SWCYRA AGM Report

Post date: Jan 16, 2016 2:08:40 PM

The AGM of the South West Coastal Yawl Rowing Association (SWCYRA) was held in the Celtic Ross on Thursday last, January 14th. The meeting signals the start of yet another year of the rowing season as clubs and regatta committees came together to discuss a number of proposals for the upcoming year.

Outgoing Chairperson, June McCarthy, spoke briefly to complement the efforts of all those involved in the SWCYRA and her fellow committee members during her tenure in the position and also spoke fondly about her memories of recent years. She ended her time as Chairperson by wishing the future committee, clubs and regatta organisers all the best going forward. Following this SWCYRA President Mick Murphy spoke to those in attendance to commend all those who had been involved in the running of their clubs and regattas as well as offering a minutes silence to honour all members of the various clubs who were no longer with us. Next on the agenda was the election of officers, which was chaired by the association president.

Results of the election were as follows:

President: Mick Murphy

Chairperson: Brian Whelton​​Vice Chairperson: Danny Hayes

Secretary: Bernie O’Donovan​​Assistant Secretary: Patrick Harrington

Treasurer: Kathleen O’Leary​​Assistant Treasurer: Finbarr McNulty

PRO: Patrick Harrington​​​Assistant PRO: Adam Buttimer and Ciara Deasy

Safety Co-Ordinators: Noel Creedon and Barry Hooper

Score Keepers: Mairéad Daly, Bernie O’Donovan and Mary O’Sullivan

Registrar: Carmel Murphy

Child Protection Officers: Noel Creedon and Carmel Murphy

Webmaster: Adam Buttimer

Rowing Development Officers: Margaurite Deasy and Denis Griffin

Race Starters: Margaurite Deasy, Mick Murphy and JJ McCarthy

Camera Operators: Margaurite Deasy and John Scannell

Race Commentators: Mick Murphy and JJ McCarthy

Once all positions had been filled Brian Whelton spoke to thank those who had nominated and proposed him as Chairperson and spoke briefly to express his feelings about the work of previous committees and on the sport of Coastal Rowing in the South West. As his first order of business Brian chaired the voting of proposals to the South West.

While the changes to the South West were few they were significant. Kinsale, having requested to join the SWCYRA, were voted in. This inclusion of Kinsale and Dock RC will bring with some much needed new blood to this year’s Championships. Other changes saw clubs voting to remove the Intermediate Men’s race from the Championship day and the SWYRCA adopting a new constitution to act as a guideline for Officers going forward. As the night drew to a close clubs were able to walk away and consider the coming year, no doubt it will be an interesting one.