15th Annual General Meeting of the North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited Wednesday 26th June 2019 Dudley Kingswinford RFC, Swindon Road, Kingswinford West Midlands DY6 0AW At 8 pm
AGENDA
1. To read the Notice convening the Meeting
2. Apologies for absence
3. To consider and approve the Minutes of the 14h Annual General Meeting of The North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited held on Wednesday 27th June 2018
4. Correspondence
5. To receive the Annual Reports
a. President …………………………………………………………………… enc. b. Chairman ………………………………………………………………… enc c. Communications ………………………………………………………… d. Community ………………………………………………………………… enc e. Governance ……………………………………………………………….. enc Discipline ……………………………………………………………… enc f. Finance – (verbal update to be given on Injured Players Fund RP )……………… enc g. Playing Development ……………………………………………………. enc h. RFU Council Representatives SG & PK…………………………….. enc i. Safeguarding, Medical and Welfare …………………………………….
6. To elect The Officers for the Season 2019/2020 (Rule 8.3 & Rule 12.1)
7. To elect members of The Management Committee for the Season 2019/2020 (Rule 8.4 & Rule 13.8)
8. To elect members of The Committee for the season 2019/2020 (Rule 13.1)
Continued……
9. Any Other Business (at the discretion of the President;)
a. Management Committee – amendment to structure…………….Keith Skirving
b. Competition awards / Cup draws ………………………………….Bill Worth
c. Centenary Year charity ………………………………………………Steve Guy
10. Date of the next Annual General Meeting
Enclosures:
1. Committee reports 2. Nominations 3. Copy of NMRFU Rules 4. Proposed amended Committee structure
9. Any Other Business (at the discretion of the President;)
a. Management Committee – amendment to structure…………….Keith Skirving
b. Competition awards / Cup draws………………………………….Bill Worth
c. Centenary Year charity………………………………………………Steve Guy
10. Date of the next Annual General Meeting
Enclosures:
1. Committee reports 2. Nominations 3. Committee structure 4. Copy of NMRFU Rules
9. Any Other Business (at the discretion of the President;)
a. Management Committee – amendment to structure…………….Keith Skirving
b. Competition awards / Cup draws………………………………….Bill Worth
c. Centenary Year charity………………………………………………Steve Guy
10. Date of the next Annual General Meeting
Enclosures:
1. Committee reports 2. Nominations 3. Committee structure 4. Copy of NMRFU Rules
North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited
NOTICE OF THE NORTH MIDLANDS RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION LIMITED 15TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
In accordance with Rule 8 of the North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited and Registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefits Act 2014, I hereby give notice of the 15th Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 26th June 2019 at Dudley Kingswinford RFC, Swindon Road, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 0AW commencing at 8.00 pm.
Subject to compliance with Rule 5, Members will be eligible to vote at the Annual General Meting in Accordance with Rule 8.
Any proposed changes to the Rules are subject to compliance with Rule 8.5
Honorary Secretary
Robert Bray 6, Drovers Way Astwood Farm Worcester WR3 8QD
3.5.2019
14th Annual General Meeting of the North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited
Wednesday 27th June 2018
at Kidderminster RFC
at 7:30pm
In attendance: The list of attendees, of which there were 41 has been filed with the minutes (see Appendix 1). Clubs represented of which there were 23 has been filed with the minutes (see Appendix 2)
Chair: President Robert Bray (RB)
Minutes: Sarah Wild
Action
1. HJ read out the notice convening the 14th AGM meeting.
2. Apologies: See Appendix 3
3. To consider and approve the minutes of the 13th Annual General Meeting of the North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited held on 28th June 2017: - Under Item 5 – Liz Fletcher (was selected but stood down as elected RDO in Coventry) These were read, approved and accepted as a true record of the meeting and signed by RB. 4. Correspondence Note to all Hon Secretaries - please can we have updated records after your AGM’s of any new posts which have been elected to Sarah Wild – [email protected] HJ has received nothing further to what’s already listed for the AGM. 5. Annual reports Presidents Report: Written report submitted - RB talked strongly about the fantastic work done by the Volunteers around the North Midlands clubs. Malcolm Harris from Hereford was elected volunteer of the year. RB mentioned about the need for succession planning around our clubs and within the North Midlands. RB mentioned the England U20’s world cup squad and England Counties sides (these players came through the clubs). RB gave thanks to Dai Scard for 17 years as Disciplinary Chairman – committee all gave thanks.
Chairman’s Report – Written report submitted - CEH mentioned about Aston Villa and to ask all clubs to try to attend as it’s a potential for change and for North Midlands to listen to what the clubs want. CEH gave thanks to all the volunteers.
Treasurers report – Written report submitted – The North Midlands FAGM is in September where a detailed report will be given, so RP gave a brief overview of the finances for the CB. Financial status is very sound, and we will show a surplus to 30th June 2018 as was the case in the Accounts to June 2017 indicating a net worth of £190,000 – this will push through £200,000 – cash in the bank £250,000 as of May 2018.
Page 1 of 6 AGM 27th June 2018 Minutes
It is suggested and best practise to maintain reserves of at least 12 months income. All member clubs have paid their subscriptions for 2017/2018 – thanks to SW.
Any clubs with any outstanding financial matters, especially invoices, please send to RP as soon as possible as the year-end is in 3 days’ time. The budget for 18/19 has been prepared with the RFU and a formal meeting was held in May – broadly the RFU will give us the same amount they gave us for 17/18 - £125,000 for the year.
Charity – North Midlands Seven A Side Trust fund (for injured players in our area) – we are updating this charity to a new Charitable incorporated Organisation transferring the funds of c£50k to the new legal entity which is being registered with the Charity Commission. It is anticipated to have this completed by the FAGM in September where full details will be given.
Communications report – written report submitted, PB nothing to add. Peter Grace mentioned – Ken Birrell’s family have started to sort out all paperwork/files which will include NM archived information and PB will collect in due course.
Disciplinary Report – written report submitted - PJ mentioned to clubs when they have a player sent off, please action immediately and send a representative to the hearing. RB will be the new Disciplinary Chairman.
Club Support and Development - written report submitted, KS, only thing to add, since visiting the clubs, we now have a benchmark of how many games have been played this season, so we will monitor this going forward for next season so we will be able to compare.
Governance – Stuart Potts – written report submitted.
Playing Development Group – Gordon Wood – written report submitted, no further comments.
Safeguarding – Judith Phelps – written report submitted, no further comments to add.
RFU Council Representative – Steve Guy /Paul Kaminski – written report submitted. SG/PK:-
Restricted to what they can report / confidential material. 2017/2018 has been a very busy year, with important decisions being made - admiration for our clubs that turn up for events and give their votes. This will be SG’s last term of office (3 more years) as already done 6 years. PB asked about staff cuts, strategic plans and PK & SG summed up as follows: PK mentioned RFU working on 4-year cycles (3 years plenty / 1-year famine) - no Autumn Internationals so no income even though the RFU made 30 million profit from the World Cup in 2015. 2019 World cup in Japan will be a famine year. PK was worried the RFU hadn’t planned well for this hence redundancies/staff cuts. They’d hoped sponsorship and TV monies would boost, but these are at best flat, so restriction on spending hence redundancies. (This has all been reported in the press) SG gave thanks to RDO’s and North Midlands RFU staff. PG is concerned about the reducing of AGP’s for the future of the game, we must be aware and support our clubs. The draft Business plan isn’t out yet and as Council Rep’s – they weren’t’ allowed to vote on that due to the changes made at the last special General Meeting. SG mentioned there was a lot of discontent by Councillors on this decision. RB gave thanks to SG/PK for their feedback from Twickenham.
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The President, RB gave thanks for all the reports. For any queries in your clubs, please do contact these people who represent you on the North Midlands Committee, for any help.
6. Election of Officers:
Officers Nominee Nominated By President Robert Bray Droitwich RFC / Hereford RFC Chairman Charlie Hemmings Kidderminster RFC Honorary Secretary Huw Jenkins Luctonians RFC /Dudley Kingswinford Honorary Treasurer Roger Parsons Edwardian FC RFU Council Member Paul Kaminski (Elected Mar 2018) Clubs (Term of 2 years) RFU Council Member Steve Guy (Elected Mar 2018) Clubs (Term of 3 years) Senior Vice President Judith Phelps Telford RFC Junior Vice President Gordon Wood Newport RFC
The nominations for each position were addressed individually and unanimously agreed for the season 2018/2109.
7. Additional Management Committee:
Committee Position Nominee Nominated By Chair of Governance Stuart Potts Yardley & District / Telford Chair of Playing Development Gordon Wood Dudley Kingswinford Chair of Club Support & Development Keith Skirving Old Salts / Kidderminster Chair of Safeguarding & Welfare Judith Phelps Telford RFC Past President Peter Jordan Robert Bray Communications & Media Paul Bolton Co-opted (Committee Vote)
The nominations for each position were addressed individually and unanimously agreed for the 2018/2019 season.
Personal thanks given to Stuart Potts for service over the last 9 years as RFU Council Representative.
RB wish it noted – this has been a democratic vote and all clubs should take and use this opportunity when it comes to the election of Officers next year.
Page 3 of 6 AGM 27th June 2018 Minutes 8. North Midlands Full Committee in addition to Management: As AGM’s are held at various times, this is the current information held on the North Midlands Full Committee positions. RB requested for all updates to be sent through to HJ. Representative of North Midlands Referees Society David L Thomas
Representative of North Midlands Schools Union Bee Bannister Two members representing clubs playing in National Leagues Norman Robertson Representative of North Midlands Rugby Development Groups Three representatives of North Midlands Community Committee Michael Clarke, Colin Gardner, Don Howell Representative of Women & Girls Committee Liz Fletcher Representatives of North Midlands Disciplinary Committee Darren Clegg/Peter Jordan Representatives of North Midlands Competitions Committee Bill Worth Representative of North Midlands Coaching Committee Ian Strangward Representative of each of North Midlands representative teams North Midlands Safeguarding and Welfare Officer Judith Phelps Representative of North Midlands Fixture exchange Roger Rees Representative of North Midlands Youth Forum John Griffiths Elected members of Domestic Unions (ratio of clubs 1:6, but not less GB: Mick Lee, Phil Spencer, that 3) Colin Gardner W&H: Trevor Humphrey, Brian Garrett, Steve Miskin, John Slim S: Rae Evans, Don Howell, Roger Bates
9. Any other business (at President’s discretion) RB opened the meeting to the floor:
PG – wanted to say about losing SG after 9 years, we as a committee need to do something to hold onto him. Paul Bolton will keep the Twitter and Facebook account going, but it is important for Clubs to read the Social Media messages being sent out. Thanks to unsung heroes - Sarah Wild for her work over the last year and Stuart Eades and Scott Sturdy, not forgetting all the work is done by the volunteers. 2022 Commonwealth games – Mark Goodfellow asked for any routes into Sport Birmingham (Stuart Eades has spoken to them and they will report back by September), let’s use this to promote our clubs in the North Midlands using facilities for games and training. Bill Worth – thanked Steve Franklin, Robin Glover and Tony Harbutt in a very difficult year for the Cup/Shield and Vase competition. Draws have been done (posted on Website) BW asked to encourage clubs to play mid-week games if possible.
RB closed the meeting with emphasising to keep in contact.
