Minutes of the Committee meeting held at Chester R.U.F.C. on Thursday llth January, 1996 at 6.30 p.m. Present· N.H.Middlebrook, (in the Chair), F.RPovall, M.Chatham, W.Gott, N.Morris, J.C.B.Pinnington, J.Wyatt, G.Kennedy, C.Gerrard, C.Monks, AJ.G.Senn, D.P.Wright, J.Taylor, A.J.Williams, D.AEwing, P.Reid, lM.Young, M.Cohen, AJones, B.Davies, M.Lord, D.B.Pye, D.Western, D.Mason, M.RWilliams, T.lF.Price, D.I.Adams . Apologies: V.Middleton, A.Koenen, G.Marrs, G.Cox, W.Buckland, L.Galey, P.Steeples, • M.Farr, D. Thom~on. Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9th Novenber, 1995 having been circulated were confirmed and signed. Matters Arising: County Championship Leagues for next Season. - London and South­ East and South West Divisions will continue the current formula. The North and Midlands Divisions will divide into three pools of four Counties with the pool winners, joined by the best of the second placed Counties, to progress to the quarter finals. Bon. Secretan's Report: The secretary explained why he had decided to second the proposai by Somerset C.RF.U. that Item 5 on the Special General Meeting Agenda should read: "To receive debate and approve in principle the recommendations contained in the report of the Rugby Union Commission. Such approval in principle is to be confirmed bya vote to be taken at the Special General Meeting and subject to a simple majority of those voting delegates present and those voting by proxy. " There had not been time to cali a Committee Meeting for approval. The action of the secretary was approved by an overwhelming majority N.B. The majority of Cheshire clubs were represented at the S.G.M. on 14th January either by a member attending or by proxy. Thank you ail for your support. It was agreed that Honours Caps, which are awarded to players when they represent the County for the 12th time, should be made available to ex-players who qualify and would like a cap at a charge of .f40. Oldham R.u.F.C. have asked Constituent Bodies to support their proposai that the Divisions be referred to as Unions i.e. Northem Union etc. That Rugby Union be played in Unions not Leagues to avoid the constant use of the phrase "League Rugby" thereby confusing recruits, spectators and sponsors of Rugby Union. That the International Rugby Football Board be requested to consider changing their title to the International Rugby Union and that the Rugby World Cup be called the Rugby Union World Cup. Committee members are asked to consider these proposais and a decision will be made at the next Committee Meeting. All former professional Rugby League players who wish to play Rugby Union Football for any club in membership of the RFU must apply to the RFU for reinstatement or admission. These players will not be aHowed to play in any RFU competition during the 1995/96 season. 2 Bon. Treasurer's Report: Cheshire have received .t25,000 from sponsorship this season i.e ns,ooo from the BBC and .t7000 from the C.I.S. How will the introduction of professional Rugby Union affect financial contributions to Counties in the future? Will rnoney be channelled towards the payment ofplayers? Cheshire RF.U. will be in serious financial trouble without this money. Mark Cohen suggested that the next Financial Sub-Committee Meeting on 22nd February should be devoted to allocation of finances to sub-sections who require money, and that ALL these sub-committees be invited to send representatives to the meeting. This was agreed. R.F.V. Representatives' Report: The secretary reported that George Cox is still not sufficiently recovered to attend this meeting, but he is progressing weIl. He has sent a written report:- Every club and County will have received a detailed copy of the RFU Committee views on every item listed in the Commission Report. The proposal to rename the Committee was thrown out as was the title 'Board of Management' which will retain the title of 'The • Executive'. Also the Chairman of the Executive would not be the Chief Executive (Secretary). It was decided that the Chairman of the Executive (elected from the Committee) was essential, and that the elected representatives remain in a majority and 'ihis be taken into account in further deliberations. The RFU President has explained the Officers' position concerning the Chair of the Executive. Mr. Jeavons-Fellows' name has been put forward as the Committee's nominee. On 17 November Mr. Brittle had announced that he too wished to stand for the post. It was agreed that Mr. Brittle's candidature was entirely in order and democratic, and that a