Agm 2018 Minutes

BRITISH VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION (company number 06651480)

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting and Board Meeting held at Oak Farm, Acorn House, Solihull on Monday 22 January 2018

In attendance Richard Callicott [NED, President and Chair] (RC) Margaret Ann Fleming [Scottish Volleyball Association and BVF Finance Director] (MA) Keith Nicholls [Volleyball England] (KN) Sandra Stall [Volleyball Wales] (SS) Paddy Murphy [Northern Ireland Volleyball Association] (PM) Kevin Carpenter [NED, Company Secretary] (KC)

Janet Inman [Observer, Volleyball England] (JI)

Apologies Yvonne Perkins [Volleyball Wales] (YP) Irena Mihneva [Northern Ireland Volleyball Association] (IM)

1. Approval of the minutes from the last AGM

RC – asked if there were any comments on the minutes of the last AGM which were held around the FIVB General Assembly in Buenos Aires?

There were no comments or amendments to be made therefore RC proposed the motion to pass the minutes which was seconded.

2. Finance position and accounts

KC presented the accounts as recently filed, as well as informing the board of the current cash position, which was around £3,500.

Operating loss for the year of £4,500, primarily due to paying Wayne Coyle to put together the funding proposal which was ultimately unsuccessful. Balance sheet figure at that time was around £6,000.

KC then went on to discuss the Home Nation membership fees which are invoiced in arrears (for historical reasons) and he believed were outstanding. Volleyball England were the ones who were the greatest in arrears. KN indicated that Volleyball England and were still reconciling their accounts following a period of transition.

It was discussed whether or not to move the bank accounts from the RBS where they were currently. KC was of the opinion that they were a very poor bank in terms of service, and therefore it was agreed that KC should go away and look for alternative providers. Primarily he would look into moving to either Metro Bank or NatWest. At the same time as moving the bank accounts, there would also be changes in the signatories.

Returning to the issue of the amounts outstanding from the Home Nations, KC said he would provide a full statement of transactions to date so that these can be reconciled by the individual Home Nations. BVF AGM Minutes of 22 Jan 2018 Draft v2

KN raised a question regarding the current process for non-executive directors’ expenses to be paid?

KC - Confirmed that for any amount up to £500 there was one signatory needed, then for any amount above that there were to be two signatories. RC wanted it documented that there was a transparent email chain for each claim that he had made and that the process also included there being a check by the BVF’s Finance Director MA.

3. Membership fees and payments

RC as agreed in Buenos Aires, the membership fees have been: Volleyball England = £850 Scottish Volleyball Association = £500 Volleyball Wales = £100 Northern Ireland Volleyball Association = £150

MA informed the board that the BVF were no longer supported by “International Relations” (IRIS) funding from UK Sport which is why the membership fees looked high.

MA explained some of the history, in particular that post-London 2012 the BVF board made the decision to have Home Nation subscriptions so that we could continue to have a voice at international and National Olympic Committee level.

RC and MA informed the board that the current subscription fees were used purely for governance and survival purposes, not for performance purposes. RC said he could no longer fund the attendance at meetings out of his own pocket.

KN said that any changes to the current levels of membership would have to do go back to the Volleyball England board for their approval. The Volleyball England board are made of largely new people and so they need to understand the value and benefits that the Home Nations are getting in return for their membership?

This then led to a discussion about the future of the BVF and its purpose.

4. The future of the BVF

RC - Currently the main purpose of the BVF is to be represented at the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association meetings. Ultimate aspiration is to get teams into the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

RC - The secondary purpose was to co-ordinate the activities of the Home Nations so the best players had the best opportunity to progress to a GB environment. Since London 2012 were lost 40 men and 20 women who had contracts for clubs in Europe. There are only now about 2 left. However, there are some volleyball players playing in USA etc.

NIVA and SVA play Small Countries. VE play NEVZA. RC said it was great to see Wales playing in the recent tournament in Cyprus.

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KN - Opinion that the problem that volleyball as a sport in the United Kingdom is that the infrastructure is poor. For example, it is not being played enough schools, compared to say handball. In his view the whole of Great Britain needs to share resources and experience. For instance, a British coaches forum. Chances for us to get funding in the foreseeable future is pretty remote. Current BVF constitution about performance and GB teams needs to be changed.

