Oxfordshire Cricket

OXFORDSHIRE CRICKET

ASSOCIATION

Annual General Meeting

28th November 2013at 7.30 p.m.

Venue: Kidlington Cricket Club

Present:

Vice Presidents, Executive Committee members and representatives from all clubs exceptOxenford, Stanton St John Willows and Westbury C.C.

1. President’s Welcome:

The President welcomed everyone to the 2013 Annual General Meeting and reported that sadly, the following members had died this year, these were: Noel Humphrey and Richard Howard of Oxford Caribbean, John Hayden of Britwell Salome, Stuart Carroll of Chesterton, Ben Redknap of Stonesfield, John (Big Jock) Nimmo of Garsington, Malcolm Harper, President and umpire of Charlbury CC, Cliff Searle of Westcott umpire and Tony Lane, Kidlington CC Life member and umpire. He asked the meeting to stand for a minutes silence in memory of these supporters of the association.

The membership for 2014 is therefore 54 clubs comprising of 97 teams in 10 Divisions with five cup competitions, plus the invitational Tony Pullinger 20-20 cup competition.

Originally, divisions 1 – 8 were 10 team leagues leaving divisions 9 and 10 with 9 teams. Unfortunately, Winslow CC has recently withdrawn from the Association, leaving Division 3 with only 9 teams as in 2013.

The President offered special thanks to Kidlington C.C., particularly Chris Probert for the use of their excellent facilities this evening and throughout the past twelve months.

The meeting were reminded that only one delegate from each club may speak or participate in voting and the proposals set out cannot be amended during the course of the meeting.

2. Apologies for absence:

Steve Oliver (Treasurer) – Working and Peter Baring (Cup Secretary) watching the ‘Ashes’ in Australia.

3. Minutes of the previous AGM – 29th November 2012

The minutes that had been circulated via e-mail to all clubs (and on the website) were agreed as a correct record of the meeting and duly signed by the President.

4. Matters arising from these minutes:

There were no matters arising that were not covered by the agenda.

5. President’s Report:

A copy of the report is attached.

6. Chairman’s Report:

A copy of the report is attached.

7. Treasurer’s report and adoption of Accounts:

All clubs had received a copy of the accounts and the Treasurer’s report in their envelopes. In the Treasurer’s absence, Nick Treweeke (President) went through the details of the accounts and as there were no questions, he proposed the accounts be adopted. The result of the vote was unanimous. A copy of the accounts can be obtained via the General Secretary, but the Treasurers report is attached to these minutes.

8. Resolutions to change the Constitution and Rules of the Association:

Cowley International (Seconded by Risinghurst & Hanney C.C.) and the Executive had proposed eight rule/constitutionalchanges.

These proposals are listed under the reports section as the end of these minutes,but listed below are the results of the vote by the member clubs which were as follows:

Constitution Articles:

15.Carried:Unanimous.

34.Carried:44-4 with 4 abstentions. **

Match Rules:

16 (h) Carried:Unanimous.

23 (c)Carried:34 – 10 with 6 abstentions.

33 (a) (typo should be (c) Carried:38 – 11 with 1 abstention.

33.Not carried:25 – 17 with 8 abstentions.

33. (trial)Carried:38 – 7 with 5 abstentions.

35.Carried:Unanimous.

Regards the discussion on 33 (a)…this was a typo error and should have been (c), which led to problems with Rule 33 not being carried.

** It was agreed that a Vice Captain could attend in place of the captain as he is a playing member of the team.

9. Election of Officers and the Executive Committee:

9.1 President:

Mr. Nick Treweeke

Result: Unanimous

9.2 Life Vice Presidents x 12

Mr W J Allen, Mr N R Beech, Mr M.A.Belcher, Mr P T Boyd Maunsell, Mr G Clack, Mr F Eley, Mr D Faulkner, Mr B. Hancock, Mr N T Harris, Mr J A Hunt, Mr M Maguire and Mr A M Pullinger.

9.3 Vice Presidents x 14

Mr P R Biggs, Mrs Blanchard-Ward, Mr R Burrough, Mrs J Crump, Mr. K. Hamp, Mr. S Howard, Mr R Ledger, Mr F E Leese, Mr R Moss, Mrs J Phipps, Mr A Richardson, Mrs Carol Shepheard, Mr P White and Mr C. Wrench.

The above were proposed on block by the Executive.

Result:Proposed by Chesterton & Seconded by Broughton & NN. Unanimous

9.4 Executive Committee:

Office:Current: Proposed: Club Allegiance:

Chairman:Mr B H Standish Mr B H StandishNo allegiance

Vice Chairman:Mr D. Burns Mr D. BurnsStonesfield

General Secretary &

Minutes Secretary:Mr. C. Olliffe Mr C OlliffeCharlbury

Treasurer: Mr S Oliver Mr S OliverNo allegiance

Fixtures Secretary:Mr D. Quinn Mr D. QuinnWolvercote

Registration Secretary:Mr. K. BushnellVacant

Cups Secretary:Mr P Baring Mr P BaringE & W Hendred

Umpires Secretary:Mr. David QuinnMr. David Quinn Wolvercote

Grounds Committee: Mr I MulfordMr I MulfordE & W Hendred

-do- -do-Mr S MorseMr S MorseChesterton

Results Secretary:Mr K BushnellVacant

Media Sec’:Mr K BushnellVacant

Webmaster:Mr A WormanMr A WormanBritwell Salome

Clubs Liaison Officer:VacantMr P DuesterChadlington

Other Executive Members:

Mr C ProbertMr C ProbertKidlington

Mr J. LoweMr J LoweCowley International

Mr P. DuesterVacant

VacantVacant

Result of Vote: Unanimous.

