The OACT Board met via Zoom this week.
The Development Officer, Susanne Harrysson, joined the meeting to report that: We are ready to commence some additional mapping work at Mulligans Flat once the lockdown ceases; Northside Community Services continues to support and publicise orienteering in the Gungahlin area, but it continues to be difficult to find ways to inspire young people and their parents to come to community events; Camp Cottermouth is keen to establish a permanent course; SC-ORE and the PS Champs are still due to take place, but Susanne will re-advertise once the situation with the lockdown becomes clearer – one option is to have a parents’ event at SC-ORE.
Easter 2023 – a meeting of day organisers will be held shortly, including to consider an attractive proposal recently received from Jindabyne Sport & Rec for accommodation.
2022 event program update – there are some small gaps still to be filled including for the twilight program, which may also be impacted by any COVID Return to Play arrangements. The Sunday Sprint Season should be withdrawn from Eventor for now pending schools’ post-lockdown responses next term. The MD/LD Champs were postponed, but the Board agreed these should now officially be cancelled with refunds provided accordingly. New dates can be considered in due course if practicable.
2022 fees: membership, event entry and twilight series season pass – While a proposed simplified OA adult/child $50/$7 fee structure equates very closely to our current revenue base, OA has not yet promulgated the proposed new structure as not all jurisdictions are ready. There is also a suggestion that annual membership could be couched as a 365-day (not calendar) year ie from each member’s precise start date during the year. Hence there is no rush to make any change this year. In the meantime the Board agreed that we maintain the current Family/Adult/Child $80/60/50 structure and that Season pass arrangements will remain the same as for this year (but will not be opened up until it is clearer what is to happen to community sport post-lockdown).
Finance – The treasurer will re-establish OACT term deposit arrangements with our bank.
ASOC 2021 status update – The Board noted OTas announced on 22 August that the disappointing decision had been taken to cancel the AusChamps and ASOC event due to the ongoing border closures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. An informal replacement event is being considered for December, though this is likely to be on an individual rather than teams basis. The ACT Schools team coach proposes to contact Qantas before 27 August to cancel pre-booked team flights for a full refund of our deposit (rather than keep the credit towards a potential later trip). OACT is asked to pay our share of the Tasmanian cancellation costs – for example for overnight accommodation in Launceston and possibly some accommodation in St Helens, plus $500 total bus deposit which was held over from last year (again rather than defer). The Board agreed. The treasurer will action refund of deposits. The Board accepted the coach’s proposal that OACT pay for the hoodies that have been ordered by the team members. The 2 team members who didn’t order hoodies will be provided with an ACT team T-shirt or tracksuit top. Families’ private transport and accommodation costs are a matter for them. Valerie will write to the Tasmanian organising team to thank them for all their work in organising what was otherwise looking like an excellent event.
2021 Presentation function – While somewhat premature in the current circumstances, Valerie is happy to liaise with Ann Scown to plan for an informal function in late November, similar to last year’s event.
Computer operator for twilight series – Phil to approach Cameron in the first instance.
Emergency management procedures review – The current OACT Guidelines appear to be overly prescriptive and are in danger of being honoured more in the breach than the observance. Relevant factors include: how many people carry a phone with them at events, who they would call (even if there is reception), we should be careful not to over-burden volunteers. The Board also noted some people are reluctant to have their personal phone numbers listed on printed maps, and that emergency contact details in Eventor can probably only be accessed by someone with administrator access rights. Stephen to review.
OA high performance and coaching accreditation – Matt Crane joined the meeting to report back on a recent meeting about OA High Performance issues. A revised squad structure has been proposed including national high performance and development squads, with State-based equivalents below that. It is not yet clear how this will play out across the country, for example for participants at the level above high school competency but below JWOC level. There has been very little formal structure around these arrangements in the ACT in the absence of the overseas coaches-in-residence in the last two years. While there is some attraction to setting performance criteria for membership of the various squads, there is also a risk of such arrangements becoming unnecessarily elitist without proper support. Stephen reported that OA has decided to reconsider its proposed revised coaching accreditation methodology to better focus on coach capabilities. Brodie Nankervis will be leading this project. As the most recent person to achieve Level 2 coach accreditation under the existing scheme, Toni Brown has been approached to contribute to a working group with a view to having another version in place for next year.
In other business:
- OACT will look into the possible application of any government COVID-related business support payments.
- A range of minor repairs were recently completed at the shed by ACT Property Group, but unfortunately it was vandalised again shortly afterwards. John Scown is continuing to liaise with Police and ACTPG.
Next meeting: Mon 11 October TBC