DRAFT Wokingham CC Junior Section

Wokingham Cricket Club Junior Section Minutes of Annual General Meeting open to parents and players held on 29 September 2010

Present: Paul Hayter (Chair & Coach), Denise Noden (Secretary, Juniors Administrator), Alan Clarke (Fixture Sec & Coach), Chris Vaal (Ex Officio & Coach), Janet Rogers (Ex Officio, Ladies & Girls, Coach & Manager), Bryan Stabler (Vice Chairman, Coach & Manager), Stuart Hayter (Lead Coach); Coaches: Paul Tatum Ahmar Gharfoor; Managers: Nigel Pearce, Robert Clarke, Jim Buchan, Paul David; Parents: Dersh Patel, Simon Myles; 8 junior members and parents; Senior club members; Murray Heslin, Denise took the minutes.

1. Welcome Paul H thanked those present for attending. The coaches had provided cricket for over 150 junior members, a 25% increase on 2009, and coaching for many more children. He thanked Nigel for the sponsorship of Petrus Financial, the committee for their work throughout the season and the managers for their effort in rounding up players for matches to happen. Paul thanked the parents for their support and comments.

2. Apologies for absence Peter and David Scott, Alison Mollett, Robert and Denise Ellison, Len Mrowiec, Cathy Gray-upton, and Stuart for lateness.

3. Presentations Pauline Spence Colts Cup - Dominic Ashford for his performance in U15 Berks League. Medals to juniors who had played in their first WokCC senior league games: Mat Loxton, Jake David, Aidan Larsen, Alex Pearce and Ben Myles. This was the first season that the medals had been presented and we recognised the many juniors who had first represented Wokingham in previous seasons.

4. Season 2010 Report

4.1 Squad success U9 Acorns (Man. Bryan Stabler, Coach Chris Vaal) By the end of their season the kids did their manager and coach proud. After a poor start with last year’s U8 players underperforming, lots of new members meant good training sessions for the 48 children registered. The teams, picked on merit, won 5 of the 8 completed games. An even better set of cricketers will be moving on to U10s next year. It is worth noting that most of the U14/15s who played for Wokingham seniors this season had started in the U9s.

U11 Red Oaks (Man. Paul David, Coach Paul Tatum) [Post Script to the meeting:- The Red Oaks endured a tough but enjoyable season on the pitch. The results for the team are very much born out of the fact that the team is a transitional one, (stepping up to hardball) added to this we also picked up a significant number of recruits along the way so selection was a times difficult as we were very much of the policy that everyone should be given an opportunity to play. This combined with the seemingly random structure of the leagues, lot's of teams were a year older than our boys, ensured that we were always chasing games whether batting or bowling first. The positives to take from the squad this year were the improvements we saw on the pitch as the season wore on, bigger scores, more dedicated fielding and straighter bowling were the rewards for those who consistently turned up for training. Also the numbers were good, the squad now sits with a very healthy number of members. However the most impressive thing about the Red Oaks was no matter who turned up and played, or how ominous the total we were chasing or defending the team didn't once let their heads down, and their cricket was always played with a smile.] 1/2 U11 Golden Oaks (Man. Alison Mollett, Coach Ahmar Gharfoor) A squad of 16, had a good first match, a balance of won/lost/drawn but peaked late having faced some strong teams in league. Performance could have been better with more batting practice although the running between wickets was competent. Players were rotated where possible, recognising performance in training as well as in the game. Four friendlies enjoyed by kids and parents were happy.

U13 Red Oaks (Man. Jim Buchan, Coach Alan Clarke) Jim’s first year as manager started on a high with the Red Oaks winning their first two games. They lost their way a bit in mid season against some better opposition, many of which games they could have won. Finishing with a stunning last ball victory against Littlewick Green proved their abilities and demonstrated a team commitment lacking in the mid season games. High hope for next season as all a bit older and stronger within the U13 league, and looking forward to more friendlies.

U13 Golden Oaks (Man. Robert Clarke, Coach Bryan Stabler) The older of our U13 squads won 4,lost 2 with one match tied in the league, and won 2 cup games. As well as improving their skills through the season the squad were also using their heads more by, for example, running singles that were not being taken previously. A successful season, the squad gelled, and being used to alternately being younger and older within league, the players are well placed to compete in the U15 league next year.