Offers to join the Executive Committee had been received after the proposals had been circulated from:

Colin Mercer (Wantage), Peter Whitlock (Oxford Cassington) and Pete Hoskins (Watlington). The Executive will consider co-opting these persons at their meeting in January 2014.

Auditors: Independent. – External inspection and verification.

10. Any other business:

1. Details of the Pullinger 20-20 competition were given and clubs who will be invited to take part will be:

Automatically through to finals:Shrivenham and Westbury

Qualifiers: Cairns Fudge, Hanborough, Cowley International & Fringford

Invited clubs:Minster Lovell, Charlbury, Hook Norton & GarsingtonReserve

Reserve clubs: Chadlington and Oxenford

Two rule changes for 2014 - 5 bowlers instead of four, bowling a maximum of 4 overs each and the semi finals will be played simultaneously at Kidlington C.C.

1. The Executive are seeking to ensure that ALL CLUBS have dedicated scorers for all teams and will be contacting clubs in 2014 to see how many do actually have club scorers.

1. Question raised on the new Bye-Law re: Covers and Screens as to where the sight screens should stand. Answer: Preferably outside the boundary line but on small grounds, inside but roped round to form boundary line.

1. Discussion on Cup Fixtures and why all games could not be played on a Sunday with league matches on Saturdays. The answer to this was because it would be impossible to get enough umpires out on both days.

1. There will be one or two umpire’s seminars arranged by the OCA at Kidlington C.C. and clubs were encouraged to get their umpires to attend these, particularly those who are ‘new to the game’.

Meeting closed at 9.40p.m. Circulated to Executive 29.11.2013

Reports of the following :

President’s Report – Chairman’s report – Treasurer’sReport and Proposed Constitution & Rule Changes:

Details of the resolutions changed in the constitution and rules of the Association can be read from the 2014 OCA handbook and will be highlighted in BOLD PRINT.

President’s Report:

President’s report to the AGM – 28th November 2013

Congratulations to all league and cup winners in 2013. Special praise to Westbury (Division 1 and Division 7 winners and Tony Pullinger 20-20 cup finalists), Risinghurst (Division 6 and Division 10 Winners and Steve Dixon Memorial Cup finalists) Shrivenham 1st team (Airey Cup and Tony Pullinger 20-20 Cup Winners and Division 1 runners-up)Hanborough, on their return to the association, (Steve Dixon Memorial Cup and Keith Crump Centenary Cup winners and runners-up in Division 5 and Division 9) and finally, Chipping Norton (Osberton Radiators Cup winners and runners-up in Division 8)

Congratulations to Richard Tredwell and his team on their excellent victory over the Cherwell League, at Garsington, in the Inter League Challenge Cup. No doubt revenge will be sought in 2014!!

Unfortunately, the Disciplinary Panel was again overworked in 2013 – the association is determined to deal with the minority who think they are greater than the game of cricket. The Disciplinary Panel will continue in 2014 to deal robustly with those they find to have abused opponents and/or umpires.

Thanks to all members of the Executive for their efforts over the last twelve months (at NO COST to the association) and I am particularly sorry that Kieren Bushnell has decided to relinquish all his roles for 2014 – thanks for your vast input Kieren.

I hope you will be able to support the rule changes sought by the Executive later in the evening.

Nick Treweeke

Nick Treweeke

OCA President29th November 2013.

Chairman’s Report:

Chairman’s Report to the AGM – 28h November 2013

Another year passes. I have now completed 20 years as Chairman and I have been on the executive for 32 years. Some of you will recall from the last AGM that this was to be my last year but I have agreed to stand for further term.

Much has changed over that time. In 1981 the Premier League was about to start. This gave us criteria acceptable for cricket and enabled standards within the association to rise as senior clubs strove to improve. The recent review by the Grounds Committee has been to ensure that the years do not lead to complacency. The Executive intends that a similar review will be undertaken into facilities.

The other major change has been the Umpires Panel which ensures appointments in all of our games. This is a particular strength due to the hard work of a few within the Executive over the years. A special thanks is due to Nick Treweeke for his work on appointments and to David Quinn who took over when Norman had to step down in mid-season. It is hoped that an entry level course can be arranged so that all Umpires who work in a club rota can be identified and given training. To operate a rota this year will require David to be notified prior to the game of their name so that they appear on the website.

It remains a disappointment to me that we have not completed the team by ensuring that dedicated scorers are available. In some games where one scorebook is used the administration of the game is un-necessarily complicated. In one match last season we had to hold up the game while the scorers asked Nick and I what the score was. Only two of the Champions last season named a scorer for the medal we provide. I hope that Clubs can work to remedy this situation in 2014 and the Executive will undertake a review of the current situation.

