ST HELENS & DISTRICT BADMINTON LEAGUE

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held at Broadway Badminton Centre,

Thursday 10th May 2012 at 7.30pm

Present: Les Hill, Nigel Cross, Janet Chelton, Janet Cliffe, Jeff Johnson, Jim Parish, Paul Hawgood, John Harris, Linda Eccleston

Apologies: Roe Green,WBBC, Dean Patel, John Harrison

Representatives from: Bryn, Corpus Christi, Culcheth,  Feathers, Fords, Greenfield, ICI, Sutton, Vida, Wesley, Y Club

Minutes of last meeting

After the Roll Call Les presented the Minutes from the last AGM held on

5th May 2011 and these were accepted by all present.  There were no matters arising.

No Strings sessions

Chairman’s Report

Les opened the meeting and started off by thanking the committee members for their time and attendance at meetings.

With reference to the issue of County Fees; PH had sent a letter on behalf of Vida which was discussed at the last meeting of Council but as yet had not had a reply.  Les to draft letter to County in support of individual fee paid once to LCBA.  Linda informed the meeting that the County had overruled the appeal and reiterated their decision of collecting fees.

Finally, this year the Fixtures Meeting will be held on Thursday, 6th September 2012.  Clubs should aim to play their fixtures before the end of March 2012.  Les stated that all clubs must advise the League in writing of their team(s) for next season before 1st August 2012.

Treasurer’s Report

Jan reported a healthy bank balance of £1,486.94.  There are also still monies to be paid out for League and Tournament  trophies and Knockout Final shuttles.

Both the Senior and Junior Tournament were a success this year making a profit of £106.00 (minus trophies) and £41.65 respectively.  Figures for the dance have yet to be calculated.

Jan thanked all the secretaries, treasurers and tournament organisers for making her job of collecting money and fees a lot easier.  Janet Chelton

Secretary’s Report

“Thank you to everyone for their efforts and support over the past year and particularly to those who took part and supported events during the season.

2012 saw the opening of our new Badminton Centre at the old Broadway High School Site.  This was a joint venture between Badminton England/St Helens Council and Sutton Badminton Club.  The facility is shared with St Helens Council Youth Service who use it on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday all day.  The rest of the time is occupied by St Helens clubs ie Feathers/Corpus Christi/Sutton and Merseyside Performance Centre.  Other groups are running through the month of May to try and increase badminton participation in St Helens such as No Strings Pay ‘n Play sessions, Workforce, Family Badminton, Over 50’s (now open to all ages) and League coaching sessions.

The Launch was held on 3rd March 2012 starting with an 18 hour badminton marathon run by Sutton Badminton Club and helped to raise £1,020.00 for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal.  My thanks to everyone who gave up their day (and night) to take part and support this very worthy cause.  Nick Rimmer from Badminton England officially opened the Centre with the help and support from Leah Singleton and Dave Boocock and Gemma Webster from St Helens Council, my thanks to them because without their help and support we would not have this marvellous facility in St Helens.

St Helens Council held their official launch on 12th April 2012 and was attended by Adrian Christi (Chief Executive), Marie Rimmer, Council Leader and other leading officials.  A demonstration was given by each of the groups that use the Centre and included players from Sutton and the Performance Centre as well as Tom Wolfenden who gave time out of his busy schedule to come and support the event.

Our junior tournament went extremely well with over 70 children taking part in the different age groups and was held at Broadway.  This year we made a smaller profit partly intentional to use up the profits made over the last couple of years of over £100 each.  It was decided that the money should be best used for the benefits of junior so the entry fee was reduced to £3 and again trophies awarded to both winners and runners-up.    Unfortunately there were no entries in the Y10/Y12 girls events forcing the cancellation of 4 of the events.  However, the feedback from both parents and players were very positive with many of them saying how much they enjoyed it and how well it ran and especially how nice it was to have a home base for Badminton such as Broadway.  Again without the help of all the volunteers on the day this wouldn’t have been possible, so my thanks to Nigel Cross, Ian Eccleston and the many parents who helped out on the day.

I will updating the league book shortly so if there are any changes to secretary or contact numbers can you please let me know as soon as possible so that these can be included.

This year I have had some help with the website from Stuart Mo who has been populating our gallery with pictures of the various events that have run this season, my thanks to Stuart for all his time and effort.  Linda Eccleston

Match Secretary’s Report

Thank you to all secretaries for their support as without that my job would be a lot harder.  The season went quite smoothly and score sheets were received within timescales and easier when received electronically.  Just a couple of points to note:

•          When A teams play B teams the matches have to be arranged such that one is played in the first half of the season.  There was a new rule passed last year stating this.

•          Please put players’ full name at least once on the score sheet and ensure that both club names are also on the sheet.