9. Date of next meeting Date for the next AGM meeting is on Wednesday 26th June 2019 @ 7:30pm. Meeting closed at 8:25 pm
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Appendix 1 List of Attendees: Robert Bray – North Midlands President Charlie Hemmings – North Midlands Chairman (CH) Roger Parsons – North Midlands Hon Treasurer (RP) Huw Jenkins – North Midlands Gordon Wood – Junior Vice President Paul Kaminski – North Midlands (PK) Steve Guy – RFU Councillor North Midlands Judith Phelps – North Midlands (JP) Stephen Miskin – W&H Treasurer Keith Skirving – North Midlands Volunteer Co-Ordinator Paul Bolton – North Midlands Communications / Media Peter Jordan – Discipline Secretary Stuart Eades – RFU Rae Evans – Church Stretton Scott Sturdy - RFU John Griffiths – Youth Forum & DK Woodrush Vice Chairman Bill Worth – Chair of Competitions North Midlands Brian Garrett – W&H / KCRFC Richard Brookes – Kings Norton Secretary Steve Hindson – Hon Secretary Redditch Stephen Foley – Hon President Bournville Phil Spencer – Greater Birmingham DU VP Darren Clegg – Secretary Bournville Michael O’Sullivan – Bournville RFC Andrew Foster – Stourport Chairman Malcom Harris – Hereford RFC Ralph Gordon – Bromsgrove / W&H Tim Sherrey – Hon Secretary Old Halesonians John Bradley – Tenbury RFC / W&H Steven Bennett – Greyhound RFC Anthony Harbutt – NM Vase / Aldridge RFC Don Waterston – Dudley Kingswinford Steve Franklin – North Mids Cup / Bournville Mike Brennan – Birmingham Solihull President Peter Grace – North Midlands / Five Ways Old Edwardians Moira Boot – GB & North Mids Ladies Trevor Humphrey – W& H RFU Mark Goodfellow – Hon Secretary Birmingham Bulls Michael Clarke – North Midlands Community / WRFC Robin Edwards – Chairman Stourbridge RFC Marc Hemmingway – Veseyans RFC
Appendix 2 Clubs Represented: Droitwich Old Halesonians Redditch RFC Church Stretton RFC Bromsgrove RFC Dudley Kingswinford Tenbury RFC Telford RFC Stourbridge RFC Birmingham Bulls RFC Kidderminster Carolians RFC Bournville RFC Ledbury Birmingham Solihull Newport Aldridge Five Ways OE RFC Kings Norton Shrewsbury RFC Woodrush Stourport North Midlands Referees Society Hereford
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Appendix 3 Apologies: Stuart Potts North Midlands RFU Linda Potts Shropshire RFU / Telford Hornets Mike Sampson North Midlands School Union Bee Bannister North Midlands School Union Dave L Thomas North Midlands Referee’s Society Ian Strangward North Midlands Coaching Committee Roger Rees MLOC Secretary / Fixtures League John Slim W & H RFU / Stourbridge Martin Whateley Birmingham Exiles RFC Mary Bucknell Birmingham Moseley RFC Colin Gardener Old Salts Secretary Don Howell Oswestry Mick Lee Greater Birmingham RFU Karen Gibbons Camp Hill RFC Hon Sec Paul Dawson Bromyard RFC Hon Sec Graham Hitchco Harbourne RFC Hon Sec Eddie Ross Kidderminster RFC Chairman Ellie Taylor Shropshire RFU Secretary Rob Heeley Upton RFC Jim Bennett Kidderminster A Sands Evesham RFC Dai Scard North Midlands Paul Dawson Bromyard RFC Alison Hodson Newport RFC Steve Murphy Newport RFC Roger Bates Telford RFC Rob Cross GB Treasurer
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President’s Report for AGM 2019
This meeting sees the end of my Presidency.
During my period of Office I have been able to view from different perspectives the issues, and challenges facing our Clubs and the Volunteer.
The role of the President is now primarily ambassadorial but the individual does remain an officer and member of the Management Committee.
The day to day activities now overseen by the Chairman, Charlie Hemmings and his insatiable appetite for meetings, fixtures and events. We must all feel indebted to his commitment.
In July last year a very significant event, “Clubs Together” was held at Villa Park when the North Midlands RFU. A number of strategies were pursued by Keith Skirving, the Chair of Club Development.
It would be remiss of me if I did not recognize Keith’s enthusiasm, commitment, often to the point of personal inconvenience. He has researched, identified, investigated, and made recommendations to ensure that the feedback at the meeting was not lost.
One key element that has been taken forward is that of succession planning. I have been fortunate to work with Keith. Some of his recommended amendments have already received the support of the Management, and General Committees and will now be presented to the membership at our Annual General Meeting.
On the playing side of things there have been some positive successes for our clubs, not only with league promotion, but, for two clubs, Tenbury Wells and Kidderminster in reaching the semi-finals of a RFU Cup Competitions.
We have seen too the welcomed resurgence of Greater Birmingham RFU as a force in the Three Counties Championship.
Sadly, we were no so successful again with our senior representative team. We have witnessed another season where there was a failure to register a win in the Bill Beaumont County Championship. Now finding ourselves bottom of Division 3, that can never be right. Let’s hope next season we will display our full potential again.
Amid this lull in our fortunes a number of players, who have either worn a North Midlands RFU shirt, or who have played for a club within the Union, have been selected for the England U20 squad. This suggests to me that we definitely have the potential within our midst; let’s all continue to help every player reach their full potential. I must not forget either the Women & Girls players; they have again competed with enthusiasm and commitment, readily acknowledged by those who have watched them.
As I alluded to earlier, one of the key functions of the President is to represent North Midlands RFU. As an invited guest of the RFU President to the England v Italy match this season at Twickenham, where amongst other things I was present when Frank Jewitt of Birmingham Exiles who received the RFU Value the Volunteer Outstanding Contribution Award from Eddie Jones. This was certainly a highlight of the day, and to hear a public reference to North Midlands RFU at the highest level filled us with pride.
Next season we start again, our Centenary Year. Under Chairmanship of Steve Guy there are lots of events being planned, culminating in a Dinner on 20 June 2020 to be attended by Peter Wheeler, RFU President.
Please be aware too of our chosen charity, Doddie Weir’s – My Name’5 Doddie foundation, (Motor Neuron Disease).
Every year the President in his report refers to the loss the loss of past and present members of North Midlands RFU. This year is no different, a number of members of this rugby community have passed away. To hear, through their eulogies, the time, enthusiasm and commitment they have given over many years setting is truly humbling. May they all Rest in Peace.
Having resumed the role of Honorary Secretary in January I have been grateful for the support provided by Sarah Wild, our Administration Assistant whose assistance has enabled me to undertake two important roles simultaneously.
Along with these roles I have acted as the Chair of Discipline. Through Peter Jordan, the Discipline Secretary I have received the valued pragmatic advice, and support. Peter is now stepping down after this meeting. I am in no doubt that his boots will be difficult to fill.
On behalf of all players, administrators and the RFU thank you Peter; “You can play again on 27th June 2019”
Finally to all our Clubs, Officials, Committee members, and especially Volunteers thank you all for your help and generosity over the past two and a half years.
Best wishes to you all and let’s hope our Centenary Season is positive and successful for your Club.
President’s report
Robert Bray
June 2019
NORTH MIDLANDS RFU CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO AGM – JUNE 2019
I would like to reassert my personal thanks to all North Midlands Committee members, Clubs and professional staff who work continuously and tirelessly to promote and grow the Game.
As an observation it is very apparent that we all appear consumed in a time of rapid change, future uncertainty, an expectancy of almost immediate response being required to address communication via the many new methods of contact, these usually centered around the everchanging and unfamiliar modes of new social media that many of us struggle to keep pace with. Do we even remember stamps let alone ‘lick’ one!!!
In line with the above we must acknowledge that we can’t stand still needing to be mindful to embrace and accept change positively whilst always remaining conscious that the modern Game is now in the hands of, predominantly for the benefit of and enjoyment by those who have enjoyed far less Birthdays than many of us ‘wise old’ administrators! Very poignantly and aptly I noted recently at one of our North Midlands Clubs and proudly displayed “preserve the best from the past and choose carefully changes for the future”.
Moving to the future North Midlands overall objective remains in tandem with the RFU Strategic Plan 2017/2021 (Protect/Engage/Grow/Win) for the “Game of Our Lives” and to ensure we align with the CB vision to support the development and sustainability of Clubs and the growth of rugby in North Midlands.
Communication with our Clubs and all those connected to the Game continues to be a vital and strategic element of all North Midlands delivery. In line with the Action Plan developed following the summer conference at Aston Villa in 2018 the new ‘Rugby Matters’ has been introduced, 3 editions have been published and circulated to all Clubs in an attempt to increase knowledge, information and awareness by all Club Members about some of the more important and current topics – many thanks and congratulations are due to Keith Skirving very specifically for leading and driving this initiative. However, despite our best efforts we remain very aware that the volume of communication can be daunting and onerous amongst the many tasks the volunteer administrator is expected to manage – to this extent we have simplified and reduced the volume of emails being distributed by North Midlands by introducing a ‘weekly communication’ detailing the key initiatives, information and identifying where Club Action is required. Feedback from Clubs is always appreciated to understand if this is welcomed and positive progress.
Nevertheless, it is increasingly evident that the best endeavours to circulate information to an increasing number of Club personnel is not achieving a successful outcome where it still appears that all too often the messages are not then being onwardly transmitted to the relevant individuals in the Clubs!
North Midlands continues to be pro-active on all aspects of RFU expected delivery, programmes and the Game as a whole and remains acutely aware of the difficulties and the increasing enormity of bureaucratic requirements and responsibilities being imposed on our Clubs. Together with the professional staff we are always available to try to assist and help overcome and alleviate some of the challenges – please ‘shout’ and do not suffer and ‘moan’ in isolated silence – others will be experiencing similar difficulties. Despite the RFU reducing North Midlands annual funding by £18,500 for 2019/20 we will be seeking to support the 3 Rugby ‘Rs’ – Recruit, Retain and Re-engage particularly focusing on some of our perhaps more vulnerable Clubs struggling to field an all too often sole team.
A brief resume of some of the activities North Midlands currently deliver:
RFU Council Representation RFU Local Rugby Plan (The budget document to support the various Club support initiatives) Club Support & Development - Facilities & Funding, Volunteers, Club Development, Accreditation Competitions – Cups, Leagues and Merit Tables, Fixture Exchange Discipline – Senior and Junior (Pitch Barriers issue to Clubs to help reduce and manage pitch encroachment by spectators) Playing Development – Representative teams including Age Grade squads. Coach Education – A new ‘online’ format has been introduced and developed. Available to all Club coaches from the comfort of their armchair. Succession Planning – an ongoing review process – See AGM proposals. Assistance to Clubs available Safeguarding/Medical/Equity procedures and requirements NMRFU Injured Player Foundation – a revised Trust being launched at the AGM Howdens Club Insurance, Player Income Protection and Risk Assessments
Other RFU aspects with which involvement is also required and delivered:
RFU Age Grade Regulation 15 implementation and adherence RFU Regulation 9 – First Aid requirements – potentially a key future focus NatWest Rugby Force 2019 International Ticket Administration – including violations – changes imminent and all Club 15-a- side game match recording on GMS now vital to ensure accurate revised Club ticket allocations. General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) Game Management System Training Electronic Match Cards to be submitted at all levels of the Game Young Match Officials – supporting the Referees Society with recruitment and delivery.
With the administrative RFU budget cuts being imposed and as referred to above an additional 40% reduction (£10k to £6k) has been announced to the North Midlands County Representative funding covering the Mens and Womens Senior XVs and the Under 20’s squad. For 2019/20 the RFU grant to contribute to the funding of Representative Age Grade rugby (covering Boys and Girls from age 15 to 18) of £12.5k is to remain static but under future threat. However, fielding each squad costs significantly more than the £1750 per team allowance! The publicised reduction/withdrawal of RFU travel allowances also applies to the County rugby teams creating further financial pressure on County resources. Personally, and I believe supported by fellow CB Officers, North Midlands remains a proponent of County Rugby and the benefits and opportunities provided to develop players, coaches, administrators and referees. However, the future is a matter for conjecture with I fear some of our peer CBs not having similar beliefs so the future landscape has to be open for question!
If I may revert to my opening remarks concerning Communication. Many Club Officers and Volunteers will be changing post Club AGMs – please ensure that GMS is duly amended to give us all a fighting chance to improve performance in 2019/20.
Regards
Charlie Hemmings North Midlands RFU, Chairman REPORT TO NMRFU AGM 26TH JUNE 2019
CLUB SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT
1) Club Support and Development Meetings:
Six meetings held since last AGM and I would like to thank all who have attended the meetings for the positive approach to Club Support and Development. It has been encouraging to see some youth sitting on the committee, namely Alice Spielman and Alex Dowson.
Stuart James has agreed to be the CB lead on Funding and Facilities Group following the sad loss of Ed Osborn in 2018.
Colin Gardner is stepping down as one of the Greater Birmingham RFU’s reps on the sub-committee after 10 years of service. Many thanks to Colin for his valued input over this period. Colin will continue with his role on the Funding & Facilities sub-committee.