RC - Agreed with what KN said and indeed pointed out we had such shared experiences before. However, have to bear in mind Wales and Northern Ireland as they have to travel the furthest.

MA - What is discussed at the meetings needs to change. Last two meetings there has been no discussion about performance athletes. Home Nation integration and programmes need

KC - New draft constitution, put together about two years ago but never approved, was not to do with performance, but rather to put us in line with good governance best practice and the new UK Sport Code for Good Governance. The Preamble in the new draft constitution about what the BVF is will be shaped by this discussion. At the moment, we are just surviving.

KN - So why are we paying membership fees, with no money on the table for the next 3 years? He will have to answer that question.

KC - Is it worth parking the BVF organisation until, for example, the next funding cycle? He said that there should be a clear split between strategy, constitution/governance and performance.

RC - The BVF came together with a strategy with an expectation KN asking for a re-evaluation and something that can happen. Someone needs to take the initiative. All BVF documents are aimed at UK Sport, not

KC – Maybe our purpose, even as the BVF, should be focussed on participation?

RC – I have a meeting with Katherine Grainger regarding ‘Every Sport Matters’ on 5th February, with lots of concern about the current funding structure. Things won’t change for Tokyo but very possibly for 2024.

KC – Hamstrung by the funding structure, in particular the split between high performance and participation. Complete disconnect between the two systems. Especially for the BVF now there is no IRIS funding.

KN – Try to do a twin-track approach, but the BVF needs another function. We should be doing more than now.

MA – Combined home country coaching and programmes. We need to keep the BVF profile and governance there however. So agree with twin-track approach. Keep membership fees the same but do more.

KN – We keep paying the fees but not that much is getting spent. What are we going to do with that to benefit the four Home Nations?

SS – Is the current funding covering what we’re doing now?

KC – If RC claimed all he was entitled to, and I was, I would say not.

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KC – Is the BVF even on the agenda of the Home Nation boards when they meet? We need two-way communication. If the Home Nations want to take on initiatives without us then fine.

MA – BVF is always on the Scottish Volleyball Association agenda. She always give updates to their board.

PM was involved when the BVF was reconstituted 38 years ago. Was treasurer for the first 8 years when we had nominal fees. What we were doing was not about promoting Team GB, just a dream we had to take part in the Olympics. About sorting out the curriculum of training for coaches and referees and raising the profile of the sport generally. Universities were sharing ideas and Royal Navy produced a big coaching manual. Enormous retrograde step if we were to take the BVF out of the picture.

KC – The BVF is here to serve the Home Nations, however, he didn’t know what the Home Nations wanted from the BVF? Without that, we can’t possibly have a strategy or come up with a purpose. So the ‘radical proposal’, given the BVF has some money in the bank and has historical debts still to come, the BVF would suspend membership payments for one year 2018-2019 for the Home Nations to go back to their own boards, and find out what they actually want from the BVF and then we can put together a budget accordingly. Then Home Nations don’t have to justify any further sums, just sort out historical debts, the BVF can continue as it currently is for that year to have some visibility, and then Home Nations can come up with 3 or 4 joint actions. Sports Officials UK have just got EU funding on the basis of an ‘Insight Project’ which identified what their members and target organisations wanted. So much good can come from working together. Whatever money we can get in the future will only get less-and-less, and public funding for sport will disappear completely eventually. Therefore, we have to look well into the future about what we want the BVF to do and how it is going to be paid for?

RC – Yield of the National Lottery is actually going up, and as high as it’s ever been, however it is not going as far with the choices as to how it is spent.

SS – If we do suspend membership fees, will we lose RC presence at meetings etc.?

KC – Well if outstanding debts, and the invoices yet to be raised for 2017-18 are paid, then we will have about £7,000 in the bank. Which would sustain us for at least a year.

MA - Said she would put together a simple questionnaire for each of the Home Nations to complete.