New teams entered this year namely; WBBC and Roe Green.  Vida entered B teams and Bryn entered B and C teams.  I hope everyone enjoyed the season and congratulations to all clubs who managed to get their teams out even though at times it was a struggle for some.

As shown on the league tables, the Men’s League was very close this year with ICI A winning Division 1 by only 15 games as both ICI and Fords had the same number of points.  Again, both Y Club and Corpus Christi had the same points but Y club won 18 more games.  Corpus Christi penalised for not fielding a team on 1 occasion.  In Division 2 Bryn B were winners by 2 points from Vida A.  Bryn C and WBBC also finished on the same number of points with Bryn C winning the most number of games.

The Mixed Division 1 was won comfortably by Fords with Sutton A as runners-up.  Both Y club and Corpus Christ penalised for failing to field a team.  David Lloyd withdrew at the beginning of the season.  Division 2 was won by Vida A with Greenfield finishing in 2nd place.  Janet Cliffe

Tournament Secretary’s Report

This year the event was held at the new Broadway Badminton Centre and although there were lower entries, overall it was a successful day and went very well except I felt a little guilty over the handicapping after winning one of the events.  There were more games played due to more courts being available at Broadway but some problems getting players onto court as many were upstairs which meant Mike making continuous trips to call players.  Here is a list of the winners:

Men’s Singles: Rob Winstanley
Runner-up: Stephen Wilson

Men’s Doubles: Aaron Owen & Nigel Cross
Runners-up: John Hough & Robert Metcalf

Ladies Doubles: Alison Marsh & Anne Ashworth
Runners-up: Helen Everett & Amy Shovelton

Mixed Doubles: Aaron Owen & Helen Everett
Runners-up: Paul Hawgood & Sue Cassidy

Unfortunately there was not enough interest to run a Vets tournament but hope to revisit this at another time in the year.  Can Secretaries please help with attracting players in order for it to run.  Nigel Cross

Knock-out Tournament Secretary’s Report

Handicapping continues to be a problem but thanks to John Harris for his help this year.  Here is the round up:

In Round 1 Bryn beat Feathers by 100.5 points and Fords beat Wesley by 86.5 points.

In Round 2 Bryn beat Fords by 35.5 points.  Greenfield beat Sutton by 65.5 and Vida beat Corpus Chirsti by 131 (admittedly not one of our better efforts).  Y Club had a walk-over into the semi-final because David Lloyd withdrew.  They were beaten by Bryn by 3.5 points.  Vida beat Greenfield by 116.5.

In the final Bryn beat Vida by 67.5 points.  Thanks to Sutton for giving up 2 courts for the final.  My aim when handicapping is for a winning margin between 30 and 50 points which was achieved on 2 occasions.  If anyone has any ideas on how this can be improved then I would welcome your thoughts.  Janet Cliffe

Election of Officers

There had been no nominations received from clubs leading up to the meeting.  In view of this the Chairman proposed that the current committee continue for another season.  The committee agreed to serve for 2012/2013.

Any Other Business

Proposal to run a Men’s Knock-out competition following same Rules as set out for the Mixed competition.  PH volunteered to run the event with the support of Derek Neary.  Clubs to inform Paul by the Fixtures Meeting whether they would like to take part.

Proposal to amend Rule 20 (voted in favour by 9-5) to state that: During one season a player may play a combined total of four matches for a higher team than that for which he/she has been registered.  A player will be deemed to have been re-registered if he/she plays a fifth time for a higher team.

New Rule to be added (voted in favour by 12-3) for the issuing of handicaps of Knockout matches to be kept secret until after the match has been played.  It is the responsibility of the home team captain to contact the competition secretary for the handicapping figures.

Linda read out a letter of thanks from Greenfield Badminton Club for the League’s donation of £50 in support of their Sports Relief event.  The total amount raised was £300, well done Greenfield.

Lastly, there was a request from Graham High to join the Committee.  This was accepted and welcomed.

Date of next meeting

This will be the Fixtures Meeting, to be held on Thursday, 6th September 2012 at 7.30pm at Ruskin Drive.

Distribution: Committee Members plus GH

Secretaries: DS, MO, IG, SP, JN, RS, AM, DN, AB, BW, NW

Minutes of Meeting held at The Gerrard Arms

Sunday, 10th February 2013 at 7.30 pm

Present: Les Hill, Glyn Pike, Janet Cliffe, Paul Hawgood, John Harris, John Harrison, Jeff Johnson, Dave Savage, Sheena Owen, Paul Hawes, Linda Eccleston

Apologies: Janet Chelton, Jim Parish

Minutes of last AGM

These were read and approved at the meeting.

