Pigeon Network

NIPA Annual Meeting report

The 74th AGM will be held in the Protestant Hall Glenavy on Saturday 9th February 2019 commencing at 2.00pm sharp. It should be noted that only Delegates can vote or enter into the business of the meeting. Official Delegate Cards will be required in the recording of votes, and no discussion on Resolutions. Note: All Clubs must hold a meeting on the Resolutions and mandate their Delegate(s) on how to cast their vote and a letter of confirmation that each Delegate(s) club had held a club meeting to vote on Resolutions being produced at the AGM.

Resolution details submitted by NIPA Committee

Resolution No 1 – Insert a New Rule
Any member of an NIPA Member Club who joins the Ulster Federation/IHU for the very first time from 2018 will not be eligible to race with the NIPA from the date of joining.

Resolution No 2 - Insert a New Rule
The NIPA will not collect any pigeons from Club Premises or Addresses that have race marked Ulster Federation pigeons on the same day.

Resolution No 3 – Insert a New Rule
When Race Marking pigeons carrying ETS Rings the Full Life Ring Number must be called and verified as per RPRA Rule 238.

Resolution No 4 – Insert a New Rule
Ref to the positioning of the ETS Sensors/Antennae. All Clubs must ensure that their members carry out RPRA Rule 241 in its entirety. RPRA Rule 241 states as follows- The positioning of the ETS Sensors/Antennae will not be allowed on any Landing Boards or other External Surfaces in such a way that when the loft is closed no Electronic Chip Ring may be recorded by the Electronic Timing System installed. Club Officials may make random checks at any time. Contravention of this Rule will result in disciplinary action under RPRA Rule 70(a).

Resolution No 5 – Delete NIPA General Rule 22b in its entirety and replace with a New General Rule 22b
In both 5 Bird Championship races Old and Young Bird revert to a Duplicating Race. The maximum number of pigeons which can be nominated or entered by a member or partnership is FIVE (5) in respect of any registered Loft Number, Names and Addresses irrespective of the number of clubs of which they are a member. Any member of a club found to have contravened this Rule under any circumstances, or any member of a club assisting in the contravention of this Rule will be Disqualified and Suspended from the NIPA for a period of 12 Months.

Resolution No 6 – Delete NIPA General Rule 53 in its entirety and replace with new General Rule 53
In all National Races the maximum number of birds that can be entered is TWENTY (20) in respect of any registered Loft Number, Name and Address, irrespective of the number of clubs they belong to.

Resolution No 7 – Amend NIPA General Rule 58 to read
Confirmation of Club Results to be Faxed, E-Mailed, or Hand Delivered to the NIPA Headquarters by 9.00pm on the evening of the race.

Resolution No 8 – Enter a New Rule 58(a)
A Club can forward as many pigeons as they like in their result. No pigeons will be accepted for entry into the Race Result after the initial result has been received.

Resolution No 9 – Amend NIPA General Rule No 59 to read
In all NIPA Races member’s prize winning pigeons may be Drug Tested within one day of the race. Refusal to allow a test will mean automatic Disqualification and will entail Suspension. Pigeons will be drug tested at the discretion of the Committee.

Resolution No 10 – Amend General Rule 63 to read
That both the Old Bird and Young Bird Inland National’s will be Race Marked Two Day’s previous to the proposed Liberation Date.

Resolution No 11 – Delete NIPA General Rule 65 in its entirety
NIPA General Rule 65 states that the NIPA publish, all National Results in the BHW as soon as possible after the race.

Resolution No 12 – Delete NIPA General Rule 17 in its entirety and replace with a new General Rule 17.
Clubs and Members will be allowed to send Trainers to an NIPA race under strict supervision. Trainers will have to be entered on a Master Sheet - the Master Sheet will have to be in the hands of the Club Secretary 14 days before the first race. The first time a Trainer is being sent it must be rubbered and recorded on the Master Sheet and all further subsequent races they must be recorded on the Master Sheet. No pigeon will be allowed to go to a race with a rubber. No Trainer is eligible for any NIPA Position or Award. Clubs must charge Trainers the same price as racers. No Trainers will be allowed to be sent to National, Classic and Championship Races.

NIPA RACE PROGRAMME 2019

OLD BIRD
Mullingar 13th April (94 miles to Belfast)
Tullamore 20th April (119 miles to Belfast)
Gowran Park 27th April (144 miles to Belfast)
Fermoy 4th May (192 miles to Belfast)
Castletown 11th May (182 miles to Belfast)
Barley Cove National 18th May (268 miles to Belfast)
Fermoy 18th May (192 miles to Belfast)
Talbenny (1) 25th May (198 miles to Belfast)
Talbenny (2) 1st June (198 miles to Belfast)
Fermoy & 5 Bird 1st June (192 miles to Belfast)
Bude 8th June (267 miles to Belfast)
Castletown Yearling Nat 8th June (182 miles to Belfast)
Corrin 15th June (198 miles to Belfast)
Penzance/Penzance Classic 22nd June (309 miles to Belfast)
Fermoy 22nd June (192 miles to Belfast)
St Malo/ Alternative (Tbc) 28th June 450 Miles to Belfast

