Wednesday 27th April 2016 @ Redditch Hockey Club (RHC)
Meeting chaired by: Tim Gibbs, Chairman
Minutes by: Adrian Young, Secretary
In Attendance: T Dunkley, A Billingham, D Baker, J Beard, M Walton, J Cardy, A Mahon, B Vincent, K Young, B Haresign, D Waite, J Williams, T Drysdale, P Cowley, K Cowley, W Beard, D Beard, B Bryant, B Fitzpatrick.
Also in attendance [late arrivals, not signed in on register]: R Sellors, J Brown, A Jones (arrived during item 2).
Apologies Received: L Wickersham, P Baker, N Fowkes, A Youster, A Povey, N Haynes, P Dawson, S Smith.
19:36 T Gibbs declared the meeting open, welcomed all those present and thanked them for attending.
1. Minutes from last AGM meeting
T Gibbs informed members that last year’s meeting minutes were accepted as a fair record by the club committee in May 2015 but they needed to be officially accepted by the members.
Minutes of 2015 AGM meeting proposed as a fair record by D Waite and seconded by A Billingham. Vote result: Unanimous.
2. Chairman’s report
T Gibbs reported his summary of the season to those in attendance.
“I would like to start by thanking our coaching team for the efforts that they have put in this season. Thanks to Wayne Beard, Sharon Smith, Becki Clarke and also to Ben Haresign and Jodie Williams who have supported the coaches in most junior training sessions. We are seeing the rewards of the coaches hard work as 9 of our junior members are currently involved with the England Hockey player pathway, attending local Junior Development Centre and Junior Academy Centre sessions. I’d like to give my best wishes for the future to Sharon Smith, who is stepping down from her role at RHC and leaving the club with immediate effect. Secondly, I’d like to thank Shelley Field for her work as club stewardess providing us with food and drink every week. I’d also like to thank Adrian Young and the rest of the Redditch Hockey Club committee for all of their hard work as we look to move the club forward.
This year, the nationally recognised Clubmark accreditation has been obtained which sees us listed as a safe and positive environment for young people. This will help enormously towards securing funding for the new pitch surface through applications to various organisations. We have had several encouraging meetings with both the central committee, local council and England Hockey and hope to have the new surface down within the next 12 months.
On an even more positive note, membership numbers have increased this year to the point where we have applied to enter a 4th Mens team into the 2016/17 leagues. We will also be running 3 summer league teams this year for the first time; 2 mens teams and 1 ladies. Back to Hockey sessions start this weekend and will run for at least 7 weeks over the summer to encourage new members, particularly ladies, to join our club with the aim being to have 2 ladies teams in 2016/17 with the 2nd XI playing a number of friendly fixtures against other clubs.
On the pitch in 2015/16, we saw some very positive results and performances, particularly from the younger members playing in the 3rd XI and Badgers teams. The junior section is thriving and if we continue to work hard, results in all teams will improve and drive the club forward. I ask our members to remain patient and continue to support our great club.
3. Treasurer’s report
T Dunkley reported his summary of the season to those in attendance.
“The financial season work slightly differently to that of the playing season. I will shortly summarise last year’s accounts for the period from the 1st October 2014 to the 30th September 2015.
Incoming payments totalling - £13,179.95
Outgoings totalled - £12,098.26
Equalling an overall Net Profit of - £1,081.69
The current account balance is - £5,291.72
We do still need to clamp down on those who do not pay. There are still a few.
Other significant action taken this year includes closing out long standing savings account and successfully amending the signatories on the account. These include myself, Tim Gibbs, Ade Young and Dan Waite. And removing any old signatories.
This season’s accounts are due in the first week of October, from what I can put together I expect a similar if not much better year with the amount of fundraising we have done this year.
Thank you everyone for helping and supporting the club, thank you to everyone who collected subs and match fees and well done to all of those who participated in the fundraising events. If anyone wishes to view the accounts, I have a hard copy tonight. An electronic copy is also available if preferred.”
T Gibbs thanked T Dunkley for his continued efforts.
4. Captains Reports
Ladies 1st XI
J Williams presented her summary of the season to those in attendance.
“This year I had the pleasure of captaining the ladies. The season was difficult as gathering numbers is always tricky but we did have two welcome additions to our squad, Annie and Hannah. The ladies won 5, drew 2, lost 8, finishing 8th in the league. The girls have worked hard all season, and often roped in anyone who can help increase our numbers, we even had Emma’s Australian friend help us out!
The girls are always passionate, support each other and work together on the pitch. Our camaraderie and passion was evident in the fact that every lady was in for the running of Players Player with Emma Preston just swooping it. A fair few of our ladies got their names on this year’s results sheets, Vicky, Lucie, Amy, Anna, Emma, Ruth, Jo and myself. But I’m sure it doesn’t come as a shock to anyone that this year’s top goalscorer was Anna.
I’d like to thank any of our umpires from the season, Wayne, Matt, Nick and anyone else I have pestered every Sunday night throughout this season without you guys we wouldn’t be able to play our sport.”
T Gibbs thanks J Williams for the hard work that she has personally put into the section this season.
Mens 1st XI
P Dawson sent his apologies but had sent a summary of the season to A Young prior to the meeting. A Young read the summary to those in attendance.
“1st season back in the big leagues was a successful one. I believe the team this year has developed a great team spirit with a fantastic atmosphere amongst the players. There have been some outstanding performances and also some interesting performances!! This is a relatively new team with lots of potential and look forward to playing again in the new season. Training this year has been great Wayne has done a great job with the team in training and also on match days when availability allows.
