HERTFORD HOCKEY CLUB COMMITTEE

MINUTES – 13 Apr 2015

  1. Present: Steve B (Chair), Tim A, Bev S, Jules, Lindsey EB, Di S, Molly P, Geoff O, Elliot B, Dave O, Nick D, Nik B, Nick H, Chris S, Alec S, Stan P

Apologies: Sian Draper, Karen Thomson, Clive Insole

  1. Replacements for committee posts becoming vacant:

-  Ladies captain: Helen Gilbert replacing Sian D

-  Umpire liaison: Elliot Barling replacing Alec S

-  Chairman: Steve retiring, a new chairman is still required

-  Fixture secretary: Nick H is retiring. A replacement needs to be found as a matter of urgency as fixtures are arranged/finalised in July. A role summary to be compiled, added to website, and Emailed to all members, to encourage volunteers Action: Nik B and Nick H

  1. Playing Matters
  1. Teams/captains:

An additional mens and ladies team will operate from next season. Full details to be worked out over coming months. Captains for next seasons team are being finalised, in readiness for AGM

  1. Training/coaches:

Training: all men to train on Thurs, all ladies on Tues.

Stan and Molly are finalising plans for next season’s coaches/training, and will update the committee soon.

Action Stan/Molly, and to discuss coaching plans with Richard/Mary

The club is hoping to get more members involved in coaching, but currently there are no level 1 coaching courses available. There are workshops available, covering various topics relevant to coaching, but these will not be paid for by the club.

  1. Umpires/courses:

There will be a reasonable number of umpires for next season (~18), but the commitment from the ladies section is poor (only 2 ladies compared with 16 men). A trained, but unassessed umpire would be able to umpire ladies 3-5s and mens 3-6 games. New umpires could do just a few games/season, for the lowest teams, which would help significantly with the clubs umpiring commitments.

  1. Additional Pitches:

Additional pitch slots will be needed for next season. We have a block booking at Sir Freddy Osbourns, WGC, 2:30 pm for next season. We will need extra pitch slots elsewhere from time to time, dependant on the weekly fixtures.

  1. Finance

i. Account Auditor: a potential club auditor has been identified, ongoing

ii.  Review of next seasons expected income/outgoings: details still being worked through – allowing for the extra pitches etc. There may be some financial implications - the annual subs may be adjusted accordingly to address these

iii.  Payments through website: annual subs and other payments can be easily made on-line. This approach would save a lot of time/effort for members of the committee (membership/treasurer), hence this will be set up for next season’s annual membership.

5.  Socials

i. ‘Drink the Bar dry' – great success - just over £1200 taken on the night. Chris had to order stock in to get it to the right standard to hand it over to the cricketers

ii.  End of season Dinner Dance: currently 127 attending, all menu choices are in and most money paid.A young player of the year needs to be decided for a boy and girl, also a Club person of the year. Allprizes have been bought and collected.
DJ booked, seating plan and the order of speeches being finalised.

Action: Team captains/Club captains to agree Young players of the year

Action: Steve to decide Club person

  1. Publicity:

David Oldridge asked the committee about whether the website could be used for limited personal use. The committee accepted the principles outlined in the criteria drafted by David, with the precise wording for the website to be agreed at a subsequent meeting. This approach could be used for sponsors as well.

David’s specific request was approved in principle.

  1. Kit

Nik has still received no response from the Hockey Centre. Theresa (previous kit officer) has confirmed nothing was signed.

ProShop are providing details of what they would offer us, as part of a contract

  1. Sponsorship

A sub-committee will be set up to discuss and agree the best approach for new kit and sponsorship: Nik, Helen G, Stan, Lindsey & Clare H

  1. AOB

i.  Face masks: need to have 2/kitbag for next season. Need to be allowed for in finances

ii.  £1200 raised on Sat am from refreshments. Money to be used for juniors kit.

iii.  The pavilion extension is looking less likely in the short-term as a result of higher than anticipated architect quotes

iv.  Nick/fixture secretary and Lindsey must be kept aware of any expected pitch use. In addition, the pitch is often littered. We should ensure we pick up any litter and keep the pitch tidy/in good condition.

Date of AGM

TBD – shortly after Dinner Dance.

Likely to be 18th, 20th or 26th May, dependant on committee availability

(HCA – 27th May)

Action: Bev to liaise with committee