MINUTES
OF THE MEETING OF THE ERHA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER
2007 AT 7 PM AT THE HILTON HOTEL, STANSTED
PRESENT:
ERHA
Management Counties
Bill
Felton, President [BF] Judith Krone,
Essex [JK]
Sheila
George, Deputy President [SG] Jill Warwick, Lincs [JW]
Margaret
McCall, Treasurer [MM] Peter Wright, Norfolk [PW]
Fiona
Robson, Acting Secretary [FR]
Miche Bloch,
Performance [MB]
Mike
Trett, Umpiring [MT]
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Catherine
Lymer, Secretary; Russell Nutter, League; Charlie
Farrow, England Hockey; Loraine Bant, Competitions; John
Helliwell, PR & Appeals; Adam Greaves, Cambs;
Wendy Borer, Kent; Robert Oakley, Beds; John Adams, Suffolk.
Welcome
to all and introduction of and good luck passed on to Shelia George and Miche Bloch in their new roles for ERHA Management. All made aware of situation regarding Ken Lochhead and that our best wishes had been passed on to him
– BF.
1. MINUTES OF THE MANAGEMENT MEETING HELD ON 9 MAY 07 AND AGM
HELD ON 5 JULY 07
Changes
to minutes of last meeting. SG in role as umpiring secretary for 13 years not
12. Agreed and correction made.
Minutes
of last meeting duly signed by BF. No discussions arising from AGM minutes will
be signed next year.
2.
MATTERS
ARISING FROM THESE MINUTES
Management
Meeting 9 May 2007
[a]
Handbook Update – BF – expressed his thanks to Trevor Williams for doing an
excellent job with the handbook. Confirmed with county representatives that
counties had received their copies, all agreed.
[b]
Child Welfare Officer – Decided this would be discussed under the RCC report
later in the meeting.
AGM
5 July 2007
BF
– referred to the question posed at the AGM from Richard West of Herts HA
regarding the sum of money in the account and the way this may be spent. It was
highlighted that this would be discussed at this meeting. Highlighted loss on
East camps last year and fact that accounts had not yet been audited, therefore
suggested that ideas be discussed but no final decisions made until next Management
meeting in November. Agreed that Herts question from AGM be discussed at next
meeting in November.
MT
– in agreement as umpiring committee are looking into additional income
proposals including: 1. develop ideas around the future development of umpires
with county umpires and 2. Mileage allowance available – putting off county
umpires becoming East umpires. BF – What is current mileage rate? MT confirmed
16p a mile.
3.
DISCUSS
FUNCTION OF DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
·
It was agreed
at the last meeting that there would be a discussion over the almost
abandonment of the committee.
·
BF –
subsequent to this had spoken to John Hendy in length who feels that the
development committee should be separate to performance and would be happy to
chair such meetings. BF asked for the feelings of the group in response to
this.
·
SG - felt
that if someone was prepared to take on role it would be worth trying. BF was
in agreement.
·
It was
discussed whether the constitution devised at the AGM would need to be altered.
Felt by group that John Hendy could be put forward as the nominated
representative to chair the committee and therefore the statement that the
committee shall be ‘…chaired by the Deputy President of the Association or a
nominated representative’ withstands.
·
BF – will
approach John Hendy and invite him to the next management meeting as the
Development representative.
·
JK – enquired
about what John’s role will entail to which MB explained it will look at hockey
generally, including its ethos, ideology and coach development. Very much a
visionary role.
·
BF – asked MB
to find out performance committee dates and let these be known.
4.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
[a]
Finance (report in appendices)
·
Accounts now
audited.
·
BF and MM expressed
thanks to David Hobbs for auditing accounts.
·
Major issue:
budget from squad managers still outstanding for imminent regional
tournaments. MB –will chase up.
·
MM – asked
that county committees ensure treasurers send fees to MM for clubs by 30
November and schools by 29 February.
·
Looking into
possibility of ERHUA treasurer paying umpire claims and submitting details to
ERHA rather then current situation of East treasurer doing so. MM plans to
record ideas, circulate and receive feedback.
