Ferring Cricket Club

Annual General Meeting , Held on Sunday 4 February 2018 at 9.45 am at The Henty Arms.

Minutes

Attendees: R. Miller, T. Cutler, P. Bromley, I. Edwards, C. Burgess, D. Bailey, C. King, A. King, T. King, I. Wardley, I. Salter, M. Lewis, L. Dowdell, C. Baldock, C. Bradley, A. Goodwin, A. Williams, R. Sage, C. Tams, C. Adkin.

Apologies: A. Francis, B. Isham, C. Oliver-Redgate, D. Sherlock, M. House

Election of Chair

R. Miller declared his intention to continue as Club Chair. I. Edwards, the Honorary Secretary, had received no other nominations for the post. R. Miller was therefore proposed by D. Bailey, seconded by P. Bromley and the motion was supported by Members. R. Miller was asked to chair the meeting.

Item 1 Minutes of 2017 AGM

The minutes of the AGM held on 29 January 2017 were accepted as a true record and signed off by the Chair.

Item 2 Matters Arising from 2017 AGM

None.

Item 3 Chair's Report

• R. Miller observed that the Club should look at the bigger picture and let Members have their say, which he expected of this meeting.

• He proposed thanks to the outgoing captains, who have done a splendid job over several seasons.

• R. Miller also reflected on the Clubs three major challenges at this time: (1) income and fundraising, which will be discussed in the Treasures ; (2) management of the expanding Colts' section, with four sides and increasing numbers of players; (3) player recruitment for the adult sides in a time where many cricket and other sports clubs are struggling for numbers.

• R. Miller mentioned the Clubs subgroup structure and thought that it was time to invigorate by reviewing and reinforcing Member participation.
  

Item 4 Treasurer's Report

• T. Cutler had circulated accounts prior to the meeting and summarised by pointing out that the Club had lost significant amounts in each of the last two years. This was primarily as a result of lost income following the cancellation of matches for one reason or another (adverse weather/failure to raise sides). As a consequence we have now used up reserves.

• T. Cutler put forward a proposal to raise subscriptions and match fees. This will only have a partial effect on the overall balance and he encouraged greater efforts to promote fundraising to make up shortfalls. The proposal was to keep Colts subs at £25 but raise Juniors subs to £25 from the current £5. Juniors match fees would also rise to £5 from £3. Adults subs would be raised to £30 from £25, with match fees staying at the current £10.

• The Treasurer encouraged payment of subscriptions as early as possible rather than the end of May in order to help cashflow.

• He had also looked at finding competition in the insurance market and thought we may be able to save several hundred pounds against current premiums.

• A. Williams queried the level of rise for Juniors subscriptions but in reality there were few, if any, Junior members and the rise merely eliminated the anomaly between Colts and Juniors subs. Some of the Colts are filling vacant places in the Adults sides already, due to the shortage of adult players, so theoretically could be termed Juniors and pay less.

• It was explained that Colts income was dealt with separately in the Club accounts as it was not considered reasonable that the Adults should raid their income. However, it had been agreed last year that the Colts section should contribute a fixed sum annually towards Club running costs (use of pavilion, preparation of pitches, etc).

• A. Williams also queried provision in the accounts for ground and equipment. This was felt by T. Cutler to be a minimum amount and thankfully free labour supplied by P. Bromley and volunteers/assistants permitted that minimum level to be maintained.

• T. Cutler reiterated the proposal to raise subscriptions and match fees in line with the above stated figures. The proposal was seconded by P. Bromley and the motion passed by a majority of 19 to 1.
  

Item 5 Captains' Reports

• Saturday: T. Cutler considered 2017 to have been a very rewarding year for him as captain. The Saturday side was heavily supported by colts, many of whom had developed from nervous, gibbering wrecks to very good players. Unfortunately, they had suffered from poor results. T. Cutler said he was now standing down as captain and R. Miller again thanked him for his efforts over the last few seasons.

