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Bath Saracens Committee Minutes 2009-2010 Season |
Click here to see last season's minutes |
| AGM - 25th June 2010 |
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Held at the RAM Widcombe Bath, commencing 19:30 Present: Pyles, Kavanagh, Hiscox, Sawyer, Bradley, Porter, Swabey, Milne, Garton R, Biss Ji, Biss Ja Apologies: York, Lawrence, Blankley, Garton L, Rhymes, Nichols 1. SECRETARY's REPORT General comments - there were 10 meetings of the committee. Jan mtg cancelled due to bad weather. Average number attending each mtg was 7. - from a sec viewpoint, it was a relatively smooth season. - club completed its 3nd season in D&W Division II North, finishing credibly mid-table after a shaky start. - next seasons fix list has been out for some weeks and Rob Lawrence has been negotiating some tweaks to it. - geometry pr have indicated that they wish to continue sponsoring the club for next season - we continue to be affiliated to the Somerset RFU - the re-establishment of a team manager post proved invaluable to the effective organisation of teams throughout the season Sulis Club - Position Statement This season has seen the introduction of charges for the use of training facilities at the Sulis Club. A firm negotiating stance from our chairman and treasurer resulted in a reduced fee being levied for the last season. However, we can expect to see an increase to charges for the next year. Therefore, close liaison will be required between Captain, team manager and coach to plan a training regime to avoid unnecessary expenditure. International Tickets Mike York continued to manage our International Ticket allocation over the last year and has ensured that all club members wishing to attend Englands home games have been able to do so. Social Comments - Rob Garton has his carried his social mantel again and has done much to organise a number of social events over the year. THANK YOU to Rob for all his hard work, culminating in another successful annual dinner. Recruitment Like all clubs and societies Bath Saracens can only continue to exist with a life-blood of new players joining the team. Last year was in many ways a very successful one with numerous new local faces and a large number of students from Bath University joining our ranks. However, that is a trend that we need to continue and I recommend that our new committee make every effort to publicise Bath Saracens in the city and at the university. Awards Players player – Owen Swaby Captains Award – Jim Biss Clubman of the year - Simon Porter Most improved player – Adam Robertson 2. CAPTAIN's REPORT First half of the season got off to a stuttering start with heavy losses, injuries and absentees. Played some good rugby in the first half of opening game at Colerne but were shown to be lacking in both numbers and early season fitness levels with a defeat of 67-24. A walkover win courtesy of a no-show by Wootton Bassett 3rds preceded more losses at Bradford on Avon and Devizes 27-10 and 58-8 respectively. Following these games saw the first on pitch win for the season with a strong performance at home against Chippenham 3rds. Unfortunately, we had to forfeit our next league fixture due to lack of players. We had 11 available as of 9:30 on match day so regretfully had to call off the match and drop the two points picked up in the win previously. There were 22 players that had already played this season unavailable or injured. The following four matches all led to defeat. Losing league home games to both Swindon College and Pewsey Vale and away trip to Minety. We also lost in a friendly away to Morganians. Our next victory came at Cooper Avon away, a really good performance across the pitch to get the two points. Unfortunately, we were unable to continue the good form into the following week and suffered a defeat at the hands of Combe Down 2nds at home. The postponed game the following week due to Wooton Bassets departure from the league saw the start of an extended Xmas break. Our next match was not played until the 23rd of January thanks to the snow affected pitches. The break was just what we needed it seems as a fantastic away win against Chippenham 3rds completed the double over them for the season. Once again we were unable to turn that win into a run and were beaten the following week by a very strong Fairford side. We held our own for large parts of the game and could hold our heads high that the final score of 34-10 was not a real reflection on the closeness of large portions of the match. We were able to take the performance against the top of the table side and turn that into a fantastic run of three wins on the bounce. The first was a great team performance away to Swindon College. Leading 24-7 at half time thanks in the main to a hat-trick of tries from centre (for the day) Chris Revell. A very tense second half including a sin-bin for a player of each side, saw us run in three more tries to secure the two points. The next game was at home to Minety, a