STRATHMORE & PERTHSHIRE CRICKET UNION
Minute of the Management Committee Meeting held at the home of the President, "Struie", 27a Forfar Road, Kirriemuir on Monday 3rd March 2014 starting at 7.20pm.
1. Present:- I.D.Cran (Pres.), J.R.Auchinleck, W.J.Ferguson, G.Garden, P.Gray, R.McFarlane,
G.T.McKinnie, R.W.S.Miller, A.G.Walker, D.C.Bridges(Sec.).
2. Apologies:- R.G.Milne, P.A.Redhead.
3. Minute of Previous Meeting:-
The minute of Monday 27th January 2014 was approved.
4. Matters Arising from Minute:-
(1) Response from CS:-
Ian Cran reported that he had arranged to meet Keith Oliver on Thursday
20th March. Dick Auchinleck added that he was meeting Keith Oliver on Wednesday 12th
March to discuss grass roots cricket.
(2) Coaching Courses:-
Dick Auchinleck reported that there was a Level 2 Coaching Course at
Dundee University on the weekends of 15th/16th February and 15th/16th March. The course was
being organised by Ian Shaw, Kari Carswell and Neil Cameron with 20 people attending from
Fife and the North as well as Tayside. He said he was worried about who was meant to be
driving coach education in Scotland. It should be Cricket Scotland but no one there seems to be
doing so.
Gavin Garden added that an Introduction to Coaching Course lasting 2 evenings aimed
mainly at teachers and parents to be held before the season was in the pipeline. Ian Shaw and
Richard Rennie had been lined up and all that was needed was a venue and dates.
(3) Umpiring Courses:-
Willie Ferguson reported that the course in Aberdeen had finished
yesterday. Paul Gray added that 12 people had attended which included 8 from Gordonians.
Dick Auchinleck stated there was an Introduction to Umpiring evening at Forthill on
Thursday 13th March being taken by Sandy Scotland.
(4) Trophy Winners at AGM:-
Only Paul Gray had made any suggestions. It was agreed to delay
this item due to the packed agenda.
(5) Minimum Standards for SPCU:-
Gavin Garden maintained there should be a minimum set of
standards to play in the SPCU Championship. It was agreed that we would go to the AGM with a
suitable motion. Gordon McKinnie and Dick Auchinleck agreed to draft a document for the next
meeting for possible distribution to clubs mid-season.
(6) CCA:-
Gavin Garden reported that he had sent a draft constitution and overview to the
Steering Group and the Union Committee 10 days ago. The problems from the earlier meeting
seemed to have been ironed out. Another meeting of the Steering Group would need to be called
to discuss the draft and hopefully set a date for the inaugural AGM. They would also need a
meeting with CS to decide the geography of the area and junior coaching, especially Fife and the
Forth Valley. When asked about the make-up of the CCA Committee, he said that the 4 main
office bearers and 3 committee members would be voted on at the AGM and then 3 others would
be appointed by the 3 league bodies.
(7) SPCU President's XI v Caledonia U-18s:-
Ian Cran stated that this match had been arranged for
Sunday 25th May at Strathmore (?).
(8) Pre-Season Meeting for Captains & Umpires:-
Willie Ferguson agreed to make the necessary
arrangements.
5. Treasurer’s Report:-
William Ferguson handed out and explained the budget estimate. There was
£3000 available for umpiring expenses in 2014 (The treasurer proposed £300 to each Championship
club - £200 from CS money at the start of season and £100 from SPCU mid-season). Willie
Ferguson said he had spoken to Paul Bailey of ESCA. They were proposing a £30 match fee and 35p
per mile. Sandy Scotland (Scottish Umpires Organiser) was proposing a £35 match fee and 35p per
mile. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that the SPCU would pay a £30 match fee and 30p per
mile. A £10 increase in the match fee to £35 was considered excessive and travelling expenses in the
SPCU would always be much greater due its geography. It was then agreed that clubs would pay the
match fee and the travelling expenses on the day. Clubs would then be able to claim back travelling
expenses periodically. At the end of the season there could be a possible rebate of match fees on a
pro rata basis dependent on SPCU finances, the number of matches played and the number of
umpires used. The Secretary was asked to check if the £2000 sponsorship from Lords was a one-off
or per season.
6. Correspondence, E-Mails etc:-
(1) Ball Order:-
The Secretary reported that 418 balls in total had been ordered and they would
be delivered to Clubsport late March.
(2) Club Contacts:-
The Secretary said that one or two clubs held their AGMs in March and one or two had not responded. He would chase them up.
(3) Fixtures:-
The Secretary stated he had completed and issued the senior fixtures. Local clubs
had been asked about junior teams etc. Brechin & Rossie had yet to reply. The junior fixtures would be compiled after all the information was in.
(4) Player Registration:-
Ian Cran stated that 5 teams in the Championship, Arbroath, DHSFP, Forthill, Mannofield and Stoneywood/Dyce, were already involved in player registration due to their 1st XIs being in the CSL. Willie Ferguson said he had asked the other 5 clubs for their views. Richard Miller asked what the benefits were. Willie Ferguson said it helped to easily produce team sheets. Paul Gray added that it helped to allocate umpires to matches. After discussion it was agreed that a motion to make Player Registration mandatory would go to the next AGM. For this season, player registration would be optional. Willie Ferguson agreed to draft a proposal for circulation to clubs.
(5) CS AGM:-
The Secretary said this AGM was on Sunday 23rd March. He was asked to check when he had received notice of this.
7. Competitions Committee:-
Willie Ferguson said they had given Kurt Bayer special dispensation to
play for Norwood as he had previously played for them for many years.
8. Pre-Season Newsletter:-
The Secretary agreed to produce this.
9. AOCB:-
Dick Auchinleck stated that Kirsteen Ross had emailed the Union the ECB guidelines
concerning youngsters playing senior cricket in response to Glenrothes XI saying they could field
youngsters as young as 10 years old. It was agreed that the Secretary would issue these ECB
guidelines to all Union clubs.
He added that he would like to see a Sunday league for juniors, possibly 35 overs each and
possibly as soon as next season.
He also said that there were spring & autumn courses for groundsmen.
Gavin Garden praised Willie Ferguson for the production of the handbook.
Gordon McKinnie stated that Glenrothes CC have opened a purpose-built indoor cricket school.
It can be viewed on their website and looks very impressive. It is available for hire.
10. Date of Next Committee Meeting:-
Monday 14th April at Forthill 7pm
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.35pm.