Executive Committee Meeting

2nd Nov 2017 – 7:00pm

Electricity Sports Ground, Leicester

Agenda

Andy Jones / Brad Peake / Nigel Kinch / Andy Hibberd
Richard French / Sam Rowe / Mark Ward / Jonny Lawrance-Owen
Rob Doleman / Robin Whait / Guy Jackson
Paul Whiteman / Kevin Smyth / Roger Stead
Dan Pedley / Colin Green / Pratap Odedra
  1. Apologies:

Guy Jackson, Dan Pedley, Roger Stead

  1. Approval of, and matters arising from, the Minutes of the meeting held on 28th September 2017(distributed)
  • The relevant clubs have been informed of the outstanding disciplinary matters.
  • All other matters approved.
  1. Awards Dinner, review of
  • Positive feedback
  • David Miller and sponsors from Everards thoroughly enjoyed it.
  • General feedback from players and clubswas very positive.
  • Negative feedback
  • Similar to previous years, there was excessive noise again from the bar at the back of the room. It was noted that there is a fine line between having a lively atmosphere (which is to be encouraged) and having excessive noise which is disrespectful.
  • There were claims of a lack of respect from some attendees who were being boorish during proceedings on stage, particularly during the Q&A.
  • One option might be to stop selling £5 tickets? These were originally designed to make the event more accessible for people who couldn’t afford the full-price tickets or simply don’t fancy a sit down meal.
  • An option could be to brief the doormen to make sure that excessively noisy individuals are removed from the room during the Q&A session.
  • The speaker volume could be turned up at the back so that people can engage more fully with the guest speakers on stage. Currently the sound does not carry to the back of the room very well and this may be part of the problem.
  • A heated exchange on Twitter arose as a result of the noise issue. A tweet was unfortunately posted from the League account (in error) as opposed to the personal account of the individual concerned, which caused some backlash online. Any tweets sent out from the League’s account need to be representative of the whole committee – any personal opinions must be sent from personal accounts.
  • RonnieIraniwas very good again and should be retained again for next year. He could be contacted to see if he can recommend a more contemporary player for the Q&A at next year’s event – this may encourage noisy individuals (normally more youthful members of the audience) to listen to the Q&A.Brad Peake to get contact details for this.
  • Thanks given to all the Committee members who put such effort into making the evening a good overall success.
  1. Social media and increasing response rates from players
  2. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms are undoubtedly more effective in engaging with some players than email. This does need some policing and data management. This has been set up in Lincolnshire and has been used to great effect.
  3. There may be issues of losing contact with the older playing demographic. However the biggest dropout from the game happens between 16-23yrs old so this group is a key target audience for communications via social media.
  1. Discipline Update
  • Most of the disciplinary issues are still ongoing. Sam Rowe is working on these and is urged to get them resolved as soon as possible.
  1. Player Survey
  • The overall response rate was fairly low, around 25%.
  • The respondents voted 2:1 in favour of changing to a win/lose format. This ratio was pretty consistent right across all divisions.
  • There were concerns that a relatively low response rate makes it difficult to justify a change. Alternatively, there was the view that every player in the League has had the opportunity to cast their vote. Many of them chose not to do so. Those that did vote, voted for change. It cannot be right that those who cast their vote are ignored simply because others chose not to bother.
  • Broadly speaking (anecdotally), older players seem to want to retain the traditional format whereas younger players favour the win/lose format. Changing to a win/lose format might go some way to reducing the after-school dropout rate.
  • There are concerns that teams with a good bowling attack might turn out poor pitches to benefit their bowling attack.
  • One proposal is that the winning team gets a set number of points for a win, and the losing team can gain points depending upon the closeness of the game.
  • Another proposal is to do the traditional format for one half of the seasonand win/lose for the other.
  • Arguably the players who didn’t vote have forfeited their right to complain about the decision if they don’t like it.
  • A vote is taken by the Committee – do we change to a win/lose format for the entire league? 8 vote in favour. 3 vote against. The decision is made to change to a win/lose format.
  • Clubs will now be consulted to establish an appropriate points system and playing rules.
