Chichester Rugby Football Club Annual General Meeting Minutes Thursday 22 nd May 2014, The Clubhouse Oaklands Park, Chichester

Transcription

1 AGENDA Apologies for absence Minutes of the previous meeting Matter arising from the minutes Chairman s report Captain s report: all teams Coaches report Treasurer s report Election of President Election of Officers of the Club o Chairman o Honorary Secretary o Honorary Treasurer o Club Captain o 1st XV Captain o 2nd XV Captain o 3rd XV Captain o 4th XV Captain o Match day Manager o Fixture Secretary o Membership Secretary o Sponsorship coordinator o Sussex RFU representative o Social Secretary o International Tickets coordinator Any Other Business Please note that ONLY paid members are eligible to vote 1

2 Attendees: Keith Martin, Gareth Webb, Declan Hutchings, David Kay, Chris Keeley, Dennis & Mary Phillips, Paul Stanton, Paul Colley, Rob Lawrence, Adam Dai Davies, Paddy McAlpine, Phil Dickin, John Lindsay, Ben Polhill, Don Lawrence, Rob Lawrence, Ben Bulpett, MINUTES / ACTIONS ARISING Action Apologies for Absence 2 Action Arising Stephen Bradford, Nigel Creasey, Louise Sullivan (Spire Hospital), Richard Issac, Alan Bradford, Dougie Noble, Russell Trucker Jeffrey, Catherine Charnock-Wilson (Spire Hospital), Adrian & Barry Sampson, John Sawday, Clive Arden- Brown, Stuart Lowe, Martin O Callaghan, Roger Gould, Proposed: Dennis Phillips, Seconded: Iain Collier Minutes of the 2013 AGM Matters Arising DH was requested to ensure that Rule of the Rules of Chichester Rugby Football club, pertaining to the value of monies that can be borrowed be amended to reflect an increased value of 50,000. Action DH It was requested that more interaction from the Senior Club with the M&J section on Sunday trainings be initiated, John Lindsay (newly appointed Club Captain) agreed to take the action. Action JL Chairman s Report KM addressed the members of the club, with the following being an abridged summary of the speech provided: Targets from last year: First time we have met and now exceeded, Promotion to National League, 2 Outstand occasions being the Gravesend and Eton Manor matches, with 10 locally educated boys in the play-off squad. A showcase for the whole club. Press coverage being produced and provided by Steve Bone (Chichester Observer) and Roger Gould / Paul Colley for match reports; with Roger Gould wanting to the official press officer for the forthcoming 2014/15 season. At the Eton Manor playoff game the club received 11,000 gross takings on the day. Great to see support from the crowd on the day, Littlehampton RFC, with many s received. On the day there was an outside bar and BBQ for all those attending. Thanks were made to all the U14 s for the match day duties, with the hope that the M&J section with run a rota for every home league game. Of course, there will be financial implications next year with the need for coach travel, etc. Thanks to Fiona (Martin) for her efforts in selling programmes, as this raised approximately 2,500 funds raised, being a contribution to the match day, enabling them to watch a great brand of rugby. There was one downside to the day that being the stolen 1 st XV shirts this matter now being addressed by the committee.

