ENGLISH ICE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION RECREATIONAL SECTION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Date: Sunday 9 September 2007 Venue: Time: Glacier Suite, Ice Sheffield 1.45pm MINUTES PRESENT: Basingstoke Cougars, Bracknell Blizzard, Bradford Cannibals, British Army Blades, Chelmsford Chargers, Cleveland Comets, Flintshire Phantoms, Flintshire Vipers, Grimsby Lightning, Imperial College Devils, Invicta Knights, Medway Madness, Kingston Cobras, London Devils, Newcastle University Wildcats, Peterborough Predators, RAF Bluewings, RAF Oldham Stomp, Andrew Miller BUIHA Chairman and Rachel Whyatt BUIHA Treasurer. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Tony Boynton (Chairman) Ron Christison John Freeman Linda Matthews Tony Wood Richie Clark EIHA REPRESENTATIVES: Ken Taggart Alan Batchelder 1. OPENING REMARKS 1.1. The Chairman s opening remarks were to introduce the top table and Mr Taggart, EIHA Chairman, and Mr Batcheldor, Assistant Chief Referee from the EIHA. 1.2. The Chairman then invited Mr Taggart to say a few words. 1.3. Mr Taggart explained that in the EIHA there are approx 315 teams across 9 sections. He noted that the University teams were considering breaking away from the Rec. section which he wasn t adverse to, but they needed to get their structure in place first. 1.4. Mr Taggart noted that England has the longest season in the world, running from 1 September to end April as all weekend ice time gone. There are 33 rinks in all England and Wales, 5 of which are in the process of getting renovated. 1.5. Mr Taggart highlighted the problem of international transfer cards, which were required for foreign nationals who played in a league with a national champion, at a cost of 677. It is for this reason that the various Rec. competitions must be characterised as Cup competitions or Tournaments rather than Leagues. 1.6. Mr Taggart also pointed out that Child protection remains a big issue across the EIHA, and that children are anyone who have not reached 18 years of age.
1.7. Mr Taggart finished his remarks by complimenting the Rec. executive committee for running the section well, conducting its own independent discipline, and overseeing 70 odd teams. His closing comment was Rec is a very important part of the EIHA, and the EIHA does not want to put too many demands on the Rec section. 2. NOTICE AND QUORUM 2.1. It was noted that due notice had been given of the meeting and that quorum was present with representatives in attendance from the teams listed above. 2.2. It was noted that apologies were received from Army Air Corps IHC, Basingstoke Hyenas, Cambridge University Women, Cardiff Titans, Chelmsford Nighthawks, Coventry Chaos, Durham City Dragons, Guildford Smoke, Metropolitan Police IHC, Newcastle Coyotes, Newcastle Predators, Nottingham University Mavericks, Oxford University Blues, Oxford University Vikings, Peterborough Eagles, Peterborough Phoenix, Southampton University Spitfires, Swindon Panthers, Telford Spartans, Whitley Wildcats. 2.3. The Chairman commented that he was disappointed in the turn out but added that people just want to play ice hockey, and not turn up for AGMs. 3. APPROVAL OF LAST YEAR S MINUTES It was proposed by Darren Carter of Invicta Knights, seconded by Ian Foreman, Grimsby Lightning and unanimously resolved that the Minutes of the 2006 AGM be accepted. There were no matters arising. 4. CHAIRMAN S REPORT 4.1. The Chairman then gave his report. 4.2. The Chairman explained that different teams have different aspirations and our problem as a Rec hockey board is to try and match everybody s needs whether it is just a matter of playing once a month or even once every two months as opposed to people who want to take part in competitive hockey on a regular basis. 4.3. The rules and regulations of Rec hockey do make it very difficult to run competitive hockey without transgressing the IIHF rules (such as Leagues requiring international transfer cards, as was mentioned earlier by Mr Taggart), however, it was noted that the Rec section had managed to get a number of Cup competitions going, all with the approval of the EIHA, and in the main does not affect our status as Rec players. 4.4. It was noted that last year one of our complaints from within the membership was ease of access to registrations. The Chairman hoped that with the excellent work that is being done on the website, to which much is owed to Tony Wood, Linda Matthews and Ron Christison, the Rec section is now fairly good at getting registrations through, and hopes this season will be better still. 4.5. The Chairman highlighted the use of the Rec section website for logging games and an ability to oversee what is going on, and together with the work done by secretaries of clubs, the Rec executive has now got a better rapport with teams and is finding out more of what games went on, what the results were and more importantly what discipline needs to be taken.