KC – To me, to hear that sports such as handball is having more traction than handball for example, is baffling. Few sports have the same spectator appeal as volleyball, plus the associated benefits of playing it.

MA – President of European Handball is British. IRIS funding was used to get him in post, then Home Nations are funded by the European federation. They have not sought UK Sport funding. We need to be smarter. Funding from other projects/sources. Need to reassess our fundamentals

RC – The way in which British Basketball has done it. England, Scotland and Wales are no longer affiliated as individual nations anymore. It’s an all Irish sport. They are in trouble with money also however. Funding for basketball will cease at the end of March.

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MA – Chief Executive of Scottish basketball regrets giving up their affiliation as they can’t access anything and not getting the share of their pot.

PM – European volleyball will only give you balls, nets etc for development but not money.

KC – I suspect the reason for this is getting tarred with the brush of a lack of audit from other governing bodies when funding has been given out. As for the questionnaire, we want a number of items that have been agreed by the Home Nations’ boards, which at BVF we can assess and see what’s achievable.

MA – No more than six questions. What do you want from your BVF?

KC - What don’t you have in your organisations which the BVF or a shared approach can assist with.

MA – Will try and have it out by the end of March.

JI – From an internet search, no up-to-date public presence for BVF.

KC – Explained the background / history to online presence / social media. I have BVF Twitter log-in details at the moment. As a minimum we should be providing updates and achievements on what the other Home Nations are doing, and basic BVF activity (meetings etc.). Must be somebody in the volleyball community who could assist for free just to do a landing page?

PM – British Volleyball page still on Facebook, which I did a single line post on.

MA – We should all put an advert for someone to help on our own webpages.

KC – I guess there are three stages. First, who owns the BVF’s IP? Secondly, develop a single webpage with a few images. Thirdly, to maintain that stage, which might be something every month.

KN – Volleyball England are currently having issues with their own website, which currently hosts the BVF page.

KC – Given how much money we do have in the bank, if we could find a cheap domain, shouldn’t we just buy it? As for things such as search engine optimisation, I could look into it, but don’t have the expertise.

MA – Scottish Volleyball also host Small Nations office and webpage.

SS – Will check what Volleyball Wales is doing and who updated it recently.

RC – Volleyball England will also check.

KC – I can do some simple blog posts about our governance.

RC – All of these actions are agreed, in particular, the suspension of membership fees for the next period to allow needs to be discussed at the Home Nations.

KC – I will issue the new invoices and send round the current position for all Home Nations, in the interests of transparency.

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5. Future representation at BVF board meetings from the Home Nations

RC – MA for Scotland. Yvonne first delegate for Wales with SS second.

PM – Irena is getting married and may not return to the Northern Ireland board. So I will be first and second to be decided.

KN – Post of Vice-Chair is first representative. Second representative to be decided.

MA - Second for Scotland will be Ben Pipes.

6. UK School Games

JI – Changing the format to be more recreational, rather than performance, so Volleyball England did not believe it was not the forum for their players. Fees we also going to be upped. £40-50k coming from Home Nations volleyball. Volleyball England have decided it was not fit-for-purpose. Looked at an alternative. Felt that Northern Ireland and Wales were overwhelmed in terms of performance. Scottish women have been playing with the North-West but don’t know what the level is like. What we’ve got should not penalise weaker teams.

MA – Scottish Volleyball Association were perfectly happy with the level of competition and were devastated when Volleyball England pulled out. As a result, the UK School Games were not going to have volleyball.

JI – No guarantees volleyball would be in as number of sports were getting reduced.

MA – Scotland has a very strong team at that level due to the UK School Games. Brought the details of a new competition along with her. Going to go out to some other European countries and host a tournament. They have been proactive with the coaches. Would be in addition to any Home Nations competition.

SS – School Games was the main driver for youth development in Wales, with the associated financial and coaching resources. Things have already started to fall apart as a consequence. Girls focussing on small countries under-19 competition, while boys only at club level. Not made our mind up on what the right thing is going forward. No time previously to focus on grassroots. Some of the Welsh players are looking to go to the trials for England to play internationally, so losing better players. Also, with no School Games, not getting the numbers through in the clubs. Need to decide whether to invest small number of coaches into grassroots. Volleyball Wales has to re-group, and no School Games will affect them more. We need an under-16 or under-17 target.