3 Companies are now coming to CRFC and offering kit deals, including free shirts and merchandise, these are opportunities that we can build on/ Thanks where passed to Don Lawrence, for his work and efforts as 1 st XV Team Manager, player sponsorship, and plus all the time that he spends at the club during the week. Thanks also to Roger Gould and Mike Clayden as match day managers and Mike for all the statistics he provides. Further thanks for the Spectator Awards final thanks to All the match day supporters a loyal band of supporters with the experience at the Chuck Wagon and Brighton RFC memorable. Roles confirmed as follows for the 2014/15 season Paul Colley - Director of Rugby Rob Lawrence Head Coach Coaches Jimmy Taylor & Tim Cook Aaron Davies Strength & Conditioning John Lindsay -Club Captain Ashleigh Stocks & Danny Ritson - Physiotherapists 2ND XV. KM confirmed he withdrew them from Sussex 14 years ago to enter the Solent League, for the stronger rugby, not good enough. Last season they were entered into the Zoo Shield much stronger league, resulted in being champions and promoted into Div 2 South this is an outstanding achievement. The side are very young, many of whom stepped into the 1 st XV, making them better prepared for future rugby. Next season they will be playing Old Elthamians, Dorking, London Irish, Wescombe Park, Ealing, Guildford, Richmond, Old Redingensians, Rosslyn Park, London Cornish, & East Grinstead. They were also winners of the Sussex Bowl, beating Bognor RFC. Thanks where passed to Stuart Anscombe, Paddy McAlpine and Paul Sutherland. Thanks also to Martin O Callaghan, being an outstanding captain, player and person for the Season. Thanks to Jeanette Shonk for work within the early season. 3RD XV. The target was to stay in Sussex One comfortably, again a very young side playing some very strong 1 st XV s, well done to all those players who played. Thanks to Mike Middleton (Coach), Ken Lawrence (Team Manager) and Jack Knight (Captain) 4TH XV. A difficult season with a great turnover of players, a loyal core of players who really enjoy their rugby, and who always return with a smile and drink a great deal at the Club (!). These players being the back-bone of CRFC, a 3

4 Team portraying what much of rugby is above. Thanks to John Sawday and Dave Outen & Simon Campbell as Captain. COLTS. Difficult start to the season with a lack of players and coaches. Richard Issacs now on board as Academy Director making a vast difference to operations on and off the pitch. Players are now coming back to CRFC, better transition from U16 s to Colts and now looking stronger for next year. Thanks to Iain Collyer for holding it all together, also Richard Deed, Mike Middleton & Paul Colley. Great to see so many colts playing the 2 nd Wimbledon. COLTS Thanks where passed to Richard Deed, Mike Middelton, & Paul Colley for their efforts in supporting this section of the Club, great to see so many colts playing for the 2 nd XV at Wimbledon game and Paul Colley making an appearance on the pitch. LADIES Now being run for the first time in many years, which is important when bidding for grants and raising the profile of CRFC. All inclusive section of the club. DISCIPLINE. Only three players in the Naughty Chair this season, with Nick Shopland being mistaken for his son. Thank you to all players in maintaining good discipline. PITCH USAGE. We looked after pitch 2 well throughout the club, whilst having to contend with the Theatre In The Park, with it being quite interesting have to train in silence with no swear words being used! We ended up keeping CDC happy with the pitch. UNIVERSITY. We need strong links, with Keith Martin and Rob Lawrence working closely to formalise this relationship. Free use of facilities, physiotherapists, nutritionists, camera crew, sports psychologist, functions on our clubhouse. Better players for our top teams and more players supporting our lower teams. The University are working on a rugby degree course and a next generation pitch on their top field. KM confirmed he has held meetings with CDC & Danny Knight, with CRFC looking at the possibility of pitch side barriers, meaning extra advertising and players not having to clear the pitch at the end of games. 4

5 MEMBERSHIP CARDS The committee are looking to introduce membership cards to registered members, so that they may benefit from their membership to CRFC. I.e. bar discounts, with more to come. Work being undertaken to progress this by Bill Walker, Chris Keeley, and Declan Hutchings Membership numbers are same as last year and still too many are getting free rugby. Plus side thought that it appears players are spending more time in the clubhouse bar. Thanks were passed Matthew Ashton-Ricardt for the post match entertainment. KM confirmed he is in discussions with Chichester Community Trust about the use of the Grayling well site; with bidding for two pitches to alleviate drain on pitch two and give CFRC overflow on a Sunday during visits from touring Teams Thanks to Dave Outen for getting Teams out for the two visiting Touring sides, it was sad though not to see players drinking with the opposition. JOHN FISHWICK, who was injured during a game, therefore we are looking to have a 7`S Team for their competition July. We must send a team to help fund raise for a fellow player. BLAZERS thanks provided to Ken Allen for his efforts in sourcing and facilitating the supply of Club Blazers. RWC UPDATE FROM CHRIS KEELEY 420 days to go and counting, three initiatives have been adopted, round the county relay, mini fan zones replicating the major fan zone in Brighton, clubs with 3 pitches hosting league games and then with the facility to host the players to view the RWC games. 3 full sets of kit being made available for use for these games. 300hrs of meetings held, 1600 miles of driving RWC2015 It was confirmed that Keith Martin, Declan Hutchings, Martyn Tilling and Tom Polhill have applied to be volunteers for the RWC2015. Sussex RFU (SRFU) have noted our achievements and our links with schools and further education establishments. RUGBY IN THE COMMUNITY Driving Force are taking rugby into some disadvantaged and remote areas within the County, which great for the Clubs image and recruitment. Thanks to Rob Lawrence and his coaching staff, and also Ben Polhill from CDC. Further 5

