ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
TONGE C.C.
25th MARCH 2013
Apologies: The Treasurer and E Smith. All other club representatives and officials were in attendance.
Minutes Silence: The Committee stood in memory of Peter Edmondson, Heaton C.C., former Chairman and Life Member and Cyril James, Heaton C.C.
Minutes of the February Meeting: The Heaton representative asked for it to be minuted that he had commented that the main reason for our sponsor’s discomfort was the lack of legacy investment, not the promotional involvement of the family business. Any comments made were separate from those of Mr Hinks. The minutes were then approved.
Matters Arising: The Secretary had a quick look at club’s Play-Cricket websites and made the following comments; Astley Bridge, Horwich, Little Lever and Tonge all good, although clubs should consider just having one squad of first and second team players. Egerton OK but players’ first names should be included. Bradshaw, Eagley, Farnworth, Farnworth S.C., Greenmount, Kearsley, Walkden and Westhoughton, all need updating. Heaton’s has been set up, but no players have been registered.
Egerton lost in the last over of the national indoor quarter finals. Bolton School has been booked for 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th January 2014.
There will be an update on Sponsor’s Boards at the April meeting.
Mike Buckley has distributed the Child Welfare spreadsheets. Clubs will be fined £100 if there are not returned by 31st March. There was a discussion about the CRB procedure and those with the authority to sign the forms.
Correspondence: The Secretary had emailed information from League Cricket Conference, including a request for clubs to ‘Meet Your MP’. Bradshaw and Westhoughton have already offered to send invitations. The Secretary said this would be of benefit to the League and the individual clubs involved.
Tax Guidance for Cricket Clubs has been sent out. It appears inspectors, who should be treated with respect and courtesy, are particularly interested in bar staff and cleaners and National Insurance for overseas professionals.
There is a Safehands course at Egerton C.C. on 9th April, with a refresher course on 10th April.
Clubs have been sent the LCB Pre-Season Issues guide including recommendations on moss control, information about the EWCT Grant Scheme, a Resource Consumption Survey and details of a young Australian touring party.
The Secretary stood down as a Boltoncricket Website moderator last year, and Tracey Brooks and Darren Whittle offered to join former chairman Warwick Milne as additional moderators.
Treasurer’s Report: This was read to the Committee by the Secretary. Copies have been sent to club contacts. There is £4342 in the current account, £1812 in the Savings Account, £2094 in the junior coaching account and £921 in the Legal Fund.
Payment for cricket balls is due no later than 8th April.
Evidence of Public Liability is required by the April meeting.
There was a discussion about the distribution of the Sponsor’s money. The Chairman will speak to the Treasurer about setting a budget.
There was a short discussion about players’ subscriptions.
Umpires: It had been agreed at the February meeting that if the covers have not been removed after seven minutes, and in the opinion of the umpires this is a wilful act by the team, then the team not following the umpires instruction shall be guilty of refusal to play and shall forfeit the game under Law 21.3.
The Umpires / Captains meeting will be held at Farnworth Social Circle at 7.30pm on 18th April. Clubs must send their first and second team captain or vice captain or a senior player from those teams, along with a club official or senior team manager. The fine for absence will be £25 per person per club.
Juniors: All clubs were represented at the last meeting apart from Farnworth S.C. Junior team managers were appointed.
The next meeting will be 18th April, 7.30pm at Astley Bridge.
ECB Club Strategy: The Chairman began by saying Bolton League clubs have individual identities, with the League providing the structure and a forum. At times it is necessary to take stock of the way League business is conducted and cricket played.
The ECB Club Strategy document, which has been emailed to clubs, covers many of the problems facing Bolton League clubs; loss of players, quality of facilities, falling income, and the effects of the weather.
Mr Hall said these and other aspects need to be considered if we were to be the league of choice in the area.
Mr Kay said the quality of junior cricket needs to be considered along with the progress of young players from junior to senior cricket.
Mr Buckley suggested other form of cricket could be considered, including ‘Last Man Stands’.
R&C Report: Bradshaw, Kearsley and Little Lever’s professionals have been graded 2.
There have been two transfers; S Parker (Westhoughton to Kearsley) and Z Wilson (Farnworth to Farnworth S.C.).
Summarising new rule 13(c) – (Amateurs), the Secretary said the old rule had been difficult to enforce because of the problems with monitoring people’s movements. The new rule, while by no means foolproof relies more on official documentation.
Broadly players fall into three categories but it should be noted these minutes only refer to portions of the Rule;
(a) Players born in the UK. These players can be registered without supporting documentary evidence, although this may be requested if a protest is made.
(b) British Citizens or players otherwise eligible to play for England. Documentary evidence must be produced, and if the player is not already in the UK the League must be satisfied the player is of a sufficient standard to play first team cricket.
(c) Players not born in the UK, but holding a UK passport and eligible to vote in the UK. Documentary evidence of both must be produced, although if the player was registered last season he need only to produce evidence that he is eligible to vote in the UK.
Ground Inspections: Representatives were given details of the ground inspection dates, and what is required of them. Inspections take place on 16th and 17th April. These will also be emailed to clubs along with an advert for cricket covers.
16th April; 1pm Kearsley, 1.30pm Walkden, 2pm FSC, 2.30pm Farnworth, 3pm Little Lever, 3.40pm Greenmount, 4.15pm Tonge.
17th April; 1pm Westhoughton, 1.30pm Horwich, 2pm Heaton, 2.30pm Astley Bridge, 3pm Eagley, 3.30pm Egerton, 4pm Bradshaw.
The Chairman stressed the importance of the inspections.
The Ground Committee are looking into introducing minimum criteria for clubs along with a marking system to be carried out by visiting clubs.
Date of Next Meeting: 22nd April at Tonge C.C.