ANNUAL REPORT 2006 AUSTRALIAN WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION INC MISSION STATEMENT To promote and develop the sport of Weightlifting in Australia at all levels of participation AUSTRALIAN WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION INC ABN 73 150 873 587 Affiliated with International Weightlifting Federation, Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation, Oceania Weightlifting Federation Member of Australian Olympic Committee, Australian Commonwealth Games Association BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Sam Coffa AM, JP Directors Ralph Cashman OAM Ian Moir George Hardiman Boris Kayser Michael Keelan Lyn Jones Bob Pavone Simon Heffernan Chief Executive Matthew Curtain Officer PO Box 7 Hawthorn VIC 3122 AUSTRALIA Tel: +613 9815 3306 •Fax: +613 9815 3307 Email: [email protected] • Internet: www.awf.com.au NATIONAL COMMITTEES High Performance Ralph Cashman (Chair), Lyn Jones, Michael Keelan, Angela Wydall, Luke Borreggine, Jacquie White National Selectors Ralph Cashman (Chair), Sam Coffa, Ian Moir, Pedro Sanchez, Luke Borreggine Finance Sam Coffa (Chair), Ralph Cashman, George Hardiman Coach Development Michael Keelan, Lyn Jones Athletes’ Committee Simon Heffernan (Chair), Jacquie White, Damon Kelly, Amanda Phillips, Nadeene Latif, Nicole Sawon, Shane Gates, Danielle Waller, Michael Pileggi, Ben Mulder, Rebecca Rush, Michael Klinkert Record Keeper Kylie Booth REPORT •PRESIDENT As you would have expected the six months leading to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games were completely and utterly devoted to the Games which coupled with the previous period in which the Federation spent an enormous time and effort with the Governance and Administrative Review one must say it has been a very busy and arduous time. I report also that at the time of writing this report the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) investigation was, according to advise received, in its final stages and its conclusions, findings and report will be presented to the ASADA Board soon after. Needless to say the AWF will be waiting and watching with intense interest on the outcome which will have enormous implication in the future of the Federation and the Sport. Currently, as you well know, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) suspended the funding to the AWF due to concerns regarding compliance, finance and governance and whilst these concerns have been discussed with the ASC and to our understanding such concerns have been addressed and clarified, we are advised that the ASC will await the outcomes of the ASADA investigation before progressing all matters which of course includes any reinstatement of funding. The ASADA investigation which was announced one day before the Opening Ceremony of the M2006 Commonwealth Games has now been going on for over eight months during which time the Sport and the Federation has been absolutely drained and strangled and left to deal with the financial shortfalls the best way it can. The situation is critical as left without resource the responsibility has fallen on my personal shoulders and there is a limit to what I can do or for that matter how long I can sustain this support. At an earlier time it was reported to you by the CEO that the AWF met with representatives of the ASC to go through and discuss additional items of concern. A list of such items was made up and item by item we have gone through the process of progress and/or finalisation. The intent being that as a result of this exercise some relief funding might have been released. As stated above, even though most of the identified item have been completed or progressed to an acceptable level, the ASC will not release any funding. The AWF is in its first year of the restructuring process following the governance review and we are still evaluating some of the issues so that a review can take place. The establishment of programs necessary to ensure a strong structured and well planned growth has to occur. Development and implementation of long term effective strategic planning is another of our priorities as well as overcoming the shortage of manpower and financial resources. The appointment of Matthew Curtain as CEO has meant that the AWF office is now properly managed and importantly the lines of communication with our constituents have been re- established. The AWF Website has been regenerated and the financial affairs have been formalised. A lot more needs to be done and a number of Directors have made some very good suggestions essentially focusing on a radical review of the AWF's directions, priorities and fundamental planning - a new pathway to the future. One of the elements we can and must be proud of is the success we achieved at the M2006 Games. The AWF through the High Performance Program identified this, rightly or wrongly, as being pivotal to our future. We appropriated adequate funding for the program and spent many hours agonising on issues like selection criteria, athlete agreement, anti-doping matters and others. The success achieved was applauded by all and we must pay tribute to the team membership, the coaches, specially the Head Coach, and the general Management Team It was not unusual for the AWF to receive criticism; however, our strong stand was vindicated at the end. It remains for us all to look to the future, to work together as a team, and to look critically at ourselves and act rather than react to the issues confronting us. We are currently experiencing a difficult time but I believe that with the good will of the people we will prevail and take the Sport forward. On behalf of the Federation I would like to express our thanks to the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, the Australian Olympic Committee and our Continental and International authorities namely the Oceania Weightlifting Federation and the International Weightlifting Federation for the financial and material support we have received. Our highest priority remains the procurement of a principal National Sponsor. Sponsorship has become a very difficult item made even more difficult by the hosting of the home Olympics and Commonwealth Games in the space of six years. The market place is resisting and sports like ours find it almost impossible to break through. But, break through we must as we need the additional resources to place our administration in a sound and viable base. I conclude this report by thanking the Board Directors and all the members of the various Committees and Programs for their contribution and support. My special thanks and congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, Technical Officials and State Officials for the success achieved and the work done throughout the period under review. I offer my personal thanks to Matthew Curtain, Luke Borreggine, Boris Kayser, Ian Moir and Ralph Cashman for their additional personal assistance and support. Sam Coffa AM, JP President REPORT • CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Preamble I report on the activities of the Australian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) from the last twelve months having returned to office in April 2006; after completing my secondment tenure at the M2006 Commonwealth Games Corporation (M2006) as its Competition Manager, Weightlifting. Since the last Annual General Meeting in December 2005 the AWF Secretariat has continued to provide support to its members while coordinating and administrating the affairs and activities of the Federation at National and International level. Indeed, 2005-06 was a period of extreme diversity: from the unparalleled success of our team at the XVIII Commonwealth Games, winning 10 medals (including 4 Gold) to the adverse and damaging publicity during the ASADA investigation into allegations of possible doping violations linked to the Federation. The AWF acknowledges that in preparation for the Commonwealth Games a range of key tasks and responsibilities were completed in a less than satisfactory manner or timeframe. These included the completion of the audited 2004-05 financial statements, selection policies and communication to members and other major stakeholders. Despite these unpleasant factors to which the AWF takes full responsibility, I am pleased to report that notwithstanding the suspension of Government funding, the AWF is well on the way to restoring a level of service expected of a National Sporting Organisation. Specifically, through the appointment of new Directors and Officers to the Executive Board and Committees in 2006, active progress can be noted in the program areas of the Athletes’ Committee, High Performance and Coach Development. The AWF website (www.awf.com.au) is also back in operation with invaluable documents now readily available to members. These include the outcome of decisions made at Board meetings and financial summaries. Indeed, this tool has become an integral part of the daily communications process with members. And while other areas of the strategic and operational plan continue to need development and formalisation (e.g. athlete /team official selection policy, mass participation and sponsorship); the AWF believes its instrument of governance is working effectively, acknowledging however that its operation can always be improved. Board of Directors A great deal of work continues to be carried out by the Board of Directors, all of whom act in an honorary capacity. In 2006, as a result of a vacancy and Board restructuring, the AWF welcomed back past members Lyn Jones & Michael Keelan. Both of whom are experts in the field of corporate governance and coach education. Pursuant to the election of the AWF Athletes’ Committee in September,