2006-07 has been a year of consolidation for Australian Canoeing. It has been a year for sorting out systems implementing procedures, detailed financial planning and frugality. It has been a year in which the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) published its comprehensive review of the sport of canoeing in Australia. It has been a year in which the sport has changed significantly, and the management has changed significantly as well. In September the Interim Board met with the ASC to discuss the circulation of their comprehensive review - this was initially released for public comment and circulation to the states in October 2006. Following the release of the review a consultation period commenced. Interim Board members and the ASC visited state capitals to receive direct feedback from the members and the states. Subsequently a planning workshop was held in Sydney in February, during which the fundamental goals for the restructuring of the sport were thrashed out. Key members of state associations drove the agenda, and were joined for the wrap up sessions by the ASC. The recommendations of the ASC review were considered in detail, and improvements and refinements agreed by all present. The level of commitment and co-operation of all state associations at this and later workshops has been a giant step for the sport. We are collaborating now at a level unknown in previous years, which is absolutely critical if we are to move forward. One of the outcomes of our detailed planning and review processes has been the recognition by management of the importance of the Australian Canoeing Awards Scheme (ACAS). The scheme is a highly credible one, recognised by government regulators such as NSW Waterways as the most appropriate qualification for instructors of paddling. At CEO and Board level we are placing a much higher priority on the effective management and resourcing of the scheme, and plans are in place to improve the situation from the recent past. Another part of the role of AC this year has been providing support for the high performance programs, run by the AIS. This encompasses a wide range of activities, from helping to organise national events, to reviews of such documents as the Anti-Doping By-Law. One such support area is the Oceania Qualification events planning. As part of the process to qualify boats for the Olympic Games, it has been successfully argued that the ICF should grant qualification status to some Australasian events.
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