WELSH BADMINTON UNION LTD - CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Following prolonged discussions with Yonex UK, the WBU has secured a 5 year sponsorship agreement. In essence, the agreement will provide a cash injection each year and an equivalent provision of Yonex products. The make up of the products to be decided by the WBU. Yonex will also provide all the courts for the designated tournaments and have agreed a comprehensive shuttle price which will benefit all events.

Faced with increasing pressure from the Welsh Assemble government and the Sports Council for Wales, all National Governing Bodies have been asked to justify expenditure. In particular, the WBU have been asked to arrest the decline in its membership and provide the foundation for future growth. Accordingly, the Board has responded by introducing a Directorate driven approach placing greater executive responsibilities on these Directorates. The most significant change being the establishment of a new Development and Commercial Directorate. Apart from its implied name, this Directorate will also encompass the new Club Development Coach programme. Current committees will remain in place.

One of the consequences of the Sports Council for Wales’s decision to reduce the Development monies allocated to the WBU has been the loss of two Regional Development Officers. The reduction in grant and conditions from the SCW made it impossible to support both Norman Greenhouse and Liz Sellick in full time employment and the Union were only able to offer part-time opportunities. Unfortunately for the Union, the offers were reluctantly declined and both accepted the redundancy package offered. The WBU deeply regret the loss of both Norman and Liz and are indebted to them for their 11 years of service. Had the Union sufficient reserve funds it may have been possible to support both positions from its own resources. This again emphasises the need for the Union to build up its financial reserves as a priority and it is important that counties collect and forward their affiliations monies to the WBU to support this.

The move to new premises has been completed and I would wish to record the WBU’s thanks to the hard work and many unpaid hours put in by Lyndon, Jan, Sheryl, Moira as well as volunteers, Gareth, Peter, Wayne and John. Their efforts are most appreciated. The new office, location and equipment should considerably improve the work environment for staff and visitors.

The world of badminton in Wales is very healthy but the WBU is constantly being asked to adapt and change, often in areas that we have reservations. Membership numbers and the prospect of medals, appear to be uppermost in the minds of the Welsh Assembly Government and the Sports Council for Wales. The WBU will continue to ‘fight its corner’ but bureaucracy appears to be on the march and your Board and all WBU membership will be required to actively explore all areas that have potential to increase the profile and membership of the WBU.

In an attempt to boost membership and club development that WBU has accepted a grant via the Welsh Assembly Government to promote coach development throughout Wales. Coaching secretaries and clubs will shortly be approached by newly appointed Club Development Coaches in order to fully explain their roles and obtain commitment to this new venture. This is an initiative that must succeed if WBU are to satisfy the WAG and the SCW criteria and gain future funding at the level required. Your help in promoting and supporting this venture is vital.

The new Directorate system will be adopted by the WBU from December 1st 2005. Lyndon Williams will take on the role of National Development Manager. If this reorganisation is to work it is imperative that this position be allowed to operate unhindered by day to day matters which will be dealt with by the office. Some of the Executive Directors old duties will be assumed by myself. Good cooperation and support will be vital to the success of the new Directorates.

I would wish to conclude by thanking all the Directors, Staff, County Associations and Members for their continued support. I hope that with this continued support, 2005/6 will prove to be the springboard for improvements that will benefit all.

Michael Carter
Chairman

WELSH BADMINTON UNION

DIRECTORATE STRATEGY

Role

Directorates will be responsible for all the executive decisions appropriate to their sphere of influence.  Each Directorate will have two nominated Board Directors assigned to it.  These Directors need not necessarily chair the main Directorate Committee but they must be members of it.  Any executive decisions that arise will be referred to one of the Directors for a decision.  It is envisaged that most decisions will be capable of being contained within the Committee and only referred to the Executive Chairman in exceptional circumstances.

The spheres of influence of each Directorate are set out in the accompanying table.  It is not exhaustive but represents the best “guess” at the time of writing.  If it is felt that the current table omits, or contains areas that cause concern, the Directors are asked to bring them to the notice of the Executive Chairman.

Each Directorate will be allocated a budget to carry out its’ various functions and these will be monitored by the WBU Finance Officer.  Regular reconciliations will be sent to the Committees.  However, it is the responsibility of the Directorates to ensure that all expenditure is notified to the WBU office.  No Committee will be allowed to exceed its’ agreed budget.  Failure to stay within the budget will mean that events, activities, travel      etc., will not be allowed to take place.  All aspects of the Committees expenditure must be managed.

It is envisaged that the additional responsibilities placed on Directorates may require a review of the membership of Committees.  The exact number of members being at the discretion of the Committee.

WBU office staff will provide the necessary support to the Directorates but policy decisions and the management of budgets, will remain the responsibility of the Directorates.

The appropriate WBU staff may attend Directorate meetings with prior agreement from the Executive Chairman.

COACHING & TECHNICAL DIRECTORATES

(Directors:  Steve Luke & James Thomas)

Scope

To initiate, control and direct the objectives agreed in the WBU Strategy Plan within budget and to the highest professional standard.

Specific Areas of Involvement

• Day to day supervision of the National Performance Coach
• Day to day supervision of the Sparring Partner
• Supervision of National Team Manager
• Supervision of National Squad Manager
• Supervision of Contracted Coaches
• Supervision and allocation of Squad Equipment
• Monitoring the performance of High Performance Centres
• Squad and Coach discipline
• Child Protection
• Budgeting Control
• Training and Development, including CPA.
• Colds and Cores Programme

EVENTS & PROMOTIONS DIRECTORATES

(Directors: Stephen Temple & Ron Evans)

Scope

To initiate, organise and control a published programme of events within an agreed budget and in keeping with the WBU Strategy Plan.

Specific Areas of Involvement

• Events Co-ordination including venues, facilities, officials, volunteers, publicity and liaison with WBU Office
• Tournament discipline
• Yonex Court liaison and marketing
• Liaison with County Associations
• Agreement and management of all approved events budgets
• Child Protection
• Training programmes for officials and volunteers.
• Quarterly profit/loss reports to be lodged with WBU.

DEVELOPMENT/MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORATE

(Directors:  Susan Luke & Robert Hall)

Scope

To initiate and direct the WBU Strategy Plan in respect of Marketing, Sponsorship, Club and Individual development, Coaching and the Disabled programme, within agreed budgets.

Specific Areas of Involvement

• Yonex Sponsorship
• UKCC programme – including coaching conference
• Community Coaching Programme
• Disabled programme
• Membership and Recruitment programme
• Marketing and Sponsorship programme
• Child Protection
• Budget control
• Sports Match applications
• Staff training and development
• University and School liaison
• Quarterly reports for Directors

WELSH BADMINTON UNION