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Minutes of Annual General Meeting 2002

MINUTES OF LATCHFORD ALBION UNICORNS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 7TH AUGUST 2002

5. Proposed amendment to Youth Section Constitution

MINUTES OF LATCHFORD ALBION UNICORNS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 7TH AUGUST 2002

Present: 14 members were present and signed the attendance sheet. Full attendance list available on request.

Apologies: Jon Mitchell, Bob Wilson, Colette Bentley, Lee Southworth, Carl Stephenson, Marie Gandy. Back to top

1. Chairman Report

The Chairman, Sean Mellor, started the meeting by apologising for the lack of minutes from the last Annual General Meeting, and as such there were no matters arising. He said that by and large the past twelve months had been successful for the club, which had grown in numbers from five teams and around 90 children to 7 teams with over 100 children. There was money in the coffers and all this was a far cry from our first training session at Orford Park with just 10 children. Sean thanked all for there efforts. He curtailed his report as most items were to be covered by the Hon Secretary's report. Back to top

2. Hon Treasurer Report

Gareth Shaw presented the Finance Report on behalf of his wife who, he said, had decided to step down from the position for the forthcoming season. The report was circulated to all those present. It showed that the previous year's balance stood at £2,335.21 and that twelve months on it was now £2,264.76 as of 04/07/2002. The Chairman said it was regrettable that Michelle had taken this decision but understood the reasons behind it and asked that Gareth pass on the club's thanks for all her hard work. Back to top

3. Hon Secretary Report

Stuart McIntosh gave a lengthy report covering his first year in the role outlining his duties and the main events that had emerged from the past twelve months. He commented upon the troubles that surrounded the wish of four players to transfer in from one of our neighbouring clubs and of the anomaly in 'Summer Rugby' for the junior members. He mentioned that it was Latchford's ambition to host a gala in the not too distant future.
Stuart explained that the Youth Section had introduced regular monthly meetings of its coaches and officials and invited parents to use these as a vehicle to air their views. Other introductions included Information Sheets, which were issued to each parent covering a club introduction and history, registration requirements, codes of conduct and the club constitution with contact numbers. He mentioned the newly introduced club logo and talked of the importance of branding leading to the agenda item adding the club colours to the constitution.

Stuart mentioned some of the more negative aspects of his responsibilities including having to write about the U12's cup clash with Waterhead but this was tempered by letters of praise for Newton Storm's hospitality towards our U9's. Latchford had received praise themselves from Mayfield about our U12's and from the Discipline Panel of NWC for our U11's.

He concluded by commenting upon expectations for the forthcoming season including a nationwide concentration on Child Protection, seeding of teams into leagues at a junior level, an increase in insurance premiums and proposed transfer changes, while at club level Latchford was committed to promoting its image in the community with among other things a club sign at our base at Victoria Park and improved training for our coaches including First Aid courses. Back to top

4. Team Reports

Under 13's - coach Jon Mitchell
Jon had prepared a report, which in his absence was delivered by Colin Cooper. The team had started the season being relegated to Div 1 through lack of numbers but had gained players as the season progressed including a transfer that had taken 6 months to reach fruition because of bureaucracy. They had finished runners-up and gained promotion to the Premier Division and had reached the NWC Cup Semi-Final. C. Cooper would cease as assistant coach at the end of the season and there was just over £400 in team funds. The report went on to talk of Jon's expectations and intentions for the forthcoming season including his wishes for new players, an assistant coach and the introduction of a disciplinary code.

Under 12's - coach to be appointed
Outgoing coach Gareth Shaw gave the report that there were just enough players registered but not all were training. He felt there was a lack of parental support and the team had struggled. A meeting of parents had resulted in Gareth stepping down. The chairman offered his thanks for Gareth's efforts and wished him well for the future. It was established that former assistant Andy Smith would temporarily take on the lead role with help from Open Age player Iain Fowler.

