WEST HOCKEY ASSOCIATION AGM – 2012 – REPORTS ANNEX 1. Hon Secretary Report – West AGM 2012 As no one came forward to take over as Hon Secretary last year I continued in post but only dealing with communications and a Minute Taker was found to attend Council Meetings. Council members and all those involved with sub committees work hard through the year to make sure everything runs smoothly with competitions and JRPC and my thanks go to all those people involved. The West desperately need new people to help as there are a number of vacancies to fill this year, including President, Vice Presidents, and Hon Secretary. It does not matter how little you can do but any help will be gratefully received. 2. Hon Treasurer’s Report The result for the year is a minor deficit of £247 and this compares to a surplus of £1297 last year. Income increased by £95,536 but this was more than matched by an increase in expenditure of £11,080. Performance (including JAC competitions) created a large surplus in 2012 of £8,784 as against £11,166 in the previous year. These surplus are there firstly to fund future purchases hence the kit replacement fund of £2,500 being put away annually. Other competitions and indoor together suffered a deficit of £7,710 in the year 2012 as against £8,026 in the previous year. Affiliations fell in 2012 as one would have anticipated with the decrease of £2.50 per team. This figure covers basically the general costs. General costs increased be £2,236 between the two years and this was effectively a grant of £1000 and a new honorarium of £1200 being granted to run competitions. Another cost to emphasise is insurance which increased by £437 to a figure of £1,291. Our reserve basis increased by £3,053 during the year with normal reserves falling by £247 and kit replacement increasing by £3,300. The latter being £2,500 for youth and £800 for masters. The former on the basis of £17,500 over 7 years and the latter on £4,000 over 5 years. Within reason as a committee we have achieved what we set out to do which is to break even, however, this is only being achieved on the back of decent surpluses from “Perfomance”. We are all aware that pitch hire is rising on an annual basis and to be honest I cannot see parents forever funding annual increases for their children. Anticipate this area of surplus disappearing. On the basis that next year’s financial situation appears fairly similar I believe that we could anticipate the deficit for the year to be around £3,000-£4,000 in total. Ultimately I believe this will continue or increase from that level. However, I would still propose leaving affiliations totally unchanged from their current level for this year as they do appear to be covering our “general” expenditure. 3. Regional Disciplinary Administrator Report In the 2010 / 2011 season, the total number of disciplinary reports received was 40 with one late notification. This season, 2011 /2012, 27 Red Cards and 3 MMOs have been issued. The penalties incurred varied between the minimum, mandatory 16 day suspension, through 23; 24; 26; 30; 32; 45; 60; and 90 days to a 120 day penalty suspension. A further 30 days was imposed on a Team Coach who continued to act as a coach whilst under suspension. Two Disrepute Offence Incidents were notified, one of which was not upheld. The other incident incurred a penalty suspension of 24 days but following an Appeal, the RDAP allowed the Appeal in part, and reduced the suspension to 16 days. The number of disciplinary reports determined to date for 2011/2012, total 33. Most Red Cards and MMOs are issued for dissent but some become liable for an increased penalty suspension owing to verbal abuse of the umpire, sometimes with foul and obscene language. Efforts are being made at all levels of the game to stamp out this abuse in the game of hockey. Umpires are urged to ensure that RCs/MMOs are issued when warranted so that players receive a consistency of control and that players, umpires, and officials are treated with respect. The completed Red Card Report Form should be forwarded speedily by umpires to the relevant CDA and only to that person. Very briefly....., Red Cards are issued in respect of an offence or other misconduct committed during a match whereas an MMO is committed at any time during the day of the match, excluding the time from the start to the end of the match, if misconduct occurs which would have resulted in a Red Card during the match. Full details may be found on the EHB web site and all participants in the game should familiarise themselves with the Regulations in the EHB Code of Ethics and Behaviour. I would be pleased to offer guidance on the procedures if required, to clubs, or umpires. The Annual Meeting of RDAs with EHB officials, planned for 15th