curriculum vitae for both candidates should be circulated before the S.G.M. Courage clubs Championship Report: A North Sub-Committee meeting of the Courage League was held on lOth January at Morley. The main issue was next Season's format for the League structure. The majority of North clubs want more game on a Home & Away basis. Recommendations are: National 4 North League of 14 or 12 North 1 and North 2 Leagues of 12 N.W./N.E. 1,2 & 3 (new!) Leagues of 10 South Lancs/Cheshire 1,2 &3 (new!) Leagues of 10, Sor 6 AlI Leagues Home & Away. The system takes account ofpotential problems ofteams in lower Ieagues unable to fulfil 19 league matches due to short age of players. Promotion/relegation will take place under this year's rules. Clubs will then be allocated on the basis of the new league format. Promoted clubs will stay promoted! AlI this is subject to decisions made at the SGM on 14th January. The following format for the leagues in the North Division was approved by the North Division Committee on Wednesday 17th January:- ALLCLUBS TO PLA Y HOME AND A WAY. 4 North 12 clubs North 1 12 clubs North 2 12 clubs 3 N. W.1, 2 and 3 10 clubs N.E.1, 2 and 3 10 clubs S.Lanes/Cheshire 1,2 and 3 10 clubs N.Lanes/Cumbria 1,2 and 3 JO elubs Below N.E.1,2 & 3 will be the Durham, Northumberland and Yorkshire lower leagues. The S.Lanes/Cheshire 3 league may have fewer than 10 clubs if clubs find that they eannot eope with 18 games beeause of shortage ofplayers. llnder 21's Report: The fust County game, away to Northumberland, was cancelled due to snow/frost. The second game against Yorkshire at Sale resulted in a 26-0 defeat. The only time that the team played to its true potential was against Durham at Altrincham(Kersal) when they played expansive and fluent rugby and won 38-18. A failure to capitalise on excellent opportunities cost the game against Cumbria at Netherall by 16 - 6, and a much changed team was heavily defeated by Lancashire at Fylde by 51- 18 .. Yorkshire won the North Division Championship. Grateful thanks are due to the two coaches Martin Callery and Steve Rosser for their hard • work with the squad and to all clubs who hosted games or trials. Marcus Coast (New Brighton), Ian Davies (Winnington Park) and Terry Donovan (Waterloo) have been included in the North Squad for the game against the Anti-Assassins at Wharfdale on 14th January. The North Division play against the S.W.Division at Birkenhead Park on Sunday 17th . March. Colts Report: The team qualified for the quarter finals of the County Championship as runners-up in the North and achieved an excellent 16-15 win against Gloucestershire. Unfortunately a Hertfordshire side fielding 4 ex England Schools' players proved too strong in the semi-finals and the result was a 39-6 defeat. lt was an excellent season although only two players Ben Richardson and Phil Beswick ofWinnington Park were selected for the North squad. Nick Ashton and Richard Bradshaw ofWirral were selected for the initial North squad of28 and as they are both a year young they show a great deal of promise. A combined NorthlMidlands Colts team wish to play a Cheshire U.21 select side on 1lth February. The International against French Youth at Chester on 20th Aprillooms ever c10ser and arrangements are weIl in hand. A 'Men Dnly' night on 18th April, a Colts reunion dinner on the 19th April and a hospitality package on the match day have aIl been planned and help is required to sell tickets and contacting ex-play ers. Preparations for the U.1 7 season are weIl advanced. Competitions Sub-Committee Report: The Plate commences with the first round on 3rd March. The Draw will be made on 22nd January together with the Cup Quarter Final Draw. Carlsberg Tetley have now officially written to say that they cannot sponsor the Cheshire Cup next Season because they are heavily involved with soccer sponsorship and are one of the principal supporters of the 1996 European Championship. To release Illoney for this they will be cutting back their support for lesser events with marginal retums. We are looking for a new sponsor - any ideas? 4 Mini-Junior Report: Trials have taken place for the Clubs' U16 team and a squad has been selected. The junior inter-club fixtures for next Season have been completed. Disciplinary Report: The R.F.U have produced a 22-page Report - 'Instructions for the Guidance and Assistance of Constituent Bodies on the procedures and conduct of Disciplinary Committees'. It was agreed that members of the East and West Disciplinary Sub- Committees should meet together at 8.30 p.m.