Under 11's - coach Sean Mellor
Sean Mellor said he had 19 registered players but 23 training. Most of the season had been competitive with a pre-Christmas lull due to illness and injury from which they had bounced back. Since Christmas the team had lost just once and eight players had been selected for the Town Team squad. He said others had potential and player development was good. He was particularly pleased with the positive comments of the NWC Disciplinary Panel and in particular the individual praise for assistant coach Bobby Hall he felt was justified.

Under 10's - coach Andy Wood
Andy Wood called this a transitional season. Previous coach Andy Temple and his assistant Paul Lake had left prior to the start of the season. Players had to adapt to the new Mod Rules. Players had come and gone throughout the campaign resulting in delayed player development. He gave a breakdown of the individual matches played and concluded by setting out his intentions for the forthcoming season including more concentrated work on set positions and hoped some of the squad would progress to Town Team level where they would gain valuable experience.

Under 9's ' coach Steve James
Steve James reported that the season had started with just 11 registered players but the squad now boasted 15 players. Attitude and discipline had given the season a good platform but their season had been marked by the tragic death of the father of one of their players. This tragedy had been commemorated with a specially designed tracksuit. He commented on the current transfer system that prevented players moving with their friends to a club of their choice but hoped that the situation would be rectified in the fullness of time. They were particularly pleased to have forged a friendship with Halifax-based Elland. He concluded by commenting on next season being one of transition as the players move from mini to mod rules.

Under 8's & 7's - Veronica Rathbone
Veronica Rathbone gave a combined report on behalf of her and John Wilkinson and said that during the season the squad had risen to 22 registered players. With 8 at U7 level some friendlies were arranged at this age level to great success under the direction of John Wilkinson. The U8's had early disappointments but began to turn the results around. There was a good team spirit and they work well together. There were now 38 players for next season with an almost even split of what will become the U9's and U8's. Next year it is hoped that Andy Rigby will assist the U9's and Ian Dobson the U8's. Back to top

5. Proposed amendment to Youth Section Constitution

The proposal from the Youth Section Committee was that the official club
colours shall be claret and gold. Carried unanimously. Back to top

6. Election of Officers

6.1 Chairperson
Andrew Wood proposed Sean Mellor should continue in the role. Mrs Sue Sullivan seconded. There were no other nominations. Sean Mellor elected.

6.2 Hon Secretary
Bobby Hall proposed Stuart McIntosh should continue in the role. Steve James seconded. There were no other nominations. Stuart McIntosh was elected.

6.3 Hon Treasurer
Michelle Shaw was not prepared to stand. Steve James idicated he would be prepared to take on the role. Stuart McIntosh proposed Steve James as Treasurer. Chris Ball seconded. Steve James was elected. Back to top

7. Any Other Business

7.1 Future Insurance Premiums
Stuart McIntosh outlined the circumstances that have led to a proposed huge rise in insurance premiums. Unfortunately it is compulsory for our inclusion in BARLA but the committee had felt there should be no increase in our player club subscriptions, instead the age groups who currently pay £800 each (£20 for 40 weeks) should be asked to increase that contribution to £1,000 (£20 for 50 weeks) to offset the costs.
Suggestions were heard from the floor concerning increasing player contributions or asking for a nominal signing on fee. It was agreed that no such measures should be put in place until definitive figures had been received with the acknowledgement that there is a sufficient balance in club funds to act as a buffer.
However, it was agreed that the £1,000 team fees to the club should be implemented for the next season.

7.2 Wolfmark
Stuart McIntosh said this was to be a kite mark for how an amateur Rugby League Club should be run. Its imminent implementation meant we had to review our current practises, which was not an unhealthy thing to do. The effect on Latchford Albion would mean each player registering with our club notifying us of contact numbers and any medical requirements. Among other things our risk management structure is being reshaped, feedback forms will be issued to every coach, parent/guardian and club member to helps us create a development plan for the future.

7.3 Referees' Fees
It was proposed from the Committee that the club funds should pay for referee?s expenses (approx £20 per match) for those in the 13-15 age bracket and U12's cup games rather than those individual teams face the financial burden. Carried unanimously.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.05pm Back to top