MINUTES OF THE NWPL ANNUAL REVIEW MEETING HELD 21 ST AND 22 ND MAY 2016 AND TELECONFERENCE HELD 14TH JUNE Club/Organisation Name Type Day/s

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE NWPL ANNUAL REVIEW MEETING HELD 21 ST AND 22 ND MAY 2016 AND TELECONFERENCE HELD 14TH JUNE The meeting opened at 900am. 2. The roll call was then conducted. The following were the attendees: Club/Organisation Name Type Day/s Adelaide Jets Derek Seret Delegate Sat/Sun Adelaide Jets Dusan Danjanovic Coach Sat/Sun Brisbane Barracudas Phil Howden Delegate Sat/Sun Brisbane Barracudas Sharyn Tucker Team Manager Sat/Sun Cronulla Sharks John Zagame Delegate Sat/Sun Drummoyne Devils John Hahn Player Sat Drummoyne Devils Matt Farrell Delegate Sat Drummoyne Devils Ross Dembecki Delegate Sun Fremantle Mariners/Marlins David Leavy Delegate Sat/Sun Fremantle Mariners/Marlins Rob Neesham Coach Sat/Sun Hunter Hurricanes Mark Robinson Team Manager Sat/Sun Hunter Hurricanes Mick O'Brien Delegate Sat/Sun KFC Queensland Breakers Amanda Leeson-Smith Delegate Sat/Sun KFC Queensland Breakers Ellie Armit Player Sat/Sun Sydney University Lions Alicia McCormack/Debbie Watson Coach Sat Sydney University Lions Dusan Krstic Coach Sat Sydney University Lions Ian Trent Delegate Sat/Sun UNSW Wests Magpies Ray Swinnerton Delegate Sat/Sun UTS Balmain Tigers Alex Goldberg Team Manager Sat/Sun UTS Balmain Tigers Jane Moran Player Sat UTS Balmain Tigers Kevin Prout Delegate Sat/Sun UWA City Beach Torpedoes Peter Hughes Delegate Sat/Sun Victorian Seals Anthony Edwards Coach Sat/Sun Victorian Seals Steve Blunt Delegate Sat/Sun Water Polo Australia Chris Harrison CEO Sat Water Polo Australia Noel Harrod Manager Events and Competitions Sat/Sun Water Polo Australia Matt Turnbull Pathways Manager Sat/Sun Beyond the Break Grant Baldock Director Sat Beyond the Break Lauren Ryan Director Sat WPA Referees Commission Michael Hart Referee Appointments Officer Sun Water Polo by the Sea Thomas Whalan Director Sat Sportstec Aus by Hudl Brad Verrills Director Sat Apologies: Tom Hill WPA, Greg McFadden WPA, Elvis Fatovic WPA, Michael Hahn Drummoyne Devils.

2 3. Minutes from the previous meeting were confirmed. 4. Business arising from the previous minutes was noted and accepted. 5. Brad Verills, Director Sportstec Australia provided a demonstration on the Hudl Technology. There was general discussion by all participants on the benefits of the technology. It was agreed Noel Harrod would obtain a quote and discuss with the High Performance unit re a possible joint implementation and then report back to the clubs at the next meeting. (ACTION TIME). 6. Grant Baldock and Lauren Ryan provided a presentation from Beyond the Break on media and sponsorship. A copy of the presentation is at attachment 1 to the minutes. The following was discussed and agreed: Media Workshop BYB will conduct a media workshop with the clubs that will include Twitter, Facebook and Media awareness prior to the start of the season. Television Wests moved a motion seconded by Drummoyne to empower BYB to investigate options with both free to air and pay television contacts to ascertain feasibility/cost and report back to the clubs. Vote Carried. (ACTION ITEM) Sponsorship BYB updated the clubs on the progress of sponsorship negotiations. BYB will work with clubs to ascertain opportunities. (ACTION ITEM) Web Site clubs noted they were unhappy with the web site and results/media reporting during the past season. Fox Sports Pulse has been purchased by News Limited and is going to be managed by IMG who have also been purchased by News Limited. Noel Harrod and Lauren Ryan updated the clubs on negotiations with Fox Sports Pulse to develop the following: (ACTION ITEM) New landing page for the NWPL similar to the NZ Football League site this was discussed at length. The page will provide on line updates, twitter feed, access to teams including photos of all players and coaching staff, on line access historical data including match up history, season draw, table, operations manual and other policy documents. On line statistics for all players including uploading of previous NWPL records and game scores/match ups. New scorecard and on line scoring. This includes an investigation of an app to work with a mobile device platform that will replace the scorecard. Noel Harrod explained how it is to operate. Clubs have been requested to provide high resolution images of their club logos and sponsors. Clubs will be asked prior to the season for a head shot of every player in their team cap as well as well as coaching staff in team shirt for inclusion on the web site.