There is of course room for improvement. Attendance to training can always be improved upon and there will be a big push to improve this for the upcoming season especially from a 1st team perspective. Also we as a 1st team and as a club need to push for interest in umpiring as this has been an issue every season we need to share the work load.”
Mens 2nd XI
R Sellors presented a summary of the season to those in attendance.
“This season the 2nd XI Played 20 Won 13 Drew 2 Lost 5 finishing 4th out of 11 teams. Goals scored 67, goals against 42, goal difference +25. Team selection this season was stable and consistent with plenty of players in the squad and support from the 3rd XI and 1st XI when required. The team as a whole was not ready for promotion this year despite being top of the league at Christmas and putting in some very positive performances. Unfortunately, defeats in a couple of key games cost us. The squad should look to continue development next season and challenge for promotion.”
Mens 3rd XI
W Beard presented a summary of the season to those in attendance.
“This season the 3rd XI Played 20 Won 7 Drew 6 lost 7 with a final league position of 5th. Goals scored 35, Goals against 40, Goal Difference -5. We had a good mixture of old and young players. The team gelled well together showing this through the team spirit and the manner and style of hockey that they played with each week notable individual or team performances improving.
I would like to thank the players as well as the moms and dads who have supported me over the last season as they have contributed to the overall team ethos/spirit of what we as a club are aiming to achieve.”
Junior Section & Badgers XI
S Smith sent her apologies but had sent a summary of the season to A Young prior to the meeting. A Young did not have a copy of the summary at the meeting. It was agreed that A Young would forward report to T Gibbs (chairman) and also publish the report in the minutes despite members not hearing the report at the meeting itself.
“Badgers 2015/2016 season Won 9 Drawn 1 Lost 13. Top goal scorer was Alfie Wheeler with 8 goals in his first season with badgers. Must be noted that Harry Saunders joined after Christmas and scored 6 goals in 9 games.
We had 7 new additions to the squad all under 12 years old. Two new goal keepers both under 14 years old. Such a young squad from 10 years old to 15 years old the squad has really developed over the season. Each player has developed their skill set and more importantly have worked hard for the team. Must be noted the team performance against local rivals Bromsgrove where the team played well and scored 9 goals dominating from start to finish. Goals coming from a whole host of individuals. We have played some tough opposition this season notably Stourport and Worcester but we have given them a hard game. Notably the fight back against Stourport where we were losing 3-0 at half time getting the score back to 3-3. Great fight back lesson learned in that game. Juniors training in general numbers have steadily increased with many new players coming from linked school clubs going straight into the badgers set up. 9 juniors in total passed trials to represent Worcestershire County this season.
Ben Morris at 11 years old a strong addition to the side having never played hockey before trying it at the linked satellite club (Walkwood) and only just missed out on player of the season. Player of the season was 12 year old Callum Jones in only his first full season with the team. He has worked hard on his own skill set, listened and taken coaching points and worked on these at home and at training. Has a top class attitude and works for the team competitive yet gracious in defeat. He learns a lot from games win, lose or draw and takes the experience into the next game. He has played every outfield position, never complains and just wants to play hockey. A real asset to any team.”
T Gibbs thanked all captains for their efforts this season.
5. Committee Positions for 2016/17 season
Please see Appendix A.
T Gibbs explained to those present that some roles on the committee were being merged due to our club size being smaller than the model that was followed when applying for clubmark status last season. For example, DBS Liaison merged with Welfare Officer and Facilities Co-ordinator merged with Development co-ordinator. It was also discussed with those present that the club would be withdrawing the Mixed Cup team due to lack of interest. It was agreed that if demand emerges for mixed hockey fixtures, the club would arrange local fixtures on a purely friendly fixture basis. Despite this withdrawal, Redditch Hockey Club looking to field a 4th Mens XI for 2016/17 season as well as a 2nd XI for 2016 Summer League. Finally, T Gibbs created an opportunity on the committee for 4 members to act as general committee members who do not have a specified role but are invited to meetings to help share ideas and share workload to ensure all projects are planned and executed to their full potential.
6. Subscriptions & Match Fees for 2016/17 season
After discussion between members present, the following was proposed:
Bracket / ProposalUnder 16 non members / To remain unchanged. £3 per session
Goalkeepers with own kit / £5 membership. £5 match fee for all fixtures unless under 16 (£3). This is only for goalkeepers who purchase and maintain their own kit to a standard that Redditch Hockey Club finds acceptable.
Under 16 members / Subscription to remain at £35 if paid in full by 1st November 2016. Fee will increase to £45 if paid after 1st November 2016. League match fee to remain at £3. Friendlies and summer league match fee to remain at £3.
Under 18 / Student with valid student card / Subscription to remain at £50 if paid in full by 1st November 2016. Fee will increase to £60 if paid after 1st November 2016. League match fee to remain at £5. Friendlies and summer league match fee to remain at £5.
Senior Member / Subscription to remain at £75 if paid in full by 1st November 2016. Fee will increase to £100 if paid after 1st November 2016. League match fee to remain at £10. Friendlies and summer league match fee to remain at £5.
Direct Debit / Remain unchanged. Seniors £20 per month, Under 18/Student £12 per month. New payers should start payments before 1st October.
Team Captains are allowed to use discretion where they deem it necessary. Examples of such scenarios may be to allow reduced match fee for a member who only played a short period of a match or allow match fee to be waived if a member has umpired a fixture on that day or driven other members of the team to an away game which is particularly far from our clubhouse. All members are encouraged to discuss any issues that they have regarding payment of fees to Redditch Hockey Club with club Treasurer, Tom Dunkley, or any other member of the club committee.