Special Congress to discuss problems in AAI

OVER half the county boards affiliated to the Athletics Association of Ireland have demanded a Special Congress to discuss the problems within that organisation.

Approximately 15 boards, including Dublin and Cork, have decided to support a call for an EGM to discuss concerns regarding management structures and the delayed implementation of a strategic plan.

According to Article 7.3, such a meeting would require the support of one third of the country boards and this has now been exceeded.

The AAI is without a chief executive officer - the Irish Sports Council are set to appoint a temporary CEO - while the long overdue strategic plan for the sport is expected to be completed by Morgan Buckley in June.

But county boards are worried by a lack of information from the AAI hierarchy about the future direction of the association and have called the Special Congress to air their grievances.

The strategic plan has now reached the draft stage and the AAI was in the process of organising four meetings, to be attended by both Buckley and Jerry O’Dwyer, formerly of the Department of Health, to hear the views of the grassroots members before the document is completed for the June 30 deadline.

The next step would be to hold an EGM in early October to approve any constitutional changes required to implement the Strategic Plan.

However, the document, in its draft form, is now to be discussed at a Special Congress within a month.

One source within AAI admitted yesterday that much of the problem could be blamed on their own lack of communication with the membership.

It would appear that the county boards supporting the call for the Special Congress are concerned about sovereignty, leadership and they want an assurance that if a CEO is to be appointed it should be through open competition.

There is also concern that the Irish Schools Athletic Association, considered to be one of the best and most efficient amateur sports organisation in the country, want assurances their rights as an autonomous organisation will be recognised.

There is a lot to be discussed but those behind the call for the EGM insist that the meeting will not be divisive and that there will not be any discord.

They just want clarity on the current situation and an opportunity to air their concern over issues like the appointment of a CEO and the appointment of a Director of Coaching.

Congress will be asked to ensure that the system of governance operated by AAI will only allow for a Management Executive elected by and responsible to its members, that a full time Director of Coaching be put in place and that the AAI respects the autonomy and integrity of the Irish Schools Association as the governing body for second level schools athletics in Ireland.