3 Noel Harrod advised that WPA is looking at a new IMG ticketing system. The link to the system was provided in the meeting papers. 7. The meeting then moved into the workshop to discuss where we are at and where we go from here. Please note the whiteboard notes are enclosed in a pdf file attached to the minutes attachments 2A and 2B (ACTION ITEM) All clubs provided a short presentation on where they are at, their club structure and where they see the NWPL going. It was clear from the presentations that the clubs are a very diverse group who have different structures and requirements/relationships depending upon which state/environment they exist within. Noel Harrod provided an overview of the results of the survey s that had been circulated to all clubs with the meeting papers. The majority support for the main points from the surveys being: o Road trips need to be reduced in length o A preference for games to be conducted on Friday/Saturday/Sunday only. o November to March or February to May season was preferred o Current finals structure preferred o Costs to players to be kept as low as possible o Games should be on TV o The three main areas the NWPL needs to improve in were: Officiating; Cost to players; Promotion of games to local areas. All other participants in the room i.e. players, athletes, team managers and others were then asked to provide input into the discussion based on their own experiences and to include in what direction they believe the NWPL should be moving. The discussion was lengthy with all participants providing a range of comments and issues. Alignment of HP and NWPL: The issue of alignment with the HP program and WPA was discussed at length. It was clear the working relationship between institutes, national coaches and clubs in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney was healthy and working reasonably well whereas the same relationships in Melbourne and Perth were not working for either party at this point. Issues that were discussed included: Working players part time athletes Daily training environment National Coaches attending club training sessions

4 Pre-season meeting of HP and club coaches Performance = $ or results Intellectual Property of clubs/league Sponsorship Supporters Volunteers load and number Catering/Concessions Seating Clocks and Scoreboards Entertainment Live Streaming Promotion of Derby matches Four rounds each season promoted as major rounds. Resolutions: It was resolved that an agreement be reached with WPA as follows: WPA to: 1. Promote the sport/nwpl 2. Provide alignment of goals between National Programs and the NWPL including collaboration of resources. 3. Develop and implement communication protocols between National Program and NWPL. 4. Promote positive engagement with all NWPL clubs. 5. Agreed annual review of relationship. NWPL clubs to: 1. Agree to develop the NWPL to a more professional level. 2. Agree to work with the media department and support the mutually agreed commercial direction i.e. Media and sponsorship plan and KPI s for the NWPL. 3. Agree to review the NWPL goals and Strategic Direction in conjunction with WPA. 4. Invite national coaches to clubs pre-season to ascertain a mutually agreed DTE (Daily Training Environment). 5. Work to agree on a schedule that works for the NWPL and WPA. Motions: 1. the Victorian Seals moved a motion seconded by Wests that one of the four promotional rounds in the coming season be named the Beyond Blue Round. Vote 12-0 Carried. 8. The discussion then moved to the 2015/16 season and the various options. A lengthy general discussion was held with all parties

5 participating. The Victorian Seals presented a proposal that included the following: Two teams travelling to common location on the same days with four teams competing each day e.g. Jets and Seals travel to Perth on the same weekend: Day 1 Mariners/Marlins v Jets and Torpedoes v Seals; Day 2 - Mariners/Marlins v Seals and Torpedoes v Jets; Day 3 Mariners/Marlins v Jets and Torpedoes v Seals; Day 4 - Mariners/Marlins v Seals and Torpedoes v Jets; All rounds be played over four days with all clubs playing on those 4 days. It was resolved as follows: Noel Harrod to prepare an options paper and costing for the following options: (ACTION ITEM) 1. Current system both home and away and current system 2. Conference Models 3. Victorian Seals Proposal 4. Other models The clubs agreed they wanted the season to run from January to April The 2015/16 finals held in Melbourne were then discussed. UWA Torpedoes congratulated the Seals on the management of a very good finals series. Most other clubs joined in the congratulations. UWA Torpedoes proposed that the Seals be given first option for the 2016/17 Final series. This was generally agreed but no vote was taken. The Victorian Seals to investigate the possibility of hosting again by discussing with the Victorian Government re-funding opportunities and MSAC s availability and cost and report back to the NWPL. UWA Torpedoes and Fremantle offered to host the following year. Subject to the proposal from the Seals being acceptable WPA will organize a contract with the Seals to confirm the finals location. 9. The meeting then moved to the two motions proposed by UTS Balmain Tigers. There was considerable discussion and clarification on both motions. Motion 1: Amendment to section 6.6 imported players The second paragraph be amended to read A person who has made Australia their permanent residence for a period of two full National League competitions will be considered to have obtained the status of local player Moved: Tigers 2 nd Torpedoes Vote Carried Motion 1: Amendment to section 6.6 imported players

