CHESHIRE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Association held on 19^th May 2004

at Bowdon Hockey Club at 7.30pm

Present:

Mike Macadam (President) – Chairman for the meeting

Julia Harries (Deputy President/Winnington Park) Elaine Beech (Chairman)

David Southall (Hon. Treasurer/Macclesfield) Bill Ball (Vice President/Clubs Representative/Bowdon)

Colin Mumme-Young (Men’s Match Sec./CS&YHA) Roy Parry (WS&YHA)

Avril Tucker (Clubs Representative/Wilmslow) Howard Dodds (Discipline Officer/Deeside Ramblers)

Mike Hollinshead (Cheshire Umpiring Assoc./Sale) Carol Savage (Women’s Match Sec./Sale)

Chris Robinson (NWHL/Bramhall) Peter Wharton (Clubs Representative/South Cheshire)

Jim Barrow (Vice President/Associate Member/Wilmslow) Don Schofield (Vice President/Men’s Selector)

Don Hale (City of Manchester) Janice Sims (Alderley Edge) C Taylor (Timperley)

Chris Tasker (Timperley) Malcolm Tucker (Timperley) John Lewis (Chester)

Chris Reece (Crewe Vagrants) Tony Shutt (Bebington) R A Gooding (Bebington)

Sarah Pinches (Sale) B Battman (Ches. Hockey) G Tebay (Macclesfield)

N Martins (Sale) Bob Burndred (Triton) John Hinchcliffe (Bowdon)

Jo White (Poynton) David Billington (Oxton)

In attendance:

Emma Waterhouse (England Hockey – North Region) Gill O’Hare (Cheshire Partnership)

A number of players, officials and parents of the Cheshire Boys’ U15 Squad (for the first part of the meeting only)

Apologies:

Louise Broome (Hon. Secretary) John Robinson (Publicity Officer/Men’s Competitions Co-ordinator)

Wendy Morris (CSHA)

Vice Presidents: Peter Crutchley Bill Harvey Harley Gelling John Entwistle

Michael Roff Tim O’Brien David Leese Bill Bolton Stan Johnson

Associate Members: C Gooding Robin Miller

Clubs: John Heath (Deeside Ramblers) Mark Sims (Alderley Edge)

Knutsford HC Sally Stanhope (Poynton) Graham Watts (City of Manchester)

The President formally welcomed everyone to the second Annual General Meeting of the Association.

1. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting

The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 21^st May 2003 were agreed as a true record.

2. President’s Opening Remarks

At this point in the meeting, in recognition of the success of the Cheshire Boys’ U15 Squad in becoming National U15 Champions the President presented players, coaches and the manager with Cheshire Certificates of Achievement accompanied by the congratulations of the Association in their representing the County so well. The squad was also presented with the Munir Sawas Trophy by Mrs Sawas as the Team of the Year within the Schools’ and Youth Association.

The President commented on a number of the Association’s activities and developments of the 2003/04 season, including the introduction of a newsletter, the work of the Executive and referred to the successes of Cheshire and Wirral individuals and teams both in county representation and clubs’ achievements. He thanked Bowdon HC for hosting the meetings of the Executive and the AGM and highlighted the coming Cheshire and Merseyside Youth Games.

3. Appointment of Deputy President

As required by the Constitution, the Executive’s appointment of Julia Harries as Deputy President for 2003/04 was reported.

4. Hon. Secretary’s Report

Reported the Executive had met on 8 occasions with good attendance. Main issue is communication; increasing use of e-mail to pass on information to clubs, vice presidents and associate members. Invited the latter groups to send an e-mail address for this. Stressed importance of clubs’ nominated e-mail addressees to pass the information on to their Club/Section committees and to members.

5. Hon. Treasurer’s Report

Outlined, in detail, the accounts report for the year ended 31^st March 2004; questions and clarification of the information were invited but none received. Recommended, on the basis of the current financial position that there is no increase to the affiliation fee and made a recommendation for appointment as auditor.

Resolved that:

a) the statement of accounts for the period to 31^st March 2004 be agreed

(proposed: Bramhall / seconded: Bebbington – carried unanimously)

b) affiliation fees not be increased for 2004/05

(proposed: Bramhall / seconded: Bebbington – carried unanimously)

c) Charles Elphink be appointed Auditor to the Association for 2004/05

d) the Hon. Treasurer and the Executive be complimented on their management of the accounts.

6. Reports

Noted copies of all reports available in full as the minutes only summarise the information.

a) Women’s Match Secretary

North Counties U21 Tournament – won one, drew one and lost three matches. 3 players nominated for North U21 trials with Becky Read and Jenny Johnston going on to represent the North in the team which won the subsequent national U21 competition.

Quadrangle Invitation Tournament for County 2^nd teams – won two matches and drew one, finishing winners of the Tournament. This is the first opportunity for sometime for county 2^nd teams to be formed – squad made up of players drawn from a number of clubs and including several of the U21 squad.

Northern Counties championship Tournament – drew two matches, lost two. Cheshire clubs represented in the squad were Chester, Daten, Macclesfield, Oxton, Poynton, Sale, Timperley and Wilmslow.