JI – Could play in the Volleyball England inter-regional tournament? May be a better standard.

SS – Been getting stronger on the girls side but it is dipping. Main problem with that proposal is that players will run to England, which will damage Welsh pathway and sustaining small countries.

PM – Share the sadness of the disappearing of the School Games. Also had the kind invite to participate in the Volleyball England inter-regionals. Currently re-jigging our youth programme, also

BVF AGM Minutes of 22 Jan 2018 Draft v2 looking at what the CEV schools project might bring. What can we bring to young people in Northern Ireland playing volleyball? We would like to explore an alternative competition to the UK School Games which could be organised through the auspices of the BVF.

RC – Sympathy with the position where so much money is wanted by UK School Games. Particularly as volleyball was at the heart of the event and best attended.

JI – Doing a complete competitions and performance review, which should be completed by Sep 2018. A Home Nations youth tournament would be fantastic but struggling to see where it fits in with everything else we want to do. We just don’t know our direction of travel. Expectations by next year 2019.

KC – Would be great to have a BVF branded schools tournament. Takes us well away from the realms of performance funding.

PM – Northern Ireland teams do play south of the border but they will not have the same opportunity as the UK School Games.

JI – Volleyball England play NEVZA at this age-group.

MA – New tournament runs from May to August/September. Invitational tournament. Programme will follow the UK School Games structure. A 2-year programme. Some sort of British competition in second year.

SS – Limited number of staff and girls so the earlier we know the dates, the more likely we will be able to take part.

KN – Give us a focus if we could work towards, in 2 years, a BVF Home Nations youth tournament.

MA – Scotland will keep two squads to provide maximum opportunity.

RC – Volleyball England could ask their reviewers about the possibility of a BVF games in 2019.

KC – Can also provide concrete budgets and costings.

PM – British universities and colleges were playing and were feeding players through.

KN – British Universities used to take part in the international Universiade.

MA – We could potentially host a BVF tournament, as the programme is signed off at board level, just as well as costs are shared and agreed. Can come back to you on that.

KN – Problem with universities is the strength of overseas players. We need to focus on British-eligible players and student team at over-18 level.

PM – Universities would want to work in co-operation but have their own governance. BVF should co- ordinate things such as this.

RC – Any Volleyball England review will consider any new School Games tournament and university implications.

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MA – Any new tournament was on a bi-annual basis, hosted by a different Home Nation each time. Wales could work with England.

7. Every Sport Matters

RC – 12 sports signed up, including luge, with another couple on the side-lines. Co-author of that paper. When he was Chief Executive of UK Sport, took over lottery funding, and came up with current funding model, apart from “no compromise” (if you’re not going to win a medal, you’re not getting any funding). UK Athletics tried to claim that 250 athletes deserved funding but not that many potential medallists. If a sport was going to get funding would have to devise a performance plan, with KPI’s, against which they would be monitored. Those sports that were selected initially were done so on an historical basis. UK Sport would argue that “no compromise” has been extremely successful. However, really it is about lottery money. Some sports approaching the best coaches in the world has meant a much more demanding environment and the inevitable welfare issues, not to say that the approach has not been justified in some sports.

KC – Surely the current scandals are the end of “no compromise”, especially the Jess Varnish case against UK Sport.

RC – ‘Every Sport Matters’ proposes turning the funding pyramid upside-down. Every Olympic and Paralympic sport, non-Olympic get through Home Nations Sports Councils, get a baseline of say £1m per year. Could easily be funded by taking from current funded sports and wouldn’t notice it.

KC – Ironic that funded sports also get best commercial deals.

RC - Then come up with different bands and reward success proportionately. UK Sport are not going to change the funding strategy for Tokyo, however Katherine Grainger and BoA are supportive. Argued that UK Sport “intelligence unit” is not fit-for-purpose. Also argued that the English Institute for Sport, which gets about £100m, is over funded and over staffed, needs a major review. Kath gets it because she is an athlete but too new right now. Room for manoeuvre as there will be a new Chief Executive at UK Sport maybe this year.

