Minutes for the Annual General Meeting of the Leinster Hockey Association Limited

Venue: Stillorgan Park Hotel

Date: 25th June 2014

Chairman – Percy Henchy, LHA President

The Annual General Meeting was opened by Percy Henchy. John Flannery confirmed that a quorum was in attendance and apologies were noted.

Minutes

The minutes from the 2013 LHA AGM had been distributed prior to the meeting and by agreement were taken as read.

Proposed By :Stefan RitzenSeconded By :Sarah O’Connor

Matters Arising

None

Correspondence

Doreen Howe - Letter of thanks to the LHA for nominating her as an IHA Hon Life Member.

Presidents Address – Percy Henchy

Percy thanked everyone for their attendance and expressed his gratitude to the LHA Board, committees and working groups for their work during the season. He congratulated the numerous Leinster clubs on their achievements in the Irish Hockey League, Irish Senior Cup, Irish Junior Cup and European competitions and the LHA teams on their successes at the Interprovincial competitions (Leinster Girls Under 16’s, Leinster Girls Under 18’s & Leinster Boys Under 18’s).

Percy thanked Gilmour Sports for their sponsorship of the Leinster Ladies gear.

He presented pennants to the following:

Monkstown – IHL Winners, Eurohockey Club Champions Trophy Winners

UCD Ladies – IHL & ISC Winners

St Andrews College – All Ireland Schoolboys Champions and winners of the John Waring Schoolboys

Hon Secretary’s Report – John Flannery

In his report John advised the meeting that 2013-14 had been another successful season for Leinster Clubs and players both domestically and internationally. He thanked all Leinster players, management, committees, parents and volunteers for their dedication and commitment to ensuring this success.

Hon Secretary’s Report – John Flannery (cont.)

During the season the Board had met with a number of clubs that are struggling with dwindling resources and numbers and it is hoped that were possible they can give advice and possibly seek mentoring support from stronger clubs.

John also reported that the Board had asked the IHA to examine where hockey is going in Ireland and noted that the proposed IHL format would have a devastating impact on provincial hockey. During the year the provinces met to discuss areas of mutual concern and it is hoped that these meetings would continue going forward.

The Board had also assured the continuation of South East as a provincial side for the next three seasons.

As promised at the previous AGM a Review Panel had been convened and their report would be considered by the Board over the summer.

In closing John thanked the members of their Board, sub committees, panels and working groups for their continued hard work for Leinster Hockey.

Proposed by Kieran Dempsey Seconder : Elaine Donohoe

Ladies Report – Elaine Donohoe

Ladies Report had been circulated prior to the meeting. Elaine added that Railway Union had also played in the EHL at Easter and performed very well. The report is attached and forms part of this minute.

Proposed by Mick McGuinnessSeconded Robert Murtagh

South East Report

South East Report circulated prior to the meeting. A copy is attached and forms part of this minute.

Proposed byElaine DonohoeSeconded Kieran Dempsey

Men’s Section – Mick McGuinness

Men’s report was circulated prior to the meeting. Division 7 winners were Wicklow noted. Railway Cup was won by Three Rock Rovers. Junior Cup was won by Clontarf not Rathgar. Noted. A copy is attached and forms part of this minute.

Proposed by Robert MurtaghSeconded Forbes Vigors.

Youth Report – Peter Agnew

Youth Report was distributed prior to the meeting. Peter expressed huge disappointment at the level of alleged poaching that is currently happening. The Board will be looking to tighten up the player transfer process. Jantien stated that young players are currently able to play both Junior and Senior Hockey which goes against Code of Ethics Policy. A copy of the report is attached and forms part of this minute.

Proposed by: Stephen FindlaterSecondedDoreen Howe

Development Section – Brendan Carr

Development Report was distributed prior to the meeting. Brendan thanked Sue Haslam for her work and added that there is a small Development Committee working throughout the season but that they are looking for more members.

Ruby expressed concern that 15 years ago RCSI and Dublin City University played hockey whereas today only two colleges are playing hockey. This needs to be looked at and there needs to be a way to link to the Third Level Institutes. The Development report is attached and forms part of this minute.

Proposed byKieran DempseySeconded Ruby Morrow

LHUA Report

Kate Chadwick gave a report on behalf of the LHUA. Training sessions for members and club umpires were run during the year and it is hoped to run novice training going forward. Forty people attended the first club umpire session but only five sat the paper. Not all umpires have completed the code of ethics. A number of LHUA members received Irish, European and FIH appointments during the year.

Proposed ByWarrick ArmstrongSeconded Barbara O’Malley

Finance Report

Claire Kelly gave the Finance Report for the year ending 31st March 2014 including a breakdown of the Income and Expenditure figures. The LHA Income & Expenditure report showed an overall deficit on ordinary activities of €333.00 however, with interest received the company showed a small profit of €2,611 for the year. John Flannery advised the meeting that there would be no increase in the senior team fees or cup fees and that the junior member fees would increase as advised in the 2011 AGM to €5 per player.

Ann Ronan asked if the junior fee would be capped at a maximum number of players – No. The fee is for all junior players. John explained that the finance figures will be consolidated going forward. The Board are considering changing the financial year to a calendar year to ensure that an AGM will be held before end of April.

