It has been another good Nationals weekend in Sheffield. The AGM was lively and a bit long but I thought there was some interesting questions and debate and I hope that Members are now more clear about the plans we have put forward to UK Sport and Sport England in support of our funding bids. I also found it good to catch up with people around the tournament and to get views on a whole range of issues – really valuable and helpful feedback , with the vast majority of it constructive and positive about the direction of travel. I was disappointed by some of the negative comment – not the fact that we got some – I would find it odd if we did not and it is important that we create an organisation which is big enough to take the negatives as well as the positives – but by the fact that with some exceptions those who gave it made a conscious decision not to attend the AGM to present their views where they could have been heard and the issues debated. It is worth also making the point again that as Members you do not have to wait until an AGM to ask a question or express a view. Use the DMG reps, or call or email the Corporate Secretary Daniel, or email me and we will aim to deal with these things quickly.
It was brilliant to see our new Glasgow club taking part in the Nationals. The club only started 9 months ago but already it has a strong group of volunteers running it led by the inspirational Claire Lincoln and coach Paul Black; it has raised considerable funding of its own and is well down the line of finding its own long term premises as well as having a growing group of athletes who regularly train. Glasgow are real proof that it is possible to get a club off the ground quite quickly if you have a great group of volunteers and a player base. There was some excellent rugby as well with Pirates emerging as the 2012 winners – well done to them. I enjoyed the Saturday evening dinner as well, there was a great atmosphere and we were also able to celebrate Claire’s birthday. Congratulations also to all award winners: Ships Islam; Neville Burrell; Mike Kerr; Alan Ash; Dave Anthony; Paul McDerby and Aaron Phipps. As always, a big thank you to all who have helped to organise both the Super Series and the Nationals this year and to Coloplast for sponsoring these really important events.
David Pond