YOUNG BIRD
Mullingar Top Half 20th July (94 miles to Belfast)
Tullamore Bottom Half 20th July (119 miles to Belfast)
Tullamore Top Half 27th July (119 miles to Belfast)
Roscrea Bottom Half 27th July (138 miles to Belfast)
Roscrea Mass Lib 3rd Aug (138 miles to Belfast)
Gowran Park 10th Aug (144 miles to Belfast)
Fermoy (1) 17th Aug (192 miles to Belfast)
Fermoy (2) 24th Aug (192 miles to Belfast)
Talbenny (Nat) 31st Aug (198 miles to Belfast)
Roscrea 31st Aug (138 miles to Belfast)
Castletown & 5 Bird 7th Sept (182 miles to Belfast)
Skibbereen (Nat) 14th Sept (252 miles to Belfast)

This programme was set by the NIPA full committee

Barley Cove rpra Code 6006, rpra code for Castletown is 6033.
All clubs should re-apply for Barley Cove distances code 6006 as all distances now will be to loft locations that have been googled as previous distances would have been to the old loft coordinates.

Section D, E, F & G Bottom Half first 2 young birds. Section A, B, C & H will be Top Half.

** Divide Line for Top / Bottom 54:36:05.

AGM of the NIPA held in Glenavy -

The 74th AGM for the Mighty NIPA was held in Glenavy on Saturday 9th February, Chairman Ken Wilkinson called the meeting to order just after 2.00pm and asked the members to stand for a minute and observe silence in respect of members and friends who had passed away in the last year.
The Secretary Fred Russell was invited to read the minutes of the previous AGM, a couple of matters arising a question if all clubs observed the Rule regarding ETS Assignment Lists being returned to NIPA Office, it was thought they all were and the Chairman again raised some concern regarding the miss-use of Social Media.

Item 2 & 3 the Secretary Report and Accounts copies of which had been distributed to local clubs earlier in the year were passed, the Secretary is to check with the Auditors regarding one item on accounts that was raised from the floor. (Income for 2018, on the General Account). To enable questions to be answered on the day it will be necessary for Clubs to put any queries in writing to the Secretary at least 3 days prior to the AGM. With no other items under Any other 2018 Business the meeting moved to Election of Officers.

For the election of officers for 2019, President Sammy Briggs has one year left of his two year term in office, he will be followed by Sect E rep Davy Mawhinney and the new Vice President for Sect F will be Paddy Murray. Sam Briggs was asked to conduct the election of officers for 2019 and was assisted by Fred Russell. Most of the rest were elected as year previous, with some small adjustments.

Patron Sammy Thompson (Coleraine & County Derry), President Sammy Briggs (Lisburn & Dist), Senior Vice President for Sect E Davy Mawhinney (Beechpark Social). Vice President for Sect F Paddy Murray (Killyleagh). Life Vice-Presidents are A McDonnell (Coleraine Prem), D Carson (Banbridge HPS), M Livingstone (Portadown & Drumcree), O Donnelly (Larne & Dist), H McVeigh (Killyleagh), V Thom (Cookstown), H Boyd (Coalisland), A Darragh (Cullybackey) and R Reid (Carrick & District). Chairman Ken Wilkinson (New Antrim), Vice Chairman P McLaughlin (Maiden City), Financial Secretary F Russell (Dromore WE), Assistant Secretary G McEvoy (Beechpark Soc), Fleet Supervisor Paul Howard (Coleraine), Convoyer Pat McNeice (Annaghmore), Race Controller Jim Ramsey Derry & District) assisted by K Wilkinson, and G Hughes. Press Officers W Reynolds (Ballymena & Dist), and S McGarry (Horseshoe). RPRA Delegates – C O’Hare (Ballyholland), S Briggs (Lisburn & Dist). Auditors G McG (Portadown).

The Finance & General Purposes Management Committee were elected, a few positions will have to be confirmed at later Section Meetings. The following were returned.

Sect A – H Boyd (Dungannon), J Hanson (Coleraine Prem). Sect B – K Wilkinson (New Antrim), G Magill (Muckamore), G McDowell (Kells & Dist), K Kernohan (Harryville). Sect C – W McClelland (Doagh & Dist), D Campbell (Eastway), G Robinson (Carrick Soc), W Seaton (Ligoniel). Sect D – J Conlane (Kingswood). Sect E – K Henderson (Lurgan Soc), J Parr (Edgarstown), S Corrigan (Loughgall), G O’Dowd (Gilford & Dist. Sect F – P Murray (Killyleagh), V Pollock (Ards). Sect G – B Durkin (Newry), G Delaney (Dromore). Sect H – P McLoughlin (Maiden City), J Ramsey (Derry & Dist).

