Netball Scotland AGM
Netball Scotland
Annual General Meeting 2010
Date: 12 June, 12-3pm
Venue: Dunblane Hydro Hotel, Dunblane
Minutes
Attending:
Board: Patricia Osborne Chairperson
Irene O’Brien Vice Chair /International Affairs
Brian Carson Finance Director
Mary Frances McNeill Director
Carolene Logan Director
Staff: Maggie Murray CEO
Karen Dunn Operations Manager
Jennifer Kerr Membership Services
Geraldine Moore Performance Co-ordinator
Arlene Leary Coach Education Administrator (Temporary)
Clubs: Elena Morris Hamilton Juniors
Geraldine Moore Hamilton Juniors
Mhairi Smith Westhill
Alison Smith Westhill
Claire Wilson Strathclyde University
Fiona Browning Rebound
Dona Greig Rebound
Mhari Hargreaves Edinburgh
Jenny Barrass Edinburgh
Jane Elliot East Kilbride
Anne McKelvie East Kilbride
Keryn Barker Holyrood
Sally Erskine Paisley Juniors
Norma Brownie Turriff
Lauren McNaught Cardonald
Jackie Gregory Cardonald
Frances Doyle Newman
Karen Dunn Newman
Catherine Johnson Orkney
Individuals: Margaret Thompson
Margaret Barr
Maggie Clark
Linda Sim
Tracey Stewart
Irene O’Brien
Patricia Osborne
Mary Frances McNeill
Carolene Logan
Schools: Linda Thomson Woodside Primary School
Apologies:
Board: Mary Ann Cosgrove Performance Director
Staff: Denise Holland National Coach
Gregor Kyle Youth Development Officer
Clubs: Kirsty Campbell Bishopbriggs
Julie Mason Bell
Eykolina Benny Galloway
Janice Spice Galloway
Karen Thomson Harmony Row
Morag Fox Shetland
Linda Nicholson Peebles
Christine Barlas Claremont
Scotstoun
Kirkcaldy
Phoenix
Edinburgh Juniors
Cumbernauld
Glasgow University
Glasgow Netball Association
Individuals: Cath Burnett
Moira Ord
Schools: Marion Thomson Gryffe High School
1. Welcome
Patricia Osborne, Chair Netball Scotland, welcomed everyone to the Netball Scotland (NS) 2010 AGM.
2. Appointment of Tellers
Arlene Leary and Geraldine Moore were appointed tellers.
3. Minutes of 2009 AGM of the Association of Netball Scotland
These were proposed by Fiona Browning and seconded by Mhairi Hargreaves.
4. Matters Arising
i) Fiona Browning, ADNA – Umpires course administration/fees
Fiona Browning re-raised the issue of umpire course administration and fees that was to be considered by the Umpires Board with a response by end August 2009, and was still confident ADNA could do the administration on behalf of NS and that set amounts should be charged.
Maggie Murray and Irene O’Brien confirmed the issue was still to be resolved fully. NS had piloted different ideas over 09/10 and it will still be a case of looking at each case individually. All were aware NS had to break even at the least and that NS were committed to finding solutions that would suit NS and the individual districts. CEO will ensure discussions are made with these districts as the case arises.
5. Annual Report 2009/10
Patricia Osborne thanked the board, staff and volunteers of Netball Scotland and invited attendees to peruse the Annual Report which contained the following:
Chairperson’s Report Patricia Osborne
Chief Executive’s Report Maggie Murray
Membership Report Jennifer Kerr
Youth and Schools Report Gregor Kyle
Education and Training Report Maggie Murray
Umpiring Arlene Leary
Performance Report Denise Holland
International Events Report Mary Frances McNeill
International Report Irene O’Brien
Any questions on the Annual Report can be taken up with the staff at NS directly.