·
Discussion
followed relating to points previously raised by MT regarding umpire mileage.
Subs at clubs discussed in relation to that of umpires. MM highlighted that if
the fee was to increase that it would have to be across the board. MB –
suggested looking into a way of making umpiring more attractive so that they
can engage more with the rest of the hockey community.
·
MT stated
that this was currently an idea and the umpiring committee would put more
thought into it and come back with firm proposals.
[b]
Performance (report in appendices)
·
MB gave the
group a brief introduction to her background and previous roles in the East performance
group over last three years. MB thanked Steve Baker, Ian Le Page and John Hendy
for running things over the last 15 years and stressed that she hopes she can
take the committee forward in line with what the National Governing Body is
trying to achieve.
·
Appointment
of CCC’s is fantastic. Working with performance in
lead up to Regional tournaments and tournament itself.
·
Well rounded
performance syllabus being developed. Fantastic direction being given by Jane
Powell.
·
Summer camps
2007 catered for 330 players over 7 camps. Reduction in numbers from last year
due to several factors including pitch availability and lateness of invitations
being sent out. JK – highlighted also that there may have been some confusion
over who the counties invited. MB agreed and assured the group that this would
be resolved for next year. Camps seen as successful with positive feedback
being received and a small surplus expected.
·
Suitable
applicants encouraged to apply for vacant roles on the performance group by
contacting MB.
·
Cost to a
player of tournaments, training, petrol, hotels likely to be £700 - £1,000 and
consequently John Hendy is looking into sponsorship opportunities.
·
BF –
highlighted that David Faulkner has previously highlighted that a lot of the CCC’s are Level 2 qualified but few at Level three and
there is the need to push the coaches. MB – agreed. MM – highlighted the shortage
of female coaches appointed to which MB expressed that she felt that this is
getting better.
[c]
League (no report)
·
MT – informed
the group that Broxbourne Hockey Club has responded well to what the league has
asked of them.
[d]
Competitions (no report)
[e]
Umpires (report in appendices)
·
Highlighted
success of Premier League Umpires’ meeting held at Chelmsford and Old Loughtonians Hockey Club and incorporation of exchange
umpires at event.
·
New roles for
Jack Warner as Chief Coach and Shelia George as president and Mary
Baker in secretarial role.
·
BF – viewed
the tournament as excellent and umpires present, including Spanish umpire
active at Euro hockey Championships, aided those to see the strength of the
event. MT added that the opportunity for East umpires to umpire Division 1 and
2 at Old Loughtonians and to perform well was a great
boost in confidence for those involved.
·
BF –
highlighted situation regarding Emma Davey and indicated the preference that
someone on the umpiring committee who sits on the England Hockey committee
should aid in the situation being resolved rather than him. Stated that he is a
great believer in youth and was complementary about Emma’s previous umpiring
performances.
[f]
England Hockey
RM
(report in appendices)
·
JK – attended
Euro Hockey Nations Championships and felt that it was excellent.
·
BF –
congratulated England Hockey for what they did at the event but highlighted that
unfortunately not enough tickets were
sold and they are looking at a loss likely to be in the region of six figures.
·
Short
discussion about the achievements of the England teams and also on quality of television
commentary for the Euro hockey Nations being poor.
[g]
Regions’ Consultative Committee (report
in appendices)
·
BF – main question
raised at meeting in terms of East was whether or not the Ladies Counties
Championships should be disbanded. Hosted this year in Chelmsford, only 5 teams
involved, and loss on programme sales. JK suggested that as adult teams
involved there are fewer spectators attending in comparison to youth. MB in
agreement and suggested marketing and promoting is key. Championships to
continue as long as counties wish to play.
·
Discussion occurred
over whether the date for the under 13 players in the league should be 1st
January or their actual birthday. General consensus was actual birthday. Being taken
back to board.
·
Next meeting
3 December
5.
