AGM Minutes

18^th August 2019, 8pm @ The Cork

In Attendance:- Representatives from the following teams were present at the meeting – Felsto Hopefuls, Ballsharks, Corkscrews, JAPT, Pablo Escorkbar, RBL, 8 balls of fire, Snooker 2 plus new team Poolar Bears.

From the committee Dennis Cummings (Chairman) Gemma Goode (Secretary) and Martin Hawes (player rep) were present.

Apologies:- Apologies were sent from Simon Willingham (Treasurer) and Kev Raw (player rep) from the committee and from Hoot and Muff, Hateful 8 and new team The Falcon.

New and Existing Teams:- From last season’s 13 teams we have lost 2 teams ( TSSC and Dolphin) however we have been joined by The Falcon and Corkscrews have split into 2 teams the 2^nd being The Poolar Bears which keeps the team numbers at 13 teams in the league .

Chairman’s Report:- Dennis feels that on the whole the season has run smoothly, as expected we have had some teething problems with it being a brand new committee but most have been worked through quickly and efficiently. It is hoped the players have enjoyed the season and we have seen good attendance in competitions and good support from the league. Dennis thanked the committee members present for their work throughout the season and also gave mention to Kev Rae who has been a great asset to the committee during the season.

Treasurer’s Report:- Gemma delivered this in Simon’s absence and informed those present a breakdown of figures are available should anyone wish to see a copy.

The remaining funds from last season are still in the account as this has proved very difficult to sign over. It is hoped for the coming season the simplest way to alleviate the issue is to open a brand new account and for Mick Florey to authorise the transfer of the remaining balance. Gemma assured the meeting that whilst the bank account has been unavailable for use monies collected have been kept in the safe at the league sponsor venue and a full record kept for each paid competition.

Fixtures and Results Report:- On the whole a good season, the majority of teams have got their cards in on the night all filled clearly and correctly which has meant results and tables have been quick and easy to keep up to date. Mention of thanks was given to Kev Bowen who although no longer on the committee did a great job whilst he was at getting everything updated at lightning speed. It is the impression that everyone is happy with the new website and results and tables are easy to navigate.

It was requested that the committee find a way to publish all Facebook updates details etc on the website also in case some people don’t use Facebook. This will certainly be looked at for the new season. The website will also be upgraded so all documents can be uploaded also and tge calender looked at and simplified with a list of comps put in the captains pack for those who find the calendar awkward to navigate.

Committee Positions:-

Chairman – Dennis said he was happy to remain as Chairman. There were no challengers to this seat and this was agreed by unanimous vote

Dennis then said he would like to create the position of Vice Chairman and proposed Kev Rae for this, Dennis explained that Kev has been instrumental in assisting him this season especially during bouts of ill health and the new position would allow for the continuing smooth running of the season should other committee members become unavailable. Thus was voted on and agreed by unanimous vote.

Fixtures and Results - With Kev being voted on as Vice Chairman thus relieving some of the pressure Dennis said he was happy to continue doing the fixtures and results. There was no challenge to this seat and was voted in unanimously.

Secretary – Gemma said she was happy to remain as secretary. There was no challenge to this position it was voted in unanimously.

Treasurer – Simon will be stepping down from this role. The initial thought was to combine this role with the secretary’s role which saves a lot of chasing at the end of the season. However it was decided that an independent treasurer would be more beneficial and it was proposed that Louise Juggins take on the role. This would make sense as The Cork acts as league sponsor and monies collected could be kept secure before being banked. Louise also has great knowledge and experience in accounts. This was voted on and agreed unanimously.

Player Reps - With Kev Rae newly appointed as Vice Chairman this left a space for player rep, alongside Martin Hawes who was happy to remain. Two names had been put forward Katy Goodwin and Ed Shuttleworth. An initial vote was taken but it was then suggested that both Katy and Ed became player reps thus allowing for 5 teams to be represented within the committee. Another vote was taken and this was agreed unanimously. Therefore the committee is now as follows:-

Chairman / Fixtures and Results – Dennis Cummings (Poolar Bears)

Vice Chairman – Kev Rae (Hoot and Muff)

Secretary – Gemma Goode (Poolar Bears)

Treasurer – Louise Juggins (Independent)

Player Reps – Katy Goodwin, Martin Hawes, Ed Shuttleworth (Ballsharks, JAPT and Corkscrews respectively)

PROPOSALS:-

1. Competitions to be spread out across the season rather than all at the end.

Dennis said that the general feeling across the league was that they would be better spread out as it breaks the season up and also means captains don’t lose contact with their players towards the end once all league games have been played and this was easily workable with the fixtures.

