AGM

AGM 2020

Date: Wednesday 8th April 2020 at Whittlesford

The 2020 AGM saw the Cangaroos host our first ever meeting via Zoom.

We started with the election of committee members

We then ran through the following reports:

Committee meetings take place once a month currently on a Thursday evening.

Chair Report

Hello to all our members(new and old)and coaches. As most will be aware we have been in our new premises for 8 months now, albeit we have currently suspended our sessions due to the Coronavirus outbreak, and with the new premises it hasn’t come without its trials. The heating for one, which could not of happened at a more testing time, of which I thank everyone for being patient with us as we corrected this, and with the continuous building work that is being meticulously co-ordinated by the ever hard working pair of Laura and Frankie.

Even though the centre is currently closed we do have our senior coaches and elite members setting daily tasks of exercises and the which I am sure was set for Tonys ego, so please go to our Facebook page and join in.

While this is a new venture for the club I feel that with the continued backing we have from the parents, coaches and committee members we will continue to strive forward and make the club as successful as we can.

I look forward to seeing you all when we return which hopefully will not be far away.

National Competition Secretary Report

We had a team of 5 for Q1 with Rhiannon and Molly competing for the first time at this level. EQ1 saw 3 qualify for finals: Ali (silver) James (gold) and Zach and James (gold synchro). EQ3 saw 2 further newcomers to nationals; Albie and Benjamin, but this competition did not bring any additional qualifiers.

For the finals, we ended up with only 2 gymnasts with Ali out with an injury. James (gold individual & synchro) and Zach (gold synchro). Zach and James added another silver medal to their collection. Spring Series 2019.

Only one gymnasts this year, as the requirements were increased for entry into FIG performance. James competed his highest tariff yet and attained a respectable 13th out of a strong 17 flight, a number of which are on the English and British Squads. James also achieved the qualification scores for execution and tariff, which meant he automatically qualified to compete in the 2020 Spring Series.

The Future...

Our national squad continues to grow and had we been competing this season we would have had a strong team of 11 gymnasts including newcomers: Amelie Hacker, Lily Carter, Gemma White and Sophie Ralph. If there are any national competitions this year, we will be well placed to have a good turn out and hopefully the gap in training will not have been wasted and gymnasts will come back strong and fit, having maintained their condition and cardio during the closure of the club.

We will lose a 2 of our FIG Performance gymnasts next year; Zach and James, who may compete for their university/local club, but we will be sure to welcome them back for the annual club competition.

Head Coach and Fundraising Report

What a year for Cangaroos. When I was writing the 2019 Head Coach report we were in very early negotiations with the landlords for the unit at Whittlesford. One year on and we changed the corporate set-up, merging the old not for profit club with the new Limited by Guarantee Company, which then went on to achieve full CASC (Community Amateur Sports Club) status. Since then we have moved into new unit, raised over £45,000 in grant funding (more on that later), closed down our old sites, held a full calendar of Regional competitions, run our own Club competition from the new centre and generally had a great time.

Yet, the current news is occupying all our thoughts, while the pandemic continues, the Club stays shut and our members and coaches are unable to take part in our beloved amazing sport. However, we stay positive, the daily videos from the senior coaches have been fun, we’ve seen that they have been viewed by hundreds of people and we sincerely hope you’ve all been taking part… in fact some of you have been posting your attempts, please keep them up.

I remain as proud today of all of you as I have ever been. As we enter our 17th year as a club our numbers are growing, our opportunities increase and we hope to add new and exciting disciplines later in the year… fun opportunities such as cheerleading and DMT.

On a competitive front, I’ll let Laura and Frankie provide those stories, but suffice to say I’m proud to say I’m a Cangaroos coach and every time you compete all of the coaches, the members and the families support you and wish you all the very best. We know you don’t always perform as you want, that’s the nature of sport, but just be aware that we’re here to support you and make you feel great about what you’re doing. For those of you who don’t yet compete, please think about giving it a go in 2020, it’s a fun way to progress and shows why trampolining is such an exhilarating sport.

If you don’t want to compete, that’s fine, we just want you to have fun and enjoy the sport and everything else the Club has to offer.

One of the benefits that having our own centre does is improve the social aspect of sport. Its great to see the gymnasts interacting and making new friends. We are aware that some parents now feel more distanced from the activities, as they are now shepherded into the Parents room upstairs, however, we hope when the building works are complete the option to also watch from the mezzanine will make everyone feel more connected.

That brings me neatly to our Grants and fund-raising activity. Since gaining approval for the new centre, we have been actively seeking grants to support the move and the requirements of the centre. We have been delighted to have been awarded the following grants:

  1. CAF Sport England (lottery funded) - £45,000 for facilities
  2. Community Chest Grant – Scambs county Council - £1000 – rig

We were also promised a grant of £1000 from Sawston Fun run and unspecified grants from Saffron Waldon Round Table and The Shelford Feast. Unfortunately, due to their fund raising activities being curtailed this year, those grant applications will be retained and hopefully renewed in 2021 We are continually seeking new funds to progress the club and if you are aware of any potential opportunities please contact myself or Melanie Hacker (Fund-raising sec).

Event dates

Date Time Details
Wednesday 8th April 2020 19:00 - 22:00