Claire thanked Claudine Nalty and Anne Marie Donnellan (OKC) for their assistance preparing the year end accounts.

Proposed By Robert MurtaghSeconded Ruby Morrow

Elections

Auditors OKC Business Services Limited

Proposed by John Flannery Seconded by Barbara O’Malley

PresidentPercy Henchy

Proposed by John FlannerySeconded by Peter Agnew

Vice PresidentNo nominations received

Hon SecretaryJohn Flannery

Proposed by Percy HenchySeconded by Kieran Dempsey

Treasurer : Betty Baker

Proposed by John FlannerySeconded by Barbara O’Malley

Youth Rep :Peter Agnew

Proposed by John FlannerySeconded by Percy Henchy

Development RepBrendan Carr

Proposed by Percy HenchySeconded by Mick McGuinness

Men’s ChairMichael McGuinness

Proposed by Mark SeerySeconded by Percy Henchy

Ladies ChairNo nominations received

South East ChairNo nominations received

Disciplinary PanelThe Disciplinary Hearing Panel for the 2014-5 season will be confirmed by the Board before the start of the season.

Grounds ChairTerry Quigley

Proposed by John FlannerySeconded by Barbara O’Malley

Ladies Section Officers Proposed by Elaine Donohoe, Seconded by Barbara O’Malley

Ladies Rep to Board : No Nomination
Secretary : Maureen Smyth / Fixtures Sec : Catherine McManus / Registrations Sec: Ruth Potterton
Club Rep: Amy Armstrong / Club Rep : Anna Boland / Club Rep : Olga Pigott
Club Rep : Grainne Cregan / Club Rep : Sarah ?

South East Officers Proposed by Marie Buttle, Seconded by Peter Agnew

South East Rep to Board : No nomination / SE Secretary : Susan Fingleton
Fixtures Secretary : Natasha Collins / Youth Rep : Fiona Kidd
Development Rep : Sinead Dempsey / SE Review : Suzanne O’Leary
Umpires Sec : Jean Orr / Schools Rep : Elaine Kinsella

Men’s Section Officers Proposed by Mick McGuinness, Seconded by Percy Henchy

Ronan Walsh / Justin Sheriff
David McNerney (Registrations) / Robert Murtagh
Victor Shaw / Glenn Holmes

Proposed Bye Law Change

A proposal had been received from Three Rock Rovers which Stephen Findlater explained. After some discussion it was agreed that the motion would be withdrawn and that the Ladies Section and Board would take on board comments and amend the Bye Law before the start of the 2014-15 season.

Any Other Business

The meeting was advised that an Indoor Working Group has been set up and they would be making a proposal to the LHA Board for a possible competition in Leinster for 2014-15.
The Disciplinary Hearing Panel met on five occasions during the year. Going forward a brief report will be available at the Annual General Meeting.
The IHA had recently released concussion guidelines which had been distributed to clubs. The document is available on the LHA website and will be re-distributed to clubs and schools for the start of the season.
Clubs were reminded that they must be compliant with Garda Vetting Procedures. A new Vetting Form had been issued by the IHA which must be used going forward. Clubs were also advised that the information required on their Club Registration Form requested contact details and Code of Ethics numbers for Children’s Officers and Designated Persons – this information is mandatory.
A number of Club Registration forms are still outstanding. Claire will contact clubs for same. Clubs were reminded that they are required to have Public Liability Insurance Cover for €6.5m and that a copy of the cert is required per the LHA Bye Laws.
Clubs were advised that over 90% clubs returned their match results on time. New penalties will be introduced in September for clubs who fail to text results.
The meeting was advised that some changes were being made to website over the month of July mainly in respect of the Archive and Club Info sections.
A suggestion had been received requesting clubs to provide warm up balls for away teams. It was felt that this request was not practical.
The meeting was advised that Monkstown HC and Avoca HC had submitted applications for the Sports Capital Grant following their approval by the membership for pitch loans.
The IHA will be hosting the Women’s World League 2 in March 2015 and had requested that the weekends during the tournament are kept free. It is expected that the Finals Day will not take place on the 17th March.
Sarah O’Connor suggested that a description of the vacant Board and Committee positions should be distributed to clubs.
North Kildare requested that the Men’s and Ladies Sections change the existing bye laws regarding postponements particularly those that occur with little notice. Kieran Dempsey suggested that any clubs who did not travel to fulfil fixtures should be reported to the Board.
Warrick Armstrong asked when the calendar would be available – the meeting was advised that the IHA had just issued an amended calendar but that the Competitions Committees are working on all fixtures.
Amy Anslow asked about player safety and whether a register is taken of serious injuries. This will be taken up with the IHA who issued the Concussion Document.
Trinity asked the meeting that a proposal to include DULHC 2nd XI in the Ladies 2nd Division claiming that the LHA had disregarded a rule with its own bye laws following an appeal by Three Rock Rovers during the season. It was agreed that Trinity are entitled to call an EGM regarding their proposal.

There being no other business, Percy thanked the Board, committees, working groups, administrator and those in attendance for their working during the season.

Meeting closed :

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