Bath Rugby Supporters' Club Minutes of the Annual
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BATH RUGBY SUPPORTERS’ CLUB MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD IN THE ILLUSTRIOUS SUITE, THE RECREATION GROUND ON 23 MAY 2013 AT 1930 Present: Committee: Glyn Edwards Erica Edwards Andy Thatcher Anne Kirkham Tom Sutton - Acting Secretary Members: Sue Andrew Clive Hoskin Peter Phillips Dorothy Wallace Kelvin Brunton Honor King Dave Pugh Jan Warrington Cath Burgess Peter Legge Raymond Preston Mike Warrington Fred Clayton Chris Maggs David Spurrell Chris Wensley Barry Cleeve Pam Maggs June Spurrell Maureen Willcox Jenny Cleeve Peter Measday Dave Stock Anne Woodman Paul Cripps David Paynter William Singer John Woodman Ann Finch Ray Perry Cathy Thatcher In attendance: Nick Blofeld (CEO, Bath Rugby) Welcome Glyn Edwards (Chairman) welcomed and introduced Nick Blofeld, who had agreed to deliver a review of the season and update briefing, looking ahead to the next season. Speaker Nick explained that he would concentrate on three key areas in his briefing – Farleigh House, The Rec, and the Team Farleigh House Farleigh House had been fully functional for the last six months from a rugby playing perspective. The pitches were in good order and the state of the art gym was proving to be an outstanding facility and a huge success. The Rec. The status and future of the Rec was still a significant challenge. There were three key issues: 1. The Town and Village Green debate – top London lawyers had spent a good deal of time on this bureaucratic process. A decision was expected by the end of the summer/the autumn. 1 2. The Charity Commission – a body that moves very slowly! The process was now sitting with the Charity Commission lawyers in London. 3. The 1922 Restrictive Covenant. Ironically the work of a Past President of Bath Rugby! The Club was trying to identify any problems and ensure that no issues were overlooked. Nick assured the members present that the Club “would not give up.” The Team Nick started this part of his review by stating that it was the ‘F’ word that sprang to mind – Frustration! Huge efforts had been made in the background before the start of the season, but massive changes had meant that not everyone was together until the start of the season. This coming year the whole pre-season would be spent together and the staff were confident there would be a better understanding within the team, based on time spent together, improved culture, commitment and attitude It was recognised that the lineout had been disappointing and that, in attack, there had been insufficient creativity. There was also serious concern about the away form of the team. These would be key areas for improvement next season. Danny Grewcock (Academy Director) and Dave Williams (Academy Coach) would be more integrated in the coaching of the first team. The vision of the Academy had changed to become the identification of a smaller number of quality, home-grown players, - in the longer-term, to fill identified gaps in the squad – the focus was not on quantity. The first team coaches also had a philosophy of inclusion of the Academy players in the first team squad based on ability, if they were at the correct level, not just as injury cover. Nick explained that there was a desire amongst the coaches to develop a playing style or philosophy and asked the members what they considered the “Bath style” to be. Various answers mentioned “the Meehan attacking style”, “the Meehan/Bakewell style”, “the forwards of the past”, “a better balance”. It was agreed that any playing style has to be fashioned around the players you have but members felt that, now there was a decent forward platform, it was important to achieve a better blend of styles than had been created of late. There was discussion about players and the impact of injuries. Gary Gold has identified hooker, scrum-half and back row as key areas for recruitment and strength in depth because of their importance to the team and susceptibility to injury. As there were now larger squad at all AP clubs, it was hoped to give more game time to players by playing more United fixtures and to put more (Academy) players on loan – remembering that they are professional players, not professional trainers. On the financial front, the accounts were, according to Nick, “a black hole”, but he reassured those present that Bruce Craig had huge commitment to the project he had started. Nick was thanked for his interesting and informative briefing. 1. Welcome and Opening Remarks (Chairman) Glyn Edwards welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for coming. 2 He explained that Kevin Lawrence, BRSC Secretary, was not able to be present at the AGM because of a family bereavement. Tom Sutton would be the Acting Secretary for the meeting. The Chairman also mentioned Hughie Armitage and Roy Titchen, two BRSC members who had sadly passed away during the past season. 