6 thanks where passed to Andy Howard and Justin Jones for their support to CRFC. O2 Touch has stated with a 5000 from the RFU to run over 3 years, with the objective of player recruitment and retention, plus any legacy benefits from RWC2015 BEACH RUGBY, being held June 7 th, more Teams can enter, Liam O Hagan s weeding does not help, but, best wishes for the day. Hopefully we can actually finish the final this year(!) SPONSORS. Thanks to all our sponsors, with over 36,000 being raised. BERTIES CAFÉ. This being new this year and resulting in a major income stream thanks to Paul Britton and Hayley Hitchcock for all their support and great breakfasts. CLUB DEVELOPMENT. David Kay confirmed latest status; currently at the stage of waiting final sign-off from CDC, promised for the 11 th July. Working through costs as higher than previously expected, work ongoing to reduce these costs still. Also funding still being progressed and more needed. Frustrating that build has not commenced yet, but, there is a considerable amount of work going on in the background. MINI/JUNIOR SECTION. The Mini s have had fantastic results at numerous festivals this season, with Vectis being a fantastic result, with all Teams in the finals and all but one age group winning there group. All Junior Teams performed well in their leagues. KM confirmed he would have 42 players in his squad for next season as an example of volume of players and representation within this section of CRFC. COMMITTEE. Gareth Webb as our President is stepping down after 4 great years, it was difficult to follow Alan Bradford, but, he made the role his own. His work with the Vice-Presidents lunches, ensuring we keep a high profile by meeting and greeting our guests and much other work behind the scenes. KM confirmed further thanks to Sue Webb for the behind the scenes work she also completes. PAUL STANTON (TREASURER) Another unglamorous but essential role, we are a limited company and our accounts have to go to Companies House (Financial Conduct Authority), so they have to be accurate and set out in the appropriate manner. DECLAN HUTCHINGS (SECRETARY) A brilliant and lively secretary, with minutes of meetings sometimes coming out 6

7 before the meeting has finished, he brings energy and new ideas, with great work being done with Chris Keeley, with their work in increasing clubhouse hires. DAVID KAY (M&J CHAIRMAN), Stepping down from 10 magnificent years as Mini & Junior Chairman, in this time he has driven this section on the level it is at now. My thanks also for the work and drive regarding the Legacy Project. CHRIS KEELEY (SUSSEX COMMUNITY CHAIRMAN) Makes sure Chichester are fully recognised at county level and that we are at the forefront of any new developments such as O2 Touch Rugby, also a superb Bar Manager. My thanks also go to the bar staff; Gary Hoddinott, Sue Carter & Sue Gratwick. DALE HUDSON (INTERNATIONAL TICKET COORDINATOR) Mr Organised, an excellent international ticket secretary, thank you for getting us through the minefield of RWC ticketing, and who has now been elected as the new chairman of the Mini & Junior Section. DENNIS AND MARY PHILLIPS (CATERING & CLUBHOUSE MANAGERS) Thanks for all the time dedicated to the club. IAN COLLYER (SUSSEX REP) Like Chris he keeps our profile high in Sussex and ensures our voice is heard. LINDSEY PLANT (WEBSITE MANAGER) Thanks to Lindsay for the support she provides regards the website. BEN BULPETT, (REFEREES CO-ORDINATOR) We are now liked by referees, which is largely down to his organisation and work in calming people down. Thank you also for the work he has down in relation to the membership Db and the beach rugby ALAN BRADFORD, (SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR) Magnificent sponsorship coordinator, who has the great ability to network and use his multitude of contacts and looking over Pauls shoulder from the cloud. 7

