Moving in to the final month of 2018, I am pleased to be able to share with you a significant amount of forward news and planning for the year ahead. In consultation with the CSNZ Committee and working groups, coaches and athletes, there is information for the 2019 NZ Open and the Selection Event at Mangahao, selection policies for 2019 and 2020, a draft updated NPS Strategy, and perhaps most significantly proposals for CSNZ Strategy through to 2024 and Governance realignment to go with it.

I distinctly remember, as a guest of the Canoe Slalom community, hearing two concerns from the floor of the AGM in April – building sustainability and athlete voice. Finn Butcher has done an outstanding job progressing the latter, with an Athlete Leadership Group now elected from NPS and Terms of Reference to be defined: Many thanks and commendations to Finn, Courtney Williams, Alex Hawthorne and Charlie Bell for taking on the responsibility.

For the former – sustainability – we can now share a proposed CSNZ Strategic Plan 2019-2024 and associated Governance Realignment proposal, as blueprints for the future. There are two main concerns for sustainability: financial and human. Finance is about living within means, being ambitious, but not over-reaching the organisation or individuals. Human is a very real cost, with outstanding volunteerism going on throughout Canoe Slalom, in need of support and in some cases respite.

The draft Strategy is intended to recognise these existing strengths and build on them (with a loose working title of “Value our Rocks & Grow our Rivers” [valuing the strengths of the past and growing the future]). There are goals to continue high performance progress. Moreover though, there are multiple goals to build relevance and support for the Canoe Slalom community – paddlers, clubs, coaches, events and volunteers.

A good and early example is the budding growth of the Tamaki Paddle Sports Club in Manukau. Presided over by Ian Mercer, the Club has a new influx of members through a school’s Paddle Passport program, initiated by CSNZ, and at a recent AGM elected 3 new parents to the Club Committee. In the coming months, CSNZ will work with the Club to help recruit a coach and secure funding for dedicated water time. CSNZ must similarly work more closely with existing as well as new Clubs and paddlers to thrive around the country.

There is a plan in place to bring the Strategy and Governance proposals for consultation in the field. These documents are on line for consideration and feedback, and will be aired for discussion at forums in Tauranga on December 11 (Waimarino, 7:00-9:30 pm) and Tekapo on December 16 (venue tbc, 5:00-6:30 pm). Many thanks to Canoe Slalom Bay of Plenty and Central Otago Whitewater for helping host these events. Any feedback before then and/or for those who cannot attend, please don’t hesitate to call or email me (021 607 158, operations@canoeslalomnz.org.nz), or any Committee member.

Feedback from this initial process will determine the next stage of consultation, with a view to being ready to action for the 2019 AGM in April.

In parallel is preparing for the 2019 season. The Events Committee (Kellie Bailey, Lyn Egan, Debbie Williams, Jeanette MacLennan, Andrew Hawthorne, Sue Clarke and Maryanne Washer) have done their usual excellent work in preparing for the main domestic events, and details for the Mangahao Open and the NZ Open at Vector Wero are now on line. Our thanks to EWWPT and Second Nature for their collaboration with venues.

The 2019 selection policies that flow off these events are also now ratified and on line, along with the Nomination Criteria for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games endorsed by the NZOC.

Furthermore, following good discussion among athletes led by National Coach Shaun Pearce, an updated NPS Strategy is now available with some significant tunings: While focusing on Vector Wero as home-base, the program will continue with camps in various places, and introduce an outreach arm for Shaun to work with athletes and coaches in their home venues. This has already begun with Shaun and Patrick Washer hanging gates for the growing cohort in Hamilton. There are also renewed clarity of purpose, agreed expectations to reinforce progression, and a commitment to communication between all parties.

In a meeting with Shaun and fellow CSNZ coaches, Campbell Walsh and Pierre Labarelle, Campbell remarked that it was good to have these plans mostly in place at the same time that athletes around the world were resuming training, rather than playing catch-up in the new year. While we (and all other sports) are awaiting funding decisions from HPSNZ in mid December, we are confident in their support, and have already secured particular funding to raise Pierre to full-time to continue the progress with men’s K1 (Our thanks again to CSBOP for their support in this transition).

And finally, a chance to gently remind everyone that in order to take part in any of the races, camps, teams or squads above, you need to be a member. Membership can be renewed or joined through the website, with on-line payment available.

Many thanks and best wishes to all. I very much look forward to seeing you out there, and helping your sport continue to grow.

Graeme Maw

Interim Operations Manager

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