At the Annual General Meeting last Sunday it was suggested that the Chairman
should send a regular newsletter to the members. So here is the first of what I hope
will be a series, done in the interest of good communication, in particular between the
committee and the members.
In relation to the AGM, the attendance was the lowest for some years. The AGM is
the main forum for reviewing the progress of fencing in the year gone past, and for
agreeing future policy. It was very disappointing for the Committee that so few people
turned up. Remember the Committee are volunteers who are doing their best for our
sport, but they do need your support and help to do the job.
Your Committee for the coming year are as follows: Tom Rafter, Chairman, Nuala
McGarrity, Secretary, Julian Smith, Treasurer, together with Deirdre Donegan, Sarah
Drumm, Rachael Flynn, Eimear Kennedy, Philip Lee, Michael Ryan and Johanna
Weis. All of them would welcome input from members, whether suggestions or
constructive criticism.
It is proposed to hold a Club Representatives meeting after the student competition in
DCU on 3rd November at 5 p.m. Please can I ask all Club Captains or
Representatives to attend. The calendar must be finalised and we can discuss any
other important issues. In particular, I want to make sure that all clubs are fully
briefed on our new insurance arrangements (announced at our AGM by our new
Treasurer) which should be of benefit to clubs, coaches and individual fencers alike.
We are planning a Training Camp on 17th November for senior fencers, so please
keep this date free – more information later.
We are continuing our efforts to secure a full-time coach, and I will come back to this
in future newsletters.
On 1st December, we will have our first FIE Satellite Mens Epee competition, held in
conjunction with the Irish Open, and we ask your support for this major event. We
have secured a major equipment grant from the Department of Sport to allow us do
this.
We are planning a Race Night as a fund-raiser towards the existing Squad Funding
scheme. This event will take place in January 2008. We welcome help and ideas and
hope for a good turnout.
Best wishes to all for an enjoyable and successful fencing season.
Tom Rafter
Chairman
24 October, 2007