• Sunday: C. Burgess reported a similar scenario for the Sunday side. He had called on 36 players, but only four or five of those played 10 games or more. There were only nine fifties scored, about half the previous season. One highlight was the opening stand of over 200 between R. Miller and C. King versus Burgess Hill. But there were also one or two heavy defeats. The biggest difficulty had been raising eleven players regularly and this was one of the reasons for him resigning his post as captain. R. Miller also thanked him for his efforts.
  

Item 6 Election of Officers

• Where above post-holders are willing to continue and no other nominations have been received, R. Miller suggested block acceptance of those post-holders to continue for the coming year. Proposed by C. Baldock, seconded by C. Bradley. Motion agreed by Members.

• For the positions of Saturday and Sunday captains and vice-captains, nominations, proposers and seconders are as shown above and agreed by Members.

• C. Burgess is to be co-opted by the Committee as a General Committee Member.

• Once again it was agreed that Captains should continue incorporating Team Secretary duties within their remit. However, C. Adkin suggested use of a Facebook page to bring sides together, including attracting new players. He had had experience of this being successfully implemented at Arundel Cricket Club. He and A. Williams argued the pros and cons for use of an open or closed Facebook page. The latter could have people added from time to time. R. Miller was not fully convinced of the security of an open page. See under Cricket Subgroup below.

• It should be noted that P. Bromley has once again worked extremely hard as chief groundsman and has agreed to continue in the post. As always, he would appreciate as much help as possible from Members. R. Miller thanked him for his continued efforts working on the square and the pavilion.

• As Club Welfare Officer, C. Baldock undertook to update Club Membership/Registration Forms and chase completion of these by Members and Colts/Parents. These are necessary to conform to insurance requirements.
  

Item 7 Subgroup Reports

7a. Cricket Subgroup:

• Player numbers and recruitment: As mentioned above in Election of Officers, a discussion ensued about the merits of using a Facebook page to attract new players (targeting age groups, geographical areas, etc.) as well as a platform for team selection. C. Burgess reminded the meeting that a Facebook page already existed and suggested that this could be adapted, to include some marketing. Alternatively, many sports clubs had adopted the Pitchhero website. C. Burgess volunteered to look into viability. Either way there should be no cost attach. R. Miller suggested that we should proceed as the captains think fit once workable options are known. This motion was proposed by T. Cutler, seconded by A. Williams and agreed by Members.

• A. Williams queried the subscription/match fee position for occasional players. He suggested half a normal match fee for one-offs. Also, perhaps subscriptions should be sought if a player took part in 5 games. T. Cutler thought the charges should be at the captains discretion. He reminded the meeting that occasional players are not Members of the Club as far as insurance is concerned. With this is mind a motion was put forward that subscriptions should be sought after 3 matches. Proposed by C. Baldock, seconded by D. Bailey and agreed by Members.

• Fixtures: A draft fixture list has been circulated by P. Bromley. He pointed out that, on Saturday, more touring sides have asked for fixtures and that we must ensure support from players to fulfill these fixtures.

• A. Williams suggested resurrecting the fixture with the Henty, as it had not happened since he started playing for the club. It was, however, the Henty who could not raise a side recently. A. Goodwin mentioned his association with a hockey team, whom he thought could assist in getting a side out for the Henty.

• It was requested that a Lads v Dads match could be fitted into one of the current blank TBA Saturdays.

• Indoor nets: Nets start on the evening of 15^th February at Littlehampton Academy for a period of eight weeks. It was agreed that the existing £3 charge per session was a bit on the cheap side and this should be raised to £5 for adults and £3 for colts. Proposed by T. Cutler, seconded by C. Bradley and agreed by Members.

• All-weather strip; update: C. Tams has managed to secure a donation from the Murphy Foundation (a private charitable foundation) towards the overall cost. He explained that the money could be used for other things if we failed to attract further donations. C. Baldock suggested trying to secure funding from the Rampion Fund (the offshore wind farm company who are donating to local good causes). To be further discussed by the Finance, Fundraising and Sponsor Subgroup post-AGM.

• Review of Subgroup membership: The following volunteered to be members R. Miller, C. King, D. Bailey, P. Bromley, A. Goodwin, C. Burgess, C. Adkin.
  

