WEST FARLEIGH SPORTS CLUB CRICKET AGM
MINUTES
Tuesday 8thOctober 2019, 8.15pm @ The Cricket Pavilion, Church Lane, West Farleigh
Present: Paul Baines, David Gilliver, Terry Baines, Alan Smith, Tom Mckellow, Trevor Goldhagen
Apologies: Ian Prideaux, Mark Meyrick, Ian Morley, Darren McGrath, Thom Williams, Matt Brooke, Alex Beechey, Gary French
There have been several break-ins to the club this past 12 months. They have stopped at the moment. We are not using CCTV but are using security lights and signage as a deterrent.
Baino reported on the progress of planning for a permanent net area behind the silver birch trees. The landlord has suggested that market rates would need to be paid for any new land and that, along with the plan for a second football pitch, the idea might need to be re-thought. Trevor commented that a net area isn’t really needed – how many attend nets at Sutton Valence? Baino suggested it was more for use during games.
Last year we did Wednesdays and Fridays but we will cancel Fridays as it is poorly attended. Trevor will speak to Sutton Valence with a view of booking from April / March time. We need to book at least 10 weeks and the club is happy to continue to subsidize this
Good Friday as per usual. Add a few Saturdays of work nearer the new season.
The batting cage / sight screen is reparable and should be fixed in the spring. When they are back up and running, the cover needs to be removed each week as it catches the wind and acts as a sail!
Trevor suggested a new sight screen for the other end and will do some research as it was suggested it would cost circa £2,000 for a small one.
The covers have been a success and have saved at least 1 game, and helped with many others. Need to solve the problem of the gutters blocking with leaves / acorns.
The field gate needs attention as it drags along the ground. Trevor to take a look.
The trees that surround the ground need to be looked at. They affect the outfield, they impede the game as they’re low hanging and they impede the lawn mowing. Terry also suggested it was a Health and Safety issue for cricketers. Baino to discuss again with landlord – the trees have a TPO in place and this is an ongoing discussion – the H&S aspect should be highlighted.
Mowers are in good order and we will be borrowing a tractor from The Dandelion Club to carry out the scarifying.
All sporting equipment is in good order.
Tony Williams has done a great job upgrading The Pavilion. We are looking for a 2ndhand kitchen via Dan Page. Perhaps we should look to upgrade the visitors changing rooms and make some more space in the home changing room.
The thatch needs looking at. It has been re-capped but we need to get 2 or 3 quotes and have an expert look to see if there is any damage caused from this year’s bad weather.
We need to keep an eye out for a roller as the current one is very old, hard to start in the spring
The League set-up is already showing for next season. There is an appetite for friendlies at the end of next season even though it was hard to get 2 teams out.
It was much more challenging to get 3 sides together every week this past season. Baino had made a list and we have used 69 players in the past 12 months. A few key players have played less than usual. The meeting then went through 5 or 6 possible additions or people that could play more than they did.
The idea of having a fixed annual match-tax, a season ticket, (paid either in one go or monthly) was discussed – the aim, to improve commitment from the playing squad. General consensus is that it would not attract a player who would usually play 8 games, and make them want to play 12 or more. A half-season ticket idea was also put forward by Baino. It was thought that it would only serve to reduce the price for those already committed.
A “buy 5 get one free” system was also discussed. This has it merits but would take some administration.
We also discussed the idea of a monthly direct debit amount to be paid. Again, it has its pros and cons.
All of the above need to be discussed with the playing squad. The committee will aim to report back by 1stJanuary 2020.
11. Teas
It is a challenge to get a volunteer to do the tea for every week. Do we need a rota? It should be publicized that you play for free when you make the teas.
12. AOB
12.1 Set-up a Junior side (Matt Brooke)
This is a lovely idea but we don’t have the facilities. If someone wants to take ownership of this and make it happen – they are welcome to and could be supported by the club.
12.2 League AGM (Baino)
Baino and Terry will attend the league AGM. We agreed to vote to allow Locksbottom 3rds, Otford 2nds, Detling and Lenham, join the league at the League AGM.
There might be a possibility the First XI would be offered promotion. It was suggested that divisions 3-5 are all of similar standard anyway.
12.3 Succession planning (Trevor)
Trevor pointed out that a large majority of all work to run the cricket club is carried out by 3 or 4 key (aging) club officers. We need to have a succession plan. In the short-term, we certainly need to involve the players in setting up and putting away on match days. Trevor pointed out that no-one could operate the boiler when Baino was away on Tour weekend.
Tom agreed that we need to engender a culture of the players helping out more. Could a list of tasks be made and displayed in the changing rooms? Can a different person be “shown the ropes” each week.
Terry and Baino will write a list – an ‘idiot’s guide’ to all the processes for the cricket side of the club.
Captains will ask for help from the players – different each week – for setting up. Also, no netting before a game until the ground is ready for the match.
Meeting closed at 10.20pm
MINUTES
Tuesday 8thOctober 2019, 8.15pm @ The Cricket Pavilion, Church Lane, West Farleigh
Present: Paul Baines, David Gilliver, Terry Baines, Alan Smith, Tom Mckellow, Trevor Goldhagen
Apologies: Ian Prideaux, Mark Meyrick, Ian Morley, Darren McGrath, Thom Williams, Matt Brooke, Alex Beechey, Gary French
- Introduction and apologies for absence
- Minutes of 2018 AGM read by Baino - confirmed as fair and accurate
- Matters Arising
There have been several break-ins to the club this past 12 months. They have stopped at the moment. We are not using CCTV but are using security lights and signage as a deterrent.