As I have indicated Norman Ellison stepped down as Umpires Secretary and I would like to thank him for his efforts in this post. Our thanks to David Quinn for taking on thisrole, although I am concerned that we ask too much of him in combining Fixtures and Umpires. It is also a regret that Kieran Bushnell has stepped down from his three roles. I would like to pay tribute to his efforts on behalf of OCA. With the website we no longer have to have a Media Secretary but it adds to association if we do. The Oxford Mail does provide a financial inducement to the incumbent so if you are interested please see Colin or myself after the meeting.

The website continues to be one of our major strengths. Once more we must thank Andy Worman for all of his work on our behalf. He would be greatly relieved however if greater inputting accuracy could be achieved as there are too many corrections each week. In 2013 the Forum was taken over by Colin Mercer and I would like to thank him for his work. In 2014 he is hoping to extend this role to include social media.

I would like to finish with general praise for the Executive who volunteer their time for the association. Please work with them for the general good and help them to build a strong base for cricket in Oxfordshire.

Brian Standish

Chairman.

Treasurers Report:

Treasurer’s Report to the AGM November 2013

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. As is customary at this time of year, I have to once again offer my apologies for not being at the meeting this evening.

I hope by now you will all have seen a copy of the accounts for the 2012/2013 season, I will deal with individual items contained within this report later.

Before we get into the detail of the accounts, as is also customary, I wish to offer my gratitude and thanks to a few people:

• I would like to thank my fellow members on the committee. Once again, due to work commitments, I have not been able to devote the time I would like to the Association. During the year, they have again made my job that little bit easier. The annual presentation dinner seems to be going from strength to strength and that is due in no small part to the efforts of Colin Olliffe. The event would not be the success it is without his tireless work. I would also like to thank Nick for his help with this years accounts.
• Finally, I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the Association over the year. There are many companies and individuals who offset the cost of the handbook by taking up advertising space. Gordon Clack has once more generously donated cricket balls for every cup final played this year. He has continually been a great friend of the Association, and Oxfordshire cricket in general.

And so to the accounts themselves.

Before I get down to the nitty gritty of the accounts, I feel I must return to an old favourite of mine - fines. This time last year I was going on and on about the amount of money clubs were paying in fines. In the 2011-2012 season this was well in excess of £2400. I am not sure if my rantings were taken to heart but this year we have seen a drop in fines to just below £1400. This means that nearly £1000 was left in the hands of clubs. These fines are still too high. Clubs are struggling not only to attract new players but also to keep match fees low and so retain the players they have. Anything that helps to keep match fees to a minimum must be useful. Please keep this downward trend going. I always said to the committee that I could not resign until I had got rid of all the ties. That was achieved in 2011, I gave them to Colin so I have now set my sights on getting fines down to zero. I think that may take a little longer. The picture is still not rosey as the same clubs seems to be attracting the majority of the fines. This is something the committee is looking closely at to see if a trend is developing and what we can do to help those clubs.

And so to the accounts in more detail.

I would like to begin by announcing that the Association is reporting a loss of £749 for the 2012-2013 season. As already mentioned, fines have reduced by over £1000 pounds which is wonderful news but affects the profit of the Association. Handbook revenue has improved for which Ivan and Colin are to be commended. We have also lost a few teams which , although regrettable is a sign of the times.

Two new costs this year have seen the return of the Representative match, a game between the OCA and the Cherwell League which we hope will become a regular fixture. Secondly, we have awarded a couple of improvement grants totalling £584. Grants are available to every club but funds are limited and must be for club improvements.

And that is about it really…. Many of the outgoings of the Association have stayed much the same. Those items that have shown an increase have done so by current inflation rates, and this is a trend that will continue in the future. The Association has had some additional costs, but these have been to the betterment of clubs. We have continued to host Groundsman courses which all clubs are encouraged to attend. Fees are nominal but the knowledge gained is priceless.

So, as last year, my report, unlike our committee meetings is relatively short and sweet.

For a further year, I have no plans to raise subscription costs for the 2015 season, but the fining system will be reviewed to ensure that persistent offenders are shackled with the electronic tag of increased fines. I used that term last year but it applies again this year

Lastly, I would just like to wish you all the very best Christmas and New Year you can have and that 2014 brings with it the success you deserve on the cricket field. It just remains for me to formerly propose that the accounts for 2012-2013 season be accepted.

Steve Oliver

(Honorary Treasurer)

Proposed Constitution and Rule changes:

Proposal for Constitution and Match Rule Changes for AGM 298h November 2013

Proposals for consideration at the A.G.M. – 28th November 2013

1. Constitution Article 15

From:

The Admissions Committee shall review and decide on all applications for re-admission to its competitions by existing members and for admission to its competitions from new clubs and from existing members wishing to include another team. The Admissions Committee’s review of all applications for admission and re-admission to its competitions must be completed within 21 days of the deadline for applications. In any case where re-admission is denied the Admissions Committee will be required to issue a formal written report to the applicant club(s) outlining the reason for refusal.