Minutes of the
Surrey Open Hockey League Annual General Meeting
17 May 2011, held at Oxted HC
Present:
John Holbrook
Marc Fisher
Andy White
Chris Walker
Sarah Shakespeare
Nigel Oates
Rebecca Maule
Nigel Green
S Finn
Cyril Rapose
Chris Stevens
Ian Rhodes
Richard Craig
Curt Bryant
Ian Whiteman
Thomas Grist
Daniel Maguire
Gregory Reed
Matt Hopper
SOHL Chair / Barnes HC
SOHL Fixture Secretary / Thames Valley HC
SOHL Treasurer / Epsom HC
SOHL Secretary / Merton HC
Addiscombe HC
Aldershot and Farnham HC
Bank of England HC
Camberley HC
Croydon Old Whifgiftian HC
Goan HC
Horley HC
Horley HC
Leatherhead HC
NPL HC
Old Reigatians HC
Old Reigatians HC
Oxted HC
Spencer HC
UCL Academicals HC
Apologies:
Reigate Priory, Old Georgians, Purley Walcountians, Merton, Nick Harris, Chris Burton.
Actions & Decisions
1. Minutes of 2010 AGM
Agreed.
2. Chair’s Report
JH welcomed all and reported on a successful season. He thanked everyone concerned
for its smooth running. Working relations with the South League were good, with no
imminent proposed changes to league structures. Finally, he thanked Oxted HC for
hosting this year’s AGM
3. Secretaries Report
CW reported a quiet season with little correspondence with other leagues and no
disciplinary appeals. He reported that the Committee now had access to the SOHL
website, which had caused some problems during the season. He reminded of the
decision at the AGM in 2010 that there would be no grass pitches in any SOHL league
from 2011/12.
4. Treasurers Report
AW tabled draft accounts for 2010/11 showing a small surplus of £275 and a carried
forward balance of £2185. It was proposed to continue to aim for a break even position
and therefore no increase in subs for 2011/12 was proposed from £12 per team. This
was agreed. AW also reported that collection of subs via Surrey HA had worked well and
so would continue, along with points deduction for late payment after October.
Decision 1: No change to SOHL annual subscriptions
5. Fixture Secretaries Report
MF reported on a successful season and thanked everyone for their co-operation in
dealing with disruption caused by the bad weather, including matches being played on
Sundays. The promotions and relegations should be straightforward with Surrey Division
3 taking 2 teams from SOHL Premier and then relegating 2 in exchange (subject to the
Surrey League AGM and play offs). For SOHL leagues, this would result in 2 up and 2
down for all leagues with the exception of Division 5 where there is no relegation.
MF highlighted the impact of a very early Easter in 2012 with only two slip dates. A rule
change was proposed to complete all fixtures by Easter. This was agreed, with fixture
dates for the 2011/12 season as 24 September – 17 December and 7 January – 17
March. These will be confirmed when the South and Surrey leagues confirm their fixture
dates. MF will aim to confirm 2011/12 fixtures by the end of June, with the aim for all
Divisions to have 12 teams. This could include additional promotions of Teddington
Oaks and Horley 2s, to be confirmed by the end of June.
It was requested that fixtures be co-ordinated with the ladies league to avoid home
clashes and MF agreed to try and accommodate this if the ladies fixtures could be made
available (Spencer).
Decision 2: All league fixtures to be completed by Easter each season
Action: Spencer to forward ladies fixtures to MF
6. Proposals for Rule Changes 2011/12
In addition to the new rules regarding grass pitches and completion of fixtures by Easter
(above), there was a proposal to change the rule regarding cancellations. Currently, if a
match is cancelled before 8pm on a Monday, there are no penalties, with either a 5 – 0
walkover of a replay offered.
A proposal was made to change the deadline until midnight Tuesday, by which time the
opposition captain and fixture secretary must be notified. If the game is cancelled after
this deadline, there should be a 3 points deduction, plus the cancelled (to) team can
choose either a 5 – 0 walkover or a replay. The compensation to a home team to cover
pitch costs was also proposed to rise to £75 (from £50). All three amendments were
agreed. In addition, the ‘three strikes then you are out’ rule to continue for teams
cancelling three times and the expectation that the lowest team in a club should always
cancel ahead of higher teams.
Decision 3: Deadline for cancelling fixtures to move to Tuesday midnight.
Cancellation after this deadline to incur 3 point penalty and choice by cancelled
(to ) team of 5 – 0 walkover or replay. In addition, compensation to home team to
increase to £75.
7. Election of Officers
All current officers were re-elected by block vote.
Decision 4: League Officers all re-elected.
8. Applications for New Teams joining SOHL
Applications were heard from Aldershot and Farnham and Camberley. Aldershot’s team
would be young players, but would adhere to the England Hockey guidance of being
over 14 on January 1st. Camberley 4s sought to join from the Thames Valley Conference
for more competitive hockey. Both applications were agreed.
Decision 5: Aldershot and Farnham 5s and Camberley 4s to join SOHL Division 5
from 2011/12.
9. Presentation of Trophies
JH congratulated all league winners and runners up and trophies and pennants were
presented as follows:
Premier League Champions: NPL Badgers
Division 1 Champions: London Academicals 3s
Division 2 Champions: Sunbury and Walton 3s
Division 3 Champions: Goan 1s
Division 4 Champions: NPL Bees
Division 5 Champions: Spencer Harlequins
10. AOB
It was noted that Aldershot and Farnham could be shortened to ‘AFHC’ for the purposes
of Fixtures Live. There was a call for adherence by all teams to the 5m rule.