Minutes of Annual General Meeting of Huddersfield RUFC
Tuesday 2ndAugust 2016
Present:
I, Hinchlif (President), M. Birch (Chairman), B.Santar (Secretary), J.M. Brown, T. Cole, S. Thornton,
R.C. Gudgeon,M.Davies, R.K. Sykes, A.D. Johnson, D.Giblin, J. Wade,D. Tallboys, A.Ibberson, K. Baggs, S. Anderson, G.Mellor, J.O’Toole, P. Giblin, B. Starbuck W.P. Davies, Mrs T. Davies,K. Sanders, T. Nield, S. Marshall,and R. Lockwood.
1) In Memorium:
David Moore, Ian Street, John Robinson, John Keogh, T. Bolt
2) Apologies for absence:
Received from: Mrs V. Spiers, R. Sowerby, I. Shelton, D. Tasker, A. Sugden, I Fillan, T. Hirstand D. Pollock.
3) Minutes of the 2015 AGM:
Minutes from last year’s AGM were proposed for acceptance by R.C. Gudgeon seconded by J.M. Brown and passed unanimously.
4) Chairman’s Report:
Mark Birchgave his Chairman’s report which was anall-inclusive review of the whole Club.
HRUFC Chairman’s Report - 2nd August 2016
CLUB DEVELOPMENT
The introduction of our General Manager (Stuart Leach) to manage all the commercial aspects of the club, from our Property portfolio, conferencing and banqueting, property and grounds maintenance, sponsorship and media systems is working well. I believe our operation is now more proactive and certainly more professional in our approach to the overall business of the Club.However, as you are probably aware, we have had a number of thefts, which were an “inside job”. The person involved has been dismissed for gross misconduct and reported to the police who are continuing their investigations.
The Property portfolio, which is run by Gary Mellor, is as healthy as it has ever been, with all available properties now being let. These include the main offices vacated by Primetime, taken over by our main sponsor XCL Management Recruitment with the very familiar faces of David and Ewan Gallagher at the helm.
The bars are now supervised by Gemma Morley who has got a small but effective team with her, all of whom are smart in their appearance and professional in their attitude.
Our target remains to realise growth in specific areas to ensure the standard of our facility is maintained to a high level, encouraging income from conferencing and banqueting, sports facilities and improved sponsorship, all of which gives added value to the membership.
Weddings and other functions are a major area of income and with this in mind we have secured a licence to perform the marriage ceremony at the club encouraging the “FULL” package which so far looks very promising. Our Christmas Party nights continue to be very successful.
It is important that we maintain our facility to a good standard and to achieve this we must introduce a planned maintenance programme rather than purely reacting to breakdowns. A programme of works is being set for improving such areas of concern:
- Main Bar Decoration (complete)
- Waterloo Suite Entrance (complete)
- Waterloo Suite Decoration & Bar
- Toilet facilities upgrade
Our grounds are an essential area of income to the club and as such need to be regularly maintained. Mark Storer & Martin Sykes continue to work wonders, despite a dreadful winter, which saw a number weekends revenue lost due to atrocious weather conditions. We have invested in new equipment for ground maintenance which has helped tremendously and we will continue to invest. Any fund raising efforts for this year will be put towards a new Tractor to ensure we can keep all our grounds in the condition we see today.
The Astro-turf is to have “rejuvenation” works carried out this month prior to the start of the season to extend the life of the pitch for a further 5 years. This will enable funds to be raised for its replacement. Grounds Chairman (Dereck Tasker) will be working with HDHC to try and secure funding (80%) for the replacement pitch. The remainder needs to be raised by the club. This is to be budgeted for over the next few years depending on our growth in the areas stated above.
MEMBERSHIP
The club membership is very strong at the moment with approaching 900 members from all sections including a healthy 300 junior members from Rugby and around 120 from Hockey
It is hugely important that there are sufficient teams available for our young people to move into from our successful Age Grade Rugby and Junior Hockey sections. The transition from junior to senior sport is historically difficult to achieve and the numbers lost is a cause for concern. Therefore, it is important we create a pathway from junior to senior sport through the rugby and hockey development teams.
Membership subscriptions are a key income stream and the members are the life blood of any club. Your subscriptions are now due and it is important that these are paid on time to assist our cash flow through the summer months.
RUGBY REPORT
The 1st XV have just completed our second season in National League 2 (North) and unfortunately finished at the bottom of the table in what was an extremely competitive league, where the slightest of errors were savagely punished. But that is what happens at this level of sport.
Gareth Lewis and Phil Gostling have worked tremendously hard all season with our very young squad of players, most of who have resigned for this season’s campaign in National League 3 (North). The season ahead of us will be tough as we renew a number of old local rivalries such as Cleckheaton, Sandal and Morley, in our quest to return to National 2 at the first attempt. We also have a Yorkshire Cup match against another old rival, Sheffield, at home in October which promises to be a good afternoons entertainment.