2) Club Visits:
During the season 95% of voting clubs received a visit from a NMRFU committee member.
3) Accreditation & Incorporation:
Two clubs have become an Incorporated legal entity during the season and it is hoped that some other clubs who are not incorporated will follow – would like to take this opportunity to remind clubs to ensure that if they are an Incorporated Entity to check and ensure that this is shown on GMS.
4) Meeting with RDOs:
Have met RDOs each month throughout the season to discuss matters relating to Club Support & Development.
5) Leadership Academy & Leadership in Union:
Don Howell and Kevin Purcell have completed the Leadership in Union Course and 8 members from 7 Clubs completed the Leadership Academy Course – the 7 clubs were Birmingham Bulls, Bridgnorth, Kidderminster Carolians, Old Saltleians, Oswestry, Shifnal Saxons and Woodrush.
As part of the recent RFU cutbacks neither of these courses will be funded by the RFU in he next year and the CB will need to consider the interest and benefit if we are to hold a course bearing in mind our reduced budget.
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6) Volunteers:
Frank Jewitt from Birmingham Exiles RFC was invited and attended a weekend in London for the England v Italy match as part of the RFU President’s ‘Value the Volunteer Outstanding Contribution Award’. NMRFU organised 2 hospitality boxes at Worcester Warriors (for the Warriors v Bristol match and the Warriors v Wasps match) for volunteers across a number of our clubs. NMRFU Awards were presented at the County Game against Cumbria to Clare Foster (Bromsgrove RFC) and Tim Sherrey (Old Halesonians RFC). NMRFU Awards were presented at the NMRFU Finals Day to Andy Harris (Birmingham Exiles RFC) and Giles Alton (Shrewsbury RUFC). NMRFU Award for Young Volunteer of the Year was presented to Matt Cowdrey (Dudley Kingswinford RFC) at the club’s presentation night. Awards to be presented as soon as possible will be to Fiona Harris (Hereford RFC) and Andy Trueman (Erdington RFC). In the Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer Recognition Programme events are to be held at Bournville RFC and Hereford Greyhounds RFC during June (at time of preparing this report events had not been held) where 80 club volunteers have been nominated from 41 clubs. The winner of each event will be invited to a September ‘Black Tie’ event at Twickenham where 3 winners will be announced each getting the use of a Mitsubishi vehicle for 12 months. Four breakfast meetings were held around the CB area with 20% of clubs attending to discuss position regarding volunteers within clubs – useful discussions took place and it was considered the format worked well. Summary of the breakfast meetings:
Attendees included the Presidents of each DU. Those attending liked the informal nature of the meeting – there was good debate going on. Each meeting was kept to one hour and it was pleasing to see clubs discussing matters after the meeting was closed. There was general consensus that there is still a place for the NMRFU Awards and overall clubs preferred not to submit nominations and leave it up to NMRFU to come up with the names. Some clubs were not aware of the Mitsubishi gifts and “money can’t buy” opportunities - happy to let CB Volunteer Co-Ordinator have names. Some clubs doing a monthly volunteer award within their club. There was a suggestion that the CB could / should have a Stash Pack to include Club Volunteer Shirt for Clubs to call on as and when. Skills Audit of membership, no club that attended is analysing the details of members skills although it is included on membership forms – concern is GDPR. Of the clubs that attended the average age is in the 50s and there were none very desperate for more volunteers. Volunteers found by directly approaching people and none had a succession plan in place. Generally the Clubs that attended had the Club Volunteer Co-Ordinator position filled and matched the name on GMS. Using “WhatsApp” as a means of getting messages out was suggested rather than email messages.
2 Club Support and Development Report to NMRFU AGM 26 June 2019
I have informed the Management Committee that I am standing down as CB Volunteer Co- Ordinator.
7) Facilities and Funding:
Meetings have been held throughout the season with RFU staff (Tom Bartram, Stu Eades and Scott Sturdy).
In the Nat West Force Weekend process there were 29 applications from NMRFU clubs (out of a national total of 562) with 23 clubs allocated funding. In Area 5 there were 95 allocations – so NMRFU clubs accounted for 30 % of applications.
Old Halesonians RFC were one of two clubs in Area 5 whose project was awarded additional funds (£1,000) – this decision was made by the national group which includes NatWest employees.
8) Succession Planning :
Plan is now in place and if clubs would like information then this has been offered via DU representatives sitting on the sub-committee.
9) “Clubs Together” 1st July 2018:
Following the “The Clubs Together” event on 1st July 2018 at Villa Park NMRFU produced an Action Plan from the feedback gained at the 3 working groups, which was sent out to all clubs.
The timescale for the Plan is to cover the 2018/19 season through to the 2010/21 season. From the feedback gained from clubs at the Villa Park Event five areas were included in the initial plan covering:
1. Communication and RFU Core Values . 2. Communication re website / organogram / newsletter / committee members allocated to clubs / Centenary Season communications. 3. 15 a side game re coaching strategy / more clubs to compete in NMRFU competitions / support clubs initiatives to increase the 15 a side game. 4. Volunteers re recognition events / club volunteer co-ordinator details. 5. Off the pitch re accreditation and incorporation / succession planning / NMRFU Youth Council to be formed. NMRFU has made significant inroads in the first season of the plan namely: –
1. High Viz Jackets and advice literature has been provided to every club. 2. Website review is underway / “Rugby Matters” newsletters are being produced and distributed to all clubs and will be available on the website / Committee members have been allocated to clubs to be first point of contact. 3. On line coaching now available to club coaches / NMRFU finals appearances financial rewards have been increased / innovation fund available in the season for retention of youth players to senior rugby 4. Four breakfast meetings have been held to look at volunteer issues and seek best practice.
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5. Support for clubs to change to an Incorporated Legal Entity /NMRFU succession plan in place which can be adapted for clubs. After the AGM, items that have been completed in the Action Plan will be replaced by other areas raised at the Clubs Together event – there are plenty remaining!
What would be really helpful is feedback as to whether Clubs feel there has been any improvement in the visibility of NMRFU during the year, whether Rugby Matters is of use (always looking for articles your club wants to promote) and generally whether you believe communications have improved since the event.
Thank you
Keith Skirving Chairman Club Support & Development 1st June 2019
4 Club Support and Development Report to NMRFU AGM 26 June 2019
Governance Report to North Midlands RFU
Clubs continue to experience difficult times both on and off the field. Players and coaches are often much maligned in their commitments however as we are often reminded this still remains our hobby.
Two main areas of concern this year have been around clubs folding and Age Grade Regulations.
Sadly, we have lost Birmingham Barbarians RFC. Despite our best efforts and interventions by Scott Sturdy, we have been unable to support the club into next season and beyond. Birmingham Solihull have withdrawn from League rugby to ensure the club remains viable and continues to support Age Grade Rugby in the future.
The sustainability of the game depends upon volunteers of all ages and there are many other leisure activities available to everyone these days. The sustainability of clubs therefore is under extreme pressure and the need to protect themselves from litigation is often forgotten. We need to remind clubs that their rules and constitutions need constant maintenance in order to avoid concerns and costly outcomes and the RFU have set up a legal helpline service to assist clubs who find themselves in difficulty.
With regard to Age Grade Rugby, together with colleagues within the Youth Game, I have spent many hours producing the Age Grade Calendar which has to be completed and sent to the RFU for approval. This embraces the Community game, the Academy work and the Schools both Independent and State. This calendar provides everyone with opportunities to allow children to develop their skills at a rate which is appropriate and provides them with quality coaching.
Regulation 15 continues to offer challenges and the Safeguarding Team also aid clubs throughout the year.
Many thanks to Sarah Wild for her help this year, it has been most valuable.
Stuart Potts Chair, Governance Sub Committee
North Midlands Disciplinary Committee Report Season 2018–2019
The committee met nearly every week during the season. They dealt with 67 cases which was a slight reduction on the previous season when there were 75 cases. The clubs and players are to be congratulated on this reduction. It could be that fewer games were played.
Of the 67 cases 10 resulted in a not guilty finding. Far and away the most common offence was punching (22 cases). There were seven cases of two yellow cards and 5 cases of disrespect to the referee with 6 cases of referee abuse. The committee continued with the policy of adding two weeks to the penalty as a deterrent in abuse cases.
The committee had to give careful consideration to cases of dump tackle and also contact with a player who was in the process of catching the ball with his feet off the ground. Players and clubs understand that there is a duty of care in these situations.
David Wellington from Bromsgrove Rugby Club acted as Youth Disciplinary Officer and did a sterling job in difficult circumstances.
Rob Bray took over the job of chairman of the committee and Steve Hindson was of great assistance in recording the outcome of the hearings and supplying this quickly in writing to the player, club, referee and the RFU and also keeping the records. Darren Clegg assisted me as secretary throughout the season and he is now more than familiar with all of the procedures including bringing the game into disrepute under regulation 5.12. He will now take over the job of the secretary. I’m sure he will make a good job of it and that he will receive full cooperation from the clubs. In my opinion the disciplinary committee hear the cases very quickly and fairly, dealing with cases in a friendly manner but at the same time maintaining the judicial process.
I record my thanks to Dave Thomas of North Midlands referees, to Dai Scard who was chairman for many years and to Rob Bray the new chairman
Peter Jordan Disciplinary Secretary
North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited AGM Wednesday 26 June 2019 Finance Report You will recall that the Financial AGM is to be held Monday 2 September 2019 at which point in time the accounts of the North Midland Rugby Football Union Limited for the year ended 30 June 2019 will be presented. There are a number of matters that I should report on at the full AGM on 26 June 2019. 1. We have all read that the Rugby Football Union has needed to look very closely at its outgoings over the next twelve months and beyond. This has resulted in cuts to RFU budgets across the board. We were formally advised on 16 April 2019 that our funding, classed as Community Rugby, was being reduced by 18%. In addition, County Championship Funding will be reduced by 40%. This will mean that our overall funding will be reduced from £125,968 to £103,700. This is an overall reduction of 17.7%. N Mids in turn has had to look at its costs and budgets for the 2019/2020 season. We do have reserves to “cushion” to an extent the effect of these reductions in funding. At 30 June 2018 these reserves amounted to £209,537 as shown on the Balance Sheet at that date. At 31 May 2019 we had £294,719 in the bank. Whilst this is a substantial “buffer”/ “cushion” we do still need to be sensibly cautious, prudent and commercial moving forward. As I have indicated a full and comprehensive report will be given at the Financial AGM on 2 September 2019 along with the accounts for the year to 30 June 2019. 2. Next year, 19/20 is our Centenary Season. The highlight will be a Centenary Dinner to be held at the St Johns Hotel Solihull on Saturday 20 June 2020. I would add this will be a non-profit making function. Other events and matches will be held during the season. Your officers have agreed a budget of £20,000 specifically for these centenary events. 3. A full verbal report and presentation on the current position with the new Charity “North Midlands RFU Injured Players Foundation” will be given at the AGM. 4. I would remind all Clubs that we do have a “Club Loan Scheme” in place for specific projects. This is an interest free facility for a maximum loan of £5000 over three years. Details are on the website. 5. May I remind everybody that if you have any matters that will affect the N Mids accounts for the year ended 30 June 2019 please bring these to my attention as soon as possible.