MA – This news reinforces what we have already discussed about reviewing the purpose of the BVF.

KC – Getting nationwide coverage and so should be getting publicity on our websites.

PM – Just to remind our English colleagues that sport is a devolved matter.

RC – UK Sport operates under a Royal Charter, as do Home Nation Sports Councils. So ministers are fleeting but powerful at the time.

KC – Any talk of current system being abandoned, with funding awarded to the sports who can then decide how best to spend it on grassroots, schools, performance, participation etc?

KN – Public opinion will decide how much public money is given to sport in the future. New government post-Tokyo. What has a medal in luge ever done to help participation?

KC - Should it be a devolved matter?

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RC – Would have to re-wind back to 1996 where there was a “Sports Council”. There have been such discussions. Don’t see it happening politically.

KC – No other country / area that has this issue.

RC – Belgium.

8. Commonwealth Games 2018/2022

RC – Everything in place for 2018. One country not accepted its wildcard with its replacement to soon be decided. Congratulations to English and Scottish pairs that have qualified. Also, great to see the Welsh girls and boys team competing, the boys in particular were competitive. Where are Volleyball England as regards 2022?

JI – Emailed all people we can to get a response. They say the decision has not been made as to which sports will be involved.

MA – It’s a distortion of the truth, as they had to submit the sports as part of their bid.

JI – We have offered the volunteers and structure to support.

RC – Knows everybody that is involved, and that I was annoyed that volleyball wasn’t included, but they are avoiding me. Doesn’t change the fact that International Shooting Federation are running a campaign. Will ask Ari at FIVB to write when I next go to Lausanne. Don’t think they will change their mind. Financially, building a new aquatic centre, cycling will be in London.

KN – Basketball is our biggest hurdle, taking place in the city centre in Centenary Square.

RC – Only 3x3 though.

MA – Volleyball England have a strong bargaining chip that one of the pairs will medal.

RC – In the annual Commonwealth Games England report specifically mentions the success of volleyball and beach volleyball’s inclusion in 2018.

MA – Going to the Gold Coast for 3 weeks.

JI – Team England have been allocated a comms lead. Not sending anyone however.

MA – In terms of influencing, I am running ‘Scotland House’ at the Gold Coast and we are hosting the Birmingham Organising Committee and taking them to the beach volleyball. Want to demonstrate the revenue, first sport to be sold out (like the Olympics), and this is what you can have. Need to show the potential.

RC – University of Birmingham hosting hockey. Theoretically could still take place there but need to be city centre.

JI – Also have the athletes present at Gold Coast.

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MA – We need an idea of what we could do to tell them. Volleyball England would have to do a huge amount of lobbying as it is your home games. Have plans for a potential build at George Square in Glasgow after Commonwealth Games being there. Skate parks can be easily converted.

KN – Could we do at the tennis centre? Been talk of converting Wimbledon for FIVB event.

9. Constitutional changes and governance Articles and SLA/MoU Composition of the board Athlete representation

KC – All about fundamental governance issues. Current BVF constitution has been in place since before I was involved. Memorandum of Understanding was to have some form of performance plan in place, predicated on getting some funding, following the hockey approach with a ‘nominated country’. Never approved and now given the discussions in this meeting, for the foreseeable future, it is dead.

RC – Current constitution still has to be the basis for operating for now.

KC – New draft articles replace that in its entirety. Last draft March 2016. Although discussed and agreed in principle, not minuted that it has been passed, and I have not filed it at Companies House. Part 1 is not anything legal but can now be deleted, until such time there is a new strategy and purpose. Article 5 (Role of the President) election is the key part. Best that it does not come from the Home Nations for the reasons of independence.

KN – Currently no term limit or a limit to the number of terms. Should fall in line with the new Code.

RC – Recommended that four-year term maximum, for two terms.

KC – Intention is that we go through it now, I amend, and then you can discuss with your Home Nation boards. If anyone then has any questions in advance of your meetings then let me know, otherwise, a rubber-stamping exercise. We can then pass it by email.

KN – What does 75% mean? If you have 7 board members it is 4.75.

