CMAA President’s Message

CMAA President’s Message
December 2010

The year 2010 is just coming to a close; by the time you are reading this note, we may well be into 2011. The past 12 months were both terrific and challenging, full of new beginnings and new opportunities. At the beginning of 2010, I communicated that my three main objectives for the year were:

1) Provide more timely and relevant information through the CMAA eNews format;

2) Complete the negotiations with Athletics Canada to provide reciprocal membership between AC and CMAA for all masters athletes across Canada, part of which involved an update to the CMAA constitution; and

3) Complete overhaul of the CMAA website so it is up to date and incorporates additional social networking functionality, to provide Masters Athletes across Canada with a forum to regularly interact.

I am extremely pleased to be able to communicate that we have accomplished all three objectives.

– There were many more timely eNews communications.

– At an AC Branch Presidents meeting in early December, and at the November CMAA board meeting, an AC/CMAA partnership proposal was agreed to in principle. The only details left are for official approval by some of the Provincial Branches of AC at their AGMs, and the signing of the formal agreement, which is currently being drafted.

– The new CMAA corporation has been formed, and Bylaws have been drafted, which will be presented to the CMAA membership at the January 31st AGM, about which you will receive a formal notice in January.

– The new Canadian Masters website was launched in August, and a new National masters rankings website will be unveiled very shortly.

Here is a list of just some of the activities that the CMAA supported or delivered in 2010:

– Support for the World Masters Indoor Championships in Kamloops, BC

– Canadian Masters Marathon and Half Marathon Championships, in conjunction with the Ottawa marathon

– Canadian Masters Outdoor T&F Championships held in Toronto, as even last minute location challenges did not take away from a great event (also included the Hall of Fame and Athlete of the Year awards banquet)

– Canadian Masters 10K road race championships, in conjunction with Saskatoon River Run

– Canadian Masters Cross Country Championships in Guelph

– New Canadian Masters website launched

– 2010 Records Book produced and distributed

– Maintenance of Canadian & help with World Masters Records

– AC/CMAA partnership negotiations

– CMAA incorporation efforts

– CMAA new Bylaws drafted

– NCCWMA Puerto Rico Championships support

– New partner deal with Enterprise car rental agency

2011 is looking to be an equally busy and eventful year. We start the year off with the Canadian Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships in Kamloops, March 19 & 20. Kamloops held the World Masters Indoor Championships in 2010, which event was exceptionally well run, and we expect our 2011 Championships to be another great event. Also in 2011 will be the Canadian Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Toronto, at the new University of Toronto Varsity Stadium, on June 24 to 26. Shortly thereafter, the World Masters Outdoor Championships will be happening in Sacramento, July 7 to 17. On the roads will be the Canadian Masters Half Marathon Championships in Montreal in April, the Canadian Masters Marathon Championships in Ottawa in May and the Canadian Masters 10K Championships, at a location yet to be determined. Not to forget about Cross Country, we will be holding the Canadian Masters Cross Country Championships in Vancouver, in conjunction with the 2011 Athletics Canada Cross Country Championships. Information for all of these events is located on the new Canadian Masters Athletics website at canadianmasters.ca Start making your plans early.

The entire CMAA organization is run by volunteers with no paid positions, and I would be remiss if I did not thank the entire CMAA Board of Directors who have been instrumental in working diligently, often behind the scenes, to make all of the above activities happen. Your board is comprised of:

• Vice-President – Vern Christensen
• Memberships – Joan Christensen
• Treasurer – Jack Castle
• Vice-President, Stadia & International Events – Brian Keaveney
• Vice-President, Non-Stadia (Road, Cross Country) – John Powell

Directors At Large

• Bill McIlwaine ON
• Emil Muller ON
• George Reilly BC
• Mike Sherar ON
• Rhona Trott ON
• Stafford Whalen ON

Provincial Directors

• British Columbia – Harold Morioka
• Alberta – Donna Dixon
• Saskatchewan – Carol Lafayette-Boyd
• Ontario – Doug Smith
• Atlantic Provinces – Bill MacMackin

Special recognition also needs to be extended to the Volunteer record keepers who keep track of all Canadian and help with World Records. Your Records volunteers are:

• Road Race Bests – Ed Whitlock
• Outdoor/Indoor Track & Field except Throws – Bill McIlwaine
• Relays – Harold Morioka
• Racewalks – Sherry Watts
• Combined Events except Throws Pentathlon – John Hawkins
• Indoor/Outdoor Throws & Throws Pentathlon – Rhona Trott

Also of important note is the work done by our Canadian Masters Hall Of Fame committee, headed by Dian Palmason, and our Web Master and ENews Coordinator, Doug Smith.
There are many more volunteers who help support the Canadian Masters through committee work, and support at specific events in the form of officials, general setup and administration. I would like to extend my thanks to all of you who have volunteered or have told me that you would be interested in assisting whenever we need the help.

I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and the best for the coming year.

With sincerest regards,

Paul Osland

CMAA President