ENGLISH ICE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION RECREATIONAL SECTION 2009 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Sunday 13 September 2009 At The Derbyshire Hotel, South Normanton 12.30pm MINUTES Executive Committee Tony Boynton [Chairman], Linda Matthews, Tony Wood. Team Representatives: Altrincham Aardvarx, Army Air Corps Ice Hawks, Basingstoke Cougars, Black Bears, Blackburn Buccaneers, Blackburn Falcons, Bracknell B52’s, Bracknell Blizzard, British Army Blades, Chelmsford Chargers, Cleveland Comets, Coventry Chaos, Coventry Chargers, Durham City Dragons, Flintshire Phantoms, Grimsby Lightning, Guildford Smoke, HMPS Tornadoes, Kingston Cobras, Medway Madness, Met Police, MK Hurricanes, MK Jesters, MK Rumble, Newcastle Coyotes, Newcastle Preditors, Nottingham Knights, Peterborough Eagles, Peterborough Phoenix, RAF Bluewings, RAF Cosford Stars, RAF Eastern Crusade, RN Destroyers, Sheffield Squeelers, Sheffield Vipers, Slough Satans, Slough Scorpions, Slough Tornadoes, Steel City Shoguns. Opening Remarks The Chairman opened the meeting by thanking everyone that attended and remarking that he was pleased at the large turn out. Apologies from Solihull Wolves, Bristol Warriors, Whitley Wildcats, Solent Scorpions, Nationwide Knights and Steve Tysoe. Also, apologies from Ron Christison, John Freeman and Richie Clark from the Executive. Acceptance of last years Minutes. Mr Waugh of MK Jesters told the Chairman that there was a mistake in last years minutes regarding the ban for the third offence. After the amendment, it was proposed by Peterborough Eagles and seconded by Kingston Cobras that the minutes of the 2008 AGM were accepted. Chairman’s Report We are here to try to make it easy for you to play hockey, you are the ones who do all the running around for your teams. We have 84 teams, started 26 years ago when we had just 5 teams. Now we are close on 3000 Rec players, which is second in size to the juniors. Most of you do not know, I am a member of the Rink Managers Association, as their health and safety person. You are all doing things right. Running your teams, taking part in competitions and we would like to thank you for the efforts you are putting in - so give yourselves a pat on the back. He asked if anyone had read the IIHF rules, which states that recreational hockey is ‘non league’ hockey, which is why we have Cup Competitions. If a team set up a ‘league’ and the IIHF see it, you will have to pay £750 for an ITC card for every foreign national (not of English decent) on your team. The one thing we do that is against the IIHF, is checking hockey. There is an insurance claim currently going through, and the outcome may have an impact on us as to whether we continue with checking hockey or not. We have a very good framework and an excellent website. The Chairman thanked Tony Wood and Linda Matthews for their excellent work and asked for a vote of thanks for Linda’s work behind the scenes. There was a question regarding whether checking hockey was played at the Sheffield Tournament. The Chairman confirmed that it was. He also suggested that the officials be notified if your game is a checking game. Administrator’s Report This year started rather more quietly than the previous year, largely due to losing the University Clubs from within the Section. The usual bottle-neck was avoided and the registrations were completed without any delays. Although there were some of the same problems as in previous years - insufficient postage being affixed to envelopes so having to pay considerable surcharges. The insistence of a minority of clubs sending two or three applications several times each week also slows down completion of registrations. Be aware that in the new period, only fully and correctly filled in application forms will be accepted, with acceptable photographs and correct fees. Please also be aware that registrations are not completed until monies have cleared your account. For on-line payments that is three to four days after the payments are made and are only active when the players name appears on your teams roster. Only players named on your roster may take part in any team activities, or play in arranged games. It has been brought to my attention that Rec insurance claims have been received by the provider on EIHA claim forms, thought to have been obtained from the EIHA website. I hold the supply of such forms and control the issue of them, as I need to be advised of any accidents or incidents which are likely to result in a claim being made as soon as possible after it occurs. (Ron will provide a claim form for completion). Please note, my email address has changed to [email protected], telephone number 0191 384 0886 remains unchanged. Tony Wood clarified that Ron would accept new registrations for existing players from 1st September, but new players will not be processed until 1st October of any year. There was a question from Eastern Crusades regarding an injury claim made on the 89th day. Action: TB stated he would get clarification on claims going through. Question from Coventry Chaos reference registrations lost in post. Suggestion of sending registered post to Ron on certain days of the week. Action: TB to discuss with Ron Question with reference to using registration cards and players turning up without it for a game. It was stated that there was no proof the player was registered, so rosters were introduced. Question from Newcastle Coyotes regarding players not being registered and icing for the first time. Chairman explained that a player can be provisionally insured for two weeks; providing an Application Form is completed by the person and ID, Photos and Payment is provided. After two weeks player either registers (Team Management send Application and Funds to Ron) or the Form, ID, Photo and monies are returned. There was a question regarding a team requiring a game report from officials which had not materialised. The Chairman stated that the EIHA main board tell us what we can do and if the chief referee would not give the report there is nothing that he could do about it. Treasurers Report Chairman stated that the EIHA fund our Section and we receive monies from them. Our starting balance at Sept 2008 was £901.20, with the closing balance at Sept 2009 being £1072.60. Monies in being four 4 new teams and the Recfest entrance fees. Debits were expenses for the Executive and the internet providers. Re-election of Officers The Chairman stated that Rec is the only Section that elect its officials. This year Tony Boynton and Linda Matthews were up for re-election. It was carried unanimously that both Tony Boynton and Linda Matthews be re-elected for a further three years. Service Teams The Chairman stated that in the past a player signed for the British Army Blades team, and players were filtered into the various army teams from that Roster of players. This was to help them in the initial set up process where players were being recruited from throughout the Country but were still in active duty so could be transferred or sent away at short notice. It was suggested that, if any team is putting together a competition and one of the teams is a service team, you need a list of all the players of the service team at the beginning of the competition. It was suggested that each Services Section (Army, Navy, RAF) should register their players under each Service, and then sub divide internally into local teams. Thus allowing players to be brought in from other areas should numbers be short due to posting, as the players would still be on a Roster. Action: TB is to have a discussion with the representatives of the Services teams. Child Protection The Chairman told the meeting that unfortunately Charles Dacres was unable to attend the meeting, but had spoken to him earlier. The Chairman went on to say that having an U18 in your club gives you major issues. Some mandatory points were highlighted; A level 2 and level 1 coach must be at every practice Both teams at Games must have a level 2 and level 1 coach All coaches must be CRB Checked Teams must have access to a child protection officer Teams must have their own child protection policy [approved by EIHA] in place. If an U18 joins your team he must know who he can go to formally if something happens that he/she is not happy with. The rest of team should also be informed of the CP Requirements if the club intend to allow U18’s to join If entering a competition, you need to check if U18’s are allowed to play. If anyone has any questions or require further information or guidance they are to get in touch with Charles. Details are on the EIHA website. Kevin from MK Jesters asked if U18 officials were assigned to a game. Chairman stated that Mr Ashraff has a child protection policy in place and he tries not to assign U18’s as the referee. Action: TB to get CD’s presentation/report and pass to TW to post on Website The Chairman explained that any team can print off a Roster for any other team. If either team turns up without their roster, the penalty for not bringing a Roster to a Game is that the offending team has an automatic five minute penalty at the start of the game. Action: TB Officials are to be informed of this. A question was asked about playing unregistered teams. The Chairman stated that if you play an unregistered team then your teams insurance is invalid.