HAMPSHIRE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION LIMITED
Minutes of the Annual General Meetingheld at 1930 on
Wednesday22 July, 2009 at WinchesterRFC
Those Present
PresidentM.P. Glogg*
Past PresidentsL.C.K. Angel, J.D. Rees, J.S. Sneezum
N.J. Stone, OBE*(Finance Chairman)
Vice Presidents J. Collins,G.H. Cook* (Honorary Treasurer), J.G. Evans
N.R. Hagerty* (RFU Representative), K. Johnston, R. Harris
D. Marsden* (Community Rugby Chairman), N.J. Murphy
J.C. Pope* (Executive Director), P.J. Topham* (Management Chairman)
Management CommitteeT. Allen* (Rugby Director),D. Sage (Administrative Officer)
Member Clubs Represented*Aldershot & Fleet, Alresford, Alton,Andover,Basingstoke, Eastleigh
(22)Fareham Heathens, Fordingbridge, Gosport & Fareham, Havant Locksheath Pumas, New Milton & District, Overton, Petersfield Portsmouth, Romsey, Sandown & Shanklin (proxy),Southsea Nomads Tottonians, Trojans,United Services,Winchester
Associate Clubs RepresentedChichester, Solent Barbarians
Life AssociatesD.A. Creal, C.J.M. Fairley, C. A. Few, D.R. Hornblow
Individual AssociatesJ.W.J. Mist, J.H. Prosser, P.E. Reid, D.B. Russell-Taylor, P.A. Searle
R. Scott, J. Trim, S.J. Tristram
Club RepresentativesI. Brown, D. Bugler, B. Challis, J. Cloke, A. Cornell, D. Crabbe
N. Dade, C. Day, S. Downes, M. Dunning, R. Evans, S. Hardman
G. Hemmings, N. Hanmer, T. Hankey, P. Malcolm, N. Olsen
D. Outen, M. Parker, S. Rule, A. Russell, M. Thomas, C. Whapham
HRFU CompetitionsB. Collins
HRFUWF. Bryan
HRURSS.G.T. Thomas
HSRFUI. Kerr OBE,E.R.C. Venning
RFU RDO’sJ. Brookstein, J. Sanders
Trophy WinnersLiam Perkins, Luke Richardson
Others presentMr Gary Keast
*Voting Members (30) (Quorum = 15)
The President welcomed those present and thanked them for attending.
He asked all to rise to observe a moment's quiet reflection for those in our Clubs and the Unionwho had passed away, since our last AGM.
The Executive Director read the Notice Convening the Meeting.
Item OneTo Receive Apologies for Absence.
Vice PresidentsD.C. Ball,R.D. Birch, M.T. Chalk, P.A. Jones, Dr.J.R. Owen
I.J.Reeve, S.R. Smith, D. Wills
Member ClubsEllingham & Ringwood, Jersey United Banks, Les Quennevais
University of Portsmouth, Ventnor
Associate ClubsBognor, Camberley, Hampshire Constabulary
Life AssociatesC.A. Few, E.R. Hoare, J.G.P. Jeffrey, G. Negus, J.R. Parkhouse
A.J. Reeve, MrsD. Sneezum
Individual AssociatesA.M. Coles, N.J. Creal, R.J.C. Darling, B.A. Elkins, C.W. Morley
M.F. O’Reilly
Item TwoTo Consider & Approve the Minutes of the 2008 AGM.
These had been issued at Appendix 1 of the Annual Report and were taken as read. The President invited all those in favour of approving the Minutes to vote. There were none against; there were no abstentions. The President declared the Minutes approved nem com.
Item ThreeTo Consider & Approve the Minutes of the 2008 AFGM.
These had been issued at Appendix 2 of the Annual Report and were taken as read. The President invited all those in favour of approving the Minutes to vote. There were none against; there were no abstentions. The President declared the Minutes approved nem com.
Item FourTo Receive the Executive Director's Report.
The President then asked “May I take the Report as read?” This was accepted. He then invited the Executive Director to deliver his annual report.
“Thank you Mr. President for giving me the opportunity to say a few words. Having only been in the position of Executive Director for six months I have very little to add to my report. I started the job in January 2009 and promptly headed down under for six weeks in February and March. I am most grateful to our President, Chairman, Immediate Past President and members of the Management Committee for the unwavering support they gave Deborah in my absence.
I get a huge amount of enjoyment from watching our representative sides playing rugby. To see our CountyXV after about fifteen minutes in to the game against Middlesex, at Basingstoke, realise that they could play and hold their own at this level was great to watch. Even with a few jitters in the last minutes they went on to record their first victory in the Shield Competition 20-19. Ok we were soundly beaten by a very good Hertfordshire side the following week, 7-46, but the players continued to try and play rugby and gave their all up until the final whistle. At Cambridge, against Eastern Counties we were short of a number of regular players and struggling for a full complement of replacements. The entire squad dug deep and showed that we have strength in depth and that players do want to play for the County. In the end an 18-10 victory was just reward for the squad. John Byett and his team are to be thanked for the enormous amount of hard work they have put in and the results achieved. The Under 20 XV played some exciting rugby in getting to the London Division play offs but unfortunately came unstuck against Middlesex in extra time. I look forward to seeing more age groups in action next season.
