2017AGM Report5th JUNE 1900 hours
PRESENT:
Tony Alvis; Malcolm Brown; Mervyn Davies; Russell Davies; Annette Dickinson-Flint; Chris Flint;Mark Fone; Chris Heath; Graham Jackson;Max Lloyd; Gary Matthews; Cyril Nolan; Gary Nolan; Lorna Rogers;Adrian Smith; Don Wallington.
[16] [13 in 2016] [12 in 2015] [15 in 2014].
APOLOGIES:
Howard Jones; Neil Morgan; Lee Picken; Guy Scott; Jacky Turner.[5] [3 in 2016][8 in 2015] [5 in 2014]
The Chairman opened the meeting by briefly summarizing a good year and highlightedour changing but still increasing membership; we welcome the new members and hope that they will feel at home at our Club.
Minutes of the 2016 AGM had been circulated around the room; there were no matters arising.
CHAIRMAN & ACTING SECRETARY’S REPORT.
On behalf of the Executive Committee I am pleased to report the Club has continued to enjoy an influx of new members to replace those lost through injuries and career moves.
I am extremely happy to pass on my personal thanks to all the new members who, together with some very active Committee members, have been the catalyst in continuing to raise the Club profile and, more importantly, extend the range of activities now enjoyed by both Junior and Senior members.
Additionally, the Executive Committee wishes to thank all of those volunteers who have contributed magnificently to the continued development of the Club and, just as importantly, helped to maintain the Club facilities in excellent condition.
Thanks to efforts by Chris Heath all the Male Showers are working, Dave Bailey and Howard Jones have drastically improved the Gallery & Keith Wilson oversaw the improvements to the grass frontage of the Club.
As a fairly inept Secretary it is my responsibility to thank the many people for the jobs they do across the board as Lorna does, from keeping a close watch on our finances, Jacky who has dealt with the continuing flow of new membership applications, Don for keeping the website active which has kept the Club name "out there" to attract new members, Cyril for arranging the leagues and organising Gary and the Junior Section, all team Captains fielding teams in the County leagues, Paul organising domestic competitions, Gary and Courtney for all the coaching, Mr Ryan 'fitness' Heath raising fitness levels all round, Andy keeping our fridge properly stocked, Chris and Annette recycling and improving our external planted areas plus our loyal Committee Members.
For the record, the Club Closed Squash Championship was won by new member Scott Bailey, a young and precocious talent, who triumphed in an epic 5 game match over eleven times champion Courtney Downing. Thanks to our excellent Competitions organiser and IT wizard Paul Mathieson this match was featured on "U" Tube.
The Nolan Downing Trophy for non team players had an encouraging number of entries and was won by another new member, Neil Morgan, in a very closely contested match against a previous trophy winner Peter Foottit again in a 5 game match.
The Club Closed Racketball Championship was won by Mervyn Davies who triumphed over Chris Wase and again, thanks to Paul Mathieson who broadcast an excellent and erudite report on this match.
All the trophies have been engraved and are available for winners to display here or at home.
I will probably have committed the cardinal sin of "missing someone out" but my sincere thanks and gratitude goes to you all for making the Club what it is - the best and friendliest Club in the County.
I do, however, have a slight concern in respect of court bookings. At the moment court availability in the evenings appears to be limited and whilst some members have expressed concerns about being able to book a court at certain times an analysis of the system indicates that, even in evenings, there is spare capacity. The one thing which causes a few problems is what I term to be "Speculative playing and coaching bookings" and late cancellations. For example in May there were 45 late cancellations representing a loss of income to the Club of £225 but more importantly 45 opportunities for members to play. Translated to an annual figure this represents a "loss" of £2700 - the equivalent of an £18 increase in Annual subscription or £2 on the light fee.
For the record, the Kingsland Club are looking at using the "My Courts" system to charge a booking fee and cancellation charges. Your Committee will be monitoring this in case we are obliged to follow suit.
It is in your own interests to try harder to avoid late cancellations.
HONORARY TREASURER & MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT. Lorna Rogers, on behalf of the AGM, has passed on our grateful thanks to Iain Painter who has selflessly audited the Club accounts each year. Lorna tabled a written set of audited accounts and advised everyone that they covered the financial year ending in August 2016.
She was pleased to report that there was an operating surplus of £13856, down over £1000 on the previous year but highlighted the fact that over £7000 had been spent on maintenance and improvements, particularly the external painting and grassed front area.
Lorna recommended that Annual Subscriptions should remain at the current level of £80 [plus the £7.50 England Squash levy] and light fees of £5. Unanimously agreed.
Membership figures remained good at 216 [169 Seniors & 47 Juniors]
The meeting congratulated Lorna on doing a brilliant job.
PLAYING REPORT.
Division One – 2nd place – “A” team [up one place]
Division Two – 2nd place – “B” team [up one place]
Division Two – 4th place – “E” team [up four places]
Division Three – 7th place “C” team [down three places]
Division Three – winners – “D” team [up three places]
Squash 57 [formerly Racketball] League – winners – “A” team
Squash 57 [formerly Racketball] League – 2nd place - “C” team
Squash 57 [formerly Racketball] League – 3rd place - “B” team
Squash 57 Knock out Cup - winners "B" team
National Club Racketball Knock out Championship Final - Runners Up to Liverpool.