6 Third paragraph point two be amended as follows: a team finishing in the bottom six in any season is permitted to have 3 import players Changed from the bottom four. Moved: Tigers 2 nd There was no seconder so the motion lapsed. 10. The meeting closed for the day at 500pm. 11. The meeting opened on Day 2 at 800am. 12. The Season 2015/16 Club Audits were discussed at length. Generally, all clubs met most of the conditions of the license however there were some issues specifically twitter, game presentation, player contracts and business plans where a number of clubs did not meet expectations. Noel Harrod noted that the audit and discussion was a positive action not a punitive action and that it is important that all clubs meet the agreed conditions of the license this was agreed to by all. The issue of sanctions against clubs who do not meet their obligations was discussed at length. Most clubs agreed that action should be taken against clubs who do not meet their obligations. Noel Harrod to prepare a discussion paper on what action should be taken. (ACTION ITEM) 13. Michael Hart of the Australian Referees Commission addressed the meeting. General discussion was held on the standard of referees and their availability. It was agreed that the standard varied considerably from referee to referee. The following were agreed to by the clubs: Referees approved for 2016/17 ACT: Andrew Carney NSW: Daniel Bartels, Nick Hodgers, David Gerrie, Adam Richardson, Ashley Kaesler, QLD: Nicola Johnson VIC: Daniel Flahive WA: Gabor Boros, Mark Ridgewell and Alex Kovalenko. The clubs authorized the use of New Zealand FINA Referees for Queensland and NSW games if necessary. Michael Hart to work with the South Australia and Newcastle Associations to identify a referee and delegate for NWPL duties for each city. Michael Hart also spoke about developing referees such as Emma Jackson and Ned Whitehouse amongst others who need to be encouraged to continue refereeing as junior NWPL referees. Michael Hart to continue working with state bodies to identify other referees. Noel Harrod spoke about Chris Hook and Ken Miranda from NSW and Rene Bol from ACT as good referees who can assist all the time and

7 should be used when needed until more younger referees are developed. 14. Player Points/Salary Cap issue was discussed with all clubs commenting on the need or otherwise for such a salary cap type system. It was agreed by all clubs that the current free market system be continued for the next season. 15. Member Protection and Think Act Play Noel Harrod requested clubs note their obligations with the WPA Member Protection Policy and especially with their obligations under Think Act Play. Many states have adopted the Think ACT Play policy in their competitions and as the NWPL is the premier competition in Australia it is critical that all NWPL clubs observe it. Referee uniforms in 2016/17 will have the Think Act Play logo on them and clubs are encouraged to consider using the logo on their uniforms. A pre-season teleconference will be conducted with all team head coaches similar to the training sessions provided prior to National Aged Club Championships. 16. Concussion Rules Noel Harrod reminded all clubs of their obligation with the WPA Concussion Policy. General discussion ensued on this matter. 17. Noel Harrod presented a provisional 2015/16 NWPL season financial result. Discussion was had on the figures provided. Noel Harrod noted that he was waiting on the final figures from the finals before he could issue a final statement. 18. Noel Harrod advised the clubs of the outstanding invoice from 2015 re pool hire that was picked up in the audit last year. Discussion was held. A motion to accept the invoice was put by Cronulla Sharks and seconded by UWA Torpedoes. The vote was carried on the voices with no dissenting votes. Carried. 19. The 2016/17 Budget will be presented after a decision is made on the structure for 2016/ Noel Harrod thanked the attendees and closed the session at 405pm. 21. The meeting reconvened at 600pm on 14 th June 2016 via teleconference. 22. The meeting discussed the various options for season 2016/17 produced by W.P.A. Discussion was held on the various models with the initial vote being 8 votes in favor of keeping the current system and 4 votes in favor of option 3 conference model. Further discussion was held and then UWA Torpedoes proposed the following motion. The 2016/17 season proceed with the same structure as in 2015/16 with a starting date of January 2017 and to finish before Easter The motion was seconded by Fremantle Mariners/Marlins. The vote was 11 Yes and 1 No (Victorian Seals). Carried.

8 Noel Harrod to prepare a draw as soon as possible. (ACTION ITEM). The meeting closed at 650pm.