Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
West of Scotland Squash
Season 2010/2011
Held at Giffnock LTC on Wednesday 25 th May 2011
1. Present
Emma Ford Chair Kieran O’Neill Vice Chair Iain Shaw League Secretary (Disputes) Stewart Hamilton League Secretary (Administration) Alan Pearson Treasurer Steve Carlin Tournament Convener Billy Stevely Junior Convener George Allan Committee Member (Minute Taker) Katrina Philips Committee Member Martin Woods Committee Member
In attendance
Anne Brown Allander Tom Clancy Wanderers John Crawford Townend Graham Crawley Townend Maggie Dick SSRC Andy Duff Unattached Paul Eley Wishaw Stuart George Giffnock Paul Geri Giffnock Michael Grant Strathgryffe Kurt Hart Craighelen Colin Hutton Whitecraigs RFC Stephen Jeffrey Wanderers Iain Logan Western Alan Marshall Strathgryffe Louise Mclean Allander Hamish McKay Allander Sarah Norris SSRC Norman Paterson Wishaw Andy Philips Western
2 Minutes of the previous meeting
The previous minutes were approved by Martin Woods, Seconded by Michael Grant
3 Presidents Report
Emma Ford (EF) commented that the 2010/2011 season had been another smooth and well run season giving thanks to Stewart Hamilton (SH) the League Secretary. EF highlighted the West’s achievements this year; these were in junior performance and coaching.
This year the West agreed to re-affiliate to Scottish squash after many years of non affiliation. A number of benefits have already seen.
This year also saw the launch of Racquetball in the West. There have been a number of successful racquetball leaders courses held within the region.
EF expressed disappointment in losing division 7 this year; this was due to late withdrawals. It is hoped these teams will be encouraged to rejoin the leagues this coming season.
This was the second season using PAR scoring system and the first year that division 2 had joined divisions 3-7 in playing to PAR 15. The feedback remains positive and all competitors seem to be adjusting well to the new scoring. It has provided a few interesting results over the season.
EF advised that, due to work commitments, she would only be serving 1 year as President.
At this Point EF handed over to Kieran O’Neill (KO) as the incoming President.
4 Treasurer’s Report
Alan Pearson (AP) advised that all outstanding team fees from previous seasons had been collected.
West Squash and Racquetball has a healthy capital balance. Season fees have covered web hosting, Horizon League Software, UKCC, and other expenses throughout the year.
Accounts as follows
Season 2010/2011
Opening Bal £9,634.53
Income (£)
Team Levies 4485 Sponsorship 500 Interest 25 Tournaments 1601 Dinner 4471.66 TOTAL 11,082.66
Expenditure
Team Ref Exp 285.2 Courses 695 Tournament 3867.94 Web/Software 350.95 Charity 1148.05 Dinner 3248.39
TOTAL 9,595.53
£1,487.13
Closing Balance £11,121.66
Represented By :
Clydesdale Cur A/C 5025.66 Standard Life 6096.00
5 Tournament Conveners Report
Steve Carlin (SC) provided the following report:
The West Senior Ranking and Junior B event were held at the start of April in Western Health and Racquets Club. There were over 50 participants from all over Scotland. The Event was won by the West’s Kevin Moran beating Chris Ferguson in the Final. A special thanks goes to Martin Woods and George Allan for the running of the event.
The West Closed was held at SSRC, the final was between Barry Sutherland and Peter O’Hara. Sutherland who was back on these shores for a few weeks showed the shot making and retrieval for which he is renowned but was unable to deter Peter O’Hara’s charge for another title. In the A plate final Graham McAinsh of Giffnock led 2-0 before Andy McCully of Townend staged a fight back to 2 games all. Graham steadied the ship to win in the 5 th . In the B event young Ross Andrew of Newlands prevailed in a ding dong match over Norman Paterson of Wishaw (3-2) The B event plate was won by John Devitt of Hamilton beating Steve Carlin of SSRC in another tight final. Paul Geri of Giffnock won the C event with some solid performances in the round robin, beating Paul Paton 3-0 of SSRC in the deciding match. SC voiced thanks to SSRC and the Referees, especially Billy Stevely, and all who took part.
