2009 Annual Report

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 Patron Her Excellency, Ms. Quentin Bryce AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia President Robert Kabbas Directors Boris Kayser Lyn Jones Danielle Waller Mary Macken Phil Maunder A/Prof. Robert Mitchell Chief Executive Matthew Curtain High Performance Michael Keelan Manager Australian Weightlifting Federation Incorporated 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 Lyn Jones (Chair), Michael Keelan, Angela Wydall, Jacquie White, Miles Wydall, Michael Noonan National Selectors Lyn Jones (Chair), Luke Borreggine, Robert Kabbas, Michael Keelan Finance Danielle Waller (Chair), Robert Kabbas, Matthew Curtain Technical Pedro Sanchez (Chair), Sam Coffa, Debra Keelan, Ian Moir, Max Ryan Anti Doping Ian Moir (Chair), Robert Kabbas, Boris Kayser Masters Chairman Lawrence Townsend Record Keeper Kylie Booth Marketing and Phil Maunder, Craig Wegert Sponsorship Team Officials Robert Kabbas (Chair), Michael Noonan, Martin Leach Nominations Panel FROM THE PRESIDENT This past year has been one of consolidation. A number of the AWF’s high performance initiatives have been tested and fine tuned to serve not only as the platform for our 2010 World Championships and Commonwealth Games campaigns but also for our next generation of weightlifters. This has been done, and will continue to be done, through regular consultation with our members and stakeholders as well as the leadership provided by the AWF High Performance Committee and High Performance Manager, Michael Keelan. To effectively implement our programs we need sufficient funding. In the short term, we will continue to receive Australian Sports Commission (ASC) support at current levels in addition to generous backing from the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) but our long term prospects remain uncertain. We anxiously await the release of the Crawford Report and its implications for all Australian sport. Furthermore, we need the backing and involvement of our members to enable the programs to operate efficiently. For this to happen, there needs to be a subtle change in culture and recognition of the AWF’s genuine commitment to all its members. While it is not possible to please everyone, I am heartened by what I believe to be overwhelming general support for our transparent and inclusive policies which have demonstrably recognised our members across a wider range and in larger numbers than ever before. I will not comment an all of the AWF’s various areas of operation as these are reported in detail throughout this annual report. Suffice to say that I appreciate the tremendous amount of work undertaken by AWF staff and voluntary committees and I am proud of what they have been able to achieve. I also commend our member associations on their efforts and support at State level. My thanks to my fellow directors for their untiring efforts throughout the year and for contributing their expertise, advice and time so freely. I wish to also thank the ASC, ACGA and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) for their continued support, in particular Renee O’Callaghan and David Crocker (ASC), Sam Coffa and Perry Crosswhite (ACGA) and John Coates (AOC). Finally, it is time to say thank you and goodbye to our CEO since 2003, Matthew Curtain, who leaves with our best wishes to take up his post as Competition Manager, Weightlifting for the 2012 London Olympic Games. I cannot speak highly enough of Matthew, whose contribution extended much further than his professional duties. The AWF has been fortunate indeed to have had the services of someone with as wide a range of skills, qualities and genuine love of the sport as he has. I thank him for his unbiased, forthright advice, loyalty, dedication and sense of humour. Robert Kabbas President FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Having been associated by way of employment with the Australian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) since 2003, I take immense satisfaction with the administrative, athletic and corporate growth of the Federation over the last seven years. Through the tireless support and advisory assistance received from the Board of Directors, staff and volunteer committees, the AWF is now strategically positioned within the marketplace whereby the Federation can capitalise on various commercial opportunities, all aimed at providing greater financial resource to our athletic aims and benchmark competitions. As one of only twenty six sports on the 2012 Olympic Games program, Weightlifting and more so, Australian Weightlifting as a business, has the unique opportunity to promote its brand –the sport, as we’ve all known for many years, is the fundamental basis of all Olympic disciplines. To this end, at the commencement of 2009, the AWF resolved to fully commercialise its Coach Education Program (CEP) whereby the Federation took the view to position itself in line with the general fitness sector. While the AWF was initially criticised for failing to consult thoroughly with its State members, I submit our stance was ultimately vindicated as our members have enjoyed greater financial return this year than previously before. Some believed that by increasing the financial investment of the CEP membership, participant numbers would decrease however I am pleased to report that there has been no evidence supporting that claim and as such, our High Performance Manager, Michael Keelan and Director, Lyn Jones should be acknowledged in this regard, for their technical expertise, business acumen and overall vision for the scheme has been the primary basis of this success. To fully capitalise on the footprint created by the CEP nationally, Australian Weightlifting will focus on other innovative approaches to generate funds next year. Through the leadership of the Marketing & Sponsorship Committee and specifically, Director Phil Maunder and QWA President, Craig Wegert, the AWF plans to establish an unprecedented network whereby the Federation will aggressively promote IWF approved sport equipment, footwear and other related apparel. As reported by the President’s preface, Australian Weightlifting is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Crawford report. While understanding the importance of such a review and considering the ‘future direction’ of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) may change, the AWF wishes to be proactive in this context in order to safeguard, where possible, the fiscal existence of its programs. Staff Operationally, Australian Weightlifting employs two full time staff members and one contractor, responsible for financial affairs. Chief Executive Officer Matthew Curtain VIC High Performance Manager Michael Keelan QLD Financial Controller (Contractor) Danielle Waller WA In accordance with good governance, the High Performance Manager and Financial Controller are managed by the Chief Executive Office who in turn, reports to the Board of Directors (through the President). Having served as a Director since 2007, Danielle Waller joined the AWF in July 2009 as its Financial Controller. As a qualified CPA, Danielle has provided enormous expertise in this area, especially in light of the growth of the coach education program in recent months. Australian Weightlifting is fully cognisant of its economic surroundings and as such, it is appropriate that Danielle’s tangible contribution is acknowledged publicly as she has been able to implement various strategies of financial importance. Board of Directors An enormous amount of work continues to be carried out by the Board of Directors, all of whom act in an honorary capacity. As per article 9 of the AWF constitution, the Board of Directors is as follows: President Robert Kabbas * elected October 2007 Director Mary Macken * elected October 2007 Director Lyn Jones * elected December 2006 Director Phil Maunder * elected October 2008 Director Robert Mitchell * elected October 2008 Director Danielle Waller * elected October 2008 Director Boris Kayser * re-appointed November 2009 Board Meeting Attendance – as at 07 November 2009 President Robert Kabbas 5/5 Director Mary Macken 4/5 Director Lyn Jones 5/5 Director Danielle Waller 4/5 Director Boris Kayser 5/5 Director Phil Maunder 4/5 Director Robert Mitchell 4/5 In line with the Federation’s framework whereby the AWF actively seeks specific expertise within its Board structure, the Federation received five highly qualified nominations at the 2008 Annual General Meeting Election of which three positions were available. After the exhaustive balloting process, the AWF President announced Danielle Waller (Finance), Phillip Maunder (Commercial) and Robert Mitchell (Medical) had been duly elected by the members. This was indeed a satisfying result for the AWF as these Directors complement the areas of legal and high performance which are already represented on the Board of Directors. Australian Sports Commission As the majority stakeholder of Weightlifting in Australia, the AWF remains indebted to the ongoing advisory services provided by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). Specifically, I refer to the leadership of Renee O’Callaghan

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