In closing may I say thank you to all those people who have made my first six months in office an enjoyable experience. To the Clubs thank you for your help and support, long may it continue?
To my Management Committee colleagues, thank you for the wise words of wisdom and support and last but not least thank you to Deborah Sage my admin assistant for keeping me on the straight and narrow. Thank you Mr President for giving me this opportunity to speak”
The President invited questions from the floor. None were forthcoming so therefore, proposed by Peter Topham and seconded by John Collins, the President declared the Report adopted nem com.
Item FivePresentation of Awards
The President made the following statements and presentations.
“The First Award is the FMT Bunney Trophy for the County Championship Player of the Year which goes to
Luke Richardson.
I first saw Luke when he was a young player with Tottonians and having a trial for the CountyU20. That was only three years ago and since then he has made tremendous strides in his rugby and although I am delighted to be presenting him with this award it is no surprise to me that he should be the recipient. He has been an outstanding player with the County XV and his try in the closing minutes of the game against Middlesex meant we won by one point. It was Luke at his best. I was just a few feet away and I could see that nothing was going to stop him making the line. He has a great attitude and I do congratulate him on being chosen Player of the Year.
The next Award is The Brian Short Memorial Trophy for the Young Player who Best Epitomised the Spirit of Hampshire Rugby which goes this year to Liam Perkins.
Liam came to the U20’s as quite a raw player, but it was immediately evident that he had real potential. Although entering the U20 Championships for the first time took him out of his comfort zone – he demonstrated a real determination in his game. The experience tested him but he has grown in maturity and shows the potential to become a first class player. He has strong leadership qualities leading by example and by what he says to his peers on the pitch. It was a delight to see him gain a place in the County Championship XV at the end of the season.
Liam has already played National 1 rugby and against Cornish Piratesset up about the only scoring chance for Newbury in that encounter. He has also made an impact on the national sevens scene and was picked to play in Kenya for the Samurai Seven. We believe his is a man for the future-he has a mature head on his shoulders and has been a great and positive role model for the rest of the County U20 Squad.
Next are the Robbie Keast Awards which were presented to our Schools Union by his family in memory of Robbie Keast a CountyAgegrade player and a young man who was tragically killed in January 2000. His father Gary is here this evening. Unfortunately due to holidays neither recipients can be present this evening and I will arrange to make the presentation at each individual’s school early next term.
There are two awards; the first to our outstanding 18 Group player who this year is...Matt Peters of St JohnsCollege and Portsmouth RFC. Matthew was our U18 Captain this last season in a campaign where we lost only one of our four games and that by just one score. He earned the respect of the players by leading from the front and his attitude both on and off the field was first class. He has been a fine ambassador for his School XV, St John’sCollege, and for Hampshire and he is a worthy recipient of the Keast Award.
The Keast Award for Sportsmanship, in the words of the citation goes “not to an outstanding Divisional or England player (though they should not be excluded from nomination) but to the player who has best shown the qualities of commitment, dedication and example to the rest of his team”….
The Robbie Keast Bowl for our 16 Group is awarded to George Sandford.
According to his county coaches George was an obvious choice for this award as in the words of his team manager, “He is one of the most encouraging captains I have ever met!” He is a great player and was very unlucky not to be selected for the Division. He was always there for his team mates and even when injured was there cheering them on. At the post match presentations he was in his element as a speaker and all round has been a great asset to the side and the County. His family and his school LordWandsworthCollege should be rightly proud of him. Well done George.
And now to the League and Merit Table Winners and I call upon John Collins to assist me in this.
This club has got to the top of the Hampshire structure for the first time and will now be in London3. Last season they were fourth and have now reached the pinnacle.
Winners of Hampshire One & the NEWS Cup Fordingbridge who have already been presented with the Trophy at their 25thAnniversary Ball, but I have pleasure in presenting them with their RFU league winners shield.
After finishing 3rd last season this club has come out top of a very keenly contested league.
Winners of Hampshire Two & the ECHO Cup Aldershot & Fleet
After relegation last season, they are now making a swift return to Hampshire 2 as champions.
Winners of Hampshire Three & the CHRONICLE Cup Ventnor
Trophy to be presented next season
My congratulations to
Winners of the Senior Merit Table & the PINNOCK CupChichester 2
Winners of Merit OneSandown & Shanklin 2
Trophy to be presented next season
Winners of Merit TwoFareham Heathens 2
Winners of Merit ThreeEastleigh 2
Winners of London 2 SouthBasingstoke
Winners of the Hampshire BowlTrojans
At this pointI would like to congratulate BrockenhurstCollege and Ellingham & Ringwood on having received President XV Awards from the President of the Rugby Football Union, within the Volunteer and Facilities categories respectively.
Finally the President invited Simon Thomas (Chairman HRURS) to make known the Referee’s Society Award for the most Hospitable Club of the Season. Simon announced Millbrook RFC as the winners, however as no one was present from the club, a presentation will be made later in the season.
Item SixTo receive a Financial Report
The President invited the Finance Chairman, Jed Stone, to deliver his Report.
