ETWALL DRAGONS BADMINTON CLUB
Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on Monday 11th March, 2013
ATTENDEES:
Julian Hall – Club Chairman
Anne Bitton – Club Secretary
Michael Pocock - Club Treasurer
st
Chris Hunt – Team Captain (Men’s 1 Team)
nd
Zachary Borrelli – Team Captain (Men’s 2 Team)
Nic Thomas – Team Captain (Mixed Team)
and Website Designer / Administrator
Graham Smedley – Assistant Treasurer
Kay Lilleyman – Member
Heather Bailey - Member
Paul Cosier - Member
Paul Swindells – Member
Sharon Hickie – Member
Dave Sharp – Member
Alice Banks – Member
Simon Noad – Member
Phil Noden – Member
Paul Jobson – Member
Nick Asker – Member
Neville Reilly - Member
(19)
APOLOGIES :
Marcia Thompson
Sue Brealey
Nav Parkash Kaira (Rocky)
Nat Wiles
Keri Cullen
Vera Skocna
Neil Glover
Nick Oke
Aman Khan
Richard Mullard
Patrick Boateng
Judith Rowbottom
Alastair Gilchrist
(13)
1. APOLOGIES (SEE ABOVE)
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – ACTIONS / APROVAL:
th
The minutes from the meeting held on 30 July 2012 were confirmed as a true and accurate record of discussions and
actions, being signed by Julian and Graham.
3. TEAM REPORTS:
Men’s A Team (Chris Hunt)
Chris reported that the Men’s A Team has played 6 matches, winning all of them and achieving 12 points and 42 rubbers.
He also highlighted the dramatic rise in standard and achievement over the last 12 months or so. His team is currently at
the top of Division 4. With one match left at Belper Woodlands, promotion to Division 3 looks very likely.
The highlight of the year was beating Derby University, to whom we lost last season.
ii)
Men’s B Team (Zac Borelli)
The Men’s B Team has played 7 matches, winning 6. The team has consisted mainly of Zac, Simon, Graham, Paul, Dave,
Aman and Julian. Zac noted that Etwall Dragons put in a good performance during the lost match, but that the opponents
were very strong. Promotion to Division 4 is expected.
iii)
Mixed Team (Nic Thomas)
Nic commented that we had pondered for quite a while about entering a mixed team this season, but that it has turned out
to be a very good decision. There are 2 matches left to play. We need to win one in order to guarantee promotion. Nic also
reminded us that all results are on the website.
i)
4. FINANCIAL REPORT (MIKE):
Mike presented us with a comprehensive “Statement of Accounts” for the period 17/11/2011 to 31/12/2012.
Discussion point 1:
He also alerted us to the fact that we are using more shuttles as a result of the improved level within the club. The cost of
shuttles will be equal to double the membership fee! (Currently £10 per member).
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Decisions / Action Points :
We should try to use older shuttles to knock-up.
Discussion point 2:
Another issue is that we are losing money every week due to the fact that not everyone is paying the £3.00 fee on the night.
This is probably because people forget and get distracted on arrival, but nevertheless it is costing the club money and needs
to be flagged up and resolved.
In the light of this, we discussed whether or not we should charge an annual “lump sum” subscription to eliminate the
problem. However, most people agreed that it is worth persevering with the system we have now, as it makes payment
more manageable and is fairer if people can’t make every week.
Mike is also wasting a lot of his time liaising with the leisure centre, whose systems leave a lot to be desired. The centre has
also been overcharging for courts and big inconsistencies have been noted in this respect.
Decisions / Action Points :
We will retain the current payment system for the time being; Mike will get a book in order to record attendees and
payments on a weekly basis; We will put out emails with the amount short each week in order to highlight the problem.
Next season we will need to address the financial shortfall more urgently.
Discussion point 3:
Plastic versus feather shuttles? The pros and cons were discussed. The main problem highlighted was the cost of a decision
to change to feathers.
Decisions / Action Points :
We will continue with plastics for the foreseeable future.
5.
VOTING IN OF CONSTITUTION: (ANNE)
The voting in was proposed by Zac and seconded by Paul C.
6.