KC – It would be rounded up to 5. I will clarify this.

JI – Terms of election start from this AGM or does it apply retrospectively.

MA – Effective term starts from the date the constitution is changed.

RC – BPA took that approach but others haven’t.

KC – RC currently been in post for two years.

KN – Volleyball England started from new constitution.

KC – Feels like a new start, so we should start from now.

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RC – I can still be removed.

KC – Removed as a director and then not eligible to be President. Or a vote of no confidence just as President. RC is happy to stand. There is provision for an interim appointment.

KN – Once approved by Home Nations, it will become permanent.

KC – Next issue the composition of the board. 4 Home Nation elected directors, up to 3 NEDs with a vote and up to 2 co-opted no-voting directors. From my own personal perspective, had health issues and a new job, and I’ve been involved for 4 years, I would prefer to step-down as an NED and Company Secretary, along with accounts and banking to someone more qualified. Would happy to be a co-opted director for legal and governance issues. Happy to do any handover. Lots of people looking for opportunities to get involved in sports governance. I could mentor them.

RC – Respect that. Advertise for new NEDS.

KC – Company Secretary should be a voting NED. I have role descriptions from previous unsuccessful process. Treasurer position would not have to be voting, but realistically you would want Company Sec to also deal with finance. Other co-opted role would be commercial, revenue-raising, someone with a finance or charity fundraising background. What skills don’t we have in the room that we need or would like?

RC – Agreed in Buenos Aires that we needed a commercial/marketing person. Need an advert to appoint a new NED for Company Sec/finance, if they have commercial experience then an added bonus, then put it out through LinkedIn?

KC – S&RA and UK Sport would advertise. I would push the virtues of being involved, as I was truly independent with no volleyball background.

RC – KC to circulate a draft to be agreed through email.

MA – Interview process?

KC – Half hour call with them.

MA – I will be involved on a conference call.

KC – Shortlist of 3 or 4 people. Happy to do the review and provide a recommendation to the board.

KN – It’s a hard task to find a finance director.

KC – Fundamental part for the role would be company secretarial, banking, end of year accounts and minutes, with others would be desirable. Surely one of NED’s should be an athlete representative. Great for credibility. Any active participant in fact.

RC – Dilemma is the three disciplines. Should have someone with a disability involved.

JI – What’s your definition of independent? UK Sport have their own definition.

RC – They say it should come from outside sport. But a thought that it isn’t the best way.

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KC – I would say someone who is not sitting on the boards of any of the Home Nations. Should define this in the articles.

MA – No governance position or employed.

KC – Regional positions is fine, but not at national level. The other co-opted would be an athlete, but would they want to do it if they didn’t have a vote?

RC – I know a number of former players who would want to do it. Would still need to a do a formal advert though.

KC – It needs to be someone who is involved in volleyball. So “open” in the sense it comes from the Home Nations. I will provide a draft role description and do a one-page application form.

MA – Need a priority of what we’re going to advertise.

RC - Company sec is priority but it athletes’ need a vote.

PM – Although we have our difficulties, we must be transparent.

MA – Table KC to be co-opted. Done a great job for us.

RC – All in agreement.

KN – As for independence, RC is Volleyball England President.

RC – Honorary President with no voting rights. I am not representing Volleyball England.

MA – That should be fine.

KN – Just needs to clarify the wording of Article 3.

KC - Other one to clarify is Article 25 regarding expenses. All elected directors have theirs covered by their Home Nation. Other NEDs can claim travel and other associated expenses which are deemed to be reasonable. I haven’t claimed any but RC had. No one is remunerated in a fee-paying sense.

KN – Should they be signed off by a second person?

KC – Company Secretary will be the sole signatory for amounts under £500. Over £500 two signatories. However, all expenses claims have to be approved by the Company Secretary and the nominated Finance Director.

KN – Conflicts of interest?

KC – Article 19.

KN – Do a declaration each year.

KC – Should be a register.

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JI – We can send you a form.

KC – Very closely modelled on the Companies House Model Articles. I will send a track changed and clean version.

RC – There was an MoU about our registered office being Volleyball England.

