One Club Your Club

One Club Your Club

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting

Held on Tuesday 9 June 2015

At Fordingbridge Sports Club at 7.30pm

1)Present

Board Members – John Mouland (President), Ian Brown (Chairman), Graham Branagan, Angela Mouland, Chris Spain, Dave Timms, MickyTimms, John Williams. Fordingbridge Town Council Representative – Paul Anstey, together with 15 members (a list of which is held by the Secretary).

2)Apologies

Adam Batty, Emma Batty, Dan Brown, Ed Douglas, Mike Earls, Charlotte Fairbairn, Matt Freeman, Dave Gogin, James Gwynne, Mark Hammond, Steve Hart, Chas Kimber, Teresa Kimber, Julia Mouland, Matt Norton, Norma Olden, Ernie Stack, Steve Tooke, John Trim, Jon Vass, Keith Walsh (21 in total).

3)Minutes of the AGM held on 3 June 2014

The Minutes were considered and a proposal by Martin Norton that they were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting was seconded by Les Biggs and unanimously approved.

Note:

The Chairman drew the meeting’s attention to Item 6, point 8 of the 2014 AGM Minutes and advised that following the review of the make-up of the Board, as approved at the 2014 AGM, the number of Board positions had been reduced to 11. For clarity the Chairman said these 11 roles were President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Ladies Representative, Junior Chairman, Mini/Midi Chairman, Director of Rugby, Safeguarding Officer and First Fifteen Captain. Notification of these changes had been advised to Companies House in October 2014.

4)Chairman’s Report on 2014/15 season, Club developments and outlook for 2015/16

This is my fifth report to the AGM.

The Board of Directors has met monthly and worked effectively in the stewardship of the Rugby Club. Once again I would like to put on record my thanks for their commitment and the enthusiasm they have shown in running the Club.

As you will hear from the Treasurer the Club is financially sound and it is no mean feat to raise income of around £45,000 per annum to ensure break even on operational costs.

On the senior playing front the Club was able to field full squads for both our 1st & 2nd XVs on league Saturdays, on occasion lending players to the opposition. In addition we gave debuts to a number of Colts hopefully boding well for the future of Fordingbridge rugby. The 1st XV, under the leadership of James Greenwood, had another good year finishing fourth in Hampshire 1. Our 2nd XV finished 3rd in Dorset & Wilts 3 South and achieved promotion to Dorset & Wilts 2 South much to our surprise. I would like to thank Dave Gogin for captaining the side once it was clear that James Gwynne was going to be a regular in the 1st XV. Dave Sims stepped up to assist in the management off the pitch on match days following the departure of Dave Donaldson who did such a lot in that respect. Thank you to both.

There will be a change in the 1stXV captaincy and I thank Badger for his wholehearted leadership during his two season stint both on the field and across the whole club in a number of areas. He will continue to play a key role in the club going forward.

Our thanks must also go to John Stockley who again coached the whole squad with tremendous commitment.

The Ladies had a great season winning the Hampshire Women’s Touch Series. This was played at various venues across the County and they capped it off with victory at home in the final leg in April. Angela Mouland and Charlotte Fairbairn have also been the masterminds behind our highly successful Summer Touch evenings which saw upwards of 70 players per session, U14s and over both male and female, enjoying rugby over a 6 week period last summer.

We had 3 players who played senior Hampshire county rugby, James Greenwood, Paddy Gogin and Ben Kirby. We can also lay claim to a part in the development of Lewis Dennett who also played.

At Hampshire U20 level Ben, Paddy, Lewis and Pat Badger represented the County with Ben captaining the side. Paddy was selected to represent London & SE England Division and has kindly donated his playing shirt to the club. Harry Northway played for Hampshire U14s.

These county honours, and those achieved previously by many, represent a tremendous achievement by those individuals and should be a great source of pride to the many coaches and others involved in their development. I am extremely proud of the positive mark Fordingbridge members continually make in the wider world of rugby.

Turning to our Mini section, Graham Branagan(GB) our Mini Chairman reports that despite a drop off in numbers regionally, which is particularly affecting the viability of smaller clubs, we continue to buck the trend with a slow, but steady increase in numbers in most age groups.

Highlights from the season included a group win in the Hampshire Cup for our U8s. At the Overton Spring Cup, which saw 9 teams competing, another group win for the U8s and a 2nd place for the U11s.

In March we welcomed a touring team from Chobham all dressed in their ‘Where’s Wally Tour’ gear. Teams from Ellingham & Ringwood joined us to give a mini festival of rugby with some fantastic play and standard tour antics – teaching the minis a little more about rugby and, we hope, much about the spirit of the game.

GB commented that we should be proud of the Club’s performance that day as representatives from throughout the minis, senior and Vice Presidents sections of the club pulled together to produce an outstanding evening. Many thanks to all who helped.

