ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
AT TONGE C.C.
7th SEPTEMBER 2015
Club Support: LCB Director Bobby Denning addressed the meeting and assured clubs that leagues and clubs in the County would be treated equally. There was a question and answer session which covered Premier League Status, funding and development. The Secretary would speak with Mr Denning about the League having a place on the County Development Committee. Mr Denning was invited to remain for the rest of the meeting.
Coaching: County Coaching Chairman Richard Dearden spoke about the importance of club coaches being members of the Lancashire Cricket Board Coaches Association, and went on to make reference to the National Playing Survey and the lack of coaching for players over 16, and County Workshops. It was agreed that a Bolton League Coaches Association be established. Nominations should be forwarded to John Hutchinson johnhutchinson@hallowsfruit.co.uk
Apologies: Peter Crook, Frank Jackson, Eric Smith and Philip Tomlinson. Twenty clubs were represented, the exception being Standish.
Neil Edwards: The Committee stood in memory of the former League Cricket Conference Secretary.
Minutes of the August Meeting: These had been circulated and were agreed to be a correct record. There were no matters arising.
Professionals 2016: It was agreed the following would be added to the Rules to cover season 2016 only and this would take precedence over the other Rules, which would remain in the Handbook for clarification “Clubs will be permitted to sign a professional, overseas player or play without either. The League will accept the registration of the professional or overseas player irrespective of status.”
The Secretary said a re-writing of the Rule regarding professional and overseas players (amateurs) taking into account the standard of non-first class cricket overseas and the changes to multi-divisional cricket locally.
Overseas Amateurs: The Committee agreed deputies would not be allowed for overseas amateurs.
Inter League Cricket: It was agreed the Bolton League should withdraw from the Inter League KO for the foreseeable future, but this would not preclude matches being arranged on a season-by-season basis. It was agreed if there was a vacancy, we would continue to participate in the Under 18 competition, accepting there could be a fixture clash at some juncture.
Umpires: The Committee agreed umpires expenses should be £40 in 2016. A single league appointed umpire would be paid £50 with a stand in umpire at the non-striker’s end who had completed the ‘Introduction to Umpiring’ course paid or sharing the balance.
There was no objection to a player under 15 standing at the striker’s end.
The League will continue to pay the umpires’ insurance.
There is concern that some scoreboards are no longer fit for purpose, and clubs will be asked to carry out a pre-season risk assessment.
Bradshaw and Farnworth are asked to respond to the umpires to specific points about their scoreboxes.
There will be an ‘Introduction to Umpiring’ course before the 2016 season, at a cost of £5 which clubs may wish to cover.
There is a Level 1 Umpires Course at Astley Bridge for 9 weeks from 12th January, contact David Heap on 07821 154389.
An ‘Introduction to Scoring’ Course will take on Tuesday 15th March and a Level 1 Scoring Course for three weeks from 22nd March. Both are at Astley Bridge C.C. and the contact is Karen Knott on 01204 535842.
T20: At the next meeting clubs are asked to indicate if they would prefer to play t20 matches midweek or on Sundays. The Secretary said there could be a degree of flexibility and was aware some clubs play in the Wigan Development 20/20. If matches were to be played midweek there would be an opportunity to play a 40 over competition or similar on the Sundays. This would compensate for the reduction in league matches, but need not impact on clubs with a third senior team.
Discipline: The Chairman said it was clear the League had worse disciplinary problems than the Association, and would be circulating a document based on the Association model.
Junior Cricket and Welfare: Mr Buckley said proposals had been sent to clubs for comment, and feedback had been received. Completion of the early season welfare spreadsheets is mandatory.
Grounds: A document relating to ground and facility standards is to be circulated, and a joint Association / League post-season ground inspection will be arranged after the meeting on 28th September. Mr Milne noted finances were restricted at many clubs and opportunities for improvement limited.
Handbook: The Secretary requested a meeting be held by messers Buckey, Chamberlain and Cregan before the next meeting to see if Association and League records and statistics can feasibly be retained in book form in the future, or if these would have to be maintained electronically. A Handbook covering fixtures, League and club contacts, Rules and other essential information would still be produced.
Name: The Secretary proposed that the name ‘Bolton Association’ or ‘Association’ be retained in the title of the second division. It was agreed further suggestions be sought by the 21st September for clubs to be in position to vote on 28th September. Representatives from several Association clubs indicated the name of the organisation was of relatively minor importance.
Date of Next Meeting: 7.45pm at Tonge C.C. on 28th September
Date of the Bolton League Prize Claim Meeting: 5th October at Tonge C.C. Statistics based on Play-Cricket will be issued before the meeting.