Club AGM 2013 27th April
Chair Richard Evans
The meeting congratulated:
1. Phil Roper on receipt of his first full England Cap
2. Corrine and Ian on the birth Olly
Apologies
Geoff Venables, Sam Chapman , Paddy + Roz , Roper family , Dave Hughes, Pete Clews ,
Graham Stewart., Paul North, David Newman
Minutes from last AGM - Proposed by Steve Hyden and seconded by Ian Boothroyd
There were no amendments or questions from the floor
Chairman’s Report
The Chair praised the enthusiasm and commitment of the captains and players in the Men’s and
Ladies’ sections especially commenting on the captains’ motivational impact on the players
whether teams were encountering adversity or enjoying success. He observed that the success
enjoyed by many was built on commitment and hard work in training and during a game situation.
Players who made themselves regularly available certainly made the captains jobs much easier
during the course of a long season.
All the coaches were thanked for their hard work and inspirational leadership: Steve and Paddy
had displayed enthusiasm, discipline and rigour in their work which had proved beneficial to all
those participating in the coaching.
Thanks were also made to Dave and Pat Wells’ involvement in the club as well as Keith Roper
and Dudley in their respective roles.
Paul Williams’ was particularly thanked for his total involvement in the busy co-ordination of the
Youth section and deployment of a number of dedicated assistant coaches. In a big team Jo,
Jules, Bob & Rhiannon received special mention – with apologies for anyone who was omitted!!
One of the priorities for next season was the revision of the processes the club employs to collect
subs from players. The Chair urged the meeting to support the detailed proposals that would be
discussed later that should help make this time consuming job easier and more efficient.
The Chair welcomed Nia Hughes to her new role as Club treasurer and Tom Fairburn to his role
as Publicity Officer and website guru!
Funds had been agreed to help develop the website – up to £1000 for a new design although
alternative solutions were also being explored at the current time.
Thanks were also made to all the members who supported the club in so many ways from
umpiring games, to running sides and co-ordinating various club activities. In particular Ian
Boothroyd’s work in planning and co-ordinating the successful festival and the large team of
helpers who regularly gave up their time in so many ways. Thanks to Mel and her team who have
organised the Dinner Dance so efficiently as well as Kirstie who has managed the kit and provided
the certificates that have been awarded to players over the years.
The Chair urged all members to support the club again next year in whatever way they could from
playing to being involved in helping to co-ordinate the wide range of activities at the club or
assisting and attending some of the entertaining social events that the new committee has
organised.
Men’s Club Captain
Congratulations to the Men’s first team for gaining promotion back to the North Premier league
first division which was the section’s primary objective this year. It was also very positive that the
Men’s forth team who gained promotion to North West division 5 South. Unfortunately the Men’s
second team and third teams were both relegated and particular thanks should go to Lewis who
provided close support to the men’s first team this season. Thanks should also go to all those who
umpired and helped officiate at games, both home and away. Next year the priority will be to
consolidate the first teams position in north division 1 and stabilise the second and third teams.
Ladies’ Club Captain
At the beginning of this season, we had a new 1st and 2nd XI coach in Paddy, assisted by Pat and
Dudley coaching the 3rd and 4th XI. The main focus for the Ladies team was to get the 2 nd XI
promoted into Division 1, we then had to sustain the 1st XI and 4th XI teams in their leagues and
support the 3rd XI in Division 2, hopefully without relegation. So, how did we do ???
The 1st XI finished 7th in the Northern Premier Division, scoring 52 goals in the process. The fruits
of Paddy and Pat’s coaching and management has resulted in strong season, with optimism for
greater success next season.
The 2nd XI won Division 2 and have been promoted to Division 1, scoring 101 goals and only
conceding 16. They were pushed all the way by Macclesfield but held their form to the end of the
season, unlike Macc ! Well done on an outstanding season.
The 3rd XI finished 10th in Division 2 and avoided relegation. An excellent performance following
promotion last season due to League restructuring. The 3 rd XI have developed through the season
and an injection of experience has made the team realise that they deserve their place in Division
2.
The 4th XI finished 2nd in Division 5 and have also been promoted to Division 4. A blend of
experience and youth has thrived this season and a well-deserved promotion. Well done.
The Vets team reached the 3rd round of the EH Cup, eventually losing 5 – 4 on penalty strokes to
Kettering. A superb achievement without a goalkeeper.
Thank you to our coaching team – Paddy (Fran has present), Pat (Jane has present) and Dudley
(Susie has present).
Thank you to Willo and the rest of his Sunday morning coaching team – the 3rd and 4th XI have
benefited with players coming thorough from Sunday mornings to feature regularly in the Ladies
teams.
Congratulations to Ian and Corinne on the birth of Olly and a big thank you to Mel who hangs up
her hockey stick at the end of this season.
Good luck to all those who leave us at the end of the season for pastures new, remember Chester
Hockey Club will be here if you return to Chester and we would love to see you back.
Finally, it will not come as a surprise that I am standing down as Club Captain due to work
commitments. Thank you to all my committee members from this seasons and good luck to the
new committee for next season.
Youth Section – Paul Williams
This is the Second year of Willow’s tenure. He reported that Sunday mornings currently have over
90 Young people on roll with 60 regularly attending. He passed thanks to all those coaches and
young leaders involved. He commented about the excellent links between coaches and parents
with the Willow schmooze being a primary method of gaining support, backed up by some
excellent administration and communications.
