The main items of interest from the Council meeting of 26 August were:

The NZOF Public Liability policy has been increased to $2.5m at no extra cost. Together with this NZOF has $1m of Punitive and Exemplary damages and $½ m of Forest and Rural Fires Act coverage. Council noted that any group that expects to be covered under NZOF policies should be paying event levies. A reduction in levies for certain events may be applied for (eg National Squad fundraising events)

Air NZ Travel Card will not be available in future for general members use. The present system involved double handling of invoices and Council also decided that NZOF should not be in the business of carrying debts incurred by individual members, as had occurred in the past.

Also on financial matters in the future no money will be paid without receipts and no new grants will be paid without receipt information being provided for previous grants.

NZOF Council adopted the Technical committee report and noted that while Council agrees with peer review for controllers of most events Council believe a stronger mechanism must be in place for controllers of major events. Concern was expressed that the event status of one of the Regional Champs was under discussion and Councils wish was that all Regional Champs be run at A level. Silva National Secondary School Champs must be an A level event

A new coach is being pursued for the national Squad with one individual showing interest.

Auckland O Club have generously donated $600 to the Squad from entry fees received at Queens Birthday and the Squad is organising a Spring and Autumn series for elites

Robyn Davidson was selected as Development Officer for the first task in that role. Peter Squires is now confirmed as Convenor of the Rogaine committee. A Media officer is still required urgently

The Kiwisport manual will be revised, updated and eventually put on the Web. Stuart Payne will co-ordinate this. Robyn Davidson has agreed to continue as Primary Schools co-ordinator until a replacement is found.

JWOC Policy was discussed and it was pleasing to have so many submissions from clubs and individuals. The main changes to the circulated draft were that there would be no relaxation on standards in the last year of eligibility and that the budget would be split 50/50 between competitors and a manager/coach. A set amount will be granted by NZOF each year but this will not to be more than cost of entries and accommodation if only one or two go. The full policy will be circulated separately.

The future of the ANZ Challenge also received a number of submissions with the Challenge staying in the same format as at present with 2 challenges every 3 years. Despite some NZ Clubs not wanting a January date for the NZ leg of the Challenge this has been retained to suit Australia

Secondary School eligibility for the Silva SS Champs was reconfirmed as for year 9 to 13 only.

The Strategic Planning Seminar held on 27 August and facilitated by Siman Giannotti of the Hillary commission was a success and was attended by all Clubs except WACO, Hamilton, Rototua, Taupo, Kapiti Havoc and Marlborough. Many useful ideas were put forward which will be brought together to form a new Strategic Plan with a draft hoped to be in circulation by the end of the year.

NZOF Council would like to congratulate the ANZ Challenge team for their excellent effort in almost beating Australia. Also congratulations to the JWOC team for their results in a very tough competition.

As Clubs know NZOF is facing a funding shortfall which is accentuated by an increase of $2000 in affiliation fees to the IOF and a decrease in Hillary Commission funding of $4125, a total of over $6,000. At the last AGM Club delegates made it clear that NZOF should not decrease its level of spending which means more money must be raised. The situation is urgent and NZOF Council would welcome suggestions from Clubs and individuals on methods of raising additional funds.