  • The Premier League is able to decide whether or not they will implement a change of format.
  • In principle, the more simple the new rules can be made, the better.
  1. Cricket Balls
  • There have been some issues around junior only clubs sourcing their own junior cricket balls. This may have some sponsorship implications. Junior only clubs have fed back and requested their own ball collection evening.
  • Balls ordering for the League is in hand and will be ordered soon.
  • Rob Doleman was asked to speak to Gray Nicholls regarding developments in the quality of pink balls (for the lower divisions).
  1. Grounds update and Structure for 2018 (including Ketton CC & Others)
  • Grounds update
  • Fatanastillshare a ground with Outwoods 3rds (whereas LeuvaPatidarare shown as sharing the ground with Fatana in the handbook). This may have implications on LeuvaPatidar’s divisional status because they are currently playing on a U grade ground.
  • Bombay have moved to Swallows Green which is a C grade ground.
  • Ketton have excellent facilities and are applying for clubmark. They are requesting to enter the league at Div 3. They’ve been given a B grade.
  • Braunstone E are playing at Croft. Croft was a C grade ground – Colin Green will reassess.
  • Asian Sports 3rd are playing at Sproxton (Grade C).
  • City Cricketers have been told that they need to source 2 sightscreens and covers if they want to be promoted.Colin Green to let Andy Jones know the outcome of this.
  • Using just the pitch scores in grading a ground is potentially problematical because players scoring the pitch are sometimes not aware of what a ‘good’ pitch is like. Scores are relative to the perception of the opposition captain, and scores are sometimes given emotionally (however the score date is algorithmically equalized to account for captains who regularly mark high or low).There is suspicion in some quarters that someclubs are being deliberately under-marked leaving them stuck in a pitch-grade. Maher Stars feel they may be victim of this.
  • A discussion about whether Committee members could make an independent evaluation the pitch to alleviate this problem.
  • The LCCDO are compiling a report attempting to identify attempts at deliberate low pitch scoring.
  • Committee members are committing to visit the Maher Stars pitches throughout the season in order to establish whether the scores being input on to the League website are an accurate reflection of the quality of the pitch.
  • League structure for next season
  • 203 teams in the league.
  • Kevin Smyth emailed all clubs to ask whether there will be any changes to the number of teams they are fielding. Currently there may be new additions but no fewer teams.
  • 5teams (who have stated that they have a ground for 2018) have applied to enter the league:
  • Braunstone East,
  • Ashby Carrington,
  • Uppingham 3rd XI
  • Ketton1st XI and 2nd XI.
  • If their 1st team is put in at a level that they are happy with, they will bring in a 2nd team as well.
  • Ketton are to be offeredDiv4E and Div 8E – both teams must enter, or none at all.Andy Hibberd to inform Kettonof this.
  • The total number of teams for 2018 means that the bottom of the League structure will need to changed. After looking at the various options it was agreed to have two Division 9 regions with 10 teams in each region, and two Division 10 regions with 6 teams in each region (teams will play each other 3 times in the League).
  • Mark Ward to arrange fixtures in 2x10 and 2x6 structure in Divisions 9 and 10.
  • Due to the number of ground gradings yet to be verified, having to wait for Ketton to agree to entering the League, and time constraints, a discussion regarding whether to reduce Division 4 down to 2 regions was deferred to the next meeting.
  1. Rule changes
  • If anyone has made notes throughout the season of rules that need to be changed, please inform Andy Jones.
  • However,the usual process of asking clubs for feedback may be problematical at the moment - with the new win/lose format coming in many of the current rules may become redundant.
  1. AOB
  • Committee member honorariums are the same as last year. Any expenses to be sent to Brad Peake.
  • Andy Hibberd reports that Clubmark deadline passed last week with 10 clubs going through re-accreditation. Charnwood Old Boys and Broomleys have lost accreditation.
  • Andy Hibberd reports that U19 T20 competition is looking to increase teams and participation. Teams play in coloured kits and there is more hype and excitement generated. He asks the Committee for a small grant to go towards coloured shirts, the Committee agrees to contribute a similar amount to last year (which was £400).
  • A local cricket expo is being planned for early next year at Grace Road aiming at 60 clubs attending. Committee recommends a weekend for this event.

Proposed AGM date: Thursday 25th January 2018

Date of next meeting: Thursday 14th December

Meeting closes: 22:00