Glasgow Netball Association League Meeting Minutes Wednesday 14th May 2014 Hyndland Secondary School 1. Present; Karen Thomson (League Co-ordinator; Harmony Row); Louise Hoiles (Division One League Assistant; GSS); Karen MacKellar (Chair; Strathclyde Uni); Kym Wharton (Vice Chair; Scotstoun); Angela Boyd (Secretary; Broomhill); Pamela Armstrong (Treasurer; Broomhill); Lorna Cameron (Netball Development Officer); Ashley Bolton (GNA Co-ordinator) Harmony Row Angela Kirkpatrick, Marion Douglas, Marianne Doherty and Catherine Vaughan. Eastbank. Clyde Elizabeth Miller and Claire Munn. Scotstoun Tracey Lamb, Faye Boyle and June McNeil. Spra Nikki Whyte and Pauline Thomson. St. Mirren Hannah Holmes and Kirsty Todd. GSS Kirsty Campbell and Karen McIlveen. Helensburgh Lyndsay King, Trudy Johnson and Alyson Ayton. Bellahouston Amanda Maxwell, Donna Blair and Becky Carter. St. Stephens Mary McGinn and Jacqui Seagrave. Strathclyde University Emily Morris. Cumbernauld Sally Richardson and Aileen Forrest. Glasgow University Oonagh Rusling and Sian Collins. Paisley Sally Erskine and Alison McCormick. Kelvin Ruth Keir and Laura Jamieson. Broomhill Cat White. CDC Gillian Pettigrew and Angela Ball. Glasgow Flames Lynne McGarry. Dumbarton Harp Nicola Devine and Elaine Clark. 2. Apologies: Natalie Doherty (Squad Co-ordinator); Liz Kerr (Sports Council for Glasgow; Kelvin) 36 voting, 10 non-voting.
3. Welcome Karen Thomson thanked everybody for attending the meeting. 4. Last year's minutes Lyndsay King had a couple of amendments to the previous year's minutes. Once these were taken on board the minutes were accepted. Minutes accepted. Proposed- Lyndsay King (Helensburgh) Seconded- Tracey Lamb (Scotstoun) 5. Treasurer's report league. Catherine handed out information on the League Account. Catherine has now handed on the role of Treasurer to Pamela Armstrong. From now on clubs should contact Pam with any queries. Catherine drew clubs attention to the 'sundry' amount of 1215. She explained this was due to reimbursing SPRA as they paid their league fees twice by mistake. Karen Thomson questioned whether the amount of 3559.74 was actually what the GNA had in the account or whether there were still lets etc. to be paid. Catherine confirmed that there were and that this figure is not what will be left in the account at the end of the season. Pauline Thomson asked whether this future outgoing should not be recorded as 'accrued expenditure'. Catherine explained that the accountant doesn't work it out that way. 6. NPL Update Karen Thomson talked about Edinburgh entering a team into the NPL in the upcoming season. She asked whether there were any questions. Pauline Thomson brought up an incident at one of their games where there was an NPL match playing afterwards and nobody scored their game. Karen asked if East Kilbride were playing, Pauline confirmed that they were. Karen took the fault as
East Kilbride score their own game and she should've e-mailed SPRA to let them know. It was felt that this might need to be addressed. Tracey Lamb will feed this back to the NPL committee. Lyndsay King asked whether it will be the top team in Edinburgh or a mixture of players. Karen explained that it is going to be a mixture of players, so they won't be part of the NPL league table. It is effectively a pilot for Edinburgh and Glasgow to see how it goes. Catherine Vaughan suggested that this was a good thing, as a broader spectrum of players will be reached which should create more buy in to the NPL. The next NPL meeting is on Tuesday 20 th May. 7. Changes to League Rules / Motions Submitted Karen Thomson and Louise Hoiles presented the motions to amend the league rules. On adoption all rule numbers will move accordingly. 1.14 Discussion New Rule: 'All new entries must submit the league entry form to the league co-ordinator by 30 th June.' To introduce a deadline for league entries as there were a lot of late entries last year which meant the fixtures had to be re-worked a few times. 1.4.6 (from Paisley) Unanimously passed. Amend: 'A team may name any number of players who are over 16 and under 18 in their team pool, but in any one match may only name 5 of these players. In Div 2 & 3 any number of U18 players may make up a team.' Motion carried Discussion There was discussion about whether U18's should play in an adult league. Karen stated that
this rule already exists, the motion is to amend it to Division Two as well as Three as Paisley have just been promoted and would be unable to play in Divison Two if it stays as it is. Unanimously passed. Motion carried 1.4.8 Amendment (delete underlined): 'In an emergency situation a team may use a player out with the team in which they are registered. The emergency player must be a different player for each occasion. Players may play for the team pool higher than their own. Emergency players cannot play for a team in a lower than their own. 1 st team players cannot play for 2 nd, 3 rd or 4 th teams 2 nd team players cannot play for 3 rd or 4 th teams 3 rd team players cannot play for 4 th team' 2.2.2 Unanimously passed Amend to: 'All teams will play each other twice in all divisions' Unanimously passed Motion carried Motion carried 2.2.3 Delete: 'At the conclusion of all first round games, the teams in the top 6 positions of all Divisions will play each other twice in the second half of the season to determine the top 6 positions.' Unanimously passed Motion carried 2.4.6 Amend: ' When a match has been forfeited, the non offending team will be allocated the 5 league points. If the non offending team lost/loses the other match they will be awarded a
