HAYFIELD MANAGEMENT MINUTES: FRIDAY 19th MARCH 2010 

Present: Dave Dunford (DD), Bill Higginbottom (BH), Phil Hopwood (PH), Geoff Hudson (GH), Tom Jarvis (TJ), Glenn Reynolds (GR), Christian South (CS), Ian Webster (IW), Ed Yardley (EY), Lorna Young (LY).

Apologies: Tom Miller (TM). 

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (28th January 2010)

Approved. 

TREASURER'S REPORT

IW reported that expenditure has exceeded income significantly since his last report, but this is to be expected at this time of the year and some of the major expenditure items for the year (e.g. pavilion and ground maintenance, cricket balls, etc.) are now complete. Sponsorship and Membership Plus income is largely still to come. 

Charitable Status/Gift Aid

EY asked about the Club's charitable status. It appears that the Club's status as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) entitles it to claim back Gift Aid on certain income; this may include sponsorship, which could realise a significant sum (especially as this may be available backdated for 6 years). EY to check the terms of the Gift Aid arrangements and BH to contact major sponsors a.s.a.p.; the deadline is March 31st. In the longer term the Club should look at the possibilities of claiming Gift Aid on smaller sources of income (e.g. Membership Plus, donations) though some income (such as match fees) may not be eligible. DD noted that the recently altered structure of players' fees might need to be reconsidered in the light of the Gift Aid situation. 

TEAM MATTERS

Seniors

TJ reported that the 1st XI has lost two registered players but gained one. He has provisionally accepted an invitation from Old Glossop CC to play in a three-team 20-20 competition (possibly with professional players involved) on a date in July or August to suit the playing commitments of the teams involved. 

CS reported that winter nets have been poorly attended by senior players. He noted that two or three promising youngsters will definitely be good enough to play for the 2nd XI in the forthcoming season. 

Senior nets will start once the ground is ready. CS recommended directing Paul Taylor's coaching effort rather more towards the better players. EY suggested a more structured approach to encouraging and improving the more promising youngsters, perhaps involving a formal Junior Academy status for each age group. 

Juniors

Signing-on Night is Friday 26th March. A Junior Kit List is required. 

Ladies

Hayfield School is now formally associated with the Club via our CASC status, which will bring funding from ECB. The services of Sally Green (Ladies Coach) will be funded in full (she will attend alternate practices and leave a training plan for the dates she does not attend). 

The Womens' Section had a meeting last week. They intend to retain their existing structure of subs and match fees. 1st training is on 16th April, and their first match on 25th April; there are still only 4 teams in the League but they are looking for friendly fixtures and will attend a one-day tournament at Derby. The club has made a connection with the Hayfield Guides and hopes to attract some new young players. Lorna noted a lack of team shirts; spare mens'/junior shirts may be available. 

3rd XI League

BH reported that he has registered the Club in a newly formed 3rd XI League, which will play 10 fixtures this season. He believed that this will give an opportunity for older juniors unable to command a regular 2nd-XI place, and perhaps out-of-form Senior players, to play some competitive cricket. The future of the existing 3rd XI was briefly discussed; the consensus was that this should continue in its current form, perhaps under a new name. 

FUNDRAISING

LY reported that the Ladies 6-a-side competition was scheduled for Sunday 20th June. She suggested that the event not be promoted as a "Pub" 6-a-side as several of the teams likely to take part are not representing pubs. 

The Club Night with the Beachcombers is scheduled for 17th April, but it was noted that this is the date of the Manchester derby. BH to contact the band to try to rearrange. 

A sponsored walk was suggested as an additional fund-raising event for the summer. 

The Ladies Section intend to hold a wine-tasting evening (date TBA). 

PH suggested that the Football World Cup might give an opportunity for some fund-raising tie-ins (e.g. a sweepstake). 

GH stressed the importance of efficient application of fund-raising effort, suggesting that some events take a lot of organisation put produce only moderate returns. 

PC was requested to organise a meeting of the Fundraising Subcommittee. 

Sponsorship

£570 has been raised so far. 

Membership Plus

IW reported that he will be pursuing Membership Plus renewals from the week after next. 

GROUND REPORT

BH reported that the square is in good condition, and noted the contribution of Steve Middleton. CricketForce weekend is next weekend (27th/28th March) and a good attendance was to be encouraged. The event will be promoted at Signing-on Night and on Facebook. Among the tasks remaining to be done are to paint the wall, repair the sightscreens and assemble the covers. 

PUBLICITY

Website

EY noted that team selections can be submitted for the website using a template prepared by Mike Blake.

Contact details have been updated on the website, and the domain registration renewed for 3 years. 

Facebook

DD noted that the Facebook group is currently open for anyone to post; he agreed to monitor the group for unsuitable postings. 

CLUBMARK/CHILD WELFARE

BH explained that ClubMark is essentially a certification exercise; ClubMark status significantly improves the chances of grant applications being successful. He reported that a number of clubs are finding it difficult to maintain and have had their Clubmark status withdrawn after failing inspections. After a short discussion of the pros and cons it was decided that the Club would not seek Clubmark status in the immediate future, but would continue to comply with DCCL regulations, and adopt ClubMark policies and documents where they seem beneficial. 

LY has agreed to become the club's Child Welfare Officer, but is having difficulty finding a suitable course on a date she can attend. 

BH supplied EY with a list of officials and others who have, or will require, Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks. 

Paul Taylor, as a Level 2 Coach, can certify Under-12 juniors to play in open fixtures (following a League directive). He was declared an Honorary Member (proposed: Bill Higginbottom; seconded: Glenn Reynolds). 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

PH was requested and agreed to undertake a ground check for safety concerns. 

TM had raised a query by email about insurance; BH replied that ECB-approved coaches and club members are covered by the club's insurance. 

CS announced an informal social event for players and guests to Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium on the evening of Friday 9th April (with minibus travel from the Kinder Lodge). 

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: TBA 

MEETING CLOSED 9.05pm.