The Colts were 4th in the Hampshire Plate Division. The 16s finished 3rd in their League and runners up in the New Milton 7s Plate. The 15s finished 4th in the League and the 14s were Hampshire County Vase semi finalists and runners up in the New Milton 7s Plate.

There was a senior club tour to Lisbon in mid-May enjoyed by all those who went and superbly organized by our tour maestro Jon Vass. This leads me neatly on to the bar and catering team led by Selina who again provided a warm welcome here at the club and our thanks to them.

It was with real pride that we learned that the work of four of our volunteers, Nikki & John Stockley & Micky & Dave Timms was recognised by Hampshire RFU.

Our thanks go to our raft of volunteers, sponsors and donors who continue their crucial and tangible support of the club.

With regard to the new facilityFordingbridge Town Council (FTC) was unsuccessful with the application for funding to Sport England (SE). Primarily SE considered that tangible financial support from some of the principal funding partners was not firm enough at that time. Discussions continue within the Sports Club and with FTC to find a way forward.

Enjoy your summer and I hope like me you are looking forward to Rugby’s Greatest Year and England lifting the Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham at the end of October.

On Sunday scores of mini players were having fun and receiving their end of season awards. The Juniors will receive their awards during the next few weeks.

It is a great honour to be the Chair of the Club and I am willing to stand for a further 12 months if it is the wish of the AGM.

Ian Brown

5)Treasurer’s Report for year to 30 April 2015 and Subscriptions for 2015/16

I present Fordingbridge RFC’s 2014/15 accounts to tonight’s meeting.

They have been independently examined and will be signed off by Tim Donell prior to being forwarded to the RFU and Companies House on acceptance at this AGM.

2014/15 has been a sound financial year for the club showing a surplus of some £2,924.76 for the year ending 30 April 2015. It is noted that within this surplus of income over expenditure is a sum of £1,000 raised by club members in aid of the Piam Brown Ward of Southampton Hospital where a member of the mini section has been receiving treatment. This has subsequently been donated during 2015/16.

Income

Subscriptions

The collection of subscription income has seen a slight fall from £18,549 in 2013/14 to £17,813 in 2014/15. Men’s Senior subscriptions have reduced this year due to slightly lower numbers whilst there are more Students enrolled who pay a reduced rate. However, the fall has been offset by an increase in members within the Ladies section. The Minis and Juniors sections income from subscriptions are comparable to last year.

Vice Presidents

The Treasurer would like to thank the VPs, and particularly John Marsh, for his collection of the VP donations and organisation of the VP Lunches and associated fundraising. Sue Brown has successfully applied for retrospective Gift Aid claims for 2013/14 and for 2014/15, for which I would like to thank her. This is an important income stream for the Club and members are encouraged to ask supporters and their families to become VPs.

Donations and sponsorships

This has been the second year for the current Men’s shirt sponsorship with income totalling £6,100. New shirts for all senior and junior age groups are been secured bringing them in-line for next year with the increased sponsorship income, budgeted at £9,175.

Fundraising

As mentioned earlier, £1,000 has primarily been raised by the Mini’s parents, who have made and sold cakes on match days. Our thanks must go to these parents, particularly Rachel and Louise who coordinated the fundraising. A further £288 was raised through pitch square sales to club members.

Expenses

Total costs are slightly reduced this year. However, the cost of physio cover and players food rates have increased. Physio costs have increased due to increased training cover and the introduction of physio cover for the Junior section post-Christmas.

Further expenditure includes the costs associated with the Club’s safeguarding compliance training as well as the flood-light repairs.

End of season dinners

The end of season dinners straddle the end of the financial year end. To summarise, the 2014 dinner made a small loss whilst the 2015 dinner made a small profit.

International tickets

International tickets for the Autumn Internationals and the 6 Nations amounted to £19,431. This is a non-profit making expense. The Treasurer would like to thank Chris Langford for his organisation and collection of monies. This is obviously a significant outlay for our club and, therefore, prompt payment for the tickets is very much appreciated.

Going Forward

It is proposed that subscriptions remain unchanged for the 2014/15 season for the Senior members and Mini sections. However it is proposed that there should be an increase for both the Junior section and the Student’s subscription rate. This should take effect from the start of the 2015/16 season to partly offset the Board’s decision to supply physio cover during all Junior matches. Whilst the increase has been partly offset by an increase in new shirt sponsorship across all sections, the new Junior and Student rate would be increased to £108pa (which is equivalent to £9pcm).

I am happy to answer any questions from the floor.

Questions

John Marsh noted that while the Club had generated an income surplus in 2014/15 the projections for 2015/16 suggested a modest deficit position and he asked if there were any specific reasons behind this year on year change.