UPDATE ON THE
SINGLE SYSTEM FOR HOCKEY (report sent
as attachment)
BF
attended regional Single System meeting in Manchester whereby the regional
representatives agreed that the locations of the regional centres in the East
would be at Bury St Edmunds and St Albans. Next meeting to take place at Millfield on 21 October with 2 or 3 representatives present
from each region. JK – has it been mapped where the hockey players are to where
the regional centres are going to be? BF and MB confirm this has taken place. BF – views the location of the Midlands and
South centres as beneficial to the East as clear opportunities for players to
cross borders to attend (Midland centre – Loughborough, South centre –
Maidstone/Sevenoaks/Tunbridge).
6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
·
BF – informed
the group that 9 men’s sides and 6 ladies sides entered for Indoor competitions.
Meeting to be held to finalise matters for December. MT – highlighted issue of
umpire availability over two weekends in December due to youth and schools indoor
competitions taking place at same time.
·
SG – recently
reviewed Norfolk child protection policy and brought it up to date as three
years since it was established. Norfolk policy endorsed by Active Norfolk and
the CSP is running courses such as Safeguarding and Protecting children.
Expressed the need to impress upon the counties the need for a policy rather
than sitting and holding on for booklet coming from England Hockey. BF – informed group that Alison Hogg at
England Hockey has drawn up the first draft of code of ethics but this is
unlikely to come into effect until season 2008/09.
·
JH – Single
System meeting coming up in Lincolnshire next week. Discussions followed surrounding the appropriateness
of emailing as a form of communication in relation to such an important issue.
It was seen that a letter/ phone call may be more suited and that if a buy in
was needed from everyone a personal approach needs to be taken. BF to take
points to the next RCC meeting.
FULL
COMMITTEE REPORTS APPEAR ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES.
The
meeting closed at 9.25 pm with the president thanking all for coming. A special
thanks was given to Fiona Robson for attending on behalf of Catherine Lymer and taking the meeting minutes.
President
………………………………………………………………… Date
…………………………………………………..
Honorary Treasurer’s report – ERHA
Management 12th September 2007
For information:
1. Accounts 2006/7 – now audited. Comments from auditor – concern over the
expenditure on Performance activities and need squad managers to detail income
from purchase of kit to ensure that East is not subsidising purchase of kit.
2. Camps – in midst of paying invoices and
staff fees.
3. Squads – am still awaiting budgets from
managers and Regional Tournaments are imminent.
4. Affiliation fees – will be writing to
County treasurers about deadlines for collection of East fees. Please would County Committees ensure that
their treasurers send me the fees for clubs by 30th November and schools by 29th
February.
5. Indoor trophy – trophy for women’s event
purchased.
6. Bank accounts – signatures being changed
to reflect changes in President and Deputy President.
7. Payment of umpires expenses – over half
of the treasurer’s work involves paying the umpires claims and it may be more
efficient and make the ERHUA more aware of the cost of umpiring if the ERHUA
Treasurer paid these claims and submitted details to the ERHA. I intend looking into this during this year.
Margaret McCall
Honorary
Treasurer
EAST REGION PERFORMANCE GROUP REPORT
The boys Regional Tournament is to be held at Belle Vue and the girls at Millfield in October. The East U15 and U17 boys and girls final squad selections have now been made for these and will be sent to the East Office in order that they can be put on the website before the end of September.
East Coaching Representatives have been present at County League Matches this year for both boys and girls and at each age group. They have also communicated with County coaching staff regarding player invitations to Squad training and trials. This process has been successful in not only producing the tournament squads but also the training groups for U13 and U14’s.
We also have the benefit of the East Centrally Contracted Coaches working with us in the lead up to the tournament and at the tournament itself. The integration of these staff with ours has already taken place having utilised their skills at the East Camp in August.
The England Centrally Contracted Coaches are planning to work with our Elite Players after the Regional Tournaments at the U14, U15 and U16 age groups. This will involve further selection by the East Performance Coaches shortly to identify those with realistic potential for England selection and beyond. Once these players have been nominated, geographical location will be looked at and a Centrally Contracted Coach allocated to a group dependent on location.
