Agenda for Committee Meeting to Be Held on 9Th June 2009 at 32 Lonsdale Road, Gloucester

GLOUCESTER AND DISTRICT SOCIETY OF RUGBY UNION REFEREES MEMBERS’ MEETING

Minutes of Members’ Meeting held at 1930 on 21 October 2014 at Hucclecote RFC, Gloucester.

1. Welcome/Attendance

1.1 The Vice-Chairman, Barry Clark, welcomed the membership in the absence, due to sickness, of the Chairman. An attendance register was kept: 53 members were present and apologies had been received from 15 members.

2. New Members/Visitors

2.1 Two new members introduced themselves and were warmly welcomed to the Society: Tom Falkingham and Matt Prentice. He also welcomed Matt Carley (full time Premiership Referee) who was tonight’s speaker.

3. Minutes of previous meeting

3.1 The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true record by Society members.

4. County Examination Success

4.1 The Society President presented Henry Lowis with his kit to mark his recent success in the County Examination.

5. Fitness Training

5.1 RDO Geoff Cove informed members that he had arranged a Yo-yo fitness test for the 3 November. Further details would be placed on ‘Whostheref.’

6. Finance

6.1 Finance Manager, Les Newcombe, stated that the 20 Clubs who still had to pay their annual fee would be sent a reminder at the end of October at which time a further £10 administration fee would be incurred. He also encouraged members to pay their Society subscriptions promptly. Les began issuing this season’s Law Books and GRFU Handbooks to paid up members.

7. Appointments

7.1 Appointments Secretary, Rodger Brennan, urged members to keep their availability calendars up to date on ‘Whostheref’.

7.2 Rodger, in an attempt to cut down on the significant amount of time he presently dedicates to his role, called for a volunteer to take over mid-week appointments. He GLOUCESTER AND DISTRICT SOCIETY OF RUGBY UNION REFEREES MEMBERS MEETING stated that the volunteer would need some time available during the day to carry out this role but he would be prepared to give the requisite training this season with a view to handing over the role in time for next season.

8. Whistler Trophy Cards/Discipline/Level 6 Matches

8.1 Barry Clark, Vice Chairman, reminded members of the importance of cards which Clubs compete keenly to win and which in turn improved the way Clubs treat referees. There had been a poor response so far this season. The Cards need only be completed for all Clubs that the Society covers but were not necessary for schools/college or ladies matches.

8.2 Barry went on to say that there had been more red cards in the north of the county thus far this season but this could be for a variety of factors.

8.3 Barry ended by stating that he understood the frustration of some members at the lack of opportunity within the Society to referee at Level 6 as there were only two such sides within its patch and incoming exchange referees took some of these games. However, the standard of our lower level games was still high and he encouraged members to get the most out of every appointment.

9. Any Other Business

9.1 Terry Curtis voiced concern about the state of the Matson second team pitch which had a substantial hole in the middle when he visited recently. Secretary, Steve Bowen agreed to contact the Club.

10. Date of Next Members’ Meeting

10.1 The next meeting will take place at 1930 on 18 Nov 14 at Hucclecote RFC.

11. Training

11.1 Referee Development Officer, Geoff Cove, reminded members of the SW Leagues Regulation 13.5.11(c) that applies to Levels 8-11 in our area. The regulation gives exemption from the ‘man off’ rule that normally applies when a front row player is injured resulting in uncontested scrums. The regulation allows this man to be replaced despite the imposition of uncontested scrums.

2 GLOUCESTER AND DISTRICT SOCIETY OF RUGBY UNION REFEREES MEMBERS MEETING

11.2 Geoff then introduced Matt Carley who delivered his presentation ‘Being the best you can’ which was greatly appreciated by everyone present whose questions had to be curtailed 20 minutes past the meeting’s usual finishing time.

Steve Bowen General Secretary 22 October 2014

Distribution:

All Committee members Members via the Society website