Les welcomed Glyn Pike (Chairman of LCBA) to the meeting to discuss the current situation of county fees.  Glyn suggested that if the League wish to appeal against the decision for multiple payments made last year then we will have to put a proposal for the rule to be changed at the next county AGM.  He also referred to pg18 of the County handbook which outlines the number of representatives that would be allowed to attend the meeting dependent upon the number of members registered at the club.  For example a club with 30 members may send 3 representatives each.  This number increases for clubs with 50/75 or 100 members.  Please see county handbook.

Les agreed to draft a letter to send to County.

Les also welcomed Paul Hawes who has taken on the role of Secretary for Y Club for the new season.

Action – LH

Financial Update

Janet Chelton was unable to attend the meeting but sent the following report:

“The current balance in the account is £1,106.39. All clubs have now paid their league fees. We have paid for the venue of the dance and deposit for the buffet. I have got quotes for a live band as suggested in the survey but so far have prices ranging from £850 to £1500, so I feel that is something we can’t do for this dance, possibly for next year and charge more per ticket. The tickets will be going out in a couple of weeks. The menu for the dance can be decided a couple of weeks before the 18th May when numbers will be needed.

A contribution to the clubs running a junior league has been made.  Can I once again thank Les for his intervention in emailing the two clubs who had not paid me their league fees even after several reminders from me.”

Status of current League positions (Janet Cliffe)

Bryn B v ICI A cancelled due to Bryn fixture congestion.  Dave suggested that it would be useful to know the number of teams in the league in advance of the fixtures meeting in order to plan their matches better.  Agreed that match could go ahead in this instance.

In the Mixed League, Corpus Christi had been deducted 1 point as they were unable to raise a team against Y Club.  Greenfield deducted 3 points for failing to raise a team against Fords (twice) and Vida A.

In the Men’s League Corpus Christi deducted 1 point for not raising a team against ICI B.  ICI A had 1 point deducted for failing to turn up against Vida A due to an error on their part.  Roe Green beat Vida B but played an unregistered player so match was awarded 18-0 to Vida.  WBBC has withdrawn from the League.

There was an issue regarding how many times a player can play in a higher team.  Bryn thought it was half the matches and picked their teams accordingly.  The handbook says players are allowed to play up 4 times but this has been an error (made by printers) and should read 5 times.  All teams now aware of the rule which was decided at the last AGM and recorded in said Minutes.  Bryn D deducted 1 point for match not played against Vida

Status of Knockout (Janet Cliffe)

In Round 1 Vida A beat Wesley by 7.5 points and Sutton beat Vida B by 52.5 points.  In Round 2 Bryn beat Y Club by 5.5 points and Vida A beat Sutton by 95.5 points.  Feathers beat Corpus Christi by 20.5 points.  Fords had a walkover against Greenfield who could not raise a team.

The Semi-finals scheduled are Bryn V Fords and Vida A V Feathers.

The Final is to be held on 24th March 2013 at Broadway.  Linda to check availability of courts and times.

Men’s KO Cup (Paul Hawgood)

Culcheth had beat Vida B in the semi-final and Vida C to play Bryn.  The Winner will meet Culcheth in the final, venue and date to be decided.

Paul suggested that a trophy would be needed for the Men’s knockout competition.

Action – LE

Annual Tournament

This will be held on Sunday, 3rd March 2013 at Broadway Badminton Centre between 9am-4pm.  Any help would be appreciated, please contact Nigel or Linda.

Action – NC/LE

Annual Dance

This year the Annual Presentation will be held at the Percival Suite at Ruskin Drive on Saturday, 18th May 2013 at 7.30pm.  It has been discussed and agreed that trophies will also be awarded to runners-up this season.

Junior Tournament

This will be held on Sunday, 21st April 2013 between 9am-4pm at Broadway Badminton Centre.  Any help would be appreciated, please contact Nigel or Linda.

Any Other Business

Paul suggested that some improvements could be made to the way the accounts are presented and would discuss further with Janet.

LH/LE and JP had attended a meeting at YMCA to discuss the H&S issue of the facility.  The Centre Manager agreed that gym equipment had increased over the years with no place to store it which had caused the current problem.  She decided that the hall in its present state was not fit for purpose and would discuss with The Beacon to assess whether Y Club’s remaining fixtures could be played there instead.  Unfortunately, this was not possible and members of Y Club proceeded to remove the obstructive apparatus away from the back of the courts.

It was agreed and based on assurances from Y club that all gym equipment will be removed from the back of the courts that matches would continue to be played at YMCA.  Les asked for Y Club to confirm in writing to the league that this practice would prevail for all future matches.

Action – JCh

Action – LE

Action – NC/LE

Action – PHs

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Sunday, 28th April 2013 at 7.30pm at The Gerrard Arms.

