Lincolnshire Amateur Swimming Association
Development Officer Report
June 2009
Issues Paper
·
The issues paper was
tabled at the January Executive meeting.
This paper outlined some of the main tasks that need to be addressed in
Lincolnshire if, as a county, we want to develop.
·
The number of initial
responses to the paper was very disappointing.
Responses were received from the county competitions committee and the
Hon Disability Secretary. In addition,
a response was also received from Jonathan Savoury.
·
Following discussion at
the last executive meeting, we agreed to table the paper at the next
development group meeting and use this to discuss how to move forward. Prior to the meeting further written
responses were received from Deepings, Louth & LV.
·
The attendance at the
development meeting on June 2nd was also poor and whilst Deepings,
Boston, Spalding Amateur and Louth sent apologies, it is clear from the lack of
ANY substantive response to the development paper from South Lincs, CLP,
Boston, Trenton Dolphins, Grantham, Horncastle Otters, Spalding Amateurs or the
majority of the Executive Officers of the County ASA, that there is little
appetite to address the critical issues that face our sport over the next few
years.
·
This level of apathy;
and the seeming reluctance to grasp an opportunity to put right many of the
things that have held our sport back over the years, is deeply disappointing
and worrying. I have tried to impress
on all clubs and upon the Executive, how important it is to wake up to the
realities facing our sport. I have not,
in any of my papers, embellished or exaggerated, for effect, the size or
significance of these challenges, nor the amount of time it will take to bring
about the changes needed to bring the county into the 21st century.
·
Over the last 18 months,
I have spent a considerable amount of time, at my own expense, undertaking this
development role, at the request of the Executive. However, I must conclude, from the above, that the majority of
clubs and individuals who make up the governing structures in our sport, are
not ready, at this time, to commence the work that is needed to move us
forward.
·
I must now ask the
Executive to consider whether it wishes to endorse or reject the development
issues paper. Without the backing of
the Executive, the paper, and its suggested actions, can go nowhere. If the
Executive does choose to endorse the paper, it must do so knowing that it must
lead and implement the changes suggested within it and open up the debate to
ensure that these ideas are developed and improved to fit the needs of the
clubs and the county.
·
From a personal
standpoint, I must also now consider my position as development secretary. With
the circulation of this paper I intend to stand down with immediate effect from
the Executive and open the way for a representative from another club to assume
this development role. I do this, in
part because I am unwilling to try to encourage clubs and colleagues to go down
a route they are clearly unwilling to travel and because I fear that my
connections to LV may be misinterpreted by some as having an undue influence on
the suggestions I am making for the county.
Of course, I will offer any support I can to my successor and wish him
or her well
·
Finally, can I thank everyone
who has offered their support and views over the last 18 months. It has been an interesting experience and
although I am saddened that the progress we have made in that time has been
pedestrian at best, I have met some passionate and keenly supportive people on
my travels. To all involved in swimming
in the county I offer my best wishes for the future.
Bruce Kelsey 8th
June 2009