SUMMARY OF CLUB MEETING
held on Wednesday 29th October 2014
at The Pavilion, Burrowmoor Road, March
Lack of Internal and Team Communication
White Board, whilst successful for those regularly selected to play for the senior teams,
those younger players, coaches & ladies were unaware of the actual board and of its
significance.
There was a lack of communication between various committees/club members & players.
Lack of Commitment
A general lack of commitment to the Club and Teams in respect of playing and the social
aspect from players generally.
Coaching
There is a necessity to improve Club Coaching at all levels. Juniors and seniors should be
coached together, for at least some of the time. There is a perceived lack of coaching and
involvement for young players from the age of 15+.
Club & Team Captains
An early selection of captains should be pursued thus allowing them to be involved in the
participation and recruitment of players.
Selection
Greater communication is required for all regarding the process of availability and selection,
particularly for girls and ladies.
Ground
This requires greater attention on match days regarding preparation and management of
the playing area.
Fund Raising
An immediate action is required, in the main to raise funding for the various capital projects,
but also for the general operation of the ground and facilities.
Committee
A fresh influx of personnel needs to be incorporated into the various committees to enable a
smooth continuation of managing the club in the future. The current committee comprises
of active members in the age groups (approx.) as follows:
Over 60
7
50 – 60
4
30 – 50
4
The club could face a difficult time, due to the age grouping, in future unless more members
are prepared to assist in the running of the club.
Date: - Wednesday 29 October 2014 – 7.30 PM
Introduction
Apologies – S Hinson, B Pyle, S Arnold, G Nicholls, P Oldroyd, T Hunt, N
Topliss, Z Gowler, R Saywell, R Green, D Hodson, & C Young.
The President Alan Day chaired the meeting and advised that it was
labelled a Players Meeting but in fact was a Combined Playing & General
Club Meeting. The intention was to promote discussion and comments that
had the sole purpose of moving March Town Cricket Club forward NOT
ONLY FOR NEXT SEASON but FOR THE FUTURE.
In his opening comments he said that since taking on the role as
President in January he has been disappointed with the commitment at
the club both on and off the field.
He said that within cricket generally there were current major problems
with player recruitment and retention. This was highlighted at the
Rutland League AGM which he had attended on 22 October.
He asked the floor to raise issues in an open forum with no strict agenda.
Pat Ringham presented his personal opinion by means of a summary of his
Playing Committee Report for the 2014 season.
The main areas concerned net facilities, coaching structure and the
intended plan to field young players from the under 15’s alongside 3 or 4
adults in the 3rd and 4th XI’s.
Comments from the floor
Josh Watson thought a greater mix of adults to young players was
required to provide a more balanced and competitive team, as players
can become demoralised if they keep losing heavily.
The President believed a divide had developed between the Committee
and the players, probably caused by a lack of communication between all
parties. This could have been somewhat alleviated had the Captains
attended Committee Meetings, as they were entitled so to do under the
Club Constitution.
Jenny Lambert said a recent ECB national playing survey concluded that a
late finishing time was the principal reason players are not willing to play.
Jody Betts said more participation from the captains both playing and on
the social side was required. They needed to attend more Committee
meetings in addition to supporting social events.
Players in general did not support club functions and events, again
possibly due to perceived lack of “Club Commitment” as opposed to “Team
Commitment”.
John Gilson thought discussions and decisions needed to be taken as soon
as possible about captains for the 2015 season. He also considered that
they must attend selection meetings as part of their role. The meeting
was advised that this has been part of the duties of Team Captains but
unfortunately had not been enforced by the Club
Steve Clarke expressed his concern that young players after 15 received
no direct coaching, unlike Wisbech who still run an under 16 teams. He
thought as a club we could lose out without more support to that age
group.
Pat Ringham hoped that with better net facilities the under 15’s could
practice with the senior players to help improve their performance.
Emma Alterton said that the best girl’s weren’t considered for selection
in 2014. She also felt some young players are not aware of the dressing
room wipe board regarding their weekend availability. Emma intends to
raise the matter at a pre season junior committee meeting. Some parent
also said the juniors were not aware of how they made themselves aware
to selectors. Again it was apparent these issues were caused by lack of
communication.
Pat Ringham said a strong 1st XI was essential as it improved all teams
with young and junior layers being more motivated. Though Jody Betts
didn’t think relegation in the Cambs league wouldn’t be that damaging.
James Harradine asked if the club intends to pay players in the future.
The President said under the current climate, without sponsorship this
was not possible.
1st XI players thought the outfield at the Avenue was generally too long
on match days last season and not prepared to the standard previously
achieved.
Net Facilities
Pat Ringham gave an update on plans to have a new double bay net with a 6
yard run up on the same pavilion end site To date he has obtained three
quotes which are all in the range of £26,000 + VAT.
Grants are to be sought from Sport England and the ECB. Any decision
from sport England will not be known until February 2015.
Jenny Lambert said the ECB would provide a maximum grant of 25% if
successful.
There was obviously a potential for there to be a shortfall in funding for
the acquisition and it was considered a priority that fundraising should
start immediately.
Jody Betts recommended a talents and favours event be staged jointly by
the cricket and hockey clubs. A similar venture at Wisbech C.C. raised
£3,500 in one evening. The amount was then matched by a company.
Coaching – Senior/Junior
Bill Crumly said that many coaches had been paid by the club to go on the
courses and then have not put their skills into practice on a regular basis
at the club.
Payment of a club coach was aired. It was felt that the overseas player
should be an active club coach, which had in fact been the case in recent
years. Furthermore, Pat Ringham thought the appointment of a Head of
Coaching is important.
Social events
The club is very open to new ideas from members of all ages
Any Other Business
The President advised the members that it costs approximately £850 per
week to run the club, excluding Bar Costs, but including Ground
Maintenance and Other General Overheads.
Match day costs were also explained to clarify the reasoning behind the
current match fees.
He said that more volunteers are needed to help with the bar, ground and
the club in general.
Members present expressed their surprise at the amount of funds the
Club had to raise weekly merely to cover costs. Many having assumed the
figure to have been much less or not having considered the additional cost
of operating the club.
The Secretary expressed an urgency to recruit more match day scorers.
Jenny Lambert said an introductory course could be held at the club with
enough interest.