10/0 score otherwise the score from the previous game will stand' Discussion 2.4.7 and 2.4.8 (League Pauline Thomson asked whether the rule could be amended so that it works both ways. If the first match is forfeited and the team wins the second match the same goal difference will apply. Kirsty Campbell asked whether this would create a lot more work for Karen Thomson. Karen replied that she could contact Fixtures Live to see if it could be done. It was also asked whether the non-offending team could request to re-play the fixture in the future and Karen confirmed that they could as it was already written in the league rules. The vote held on the current wording of the rule was passed so no amendment was made. 2 against, 1 abstention. Motion carried. Delete: 'The non-offending team will be allocated 5 league point' and 'If the non-offending team lost/loses the other match they will be awarded a 10/0 score.' Unanimously passed. Motion carried. 3.14 (from Technical Umpiring) Discussion New Rule: 'Both umpires can agree to abandon a match if they deem it a hazard to player safety.' Lyndsay King explained that this rule is being suggested following an incident earlier in the season where a venue roof was leaking onto a court. There is currently nothing in the GNA rules to cover this situation. Unanimously passed. Motion carried.
4.2 Amend: 'Each team to provide a stopwatch for their own game.' Unanimously passed. Motion carried. 4.12 Discussion Amend: 'All I/C sheets must be scanned and e-mailed to the league division coordinator.' Karen Thomson asked that the club representatives clarify to their teams that they shouldn't send in photos taken by smart phones as they are too unclear. SPRA asked whether the incharge sheets could be posted as they don't have a scanner. Karen suggested that the post was too unreliable and that someone should have access to a scanner even through work. Unanimously passed. Motion carried. 6.3.7 Discussion New rule: 'Both umpires may agree to abandon a game if the offending team/ both teams employ any action not covered by the wording of the Rule, in a manner contrary to the spirit of the game. This may include persistent infringing of one rule or of several rules in combination. The offending team / both teams shall pay the court costs and umpire fees.' Tracey Lamb asked for clarification of persistent infringing. Lyndsay King explained that this rule stemmed from an incident regarding player conduct in a match earlier in the season. June McNeil asked whether any players were sent off in this match, it was confirmed that they weren't but that the umpires were unsure whether they could cancel the match as there is nothing in the league rules. Tracey Lamb suggested that umpires need to follow the official protocols in the IFNA rule book which would cover this situation. Catherine Vaughan suggested that this situation was also covered by the new rule 3.14, which was voted on earlier in the AGM. O for, 0 abstentions, 36 against. Motion denied
6.3.11 Discussion New Rule: 'Teams that play unregistered players will incur a recurring fine of 20.' After discussion from the floor, it was decided that the wording of the rule should be amended to 'Teams that play unregistered players will incur a recurring fine of 20 per player per game.' Mary McGinn asked whether any unregistered players would be noticed at an early stage. Karen confirmed that the League Committee check the I/C sheets against the database each week so it would be picked up quickly. Unanimously passed in its new format. Motion carried. END OF MOTIONS 9. A.O.B New Entries There are two new entries to the league this year Stirling University and Dumbarton Harp. Both will be voted on at the AGM as they are out with the Glasgow area. Kelvin Netball Club Proposal Kelvin Netball Club would like to enter a second team into the league and have requested that they be allowed to start in Division Two rather than Division Three. They presented the following argument: Kelvin had 24 registered players that all played in their current team in Division One and have all proved that they are of that standard. Kelvin finished mid-table last year which was due to them focusing on the development of all their players. They explained that they had nothing against the teams in Division Three, but felt that entering in that division would be detrimental to both their club, as they would lose players and would probably not be able to enter a second team, and also the teams in Division Three as the players are of a very high standard Ex National, Scottish Universities and British
Universities players. There were various discussions about this, with the following comments: It would be unfair to the other two teams who are entering and have to start in Division Three but it was pointed out that those teams could have also made this request. If they are of Division Two standard it will only take them one year to get there. It would be quite hard on Division Three teams who are likely to get beaten by a large margin. It is not fair SPRA Netball Club who lost their playoff so will stay in Division Three. The Kelvin players have already proven they're of a high enough standard. They have enough umpires for a team in Division Two. Everyone should consider that the players want to play at as high a standard as possible. They were already allowed to stay in their division when they changed from Strathclyde Uni to Kelvin. Donna Blair asked what affect Kelvin going into Division Two would have on the league structure. Karen Thomson explained that the league structure will change from its current format and depending on the outcome of Kelvin's motion, two teams may get promoted from Division Three. She explained the potential structure (please see 'league structure' below). An initial vote was done, however there were more votes counted than were in the room: 19 for, 15 against, 8 abstentions. There was a re-vote: 14 for, 16 against, 6 abstentions. League Structure The league structure currently stands as Division 1 8 teams. Division 2 10 teams. Division 3 9 teams. Helensburgh 3 have withdrawn from the league. Cumbernauld are struggling to get a team at the moment and Dumbarton Harp, Stirling University and Kelvin 2 are all potential new teams. The league committee suggested that the league structure may change to the following as Division One had very few games last year: Motion denied.