strong forwards performance against a much heavier pack provided a good platform for the backs who ran in a total of 6 tries to complete a 38-11 victory. Our hat-trick of wins was completed with an 8-0 triumph at home to Bradford on Avon. In very testing conditions we managed to touch down for a try and an additional penalty in the first half. The second half was very close with both sides having periods of good play and pressure. Fortunately our defence held out and the two points were secured. Next up was an away trip to Pewsey Vale; this was always going to be a tough trip as they were unbeaten at the top of the table. The game was a doubt at one point in the week due to the death of a senior member of the Pewsey Vale set-up. The immediate family and the club felt it would be fitting to play the game and after a short memorial service to honour his contribution to the club and the local area the game was played. After another performance to be proud of against a top of the table side we lost 33-13. Pewsey were very gracious in victory and thanked us as a club for being part of the memorial process. A very disappointing performance the following week saw us go down 22-19 against 13 man Devizes at home. We were able to put that past us the very next weekend with a win against Cooper Avon at home. The 15-12 win was close throughout but gave us our second double of the season. A two week break for Easter saw us lose any potential impetus and we were beaten away at Combe Down 22-17. The final game of the season was played at home in the sunshine against Colerne. With our biggest turn out of the year we were able to run in 5 tries to their one and turn around the defeat in the first game of the season. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Simon Porter in all his efforts at making a side available week in week out. This was not an easy task as is evident by the large number of players utilised this season. Also, I would like to highlight the great cover provided by Vice Captain Owen Swabey during my injury induced match absence and work induced training absence. Without their efforts we would have struggled to make our mid-table position at the end of the season. Also, thanks to Paul Kavanagh for the training and coaching this year and to the committee for all the off-pitch support. I hope we can take the good performances on pitch and all round efforts off pitch forward to a very successful season next year. The Chairman re-iterated his thanks to Paul Kavanagh, Rimmer and Tony Milne 3. TREASURER’s REPORT Attendees were furnished with a copy of the last years accounts, which the treasurer presented. (Copies are not published to the club web-site but can be requested from the treasurer). In general the treasurer drew the assembled members attention to: • Careful financial management had resulted in an increased operating surplus. • Donations for the forthcoming season may well fall, as uncertainty remains as to whether the local DSRA will be able to contribute to the club next year and this this years accounts include a large saving on kit laundering, as this has been carried out by Steve. • A successful club dinner this year, which effectively broke even if expenditure on guests tickets and disco was discounted. • Some payments remain outstanding for post match catering. The meeting agreed that under the provisions of RFU Rule 21.5(c) the Club would opt out of formal audit or examination by a qualified accountant of the Club’s 2009/10 annual financial statement. The treasurer was thanked for his hard work over the year. 4. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS It was agreed that the subscriptions for waged playing members remain unchanged. It was agreed that the option would be considered by the incoming committee of levying a small (£5) membership fee on un-waged members in return for which an item of club clothing (T-Shirt, tie, etc. would be provided). 5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The following Officers were elected for the forthcoming year: Chairman - D Pyles Secretary - J Biss Treasurer - S Hiscox Fix Sec – R Lawrence Soc Sec - J Bradley Mem Sec –S Porter Club Captain - T Milne Gen Committee: O Swabey; H Sawyer; M York, P Kavanagh. It was agreed that the option would be retained for the committee to co-opt an additional two members later in the year. 6. Any other Business Paul Kavanagh agreed to continue with his role as head coach. It should be noted that in addition to his membership secretary role, Rimmer indicated his willingness to continue with his team management role and assist with coaching. The fixture Secretary has managed to agree the movement of a number of fixtures at the start of the season. Our first fixture will be 25th September. The format of next years fixture card was agreed. Appointment of auditors for the forthcoming season was discussed and it was agreed that the Chairman would approach an independent accountant about the role. It was agreed that Training Start dates would be publicised. |