|
|
Trans Tasman racing and cooperation
Our governing body, NZ Dragon Boat Association, met with trans-Tasman
representatives Kel Watt (President of AusDBF) and Melanie Cantwell (AusDBF Technical Director) at the NZDBA Annual General Meeting on Saturday
21-June-08.
They discussed the following proposal.
Four tier plan
A 4-tier racing plan was proposed:
- AusDBF and NZDBA agreed to establishment of the Oceanic DB Federation as soon as practical [done!]
- The bi-annual Trans-Tasman Trophy between Aus and NZ in non-World Cup Years, hosted on an alternating basis between the countries
- The bi-annual Trans-Tasman clubs challenge between Aus and NZ clubs, in conjunction with the national challenge
- Greater interaction between Aus and NZ, with clubs encouraged to compete in regattas in both countries commencing from 2008-09 season. Clubs to coordinate and organise.
The Trans-Tasman competitions will start in 2010, hosted in Australia, then NZ in 2012.
Each country will have the choice of venues, but it was agreed cost and time should be a consideration, and the Australian east coast was practical to both countries. Canberra was considered a reasonable venue to start. Dates to be confirmed, but February shaping as most likely time.
- At this stage, the Trans-Tasman club and country will be a mixed regatta only, but other categories can be considered in the future.
- IDBF distances of 500m and 200m to be raced, but if only one distance can be raced it will be 500m.
- IDBF specs shall be adhered to, especially relating to courses, crew makeup, paddles and boats.
- Clubs will race only in the Premier division (but open to all 18 + members), unless entries allow for more to be accommodated
- Country v country will be in the categories of Juniors (School Age), Youth (u23), Premier, Masters (40 +), Grand masters (50 +). No entry from one team means the category is scrapped.
National Championship Titles
Australian National Titles will not be open to NZ crews, as per current policy. NZ are considering whether their's may for at least the short term while numbers and sport develops.
Australian state championships will be open to other clubs from NZ or Australian states on a decision made by the relevant state association.
Other exchanges
AusDBF are keen to see school teams compete in NSW & ACT competitions (typically over 2 consecutive weekends).
In addition, both countries are keen to exchange ideas, training opportunities etc. |
| Background to this story: |
At the World Champs in Sydney in September 2007, NZDBA Secretary/ President Dave Elliott met with Australian DBF representatives and Mike Haslam of IDBF. |
They talked about forming an Oceania Dragon Boat Federation (ODBF) to encompass a number of nations in the region for the purpose of competition racing in this region.
|
| Our governing body, NZ Dragon Boat Association, met with trans-Tasman representatives Kel Watt (President of AusDBF) and Melanie Cantwell (Technical Director) at the NZDBA Annual General Meeting on Saturday 21-June-08. |
| They outlined the structure of DB in Australia, and compared it to NZs. For example, Victoria still operates as a commercial concern, but NSW, QLD and ACT are similar to NZ "associations". |
| AusDBF have a strong paddler base, and run multiple categories including Youth, Development, Premier, Masters and (sometimes) Grand Masters. |
| Kel and Dave Elliott spoke of establishing an Oceania DB Federation, which encourages teams to travel to regatta in South Pacific nations. |
|
