weekend suggested Friday 11th to Sunday 13th October).

FNC Printer: The FNC printer 'died' at the Relay Carnival at Mullumbimby. John Smits took it to a repairer who informed him it was ‘throw away material’. It was felt that the main problem we are having with our printers is lack of use. They are just collecting dust. It was felt that there is no point in purchasing another printer as most clubs now have their own. It was suggested and agreed to that clubs holding FNC Carnivals use their own printers and FNCSA will pay for the ink cartridge.

Lismore pool update: Lismore informed the meeting that Council was set to meet on the funding of the new pool. Plans have been drawn for an eight lane 50m outdoor unheated pool and a six lane indoor 25m heated pool. Construction is supposed to start next March and to be completed by December. There is seating for 400 spectators. The current change rooms are to become a one level change room facility and kiosk with a multiclub facility upstairs, holding meeting rooms, storage areas and gym rooms. Lismore club suggested that FNCSA could use part of this room as a FNCSA office and/or storage area for our equipment and for meetings. Lismore also asked that FNCSA might like to donate some money towards the cost of this office area and that we write a letter to Lismore Council stating our support of the whole pool complex upgrade, stating our interest in occupying office space at the club and our need for storage space to house our equipment. It was agreed to write to Lismore Council to state our support for the pool upgrade and to suggest an interest in the new office space.

Stopwatches for FNCSA: At all FNCSA carnivals we ask all clubs to supply three watches. John Smits, who was Chief Timekeeper at FNC Championship No 2, said that most clubs did this, but some of the watches failed on the day. John felt that FNCSA needs to purchase its own complete set of watches and this was agreed to. Bernie was to inquire as to the cost of 30 watches, suggested price was $50 each for decent watches. Bernie to report back on costings.

1500m Postal Swims: Warren Watson informed the meeting that at the FNC Championship No 1 carnival held at Casino some clubs did not pay for their 1500m Freestyle Postal swim entries. When the Casino club asked one of these clubs why they had not forwarded the entry fee, they were informed that this club did not think they had to pay for this event as it was a postal event and not swum on the day. As this event is part of the FNC Championship carnival and medals/money are awarded to place getters, as well as championship points to clubs and that these times are recognised for FNC records and for entry times to other carnivals, an entry fee is to be paid for these events and for the 800m Freestyle postal event. Clubs who have not paid will be contacted and billed for the amounts owing.

NSWSA Winter Short Course: Bernie Thompson has technical information for the Winter Short course carnival at Griffith. Anyone who wants to be a timekeeper etc. to contact Bernie.

Program cover for FNC Carnivals: Lismore felt that information on the front covers of programs at all carnivals on the FNC needs to be more accurate. Information regarding rules and laws governing swimming and the conduct of the carnival that should be on the front cover is not always printed and the wording is sometimes incorrect. The Carnival Sub-committee is to look at this issue and update the information for all clubs.

Child protection forms: Margaret reported that once a form has been signed at FNC, it does not have to be signed again, the same with forms signed at clubs. But a new form will have to be signed if officiating at NSWSA carnivals or at school/zone/regional carnivals, but this will only have to be once at each of these events.

Money for medals: While there were not many swimmers who opted this year to take the money instead of the medal, it has again been difficult to determine the results accurately. A new system of recording of who took medals needs to be implemented. Suggestions on changes to the current system would be most welcome. Cheques are to be forwarded to those swimmers who opted for the money. Any queries to be directed to the Secretary.

Multi-disability swimming: The new sub-committee is to look at the FNC carnivals and introduce multi-disability events in the programs. PSSA has now added 50m Breaststroke multi-disability event to this year's carnival.

Nicky Price at Alstonville Swimming club is a good contact for anyone needing information on multi-disability swimming, especially on how to get the correct disability classification.

Meeting closed at 3.05pm.

The next meeting of FNC Swimming is to be the FNCSA Annual General Meeting . This will be held on Sunday 19th May 2002 at the Ballina RSL Club commencing at 10.00am. All clubs are invited to attend.

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