8 DEATH OF JOHN MEDWAY John being an ex VP, the condolences of CRFC where past to Robert Medway who was in attendance. TARGETS FOR NEXT SEASON 1ST XV Top ½ of National 3 2ND XV Top ½ of Zoo 2 South (Win it stated by Paddy McAlpine) 3RD XV Top ½ of Sussex One 4TH XV Top ½ of Sussex "Oranjeboom" League Two West 5TH XV 5 Games within the season Colts to continue development under Richard Issacs, target to be top 2 in there league Lades to play 10 games and attract for local players. Captains Reports Thanks to all the Players, Officials, Supporters and Sponsors for making this the greatest season ever in the history of Chichester RFC, the best club in Sussex. 1 st XV Paul Colley (DoR), one statistic that matters We won the play off and made it into National League. There where wobbles within the season, got back on the road. Our response to these defeats was positive, demonstrated by good numbers at training with the sole of objective on wanting to win the League. Support from the 2 nd XV has been extremely beneficial to the squad. Coaches where relentless in chasing players to get to training, this is how a club like this can survive. We have a strong base in the M&J section, the Senior side is strengthening. Our 2 nd XV is bar none the best Team within Sussex. The League we are going into the Teams have large budgets, we can t meet them head on for this, we can only survive by making the majority of the players as wanting to play for the Chichester shirt we need to take this model going forward. We may need to bring players in, but, we will look to bring it from within. We at heart a community rugby club. Our job now is to sustain this moment, personal thanks to everyone who have been part of the season, especially Don Lawrence for removing all the interference. 2 nd XV Paddy McAlpine, addressed the attendees. An appraise of the address is as follows: A great season, 25 league matches, 3 loses, scored over 150 points more than any other teams Won the league, promoted, job done! Played Richmond, Rosslyn Park, Esher, Ealing, London Cornish and the like, who are all big clubs. Won Sussex bowl, beating East Grinstead en route. An evolving Team with a fair sprinkling of players playing for the 1 st XV. A season, where +65 players where used with a good number advancing to the 1 st XV. As Sean Fitzpatrick said Best way to play for the 1 sts is to play your heart out for the 2 nds, get noticed, get selected. Stuart Anscombe was head coach, his great 8

9 experience added to the youth, with 8 x 6 th formers playing ( +1 old bloke! ) against Wimbledon a winning formulae! The future: Keith has already confirmed whom the 2 nd XV will be playing against next season with the London Irish Wolfhounds being a forecasted highlight. Looking forward it s going to be a tough league, a great challenge, best way to improve is play better sides, punch above your weight, learn and continuously improve. Finally, I am working on military links to build up the 2 nds squad Thorny Island, both regiments, 17 Port & Maritime at Marchwood, plus contacts elsewhere. I m always scouting and ask you All to do likewise. It s been a great season, looking forward to pre season training! Already thinking about new training sessions and methods to improve techniques. Division 3 South TEAM P Void W D L F A Diff Conc'd Bonus Pts Chichester Ealing Amateurs Rosslyn Park Hatters Bracknell Esher London Cornish Richmond Normans Old Reigatian Cobham Sutton & Epsom Chobham Guildford Wimbledon CS Rugby rd XV No report provided, but, resulting league status as follows: Team Pd W D L W D L W D L Wo Co F A Diff Pts Adj Pulborough Crawley Eastbourne Hove II Brighton II Seaford Chichester III Rye

10 Holbrook Crowborough II Haywards Heath II Lewes II th XV No report. # Team Pd W D L W D L W D L Wo Co F A Diff Pts Adj 1. Horsham Lions Worthing Senior Sussex Police Norfolk Arms Pulborough Bognor St. Francis Barns Green Chichester Shoreham Coaches Report Treasurers Report See Captains Report, updated provided by CRFC DoR. Paul Stanton provided the following report. He was pleased to report that the Club has shown a surplus of income over expenditure of 911 for the year to 30th 10