Distribution: Committee Members

Secretaries: DS, MO, IG, SP, JN, RS, AM, SN, AB, BW, NW, SS, PHs

Minutes of Meeting held at Broadway

Sunday, 11th March 2012 at 7.30 pm

Present: Les Hill, Janet Cliffe, Nigel Cross, Paul Hawgood, John Harris, John Harrison, Dave Savage, Linda Eccleston

Apologies: Janet Chelton, Janet Chelton, Janet Chelton

Minutes of last meeting

These were read and approved at the meeting.  There were no matters arising.

Financial Update

Janet unable to attend meeting but sent information to say that there is a bank balance of £1,435.28.

Status of current League positions

Bryn are struggling in Division 1 as indicated, however they do have 2 points which was a walkover from Corpus Christi who had to concede as they could not raise a team.  Y Club could not get a team to play Fords so again 2 points were deducted.

In the Men’s 1st Division there are still a number of matches yet to be played:

•           Corpus Christi v Fords

•           ICI A v Fords

•           ICI A v ICI B have not played any of their own respective internal match fixtures.

The Committee noted that this was the 2nd consecutive year that ICI had not completed their ‘inhouse” fixtures.  For next year the Committee will insist that both matches will be played in different halves of the season and not left to the end of the season or there will be penalties applied.

The top of Division 2 is very close with any one of 4 teams becoming champions.  Vida A/Deane Patel/Sutton B and Bryn B.  WBBC are also having problems raising a team and getting their registrations in on time.  There haven’t been any problems with late score cards this season.  I think it has been easier as these have been sent electronically.

Les to send letter to Y Club re suitably of their hall.  Incident at Wesley re hall, one court cancelled for health & safety reasons.  Opponent refused to play on other available court therefore delaying games and risk of not completing the match.

LH

Status of Knockout

Vida beat Greenfield by 117.5 points Greenfield were not happy about the handicap and have complained about it.  It was worked out by looking at the score sheet from league matches and discounting the level doubles and Vida averaged 17 points per game.  However, they had 3 B team players playing so the handicap was increased to 110.5 which was discussed and agreed with John Harris.  On the day Vida played to a good standard and with all due respect I did not expect them to win by that margin.

Bryn v Fords was eventually played and Bryn won by 35.5 points.

Bryn v Y Club are due to play on Friday so the final is on schedule to be played on 25th March at 1pm, but as yet no venue is available.  However, this is the same day as the Wigan Tournament and Dave asked if this could be played one night during the week instead.  After discussions it was decided that this could be played at Sutton one Wednesday evening to be arranged between the 2 clubs concerned.  There was also a suggestion that the handicapping be kept in an envelope and only disclosed after the match.  To be discussed at AGM for agreement.

Annual Tournament

Nigel reported that this year there were lower entries but overall a successful day and went very well, except he felt a little guilty over the handicapping after winning one of the events.  There were more games played due to more courts being available at Broadway but some problems getting players onto court as many were upstairs which meant Mike making continuous trips to call players.  Discussed the possibility of buying a walkie-talkie to alleviate the problem.  Some players showed an interest in a Vets tournament, Nigel to email secretaries with a view to running this one night during the week.  Nigel wished to thank everyone who helped out on the day and all participants.

NC/Secretaries

Annual Dance

This is planned for Saturday 19th May 2012 to be held at  Eccleston Social Club. The Dance tickets are being printed and will be sent out next week, priced at £8 for adults and £5 for juniors.  The buffet has been booked at a cost of £4.50 per head which includes hot food.  The prize for the main raffle will be Decathlon vouchers.

Junior Tournament

This will be held on Sunday, 22nd April 2012 at the Broadway Badminton Centre.  Anyone wishing to help please contact Nigel or Linda.

Any Other Business

The official Launch for the Broadway Badminton Centre was held on Saturday, 3rd March 2012 at 12pm with various activities taking place throughout the afternoon.  Sutton Badminton Club held an 18 hour badminton marathon in aid of ‘Alder Hey Imagine Appeal’ which is expected to raise in the region of £500.

St Helens Council’s Launch to take place on Thursday, 12th April 2012 at 2pm with local Council Leaders and  BE Chief Executive, Adrian Christy.

Playing up Rule, 50% rule discussed in prior meetings but motion not carried in AGM or recorded in handbook.  To be ratified at the AGM.

Paul tabled a letter he proposed to send to Lancashire County re the payment of fees.  Linda to forward to committee members.

Les submitted a letter from Greenfield who were taking part in a fundraising event for Sports Relief and requesting a prize donation from the League.  It was agreed to make a contribution of £50 for this worthy cause.  Janet Chelton to send cheque.

JCh

JCh

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be the AGM to be held on Thursday 10th May 2012 at 7.30pm at Broadway Badminton Centre.  Committee members to meet at 7.00pm.

Distribution:

Committee Members

Secretaries: DS, MO, IG, SP, JN, RS, AM, SN, AB, BW, NW.

SS