4.6. For example, the website is now being used to highlight when players are disciplined and thereby inform other teams of which players are no longer available to play for certain games. As a result, the astute manager can run off a copy of the team sheet of his team and the opposing team on the day in question and then know for certain that everybody who steps onto the ice is (a) registered, (b) insured and (c) actually allowed to play in the game. 4.7. The Chairman noted that the executive committee s objective is not to start a nanny state, but rather to protect the members from any serious repercussions from injuries or the like, and the fact that everybody now seems to have got the message is making our life that bit easier. 4.8. It was hoped that the number of teams in the section continue to expand. At present it has grown year on year and there are over 70 teams now with over two and a half thousand players, though that may drop a little this season with decisions made by the university clubs, who may separate from the Rec section, and the expansion of the ENL. 4.9. It was noted that the Child Protection regime age change to under 18 certainly affected a lot of teams at the beginning or but as the EIHA board pointed out, the law is something that cannot be ignored 4.10. The Chairman concluded his report by thanking everyone in attendance for taking the time to come to the meeting 5. ADMINISTRATOR S REPORT 5.1. Ron Christison explained that this year had seen the implementation of the on-line registration. At the beginning of the year we started with paper registration and this was very quickly turned into the on-line system which seems to work quite well. 5.2. It was noted that most of the information regarding the numbers of players etc is now available on the website. 6. TREASURER S REPORT 6.1. The Treasurer, John Freeman, announced that last year the balance was 2,102.12. During the year over 3,000 came through from the EIHA and the Rec Fest, monies paid out for administration and upgrades to the website. The closing balances as at September 2007 was 2,457.81. The Treasurer mentioned the new system for paying for registrations, either by club cheque or electronic transfer. 6.2. Andrew Muller from the BUIHA stated that all their clubs bank accounts went through the Athletic Union. Tony Wood stated that cheques must state which team they are from to avoid confusion. 6.3. The Chairman stated that the monies that John Freeman holds is for running the Rec Section, with registration and insurance going straight to the EIHA. All details regarding registrations are explained on the Rec website. 6.4. John Freeman stated that new registrations to go to Tony Wood, so that photos can be scanned onto the website, but that re-registrations should go to Ron Christison.
7. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 7.1. The Chairman explained that Rec is the only section that elects its officers, two being up for re-election this year, Ron Christison and Tony Wood. 7.2. IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT Ron Christison and Tony Wood be re-elected for a further three years. 8. IIHF & INSURANCE COMPLIANCE (CHECKING VS NON-CHECKING) 8.1. The Chairman then raised the issue of checking in the context of insurance compliance. It was noted that the IIHF rule book, which is not a mandate but a template for us all to work to, provides guidance that Rec hockey is non-checking, and just about every other country in the world plays non-checking hockey at Rec level. 8.2. The Chairman reported that the executive committee had been considering the repercussions for our insurance coverage in the event serious injury resulted in a rec section match that was played as a checking match. The Rec section does not require there to be qualified coaches at matches (unless there are under 18s) and cannot control how each team controls its numpties, or proving that your players have been trained how to take a hit, or how to properly hit people within the rules. There is a concern that the insurers may point to this as a way of getting out of paying out on a claim. 8.3. The Chairman reported that he had spoken to the insurance company, who confirmed that playing checking hockey is covered by our insurance, but it is still each team s responsibility to exclude anybody wishing to join, or stay within a team, who wants to go around trying to injure other players. The result is that team managers and coaches are going to have to take more responsibility assessing their team and players (and what they know of the opposition) when making the decision as to whether it is appropriate to play a game as checking. 8.4. Accordingly, to ensure that these factors are being considered by teams who want to continue to play checking matches, the Chairman explained that the section was going to add a declaration at the bottom of the roster with a box to tick, checking or non-checking, which must be signed by the manager/organiser, who is responsible for his team. 8.5. The representative from Bradford asked for a definition of checking and full contact. Mr Taggart stated that checking is full contact, non-checking being, still contact, but if it is intentional the referee should call the penalty. Mr Taggart added that the EIHA did not want to stop checking in Rec, but would do so if the players were not being controlled properly and did not respect each other. 8.6. Darren Carter from Invicta asked if the person who signs the roster takes responsibility for the team, the Chairman confirmed this. The Chairman also advised that if a team does not arrive to a game without a roster, the referee will assign the team a five minute major penalty at the start of the game and the game will automatically become a non-checking game. It was noted that this rule was actually proposed by the referees and therefore would be passed down to them. 8.7. Mr Batcheldor stressed the importance of player discipline and that it was up to the teams to weed out the hot heads at the time of registration so that the small