U15 Oaks (Man. Nigel Pearce, Coach Paul Hayter) It had been a tough year with only two U15s in the young squad and unavailability due to injury and illness. Won 3, lost 4. However, they picked up a new member who won the coach’s award. There was a good team spirit especially with 5 playing in the same school team (Forest). The distinct improvement in playing performance at end of the league season, and 9 of the squad playing senior cricket, bodes well for 2011. Opposition parents were appreciative of Wokingham CC’s friendly hospitality with the bar and hot drinks available. Unfortunately, we did experience unacceptable rudeness from the management of one or two opposition clubs.

U13 Warriors (Man. & Coach Janet Rogers) The squad of mostly U11s played in the North Hampshire League with a greatly improved scope for competition than Berks and still within a reasonable travelling distance; won 5, lost 5. Some of the girls also played in our “boys” teams.

U16 Warriors (Man. Cathy Upton-Gray, Coach Janet Rogers) Played 7 matches (3 cancelled). The team enjoyed direction from Patch when he umpired in their winning game at Eversley. Squad included 3 late recruits, and 5 county girls were available at different times (1 borrowed from Reading and 1 from Hurst), playing well against strong competition in the North Hampshire league and friendlies. Liaising with other local clubs gave more girls more cricket. Six girls have potential to play county cricket in 2011 and may benefit from being coached with the U15 Boys to push them further. Team/parents enjoyed fixtures. More parental support is required; we need to drill team and prepare for matches but with Manager scoring and Coach umpiring, nobody to talk strategy and warm ups. Cathy did a fantastic job chasing up girls to play and join.

2/2 4.2 Finance Bryan presented the Junior Section 2010 season budget and actual, income and expenditure, proving written copies for consideration; over 150 children in membership with the fee same as 2009, 14 weeks of coaching plus 70 or 80 matches. Those working for the juniors on a voluntary basis had helped to reduce expenditure. Any balance made by the section is given to the club to help with the cost of eg ground maintenance. The juniors use the ground exclusively every weekday evening except Wed, every Saturday and many Sunday mornings. Paul H thanked Simon Myles for preparing the wickets throughout the season. Bryan thanked Nigel P for Petrus Financial’s support in kitting out the Juniors.

4.3 Cricket Festival. Chris Vaal most ably ran two cricket festivals under the aegis of Wokingham CC : Schools Festival (26 teams, ages 10/11) and the Girls Festival (12 teams at Wok CC ground), paid for by Wokingham/Bulmershe local authority, t-shirts provided by Petrus Financial, and some help from sports students from local schools. Chris’ time and effort raised the profile of Wokingham CC; previous festivals held at Wellington Road but run by the local authority had reflected badly on the club. Chris agreed to set up the festivals for 2011, but for someone else to run on the day.

4.4 Chance to Shine Jack Fisher ran cricket courses for 300 children in local primary schools. Alan Clarke did an awful lot of work arranging timetables with the schools. The first three years of the scheme is fully funded by ECB during which time we might have recruited as many as 75 new members. We will have to finance the scheme fully from year 6 onwards.

5. Coaching Stuart Hayter thanked the coaches and managers for their efforts this season. The summer courses had been fantastically successful. Stuart will continue as lead coach next season and will soon be picking up new skills on a Club Coach course. He took on board points arising from managers and hopes to incorporate more 1:1 coaching and make more use of the bowling machine. Monday evenings will need to be well resourced as large numbers of children are expected.

6. Next Season 2011 6.1 Winter training is provisionally booked at Wellington College to start on the last Sunday in January for 8 sessions over 10 weeks.

6.2 Club facilities The next playing season will still be at Wellington Road. October 1st 2011 is the due date for moving to Sadler’s End, Sindlesham, so the next AGM should be held at the new ground. There will be double the capacity for junior games. Some adult club members are in the process of training to become coaches and older juniors as assistant coaches. We also aim to link with schools in the area.

7. Election of Officers No nominations had been received and no volunteers were forthcoming. As proposed by Murray Heslin, seconded by Nigel Pearce, the meeting agreed the re-election of the existing committee members. The following people were elected to serve on the committee:- Paul Hayter as Chairman, Denise Noden as Secretary, Bryan Stabler as ViceChairman, Chris Vaal and Janet Rogers as Ex Officio members. Alan Clarke as Fixtures Sec.,Nigel Duncan as Club Welfare Officer and Stuart Hayter as Lead Coach automatically become members of the committee. The following positions remain vacant: Social Sec., Publicity & Promotions.

3/2 All managers and coaches present agreed to continue next season. Paul H asked that managers & coaches involve as many parents as possible in preparation for the move and setting up our cricket club at the new site. Denise Noden Secretary & Juniors Administrator