R J Parsons Hon Treasurer 8 June 2019
End of Season Report from the Playing Development Group
Competitions: Results
North Mids Cup. Bridgnorth 20 v 17 Dudley Kingswinford North Midlands Shield Final Camp Hill 26 v 48 Kidderminster North Midlands Shield Plate Veyseyans 44 v 0 Old Saltleians
North Midlands Vase Final Bham Civil Service 29 v 18 Ross on Wye North Midlands Vase Plate Yardley and District 40 v 20 Pershore
North Mids Cup A good competition this year with a positive response from 10 teams. Early rounds played with only two drop outs, culminating with a super final played at Stourbridge RFC on 15 March under lights. Excellent turn out by supporters and resulted in a very close game. The idea of playing this early was a success but didn’t necessarily result in the level 5/6 clubs releasing more players for the regional sides as hoped. Next season I think it is worthwhile doing the same format. Steve Franklin
North Mids Shield With 15 out of a possible 16 clubs entering the NM Shield competition, it was an encouraging start to the season. With only 2 games conceded, the first round was completed. It was disappointing that 2 of the 4 quarter finals in the Shield competition were conceded. Telford agreed to reverse their league fixture with Camp Hill and play a double header which helped with fixture congestion. Other ties were difficult to arrange with fixtures being complicated by clubs being in a 13 team league or playing in the Northern Division. Kidderminster reached the final of the RFU Midlands cup and had to wait to play Ludlow, but luckily no games were lost to the weather this season so the Shield semi- finals were completed before the end of February and the finalists confirmed. The Shield Plate competition had a disappointing season with both semi-finals conceded, however the finalists were confirmed. The finals day at Dudley Kingswinford was well attended and the weather was good. Veseyans won the NM Shield Plate with a 44-0 win over Old Saltleians. Kidderminster Carolians won the NM Shield with a 48-26 win over Camp Hill. Congratulations to Kidderminster on becoming the first club to win the NM Shield 4 times. Developments will continue next season to have fewer ties conceded in the competition. Robin Glover
North Mids Vase After a difficult start, the Vase went very well this season. The first weekend of preliminary games was scheduled for the bank holiday weekend and I feel this was a big factor in us experiencing 5 walkovers on that day. However, once the competition got into full swing we only had another 3 walkovers in the next 4 rounds. In all, we lost 8 out of 22 games which was the same amount of lost games as the previous season. In rugby terms, results suggest a well-fought competition which culminated in a fantastic final between Ross-on-Wye and Birmingham Civil Service who ran out deserved winners for the first time in their history. The plate was also a success for those teams that valued it though we did lose 6 games to walkovers though many of the same teams who conceded in the main competition were those dropping out here. As with the Vase, the finals day was a big success for the finalists involved Yardley and District retaining the trophy against Pershore. A straw poll of the clubs at the end of the season was overwhelmingly positive for how the competition had run this season and bodes well moving forward. Anthony Harbutt
Overview Generally the competition had a good year mainly due to the hard work of Steve, Robin and Anthony along with good weather which always helps to complete rounds. The bringing forward of the North Mids Cup Final saw an encouraging good attendance at Stourbridge and an excellent match between two local rivals . I feel this should be repeated next season. It was disappointing however that the main reason for bringing it forward to have a knock on effect in producing a better County XV did not happen. Finals Day at Dudley Kingswinford was very successful again helped by the traditional good
Confidential Playing Development Lead @ 07/06/2019 Page 1 of 5
weather. Attendance was down on previous years but simply because of only having the four games instead of six but if you add the two finals events together then the attendance was increased. Conceded games are still an issue but next season we are able to use 31st August for the preliminary rounds as this is not a Bank Holiday and we are looking to regionalise the early rounds to create more interest and cut down on travelling. .Anthony’s use of a ‘Whatsapp group’ with the vase clubs was a real success allowing instant information to clubs and results back in. This should be encouraged in the other competitions. Can I express my thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the finals a success especially to Don and his team at Dudley Kingswinford and Robin Edwards at Stourbridge and to the three administrators who did an excellent job Bill Worth
Coaching: Various lines of Coach education are now in operation such as the on-line forum ‘Coaching Community of Practice’ which has been set up by Dale Smallman for the benefit of all Coaches in the North Midlands. This takes the form of weekly inclusions of resources including videos and coaching resources which are available then to all. Master Classes for Coaches will also be available.
We will be advertising and interviewing again in June/July for Coaches and Team Managers, when vacancies are known. Ian Strangward
RDPP Next meeting 3rd September. There is a proposal with regard to revised composition and structures of the RDPP. However, it must be pointed out that the overriding importance to our Clubs is the awareness that RFU/Worcester Warriors have withdrawn any and all support for the XDPP programmes. Unless such a program is under the Academy ‘banner’ volunteers are not permitted by the RFU to run the sessions. For next season there will just be the DPP. Most of the Under 13’s will go in to the DPP together with selection for the DPP being via camps over the summer and the Club festivals that the Academy run during season. The numbers will be expanded from the current position. These changes have been brought about by the RFU following internal conversations within the Academy. There will be two extra DPP locations; Hereford Academy and Walsall RFC, Staffs. The Telford DPP will move to Shrewsbury College. There will be no maximum or minimum numbers. The DPP is an open house and those coaches working in the DPP will be invited to CPD at Worcester.
There will be no DU festivals at Under 15 instead there will instead be DPP festivals. The DU’s are free to do 'their own' thing as long as it complies with the Calendar. Whatever the DU’s do at Under 15, no DPP players will be involved. The Academy will send out a list of players attending the DPP during the summer. Mike Sampson
Seniors:
It is very disappointing to have to report yet another disappointing campaign was experienced with 3 losses to Cumbria, Oxfordshire and Notts, Lincs & Derby despite the considerable input by coach Steve Joslin in successfully attracting good player numbers to the pre-match squad sessions.
There can be no criticism levelled against Adam Lee as Captain and his fellow team members as despite valiant performances and marginal losses the reality is that despite stoic resistance the quality of the opposition, usually comprising players from National Level 3 and 4 Clubs, proved overwhelming in the end.
With County Championship funding cuts to be imposed by the RFU for 2019/20 and the likelihood that many Counties may decide to withdraw from the programme the future landscape of the Bill Beaumont County Championship is uncertain. Charlie Hemmings
Under 20:
Confidential Playing Development Lead @ 07/06/2019 Page 2 of 5
Following on from the u20's county championship, 7 players were selected for the Midlands initial assessment day, with 6 making it through to the final squad. None made it through to the England Counties 20's squad.
The view from coaches is that the general standard of players this season was below that of previous, and performance ultimately matched squad ability.
A number of issues remain that are viewed as roadblocks to improving our results on the pitch.
Firstly, there is a continued resistance from a number of higher-profile North Mids clubs to release players. The view is that a direct approach should be made from NMRFU to outline the program and give assurances. In addition to this, it was felt that trials etc. details are not reaching all clubs / players due to outdated contact details and/or the wrong club members being contacted. An option is to issue all clubs a poster to display, detailing trials, fixtures, pathway potential etc. Alongside this, a more formal player database needs to be established and maintained with GDPR guidelines.
Social media is another area that needs development, be that via Facebook, twitter, Instagram or WhatsApp groups. This is now the preferred means of communication and info grab for this age group. We need to develop our engagement of players through this media, and not just see them as news outlets.
Secondly, training attendance was again raised as an issue, due to the size of our area. The proposal for next season is to have 3 trial sessions, one north, one central, and one south. Hopefully this will encourage greater attendance at 'local' trials. These will be followed by central whole squad sessions. Naturally, this will require the program to start somewhat earlier in the season, to allow for an increased number of sessions and to give coaches more time to work with a structured squad, something that they did not have this season.
In terms of fixture location, Bournville was deemed as good, although it would be preferable to have somewhere with a separate bar/lounge for staff discussions, and visiting dignitary hosting.
It was agreed by all staff that greater clarification is needed before next season on roles and responsibilities, such as referee liaison, match cards, player comms etc.
In terms of staff, all except Brett Prior and Tim Hardwick wish to continue. Brett cannot commit to next season due to other activities. Richard Bragg
Colts Under 19 and Youth Colts Luctonians retained the North Midlands Colts Cup by scoring six second half tries to defeat hosts Old Halesonians 41-10 at Wassell Grove. The Tom Walters Colts Plate Hereford 20 Dudley Kingswinford 17 John Griffiths
Under 18 Daniel Barwood – GB - Branden Turner – Shrops - Jack Goodwin - Herefordshire All represented Nth Mids in the Midlands second selection. Turner and Goodwin played. Goodwin was selected into England Counties. Staff I understand it Kieram Hallam will no longer be coaching with us. As far as I know the remaining members are continuing. Resources These are dealt with by Bob Parker but again, as far as I am aware our requirements for next season will not differ significantly from this season. Mike Sampson
Under 17 An Under 17 side played against Cheshire on Sunday 24th March at Dudley narrowly losing 14 – 21. Another fixture on Friday 5th April at Stourbridge was against Staffordshire. It was also lost 10 – 20. However both games indicated there was talented player progressing up the age grades. John Griffiths
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Under 16
The NM Under 16 programme finished on 3rd February 2019, of the six games played we won 5.
My most grateful thanks go to the coaches Andy Moseley and Dan Lyne (Leads) and Warwick Bullock, Sean Bakewell, James Pantner, Ryan Smitheman, Matthew Horton and James Shotbolt. We lost Matthew fairly early on in the process after his wife gave birth to their second child and James Shotbolt when a series of different reasons caused him to miss nearly all the sessions.
Further thanks to Steve Rintoul (Chair of Selectors), Mike McGrath (Red Squad Team Manager) and Holly Thomas (physio).
More thanks to Charlie Hemmings for supplying kit and generally supporting extremely well also to Gordon Wood for arranging referees and his continued support.
Worcester Warriors, Kings Norton RFC and Bourneville RFC all hosted us. For which we are very grateful.
It was a much better season than last year especially for the Blue Squad who showed great development and gelled really well as a squad, improving with each game. Rae Evans Youth Cup results Under 14 Cup Ledbury 15 Luctonians 7 Plate Bromsgrove 26 Whitchurch 14 Under 15 Cup Worcester 34 Hereford 12 Plate Shrewsbury 29 Malvern 5 Under 16 Cup Kings Norton 34 Luctonians 19 Plate Droitwich 62 Whitchurch 7 John Griffiths Schools and Further/Higher Education No contact appointed
Women's & Girls: Women NM Senior Ladies were in Division 1 of the Gill Burns County Championship this season.
We got off to a good start with 71 players turning up for the assessment day on 10th March 2019 at Bournville RFC, from 10 clubs across the patch and 1 University.
44 players represented the programme this season for North Midlands from 9 clubs within the County. 19 new caps (badges) were presented to players.
Our first game (held at Birmingham Exiles RFC) was against a very well drilled Lancashire team; we lost that game 52-10.
Our second game was an away trip to Hartlepool to play against Durham County, who proved too strong for us on the day. We lost that game 45-12.
This season, the coaching team was Andy Root, Ruth Middleton and Andrew McLellan.
A big thank you goes to the players, parents/supporters, coaches and physio team for representing Club North Midlands with passion and commitment during this programme
Girls There was a new format for the girls programme this season; XVs, 7s and Xrugby7s. The first 2 festivals played to this format and the last event was purely the XV a side game.
U15’s were undefeated in this programme and u18s only lost one game in the first festival.
58 players represented the programme this season for North Midlands from 9 clubs within the County.
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North Midlands would like to say a huge thank you to the u15 and u18 coaching teams; we had four new County coaches this season and working alongside our experienced Head Coaches they all did a fantastic job.
And of course, we can’t forget our amazing Team Manager for the u15s, Marie Crocombe; this year’s programme wouldn’t have been the success it was without her hard work and support.
A final thank you goes to all goes out to the players, parents/carers and coaches and physio team for representing Club North Midlands with passion and commitment during this programme. Moira Boot
General
3 counties Competition Greater Birmingham won the Three Counties Championship for the first time since 2001 with a 28-5 win over defending champions Worcestershire & Herefordshire in the final at Shrewsbury.
Houghton-Harris Competition. With Greater Birmingham unable to raise a side, Worcestershire & Herefordshire and Shropshire played home and away basis. Both winning their home matches but Worcs & Hereford take the Houghton-Harris trophy on the aggregate score.
