End of Season Report - 2006
24th May 2006
Chairpersons report
Many skiers, and people not so knowledgeable of our sport, believe that a ski club is based on winter activity on the piste, and for many clubs it is. Gordon Skiers on the other hand is a club that works throughout the year developing skiers on the Dry Mat, on the piste and on fitness activity, striving to increase performance for our skiers and freestylers alike. This task takes a lot of commitment. I would to thank, in particular the committee members, who have helped ensure the club has achieved another tremendous year, aware of the many hours that are input to make the club run smoothly. I would also like to thank the coaching staff for their hard work and efforts; the skiers themselves, who provide the focus for our efforts and the many additional helpers and parents who support our skiers within the club. Lets not forget the support and contribution we get from clubs, companies and organisations outside the club such as Snowsport Scotland, The Lecht Ski Company and the dry mat facilities at Alford and Garthdee.
This year club numbers have remained fairly static with overall membership down from 162 to 159 members. We have seen the Bairns reduce by 7 to 30, with 19 Children 1, 17 Children 2, 9 Junior 1 and 2 Junior 2. Children 2 has seen numbers rise from 9 to 17 creating a good number of skiers in each group, with Juniors also rising. This is creating a good spread of numbers across age groups and this is in part to the Bairns moving through the club. It would be ideal if we could maintain this even spread as it allows the club to participate more fully at all races, also allowing the skiers in each group to aspire to the next level, chasing the top skiers in each group as the level to attain. The Freestyle section has not seen the growth in numbers we expected with 8 Freestylers, from 6 in the previous year. We have 73 members who are parents or skiers who have membership only.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anne Lyon for helping on the administration side throughout the year, in particular working with Sheila and other helpers to sign-in and out skiers, and to ensure the club is fully informed on membership and training application issues. I must also note and thank Alan Lyon for his help in ensuring that we completed our Lecht Ski Lodge on the changes we required and on a personal note with the "Sna Report" to help us gauge the winter weather conditions for Lecht ski training. I have got to say the reports were very accurate so thanks Alan.
Sheila Angus took on the role of training convenor from Graham Morrison last year and has quickly adapted to the role, working with the coaches and parents to manage the large number of skiers training within the club. Working with the Head Coach, Sheila has allocated the skiers into a number of groups, providing a numbered bib to each skier. This has proved, yet again, successful in creating a secure and safe environment for the skiers where parents sign-in and sign-out their children on the dry mat and piste. From the skier's perspective this process has allowed the identification of coach and group enabling better interaction. This has been particularly effective at the Lecht with the large numbers of skiers training. The club has also been able to supplement training in Europe using the FAST camps while some skiers have used the BSA (British Ski Academy).
Another big step on the coaching front was the position of a new Head Coach, Meredith Glasse-Davis taking over from Neil Gordon who stepped down due to work commitments. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Neil for his past contribution as Head Coach in the club but also pleased that Neil remains part of our coaching team. Meredith started his new role in February 2006 and has quickly got engaged with his team, also aware that this has been limiting due to our short season on the piste at the Lecht. I would like to thank Sheila for her input this year, aware that it has been steep learning curve for her. The training convenor is a pivotal role within the club and takes a lot of work to provide the interface between the coaches, parents and skiers alike. We were also pleased to see Gilbert Runcie back on skis after serious injury to his knee which I must admit did not detract from his enthusiasm to get our skiers up to a fitness level at the dry mat, albeit from the sidelines but with full commitment.
Richard Woollcombe joined the club in the new Freestyle Training Convenor role this year. Richard has provided a key interface to the Freestylers, both on the coaching front but also representing their interests on the Committee. This has proved a challenging role in securing greater numbers of Freestylers and working with the coach, Euan Stobie due to his availability. I thank Richard for his contribution this year. One other thing to note was Gordon Skiers proposed Kay Bates as Snowsport Scotland - Ski Person of the Year 2005, which was upheld and presented to Kay at the Snowsport Scotland AGM, following her contribution to Freestyle and skiing development.
On the racing front there are a number of areas to report. On a wider front the Winter Olympics drew our attention to Roger Cruickshank in February 2006, a former club skier who was picked to compete in the Downhill and Super G in Torino, Italy. This former club skier fulfilled his ambition of reaching the Olympics and it was a great to see him in action, following recovery from the horrendous injury he received last year. It was also great to see Roger skiing with the some of the club on the dry mat at Garthdee while attending a televised interview with Grampian TV, and at one of our training sessions at the Lecht during March. Dougie Crawford and Jan Kochalski continue to push at the Seniors level with some great results from Dougie this season.
Races have been a bit difficult to organise this season on the snow due to the short season, starting in February. However, what has been run has been well supported and I thank Dave for organising these events, aware that it has been difficult for Dave given his work role overseas. It has become apparent that our decision to move to Beyond X for club ski clothing has been a good decision and I thank Dave for ensuring orders were placed and we continue to see our children looking not only in club colours on the hill but also warm and dry.
Graham Morrison moved from the role of Training Convenor to Treasurer this year and I am delighted to say that some of our weaknesses in this area have been well and truly overhauled with excellent reporting and a clear picture of our finances which will be covered later by Graham in his report. Graham has provided great support to Sheila in her new role on training and helped in the wider role on racing and organisation of training camps, including covering the finances for FAST camps. I would like to thank Graham for his support and input, not only in his role as treasurer, but in the many areas that Graham helps within the club and Committee.
Neil Campbell has been involved in a number of key activities this year which I would like to mention above the role of generation of funds. Neil has led for us on Disclosure, a key element within all clubs where young children are involved. This as been a significant task and Neil has now become a signatory for Disclosure sign-off within the club and Snowsport. Our club is one of the clubs leading on this area within Scotland and to note all our coaches have been 'Disclosed'.
I would also like to mention the Xmas meal and club Ceilidh which Neil put in a lot of effort with both events proving very enjoyable. I have noted a number of people wearing their new club fleeces which Neil organised for the club. So thanks Neil for your contribution this year.
To finish off I would like to cover off two other items, The Oppdal FAST camp and the Gordon Skiers Quaich and cups. On Oppdal there were a number of individuals, and I will mention names, Susie Morrison, Jude Tilley, Alison McIntosh, Graham Morrison and Dave Tilley, that were involved in the organisation of the Oppdal 2005 camp. This took a lot of work behind the scenes with the addition of Jude, Susie and Ali working as house parents on the camp. Thanks for a successful camp, enjoyed by all attendees.
David Culshaw donated some funds to the club. To date with some of these funds the club bought and named the David Culshaw Quaich for best Gordon Skiers Bairn, ably won by Andrew Campbell and presented by Liz Culshaw at the club Ceilidh.
Gordon Skiers have also sponsored two additional cups, the British Senior Alpine Ski Championships Ladies and Mens GS 1st Under 18, presented at the British Land Championships, in recognition of our senior involvement in racing.
Thanks to all for a great year and I wish Gordon Skiers continued success in 2006/07.
Brian McIntosh
homeDate last modified 08-Feb-2007