The Treasurer, George Cook, and I have still to hold our final number-crunching session before passing the books over to the Accountants. The final view of the Season will be presented in detail at the Annual Financial General Meeting in November.
The picture today shows an expected loss of £7k against a budgeted loss of £11k
Income from the RFU exceeded budget but that from the Clubs was off target and the reduction in interest rates cost us half of the £5000 we were down from all other sources. Half of the £7k loss accounted for by loss of income.
Both Community Rugby and Administration under spent but Club Hampshire went over budget by £3000. The first year of the financial impact of a part-time salaried Rugby Director was bound to be trial and error in budgetary terms so I am not too concerned estimates were inaccurate. We now have a better idea of where the costs lie and how to fund them.
Had Community Rugby spent the entire budget allocated to the RFU Play On initiative then the loss would have doubled. That particular under spend is being carried forward as a ring-fenced sum for Facility Development (on which we spent £3000 last season).
Where did the other half of the loss come from? I could say it was all down to the £3780 we spent on our 125 Anniversary celebrations and activities but that would simply cloud the answer.
The 4-S-M fast-track physiotherapy scheme cost the County £600.
The CountyXV overspent £2600. Cost per man/match £158.
The Under 20’s overspent £400. Cost per man/match £42.
The five Age Grade squads under spent £900 at a man/match cost varying from £20 for the 15 Group to £48 for the 18 Group.
The three SoR Centres operating on a weekly basis for the 90 players in the EPDG Bronze Group were budgeted to cost £13000. Plus £2000 for general costs. Overall the Academy cost £16k. Cost per player/session £29.
Our Reserves now stand at £111000 of which stock accounts for £12000. Decisions still have to be made to maximise interest on our cash holdings which currently earn very little.
Thank you Mr. President I would rather not take any complicated questions - we will be having the Annual Financial General Meeting on 17 November 2008.”
The President declared the financial report as received.
Item SevenTo elect the Officers
There having been no other nominations received by the due date, those named in Agenda Item 7 wereduly elected.
The President said, “Thank you for supporting our chosen men. The officers of your Union have been serving you well and I know will continue to do so.
Before moving onto the next item on the Agenda, that of electing our Vice-Presidents, this President would like to say a few words.
The highlight must surely have been that we were able to celebrate our 125 Anniversary and mark it with a celebratory dinner attended by over 350 guests who enjoyed a superb evening and a wonderful after dinner speech by our principal guest Martin Bayfield. The organising committee of Messrs Boyle, Hagerty, Reeve, Rees and our Chairman Peter Topham put in a great deal of time to ensure that we had a first class event. The production of a menu and table list detailing the name and club of every-one attending was a special addition and my thanks go to Jeff Rees for the many hours this took to produce and who was also Master of Ceremonies on the night.
Sadly, one member of that Dinner Committee is no longer with us: John Boyle – a legend of Hampshire rugby whose memorial service back in May was attended by more than 600 people including the President of the RFU and joined by no less than fiver former RFU Presidents. The likes of Boyler only come round once every 125 years! - At this point there was a significant and spontaneous applause from the floor.
Two other former stalwarts of the Hampshire Committee whom we also lost were Geoff Frith and Sue Pazdzierski. In Geoff’s memory Alton organised a Vets game between the Club and a County Veterans XV which was a real success. Altonlaid on a special lunch and a large crowd enjoyed an entertaining afternoon at AnsteyPark. When you watch a Vetsgame you really see the dark side of the game and referee Simon Thomas did a great job in steering proceedings to a concluding 19-all draw. The event raised a considerable amount in aid of the Parkinson’s Disease Society. As Ginny his wife remarked to me afterwards: “Geoff would have loved every minute of it and it made the whole family very proud” and I guess it must have made the club feel that they had done justice to the memory of a lovely man.
As Governance Secretary, Sue Pazdzierski serviced what is probably our busiest standing committee and she did so with a quiet efficiency and commitment that makes her loss all the more keenly felt. She was a lady of many interests and rugby was not her only pastime; I shall always remember seeing that fleet of immaculately polished Morgan sports cars appearing over the brow of the hill at Sue’s funeral to give her a proper send off.
So we celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the Hampshire RFU, but it was not the 125thAnniversary of Hampshire rugby! There were Hampshire clubs before that year in 1883 and Hampshire rugby is about clubs and first and foremost it is about the people who form those clubs, and who constitute the heart and soul of our game.
Over the past year I have been constantly reminded of their enthusiasm, their drive, their effort and service to the game and the fantastic contribution they make. During the course of the season I have visited Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Ellingham Ringwood, Fareham Heathens, Farnborough, Fordingbridge, Gosport & Fareham, Guernsey, Havant, Overton, Petersfield, Portsmouth, Romsey, Southampton, Tottonians, Trojans and Winchester. The Rugby Road show lunch at Gosport & Fareham, The Alton RFU Youth Academy Presentation Day; the opening of Ellingham & Ringwood’s new club house; and the 25th Anniversary celebration Dinner and Ball for Fordingbridge rugby club were formal and especially memorable events and it was a great privilege to be invited to attend them.