Oxford Hockey Club AGM Minutes

2nd June 2013, 6.30pm Brookes Sports Centre

Present: Mike Corran, John Dykes, Paul Hogben, Sam Volans, Matt McKeown, Matthew Neville, Tim Conlon, Iain Lovelace, Martin James, Ben Cousins, Vicky Quantrell, Rob Griffiths, Emily Malden, Rachael Lammey, Brernadette Urtz, Tom Harris, Matt Oakes, Paul Wilson, Nick Malden, Lorna McCulloch, Emma Forrester, Helen Dudgeon, Paul Baker, Niall Carter, Ruth Bedford, Tim Dudgeon

  1. Apologies received from Rick Green, Laura Keen, Suzie Williams
  2. Chairman’s Report
  • The Chair opened by thanking members for attending and to those members who had taken on various roles in the club without who there would be no hockey
  • The club has now got past the merger and can focus on its future and the Chair asked for contributions to that debate
  • The General Committee has debated the direction the club should take and asked for the AGM’s view on the suggestion that a key objective of the club was to stretch the range of playing standard without losing focus on our ethos as a club for all
  • The coaching arrangements in 2013/14 have helped drive standards up on the mens side but there is more to do on the ladies side with coaching
  • The integration of juniors into the senior section has continued to improve to the benefit of all and further initiatives are under way to encourage junior success in the transition to senior hockey
  • The Ladies, Mens and Junior Chairs gave updates on their sections which echoed these views
  • The Back to Hockey (ladies) and Return to Hockey (mens) have continued to prove a great success
  • The overall direction was approved with a number of contributions to the debate
  • Paul Baker reminded us that we need to make the club a success for all levels and this was widely supported
  • Tim Dudgeon asked for a greater focus on umpiring strength in the club with more members of senior team encouraged to make their contribution to umpiring, mentoring our new junior umpires. This was endorsed and the General Committee need to think how to enact this sentiment. John Dykes reminded the club that we rely on the goodwill of umpires and that we need to do better at recognising their contribution with our behaviour both on the pitch and after matches. It was agreed that we should add to our captains pre-season briefing
  • Nick Malden updated the cub on the Clubfirst registration which is crucial to the club and its junior programme in particular, with great work by Any Smith and members of the General Committee to put our submission together
  • A number of members asked about recruitment. Tim Conlon outlined ideas being worked on to encourage students and a member get member programme and Lorna McCulloch encouraged the adult sections to get involved in some of the local initiatives to aid recruitment
  • Indoor hockey was raised by Ruth Bedford and Tim Conlon updated the AGM that he was looking at possibilities with facilities the crucial factor
  • Caching Development was raised by Paul Hogben. The club needs to do better to develop its own coaches. The absence of a candidate for the Director of Hockey role has not helped in this regard and the club continues to seek the right candidate to drive our standard of hockey and coaching
  • Finally the Chair highlighted the need for a new generation of capable individuals to start to take a lead on leading the club with the support of the more experienced generation currently playing much of that role. It is vital that the club leadership is aligned to the membership and we run a risk that we lose touch without that transition.
  1. Treasurer’s Report and matters arising
  • It’s been a very good year financially, better than anticipated due to higher match fees than planned, with a possible break even
  • A number of major bills remain outstanding before the finances can be settled
  • However the moment will come soon when inflation and our desire to have high quality coaching will require us to raise subs in the senior section (junior fees were raised in 2012/13). Subs in the club and its predecessors have not been increased for c6 years and in this time costs have risen. Our subs are generally lower than any other club in the area.
  • Paul suggested that when we do put through an increase in subs we should do so with a 3 year view in mind, the current view is that n increase, when it comes, this year or next, of up to £20 would be appropriate
  • The AGM supported the proposal that an increase is justified when the finances dictate it and that this was a small price to pay for a quality club, with good facilities and coaching etc
  1. Proposed amendment to the Constitution
  2. The AGM passed a resolution unanimously to add the role of Club Welfare Officer to the General Committee as recommended by EH best practice
  3. Election of 2013/14 Officers

The following people were elected:

Position / Elected / Proposed by / Seconded by
Chair / Mike Corran / John Dykes / Helen Dudgeon
Vice-Chair / Vacant
Treasurer / Paul Wilson / Mike Corran / John Dykes
Ladies’ Chair / Helen Dudgeon / Rachael Lammey / Mike Corran
Ladies’ Club Captain / Vacant
Men’s Chair / Tim Conlon / Mike Corran / John Dykes
Men’s Club Captain / Matthew Neville / Tim Conlon / Mike Corran
Director of Hockey / Vacant
Mixed Chair / Harriet Bryant / Mike Corran / Paul Wilson
Junior Chair / John Dykes / Mike Corran / Nick Malden
Junior Development Director / Nick Malden / Mike Corran / John Dykes
Social Secretaries / Vacant
Communications Secretary / Calum Duthie / Mike Corran / Paul Wilson
Partnership Manager / Vacant
Club Welfare Officer / Mark Thompson / Nick Malden / Mike Corran

The constitution says that where there are gaps, the general committee can fill them at a later date.

  1. Noting of other key club positions:

Disciplinary Officer – Chi Ho

Men’s Co Club Captain –Phil Radcliffe

Men’s Co Club Captain – Paul Hewitson

It was agreed that the ladies will also confirm a vice-chair and vice-club captain at a later date, who can both attend general committee meetings. The Mens 1s XI captain Matt McKeown will also regularly attend the General Committee as can other members with the agreement of the Chair

  1. Any other business
  • Tom Harris asked about the recent EH survey and it was agreed that the results would be publicised as and when we get something meaningful to share
  • Lorna McCulloch asked for support for summer events, in particular an event on 1st June as part of our recruitment
  • Nick Malden made a final request for Sainsbury’s vouchers which apparently he will convert into hockey balls