Squad members are detailed in the full report.

b) Men’s Match Secretary

Representative teams at Vets, Senior and U21 levels but limited opportunities to compete.

Traditional Boxing Day matches versus Lancashire held at Crewe with the Vets losing but the Senior and U21 squads winning, the latter to be particularly congratulated as Lancashire are one of the strongest squads in the country.

County Championships – in spite of many telephone calls it disappointingly proved impossible to pull a squad together for the Senior Championships.

U21s put up a good performance in the North Round of the Junior Championships beating Yorkshire but losing to Lancashire who were the current national champions at this age group.

Squad members are detailed in the full report.

c) Women’s Competition Secretary

Separate Cup competitions run for 1^st and 2^nd teams and for 3^rd/4^th teams during the first half of the season culminating in a finals day at Crewe on 25^th January. Poynton won all three competitions with the runners-up being Chester in the 1^st and Deeside in the 2^nd and 3^rd/4^th competition.

Plate competitions run for 1^st and 2^nd teams knocked out of the Cup at the prelim or first round stage. Run at the same time as the Cup and culminating in finals at Deeside on 28^th March. Oxton won the 1^st competition and Macclesfield the 2^nd, with runners-up Wilmslow and Winnington Park respectively.

One day tournament for Club colts sides held on 8^th February. Oxton beat Timperley in the final and as winners went on to represent the County at a North Counties U19 tournament in March.

d) Men’s Competition Secretary

The separate Cup and Plate early rounds took place in September and October, with the semi-finals on 14^th December and finals on 25^th January at Deeside. Bowdon were winners and Oxton runners-up in the Cup and Chester College winners with Neston South Wirral runners-up in the Plate.

The U21 competition took place at Deeside on 14^th September – 5 teams took part with Deeside winners.

Thanks to John Robinson – all present wished him well.

e) Discipline Officer

A ‘good’ year in comparison to other Northern counties . 12 red cards awards, 10 actioned – mainly for abusive language towards the umpire. Currently investigating a Regulation 3 offence, which is an offence after the final whistle, against two members of the same Club. Overall increase in the number of yellow cards in North matches.

Noted North West Hockey League’s proposals to deduct points from teams which accrue a number of red and yellow cards.

f) Cheshire Schoolgirls’

40 schools affiliated but running with very few volunteers so seeking help from any source.

County squads results – U16 finished 5^th out of 8, U15 finished 2^nd out of 6. Cheshire hosted the Finals tournaments for these two competitions. U14 development squad entered 4 seven-a-side teams in the Northern Counties Tournament which was successfully hosted and organised by Cheshire.

Cheshire Schools Finals for the winners of the 5 tournaments run across the county – results as follows:

Outdoor – U19 winners West Kirby / runner up Lymm

U16 winners Birkenhead / runner up Queens

U14 winners Birkenhead / runner up Queens

Indoor – U19 winners Fallibroome / runner up Bishop Heber.

U16 winners Fallibroome / runner up Upton

U14 winners Tarporley / runner up Alsager.

g) Cheshire Schools and Youth

Successful season with all teams winning the North County Championships at U14, U15, U16 and U17 with U15 becoming National Champions and U17 finishing runners-up. Youth hockey flourishes on the back of much hard work put in by clubs and schools - thanks to all involved and to all volunteers in the Association.

Association managed activities including Assessment Centres, regular coaching, Schools Cup, a successful Mini Hockey Tournament for 23 teams, and U12 and U13 squads in addition to those above.

Schools Hockey Cup results: U14 winners Kings, Macclesfield

U16 winners Altrincham Grammar School

U18 winners Birkenhead School

Mini Hockey Tournament results: U13 winners South Cheshire / runner up Bowdon

U11 winners Deeside Ramblers / runner up Alderley Edge

Bowdon went on successfully to the National finals following winning the North round and Deeside finishes runner up in their North round.

A significant number of boys achieved representative honours at North West level.

h) Wirral Schools and Youth

Association managed activities include coaching in primary and secondary schools, primary schools competition, supporting achievement of coaching qualifications, child protection courses etc., involvement in various representative groups relating to the administration and development of hockey both in the Wirral and regional. Teams participated in the Youth Games.

Wirral Schools Competition results: U14 winners Calday Grange GS / runner up Wirral GS

U16 winners Calday Grange GS / St Anselms

U18 winners Calday Grange GS / Neston High

Calday Grange GS went on to win the North West Finals at U14 level.

North County Championships – U17 squad reached the semi-finals and the U15 and U14 squads performed creditably. 4 boys achieved representative honours at North West level.

Thanks to all the volunteers who contribute so much to the work of the Association.

i) North West Hockey Umpires’ Association

No report available.

j) Cheshire Hockey Umpires’ Association

10 umpires assess and passed at Level 1and a further 16 passed Level 1 theory for whom assessments are in hand. Individual successes:

Robbie White – nominated as a Level 2 candidate and umpiring at North Div.1

Mark Smith – passed Level 2 and umpiring at North Premier

Mike Hollinshead – nomination as a Level 3 candidate and umpiring at National League

Appointed umpires to County Cup, Plate and Play-off matches.

k) Cheshire Women’s Hockey League

Run 7 Divisions. Division 1 Champions – Oxton 1^st / runner up Macclesfield 1^st. Oxton went on to win the required play-off match against Winnington Park to determine the second Cheshire team to compete in the North Feeder league. Colts League – Pool A winners Poynton and Pool B winners Winnington Park.

