SRFC Minis and Junior Section

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting Held at the club, at 8.00pm 13th May 2015

Attendance Neil Wakefield (Chairman), Andrew Provan (Treasurer), James Allkins (Secretary), Mark Hiney (U13), Richard Thorogood (U9), Matt Langtree (U8),Tom O’Neill (U7), Myles Mason (U6), Sean O’Connell (Parent), Phil Teal (Parent), Michelle Oldham (outgoing Membership Secretary and purveyor of players to both U7 and Colts XV)

1) Chairman’s Report NW a) On The Pitch Age Group Reports These were received, and it was noted with pride that the U12 XV had won their Cheshire Cup competition. It was also noted that the U15 side had folded, with defections to Wilmslow making the side unsustainable. Player Retention (NW and AP) It was noted that to improve player retention, training needed to be interesting and engaging. It was suggested that a network of helpful parents was essential to help age groups through the difficult stages of retention, such as public examinations, and that the earlier that this network was established the better. Team/Club spirit could be fostered by activities such as touring. It was noted that the U6 age group had more than 70 children involved. b) The Stuff that people don’t see The Chairman offered his thanks to all associated with the club who had helped through the season. Groundsman Brian was thanked for his efforts, along with his assistant ML, and an appeal was made for helpers, with the reward of a trip on the ride on mower as an inducement! Thanks were offered to Natasha for all her work on the festival, and to MH and TO’N for their efforts as fixtures secretaries. AP was thanked for this loyalty and long service, and for hosting the monthly committee meetings. RT was thanked for organizing a very enjoyable end of season “do”, enjoyed by all who attended. Cath Wilson was thanked in absentia for all her work on youth registration and her retirement from this position was noted by the committee. Presentations of flowers were then made to Michelle Oldham, for six years work as Membership Secretary, to Haidee Langtree, via ML, for her work as Child Welfare Officer, and to Sian for all her efforts in running the clubhouse catering and bar. c) Membership and Finances NW noted that we had 315 players overall, and 83 parents were social members. Overall finances were healthy. 2) Election of Officers for 2015/16 NW

3) Treasurer’s Report AP a) Cash Flow In £26328.14 Out £22400 Surplus £3928 b) Selected items of Expenditure Shirts £1330.67 –more than expected Main Club Levy £7500 Bar Refurbishment £6825 Coaches Tops £1010 New Fryer £455 Defibrillator £400 Hardcore (for new roadway/parking) £766 It was noted that more had been paid out than expected in fees for attending festivals, which was welcomed. It was noted that £2000 remained available for coaching courses which had not been used. c) Proposed Items for Future External Staircase £8000 Floodlights £17000, representing 50% of proposed total cost.

MO asked about disabled access in light of the proposed rebuild of the external stairs. AP advised of plans to redevelop the front of the clubhouse and upstairs, with a minimum cost of £70K. MH asked regarding the timing of work to rebuild the stairs, NW replied that this was likely to done in the close season, and that Stuart Bertenshaw was engaging a structural engineer at present. d) Membership £18675 received in subscriptions Subscription rates for next year- It was proposed that annual subscription be £85, for the first child, with a £10 discount for subs. paid before 01/9/15. Social member subs. were set at £20, and these subscription rates were agreed by all present. 4) External Stairs NW As discussed earlier in the meeting, it was agreed that the current stairs were unsuitable and after a mini tender process work is to go ahead on replacement. A structural engineer has been engaged, and the Minis and Juniors Committee will consider the plans and final costs, and give the go ahead to the work to be done, over the summer.

5) Floodlights for 2nd XV pitch NW NW reported on the state of the floodlights. They are at the end of their useful life, and a mini tendering process has started, for their replacement. We await further quotes. In principal a 50/50 split for funding the new lights has been agreed with the senior club, and it has been noted that no RFU funding is available until the end of next season.

6) Defibrillator AP £400 was received from The British Heart Foundation for the defib., which will be attached to the exterior of the club house facing the Ist XV pitch

7) Rugby World Cup 2015 a) Monday evening touch rugby continues under supervision of ML b) Stockport Grammar School v. Manchester Grammar School A fixture has been arranged, to be played at the Club, on Friday 18th September, as a “curtain raiser” to the televised England v Fiji international in the RWC. A trophy will be donated by the Club, and it is hoped that this will become a regular fixture

AP suggested that “regular” mums and dads greet the anticipated influx of newcomers during and after the RWC, and take names and contact details. He advised that no money be taken initially, and it was recognized that new players are likely to visit several clubs before making a choice, so every effort should be made to make the club as welcoming as possible. ML asked about liability for touch rugby players. AP reported that the club’s RFU insurance covers all rugby related activities, which MO confirmed, and AP suggested consulting the RFU website for further information. ML commented that RWC may also stimulate a rise in social members, and AP suggested that a ballot for future international tickets be run for social members.

8) Stockport Festival NW 2014 Festival NW reported that 40 teams competed this season at a successful tournament 2015 Festival Phil Guest U12 is organizing the 2015 tournament, which will take place on Sunday 4th October. 44 entries have been made so far, 4 places remain.

9) Any Other Business ML repeated that £2000 remained available to assist with coaching, and proposed a summer camp. AP reported that Sian was away on the dates proposed, NW would enquire if these could be changed. 9) Any Other Business cont.. RT suggested that to assist with retention and recruitment, that each age group could run a BBQ/cake sale etc in the first few weeks of the season, with AP advising “an independent initiative” in which money was retained by the organizing age groups AP noted that good coffee was always welcome on a Sunday morning, and ML volunteered to look into securing a suitable supplier of the best Columbian stimulants.

There being no other business , the meeting closed at 21.00, and all present adjourned to the bar, with NW suggesting that the date of the next formal meeting of the section be circulated nearer the proposed date.