ELECTION / RE-ELECTION OF COMMITTEE:
The following members were elected:
Chair – Julian Hall
Secretary – Anne Bitton
Treasurer – Mike Pocock
Assistant Treasurer – Graham Smedley
Match Secretary – Nic Thomas
Team Captain – Men’s First Team – Chris Hunt
Team Captain – Men’s Second Team – Zac Borelli
Team Captain – Mixed Team – Nic Thomas
Team Captain – Ladies Team – Alice Banks (starting next season, subject to enough interest from female members and to be
confirmed as soon as possible either way)
Website Administrator – Nic Thomas
B.E. Wizard Administrator – Anne Bitton
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
7.
EMAIL GROUP CHECK
Discussion point:
How to check that everyone is on the main group email list.
Decisions / Action Points :
Anne will hand out a memo at club night every now and then asking people to get in touch if they are not on the email list.
8.
WIZARD ADMINISTRATOR:
Anne will send out the current membership list several times per season (i.e. list of names only, downloaded from the
database of members) so that everyone can check that they are on it, hence properly recorded with Badminton England and
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insured. This is due to the fact that we have had incidences of people who have been added “disappearing” from the
database for no apparent reason this season. The problem has been reported to B.E., who admitted that this had been an
issue with other clubs.
9.
IN-CLUB TOURNAMENTS:
th
Reminder about the level doubles tournament on Monday 18 March.
10. MEN’S A V MEN’S B MATCH:
Decisions / Action Points :
A date will be sorted for this in May, once the matches are over.
11. FRIENDLY MATCHES AGAINST OTHER CLUBS:
It was generally felt that this is a good idea, especially just before the season starts, or after the league matches end.
Friendlies would need to take place on Fridays, when at home. “No Strings” could be involved.
Decisions / Action Points :
Zac to look at Uttoxeter; Mike to look at the prison (!); Kay to look at Ripley (?)
12. IMBALANCE BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE PLAYERS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
This item provoked a long discussion, which will be summarised below:
Discussion points:
Anne raised the issue that the dramatic increase in the level of the men has caused some imbalance and possibly called into
question the overall aims of the club, which now appear to be split between those members who are very interested in
playing at a high level and achieving promotion year on year, as opposed to those who play at an intermediate level and enjoy
the exercise and social aspect, as well as improving gradually over time (both approaches are arguably valid). It has also been
reported during the season by a small number of members that some of the men appear to try to avoid mixed games.
However, we were also alerted to the fact that some of the male members feel this too, i.e. that the stronger players always
go for the most challenging games. Our attention was also drawn to the fact that some people are often waiting off for longer
than others. Sharon stated that she had been at the club for an hour before getting a game tonight, so there is clearly an
issue!
With regards numbers of male / female players, Simon pointed out that we would need to look at the national demographics
of badminton in order to assess whether we have enough female players involved. He also commented that we may need to
define the aim or aims of the club more clearly.
Anne said that there may well currently be different aims, and that over the next year or so this may need to be addressed in
some way, in order to keep everyone happy. Discussions took place about introducing a different system for deciding games
on club night, including a suggestion by Phil.
Decisions / Action Points :
Members were invited to propose in writing systems which would ensure a fairer distribution of games, taking account of the
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needs of everyone in the club.
It was decided that some alternative methods would possibly be trialled over the coming months and that the Committee
would then decide upon any permanent changes depending upon feedback from members.
We resolved to play up to 15 instead of 21 points when 8 people or more are waiting off.
13. SOCIAL EVENTS:
Decisions / Action Points :
th
Anne agreed to organise a social event for Friday 26 April.
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Comment by Anne: These systems could be used occasionally, i.e. as an alternative to the pegboard system. They could
include a planned schedule of games for the session (the down-side is the administration required, which must not fall to
one person all the time if we go down this route). Another idea was a winners / losers system, also to be submitted in
writing for consideration.
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14. POSSIBILITY OF ENTERING A TEAM / TEAMS IN THE EAST STAFFORDSHIRE LEAGUE (PAUL JOBSON)
Discussion points:
A Men’s C Team could be formed to this end, giving more people the chance to play. However, it was raised that we should
prioritise forming a Ladies A Team before going down this route, as there are implications in terms of court time on Fridays.
The female members present appeared to be quite interested in a ladies’ team. A decision will need to be made
soon.
Decisions / Action Points :
Alice agreed to think about a potential team and gauge interest shortly.
15. DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING:
rd
Next committee meeting: Monday 3 June 2013
MINUTES OF THIS MEETING – ACTIONS / APPROVAL: TBC
th
These minutes, from the meeting held on Monday 30 July 2012, represent a true and accurate
record of discussions and actions.
Confirmed by :
Name 1: _____________________
Name 2: _____________________
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