7b. Ground and Pavilion Subgroup

• Maintenance of square: P. Bromley reported that the outfield was not in good condition at present because of the recent excessive rainfall.

• Maintenance of pavilion: P. Bromley mentioned the recent attempted break-in to the pavilion, which had caused some damage to an external door frame and a window. He had managed to effect repair at minimal cost.

• R. Miller reflected on the planning application for new houses at the northern end of the ground, which could threaten an end to cricket at Little Twitten. There were significant local objections to the plans and the ECB had intervened on the clubs behalf as they are legally required to provide comment to the planning authority.

• Review of Subgroup membership: The following volunteered to be members; P. Bromley, R. Miller, I. Edwards, L. Dowdell, I. Wardley, A. Francis.

7c. Colts Subgroup:

• 2017 development review: R. Miller expressed appreciation at how well the colts section had been managed by L. Dowdell and A. King, supported by volunteers and the fact that the enterprise was popular with the local community.

• 2018 plan: There are currently 44 colt members and they are to be divided into 4 groups; under 10, under 12, under 13 and under 15. Practice sessions will recommence at the beginning of May for 10 weeks. Under 10s and under 13s will be on Friday evenings and the under 15s on Thursday. At present the under 12 numbers are low so may be combined initially with the under 13s. Some inter-club games will be scheduled together with matches with other clubs.

• Review of Subgroup membership: The following volunteered to be members; L. Dowdell, A. King, R. Miller, I. Edwards, T. King, M. Lewis, D. Bailey, C. Adkin, C.Tams.
  

7d. Press, Publicity, Events and VP's Subgroup:

• Subgroup format: It was agreed to combine Press, Publicity and Events within the Finance, Fundraising and Sponsorship subgroup and to leave this subgroup for VPs only.

• Life VPs: P. Bromley was invited to become a Life VP as a result of his outstanding contribution and hard work for the club over 30 years. He thanked those who organised an event in his honour a couple of weeks ago and the engraved silver plate.
  

7e. Finance, Fundraising and Sponsorship Subgroup:

• Review of Subgroup membership: Following the proposal to combine above activities within this subgroup, R. Miller insisted that this needs to become a very active group to throw up ideas to generate increased fundraising, sponsorship, advertising and social events. The group can still contact via e-mail but C. Tams suggested that a formal meeting should be arranged in the near future to start the ball rolling.

• The following volunteered to be members of the reformed group R. Miller, T. Cutler, I. Edwards, A. King, C Tams, C. Burgess, C. Baldock, C. Adkin, T. King, R. Sage, A Goodwin.

• Annual budgeting: To be considered by the above group at the guidance of T. Cutler.

• Colts supermarket fundraising events: L. Dowdell reported that a colts bag-packing day had taken place at Tescos the day before this AGM and that two more were in the calendar, at Asda and Morrisons. We were also waiting for Sainsburys to confirm a date.

• Social events/quiz nights: The quiz nights have proved popular and possibly four more planned for this year, the first one being on 17^th February. A. King and C. Burgess are organising these.

• easyfundraising website: I. Edwards and P. Bromley again encouraged members to participate in online shopping through this site. It should be an easy way to generate funds. The company have reported that we raised a good figure in January and the league table of contributors shows that D. & L. Bailey raised significant amounts last year.

• Fixture card advertisers: Once again, we need to chase up advertisers before going to print towards the end of March. Benton Weatherstone and Arun Mowers have already confirmed.

• Shirt sponsors: It was noted that Symonds Reading (for the colts) and the Henty (for the seniors) would continue to sponsor club shirts.

• Match ball sponsors: A. Francis, R. Sage and D. Bailey have generously agreed to cover the cost of match balls for the coming season.
  

Item 8 Any Other Business

• P. Bromley commented that, as a member, he may be attending the Sussex Umpires Association event on 14^th February with CEO of Sussex CCC Rob Andrew..

• P. Bromley also reminded Members of the imminent Law changes proposed by the MCC. There are training courses available and he recommended that players should attend a course as we should be aware of the changes as players and umpires.
  

The meeting closed at 11.49.