This year has seen the further development of the age group hockey.
U18 + U16 girls North indoor (Thanks to Pat Wells, Keith , Rhiannon and Dallas )
U 18 Boys Beat Wakefield and almost Ben Rhydding (Thanks to Di Ormandy an
Lucy was due to receive John Robinson young umpire award and is Cheshire representative in
the national schools finals.
There has been another successful beavers seasons - Thanks to Olly and Hugh Bar other
umpires and helpers for their assistance. Linking teams to help look after teams +
Future developments
1. Further development links to be made for young players to provide clear pathways into Snr
hockey
2. Website links (Sundays clear to develop links with local clubs)
3. Further development of age group hockey
4. Looking to further develop indoor hockey through Christleton High school who are looking
to get goals and a re-laid pitch.
5. Looking with Andy Ible looking at wider talent identification programme – pushing to
individual programmes .
6. Looking at intermediate players who are already developing through club with specific
sessions, - several good goalkeepers being developed with lots of players coming through .
The Chair passed thanks to Willow and Netty for all their efforts.
Finance
D Jones conveyed a statement by Geoff Venables .
This has not been a particularly good year, financially. The accounts show in Column 1 the figures
reported to the AGM on 18th April 2012. Column 2 shows our end of year statement as at 31 st May
2012 and Column 3 is the club finances as at 27th April 2013. There are monies still owing from
captains and we have not yet been invoiced for the pitches used in April 2013 which in total could
reduce the deficit for the year by a few hundred pounds to approx £3,500.
The major deficits are concerned with membership and weekly match fees. The situation has been
a little confused due to some paying the fully inclusive membership fees and those still paying
separate annual and weekly fees. From the figures you can see that Men’s overall subs were
down by approx £1100 and Ladies overall subs were down £1600 although as I have said there is
money yet to come in. In addition, direct financial sponsorship and donations are down by approx
£900 although we are grateful for the kit sponsorship for the juniors which Willo has more details
of. The miscellaneous income includes the £560 income from Olympic tickets which were
purchased last financial year . Membership figures were Men 85 paid, comprising of 60 adults and
25 juniors, although a number of men only paid and played for half a season. Overall this is a 10%
reduction in adult numbers from last year. The Ladies had a total of 56 paid comprising of 27
adults and 28 juniors and 1 social which is an increase of about 8 juniors but similar number of
adults. The Ladies embraced the new membership system far more with 42 of their 56 paying the
combined rate whilst only 33 of the men took it up.
Overall expenditure has remained fairly similar with the only significant increase being kit from
which I understand a £1000 was for Junior GK kit and senior face masks. In addition there was
new kit for both first teams.
Peter Cunnington proposed treasurer’s report seconded by John Lewis
Membership proposal –
The following proposal was debated by the floor.
A. Category
Senior (18 or over on 1st September 2013 )
Full or Student
Intermediate ( under 18 on 1st September 2013 )
Membership Secretaries: Senior Men-Steve Hyden, Senior Ladies-Claire O’Hara, IntermediatePaul Williams
B. Fees
The annual fee includes annual membership, all weekly Saturday match fees (including rearranged league matches on other days) and post-match refreshments.
FULL £280
STUDENT/INTERMEDIATE £180
C. Payment Method
It is the responsibility of players to ensure fees are paid by the due dates. Players who have not
paid WILL NOT be considered for selection ( see section D ).
Method 1 A single payment to cover the whole season paid by BACS transfer or cheque to the
appropriate membership secretary by 30th September 2013. All members must complete form M1
and give it to the relevant membership secretary or place it in the box behind the bar.
Method 2 Standing Order for four equal payments ( Senior 4*£70, Student/Intermediate 4*£45
) to be paid on the last days of September, October, January and February. Members can set up
their own or complete form M2 and pass it to their bank. All members must complete form M1 and
give it to the relevant membership secretary or place it in the box behind the bar.
Payments to : Chester Hockey Club, Barclays Bank Chester
Sort Code 20-20-46 Account No 40229245 (use full name as reference )
D. Notes
a. Hardship/Payment Problems
Any member facing financial difficulties should talk ,in confidence, to the appropriate membership
secretary well in advance of payment deadlines. The welfare committee will consider requests and
inform the member of the outcomes.
Welfare Committee- Vice Chairperson and the three membership secretaries.
b. Rebates
The Welfare Committee will consider any requests for a rebate as a result of changing
circumstances eg. Moving away, long term illness/injury etc.
c.
Occasional Players
Players who are only available for a very limited number of games ( 5 or less ). These players
will be charged an enhanced match fee ( Senior £14, Student/Intermediate £9 ). The membership
secretaries will monitor the number of appearances by individuals.
d. Other Games
The match fee for other games ( cup ,veterans ,vintage etc. ) are;
Full £10
Student/ Intermediate £6
This was proposed by Steve Hyden and seconded by Dafydd Jones
It was passed by a vote following a question and answer session.
42 positive , 2 against , 4 against , 4 abstained
Chairman
1. Website – proposal £1000 for website development
2. No motions
AOB
Graham church raised a question about League rules and regulations re club shirts and
the number of none club shirts being utilised.
Rhiannon Bowles circulated list for summer hockey
Closing comments –
Chairman thanked all for attendance and continuing support.