Gordon J Wood Playing Development Lead
Confidential Playing Development Lead @ 07/06/2019 Page 5 of 5 North Midlands RFU Ltd.AGM 26th.June 2019
RFU report season2018/19 by Steve Guy RFU council representative
A season dominated by the state of RFU finances, a £30 million loss resulted in swingeing cuts across all elements of The Union, there have been many theories aired as to the reasons behind the grim figures- poor management-poor business decisions-lack of The Board holding senior RFU staff to account-poor market place for increased sponsorship-poor TV/Media deals projected, all open to conjecture. The Community Game has been particularly hard hit with a reduction in finances, some of the key areas this affects; North Midlands CB has had its funding reduced by 18% to deliver rugby in The County (down to £82k) Investment in facilities large grants fund will be ended, small grant fund will be reduced by 50%(£250k for 2019/20 season) Travel Funding will be reduced by 33% Community Cup finals at Twickenham will be reduced to save money County Championship funding will be reduced by 40 %( down to £6k per CB.)funding is the total for participation in senior Men’s and Women’s XV’s and U20 XV Aspirational teams reduced by 30% ( currently England Counties, England Counties U20s,England Counties U18s,and England Students)Due to this reduction one team England Students programme will not be played in 2019/20 Artificial Grass Pitches(AGPs)The programme has been suspended,(10 were due to be installed and in the process of commencment,these clubs have been informed) Eight key areas have also had reductions in operational budgets, this include the direct funding of specific initiatives to support female coaching/officiatinhand young match officials, updating content production for coaching/refereeing and the removal of subsidies for schools and colleges to attend CPD.There will be no funding for Leadership Academy and leadership in Union programmes.RFU will longer offer regulated qualifications part of The England coaching and Refereeing awards. 63 RFU Staff were made redundant, Senior RFU personnel left for one reason or the other, the most prominent being Stephen Brown, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ben Calverley, Head of Strategy and Corporate Affairs, Lucinda Pullinger, Human Resources Director (HR) her replacement was Derren Young who took office in Oct 2018 and resigned in December 2018.Joanna Manning-Cooper Director of Digital Marketing and Communications. Most recently Dean Ryan, Head of International Player Development. Nigel Melville was appointed interim CEO.I believe that as a result of losing key individuals a vacuum has occurred leading to poor leadership and morale within The RFU. Bill Sweeney has taken up his appointment as CEO, it is hoped that his experience in sports and executive management in industry will come to the fore and inspire the revival of The RFU and bring stability and leadership in taking the Union forward.
The East Stand was completed on time and is an exceptionally good addition to The Stadium, it is state of the art and will be a good investment in the future, and it should pay for itself over the next 7 years. Much has been written and documented about the final cost being so considerably over budget, questions surrounding contracts and business practices have still not been answered to everyone’s satisfaction. Clubs have been advised about the importance of recording all XV side games played U14s and above on The RFU Game Management System (GMS) this has been in progress for some time. The new International Ticket Allocation methodology will be based on 2 year’s data of matches played by community clubs. This was to be instigated for The Autumn Internationals 2020.THIS HAS BEEN DELAYED AND WILL NOT COME IN TO FORCE UNTILL SIX NATIONS GAMES 2021.It is the intention of the international ticketing committee to advise CB’s and community rugby clubs of their indicative ticket allocation in June 2019.
International Rugby is at a cross roads, RFU have major decisions to make on how they and their Six Nations partners wish to proceed. Decisions will be made in the next few weeks. World Rugby is proposing to re vamp the landscape proposing initially a 12 team league starting in 2020 and a 2nd.Teir league for the developing nations aspiring to promotion and relegation between the leagues. Investors are willing to invest £5/6 billion over 12 years. The proposals are being driven mainly by The Southern Hemisphere Countries who have been struggling financially for some time Six Nations have private equity firms who wish to buy a 30% per cent stake in The Championship, one of the firms; CVC also bought into Premiership Rugby late last year, the reported offer by them to be considered is around £100 million per country. Six Nations point out that this is one of several options being considered to help launch “Project Light”-the proposal for all countries in the tournament to pool their commercial revenue(ie.TV ,Media, Sponsorship etc.) It is important to note that both The World Rugby and Six Nations proposals MUST be agreed by ALL Six Nations countries.
Senior Officers of The RFU for Season 2019/20 Peter Wheeler (President) Jeff Blackett (senior Vice President) Nigel Gillingham (Junior Vice President)
A vitally important coming season for Rugby both home and abroad; Would a proposed World League with annual play offs diminish the importance of The World Cup by over exposure of The Game? Enormous sums of money being offered to International Rugby in one form or the other, which would solve financial difficulties in rugby playing countries in the short term, but in doing so would it ruin The Game at Grass Roots level (“selling The Game down the river”)?
An exciting few months ahead, England warm up games at HQ,Cardiff and Newcastle with The World Cup in Japan starting 20th.September, early morning viewing from “The Land of the Rising sun “hoping to cheer Eddie and “The Boys “on to World Cup victory.
Any help/advice or information on any aspect of RFU do not hesitate to contact me.
Steve Email; [email protected] mobile 07900251091 home phone 01386860427
North Midlands RFU
RFU Report
Report to 2019 Annual General Meeting
The season 2018/2019 has not been a vintage one for the RFU as a corporate body. On the field, the England XV made a good recovery from the previous season’s disastrous 5th place finish in the Six Nations and finished behind Wales in 2nd place. Nevertheless, despite having a vastly superior points’ difference to that of Wales, frailties in England defence and leadership on the field were exposed. It is to be hoped that such weaknesses can be rectified in time for the World Cup. Our now fully professional Women’s team overwhelmed their Six Nations opponents to the extent that it puts the viability of the Women’s Six Nations in some jeopardy, unless the other Five do some serious catching up.
Off the field, it is apparent that the RFU’s Executive and its supervisory, Management Board have been found wanting in their financial management of the Union, perhaps to the extent that a charge of incompetence could be made. Too late by far, the realisation that a combination of reduced TV rights, difficult sponsorship deals and a more restricted hospitality market, would lead to the expected upward increase in income looking more like wishful thinking. Too late also, the realisation that the Union’s spending commitments were unrealistic and unsustainable. The hubristic target of 100 plus AGPs, was proven to be way beyond the Union’s needs, or its ability to fork out the £1m bill for each pitch. Amazingly, it seems to have been forgotten the RWC season is a fallow, loss making one, with a planned subsidy to this season from the previous three seasons of plenty.
There was too, the major overspend on the East Stand Hospitality Development. Many of the reasons given for the cost increases should have been anticipated in the original costings. Evidently, the Grenfell Tower disaster led to more rigorous safety and security levels, but in this day and age, should not such a major public hospitality project have sprinklers and bomb protection included at the original planning stage? To be positive about the East Stand, it is a now a major asset to the Union’s income potential. The RFU has to compete in the hospitality market against the likes of the Emirates and the new Spurs stadium. It is difficult to manage this from tented villages, situated at up to half a mile from the ground. In summary, the East Stand Development will pay for itself and put money into the Union’s depleted coffers, but that does not excuse the failure to anticipate the overspend.
Given the above, it was inevitable that the Chief Executive Officer should go. Steve Brown, the Chief Financial Officer before being appointed CEO, and on a salary package of around £700k, resigned his post only 14 months into the job. Rumour has it, just before he was pushed. His temporary replacement was Nigel Melville, quiet and most probably competent, but perhaps as an interim appointment, lacking the authority and therefore the leadership to drive the Union out of its financial doldrums. His full time successor, Bill Sweeny has very recently taken up office, after being eventually released by his previous employer, the British Olympic Association. By his own admission, Bill has little rugby experience, but does have a proven commercial record in sport. Time will tell. The task of attempting to bring the RFUs finances under control fell to Nigel Melville and the replacement CFO, Sue Day. Regrettably, with the professional game ring fenced, it was on to the Community Rugby budget that the bulk of the cost cutting was to be made. There was also the task of reducing the RFU’s ever burgeoning staff count. A total of 63 redundancies were made, reduced to the low 50s by some re-deployments. It is open to question as to how effective the redundancy programme was. Yes, the numbers were reduced, but were they necessarily the personnel surplus to requirements, or simply those who volunteered for redundancy? Looking back, perhaps there was an element of both.
The full impact of the cuts to the Community budget is only now reaching the Game. There are cuts to CB budgets and clubs will be hit directly by cuts to travel subsidy. The County Championship will find itself under threat yet again, this time due to the reduction in CC funding. Difficult time lies ahead for those of us in the Community Game!
What of the future? It is to be hoped that a successful RWC campaign by England will lead to an improvement in recruitment to the Senior Game, men and women. A good RWC will also improve TV and sponsorship prospects. On the financial front, whilst it is true that the RFU is experiencing some difficulties, it is not bankrupt or even close to that. With a new CEO, further redundancies could yet arise, although the need is not yet admitted. The RFU’s dispute with its former CEO, Francis Baron continues apace and is a major item on the agenda at the June Council meeting. This issue may well end up in the civil courts and it is possible it could cost the RFU dear. It is a pity that the majority of the RFU Council did not take the same view as Steve Guy and myself, when it removed Mr Baron’s Privilege Membership. Judging by the paperwork now laid before Council, the RFU’s Legal Officer is spending a considerable portion of his time on this issue alone.
Major decisions are to be made regarding the funding and marketing of the Six Nations. This is further complicated by the ongoing proposal for a World Rugby League. This is a commercially sensitive area, but sufficient to say, that I am extremely uncomfortable with the World Rugby proposal. My reservations are with regard to both playing and financial arrangements.
I make no apology for this very largely negative report on last season at the RFU. Sadly, it was a negative year. It is a matter of regret that all this bad news hit, just as the RFU Governance changes became effective and the ability of the RFU Council to hold to account the Executive and Management Board was nullified. It is now all too tempting to palm off Council with, at times laughable excuses.
I must thank North Midlands for its continuing support to its Council members throughout the past season. It is not always easy or popular to buck the trend and plough a furrow that we believe is right. However, you can be assured that we have made every effort to assist our clubs and answer their frustrations and queries. With your support we will continue to do so.
Paul Kaminski
Committee Structure 2019-2020 Position Nomination Club /Member Received Confirmation
President Judith Phelps Telford Yes Yes Senior Vice President Gordon Wood Newport Yes Yes Junior Vice President Bill Worth Yardley & District Yes Yes Chairman Charlie Hemmings Kidderminster Carolians Yes Yes Honorary Secretary Robert Bray Droitwich Yes Yes Honorary Treasurer Roger Parsons Robert Bray Yes Yes Chair of Community Committee Keith Skirving Kidderminsrter Carolians Yes Yes Chair of Governance Stuart Potts Telford Yes Yes Chair of Playing Development Gordon Wood Newport Yes Yes Past President Chair of Safeguarding & Welfare Clive Haley Judith Phelps Yes Yes RFU Council Member Steve Guy Subject of separate vote N/A N/A RFU Council Member Paul Kaminski Subject of separate vote N/A N/A
Officers Management
also
Committee Nomination Club /Member Received Confirmation
Rep of NMRFU Referees
Rep of NMRFU Schools
Two member from National League clubs
A member of Rugby Dev Group
Three Reps of Community Rugby
A Rep of Disciplinary Committee Darren Clegg Robert Bray
Safeguarding & Welfare Officer
A Rep of NMRFU Comps Committee
A Rep of NMRFU Coaching Committee
A Rep of each of NMRFU Mens team
A Rep of Women & Girls Committee
Rep of NMRFU Fixture Exchange
A member of Youth Forum
Elected members of Domestic Union* HW
S
GB
* ratio 1:6, no less than 3 per DU NMRFU ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE comprising 1) President, Senior and Junior Vice President; 2) Chairman (and possibly Vice Chairman); 3) Secretary; 4) Treasurer; 5) RFU Council Reps
Chair of Club and PFR (LRP) and Chair of Governance Chair of Rugby CB Support & Dev't Special Projects
1) Coaching - 1) Funding & 1) Discipline 1) Accounts numbers & quality Facilities
2) Playing Devt - 7 - 2) Safeguarding & 18, 18 - 24; Schools, 2) Volunteers 2) PFR / LRP Welfare HE & FE
3) Incorporation & 3) Referees 3) All rep rugby 3) New Projects Accreditation 4) Succession 4) Competitions: 4) Women & Girls Planning 5) Club & CB 5) RFU Rules & Regs Development Register No. 29761R
RULES OF NORTH MIDLANDS RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION LIMITED Registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014
Rules of North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited
SECTION I – NAME, OBJECTS & POWERS
1 Name 2 Definitions 3 Objects 4 Powers of The Constituent Body
SECTION II – MEMBERSHIP
5 Members 6 Share Capital
SECTION III – GENERAL MEETINGS
7 General Meetings 8 Annual General Meetings 9 Special General Meetings 10 Rules
SECTION IV – OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
11 Powers of the Committee 12 Officers 13 Committee 14 Patrons
SECTION V – FINANCE
15 Constituent Body Finance 16 Match Tickets 17 Auditors 18 Club’s Financial Statements
SECTION VI – STATUTORY PROCEDURES
19 Registered Office 20 Use of Name of the Constituent Body 21 Seal 22 Register Of Members 23 Inspection of Books 24 Annual Return 25 Publication Of Accounts 26 Registration 27 Dissolution
SECTION VII – GENERAL
28 Continuity 29 Indemnity 30 Notices 31 Arbitration 32 Interpretation
1 4133-2377-3187 I. NAME, OBJECTS & POWERS
1. NAME
The Society shall be called “North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited”
2. DEFINITIONS
Except where the context otherwise permits or requires, the words and expressions listed in the Schedule of Definitions set out in Rule 33 shall bear the meanings given to them therein.
