ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
AT TONGE C.C.
30th MARCH 2015
Apologies: None. Kearsley were not represented. The Chairman welcomed Frank Hinks to his first committee meeting as President.
Minutes’ Silence: This was held in respect of Derek Kay (Greenmount, Bradshaw and League Official), Harry Newton (Little Lever), Roy Marland (Walkden, Kearsley, Heaton and Astley Bridge) and Ken Lee (Astley Bridge).
Minutes of the AGM, December General Committee Meeting and February Management Committee Meetings: These had all been circulated and were approved as a correct record.
Matters Arising: Clubs who are not happy with the boundary rope requirements should discuss their issues with Ground Committee Chairman David Morris.
The Chairman noted that the behaviour of the young players at the residential coaching course had been excellent. Eleven of our clubs had been represented. It was recommended that if future courses are run, the progress of the players should be tracked.
Child Welfare: Details of courses have been sent to clubs. Spreadsheets will be issued to clubs and these must be returned by 30th May.
Cricket Balls: Senior and junior balls will be available for collection from Tonge C.C. from 7.45pm on Monday 13th April.
Correspondence: Clubs will have received an email from the LCB regarding disabled players.
Handbooks: These will be available for collection from Tonge C.C. from 7.45pm on Monday 13th April.
Umpires: Clubs must send at least one representative to the Umpires’ Meeting at Tonge C.C. on Monday 13th April. One of the representatives must be a senior player, preferably the first team captain, or a senior team manager. Action will be taken by the R&C Committee for non-compliance.
Following the training course attended by Greenmount, Astley Bridge, Little Lever and Walkden there is additional cover for second team matches.
Egerton, Kearsley, Farnworth S.C. and Tonge attended the scorers’ course.
Finance: Before the start of the season clubs must inform the Treasurer of their public liability insurer and policy number.
There is no financial statement as the newly appointed finance officials have had difficulty in accessing the various bank accounts.
Clubs with any queries about their accounts should ring Warwick Milne.
Grounds: Depending on the weather over the Easter Weekend the ground inspections are likely to take place on 7th, 8th and 9th April.
Particular attention will be paid to the covers, and action will be taken against clubs with inadequate covers, or covers not used according to the League Rules during the season.
David Morris made reference to some of the future initiatives for grounds and facilities.
Juniors: Under 9s, 11s, 13s and 15s are well supported, but there are only six teams in the U18s where clubs will play each other twice.
Cup dates are ‘play-by’ and clubs must let Tracey Brooks know the dates in advance for Play-Cricket.
Disagreements about cup dates will be handled by the Section Secretary or the Junior Chairman and disputes will not be referred to the R&C Committee or Management Committee. Information and representation should be made by email only.
Transfers: G Abbas (Tonge to Heaton), N Partington (Astley Bridge to Walkden).
All clubs have grade 2 professions apart from Greenmount who is 1. The gradings of Farnworth and Walkden are unknown.
Transfers should be made by paper until iteamate is running. There will be a training session at Bradshaw C.C. at 7.30pm on 14th April. Up to three club members can attend. Clubs should log on to the system in advance and it is advised they use last season’s spreadsheets to transfer the information.
Greater Manchester Leagues: The Chairman explained how these will operate. Detailed information has been emailed to clubs. Bolton League clubs score exceptionally well on the weighting given to playing standards, but some clubs will fare less well on some of the other aspects being taken into account.
Marks will be awarded by individuals appointed by the GM body. These will be personal opinions and not the opinion of the Bolton League.
There will be a seminar at the County Cricket Club on 30th April when the prospectus will be released.
Bolton League Development: The Management Committee have been working on a proposal to form two divisions of 12 clubs, with promotion and relegation. This will be released on 30th April to coincide with the GM proposals in order to give clubs a choice. Background information will be sent to clubs before this. There will then be a discussion and question and answer session at Tonge C.C. on Monday 11th May. A maximum of five can attend from each club. Umpires are also invited to attend.
The President made reference to the history of the Bolton League and he and others mentioned the advantages of the close proximity of clubs.
During the ensuing discussions the Secretary said the idea was to improve the quality of cricket in the League, and there are no plans to lower the standards for clubs in the lower division.
Date of the Next Management Committee Meeting: 27th April.
Date of Next General Committee Meeting: 11th May.