Patricia invited our new CEO Maggie Murray to present the Strategic Plan 2010-15 and thanked her for taking on the role. Maggie invited attendees to look at the Netball Pathway extract from the plan and presented as follows:
Key Achievements 2009-10
• Fit for purpose
• Consultation with members
• New Strategic Plan 2010-15
• Increased investment (sportscotland)
• New staffing structure/increases
• Good partnership working
• 12% increase in Senior clubs
• 4% increase in Secondary school affiliations
• 2% increase in entries to Youth and Schools’ competitions and Academy programmes
• Enhanced membership pack for Primary schools
• Website improvements
• Netball “Pathway” for players, coaches and umpires agreed
• 24 Coaching courses completed
• 16 performance coaches identified
• 10 umpiring courses completed
• Pilot umpire mentoring scheme
• 10% moving to higher awards
• 5% increase in qualified tutors
• Wide geographical delivery
• Retained World Ranking of 13th
• U19s retained 3rd place in Europe
• 75% of U15 Pathway athletes progressed to U17 National squad
• 20 athletes retained on SIS ‘2wards 2014’ squad
• GWC’s Superleague - 7th place
Challenges
• Decrease in Primary schools and junior club affiliations
• Lack of coaches and umpires to increase general participation and deliver in ‘Pathway Centres’
• Low numbers of coaches and umpires moving to higher awards
• Talent ID/selection policies not clear
• Low profile of the sport
• No commercial income
New Strategic Plan 2010-15
• THE MISSION:
‘To be dedicated to the development of Netball in its promotion, practice of sportsmanship, fair play and competitive spirit whilst continuing to meet the needs of our membership’
• 4 AIMS:
1 - Pathways Development: Ensure clubs, volunteers and schools are supported and strengthened to sustain and increase participation
2 - Education & Training: Create a comprehensive and effective coach (and umpire) education programme that introduces and supports new coaches and develops existing coaches at all levels, depending on individual need
3 - Pathways to Performance: Execute our performance plan to ensure our best performances at identified competitions
4 - Governance & Administration: Ensuring Netball Scotland can deliver and support the National strategy and that high standards of good Governance and Management are sustained
New Strategic Plan Headline Targets 2010-15
• Embed the player, coach and umpire ‘Pathway’ by September 2012
• Align Districts to the 6 ‘Regional Sports Partnerships’ by 2013
• In partnership with CSG host the World Youth Cup in 2013
• Qualify for and compete with distinction in the 2014 Commonwealth Games
• 50% of coaches achieving UKCC Level 2 by 2015
• 20% growth in membership by 2015
• Accumulate 50k in reserve by 2015
Year 1 Targets 2010-11
• Recruit new staff
• Review our Board and Committee structure
• Review Netball for U12s
• Review competition structure
• Establish a Club Resource Pack
• Increase membership to 11,000
• Establish Education and Training Advisory Group
• Establish Umpire Development Plan
• Deliver UKCC Level 2 Transition Course
• Identify and train ‘Technical’ workshop tutors for club coaches and teachers
• Develop National Scout and Selectors training programme
• Initiate 8 ‘High’ performance coaches into training programme
• Qualify for 2010 Commonwealth Games
• Qualify for World Championships 2011
• GWC achieve 6th place in Superleague
My Vision
• GROWTH
• HIGH PERFORMING ORGANISATION
• 6TH IN WORLD BY 2020
Maggie Clark enquired re point ‘Qualify for and compete with distinction in the 2014 Commonwealth Games’, do we not qualify for automatic entry as the host nation?
Maggie Murray responded that the CGCS require NS to be ranked top 12 in the world and that we must be able to compete with distinction, we would not be given automatic entry.
6. Accounts 2009/10
Brian Carson presented the NS certified accounts for 2009-10, reporting it had been a stable year. No great surprises or great shocks. Making reference to the Profit and Loss account it was noted that the increase in income was due to sportscotland’s grant increase. It was an area of challenge to increase income from other areas. NS had earned just over £20k profit, stable but we must increase membership and course income. Referencing the Balance Sheet it was now stronger than a few years ago: a greater control over debtors – no bad debts this year, and creditors controlled – paying suppliers when due. The cash balance is lower than last year but we had had an advance on the salary grant. Reserves are being built up as per sportscotland’s requirements. Thanks to Karen Dunn for the controlled accounts over the last year.
Brian invited question on the accounts from the floor:
i) Mhairi Hargreaves enquired why player contributions were higher in
09-10 compared to 08-9. Brian confirmed it was due to increased international events e.g. Barbados, Cook Islands, Singapore.
ii) Jane Elliot enquired whether the category Travel & Subsistence figure
related to both players and NS staff/volunteers, and would it be possible to see a breakdown of this. The U19 fundraising was hard because they did not receive enough notification, more time is needed in future. Geraldine Moore responded saying the plan this year is to advice all long squad at selection.
iii) Margaret Thompson enquired why there was a difference between the
Youth and School figures from one year to the next, £13k 2009-10, but only £9k 2008-9. Karen Dunn responded that the accounts 08-9 were drawn up differently and that the 2 figures added up to £13k. Unfortunately the accountants had not drafted the figures in the same manner from one year to the next
Patricia asked for the accounts to be accepted. Proposed by Maggie Clark and seconded by Jane Elliot
7. Motions
Motions from the Board of Netball Scotland
1. Membership Fees
Motion: That it be agreed that, where appropriate, the AGM can be asked to set membership fees up to 2 years in advance.
