Dublin Volleyball Club’s Clodagh NicCanna has been elected as Volleyball Ireland’s new President and Chairperson of the Board, following this weekend’s Annual General Meeting held in a virtual fashion.
NicCanna, a former International player, referee and coach replaces outgoing President Grainne Culliton, who has served her third and final term as Director. NicCanna said, “I’m very lucky to be following into office after Grainne. She has laid incredible foundations for the future of Volleyball in Ireland”.
NicAnna served previously as Competitions Commission President where she introduced the All Island Premier 32 Competition and the first National Beach Tour. She moves up from her current position as Vice President which she’s held since 2019.
On a professional level, NicCanna is the Development Director of Ocuco, a global software development team working within the optical industry.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the Board, Commissions, Staff and Club Network. These are exciting times. We have plans afoot for the growth of the sport at home in Ireland in addition to pushing the frontiers for Irish Volleyball Teams to compete in European competitions in volleyball (indoor) and on the beach.”
The recent appointments bring the Board of Volleyball to eight with a 5:3 Female : Male ratio, in line with Sport Ireland guidelines on Board Member composition.
The AGM was streamed live on Volleyball Ireland’s YouTube Channel and featured an emotional video tribute to outgoing President Grainne Culliton who commented, “There have been some lows for sure, but these are far outweighed by all the superb highs, and whilst I am sad to leave when volleyball is going on to get even better, I leave it in the hands of an amazing team of people. I truly say that I cannot wait to see where volleyball will be in 3-5 years’ time. As FIVB President Ary Graça said recently at the World Congress, we must continue to Dream Big and Aim High”.
The AGM featured presentations from staff on some exciting upcoming programmes as well as a review of the recent Stakeholder Survey which has returned an increase in the Association’s ‘NGB Effectiveness Rating’.
Participation figures have been severely hit with player licenses reduced by 42% and revenues down by 40%.
Despite this, some notable projects have been delivered including the publishing of a Long Term Player Development Model, launch of a new Coach Development Programme and a complete re-brand of the organisation.
Progress towards achieving the aims established in the 2019-22 Strategic Plan: Raising the Game, has been delayed with the majority of targets and programmes deferred into 2021, and some exciting plans such as the hosting of an FIVB World Tour Beach Volleyball event have been postponed.
That said, things are ready to get going once more and NicCanna, alongside General Manager Gary Stewart are a good team to bring the organisation back to the level of momentum it had attained pre-pandemic.
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