2. Notice Convening the Meeting (Acting Secretary) The notice convening the meeting was read. It was confirmed that in accordance with Paragraph 11 of the Constitution, the notice had been published on the Allez - Bath website and in the local Press not later than 21 days in advance of the meeting. 3. Apologies (Acting Secretary) Written and telephone apologies had been received from 50 members. (A full list of their names is attached as an appendix to these Minutes.) Verbal apologies were received from the floor on behalf of Eunice Williams and Peter Lamont. 4. Minutes of the last AGM (Acting Secretary) Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 23 May 2012 had been published on the website and a limited number of copies were available at the meeting. There were no matters arising which would not be covered during the business of the meeting and the minutes were approved for signature. 5. Membership Secretary’s Report Anne Kirkham reported as follows: Having been elected as Membership Secretary at last year’s AGM, two items from the minutes of that meeting seemed particularly relevant. Firstly, one of the aims for the future of BRSC set out by Barry Cleeve in his report was “attracting new members”. Secondly a speaker from the floor questioned whether the committee had been pro-active enough in engaging with supporters and attracting new members to BRSC. I would like to take this opportunity to report on the efforts that we have made this season to address those two points. • Membership renewal forms were mailed out to all 2011-2012 members along with information regarding the Awards Supper and the end of season newsletter. • Membership application forms were sent out by Bath Rugby to all season ticket holders; there were 48 of these returned. • Membership applications / renewals were available at every home game at the BRSC table. • Members were signed up on the Supporters’ Coaches to the first few away games. • Emails were sent to last season’s members who had not renewed giving them a gentle reminder – with limited success • The Allez-Bath website has had a makeover and we have a presence on Twitter & Facebook • BRSC continues to have a page in the matchday programme • The Bath Chronicle has continued to feature photographs & articles about BRSC activities. • The range of discounts available to members has been extended • BRSC have organised a number of very successful events during the season for members and their guests • A new initiative this season was the members’ prize draws; two members (Ben Hammett & Arnold Snowball) each won a hospitality package for two people for the 3 Amlin Cup games against Agen & Bucharest respectively. In our Junior draw Tom Chocqueel-Mangan won a shirt signed by his favourite player Matt Banahan. Thanks to Jeremy Wilton & Bath Rugby for the prizes. We have recruited 163 new members this season from as far afield as San Diego, Queensland and Oldfield Park!! Unfortunately a significant number of previous members have chosen not to renew their membership; as a result it is disappointing to have to report that although we have slowed the rate of decline in membership we have not managed to reverse it. We closed the membership at 688 members as opposed to 752 last year. Next season we are hoping to offer on-line payment direct from our website in addition to existing methods of payment. We are also hoping to extend the members’ prize draw idea, to have, perhaps, less exotic but more frequent prizes. If any of you have any ideas as to how else we can promote BRSC membership in the coming season then please talk to one of the committee. One simple idea from me … if every BRSC member persuaded one other person to join then we would have to order more cards & badges!! There were no questions to the Membership Secretary. 6. Treasurer’s Report - - to include BRSC membership subscription charges Erica Edwards reported as follows, with the assistance of a PowerPoint presentation: Good Evening. After last year’s drastic cost reduction measures, this year has been a year of financial stability. The sponsors we found in the summer/autumn of 2011 have stayed with us for a second year. Wadworth have once again agreed to sponsor the newsletter. Roman Candles and Silcox Son and Wicks’ sponsorship has been key in providing a quality Awards Supper that BRSC can be proud of, for a ticket price that is still affordable and very good value for money. Mowbray Woodward continue to sponsor the ‘MW Award for Services to Bath Rugby’. This season the recipient was Kelvin Brunton. Bath Rugby have been very supportive. This season we have enjoyed: • The hire of the Clubhouse and Illustrious Suite at zero cost for all our events • Free artwork for the membership flyer, Awards Supper tickets and menus • Free food for players and Bath Rugby staff at our Awards Supper • An extensive buffet at the Heineken Cup Anniversary Party for the price of a sandwich buffet Without these sponsors and Bath Rugby’s assistance, running BRSC would have been difficult.