KC – Any bank statements come direct to my home address. Hopefully any new bank we will hardly get any by post.

JI – Not a problem for this to continue and I will be the point of contact.

RC – Sitting volleyball SLA led to JI and RC turning up to BPA meetings. Volleyball England were running programmes on our behalf with Sport England money. I am no longer a director of BPA.

MA – Is this SLA now null-and-void?

JI – It ended in 2016.

MA – Therefore someone from BVF should attend, not JI. If RC can go then great, if not, then see who from board can go.

KC – Suggestion that if someone from sitting is athlete rep, then they can attend. Make it part of role description?

RC – Good idea but we have tried in the past. Can I nominate a back-up for BoA and BPA if I can’t attend for whatever reason?

KC – I’m happy to be a back-up and attend if I can. If neither of us can, then that’s just the way it is.

PM – What about Martine Wright? She is always in the media talking about the difference volleyball has made to her life.

RC – Martine gets asked to do so many things, and has an agent that wants her to be paid for whatever she does

KC – Pull on the heart strings. If she wants a long-lasting impact on British volleyball then this is the only way to do it.

RC – She is worried about attending to many meetings.

KC – That is the least of our problems! This is the other governance point. Can’t have only one year. AGM has to be in person. Aim for 3 others by conference call. I will put them in the diary, which can be moved, apart from the AGM.

MA – January is a good time for the AGM. Kick off the year in the right way.

KN – World Para Volley invoices.

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JI – We have a licence for ‘Go-To’ which we can use for conferencing.

MA – Finally as regards SLA, IRIS money for £2,000 sat in Volleyball England accounts. Not paid any of RC’s expenses out of it.

JI – I will look into it and we will send money if it is still there.

MA – Can RC send round the IRIS document we sent to Lisa Wainwright.

10. Any other business

PM – Main question from Northern Ireland was about what comes after the School Games, particularly given the obesity crisis.

RC – Commonwealth Youth Games are scheduled for Belfast. PM is on the ball about beach volleyball’s inclusion.

JI – Been given funding for youth pair from “solidarity fund”.

RC – Please answer MA’s questionnaire and we will collate the answers.

MA – Small countries update. It has been a challenge since new CEV President came in. Senior competition will no longer be a European championship medal. We are now essentially a “zonal constitution” but this needs to go to General Assembly. Been summoned to Luxembourg to meet with CEV legal department. Keep getting letters reminding me I am a Vice President of CEV. He does not want 15 countries in small countries as politically it is too strong with 15 votes out of 56.

KC – Following on from that, I have been re-appointed to the CEV Legal Chamber with a wider mandate, having previously been on the Mediation Chamber.

JI – Audrey still on FIVB coaches commission. Stewart Dunne is the chair of NEVZA.

KN – CEV and FIVB came over to see Liz Nicholl and Nick Bitel. Poor presentation. All they were interested in were big commercial entities based in London, and said they would give Britain events. They want a big beach event in London.

MA – If we have any senior people over then can Home Nations be notified?

RC – Been invited as a member of FIVB Ethics Commission. Not yet met. Also chair of Judicial Commission of World Para Volley. Also never had to meet.

KC – All positions will come under the conflict of interest forms. Can mark them “other relevant positions in volleyball”.

RC – FIVB have the highest regard for England as regards finance, but they are desperate to have a major tournament. Under new beach volleyball structure, previously with costing a Grand Prix event in London it was around £2.5m, now as a level 5 program we could do it for £10-15k and it is an FIVB event. Having personal discussions which may be cost free for the BVF.

BVF AGM Minutes of 22 Jan 2018 Draft v2

MA – At the end of the Edinburgh Festival, outside the castle, the FIVB want us to host an event.

PM – We have done great events. Good beach events in Luxembourg and Scotland last year. Biggest beach event has been on the Portrush strand in Northern Ireland.

MA – We should do a joint British beach tour.

KN – Southern based teams won’t travel North and we have had significant losses. Some people running non-Volleyball England tournaments which is controversial.

JI – A televised interview in Spanish with the successful beach pair.

Kevin Carpenter 16 January 2019