Voting on the various Resolutions had already been decided at the normal club meetings, no discussion is allowed at the AGM, all items bar the final one regarding Trainers passed with large votes. Decisions were as follows.

Resolution details submitted by NIPA Committee

Resolution No 1 – Insert a New Rule

Any member of an NIPA Member Club who joins the Ulster Federation/IHU for the very first time from 2018 will not be eligible to race with the NIPA from the date of joining. For 46, Against 24.

Resolution No 2 - Insert a New Rule

The NIPA will not collect any pigeons from Club Premises or Addresses that have race marked Ulster Federation pigeons on the same day. For 54, Against 12.

Resolution No 3 – Insert a New Rule

When Race Marking pigeons carrying ETS Rings the Full Life Ring Number must be called and verified as per RPRA Rule 238. For 69, Against 0.

Resolution No 4 – Insert a New Rule

Ref to the positioning of the ETS Sensors/Antennae. All Clubs must ensure that their members carry out RPRA Rule 241 in its entirety. RPRA Rule 241 states as follows- The positioning of the ETS Sensors/Antennae will not be allowed on any Landing Boards or other External Surfaces in such a way that when the loft is closed no Electronic Chip Ring may be recorded by the Electronic Timing System installed. Club Officials may make random checks at any time. Contravention of this Rule will result in disciplinary action under RPRA Rule 70(a). For 70, Against 0.

Resolution No 5 – Delete NIPA General Rule 22b in its entirety and replace with a New General Rule 22b

In both 5 Bird Championship races Old and Young Bird revert to a Duplicating Race. The maximum number of pigeons which can be nominated or entered by a member or partnership is FIVE (5) in respect of any registered Loft Number, Names and Addresses irrespective of the number of clubs of which they are a member. Any member of a club found to have contravened this Rule under any circumstances, or any member of a club assisting in the contravention of this Rule will be Disqualified and Suspended from the NIPA for a period of 12 Months. For 64, Against 4.

Resolution No 6 – Delete NIPA General Rule 53 in its entirety and replace with new General Rule 53

In all National Races the maximum number of birds that can be entered is TWENTY (20) in respect of any registered Loft Number, Name and Address, irrespective of the number of clubs they belong to. For 74, Against 0.

Resolution No 7 – Amend NIPA General Rule 58 to read

Confirmation of Club Results to be Faxed, E-Mailed, or Hand Delivered to the NIPA Headquarters by 9.00pm on the evening of the race. For 63, Against 9.

Resolution No 8 – Enter a New Rule 58(a)

A Club can forward as many pigeons as they like in their result. No pigeons will be accepted for entry into the Race Result after the initial result has been received. For 65, Against 4.

Resolution No 9 – Amend NIPA General Rule No 59 to read

In all NIPA Races member’s prize winning pigeons may be Drug Tested within one day of the race. Refusal to allow a test will mean automatic Disqualification and will entail Suspension. Pigeons will be drug tested at the discretion of the Committee. For 68, Against 1.
Resolution No 10 – Amend General Rule 63 to read

That both the Old Bird and Young Bird Inland National’s will be Race Marked Two Day’s previous to the proposed Liberation Date. For 57, Against 14.
Resolution No 11 – Delete NIPA General Rule 65 in its entirety

NIPA General Rule 65 states that the NIPA publish, all National Results in the BHW as soon as possible after the race. For 57, Against 14.

Resolution No 12 – Delete NIPA General Rule 17 in its entirety and replace with a new General Rule 17.

Clubs and Members will be allowed to send Trainers to an NIPA race under strict supervision. Trainers will have to be entered on a Master Sheet - the Master Sheet will have to be in the hands of the Club Secretary 14 days before the first race. The first time a Trainer is being sent it must be rubbered and recorded on the Master Sheet and all further subsequent races they must be recorded on the Master Sheet. No pigeon will be allowed to go to a race with a rubber. No Trainer is eligible for any NIPA Position or Award. Clubs must charge Trainers the same price as racers. No Trainers will be allowed to be sent to National, Classic and Championship Races. Withdrawn, no doubt will be considered at a future meeting.

The Chairman thanked all for their assistance in the past season, Secretary Fred Russell is now in post over 40 years and he also thanked the Centre Officials, those who assisted and the Committee who travel to meetings in all weathers. He wished the members good success in 2019 and the meeting was closed around 3.15pm.

At a meeting of the Management Committee on Tuesday 12th February 2019 the following fee’s were approved for 2019.
Club Subscription £30.00 - Administration fee £30.00 per loft.
Carriage charges for Inland and Channel races have not been set at present.

Barley Cove RPRA Code 6006, RPRA code for Castletown 6033.
All clubs should re-apply for Barley Cove distances code 6006 as all distances now will be to loft locations that have been googled as previous distances would have been to the old loft coordinates.