3. OBJECTS
The objects of the Constituent Body shall be:
3.1 To administer the Game on behalf of the Union within the area known for rugby purposes as North Midlands which includes, but is not limited to, the geographic Counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire (as recognised prior to the re-organisation of Local Government in 1971) and the City of Birmingham (“the Counties”).
3.2 To promote, encourage and extend the Game throughout the County including (but not limited to) the coaching thereof, its development in Schools and at all youth levels and the recruitment, administration and training of referees.
3.3 To arrange County Championship Trials, Representative League and other Rugby football matches in the interests of Rugby Union Football.
3.4 To ensure that the Game is played in accordance with the Laws of the Game and is administered in accordance with the World Rugby Regulations and the Union
3.5 To assist clubs in the playing of the Game.
3.6 To invite sponsorship, receive and make donations or otherwise promote the development of the Game.
4. POWERS OF THE CONSTITUENT BODY
To further its objects the Constituent Body shall have the power to do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the objects of the Constituent Body including (but not limited to) all or any of the following:
4.1 Either directly or indirectly to employ, invest and deal with the assets and funds of the Constituent Body for the objects of the Constituent Body in such manner as shall be considered by the Committee to be expedient, and to do all such other acts and things and carry on all such other activities (including, but not limited to, leasing, subleasing, releasing, renting, acquiring, altering, erecting, holding, selling, improving, developing, repairing, hiring, lending with or without security or otherwise dealing with real and 2 4133-2377-3187 personal property of any kind) as shall be considered by the Committee to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the Constituent Body or the advancement of its interests.
4.2 To raise or borrow money for the purposes of or in connection with the activities of the Constituent Body or any of them as the Committee think fit in accordance with the following provisions:
4.2.1 Any sum or sums raised or borrowed may be on mortgage, charge, bonds or debentures of all or any of the funds or property of the Constituent Body whether or not including any floating charge of the whole or part of the undertaking property and assets of the Constituent Body both present and future.
4.2.2 At the time of any borrowing the sum of the amount then remaining undischarged of monies borrowed and of the amount of the proposed borrowing shall not exceed 100,000 pounds sterling or such sum as the Members in General Meeting may from time to time determine.
4.2.3 The rate of interest payable at the time the terms of borrowing are agreed on any money borrowed shall not exceed the rate of interest which in the opinion of the Committee represents the market rate of interest for borrowings of similar amount and on similar terms prevailing at that time except that in the case of a mortgage loan the Committee may delegate the determination of the interest rate within specified limits to an Officer, Committee Member or Sub- Committee.
4.2.4 The Committee may determine from time to time (subject to Rules 4.2.1, 4.2.2 and 4,2.3) the terms and conditions upon which money is raised or borrowed or security is issued and may vary such terms and conditions.
4.2.5 No person lending money to the Constituent Body shall be concerned to see or enquire whether either of the limits imposed by Rule 4.2.2 or Rule 4.2.3 is exceeded at the time of the borrowing or issue and if either or both of such limits were to be exceeded no borrowing incurred in excess of such limits shall be invalid unless such person had received express notice to this effect at the time of borrowing.
4.3 To give any security or securities whether by way of mortgage or otherwise for the performance of any contracts or any debts, liabilities or obligations of the Constituent Body or any of its subsidiaries or other persons or corporations in whose business or undertaking the Constituent Body is interested, or to whom or in respect of whom the Constituent Body has given any personal covenant, guarantee or indemnity, whether directly or indirectly, and collaterally or further to secure any obligation of whatever nature of the Constituent Body by a trust deed or other assurance. 3 4133-2377-3187 4.4 To accept and grant sponsorship and franchises and make such arrangements in connection therewith as the Committee shall think fit.
4.5 To apply for and hold any licences, consents, certificates, permissions and approvals that may be required for or in connection with the activities of the Constituent Body and (among other things) to provide catering and such other facilities as the Committee shall consider desirable.
4.6 To invite, receive and make donations for or otherwise promote or assist in the development or continuance of facilities for, or the prestige of, the Game or any other sport or recreation.
4.7 To assist clubs in the playing of the Game and in the provision of playing facilities including (among other things) playing fields and sports accommodation.
4.8 To support (whether by direct subscription, the giving of guarantees or otherwise) any charitable, benevolent or educational fund, institution or organisation, or any event or purpose of a public or general nature, the support of which will or may in the opinion of the Committee, directly or indirectly benefit, or is calculated so to benefit, the Constituent Body or its activities or its employees, ex-employees, players, former players or their dependants.
4.9 To promote, arrange and organise leagues, competitions and tournaments for and between clubs. To engage such officials and employees upon such terms and at such remuneration as the Committee may deem appropriate, and to dismiss or retire any of them as may be necessary.
4.10 To provide pensions, insurances and other benefits to employees or to ex-employees of the Constituent Body or the dependants and relatives of any such persons and to establish and maintain or concur in establishing and maintaining trusts, funds, schemes or other arrangements (whether contributory or non-contributory) with a view to providing such benefits including (but not limited to) retirement benefits and/or life assurance schemes.
4.11 To maintain bank accounts in credit or overdrawn on such terms as the Committee shall think fit including the giving of guarantees and indemnities in respect of direct debits and other money transmission or collection systems whether pursuant to Rule 15.5 or otherwise.
4.12 To pass such resolutions, regulations and instructions which shall be binding on all Members as are considered necessary for the better management, organisation, administration and regulation of the Constituent Body.
4.13 To settle, conduct, enforce or resist either in a court of law or by arbitration any suit, debt, liability or claim by or against the Constituent Body.
4 4133-2377-3187 II MEMBERSHIP
5 MEMBERS
5.1 The area in which the Constituent Body shall operate shall be the Counties or other areas allocated from time to time to the Constituent Body by the Union and each of the Counties and other areas (as decided from time to time by the Committee of the Constituent Body) is hereafter referred to as a Domestic Union.
5.2 Each Domestic Union shall be eligible for membership. In addition any Rugby Union Football Club within the Constituent Body area willing to conform to the Rules of the Constituent Body and to the Rules of the Union shall be eligible for membership, provided that before admission such Club must be a member of the Domestic Union in which it is situated and must be duly proposed and seconded by Two Clubs in membership of the Domestic Union and be elected to membership by the Committee of the Constituent Body.
5.3 The Members of the Constituent Body shall be the corporate bodies and individual persons whose names are for the time being entered in the Register of Members and in the case of individual persons who are nominees of unincorporated bodies the name of the unincorporated body whose nominee the Member is shall be entered against the name of the Member concerned.
5.4 All Members of the Committee excluding those members co-opted under Rule 11.2 shall be Members for such period as they are Committee Members.
5.5 Subject to Rules 5.2 and 5.4 the admission of Members shall be under the control of the Committee which shall from time to time determine the criteria and conditions applicable for the approval of membership.
5.6 The Committee shall have power to admit to membership of the Constituent Body:-
5.6.1 A Club which is incorporated.
5.6.2 The secretary (or subject to the approval of the Committee any other officer or official) as its nominee of a Club which is unincorporated.
5.7 Any association of persons of which the principal object is the playing of the Game and which desires to apply to be a Member or if unincorporated nominate a person to be a Member shall be proposed and seconded by two Clubs. Application for membership may be submitted at any time.
5.8 Each Club which is in membership with the Constituent Body at the date these Rules take effect pursuant to Rule 26 shall be admitted to membership in accordance with Rule 5.6 and must immediately send a copy of its rules and if unincorporated confirm the name and address of its Secretary for entry in the Register of Members as its nominee and
5 4133-2377-3187 thereafter every Club the secretary of which is a Member as its nominee must immediately following a change of its secretary notify the Honorary Secretary of the name and address of its new secretary or other nominated officer or official for the Register of Member to be amended accordingly.
5.9 A Member may withdraw from the Constituent Body at any time by giving to the Honorary Secretary written notice of the intention so to do provided that the Member shall remain liable for all monies then due and owing to the Constituent Body.
5.10 A Club shall be liable to suspension or termination of its membership or privileges as the Committee may determine if:-
5.10.1 It shall not have paid its annual subscription by 1st December each year.
5.10.2 It shall cease to satisfy the criteria and conditions for membership as determined by the Committee under rule 5.5.
5.10.3 It does not conform to any reasonable directive by the Committee as to its standards of play, administration or general behaviour.
5.11 A Member shall be liable to termination or suspension of membership or to other appropriate punishment by the Constituent Body for any infringement of these Rules, any Regulation or any Rules or Regulations of the Union, the Laws of the Game or the World Rugby Regulations or any conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Constituent Body or the Game, and the Constituent Body shall have power to discipline any Club whose nominee is a Member or any player, official, member or employees of a Club for any offence. The procedure for the exercise of this power shall be prescribed by the Committee and details thereof shall be kept by the Honorary Secretary and be available for inspection by the Members at all reasonable times.
5.12 A Member shall cease to be a Member:-
5.12.1 On resignation
5.12.2 In the case of a corporate Member on ceasing to be corporate.
5.12.3 On termination of membership by the Committee
5.12.4 On replacement as the nominee of an unincorporated Club.
5.13 Any Club, shall also be subject to the Rules and Byelaws of the Domestic Union and the Union.
6 SHARE CAPITAL
6.1 The capital of the Constituent Body shall consist of shares of the value of £1 each.
6 4133-2377-3187 6.2 Every Member shall hold one share and no more in the capital of the Constituent Body. No person who is not a Member shall be issued with a share.
6.3 Each Member of the Constituent Body at the date these Rules take effect pursuant to Rule 26 or which is eligible to be a Member or to appoint its secretary as its nominee under Rule 5.8 shall be allotted one share in the name of the Member or the name of the Nominee as the case may be.
6.4 Any Member or nominee of a Club admitted to membership after the date on which these Rules take effect pursuant to Rule 26 shall be allotted one share on admission.
6.5 In the case of every Club the share allotted to it or its nominee shall be paid up in full by applying one pound of the subscription next received from it after the date of admission to membership.
6.6 No share shall be held jointly, be withdrawable or subject to Rule 6.7 be transferable by any Member and no interest, dividend or bonus shall be payable on any share. Any Member transferring or attempting to transfer a share other than under the provisions of Rule 6.7 shall if the Committee so decides be deemed to have withdrawn from the Constituent Body as from the date of such transfer or attempted transfer.
6.7 Shares held by nominees of Clubs shall be transferable to succeeding nominees in such manner as the Committee may from time to time determine.
6.8 The share of a Member shall be forfeited to the Constituent Body when that Member for whatever reason ceases to be a Member and any amount then due to the Member in respect of such share shall thereupon become the property of the Constituent Body.
6.9 The Constituent Body shall not be required to issue a certificate to any Member in respect of the share allotted to that Member.
III GENERAL MEETINGS
7 GENERAL MEETINGS
7.1 All General Meetings shall be held at such location within the geographical region of the Constituent Body as the Committee may determine and any such meeting other than an Annual General Meeting or a Financial Annual General Meeting shall be called a Special General Meeting.
7.2 The Chairman of all such meetings shall be the President of the Constituent Body or if unavailable the Immediate Past President or if unavailable a Member of the Committee appointed at the Meeting concerned to take the Chair for the Meeting.
7.3 Every Member shall be entitled to attend and vote at any General Meeting and in the case of a corporate Member its representative to attend and vote on its behalf at any General Meeting shall be appointed under the hands of two members of its committee and its 7 4133-2377-3187 secretary. The procedure for the casting of votes shall be determined by the Chairman of the Meeting.
7.4 The quorum at any General Meeting shall be 10 Members.
7.5 If within thirty minutes after the time appointed for a General Meeting a quorum is not present, the Meeting, if convened on the requisition of Members, shall be dissolved, and in every other case it will stand adjourned to such other day and at such time and place, or be dissolved, as the Committee shall determine.