Possibility of a Division 8 for 2004/05.

l) North West Hockey League

Run 14 Divisions. Division 1 Champions – Bramhall / runner up Oxton 2^nd. 6 additional Cheshire sides to join the league for 2004/05. First season under a new set of rules and a revised constitution. Ran a pilot scheme whereby the League punished by points deduction (theoretically) those teams which accumulated high numbers of yellow and red cards. Intend to implement from 2004/04 subject to the views of clubs at the AGM. Main disappointment was failure to provide the target of Level 1 umpiring training an assessment to support the rolling programme of requiring club umpires to have the qualification.

Particular thanks to John Robinson who is stepping down as Manager of the Results Service.

7. Election of President and Deputy President for 2004/05

Resolved: that Julia Harries be elected President and Mike Macadam be elected Vice President for 2004/05

(proposed: Bill Ball / seconded: Roy Parry – carried unanimously)

8. Election of Vice Presidents

Resolved: that Chris Robinson, Peter Wharton and John Robinson for their significant contribution to hockey in Cheshire be elected President and Mike Macadam be elected Vice Presidents

(proposed: Bill Ball / seconded: Roy Parry – carried unanimously)

9. Election of Officers and Committee for 2004/05

Resolved: that the following Officers be elected for 2004/05

Chairman - Elaine Beech (2^nd year)

Hon. Secretary - Louise Broome

Hon. Treasurer - David Southall

Publicity Officer - Peter Wharton

Co-ordinator: Men’s Competitions - Julia Harries

Co-ordinator: Women’s Competitions - June Brassington

Match Secretary: Men - Colin Mumme-Young

Match Secretary: Women - Carol Savage

Discipline Officer - Howard dodds

Coaching and Development Officer - vacancy

Club Representatives - Avril Tucker (Wilmslow)

Jo White (Poynton)

Bill Ball (Bowdon)

Peter Wharton (South Cheshire)

(proposed: South Cheshire / seconded: Triton – carried unanimously)

10. Approval of nominations from the Associated Bodies for 2004/05

Resolved: that the following nominations from the Associated Bodies for 2004/05 be approved:

Cheshire Schoolgirls HA - Wendy Morris

Cheshire Schools and Youth HA - Colin Mumme-Young

Wirral Schools and Youth HA - Roy Parry

Cheshire Women’s HL - Louise Broome

North Hest HL - Chris Robinson

Cheshire HUA - Mike Hollinshead

North West HUA - Chris Todd

(proposed: Chester / seconded: South Cheshire – carried unanimously)

11. Proposal

Resolved: that the following proposal submitted by the Executive Committee be agreed:

a) an annual grant of £500 be made to the three schools/youth associations (Cheshire Schoolgirls HA/Cheshire Schools and Youth HA and Wirral Schools and Youth HA), subject to their matching the amount from other income and to their production of an report and financial statement; and

b) any additional grants would be exceptional and require Executive decision.

(proposed: Chris Robinson / seconded: Mike Hollinshead – carried unanimously)

12. Proposal

Resolved: that the following proposal submitted by the Executive Committee be agreed:

That the Cheshire Hockey Association constitution be amended, as follows:

1.1/1.4 Delete rest of sentence after the words ‘..affiliated to the’

Replace with ‘relevant national and regional hockey governing bodies’

2.1 Delete ‘EHA’

Replace with ‘the relevant national governing body’

3.1 Delete rest of the sentence after the word ‘..empowered’

Replace with ‘only in exceptional circumstances to act on behalf of the Association without prior reference to the Executive, but such actions shall be agreed by two or more officers one of whom must be the President or the Chairman’

3.2.2 to become 3.2.2a)

Add 3.2.2b) in line with the constitution of the North West Hockey League, the three representatives required to represent CHA on the management committee shall be elected by the Committee at its first meeting after the AGM’

3.2.3 the paragraph to end after the fourteenth word (‘at Executive meetings’)

4.1.5 after the word ‘clause 1.3 above’ add ‘and dissolution, the

procedure for which is contained in clause 9’

4.3 after the words ‘the Executive shall call’ add ‘giving the requisite notice’

Appendix 1 Add – numbers of representatives required to be appointed by the association – these should be a minimum of one but will be determined by the external bodies’ constitutions

Delete – ’10 the North West Hockey Forum’ and renumber those below it.

13. Any Other Business

a) England Hockey Competitions Review paper

Discussed issues arising from the paper to help inform the CHA response.

b) Draft new National Hockey Strategy

Considered implications for Cheshire hockey but noted publication is still awaited.

c) Cheshire Youth Games and Merseyside Youth Games

Noted the forthcoming two Youth Games. Some concern expressed regarding involvement of Clubs in some parts of the County.

The President closed the meeting, thanking all for their attendance and for their contribution to hockey in Cheshire.