| President's Reports |
| LEEWARD ISLANDS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT�S REPORT Delivered at the Executive Meeting held on 17th February 2004 at FND conference room, Basseterre, St. Kitts Let me first say thanks to the officers of the Leeward Islands Association namely, Reynolds O�Neal � Vice President, Jeannette Robinson � past Secretary/Treasurer, James �Mologo� Kelly � Technical Officer, Ex-officio officers � Les Browne, Everton Cornelius and Raphael Jenkins, for their support during the period 2003 � 2004. My report at the Annual General meeting in Tortola covered all aspects up to and including the preparation for the 2003 Leewards Youth Championship. This report will continue from that point. EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES A. JUNIOR MEET REPORT The British Virgin Islands hosted a successful Junior Championships in Tortola on 31st May & 1st June 2003, under the leadership of President Ray O�Neal. The athlete�s performances were of note and augurs well for the continued success of the program. St. Kitts emerged champions with 282.5 points; followed by the Antigua & Barbuda with 243 points and BVI with 135.5 points. Other teams were Nevis (114 pts), Dutch St. Martin (48 pts), Anguilla (23 pts) and USVI with 21 pts. Arrangements for the meet when generally well and the hosts should be applauded for their efforts, especially in light of the fact that they had to arrange the meet on relatively short notice, after the withdrawal of the selected hosts, St. Kitts. We were graced with the presence of Dr. Amadeo Francis, Vice President of the IAAF and Chairman of the Development committee, who attended the meet and gave remarks at the opening ceremony. He also attended the Annual General Meeting, held on the Saturday evening. B. OFFICIALS WORKSHOP An official�s workshop was arranged for Tortola prior to the Junior meet. The workshop did take place but the attendance could have been better with more senior officials attending. Mr. James Kelly, Technical Officer and Area Technical Officer for the IAAF, submitted a detailed report that will be discussed by this executive body. Mr. Kelly will also be looking at the non-occurrence of the Antigua workshop with the intention of making recommendations based on lessons learnt from the two experiences and proposing firmer controls that need to be established for future workshops. C. MEET ARRANGEMENTS Meet arrangements for the 2003 season did not go as planned with the withdrawal of St. Kitts from hosting of the Junior Championships event. The unfortunate result was that the senior event did not occur for the 5th successive year, as the BVI were the original hosts for the Senior event. The issues of hosting and the withdrawal of host countries needs to be again addressed urgently as it places enormous strain on the other members Associations and the LIAA. The bidding process needs to be more transparent and complete, in terms of ensuring that countries that win bids actually have the capacity, resources and will to ensure a successful completion of the event. In light of the above, I have produced a draft �Bid Document� and a draft �Requirements for the hosting of LIAA meets�, that attempts to address this problem that we will discuss today. COMMUNICATION Effective communication remains a serious problem with Executive members and Associations not responding adequately to information sent to them. A binding communication protocol was implemented but members are not adhering to the protocol. That results in using the limited LIAA funds in follow-up phone/fax communication. The response of members to host countries requests also needs to be addressed. Host countries must also be timelier, in the distribution of information. MEMBERSHIP FEES All members are requested to pay their membership fees by the date indicated in the Constitution. EXECUTIVE MEETINGS The last executive meeting was held in St. Kitts on February 2003 at the Foundation for National Development Conference room. All officers attended with the exception of Mr. Kelly, who was ill at the time. Various matters were discussed including: * Rules & Regulationq Financing/Budgeting * Procedures * Officiating workshops * Youth, Junior and Senior meets PROPOSALS & IDEAS FOR 2004 NEW EVENT PROPOSALS The revitalization of the Senior Championships event must be a focus for 2004. The absence of this meet continues to be has been a major concern for member Associations as it provided a critical competition within the region for our Senior athletes. USVI is currently exploring the possibility of hosting this meet and we hope that this will be possible, even with a reduced number of events and participating team size. It is hoped that the OECS meet will finally �come off� in St. Lucia and I suggest that member Associations fully support this meet. Proposals for a Championships series of �off the track events� may also be forthcoming from USVI for late 2004/2005. The proposal may include the staging of some or all of the following events: * Marathon or half marathon * Cross country race * Road race/relay RESOURCE INVENTORY/USE Members are again encouraged to support the host countries by providing guest officials for the Championship series, where possible. I again suggest that we establish a regional database of resources to include the following areas: * Coaches (expert areas and levels identified) * Officials (expert areas and levels identified) * Meet Managers * Equipment (particularly field implements) COMMITTEE FORMATION Committee formations will be proposed for the 2004/2005 in the following areas: * Road competitions * Statistics * Meet management * Technical Their terms of reference could include: * The generation of ideas and suggestions * Responsibility for actual implementation in specific areas * Recommendations for the procurement of software programs * Recommendations for timing, content of officiating workshops and establishment of standards * Establishment of general and specific standards (e.g. LIAA series officials) MARKETING/FINANCING We will continue to make an effort to market L.I.A.A. in the business sector. Unfortunately due to the resignation of the past Secretary Treasurer this effort has been hampered. The Association must generate additional financing for the Championship series. This effort will include the regional carriers (LIAT and Caribbean Star), who are being targeted to provide discounted fare for the competitions. The support of the OECS Sports Desk has been solicited in this effort. IAAF/NACAC RECOGNITION We need to agree on the process for recognition by International bodies. The recognition will hopefully not only provide a source of financing and support but also added �legitimacy� for the organization. BIDDING PROCESS The Bidding process for LIAA events needs to be regularized. This includes the submission of bidding documents with associated supporting documents, in a formal bidding process. Penalties should also be examined for members who default on the hosting of events, as the alternate or substitute hosts will incur additional expenses due to the default. COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL Executive members and member Associations should implement the communication protocol previously agreed. This is critical to ensure that effective and efficient communication is created between LIAA and members, and to minimise communication costs. WORKSHOPS A. OFFICIALS The arrangements and preparations for the officiating workshops need to be critically examined, with strict guidelines established and implemented for this critical area. An agreed time period needs to be established that will allow the implementation of lessons learnt at the workshop. The Technical Officer will provide other recommendations: B. MEET MANAGEMENT Meet management needs to be improved in all member Associations. It is recommended that meet management workshops be held in all host countries, involving all critical meet management personnel (and alternates) slated to be involved in this area. This is an area that IAAF/NACAC could assist with, given the seminar held by the Regional Development Center in Puerto Rico. The procurement of software (e.g. Hytek Meet Management software) is also recommended to assist in: * the practical entry and compilation of results * statistical evaluation * record compilation * the publishing of meet results etc. on the Internet. This will hopefully occur in 2004, during the meets. INTERNET USE It is again proposed that an Internet site be established for LIAA, with member participation in the design and maintenance of specific aspects of the site. Areas could be allocated to members for their presentation of local information, results etc. Members are encouraged to establish their own web sites as a means of disseminating information to the local population, the region and beyond. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The LIAA should institute a recognition system for persons who have significantly contributed to the Track and Field in the Leewards region. An agreed set of awards and recognitions should be established. Congrats to Ray on his selected to be awarded a �Veterans pin� from the IAAF, and I trust that his �retirement� for the forefront of the Athletic scene, will mean that he will work even harder in the background, ensuring that the sport continues to strive. Congrats also to Raphael Jenkins on his re-election as President of the SKAAA. Thanks also to Everton Cornelius, who will now support athletics in his new position as immediate past President of ABAAA. Lester Blackett LIAA President (2002 - 2004) |
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