7.6 All resolutions shall be decided by a majority of votes recorded except where:-
7.6.1 these rules provide for a special resolution which shall require a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes recorded or
7.6.2 a resolution is put to an Annual General Meeting as contemplated by rule 8.1.7 in which case the provisions of the Act as to voting shall apply
7.6.3 a resolution is put to an Annual General Meeting as contemplated by Rule 8.1.6.2 in which case the provisions of the Act as to voting shall apply.
7.7 A declaration by the Chairman of a General Meeting to the effect that a particular resolution has been passed or not or passed by a particular majority or not shall (subject to the Act) be final and binding on all Members.
7.8 A General Meeting shall not be invalidated by reason only of any Member accidentally failing to receive a notice thereof or any accompanying document relating thereto.
7.9 The procedure for conduct of General Meetings shall be prescribed by the Committee and details thereof shall be kept by the Honorary Secretary and be available for inspection by Members at all reasonable times.
8 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
8.1 Not later 31st July in every year a General Meeting shall be held (to be known as the Annual General Meeting) for the transaction of the following business:-
8.1.1 To consider and approve (with or without amendment) the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting.
8.1.2 To receive and approve a report from the Committee on the affairs of the Constituent Body since the previous Annual General Meeting.
8.1.3 To elect the Officers for the ensuing year.
8.1.4 To elect Vice-Presidents.
8.1.5 To elect Members of the Committee for the ensuing year.
8 4133-2377-3187 8.1.6 Where necessary in law or where the members require:
8.1.6.1 To appoint the Auditors for the ensuing year or
8.1.6.2 To consider a resolution dis-applying the provisions of the Act relating to the obligations to appoint Auditors.
8.1.7 To consider as a special resolution any addition or alteration to these rules duly proposed in accordance with Rule 8.5.
8.1.8 To consider any other motion or business duly proposed in accordance with Rule 8.5.
8.1.9 To consider any other business of which due notice shall have been given.
8.1.10 To hear any other relevant matter for the consideration of the Committee during the ensuing year, but on which no voting shall be allowed.
8.2 Notice of every Annual General Meeting stating the date, time and venue of such Meeting shall be sent to all Members so as to be received not less than two clear weeks prior to the date of the Meeting with the agenda of the business to be considered thereat..
8.3 The election of the Officers shall be subject to the following provisions:-
8.3.1 Any Member shall have the right to make nominations, with the written consent of a candidate, for election to any one or more of the offices named in or created under the provisions of Rule 12.1. Such nominations must be sent in writing so as to reach the Honorary Secretary by 31st May. The Committee shall also have the right to make nominations for the election of Officers.
8.3.2 The election of each Officer shall be decided by a majority of votes recorded.
8.3.3 In the event of an equal number of votes being cast for two or more candidates for any office a further election for that office shall immediately be held between those candidates for whom the votes cast are equal in number. If there shall still be equality of votes the members of the retiring Committee present at the time shall decide who shall from those candidates receiving an equal number of votes in the second election be the holder of the office concerned for an ensuing year.
8.4 The election of Committee Members shall be subject to the following provisions:-
8.4.1 Any Member shall have the right to make no more than one nomination, with the written consent of the candidate, for election as one of the Committee Members provided for in Rule 13.1.2. Such nominations must be sent in writing so as to reach the Honorary Secretary by 31st May. The Committee shall also have the right to make nominations for the election of Committee Members without restriction on the number of nominations.
9 4133-2377-3187 8.4.1 The election of Committee Members shall be decided by a majority of votes recorded.
8.4.2 In the event of an equal number of votes being cast for two or more candidates for the last seat or seats on the Committee a further election shall immediately be held for the last seat or seats between those candidates for whom the votes cast for such seat or seats are equal in number. If there shall still be equality of votes the members of the retiring Committee present at the time shall decide who shall from those candidates receiving an equal number of votes in the second election to be holders of the last seat or seats on the Committee for the ensuing year.
8.5 Proposals for additions or alterations to the Rules or for any motion to be submitted to an Annual General Meeting shall be subject to the following provisions:-
8.5.1 Any proposal shall be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary by 31st May duly proposed by one Member and seconded by another.
8.5.2 Copies of all such proposals and copies of all proposals put forward by the Committee shall be sent to all Members with the notice of the Annual General Meeting.
8.5.3 Amendments to any proposal notified to Members under Rule 8.5.2 shall be sent in writing so as to reach the Honorary Secretary duly proposed and seconded not less than seven days before the time for which the Annual General Meeting is convened.
8.5.4 Amendments duly received in accordance with Rule 8.5.3 shall be added to the agenda by the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting.
8.6 Not later than 30 September in every year a Financial General Meeting shall be held (known as the Financial Annual General Meeting) to receive and approve a Financial Statement for the preceding financial year and where necessary in law or where the members require the Auditors’ Report thereon. The notice provisions of Rule 8.2 shall apply to the Financial Annual General Meeting.
9 SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
9.1 The Committee may convene at any time a Special General Meeting by giving to all Members two clear weeks written notice thereof stating the date, time and venue thereof and the resolution or resolutions to be moved or other business to be transacted thereat.
9.1.1 Amendments to any resolution proposed by the Committee shall be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary duly proposed and seconded by Members in the same manner as to prescribed by Rule 8.5.3 for an Annual General Meeting.
10 4133-2377-3187 9.1.2 Amendments duly received in accordance with Rule 9.1.1 shall be added to the agenda by the Chairman of the Special General Meeting.
9.2 The Committee shall also convene a Special General Meeting on receipt by the Honorary Secretary of a written requisition so to do, duly signed by not less than 20 Members. Each requisition must clearly state the specific resolution to be moved.
9.2.1 Two clear weeks notice of such a Meeting stating the date, time and venue thereof and the specific resolution to be moved thereat shall be sent to all Members by the Honorary Secretary within 14 days of the receipt of the requisition.
9.2.2 Amendments to such a resolution shall be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary duly proposed and seconded by Members in the same manner as is prescribed in Rule 8.5.3.
9.2.3 Amendments duly received in accordance with Rule 9.2.2 shall be added to the agenda by the Chairman of the Special General Meeting.
10 RULES
10.1 No new Rule shall be made, nor shall any Rule be amended or rescinded, except by a special resolution passed at an Annual General Meeting in accordance with Rule 8.5 or at a Special General Meeting convened by the Committee in accordance with Rule 9.1
10.2 The Honorary Secretary shall register in accordance with the Act any new Rule or amendment to these Rules and no new Rule shall be valid until so registered.
10.3 A copy of the Rules shall be delivered by the Honorary Secretary to any person on demand on payment of such sum (not exceeding ten pence) as may from time to time be determined by the Committee.
IV OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
11 POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE
The affairs of the Constituent Body shall be administered by the Committee which shall exercise all the powers of the Constituent Body expressed in Rule 4 and without limiting the generality of:
11.1 The Committee shall have power to appoint such Sub-Committees as are considered necessary to deal with the affairs of the Constituent Body
11.1.1 The Committee shall determine the composition, powers and terms of reference of each Sub-Committee
11.1.2 The Chairman of any Sub-Committee shall have a second or casting vote, and the quorum necessary for the transaction of business by a Sub-Committee shall be one-third of its appointed members or as the Committee may determine.
11 4133-2377-3187 11.1.3 A Sub-Committee may exercise the power of co-option subject to the provisions of Rule 11.2.
11.2 The Committee shall have powers to co-opt additional members to serve on it provided that the number of such co-opted members shall not exceed twenty-five per cent of the number of members elected to hold office on the Committee (the Officers and the Representative(s) for the purposes of this computation being deemed to be elected members) and to approve the co-option of additional members to serve on any Sub- Committee, in both cases either for general or special service and with or without voting rights.
11.3 The Committee shall not exercise its powers in any way or for any purpose inconsistent with the objects of the Constituent Body.
11.4 The procedure for the conduct of meetings of the Committee shall be prescribed by the Committee and details thereof shall be kept by the Honorary Secretary and be available for inspection by Members at all reasonable times.
11.5 Reference in these Rules to any acts or activities or opinion (including, without limitation, decisions, directions, requests, exercises of discretion and the giving of consent) of the Committee shall mean such acts or activities or opinions as shall have been sanctioned or effected or (as the case may be) expressed by (a) a resolution of the Committee or (b) a resolution of the relevant Sub-Committee where the power to act or authority being exercised has been delegated by the Committee to a Sub-Committee or (c) to the relevant Officer where that power or authority has been delegated by the Committee to an Officer.
12 OFFICERS
12.1 The Officers of the Constituent Body shall be a President, a Senior Vice President, a Junior Vice President, a Chairman, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, and the Constituent Body’s Representative(s) on the Council of the Union.
12.2 The Officers of the Constituent Body shall be elected at each Annual General Meeting in accordance with Rule 8.3 with the exception of the Constituent Body’s Representative(s) on the Council of the Union who will be elected in accordance with the Rules of the Union.
12.3 Each Officer on election at an Annual General Meeting shall hold office from the end of that Meeting until the end of the next Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re- election from year to year with the exception of the Representative(s) who shall hold office for the period stipulated in the Rules of the Union.
12.4 If any such offices shall fall vacant between one Annual General Meeting and the next such vacancy shall be filled by the Committee for the period of the vacancy with the
12 4133-2377-3187 exception of the Representative(s) where a vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the Rules of the Union.
13 COMMITTEE
13.1 The Committee shall consist of:
13.1.1 The Officers.
13.1.2 The Management Committee (as constituted by Rule 13.8).
13.1.3 A representative of the North Midlands Society of Referees, a representative of the North Midlands Schools Union, two members representing all of the North Midlands Clubs playing in the National Leagues, a representative of the North Midlands Rugby Development Groups, 3 representatives of the North Midlands Community Committee, a representative of the North Midlands Women’s and Girls Committee, a representative of the North Midlands Disciplinary Committee, the North Midlands Welfare & Safeguarding Officer, a representative of the North Midlands Competitions Committee, a representative of the North Midlands Coaching Committee, representatives of each of the North Midlands representative men’s teams a representative of the North Midlands Fixture Exchange and the North Midlands Youth Forum. The elected members from the Domestic Unions in the ratio of one member for every six clubs (other than School Clubs) within the area of each Domestic Union plus one member if the number of clubs shall exceed a multiple of 6 by 3 or more, such elected members to be elected by the Clubs which are members of each respective Domestic Union and in turn are members of this Constituent Body. No Domestic Union shall have less than 3 members on the Committee. All will be duly elected in accordance with Rule 8.4. A Member of the Committee shall hold office from the end of the Annual General Meeting at which they are elected until the end of the following Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for election from year to year.
13.2 The Chairman shall act as the chairman of meetings of the Committee. He may hold any other office in the Constituent Body at the same time and shall be eligible for re-election from year to year .
13.3 The quorum at any meeting of the Committee shall be ten (or such other number as may be determined from time to time by the Constituent Body in General Meeting) and the Member elected to take the Chair shall be entitled to exercise a second or casting vote.
13.4 If a vacancy shall occur for an elected Member of the Committee between one Annual General Meeting and the next such vacancy shall be filled by the Committee.
13 4133-2377-3187 13.5 If a Member of the Committee shall infringe under Rules 5.11 and 5.12 or shall be adjudged bankrupt or if a court order is made appointing a receiver to administer such Member’s property such Member shall thereupon cease to be a Member of the Committee.
13.6 Committee Members may receive remuneration for serving on the Committee in addition to the payment of authorised expenses for carrying out their duties.
13.7 To be eligible to become or to continue as a Member of the Committee such member of the Committee must be a member of a Club.
13.8 The day to day business of the Constituent Body shall be dealt with by a Management Committee, which may act on all matters of detail, within the terms of the Rules of the Constituent Body and the Minutes of the Committee. In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the Constituent Body’s constitution, the Management Committee shall have the following powers, namely:
a) To deal with all aspects of the Union’s affairs and to act upon the recommendations of any Sub Committees.
b) To authorise expenditure, including expenditure recommended by the Sub committees of the Constituent Body.
c) To authorise the Officers of the Constituent Body to act upon its behalf on matters of immediate urgency.
