As my first term comes to an end I would like to acknowledge and thank the committee and all of the volunteers for the support and encouragement I have received. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work members of the committee have done over the last twelve months.
The Association is extremely fortunate in having many people who are willing to assist in running regional tournaments, determining where the various tournaments are being held, coaching and umpiring.
Special thanks to Colleen who performs the Secretary role in a very professional and capable manner and to Michael who has managed the Associations finances extremely well. His prudent management has resulted in the clubs receiving a reduction in affiliation fees for this financial year.
The work completed by the tournament committee is hardly ever seen or recognised but they put a huge amount of work to ensure all tournaments run smoothly and efficiently. Special thanks to Graeme and Claire for running the regional tournaments. Jan McCarthy has volunteered to complete the thankless task of scoring at our regional tournaments. Thank you very much.
Jack Gazzard has performed the role of Arbiter with efficiency, tact and diplomacy. He has the respect of all Petanque players in how he conducts himself during tournaments especially when he has to advise a player of error and this in done in a discreet manner, which is appreciated.
I would like to congratulate all players who have played for the Wellington Association over the past twelve months and a special congratulation for those who have gone on to represent New Zealand.
The Association appreciates the work clubs put in while hosting the various regional tournaments, national tournaments and other tournaments like the Tri-Star and Chanticleer.
Congratulations to all the winners of the Regional tournaments and also to the Champion of Champions winners. The quality of the fields that we are seeing in regional tournaments is extremely high and to win a regional tournament you have to be playing top level Pétanque for the entire tournament.
Well done to Wanganui East who proved to be top quality hosts when the Tran Tasman was held in Wanganui. Well done to all those involved.
The Association faces a number of challenges over the next twelve months, some of those are:
Overall membership for the region is slightly up on last year but is well down on where the Associations membership was in 2010. Suggestions on how we can assist clubs increase their membership would be welcomed.
I look forward to continuing to work with the committee and the representatives from clubs to further develop Petanque in the Wellington region.
Thank you all for your support.
Kevin McFadgen