11 April. If we ignore depreciation this equates to a cash surplus of 5700 for the year. As always the Club budgets to spend all of its income supporting and improving the facilities and rugby experience to all its members. This year has seen a dramatic improvement in the bar profit due to a great deal of work by Chris Keeley and Declan Hutchings in pushing more club hires. Thank you to Alan Bradford for stepping in to run the sponsorship and Gareth for encouraging the support of Vice Presidents an essential part of our fundraising. Expenses continue to rise but despite Bill Walker s hard work and determination the collection of subs from senior players still proves difficult. Players must realise that they should support the efforts of the committee in raising sponsorship by paying their dues and using the bar more. The mini and junior section remain an important part of the club s income and the club will continue to support them by providing every facility that they need. The refurbishing of the clubhouse is a major project and we have been staggered by the response from supporters and sponsors in the fundraising effort to date we have received 155,425 and have been pledged a further 100,000 however we still need further funds and believe that players can assist by spreading the word amongst friends, relations and employers a once only chance to have their name attached to a lasting legacy. In order to further the project and take advantage of interest free loans offered by the RFU as well as supporters we need to change the rules and regulations of the club to enable the committee to be able to borrow more than the 25,000 that it currently has authorisation for. I therefore propose that this restriction be removed altogether and that future borrowing should be at the Committee s discretion. Proposed: Seconded: Gareth Webb. Election of President Approval of the accounts, where proposed by David Kay, and seconded by Dennis Phillips. Gareth Webb addressed the attendees as the exiting president. Gareth thanked all members of the executive committee, especially Keith Martin for his support over the past 4 years. The play off day was a demonstration of the support this club receives and deserves, nicely followed up with the Cup Game on the Sunday for the 2 nd XV. Fantastic! Moses Kasjjua was thanked for his support to the club, this was re soundly supported by the attending members. There were two positions on the committee not filled, but, there was internal support that made it happen which further summed up the attitude of CRFC. M&J section continue to do great things and may it long continue. The Clubhouse development will enable us to have a lasting legacy, please give us much as you can. Thank you, I m not going far. 11

12 Election of Officers of the Club AOB ROLE NAME PROPOSED SECONDED President David Kay Gareth Webb Paul Stanton Chairman Keith Martin N/A N/A Honorary Secretary Declan Hutchings N/A N/A Honorary Treasurer Paul Stanton N/A N/A Club Captain John Lindsay Paul Colley Rob Lawrence 1 st XV Captain Ben Polhill Paul Colley Robert Medway 2 nd XV Captain Martin O Callaghan Paddy McAlpine Mike Clayden 3 rd XV Captain Jack Knight Rob Lawrence Gareth Webb 4 th XV Captain Held over 1 st Team Manager Don Lawrence Paul Colley Dai Davies Fixture Secretary Keith Martin Declan Hutchings Ben Polhill Membership Secretary Ben Walker Chris Keeley David Kay Sponsorship coordinator Gareth Webb Paul Stanton Chris Keeley Sussex RFU representative Iain Collier Ben Bulpett David Kay Social Secretary Phil Dickin Rob Lawrence Dane Gingell International Tickets coordinator Dale Hudson Declan Hutchings David Kay Press Officer Roger Gould Richard Williams Robert Medway Club Captain to be the conduit for all the players within the club, roles and responsibilities to discussed and agreed. Vice Presidents Moses Kasjjua, Richard William s where proposed and accepted. Rob Deavall son plays for the colts as prop, congratulations to the club, pleased that they have been give a challenge on being 2 nd in there league. Request for the senior team to support coaching sessions for the colt sessions. Keith Martin confirmed Richard Issacs will be looking to further enhance. This proposal being supported by John Lindsay reflecting back when he was a younger player, he is more than happy to support this interaction in the forthcoming season. Phil Dickin proposed a mentoring proposal that would be senior players attend on Sunday training sessions. Paddy McAlpine commented that support from the Junior section on match days, assisting the coaches & assistance coaches would be much appreciated and build the links between the M&J & Senior sections of the club. 12

13 Rob Lawrence raised a query regards the development of the club and how this would impact the start of the season, Keith Martin confirmed that in depth discussions where continuing regards the Legacy Project, but, the intention was that there would be no impact to the start of the season. David Kay continued in also reconfirming that a phasing approach is the initial plan, with top priority being minimum interference to the club house. No further matters arising so the meeting was declared closed. 13