Discussion ensued centred upon the need to strengthen the teams and recruit more players, particularly 'ones' and 'twos'; however it was recognised that not every player aspired to push up the leagues towards Division One and not all players appreciated the need to play home and away across the County.
It was agreed that a Captains meeting would be held during June/July to address selection by agreement and recruitment.
JUNIOR SECTION REPORT.
Gary Nolan presented an upbeat report. [attached to the AGM minutes].
It has been a successful year12 - 17 regular players; both fitness and standards were improving.
Cyril is co-ordinating our Club’s participation in County Junior Summer Leagues on a fairly flexible basis to ensure that our juniors are not discouraged.
Gary's report included very interesting suggestions for further development of the Junior Section.
SEASON'S AWARDS
Winners in the various domestic categories have already been mentioned but it would be very remiss of me if I did not remark upon the extremely significant efforts of our very own Rob Astbury who clawed his way back from a losing position to win the National Over 70's Racketball Championships.
[Rob is not here tonight but he has been presented with a small trophy to mark his achievement].
Remaining with Racketball the historic efforts of our Senior Club Racketball squad of John Armitage, Mervyn Davies, Stuart Dix, Courtney Downing, Chris Morris and Chris Wase took the Club through all the preliminary rounds and into the National Club Championships final where they eventually lost to a very young and fit Liverpool Cricket Club team.
None of this would not have happened without the enthusiasm and initiative of Guy Scott who, despite his injuries keeping him out of the playing squad, he nevertheless chivvied and organised not only our own squad but those of opposing teams. Our Squad would not have had this success without Guy's efforts and on his behalf I would like to present trophies to those of the Squad who are present tonight.
SUMMER LEAGUES.
The Club would field 3 teams in the Summer Squash [Red Runners, The Bees and the Flying Scots] playing on Tuesdays at Kingsland and 3 teams in the Racketball League playing on Thursdays at our Club.
Squash is to start on 7th June with the Racketball starting at the end of the month.
Some concern [and confusion] was evident in respect of the changed format for the squash matches which would now work on an aggregated points system from matches restricted to 30 minutes.
ELECTION OF CLUB CAPTAIN.
Guy Scott’s nomination was unanimously endorsed.
ELECTION OF 1st TEAM CAPTAIN.
Mervyn Davies' nomination was unanimously endorsed.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE.
The following people were elected to Office:
Chairman.Graham Jackson
Honorary Treasurer.Lorna Rogers.
Membership SecretarySara Nock
Club CaptainGuy Scott
1st Team CaptainMervyn Davies
Child Protection ConsultantTerry Jones
Internal League OrganiserCyril Nolan
Head CoachCourtney Downing
Website EditorDon Wallington.
Competitions OrganiserPaul Mathieson
Junior Organiser/CoachGary Nolan
Fitness & Training OfficerRyan Heath.
Honorary AuditorIain Painter
Committee MembersTony Alvis
Dave Bailey
Malcolm Brown.
Chris Flint
Annette Dickinson-Flint,
Mark Fone
Howard Jones.
Max Lloyd.
The Executive Committee are especially anxious to find a member to instigate or initiate and arrange Fund Raising as a Project Officer for the proposed extension as this is the one part of the Club which has the capacity to bind us together more closely, to provide greater flexibility in the use of our Courts and improve the fitness of all players.
Other 'vacancies' will need to be filled by a determined 'recruiting' effort to provide an essential Assistant Treasurer, a County Representative etc.
THE FOLLOWING POSTS REMAIN VACANT:
HonorarySecretary;
Assistant Treasurer;
County Representative;
Vice Chairman
Sponsorship Co-ordinator;
Social Events Officer;
Project Officer
ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
a] Gary Nolan stated that he, Ryan Heath and Max Lloyd would be masterminding the "Superstars"
knockabout event on Saturday 5thAugust ; all were asked to put the date in their diaries.
b] Don Wallington reminded us all of the importance of feeding information to him for inclusion on the Club
website. Don also stressed the importance of attending the County AGM on Thursday 7th September to hear
about and comment upon a[the proposed changes to the County Leagues.
c] Chris Heath reminded everyone that there were still spaces on the Social trip to Wolverhampton.
d] Russell Davies asked about the proposed extension.The meeting was advised that planning permission has
been granted for the extension at the front of the Club but that, as yet, no response has been received in respect
of the grant application.
e] Cyril referred to the frequent cancellation of England Squash coaching courses through low take up numbers.
He believes that the Club should organise "Coaching for Coaches" sessions.
Cyril also stated that in his view the Club had benefitted greatly from the work done by Ryan Heath, a
sentiment which was warmly endorsed.
f] Chris Flint invited the meeting to congratulate Gary and his helpers for the work they do with the Junior Section.
This was also warmly endorsed and applauded.
The meeting closed at 2010 hours with an informal buffet.
2014 SQ :: AGMs :: 2017 AGM Report 06/06/2016 07:17:10