Divison 1 10 teams Division 2 9 teams Division 3 9 teams. This would include promotion of the two teams that lost their playoffs: GSS to Division One and SPRA2 to Division Two. Depending on Kelvin, one other team from Division Three might be promoted. Harmony Row Proposal Harmony Row has put in a proposal to adapt the league format so that there would be more teams in Division One as most clubs have their development players in this division and they had a very limited number of games compared to the other divisions. Following Karen's presentation on the potential league structure this request was withdrawn. Withdrawn GSS proposals GSS have proposed that there be more 'linkage in some shape of form between Glasgow league / NPL organisers and Netball Scotland re plan effectively for national athletes and availability / international blocked out periods.' Karen Thomson confirmed that the GNA do get a copy of the NS fixtures in advance, but often little or no notice about extra fixtures. She explained that in the past the league committee has cancelled fixtures so that clubs could attend international series (e.g. WPCC) but not all clubs have gone to support these events. The NPL committee have also liaised with the executive committee and Netball Scotland but notice is sometimes too late. Karen Thomson suggested that after August it may not have as big an impact due to there being more events than usual prior to the Commonwealth Games. Karen MacKellar is meeting with Maggie from Netball Scotland soon and will discuss the International diary with her. Karen MacIlveen thanked them for ensuring that there would be recognition of
national events in the GNA. Tracey Lamb asked whether she could bring up why the GNA Awards Night was booked for the same weekend as the World Cup Qualifiers. Karen Thomson asked her to raise it at the AGM. GSS also wanted to propose that there also be more continuity in league fixtures, so that teams don't go a long period without playing. This was withdrawn as it was covered earlier in the meeting. Withdrawn U19 District Proposal The proposal for the U19 District girls to play against teams in Division One was explained. If a Squad player is playing against her club, she should play in the Squad team. This proposal is to aid with the development and progression of the U19 players. Pauline Thomson asked whether it was compulsory that all Division One teams play against the U19 Squad team. Karen Thomson replied that it was. Kelvin asked whether there would need to be Child Protection Documents in place for all the clubs to play against this team. All District Players are already covered through the Child Protection documents used in the Squads. Tracey Lamb asked about umpire allocation for the matches and suggested that the umpires from the district mentoring scheme should umpire them. Unanimously agreed. Proposal from Pauline Thomson Pauline proposed that the league committee buys trophies for league winners and runners up. Kirsty Campbell answered that the membership had previously had a vote to get rid of the shields. Karen Thomson replied that it was getting looked into. Pauline suggested that the GNA find a sponsor to which Karen Thomson replied that the GNA had been trying unsuccessfully. Pauline suggested that she would be able to find a sponsor for the GNA. Bellahouston Amanda Maxwell asked why the GNA clubs didn't get a vote on whether Harmony
Row 2 would be allowed to move back into Division One from the NPL. Karen Thomson replied that it was in the NPL league rules that the decision be made by the league committee, NPL committee and executive committee. There was also discussion about why Harmony Row 2 has chosen to move back to Division One. Angela Kirkpatrick, the coach of Harmony Row, answered this: The club has decided that the players in that team would be best developed by playing in Division One. They do want to return back to the NPL, but for the moment it is not the right time for those players to be in that division and it is her duty as a coach to ensure that the players are in the best possible atmosphere for development. NPL Committee Following Bellahouston's question Karen Thomson asked about the powers of the NPL committee as at the moment all changes must be agreed not only by the NPL committee but also all clubs in Glasgow and Lanarkshire. She questioned whether this was fair as it means that clubs are making decisions on something that doesn't affect the majority of them. For example Division Three clubs are making decisions on NPL issues. Catherine Vaughan suggested that this brings up the argument again of whether the NPL and GNA are separate or linked. Karen MacKellar replied that the NPL committee have the power to arbitrate on a lot of issues, the only things that come down to a club vote affect the GNA league so should be voted on by GNA clubs. Catherine Vaughan suggested that the bigger issue with the NPL is that Lanarkshire Netball Association has half the say, even though they only have one team in the NPL as opposed to the five teams from Glasgow and no one from Lanarkshire is prepared to run it. Karen MacKellar agreed that this should be discussed with East Kilbride. Tracey Lamb will take it to the next NPL meeting. Karen MacKellar asked all club representatives to hand in their raffle stubs and money to the Senior Events representatives present.
She also asked all clubs to keep an eye out for the AGM paperwork which will be sent out later this week. With no other business the meeting was drawn to a close.