About STAC - Overview

MANDATE:

The Sepak Takraw Association of Canada (STAC) is the national governing body for the sport of Sepaktakraw in Canada. It is responsible for all aspects of the sport's growth, development and participation locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. STAC is committed to upholding and maintaining the highest standards of good sportsmanship, player safety, and the traditions and culture surrounding the sport. STAC officially came into being on December 11, 1998, and was the initiative of Rick Engel, the current President, who first started promoting the sport of Sepak Takraw in Canada in 1993.

SUCCESS:

STAC has been very effective in carrying out its mandate, as within its first 4 years it already: brought Sepak Takraw under the umbrella of the Canadian Olympic Committee as a class E member; has helped introduce Takraw into over 500 Canadian schools; has networked with clubs/players across the country; has organized 4 Canadian Open Sepak Takraw Championships, 2 of which attracted international competition; and has sent a men's regu to 3 world championship tournaments, winning a Silver Medal in division III of the 2000 King's Cup.

FUNDING:

The Sepak Takraw Association of Canada (STAC) is a federal non-profit sports association, but cannot even be eligible for government funding until it has been operating for 5 years (Dec. '03) and has a membership of 3000 in at least 8 provinces/territories. Even if these requirements are met, Federal Government funding is still not guaranteed. The better funding solution will likely be through corporate sponsorship, however, Rick Engel's position as President and the board members' positions are all 100% volunteer … so of course their time contribution does have limits. Presently, STAC's only source of revenue is in memberships, the sales of promotional products and tournament fees … which doesn't go far. Fresh ideas and more volunteers with a willingness to help are always welcome.

DECISIONS:

All of STAC's major administrative decisions are made at board meetings by an elected board of Directors, the president, and at AGM's by STAC members. On occasion, the board has also sought input from more active members in different regions across Canada before making a board decision.

TRAVEL:

STAC tries to send a team to represent Canada in a Sepak Takraw World Championship event at least once a year. Funding or reimbursement for overseas travel to international Takraw championships has only occurred once … that was when three Regina players were reimbursed air travel by organizers of the World Cup in Malaysia in March, 2000. They were actually scheduled to be the "Reserve Player", "Team Manager" & "Coach" respectively, but the team from Montreal who won the 1st National Takraw Championships held in Regina and were picked to be the National Team, contacted the STAC office 1 1/2 weeks before departure saying that they could not go. Buying new tickets was out of the question, as they would have been triple the price (way over budget) due to last minute. One of the Regina players was going to give his ticket to a more experienced player, but the airline would not allow it. That's how the Regina trio became Team Canada that year, and that situation is also what prompted the board to develop the National Team Selection Policy. All other times every player has paid their own way out of their own pockets. Until STAC can establish permanent funding and/or a corporate sponsor, players are encouraged to seek their own sponsorship for travel to international events. Local transportation, food and accommodations in the host country are always provided.

NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION POLICY:

National team selection is decided from national training camp/tournament attendance and performance (starting 2002), consultation with players involved, board of directors and national team coach (presently Rick Engel, who is internationally certified and has gained much experience). STAC's national team policy requires eligible players to be: STAC members; national tournament medallists (or at least competitors); disciplined in training, co-operation and communication (in other words, playing regularly); reliable, dependable and available; able to display high standards of play and skill; easy to get along with; and of appropriate height, weight and fitness. In reality, though ALL eligible teams/players are always contacted each year and invited to be the national team to represent Canada, the determining factor has been who was available to go (would take the time off work/school) and willing to pay their own airfare.