HHUA Management Committee Meeting 1 2013/2014

7.15pm, 24.07.13, Romsey WMCC

Attending: RW, JMG, KT (Kevan Tate), CH, MSR (Mike Robinson), AC (Anne Costain), JG, Tex Lane, MRo (Mike Robson), AN, JHol, GT (mins)

Apologies: PG, AG, DB, MR, LW (Tex in her place)

Item / Action
RW welcomed all to the inaugural meeting of the 2013/14 season, with particular welcome to the new committee members: KT, AC, MSR, MRo.
A reminder that the meeting is operated on the grounds of speaking freely, with the minutes to be used as the public record of what’s discussed and agreed.
All are expected to publicly support majority decisions made.
1 / Apologies for absence
As listed above
2 / 2.1 Minutes of the last meeting on 12.03.13: passed as accurate and signed.
2.2 Minutes of the last meeting– actions carried over
  • All previous actions now agreed as resolved (either actioned or no longer relevant).
  • Some items to be discussed on this agenda.

3 / Correspondence
  • A ‘Thank You’ card received from Rowena (scanned and attached to these minutes)
  • Email from EH with regard to umpiring reforms
  • Email from EH about a volunteering opportunity

4 / Officers’ Meeting update
4.1 RW advised that the Officers’ had met prior to this meeting and that they are recommending to the Committee that AN is appointed Chairman of Selectors for Outdoor (and Indoor) and that Jason Horne is appointed Chairman of Young Umpires’ Action Group. This latter appointment will be under the guidance of MSR as Vice Chairman of HHUA.
CARRIED
RW to advise both of this.
4.2 The Welfare Officer position was principally a role for HHA and Rowena Shepherd will be carrying on in this capacity
4.2 EH plan for umpires will be discussed in 6.9
4.3 Disciplinary investigation. RW provided an update to all about the recent disciplinary investigation instigated through a complaint to EH. Noted that EH have fully endorsed HHUA’s position of no further action to be taken. Awaiting any further action by complainant. / RW
5 / Feedback from Clubs/Teams to umpires
Following volunteers sourced at AGM, MSR has agreed to take on (attached) Chairmanship of this sub-group and has drafted a Terms of Reference to be discussed at the group’s first meeting. Progress will be reported back by MSR via normal reporting procedures for Committee Meetings.
MSR to request AG to ask HHA if they would like to send an official representative of Clubs to the Sub Committee meetings / MSR
MSR/AG
5a / Indoor Rules Changes from FIH
In a slight change to the agenda, Tex ran through some of the key highlights of the changes to Indoor rules being brought in by FIH:
  • An adjustment to the substitution rule for Goalkeepers – time will not need to be stopped and GKs can sub on or near the backline
  • Time outs can be taken in the last two minutes of either half
  • Umpires can make a decision after a time out has been called (e.g. if playing advantage etc.)
  • A bully can’t be within 3m of the circle
  • Taking restarts: now in line with Outdoor rules (self pass etc)
  • Specific guidance will be included about ‘drilling/forcing’
  • Requirement for a free hit to have travelled 1m before another team member can touch the ball is removed
  • Stick dimensions ???
  • Indoor will be changing from a 6-a-side game to a 5-a-side game
  • Currently own goals are not allowed and feedback is being sought for this
  • The new rules book will be out by September 1st
  • There are considerations being made for beach and para-hockey as well
  • EH Indoor Committee are waiting for EH to officially sanction these changes
Tex also thanked RW and AN for being the official ‘draw masters’ for the Junior Clubs and Schools Cup competition.
6 / Reports
6.1 Chairman.RW showed everyone the Terms of Reference for Committee positions and asked everyone to provide feedback on their area of responsibility and others (including writing some Terms if none exist), by the end of August.
6.2 Vice-Chairman.Nothing to report outside of Item 5
6.3 Treasurer.AC advised in the process of changing bank accounts and trying to arrange a full handover with previous incumbent!
6.4 Sat/Midweek appts. Nothing to report, although noted that HHUA will again be supplying umpires to the Trojans tournament for no charge.
6.5 Sunday appts. Nothing to report.
6.6 Indoor.
Tex gave a brief overview in LW’s absence: clubs have been invited to sign up and so far there is 1 women’s team and 4 men’s teams. In the middle of trying to get the same (reduced price) deal with the sports centre.
6.7 Coaching / Selection. Nothing to report.
MSR asked if the new grading system was working. AN advised that there were only a couple of complaints about the rating given and these had been rectified.
6.8 Membership / L1. Agreed that RW will run through web site functionality so that JG is inputting the right data for AC to chase for payment! There are a few ‘returners’ to HHUA and one other Level 1 interested in joining.
6.9 Umpire dev. See report
CH ran through report which hadn’t turned up in GT’s mailbox by the time of writing the agenda! [Since received and attached – GT]
CH also presented his idea for ‘umpire reminder cards’ to all and everyone was asked for comments by the end of July.
Agreed that this was a great idea and that laminated versions would be preferable. Agreed that it was probably more efficient to buy a cheap laminator on behalf of HHUA – especially as a number could be sent to Clubs for their ‘internal’ umpires. AG to ensure HHA committee are aware of this.
JHol to investigate costs of a laminator and liaise with CH.
Agreed that GT will see any proposed correspondence to umpires about the reminder cards before it is sent (as it will be on behalf of HHUA)
6.10 HHA rep. Nothing to report.
6.11 SCHUA rep. Nothing to report & nothing to take forward to South. / ALL
RW/JG
ALL
AG
JHol/CH
CH/GT
7 / Any Other Business
7.1 JMG advised he is away last week of September and first week of October
7.2 MRo advised he has had a webshop handover from CR. RW to run through website functionality.
7.3 AN advised KT to speak to him if there were any Sunday appointments challenges
7.4 GT ran through the proposed meeting dates for this season:
3 September
5 November [post meeting note, this has to change as Chairman not available]
7 Jan
4 March
7.5 GT advised that a location and date for 2014 AGM needs to be agreed. RW advised somewhere East or West would be favourite! All to bring thoughts to next meeting.
7.6 GT advised the process for reporting to meetings. All reports must be received by 5pm on the day preceding meetings and then home-made cakes would be supplied!
7.7 RW advised new (and existing!) Committee members that if they wished to have a photo included on the website a jpeg image should be sent to him by the end of July.
7.8 RW asked for a volunteer to complete a full review of the web handbook. MRo volunteered.
7.9 RW made a ‘declaration of interest’ in that he now owns the embroidery business that supplies shirts to HHUA (CMP Embroidery). All should advise if they feel this is an issue. MRo to maintain a benchmark for costs to ensure this is not an unfairly advantageous connection for RW. / RW/MRo
GT
ALL
ALL
MRo
MRo

Meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.

Signed:

Ginette TessierRichard Wood

HHUA SecretaryHHUA Chairman

Reports:

Treasurer:

Appointments (Sat/Midweek):

Appointments (Sun)Nothing to report

Indoor

Coaching/Selection

Membership/L1 RegisterNothing to report

Umpire Development (including Young Umpire development)

Umpire Development Report

Summer league has been disappointing for Level 1 assessments, with only 7 umpires accredited. There are 50 awaiting assessment, and we should aim to get through most of them by Christmas.

An umpire course is being planned forSeptember, but venue and date are yet to be arranged. Trojans Club and Hants HA Youth (Koo Jansen) have asked for another Starter course in conjunction with a youth tournaments.Koo Jansen hasalso askedthe HUA to support umpire training for JDC parents.

The England Hockey proposals for Umpire Development in England are slowly taking shape. Richard Wood and Chris Horton attended a conference of all HUAs in Warwick to discuss the latest proposals. Chris Horton spent a day at Bisham Abbey reviewing the GB Level 1 operating in Wales for the last year, but there seems little that is usable in England. Richard Glynne-Jones does not favour the two-stage umpire training (Starter/Level 1) that has been a success in Hants over 4 years. However, during the trial period of the national Level 1, RG-J will allow Hants to try new approaches to umpire development - perhaps a simple handbook or guidefor occasional club umpires who do not attend any course.

Hants might also be allowed totest the concept of 'peer-assessment': instead of assessor on the sideline,the candidate may be accredited on the recommendation of their colleagueacross the pitch - provided the colleague isaccepted in this role by the HUA (HUA Member, but not necessarily HUA Appointed). There are risks, but it would solve the nationally persistentproblem of bringing candidate/match/assessor together. Do committee members have views/questions on this?

It isproposed that Hants HUAcontinues the Starter/Level 1 framework until the new EHB Level 1takes over fromthe old system - current plan is Feb 2014. It is also proposed that, beyond then,Hants HUA will continue the Starter course, and continue to develop minimal-cost support to players who get 'thrown the whistle' by their club. The aim should be a steady improvement of the standard of lower league umpiring, regardless of what is happening nationally at Level 1.

Young Umpire Development

Jason Horne will continue as the lead coach for young umpires, and make all the appointments to JAC and other young umpire opportunities, in conjunction with Saturday, Sunday and Midweek Appointments Secretaries.

Jason Horne will also represent Hants HUA at the Southern Counties RYUAG (Regional Young Umpires Action Group).

HHA Rep

SCHUA RepNothing to report

Copy of Rowena Shepherd’s thank you note:

[to be scanned and included]

HHUA Umpire Feedback (initial thoughts from MSR)

Sub Committee:

  • Mike Robinson (HHUA Committee Representative) lead
  • Paul Meacher
  • Phil Gibbs
  • David Boyle
  • Nigel Payne
  • Jo Gordon
  • Derek Rutherford
  • Jason Holcombe
  • HHA Representative TBA

Objective:

To recommend ways in which feedback for umpires can be improved to aid performance, development and coaching.

To identify and design a process by which this can be implemented for the 2014-5 season

Requirement

  • Identify the alternative ways in which feedback can be improved
  • Discuss and gain views of interested parties
  • HHUA umpires at all levels
  • HHUA umpire coaches
  • Club members in Hampshire officiated by HHUA umpires
  • Club members in other teams officiated by HHUA umpires
  • HHA
  • Other interested parties
  • Design and propose a system for improving feedback
  • Trial system in second half of 20013-14 season and obtain feedback
  • Finalise proposal for discussion at 2014 AGM and for implementation in 2014-5 season

Reporting

HHUA committee representative to report back progress in October and December with recommendation for trial system in January.