A well-rounded syllabus is currently being developed by England in order to ensure consistency of technical skills learned and delivery of them. The emphasis here is on both the players and the coaching staff. We had hoped to use this as a prototype in our August Camps this year but it was not yet available for use. Instead we integrated the newly appointed Centrally Contracted Coaches into our system to ensure consistency of technical points and the delivery of them.
Again, we are taking a lead from England and have expressed an interest in remaining in line with them so our players and staff are not disadvantaged. Our East Camp Player Feedback Form was vetted by England prior to Camp, England requested we concentrate on certain technical aspects this year and look to give feedback again related to certain areas. Also the TID process should be finalised soon which will of course give good direction to us at a Regional level which we can then filter down to County level in order that we can select the correct ‘performance’ players based on set criteria.
This year’s camps were held at Culford School, Bury St Edmunds. We provided for 330 players over 7 camps, less than last year’s 490 over 8 camps. The reason for the decrease in numbers is multifaceted, mainly – 1. Culford were not able to accommodate us for 1 set of dates, 2. We felt in light of last year’s numbers and the availability of just the one pitch a reduction was necessary and 3. We placed the focus on performance over development.
We hosted an England Coaching Workshop on 12th August, half way through the camps, and over 40 coaches from the East Region attended.
Feedback thus far from the Camps has been positive – though the run up to it might not have been as seamless! The next Performance Group Management meeting will be discussing the future aims, development, admin, structure, locations, kit, pricing, service delivery & equipment.
We expect that a surplus will be made on 2007 camps, a full report with accounts is in progress and will be available to the Treasurer shortly with a view to presentation at the next management meeting.
Chair – Miche Bloch
Squads – TBC
Camps – Fiona Gall
Secretariat/Treasurer liaison – TBC
Kit – Phil Hurst
Sponsorship – John Hendy
EYE & IDS – Sarah Fretwell
We welcome applications from individuals you may believe are suited to vacant roles.
It has been noted by England that we in the East are in the fortunate position of having youthful, high calibre, energetic staff coaches and managers who demonstrate their ability to deliver successfully on the ground. We must continue identifying and developing individuals who wish to choose the coaching/management career route and aid them in attaining their qualifications. So often, due to individual playing commitments the paperwork and qualifications have not been undertaken although the individual is quite capable of attaining high-level coach recognition.
East Region Centrally Contracted Coaches: Julian Halls, Joe Cowan, Stuart Hendy (GK), Chris Gladman, Alan Lindsay, Simon Letchford - Apprentice CCC’s: Royce Waters, Miche Bloch, Claire Mackinder (Midlands)
Bill Fenton and John Hendy attended the Manchester meeting of the Regional performance representatives – a report has been tabled separately. Bill, John and Miche Bloch will attend the next meeting at Millfield in October to represent the East and to aid in discussions and decision-making in this national undertaking.
The last East management meeting allocated the coaching education brief to performance. The performance committee would like to take on this brief on the understandings that 1. Development takes a far more active role than it has over the last few years and 2. Performance and Development work closely together to deliver coaching development specifically and to enhance the implementation of the single system in general in the East. We wish to nominate John Hendy to Chair the Development Committee as the first step in accomplishing these vital tasks.
Miche Bloch – Performance Chair 10.09.07
The Umpiring Committee met last week.
Since then we have all been extremely busy with PLUM (Premier League Umpires’ Meeting). This was a very successful event held at two venues, Chelmsford and Old Loughts, last weekend. Several EHL teams, various divisions, men and women, as well as some regional teams, participated in the event which provided excellent experience for our umpires. We were also able to host some international exchange umpires from Spain, France and Ireland, who contributed to the success of the weekend. Two of our umpires had returned, the previous weekend, from Ireland thus completing that part of the exchange. Other parts of the exchange are planned for later in the season.
I am pleased to say that for the season ahead the problems associated with the Young Umpires’ Group should be behind us. I am sure that Emma and Jo Davey, Luke Minshall and Norman Hart will ensure that all obligations are met during this season. Our “new” Chief Coach, Jack Warner is already working hard to reinvigorate our Development Panel of umpires. (Umpires who are possibly going to become East umpires in the next couple of years.) This should enable the supply of umpires to the Association to improve.
