Report to the West HA AGM -30 June 2016

West Masters Committee

Report to the West HA AGM -30 June 2016

Committee

Martin Jenkins (Chair), Jon Marshall (Hon. Secretary), Rod Naughalty (Hon. Treasurer), Jan Baker, Tim Horsfield, Susie Francis, Angie Warnes,Ben Laxon,Trevor Done, Ali Price, John Stuart, Mike Wingent, Chris Booker, Mike Harris, Adrian Money, Winston Bower, Rob Hurry (Channel Islands), Tom Ettling (Cornwall), Giles Stokes(Hereford), Sue Sherwood and Dave Smith (Dorset), Nick Kendall (Somerset), Noel Preston-Jones (Devon), Malcolm Green (for Nick Grimshaw) and Sally Privett (Gloucestershire), Richard Robson(Wiltshire). The Committee met on2 July, 17 November 2015 and 2 February 2016.

Aims

The aims of the Masters Committee are a) to promote Masters hockey at grassroots and club level across the region and b) to promote elite Masters Hockey for men and women in the West.

Developments

The key development for the West Masters Committee has been the appointment of a Treasurer (Rod Naughalty) under the new working arrangements of the West HA. This gives the Masters Committee greater responsibility and autonomy. A first budget has been agreed and a West Masters Committee bank account was set up very recently. The Committee has formally agreed the principles for running Masters events and methods of accounting, such that any surpluses can accrue. The account will receive monies from the West HA that will continue the support for tournament fees and kit and will otherwise be self-funded.

The second West Masters Inter-county Festival Day was held on 13 September 2015 at King’s College, Taunton arranged by Martin Jenkins. This was well-attended again and is stimulating inter-county Masters matches and other initiatives, such as the Devon and Cornwall “Gatfers” midweek games. Liaison with the England EHB over Masters continues only on an ad hoc basis.

Representation

Men and women players from the West were selected for full international England Masters sides at every age group and played in the IMHA and WGMA World Cups in Canberra and Newcastle, Australia,in April and May 2016. Medals were won. Due to the World Cup, the schedule for the Masters Regional Tournaments are being played later than usual, with several over May, June and July 2016. The West enters 11 representative sides, with one at every men’s (O40 -O70) and women’s (O40-O60) age group. Open trials and practice matches have been arranged. Results so far show that the West continues to punch above its weight.

Committee for 2016/17

The county representatives listed above will continue. Team managers for theeleven Masters sides will be selected in due course. At the next Masters Committee meeting, the Chairman, Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary will be confirmed, with Martin Jenkins and Rod Naughalty happy to continue, while Jon Marshall will step down.

Jon Marshall, Hon. Sec., West Masters Committee

31 May 2016