Minutes of the
Surrey Open Hockey League Annual General Meeting
17 May 2011, held at Oxted HC
Present:
John Holbrook / SOHL Chair / Barnes HCMarc Fisher / SOHL Fixture Secretary / Thames Valley HC
Andy White / SOHL Treasurer / Epsom HC
Chris Walker / SOHL Secretary / Merton HC
Sarah Shakespeare / Addiscombe HC
Nigel Oates / Aldershot and Farnham HC
Rebecca Maule / Bank of England HC
Nigel Green / Camberley HC
S Finn / Croydon Old Whifgiftian HC
Cyril Rapose / Goan HC
Chris Stevens / Horley HC
Ian Rhodes / Horley HC
Richard Craig / Leatherhead HC
Curt Bryant / NPL HC
Ian Whiteman / Old Reigatians HC
Thomas Grist / Old Reigatians HC
Daniel Maguire / Oxted HC
Gregory Reed / Spencer HC
Matt Hopper / UCL Academicals HC
Apologies:
Reigate Priory, Old Georgians, Purley Walcountians, Merton, Nick Harris, Chris Burton.
Actions & Decisions
1. Minutes of 2010 AGM
Agreed.
2. Chair’s Report
JH welcomed all and reported on a successful season. He thanked everyone concerned for its smooth running. Working relations with the South League were good, with no imminent proposed changes to league structures. Finally, he thanked Oxted HC for hosting this year’s AGM
3. Secretaries Report
CW reported a quiet season with little correspondence with other leagues and no disciplinary appeals. He reported that the Committee now had access to the SOHL website, which had caused some problems during the season. He reminded of the decision at the AGM in 2010 that there would be no grass pitches in any SOHL league from 2011/12.
4. Treasurers Report
AW tabled draft accounts for 2010/11 showing a small surplus of £275 and a carried forward balance of £2185. It was proposed to continue to aim for a break even position and therefore no increase in subs for 2011/12 was proposed from £12 per team. This was agreed. AW also reported that collection of subs via Surrey HA had worked well and so would continue, along with points deduction for late payment after October.
Decision 1: No change to SOHL annual subscriptions
5. Fixture Secretaries Report
MF reported on a successful season and thanked everyone for their co-operation in dealing with disruption caused by the bad weather, including matches being played on Sundays. The promotions and relegations should be straightforward with Surrey Division 3 taking 2 teams from SOHL Premier and then relegating 2 in exchange (subject to the Surrey League AGM and play offs). For SOHL leagues, this would result in 2 up and 2 down for all leagues with the exception of Division 5 where there is no relegation.
MF highlighted the impact of a very early Easter in 2012 with only two slip dates. A rule change was proposed to complete all fixtures by Easter. This was agreed, with fixture dates for the 2011/12 season as 24 September – 17 December and 7 January – 17 March. These will be confirmed when the South and Surrey leagues confirm their fixture dates. MF will aim to confirm 2011/12 fixtures by the end of June, with the aim for all Divisions to have 12 teams. This could include additional promotions of Teddington Oaks and Horley 2s, to be confirmed by the end of June.
It was requested that fixtures be co-ordinated with the ladies league to avoid home clashes and MF agreed to try and accommodate this if the ladies fixtures could be made available (Spencer).
Decision 2: All league fixtures to be completed by Easter each season
Action: Spencer to forward ladies fixtures to MF
6. Proposals for Rule Changes 2011/12
In addition to the new rules regarding grass pitches and completion of fixtures by Easter (above), there was a proposal to change the rule regarding cancellations. Currently, if a match is cancelled before 8pm on a Monday, there are no penalties, with either a 5 – 0 walkover of a replay offered.
A proposal was made to change the deadline until midnight Tuesday, by which time the opposition captain and fixture secretary must be notified. If the game is cancelled after this deadline, there should be a 3 points deduction, plus the cancelled (to) team can choose either a 5 – 0 walkover or a replay. The compensation to a home team to cover pitch costs was also proposed to rise to £75 (from £50). All three amendments were agreed. In addition, the ‘three strikes then you are out’ rule to continue for teams cancelling three times and the expectation that the lowest team in a club should always cancel ahead of higher teams.
Decision 3: Deadline for cancelling fixtures to move to Tuesday midnight. Cancellation after this deadline to incur 3 point penalty and choice by cancelled (to ) team of 5 – 0 walkover or replay. In addition, compensation to home team to increase to £75.
7. Election of Officers
All current officers were re-elected by block vote.
Decision 4: League Officers all re-elected.
8. Applications for New Teams joining SOHL
Applications were heard from Aldershot and Farnham and Camberley. Aldershot’s team would be young players, but would adhere to the England Hockey guidance of being over 14 on January 1st. Camberley 4s sought to join from the Thames Valley Conference for more competitive hockey. Both applications were agreed.
Decision 5: Aldershot and Farnham 5s and Camberley 4s to join SOHL Division 5 from 2011/12.
9. Presentation of Trophies
JH congratulated all league winners and runners up and trophies and pennants were presented as follows:
Premier League Champions: NPL Badgers
Division 1 Champions: London Academicals 3s
Division 2 Champions: Sunbury and Walton 3s
Division 3 Champions: Goan 1s
Division 4 Champions: NPL Bees
Division 5 Champions: Spencer Harlequins
10. AOB
It was noted that Aldershot and Farnham could be shortened to ‘AFHC’ for the purposes of Fixtures Live. There was a call for adherence by all teams to the 5m rule.