CS said there were two significant reasons, firstly the Board had authorised an exceptional pitch improvement spend on Brownsey’s field during the close season in the order of £3,500 and, secondly, the cost of the replacement shirts for all senior and junior age groups would be met in 2015/16 while only 50% the sponsorship income to meet this expenditure would be received in year with the second 50% being received in 2016/17.

John Holden asked what level of reserves was currently held by the Club and CS said these currently amounted to just over £20,000.

John Mouland said the Club had always been able to generate funds if there was a specific need, and he referred to the recently raised £1,000 for the Piam Ward at Southampton Hospital and a similar sum raised in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support as a result of the Club’s half-football / half-rugby event with Fordingbridge Turks on Easter Saturday.

With there being no further questions CS proposed that the Income and Expenditure Statement for 2014/15 was formally accepted and the recommended increase to the subscriptions for the Junior section and Students formally approved. This was seconded by Dave Timms and unanimously supported by the meeting.

On behalf of the meeting John Holden thanked CS for the detail supplied in his report and for the obvious diligence he brought to the role of Treasurer.

6)Election of Officers for 2015/16

The Chairman informed the meeting that the following were willing to continue in their roles for a further twelve months:-

Board Members

• President – John Mouland
• Chairman – Ian Brown
• Vice Chairman – Dave Timms
• Director of Rugby – Dave Timms
• Treasurer – Chris Spain
• Secretary – John Williams
• Ladies Representative – Angela Mouland
• Safeguarding Officer – Micky Timms
• Junior Chairman – Graham Branagan
• Mini/Midi Chairman – Graham Branagan

Additionally Steve Brown was willing to become the First Fifteen Captain in succession to James Greenwood who had completed his two year stint in the role.

Officials

• Fixture Secretary – John Trim
• Referee Co-ordinator – Martin Norton
• Publicity Officer – Martin Norton
• Head Coach – John Stockley
• Blues Captain – Dave Gogin
• Senior Kit Secretary – Dan Brown
• VP Co-ordinator – John Marsh
• Membership Secretary – Sue Brown
• International Ticket Co-ordinator – Chris Langford

Additionally Matt Vass was willing to become the Second Fifteen Captain which had been relinquished by James Gwynne following his regular appearances for the first fifteen and covered on a temporary basis by Dave Gogin.

Ian Brown asked if there were any other nominations for these roles, or for the roles as Club Volunteer Co-ordinator and Club Coaching Co-ordinator.

In the absence of any other nominations it was proposed by James Greenwood, seconded by John Stockley and unanimously approved that the afore-mentioned should be elected.

Ian Brown thanked all the elected individuals for putting their names forward and wished them well with their responsibilities. The roles of Club Volunteer Co-ordinator and Club Coaching Co-ordinator remained vacant and Ian Brown asked if any member became aware of anyone who might be interested in taking on either of these roles to let him know.

7)Presentation – The importance of the Vice Presidents by John Marsh

John Marsh (JM) said there were currently 115 Vice-Presidents / Honorary Vice-Presidents and this number had been over 100 in each of the last three years. Collectively they represented a huge body of support to the Club.

With a suggested donation of £50 per annum the total raised from VP donations in 2014/15 stood at £7,299 which, after Gift Aid, meant a financial contribution of £8,000 plus (which represents 18% of the £45,000 of income required by the Club each year to meet operational costs). JM added that what was impressive was the number of VPs who continued to support the Club even though they had moved away from the Fordingbridge area.

Other important benefits to the Club were their presence on thetouch-line, their support of Club functions and the assistance with a range of routine tasks such as field and club-house maintenance, car-parking, and assistance at events at the Recreation Ground.

It was known that the players appreciated the touch-line support and often there was a good post match inter-action between the players and the VPs in the social atmosphere of the bar.

In thanking JM for his presentation Ian Brown said that the Club was fortunate to have such an enthusiastic VP Co-ordinator and it was commonly known how much his regular VP updates were appreciated by the readers.

8)Presentation – Our approach to Coaching by Dave Timms, Director of Rugby

Dave Timms (DT) said his prime role was to manage the pathway of children through to adult rugby while ensuring that their enjoyment and the spirit of rugby was foremost in his approach. His current thinking and plans revolved around the following objectives:-

• Developing a strategy to improve the quality of coaching though course attendance and qualifications
• Improving the rugby experience with concentration on enjoyment and skills development
• Steadily developing the players as they move through the age groups with relevant coaching
• Including a current player as a member of each Junior and mini Coaching team
• Having a robust ‘support infrastructure’ in place so that Coaches can concentrate on coaching
• Ensure all teams playing in ‘away fixtures’ travel with a physio in support
• As far as possible mimic the first team style of play so players become comfortable with what is expected of them
• Two Level 2 Coaches to assess Colts players to establish they are ready for Senior rugby
• More roaming coaches to concentrate on individual aspects of play.

At this point DT invited Matt Vass to talk to the meeting about his recent experience in qualifying as aLevel 2 Coach and what this entailed.