SRFC Minis and Junior Section
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
Held at the club, at 8.00pm 13th May 2015
Attendance
Neil Wakefield (Chairman), Andrew Provan (Treasurer),
James Allkins (Secretary), Mark Hiney (U13), Richard Thorogood (U9), Matt
Langtree (U8),Tom O’Neill (U7), Myles Mason (U6), Sean O’Connell (Parent),
Phil Teal (Parent), Michelle Oldham (outgoing Membership Secretary and
purveyor of players to both U7 and Colts XV)
1) Chairman’s Report NW
a) On The Pitch
Age Group Reports
These were received, and it was noted with pride that the U12 XV had won their
Cheshire Cup competition. It was also noted that the U15 side had folded, with
defections to Wilmslow making the side unsustainable.
Player Retention (NW and AP)
It was noted that to improve player retention, training needed to be interesting
and engaging. It was suggested that a network of helpful parents was essential to
help age groups through the difficult stages of retention, such as public
examinations, and that the earlier that this network was established the better.
Team/Club spirit could be fostered by activities such as touring.
It was noted that the U6 age group had more than 70 children involved.
b) The Stuff that people don’t see
The Chairman offered his thanks to all associated with the club who had helped
through the season. Groundsman Brian was thanked for his efforts, along with
his assistant ML, and an appeal was made for helpers, with the reward of a trip
on the ride on mower as an inducement! Thanks were offered to Natasha for all
her work on the festival, and to MH and TO’N for their efforts as fixtures
secretaries. AP was thanked for this loyalty and long service, and for hosting the
monthly committee meetings. RT was thanked for organizing a very enjoyable
end of season “do”, enjoyed by all who attended. Cath Wilson was thanked in
absentia for all her work on youth registration and her retirement from this
position was noted by the committee.
Presentations of flowers were then made to Michelle Oldham, for six years work
as Membership Secretary, to Haidee Langtree, via ML, for her work as Child
Welfare Officer, and to Sian for all her efforts in running the clubhouse catering
and bar.
c) Membership and Finances
NW noted that we had 315 players overall, and 83 parents were social members.
Overall finances were healthy.
2) Election of Officers for 2015/16 NW
3) Treasurer’s Report AP
a) Cash Flow
In £26328.14
Out £22400
Surplus £3928
b) Selected items of Expenditure
Shirts £1330.67 –more than expected
Main Club Levy £7500
Bar Refurbishment £6825
Coaches Tops £1010
New Fryer £455
Defibrillator £400
Hardcore (for new roadway/parking) £766
It was noted that more had been paid out than expected in fees for attending
festivals, which was welcomed.
It was noted that £2000 remained available for coaching courses which had not
been used.
c) Proposed Items for Future
External Staircase £8000
Floodlights £17000, representing 50% of proposed total cost.
MO asked about disabled access in light of the proposed rebuild of the external
stairs. AP advised of plans to redevelop the front of the clubhouse and upstairs,
with a minimum cost of £70K.
MH asked regarding the timing of work to rebuild the stairs, NW replied that this
was likely to done in the close season, and that Stuart Bertenshaw was engaging
a structural engineer at present.
d) Membership
£18675 received in subscriptions
Subscription rates for next yearIt was proposed that annual subscription be £85, for the first child, with a £10
discount for subs. paid before 01/9/15.
Social member subs. were set at £20, and these subscription rates were agreed
by all present.
4) External Stairs NW
As discussed earlier in the meeting, it was agreed that the current stairs were
unsuitable and after a mini tender process work is to go ahead on replacement.
A structural engineer has been engaged, and the Minis and Juniors Committee
will consider the plans and final costs, and give the go ahead to the work to be
done, over the summer.
5) Floodlights for 2nd XV pitch NW
NW reported on the state of the floodlights. They are at the end of their useful
life, and a mini tendering process has started, for their replacement. We await
further quotes. In principal a 50/50 split for funding the new lights has been
agreed with the senior club, and it has been noted that no RFU funding is
available until the end of next season.
6) Defibrillator AP
£400 was received from The British Heart Foundation for the defib., which will
be attached to the exterior of the club house facing the Ist XV pitch
7) Rugby World Cup 2015
a) Monday evening touch rugby continues under supervision of ML
b) Stockport Grammar School v. Manchester Grammar School
A fixture has been arranged, to be played at the Club, on Friday 18th September,
as a “curtain raiser” to the televised England v Fiji international in the RWC. A
trophy will be donated by the Club, and it is hoped that this will become a
regular fixture
AP suggested that “regular” mums and dads greet the anticipated influx of
newcomers during and after the RWC, and take names and contact details. He
advised that no money be taken initially, and it was recognized that new players
are likely to visit several clubs before making a choice, so every effort should be
made to make the club as welcoming as possible.
ML asked about liability for touch rugby players. AP reported that the club’s
RFU insurance covers all rugby related activities, which MO confirmed, and AP
suggested consulting the RFU website for further information.
ML commented that RWC may also stimulate a rise in social members, and AP
suggested that a ballot for future international tickets be run for social members.
8) Stockport Festival NW
2014 Festival
NW reported that 40 teams competed this season at a successful tournament
2015 Festival
Phil Guest U12 is organizing the 2015 tournament, which will take place on
Sunday 4th October. 44 entries have been made so far, 4 places remain.
9) Any Other Business
ML repeated that £2000 remained available to assist with coaching, and
proposed a summer camp. AP reported that Sian was away on the dates
proposed, NW would enquire if these could be changed.
9) Any Other Business cont..
RT suggested that to assist with retention and recruitment, that each age group
could run a BBQ/cake sale etc in the first few weeks of the season, with AP
advising “an independent initiative” in which money was retained by the
organizing age groups
AP noted that good coffee was always welcome on a Sunday morning, and ML
volunteered to look into securing a suitable supplier of the best Columbian
stimulants.
There being no other business , the meeting closed at 21.00, and all present
adjourned to the bar, with NW suggesting that the date of the next formal
meeting of the section be circulated nearer the proposed date.