AXFORDS BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

 

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AND CONTINUED A.G.M.

 

HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.

 

30th JANUARY 2006

 

 

 

Apologies; None. All clubs and officials were present.

 

Minutes of the A.G.M.; These had been distributed and were approved as a correct record.

 

Matters Arising; The Secretary had written to clubs immediately after the A.G.M noting that changes to the points system had affected Rule 26(p) – the penalty for failing to fulfil a second team fixture. Simon Thomson noted the penalty for slow over rates was also affected. A protracted discussion followed about the best way to deal with the problem, including calling Special Meetings or extending the A.G.M. Eventually the clubs agreed unanimously that the penalties under Rules 26(g) and (p) should be one point. The Secretary had already written to clubs with proposals for 2007 leading on from the changes to the points.

Mike Hall, Tony Hayes and David Morris were elected Co-Opted members. The Chairman thanked the retiring John Hutchinson for his work on behalf of the Bolton League.

 

Minutes of the December Meeting; These had been distributed with the A.G.M. minutes and were also approved as a correct record. There were no matters arising.

 

Correspondence; The League Cricket Conference Legal Update had been sent to clubs and is available to the website www.boltoncricket.co.uk. A recent court ruling means that provided leagues and clubs follow their rules and guidelines the prospect of litigation has been much reduced following disciplinary and other hearings.

The Secretary had written to clubs previously about Natwest Cricket Force www.ecb.co.uk/cricketforce, Junior representatives have a copy of ‘Girls Playing in Boys Age –Group Leagues and Competitions’, and Greater Manchester Youth Games 2006 Natalie.woodford@bolton.gov.uk, and various equipment brochures were passed around the meeting.

The cost of insurance for players was raised, and the Secretary strongly recommended clubs ask players to sign a disclaimer to the effect that they are aware of the level of cover their club has.

It is emphasised in the LCB Newsletter that a club’s senior players have completed self-certification forms by 1st April. The Bolton League have agreed that the registration sheets will be amended to include confirmation from the club’s Welfare Officer that the form has been completed and is retained by the Welfare Officer. 

 

Finance; The Treasurer reported there is £1500 in the current account, and £6000 in the Junior Account including the £2650 Awards for All grant. May Barlow was asked to see if the future sponsorship from Axfords can be ‘Sportsmatched’, but has since informed me we are not eligible.

 

Umpires; Expenses will remain the same as 2005.

 There will be a scorers’ course at Astley Bridge C.C. for nine weeks from Wednesday 8th February at 7.30pm. The BCLU&SA will be able to offer financial assistance with the costs.

It is hoped there will be three or four new umpires for the coming season with a list of around forty.

The League will continue to pay umpires’ insurance under the previous arrangement.

 

Hamer Cup Draw; (Birtwistle Cup reversed), Byes Bradshaw and Egerton.

First Round,

Little Lever v Walkden

Greenmount v Eagley

Astley Bridge v Westhoughton

Farnworth S.C. v Walkden

Kearsley v Tonge

Farnworth v Heaton

 

There are still fielding circles in the Birtwistle Cup (Rule 47a).

 

Juniors; There have been disappointingly few nominations from Bolton League clubs to the L.C.B. for county squads. Hopefully the problems have now been resolved. Around £3000 of the coaching funds have already been committed. Coaches are paid according to ECB Guidelines at £8 Level 1, £10 Level 2 and £12 Level 3. Greenmount have not entered the Under 18s Competition and Tonge have not entered the Under 13s or Under 11s.

John Hutchinson is the Under 18s, Under 15s and Under 11s Administrator; Barry Cryer is the Under 13s Administrator. A Coaching Committee and the Inter-League Selectors were appoints.

A form has been sent to club Welfare Officers to check all coaches, team managers etc. have been CRB checked.

The Chairman made reference to the appointment of the Junior Representative at the A.G.M. and said he had apologised privately and publicly to Richard Dearden, as he had not been informed that the Senior Committee had chosen to elect Mike Buckley, although the Junior Committee had proposed Richard.

Several members of the Committee expressed concern about the decision, as members of the Junior Committee had the previous week. The Secretary explained the procedures in Junior Rule 1 had been followed.

 

Registrations; One transfer, Ian Eccleshare (Tonge to Astley Bridge).

 

Axford Trophy Report; The Chairman thanked the umpires for the successful organisation of the tournament. Karen Knott said the competition had been played in an excellent spirit, and congratulated winners Kearsley who will play the Greater Manchester ACL winners at Old Trafford, 5.45pm on 12th February. Walkden as last year’s winners play Ashton at 4pm, with the final at 7.30pm. It appears Little Lever may be the only suitable venue for 2007, but Paul Eckersley said ‘Anchor Pads’ could be used to secure the matting at other centres.

 Handbook; Club Officials’ details should be sent to Peter Stafford. Novaprint who used to produce the Handbooks have gone out of business. Tony Hayes suggested he could help find a replacement.

 

Other Cricket Reports; Peter Stafford had heard the Manchester Evening News might be pulling out of sponsoring the Inter-League K.O.

The L.C.B. are supporting the Northern League’s attempts to be re-instated as a ‘Premier’ League.

Mel Whittle’s ban for an incident in an over 50s match has been reduced to a suspended ban.

 

Election of Sub-Committees; Registration and Competitions, Mike Hall, Astley Bridge, Bradshaw, Farnworth S.C., Greenmount and Westhoughton.

Discipline, Tony Hayes, a named umpire, Egerton, Kearsley, Tonge and Westhoughton.

Ground, David Morris, Eagley, Farnworth, Heaton, Horwich and Little Lever.

Clubs should let the Committee know the name of the person from their club most suited to the post at the next meeting.

 

 

Any Other Business; Clubs were asked to return trophies in good condition.

The Secretary confirmed only bans imposed for incidents in the Indoor KO could be served in that competition. Bans imposed outside the Indoor KO have to be served in other cricket. The same applies to the Lyddon K.O.

There had been a disappointing attendance from Bolton Area clubs at the recent Cricket Development meeting.

Bradshaw and Farnworth S.C. are involved in the ‘Chance to Shine’ scheme.

The LCB are appointing a coach for the area, who will also work with schools.

The Cricket Foundation run a draw for clubs, and they provide the prizes.

At the February meeting the Committee will discuss the funding of the Bolton Cricket Website, expected to cost around £700.

 

Date of Next Meeting; 27th February.