The Umpiring Committee considered the use of additional funding, as requested at the AGM. It is too early to come forward with definite proposals but we wish to develop ideas around the future development of umpires with our colleagues in CUAs. Clearly, a good umpire supply is essential to the future of our game. We will work on this idea during the Autumn and should be able to come forward with something more definite in time for our next meeting. There was also a ground swell of opinion, especially from CUA representatives that the mileage allowance needs to be increased. Some umpires are reluctant to leave county level hockey because of the additional travelling.
As I reported at the AGM we have a new President, Secretary and Chief Coach. I am sure that they, together with the other Committee members, will work hard to ensure the future of umpiring in the East.
Mike Trett
September
2007
|
EURO NATIONS HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS |
|
The event which took place last month was in every way a big success, feedback from players’ official, retailers and most importantly spectators was all very positive. The venue looked great, the atmosphere was wonderful and even the sun came out after the first few days. The England women achieved an exciting and hard earned bronze medal and Olympic qualification of course whilst the men will have to go to the tough qualifiers to try to reach Beijing. |
|
SINGLE SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION |
|
Management will be aware of the meeting held in Manchester at which considerable progress was made to the planning for Regional Player Development Centres (JRPC’s) and I am delighted to report that the east region are leading the way in working with us in planning these new centres. At county level we are leading a series of planning meetings throughout September at which County HA’s and Hockey Development Groups are planning the implementation of county level academies (JAC’s) and sub county centres (JDC’s.) These centres will be introduced over the next three years and will provide a pathway for young people into the regional centres. As reported at the AGM significant grants are being made available from England Hockey to counties to support the introduction of these new centres. |
|
CENTRALLY CONTRACTED COACHES |
|
I am delighted that we now have six Centrally Contracted Coaches working in the region four of whom worked in partnership with East coaches over the Development Camps in August. The East performance team are to be congratulated for the positive way you have engaged in Jane Powell and our team of coaches. Simon Letchford and Jo Cowan (two CCC’s) lead a very successful coaches workshop in August which was a joint venture between England Hockey and the East Performance team. Thanks especially to Miche and John for making this happen. |
|
EAST YOUTH PANEL |
|
The Youth Panel had its first meeting in July and the next one takes place on Sunday 23rd September. Ten young people have signed up to the panel who will be working closely with ERHA competitions in developing and supporting the Youth Festival (mini finals) in April next year. The panel offers a tremendous opportunity / showcase for young volunteers and we look forward to them making a big impact and encouraging other young people to get involved in hockey volunteering at their clubs in counties etc. |
|
EAST RYUAG |
|
The RYUAG has a meeting planned for mid October at which I am looking to recruit a new chair to steer the group forward over the next two years or so. Liaison with ERHUA Youth Panel / development officers has improved massively with Emma Davey, Jo Davey, Luke Minshall and Norman Hart taking on the role jointly and doing a great job already! It promises to be great year for young umpire development in the east. |
|
COACH EDUCATION |
|
The mainly summer programme of level one and two courses is coming to an end with just one day of the regional level two course remaining and one further level one course arranged for November in Cambridgeshire. We have experienced very high demand this year. We are busy at present arranging a series of important Level two assessments assisting several coaches who took their level two in 2005 and 2006 to complete the award. |
Charlie Farrow September 07
England Hockey (East Team)
Charlie Farrow - Regional Manager Tel 07811 336895 email charlie.farrow@englandhockey.org
Sapphire
Cutting - Development Officer (Essex, Suffolk and
Hertfordshire)
Tel 07781 898509 email sapphire.cutting@englandhockey.org
Catherine Lymer Development Officer (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire) Tel 07718 980515 catherine.lymer@englandhockey.org
Fiona Robson Regional Administrator Tel 01284 756930 Email east@englandhockey.org
County
Based Hockey Development Officers.
Dave Carter (Lincolnshire) Tel 0794 0954160 email d.carter@lincolnshiresports.co.uk
Connie Bedingfield (Norfolk) Tel 0778 5724967 email