Baino reported on the progress of planning for a permanent net area behind the silver birch trees. The landlord has suggested that market rates would need to be paid for any new land and that, along with the plan for a second football pitch, the idea might need to be re-thought. Trevor commented that a net area isn’t really needed – how many attend nets at Sutton Valence? Baino suggested it was more for use during games.
- Elections of officers
- First XI Captain: Bill Norman happy to carry-on and agreed by all.
- First XI Vice-Captain: Alan Smith happy to carry-on and agreed by all.
- Second XI Captain: Alex Clark, nominated by Trevor, seconded by Alan Smith, agreed by all.
- Second XI Vice-Captain: Darren McGrath, nominated by Trevor, seconded by Alan Smith, Bill Norman and Alex Clark, agreed by all.
- League Rep: Terry Baines happy to carry-on and agreed by all.
- Fixture Secretary: Paul Baines happy to carry-on and agreed by all.
- Players Rep: Trevor happy to carry-on and agreed by all.
- Cricket Rep: Tony Williams happy to carry-on and agreed by all
- Net Sessions
Last year we did Wednesdays and Fridays but we will cancel Fridays as it is poorly attended. Trevor will speak to Sutton Valence with a view of booking from April / March time. We need to book at least 10 weeks and the club is happy to continue to subsidize this
- Spring Cleaning
Good Friday as per usual. Add a few Saturdays of work nearer the new season.
- Grounds and Equipment
The batting cage / sight screen is reparable and should be fixed in the spring. When they are back up and running, the cover needs to be removed each week as it catches the wind and acts as a sail!
Trevor suggested a new sight screen for the other end and will do some research as it was suggested it would cost circa £2,000 for a small one.
The covers have been a success and have saved at least 1 game, and helped with many others. Need to solve the problem of the gutters blocking with leaves / acorns.
The field gate needs attention as it drags along the ground. Trevor to take a look.
The trees that surround the ground need to be looked at. They affect the outfield, they impede the game as they’re low hanging and they impede the lawn mowing. Terry also suggested it was a Health and Safety issue for cricketers. Baino to discuss again with landlord – the trees have a TPO in place and this is an ongoing discussion – the H&S aspect should be highlighted.
Mowers are in good order and we will be borrowing a tractor from The Dandelion Club to carry out the scarifying.
All sporting equipment is in good order.
Tony Williams has done a great job upgrading The Pavilion. We are looking for a 2ndhand kitchen via Dan Page. Perhaps we should look to upgrade the visitors changing rooms and make some more space in the home changing room.
The thatch needs looking at. It has been re-capped but we need to get 2 or 3 quotes and have an expert look to see if there is any damage caused from this year’s bad weather.
We need to keep an eye out for a roller as the current one is very old, hard to start in the spring
- Fixtures
The League set-up is already showing for next season. There is an appetite for friendlies at the end of next season even though it was hard to get 2 teams out.
- Players
It was much more challenging to get 3 sides together every week this past season. Baino had made a list and we have used 69 players in the past 12 months. A few key players have played less than usual. The meeting then went through 5 or 6 possible additions or people that could play more than they did.
- Max Tax / Club Subs
The idea of having a fixed annual match-tax, a season ticket, (paid either in one go or monthly) was discussed – the aim, to improve commitment from the playing squad. General consensus is that it would not attract a player who would usually play 8 games, and make them want to play 12 or more. A half-season ticket idea was also put forward by Baino. It was thought that it would only serve to reduce the price for those already committed.
A “buy 5 get one free” system was also discussed. This has it merits but would take some administration.
We also discussed the idea of a monthly direct debit amount to be paid. Again, it has its pros and cons.
All of the above need to be discussed with the playing squad. The committee will aim to report back by 1stJanuary 2020.
11. Teas
It is a challenge to get a volunteer to do the tea for every week. Do we need a rota? It should be publicized that you play for free when you make the teas.
12. AOB
12.1 Set-up a Junior side (Matt Brooke)
This is a lovely idea but we don’t have the facilities. If someone wants to take ownership of this and make it happen – they are welcome to and could be supported by the club.
12.2 League AGM (Baino)
Baino and Terry will attend the league AGM. We agreed to vote to allow Locksbottom 3rds, Otford 2nds, Detling and Lenham, join the league at the League AGM.
There might be a possibility the First XI would be offered promotion. It was suggested that divisions 3-5 are all of similar standard anyway.
12.3 Succession planning (Trevor)
Trevor pointed out that a large majority of all work to run the cricket club is carried out by 3 or 4 key (aging) club officers. We need to have a succession plan. In the short-term, we certainly need to involve the players in setting up and putting away on match days. Trevor pointed out that no-one could operate the boiler when Baino was away on Tour weekend.
Tom agreed that we need to engender a culture of the players helping out more. Could a list of tasks be made and displayed in the changing rooms? Can a different person be “shown the ropes” each week.
Terry and Baino will write a list – an ‘idiot’s guide’ to all the processes for the cricket side of the club.
Captains will ask for help from the players – different each week – for setting up. Also, no netting before a game until the ground is ready for the match.
Meeting closed at 10.20pm