6 WoSSA’s Scottish Squash Representatives Report
John Dunlop (JD) the CEO of Scottish Squash attended to give a small talk and some questions regarding SSRL within the West. JD thanked the West for the opportunity to come along and address the floor.
JD is keen to encourage the West to take full advantage of the full range of courses and advantages of affiliation, explaining about scholarship funds for people interested in coaching.
Glasgow 2014 is important to the West and Squash ensuring a legacy also very important West keep affiliated as a sign of solid support to the National Governing Body. JD stated that they are aiming to reintroduce the Scottish Open as a PSA event to be played in the West. There is also a possibility of a doubles league in the West due to the building of doubles courts by Strathclyde Police.
SSRL also have support from the government to introduce mini squash into all schools in Scotland.
JD informed those present of the new pricing structure to affiliate to SSRL.
The new structure will be as follows:
£100 per club insurance charge and a team charge of £150
This will save clubs with more than 1 team money and the West Committee have agreed to look into a means to adjust the costs for 1 team clubs in financial difficulty.
Martin Woods (MW) discussed the SSRL racquetball programme, this is aimed at clubs and centers’ in regeneration areas. The aim is to boost participation by launching up racquetball youth groups.
7 Junior Report
Billy Stevely (BS) provided the following report:
Junior Participation in the West region is very strong. Currently there are 35 West Juniors on the Scottish Squash Matrix, and many of these juniors compete in the senior West Leagues. In particular, Morgan McGuire, Ben Mazzucco, Douglas McMillan, Jason Lang, James Wilson, Harry Anderson and Adam Reid are all in the top 4 of their respective Scottish age Group.
This year the West and with Scottish Squash initiated U14 and O14 development squads. These squads currently train at SSRC on a Tuesday; More recently an U11 squad who train at Giffnock on a Sunday.
During the first half of the season a junior league was started – this was the first junior league in the West for 25 years. 4 teams contested the league with Giffnock attaining first place. In the 2 nd half of the season 8 teams entered once again Giffnock came out on top.
The inter-regional’s was very successful for the West region winning at U11 U13 and U17 levels. With so many junior initiatives and numerous pathways for juniors of all ages to display there talents, the future is bright for junior squash in the West.
8 League Secretaries Report
Stewart Hamilton (SH) provided the following report:
This season started with 73 Gents teams in the league and finished with 69. Teams withdrew from Allander, Ayr, Cameron House and Whitecraigs LTC. A new team was added by Glasgow University (3 rd Team). The Ladies started and finished with 14 teams.
At the start of the season several clubs withdrew teams which left division 7 with only 3 teams which left them with very few matches over the season. The adverse weather conditions of last December created problems, with many clubs having frozen pipes, heating failures and also the road conditions postponed. Fortunately there were no further weather problems and all matches were completed by the end of the season.
9 Election of Office-bearers
. President Kieran O’Neill Proposed Emma Ford Seconded Iain Logan
Vice President / Steven Carlin Proposed Kieran Seconded Martin Woods Tournament Convenor O’Neill Past President Emma Ford
Secretary George Allan Proposed Emma Ford Seconded Martin Woods
Treasurer Alan Pearson
League Secretary Stewart Hamilton
League Secretary (Disputes) Iain Shaw
Junior Convenor Billy Stevely
Committee Member Bobby Cameron
Committee Member Martin Woods
Committee Member Katrina Philips
Committee Member David Ward
Committee Member Andy Duff Proposed Martin Seconded Michael Grant Woods
10 Team Fee’s
Team Fee’s will remain unchanged for the coming season. Any new teams entering the league will have their fees waived for the first year.
11 Constitutional Matters
i) The Committee proposed all new teams entering the leagues this season will have their fees waved.
The motion was proposed by KO and seconded by Michael Grant. ii) The Committee proposed amending the league construction matrix with particular regards to the number of divisions.
The motion proposed was: The Committee will structure the leagues as they see fit to the correct standard of play.
The motion was proposed by KO and Seconded by MW iii) Change of Name To West of Scotland Squash and Racquetball
The motion was proposed by BS and Seconded by Andy Philips.
12 A.O.C.B.
The Dinner Dance will be reviewed due to a small uptake and the cancellation of this year’s event.
13 Close of Meeting
The President closed the meeting, and thanked all for attending. Giffnock LTC were also thanked for allowing the use of their premises.