Verdict – Unanimously voted for – comps will be spread out across the season.

2. Format to change to include two doubles games so 10 singles 2 doubles.

Much discussion was had around this looking at the advantages eg not needing so many players, keeps players there rather than playing 1^st and leaving, good for less confident players. And the negatives eg punishes teams with more players, difficult to add in due to point system, prolongs the night etc.

Verdict – Voted against – The format shall remain the same as in previous seasons with 12 singles.

3. Instead of having a captains knockout a “captains league” is created by captains playing each other in one frame at each league game and the winner decided through that.

Initial feeling was that people liked the idea but that it would be awkward to execute should captains not want to wait til the end of the night or if vice captains were allowed to play etc. It was then pointed out by Kev Roadknight that the Captains cup was initially put in as a memorial cup therefore it must remain as such

Verdict – Voted against – The Captains Cup will remain as a straight knockout

4. Venues should not have separate drinks prices for members and non members

Whilst it was agreed by the majority that players paying separate prices is frustrating it is not really something that can be voted on and enforced by the committee as members pay their membership fee to include the drinks discount. It was also noted that the venue in question is not entering a team next season so this becomes a bit of a non issue but can be revisited should they decide to re-join the league.

Verdict – This was not voted on.

5. Captains to fill in the scorecard with with the first 6 names and the second half being filled in after – the proposer was informed that this was voted as an option last AGM but was not enforced so the proposal is now for it to be mandatory.

Again much discussion was had on this and the general consensus was that it would be very difficult to enforce as captains will just use their discretion anyway and what would the “penalty” be for anyone found not doing this. Martin Hawes expressed that by voting last season to have that option has just increased the risk of problems so proposed the rule be reverted to all 12 names written in at the start of the night and this was voted on.

Verdict – Voted for – captains must now write all 12 names in at the start of the night when doing the draw. Should anything need to be changed this is at both captains discretion.

6. There should be a charity collection at each game.

Whilst no objections were made to this discussion was had around when the recipient should be decided. Initially it was suggested that it should be at the start of the season so people know who they are donating to however the point was made that something/someone very worthy could be identified during the season so a vote was taken.

Verdict – Voted for – a charity collection is to be done at every league game and the total noted down on the scoresheet. Teams can nominate a person to hold on to this or it can be dropped in to Louise at The Cork throughout the season (obviously with details of team and dates) There will be a meeting at the end of the season between captains and committee to decide a local charity / charities to donate this to. Players who win trophies and would rather donate the trophy money to charity must inform the committee at their earliest convenience.

7. The 60 second shot rule is enforced with the use of a stop watch. Referees if games to enforce this.

General consensus on this was that although it’s the “correct way” it would take the enjoyment out if Sunday League pool and it would involve more people reffing games when it’s hard enough getting people to ref and it just punishes those with a naturally slower game.

Verdict – Voted against – although it is noted that courteous play should be observed at all times, a naturally slower pace is acceptable however wandering off during the frame, chatting instead of taking a shot etc is not.

8. Captains to take responsibility for their players knowing the rules in order to be able to ref games.

Again this was more of a discussion point than a proposal but it was agreed that individuals within the league need to take responsibility for learning the rules rather than rely on captains.

Verdict – The committee will ensure the rules get uploaded to the website and it is down to the players as individuals to get up to speed with them and ask if unsure.

SPONSORSHIP:-

As with last season all competitions are up for sponsorship should anyone wish to contact the committee regarding this.

Dave Juggins confirmed the Cork are happy to continue their league sponsorship.

There was brief discussion about whether the Ladies Knockout should be axed due to continued poor turn out but Robert Fisk said he would be happy to sponsor this so it shall remain in the fixtures.

Any other business:-

Dennis wanted to check that everyone had a clear understanding of the ruling surrounding the “foul snooker” as it had been questioned previously, everyone was in agreement that you have to be able to see BOTH sides of the ball else a foul snooker is called.

Phil Evans wanted it noted that venues have a responsibility to their players to maintain the tables to a good standard and support the league by providing decent playing surfaces, balls, rests etc. Players were reminded that should there be any problems to let player reps or committee know asap and Dennis said he would ensure all tables were checked prior to the new season starting.

Clarification was requested on cancellation of games – previously it was said that this should be done by 3pm on match day however it was proposed this be changed to midday and was agreed by majority vote. Failure to do this will result in all points being awarded to the the other team.

It was also confirmed that 4 players can still constitute a team therefore the game must be played however any team doing this more than twice in the season shall be called before the committee.

MEETING CLOSED