Patricia put the motion to vote with 29 for, 0 against. Motion Carried.
2. Date of AGM
Motion: That the Articles be changed to allow the AGM to be held not before the 1st of June and not after the 30th September each year.
Patricia put the motion to vote with 28 for, 1 against. Motion Carried.
Fiona Browning noted that September was too late for the start of ADNA season. Irene O’Brien stated it would give the flexibility required and as per the constitution members would still be notified minimum 90 days in advance
3. Appointment of Accountant/Auditor
Motion: That the Members at the AGM agree that the Board, under the direction of the Finance Director, be allowed to research alternative accountants/auditors, appoint them and issue a statement on the web site when appointed.
Patricia put the motion to vote with 29 for, 0 against. Motion Carried.
Maggie Clark enquired why we need this for 2010 only; surely the board should control this. Irene O’Brien confirmed members need to approve the auditor, so request to change out with AGM approval asked for. Brian Carson confirmed NS need to change due to problems e.g. HMRC fines, and require flexibility to look into appointing new auditors and accountants. They have been cheap so we may incur increased costs. Frances Doyle suggested asking sportscotland for a list of approved auditors NS can tap into. Donna Greig asked who will be responsible for paying any HMRC fines. Brian Carson responded it was the accountants.
4. Membership Fees
Motion: That membership fees, with the exception of Primary and Secondary Schools, are raised by £1 – as follows:
Junior Player £3
Junior Player in Senior club £26
Senior Player £36
Student/unwaged £26
Non Player £21
Patricia put the motion to vote with 21 for, 7 against, 1 abstention. Motion Carried.
A discussion took place re the cost of affiliation fees.
Donna Greig asked why school affiliation fees were not being increased. Irene Obrien responded it was for practical and developmental reasons; NS are trying to increase the school affiliation. Margaret Thompson explained at the AGM last year the motion to set the school fees in advance was rejected, but that by putting them out early NS had already reached over 75% of last year’s affiliations. Fiona Browning noted adult members (of which ADNA affiliate all theirs) are being asked to increase their costs to subsidise juniors, its £5 for a whole school but an individual is increased to £36. Irene Obrien stated the board had to make the decision to keep them the same to put out affiliations in June. Maggie Clark thought £1 was not a lot considering it was a rise over the last 2 years. Fiona Browning would like a breakdown of the £36 and associated insurance cost.
A discussion also took place regarding the categories of membership.
Patricia Osborne enquired what our membership was like in comparison to other NGBs. Catherine Johnson stated that others have many more categories including recreational. In Orkney there are many recreational adult players who are non competitive and have no reason to affiliate to NS. Jane Elliot noted that they will not be able to enter national competitions and therefore not increase level of play. Maggie Murray explained NS are the technical custodian of the sport that is our service, to provide technical coaching to increase the level of the sport. Irene O’Brien stated we provide the infrastructure for netball; districts are only possible due to the governing body. Mary Frances McNeill indicated that local authorities may only give hall hire to governing body attached clubs. Tracey Stewart enquired whether affiliated clubs get discounted rates for hall hire but Mary Frances McNeill replied it was dependant on the local authority.
Maggie Murray concluded by saying there are 2 levels: first one is to meet members and give details on benefits and the second one was to target local authorities to get netball as a priority sport to help members. The club pack would help highlight this information.
Motions from Members of Netball Scotland
1. Junior Player in Senior Club Membership Fees – Submitted by Edinburgh Netball Club
Motion: To ensure that all junior teams training and competing in junior competitions are only charged junior fees even when these teams may compete in a senior league.
Patricia put the motion to vote with 5 for, 19 against, 5 abstention. Motion Not Carried.
Margaret Thompson raised the concern that junior teams should not be competing in a senior league, talented individuals should be highlighted to play. Irene Obrien stated that NS have recognised the need to increase junior competitions to give them the opportunity to compete at their own level. Mary Frances McNeill pointed out that young players would be competing in an adult environment where adults are already paying an adult fee. Lauren McNaught stated as an umpire she would not be happy umpiring juniors paying a lesser fee competing in an adult league for insurance purposes.
Mhairi Hargreaves confirmed CENA do take the injury risks to their juniors very seriously.
8. Elections
Patricia Osborne announced Gail Niven had resigned due to work commitments and the board wished to thank her for her contribution over the last year. After the AGM 2009 Mary Frances McNeill and Carolene Logan were co-opted onto the board and had been welcome additions.