May 2012 at Bisham Abbey, unfortunately had to be postponed owing to the illness of the NDO. A meeting of WHA CDAs with the RDA will be arranged for the beginning of the season, September /October 2012. My thanks once again, to the WHA CDAs, and the Chairman and members of the RDAP, for all their time and effort in dealing so diligently with disciplinary matters which are often complex and demanding. I have been sorry to learn of the retirement of some long - serving and valued CDAs ; Martyn Errington, Somerset; Chris Dunster, Gloucestershire; and Bill Housden, Herefordshire. Special thanks are due to them, and their successors will be welcomed at our meeting. My apologies for absence from the WHA AGM, and good wishes for a successful meeting Joan Davies. WHA RDA 4. Regional Manager Report The 2011-12 season has seen a period of change within the West following the EHB restructure announced at last year’s AGM. Jane Cornelius (previously Regional Manager) was appointed to the Relationship Manager role covering Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Avon, Dorset and Wiltshire and Barbara Reynolds (previously Development Officer) was appointed Relationship Manager for Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Channel Islands. Jane Cornelius retired on 4 th May 2012 and interviews for her replacement have concluded and we are awaiting the announcement of the new RM. Nationally, two staff with strong West connections have left the NGB – Anne Baker (Coaching) and Jane Nockolds (Officiating), whilst Stroud HC member Richard Fynn was appointed as Business Development Manager. Whilst EHB has had a strong focus on the Hockey Nation Programme in the build up to the Olympics, we have continued to work with Clubs, Schools, County HAs, County Sports Partnerships and the West HA. The EHB website has now been rebranded – please have a look as you will find it more user friendly www.englandhockey.co.uk and www.englandhockey.co.uk/west for information specific to the West. Club Development − 67 Priority areas were identified in the Region for the 2011/12 season, these are primarily around ClubsFirst clubs or clubs near to completely ClubsFirst. Single System Player Pathway − All Counties received their final Club & Coach funding from EHB (£5600) which was ring fenced to support Single System administration costs. − All of our County Single System Administrators have received training on the Online Single System management tool which enables players, parents and coaches to update key information i.e. personal data, player feedback. This has improved lines of communication direct to the parents and players. − EHB is keen that each County develops a Coach Tracking System for coaches within the Single System to ensure that they are adequately qualified with regard to Coaching qualification, First Aid and Safeguarding. County Sports Partnership’s have been able to assist with the monitoring of coaches, as some counties have utilised their Coach Network Systems. Coach Development − 11 Level 1 Coaching Assistant Award Courses have been held in the Region since the last AGM, qualifying 209 new coaches. − 3 Level 2 Coach Award Courses have been held and 68 candidates are now working towards the L2 Coach Award. During the last 12 months, 24 candidates from the 2010 and 2011 courses completed the qualification. − 16 coaches attended the Goalkeeper Coach Bronze Award Course in May. − 51 youngsters have attended the 4 Leadership Courses organised by their Club, School or Association. Competitions − County Organisers have liaised with Jenny, West Regional Administrator, regarding information relating to County rounds of Club and School age group Competitions. This has enabled EHB to have an overview of entry levels around the country and produce meaningful data to Event Sponsors. County Sports Partnerships − We continue to work closely with the County Sports Partnership to help us promote, develop and deliver hockey activities in each County. They support hockey by organising generic courses, Club & Coach Days, coach bursaries, club development and promotion of our products and programmes for example Rush Hockey. Back to Hockey − Back to Hockey offers people the chance to play hockey again. It makes it as easy as possible to take part; helping relearn, refresh and replay the game whether for fun or a part of a competitive team. − Back to Hockey sessions have been primarily organised by clubs, with 15 clubs organising sessions and 151 players returning to our sport. Rush Hockey − New, flexible, small sided hockey game for adults. It can be played with mixed or single gender teams, indoors or outdoors, on pitches of varying surfaces and sizes. It is played with a standard hockey stick but has unique goals and balls.