A special mention must go to our Yorkshire U20's representatives; Chris Bell, Lewis Workman and Lewis Bradley, all of whom played important roles in Yorkshire winning the U20's County Championship at Twickenham.
Our Falcons have had a great season and are maturing into an excellent team under the guidance of Mike Baggs and Bob Heppleston.
The A Team, led by club stalwart Duncan Cleave, continued to express their unique rugby style across Europe with an excellent tour to Bucharest (touring is the best!) where a reception at the British Embassy was but one of the highlights.
Fixtures for any club can be a nightmare, and our fixture secretary Vikki Spears has done a great job in trying to keep everyone happy, which, believe me, is not an easy task. Well done
I'd also like to thank our membership for their continued support over the season, there is still a very positive atmosphere at the Club at the moment which is one of the reasons we have managed to retain practically the same squad of players as in National League 2 (North) along with some new faces, which I'm sure will hold us in good stead.
Our Age Grade section continues to grow our players of the future and congratulations must go to our Under 14's team for winning the Yorkshire Cup, for the second successive season, against Morley in a very competitive final. I'd especially like to thank all the coaches, parents and players of Age Grade for their commitment and enthusiasm. The Mini and Midi festivals were a joy to behold and it was a pleasure to experience it. Our “One Rugby Community” appears to be working well with thanks, in no small part, to Paul Sharrock and Tracy Davis for their outstanding contribution to the cause.
Tracy and her team are looking forward to the coming season with Age Grade Player Registration Day on Sunday 4th September
HOCKEY REPORT
General
2015-16 has been a very successful season for the Club across both senior sections, with 2 teams promoted and all others staying in their respective divisions
Men's Section
The Men’s 1st Team have had a great season, bouncing straight back to the North League following their relegation the previous season.
The 2nd Team narrowly missed out on promotion on the final day, finishing a very credible 3rd place.
The 3rd Team which is a development team featuring “older” junior players had a mixed season although very competitive, with a number a draws and 1-0 losses. Despite being defensively sound but falling short offensively, they certainly have a promising future.
The 4th Team have struggled this season with a predominantly older team finding it difficult to field a consistent team. However, they finished the season strongly to maintain their position in the division.
Ladies section
The Ladies 1st Team had a solid season with a mid-table finish, cementing their place in the North Division South East.
The 2nd Team had a great season securing promotion to Yorkshire Division 1 losing only 3 games all season.
The 3rd Team had a solid mid-table finish. Many of the team are young players, along with new players through the “Back to Hockey” scheme run each summer. At times there have been an excess of players in this squad which is an excellent position to be in and could possibly result in the Club fielding a Ladies 4th Team in the future.
Junior Section
The junior section is extremely healthy with well over 100 members and regular inquiries from new players a young as 4. The club's link with schools (via Kelly) continues to be very strong.
The Club will be running Summer Hockey Camps through the school summer holidays to further assist with player development.
Last season was a milestone for a number of juniors playing for the Clubs senior men and ladies teams (including the 1st teams) which highlights just how important the Junior Section is to the future of Huddersfield Dragons Hockey Club.
Summary
The end of season has seen a number of changes to personnel. Dave Mills (Chairman) and Jon Walker (Secretary) have stepped down being replaced by Ash Creedon and Hannah Shires respectively.
This season also saw the retirement of one of the long standing 1st team players, Liz Pryde-Fillingham. Liz will continue with the Club as Junior Team Manager and will also take over as Club President next season from Martin Laithwaite who has come to the end of his tenure.
We would like to thank all the retiring officers for their hard work and commitment and to also wish the “New Batch” all the very best.
ROAD RUNNERS REPORT
2015-16 has been another good year for the running club. Membership levels have remained steady and membership now stands at 29.
The 2016 Huddersfield 10k was again successful despite the roadworks we had to contend with, both on the run up to the race and on race day itself. Becky Mullen would like to thank all members and their family and friends who helped out in any way. The race reached it’s 700 entry limit and closed a week before which translated to 572 runners on the day. The use of the chip timing continues to work well and we made some improvements this year, including improved quality technical t-shirts and moving the t-shirt distribution upstairs and before the race.
As usual, a number of our members have competed in different events; regular park runners, good representation at local events such the Meltham 10k and Bluebell and a couple of international races with a few of our members competing in the Lisbon and more recently the Gothenburg half marathons.
This year we have started producing a monthly secretary’s update by email which it is hoped you find useful, just to keep all members informed of what’s going on in terms of social event, races, new members, etc.
BOROUGH CLUB REPORT
This year has seen a slight increase in membership which now stands at 31 ,but we are still looking for new members and any patron would be well advised to join (it only costs an additional £30) As well as the snooker there have been well attended social lunches and a excellent Christmas dinner.