minority of those who caused problems did not ruin the large majority s enjoyment of the game. There was a 15 minute break for refreshments. 9. NEW VERSION OF HANDBOOK 9.1. Tony Wood announced a new version of the Rec section handbook and went on to describe the changes. He requested that all team managers sign the form (REC1) from the website, along with the affiliation form and return to him at the earliest opportunity. 9.2. Mr Taggart addressed the use of ringers and the potential liability which could result as such players are not insured. Paying the 33 registration fee was not that much in the big scheme of things in view of the risks involved in not doing so. Mr Wood stated that the only players allowed on ice are those listed on roster and that the executive committee would support teams who refuse to play against teams who insist on icing unregistered players, including requiring such teams to cover the costs of the match in question. 9.3. The Chairman defined the definition of a game as when a game sheet and scoreboard and officials are used; a scrimmage is where they are not. 9.4. The Chairman went on to state if a person has a Rec licence he/she can train with another team providing he/she has the approval by both teams and evidence that he/she is insured. 9.5. Information on playing abroad was addressed to the table; Mr Taggart stated that permission must be obtained from the Chairman. The Chairman advised that it usually took about 48 hours for him to advise IHUK. He also stated that travel insurance should be sought. 9.6. Tony Wood also stated that Touring Teams on the website were to be used if the opponents are Scottish teams as well as teams from abroad. 9.7. Ian Foreman, Grimsby Lightning asked about players trying out for a few weeks before signing for a club, get person to sign form for the few weeks then they may register. The Chairman explained that best practice was always to get the registration form signed up before they stepped on the ice also taking payment, ID and photos. This can all be returned should the individual chose not to complete the registration, and join the team. But insurance will be upheld in the event of an accident on the night, as the players details are known (via the form, photo and ID) and payment has been submitted. Obviously should something happen the paperwork should be sent in with a matter or urgency 9.8. Andrew Miller from the BUIHA asked if league players could play against recreational teams. The Chairman stated that once league players are included in games the person to person liability is lost and this should be stated when a game is booked and permission is required from both the other team and the executive committee. This is not common practice and only done in BUIHA Division 1 games 10. CHILD PROTECTION 10.1. The Chairman reminded the meeting that if a player is not 18 then a minimum of one level 1 and one level 2 coach, must be present on both benches when player goes
on the ice in training and on games. Even if one of the coaches is asked to leave the ice it is ok to carry on with game. Mr Wood confirmed that, at present, there are 120 players aged 16-19 registered with Rec section teams. 11. UPGRADE OF EIHA REC WEBSITE 11.1. Tony Wood announced more changes to the Rec website, especially a new message system when logging onto site. 11.2. Tony Wood stated that suspended players photos will stay on the Team List but would not print out on the Roster. Only players in Green (i.e. those registered) would print out. In order for suspended player to be put back on roster in green Tony needs to see the game sheet(s) for the games the player is suspended, and a request from the team Manager for reinstatement, stating the player has sat out his suspension. If a player receives a suspension of one year or more, his details will stay on site as suspended. 11.3. If anyone had any suggestions for the site to contact Tony via email. 11.4. The Chairman asked for an official vote of thanks to be on record for the work that Tony Wood has done for the website. 11.5. It was noted that if a team wanted to ice a guest goalie, then permission needed to be granted by Tony Wood or Linda Matthews, by telephone or email. The written permission (return email) would than need to be taken to the fixture and sent in the Game Sheet and Rosters 11.6. After a discussion from the floor, the Chairman suggested holding referee training courses in the South, Midlands and North, he would speak to Mr Batcheldor regarding this. 12. CHAIRMAN S CLOSING REMARKS 12.1. The Chairman thanks everyone for attending the meeting. There being no further business the meeting closed at 3.45pm.