The Management Committee shall consist of the President, the Chairman, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer, the Senior Vice President, the Junior Vice President, the Constituent Body’s Representative(s) on the Council of the Rugby Football Union, the Playing Development Group Lead (representing Coaching, Referee Liaison, all North Midlands representative playing groups including Higher & Further Education, Schools and Women’s & Girls), the North Midlands Governance Lead (representing all Competitions, Discipline, North Midlands Referees Society and, the Fixture Exchange and Youth Forum), the Chairman of Community Committee (representing Club Development, Volunteers, Funding & Facilities), the Chairman of Welfare & Safeguarding and a Past President who shall be elected by the Committee and not otherwise holding a Management Committee position.
14 PATRONS
The Committee may appoint Patrons of the Constituent Body. Such Patrons shall not be members of the Constituent Body and shall not have the right of voting at General Meetings but will have such rights as the Committee may decide and will pay an annual subscription as fixed by the Committee.
14 4133-2377-3187 V FINANCE
15 CONSTITUENT BODY FINANCE
15.1 The Constituent Body’s income shall be obtained annually from the subscriptions of Members, from investments and securities, from gate monies and ticket receipts from matches arranged by the Constituent Body, from sponsorship and from any other available source.
15.2 The profits of the Constituent Body shall be applied only in furthering the objects of the Constituent Body.
15.3 The Constituent Body shall not have power to receive money on deposit from Members or others.
15.4 A Financial Statement of the Constituent Body’s affairs shall be made up to 30 June in each year (or such other date as maybe determined from time to time by the Constituent Body in General Meeting) and shall be signed by the Honorary Treasurer, the Honorary Secretary and one Member of the Committee. An audit where necessary in law or, where the membership require shall be carried out by a registered auditor or, where the conditions applicable for appointing lay auditors, by 2 or more lay auditors and a printed copy of the signed Financial Statements, together with the Auditors’ report thereon, shall be sent to each member with the notice calling a Financial Annual General Meeting or be available to each member at the Financial Annual General Meeting.
15.5 The Constituent Body may participate in a direct debiting scheme as an originator for the purpose of collecting subscriptions for any category of membership and/or any other amounts due to the Constituent Body and may enter into an indemnity required by the bank upon whom direct debits are to be originated and such indemnity may be executed on behalf of the Constituent Body by the Honorary Secretary or as otherwise determined pursuant to these Rules.
15.6 The Annual Subscription to the Constituent Body as determined by the Committee from time to time shall be payable on or before 1st September in each year.
16 MATCH TICKETS
16.1 Tickets for matches arranged by the Constituent Body shall be under the control of the Committee and shall be sold at prices fixed by the Committee (without any provision for repurchase by the Constituent Body) or as the Committee may direct, and the Committee shall allocate such tickets on an equitable basis.
16.2 The Committee shall have power to issue such season and other tickets, on such terms with such privileges and to such persons as it may from time to time determine.
15 4133-2377-3187 17 AUDITORS
17.1 The provisions of the Act relating to the appointment, powers, rights, remuneration, responsibilities and duties of the Auditors shall be complied with.
17.2 The Auditors where appointed shall be entitled to attend any General Meeting and to receive all notices of and other communications relating thereto which any Member is entitled to receive, and to be heard at any General Meeting on any part of the business which concerns them as auditors.
18 CLUBS’ FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On or before 31 December each year a properly prepared Financial Statement for the previous season shall be sent by each Club for examination by the Committee and to the Honorary Treasurer of the Club’s Domestic Union. Such financial statement shall be audited or inspected in accordance with the Rules of the Union.
VI STATUTORY PROCEDURES
19 REGISTERED OFFICE
19.1 The registered office of the Constituent Body shall be at Cedar Court, Packwood Lane, Lapworth, Solihull, B94 6AU or at such other location in England as the Committee may from time to time otherwise determine.
19.2 Notice of any change in the situation of the registered office shall be given by the Honorary Secretary to the Registrar within fourteen days after the change.
20 USE OF NAME OF THE CONSTITUENT BODY
20.1 The name shall be kept painted or affixed in a conspicuous position and in letters which are easily legible on the outside of every office or place in which the activities of the Constituent Body are carried on.
20.2 The name shall be stated in legible characters in all business letters of the Constituent Body, in all notices, advertisements and other official publications of the Constituent Body, in all bills of exchange, promissory notes, endorsements, cheques and orders for money or goods purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the Constituent Body and in all bills, invoices, receipts and letters of credit of the Constituent Body.
20.3 Save with the authority of the Committee, the name of the Constituent Body shall not at anytime be used by any Member in any document or advertisement issued or published by, or on behalf of or with the authority of that Member in such a way as to indicate or imply that such document or advertisement was issued or published by or on behalf of the Constituent Body or the Committee.
16 4133-2377-3187 21 SEAL
The Constituent Body shall have its name engraved in legible characters on a seal with shall be kept in the custody of the Honorary Secretary and shall be used only under the authority of the Committee which may determine who shall countersign any instrument to which the seal is affixed and unless otherwise so determined it shall be countersigned by any two of the Officers.
22 REGISTER OF MEMBERS
22.1 The Constituent Body shall keep at its registered office a Register of Members and Officers in which the Honorary Secretary shall enter the following particulars:
22.1.1 The name and address of each Member and where a Member is a nominee the name of the Club making the nomination shall be noted against the name of the Member.
22.1.2 A statement of the share held by each Member and the amount paid therefore.
22.1.3 A statement of other property, if any, in the Constituent Body held by each Member whether in loans or otherwise.
22.1.4 The date on which each Member was entered in the Register as a Member and the date on which a Member ceased to be a Member.
22.1.5 The names and addresses of the Officers of the Constituent Body with the offices held by them respectively and the date on which they assumed and left office.
22.2 The Register of Members and Officers shall be so constructed that it is possible to be open to inspection the particulars entered pursuant to Rules 22.1.1. 22.1.4 and 22.1.5 without also opening to inspection the other particulars entered in the Register.
23 INSPECTION OF BOOKS
All Members and persons having an interest in the funds of the Constituent Body shall be allowed to inspect their own accounts and the particulars entered in the Register of Members and Officers other than those entered under Rules 22.1.2 and 22.1.3 at all reasonable hours at the registered office of the Constituent Body subject to such regulations as to the time and manner of such inspection as may be made from time to time by a resolution passed at a General Meeting.
24 ANNUAL RETURN
24.1 Every year not later than the date provided by the Act or where the return is made up to the date allowed by the Registrar not later than seven months after such date the Honorary Secretary shall send to the Registrar the annual return in the form prescribed by the Registrar relating to the affairs of the Constituent Body for the period required by the Act to be included in the return together with a copy of the Financial Statements of the Constituent Body with the Report of the Auditors where applicable thereon from the
17 4133-2377-3187 period included in the return and a copy of each balance sheet made during that period and the Report of the Auditors where applicable on that balance sheet.
24 2 A copy of the latest annual return shall be supplied free of charge on demand to every member or other person interested in the funds of Constituent Body.
25 PUBLICATION OF ACCOUNTS
The Constituent Body shall keep a copy of the last balance sheet for the time being together with the Report made by the Auditors, where applicable, thereon always hung up in a conspicuous place at its registered office.
26 REGISTRATION
These Rules shall take effect on and from the date of their registration pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of The Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014
27 DISSOLUTION
In the event of it becoming necessary for the Members to discontinue the activities of the Constituent Body and to dissolve the Constituent Body under the provisions of the Act, its funds and property shall be appropriated or divided amongst the Members in such manner as the Committee consider to be fair and reasonable.
VII GENERAL
28 CONTINUITY
For the avoidance of doubt every Member of the Constituent Body who at the date these Rules take effect pursuant to Rule 26 holds offices or position in any capacity in the Constituent Body (including the position of Vice-Presidents and/or patrons) shall continue to hold the same office or position following registration. Such Members shall have the same seniority, dates of appointment, dates of retirement and the like after registration as before registration, subject only to such changes as are necessary by virtue of these Rules. The Trustees under the former Rules of the Constituent Body shall, until they have fully discharged their duties, remain as Trustees upon those of the former Rules which relate to Trustees, varied only insofar as these Rules necessarily require.
29 INDEMNITY
Each Officer (including under the former Rules of the Constituent Body the Trustees) and employee from time to time of the Constituent Body and each person who was or is from time to time a Member of the Committee or any Sub-Committee shall (to the extent that such person is not entitled to recover under any policy of insurance) be entitled to be indemnified out of any and all funds available to the Constituent Body which may lawfully be so applied, against all costs, liens, charges, expenses and liabilities whatsoever incurred by such person in the execution and discharge of duties undertaken on behalf of the Constituent Body or in relation thereto, or 18 4133-2377-3187 incurred in good faith in the purported discharge of such duties, including any liability incurred in initiating, prosecuting or defending any proceedings, civil or criminal, which relate to anything done or omitted as an Officer or employee or as a Member of the Committee or any Sub- Committee as the case may be.
30 NOTICES
30.1 A notice may be served by the Club upon any Member, either personally or by sending it by post or fax addressed to such member at his or her registered address as appearing in the Register of Members. A notice may also be served by the Club upon any Member by electronic communication in accordance with rules 30.2 and 30.3.
30.2 Any member who notifies the Club of an address to which the Club may send electronic communications shall be treated as having agreed to receive notice and other documents from the Club by electronic communication.
30.3 If a Member notifies the Club of his email address the club may send the Member the notice or other documents by publishing the notice or other document on a website and notifying the Member by email that the notice or other document has been published on the website.
30.4 Any notice, whether sent by post, fax or electronic communication shall be deemed to have been served on the day following that on which the letter or other communication containing the same is put into the post, sent, or otherwise despatched.
31 ARBITRATION
Every dispute of the type specified in The Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 or any amendment, modification or re-enactment thereof (not being one in respect of which the decision falls to be made in some other way under these Rules) shall be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator (pursuant to the Arbitration Act for the time being in force) to be appointed in default of agreement between the parties to the dispute by the President (or failing whom one of the other office holders) for the time being of the Constituent Body.
32 INTERPRETATION
Subject to the provisions of the Act any difference of opinion as to the interpretation of these Rules or on any matter not provided for therein shall be decided by the Chairman of a General Meeting at such Meeting or by the Committee in every other circumstance, and every such decision shall be recorded in the minutes and shall be accepted as the true meaning until thereafter otherwise interpreted on due notice at a subsequent General Meeting.
19 4133-2377-3187 33 SCHEDULE OF DEFINITIONS
“the Act” means the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965-1978 and any subsequent Acts governing or otherwise affecting industrial and provident societies.
“Auditors” means the auditors of the Constituent Body for the time being.
“Club” means a club admitted into membership of the Constituent Body in accordance with the Rules of Constituent Body.
“Constituent Body” means North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited.
“Committee” means the committee designated in Rule 13 and “Committee Member” or “Member of the Committee” means a member of the Committee for the time being and shall include a person co-opted under Rule 11.2.
“Domestic Union” has the meaning given in Rule 5.1. “Financial Statement” means a Balance Sheet together with a Statement of Accounts showing Income and Expenditure.
“Game” means the game of rugby union football.
“General Meeting” means a general meeting of Members.
“Honorary Secretary” means Honorary Secretary of the Constituent Body for the time being.
“Laws of the Game” means the laws promulgated by the World Rugby from time to time according to which the Game is played throughout the world.
“Management Committee” means the management committee constituted in accordance with Rule 13.8.
20 4133-2377-3187 “Members” means a member of the Constituent Body.
“Officers” means the officers designated in Rule 12.
“Registrar” means the Financial Services Authority and includes the statutory successor carrying on its relevant function.
“Regulation” means a resolution, regulation or instruction made in accordance with Rule 4.13.
“Representative(s)” means the representative(s) elected by the Members to represent the Constituent Body on the Council of the Union in accordance with the Rules of the Union for the time being registered with the Registrar.
“Rules” Means the Rules of the Constituent Body for the time being registered with the Registrar.
“Union” means the Rugby Football Union.
“World Rugby” means the world Governing Body of the Game. At the date of the adoption of these Rules it was known as the International Rugby Board of which the Union is a member.
“World Rugby Regulations” means the Resolutions and Regulations relating to the Game promulgated by the World Rugby from time to time.
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