The club has contributed £1400 to the Rugby Club in addition to the membership fees.
The annual snooker handicap tournaments have once again been well supported and the club was represented with teams in Section 1 and Section 3 of the Huddersfield District Vets league, unfortunately with differing results. The "A" team was relegated whilst the "B" team was promoted. This has resulted in both teams being in Section 2 of the league. It should be very interesting when they play each other in the coming season.
I would recommend that all members should consider joining the Borough Club which provides excellent facilities for snooker for all skill levels as well as a relaxed social environment.
Doug Pollock’s Presidency is now at an end, with the mantle now passing to Mr. David Giblin
BOWLING CLUB REPORT
The 2016 season has started pretty well. We have had only one new member this year which is a disappointment, particularly after so many joined last year. However, we are managing to fulfil our fixtures in all the leagues we have entered. The only change from last year is in the Saturday Huddersfield League, where we have switched division of 12 man teams to one with 10 man teams.
Each year we enter a mixed team in the Eric Hutchinson Cup, a Yorkshire competition, in which last year we reached the Quarter Finals. Unfortunately, this year we were knocked out in the 2nd round. Our Ladies went out of the Nunns Cup, also in the 2nd round.
The Men’s Merit was won for the 2nd year running by Mike Williams and the Ladies Merit was won by Joanna Birch last Saturday. The handicapped singles & pairs tournaments will take place on the 13th and 27th of August respectively.
Finally, we were able to host the finals of a major Ladies Pairs competition in July featuring some of the best bowlers in the district; a big thank you to Marie Beaumont for organising the competition. The competitors were very pleased with the condition of the green for which we thank Mark Storer who has done a lot of work on it.
SQUASH
The Squash section run by: Malcolm Pickup has 7 teams; 4 men’s teams and 3 ladies’ teams. The juniors are very strong both here and in the Yorkshire set-up.
IN CONCLUSION
I would like to thank all our Sponsors for their fantastic support over the seasons, past and present, long may it continue.
I'd also like to thank our committee for the time and effort they have put in to running this Club/Business of ours, Treasurer; Richard Sowerby, Vice Chair and Secretary; Bohdan Santar, Past Presidents; Mick Brown and Richard Gudgeon. President; Ian Hinchliff and his Vice, Richard Sykes, Bars & Catering; Iain Shelton, Grounds; Dereck Tasker; Property; Tim Nield and Paul Sharrock and Tracy Davis from Rugby.
Finally, I would like to thank ALL the volunteers of ALL our sections, whose great work is very much appreciated.
Thank you
Mark H Birch
S. Marshall commented that he believed that communications from the Club to the membership was inadequate; Facebook could be more active along with improvements to emails and letters. M. Birch responded that the situation would be investigated.
5) Accounts for the Year ended 31st May 2016:
Were presented by G. Mellor on behalf of R. Sowerby(Accounts are available under separate cover).
A. Ibberson questioned the existing rate rebate that the Club receives which currently stands at 75% T. Cole also added that we could not sustain losing money year after year. In response our auditors explained that the depreciation loss is managed over several years and as such is recognised as an operating figure only. J. Wade explained that we are sat on a very valuable property and we should recognise and be comfortable with this.
The acceptance of the accounts was proposed by A. Ibberson seconded by P. Davies and passed unanimously.
6) Appointment of the Auditors for 2016/17.
It was proposed by A. Ibberson and seconded by D. Johnson that Sheards be once againemployed as the club’s Auditors, this was carried unanimously.
7) Election of Club Officials:
The following officials were elected ‘en-block’
Chairman:Mark Birch
Vice Chairman:Bohdan Santar
Hon. Gen. Secretary:Bohdan Santar
Hon. Treasurer:Richard Sowerby
Fixtures Secretary:Vicki Spiers
Hon. Match Secretary:Vacant
Subscriptions Secretary:David Giblin
Sub Committee Chairmen:
Rugby:Paul Sharrock
Bar/Catering:Iain Shelton
Property:Tim Neild
Grounds:Dereck Tasker
Social:Vacant
Health and Safety:Vacant
The above was proposed by S. Thornton seconded by D. Lockwood and passed unanimously.
8) Award of ‘Clubman of the Year’:
I. Hinchlif noted that this year’s Clubman award was in recognition of the hard work and commitment to the efficient running of the Club. The trophy was awarded to Mark Birch.
10) Vote of thank to Retiring Officers:
None required as thereare no officers retiring.
10) Any Other Business:
A. Ibberson enquired when the new electronic scoreboard would be operational. The meeting was informed that it would be in time for the new season.
S. Thornton enquired as to the whereabouts of the elusive “Premium Bonds” following a short discussion no definitive answer was reached, indeed it was agreed that this subject raises its head each year with no positive outcome!
The meeting closed in good order at 8.45 pm.