Present
|
Russell Nutter |
Ö |
Bob King |
|
Richard Munns |
Ö |
|
David Burt |
Ö |
Neil Liversedge |
|
Rosemary Prince |
Ö |
|
Janet Goody |
Ö |
Sarah Mann |
Ö |
Pritpal Sagoo |
Ö |
|
Cliff Gulbis |
Ö |
Steve Mayhew |
Ö |
Robert Southgate |
Ö |
|
Barry Harness |
Ö |
Samantha
Menear |
Ö |
Trevor Williams |
Ö |
|
Mike Huckerby |
|
Jim
Morris |
Ö |
|
|
Chair
Russell
Nutter
Apologies
Mike Huckerby, Bob King, Neil Liversedge
Minutes of previous meeting.
There were no issues arising.
1. Correspondence
1.1.
Agreed that if St Albans HC wished
to put some lower teams into the EML that would be welcomed, and if it were
done over more than one season, incoming teams after the first season would be
placed in an appropriate division, i.e. the requirement for new teams from an
existing club to enter the bottom division would be waived under Rule 1.6.1.
1.2.
Noted that Tring
HC and Berkhamsted HC were evaluating a possible
merger.
1.3.
University of Essex owed Romford HC
pitch costs for late cancelled matches in the 05/06 season. Despite every effort by Romford and by the
East League Sec, no payment had been forthcoming. Agreed that the Club would be suspended from
the League with immediate effect until payment made. (TW ).
2. Playing
matters
2.1.
Some clubs in EWL had expressed
concerns about playing in the autumn half-term period. Agreed that with the growth of the league to
12-team divisions next season, an additional half-term break would not be
possible, and in any case clubs at this level should see player absences as
opportunities for players in lower teams.
Clubs to be advised as necessary (SMann)
2.2.
Noted that Norwich City 4 had attempted to use an unqualified umpire versus North Walsham. Norwich City
to be warned that it is unacceptable to plan to use an unqualified umpire, and that games umpired by such will be awarded aginst the team. (SMenear).
2.3. Due to shortage, Dereham 2 used an unqualified umpire
versus North Walsham 1. The latter team walked off at half time when
advised by their umpire that the Dereham umpire was
unqualified. Match to be replayed, and
North Walsham to be warned that their umpires and
teams must not behave in this way (PS).
2.4.
Following complaints from other
teams, the selection policies for two Broxbourne teams are being
investigated (CG).
2.5.
The match between West Herts 2 and
Long Sutton 1 on 11 Nov had been abandoned following persistent complaining to
the umpires by West Herts. Agreed that
the match be awarded to Long Sutton (RS / RM/ TW).
2.6.
Difficulties in identifying the
recipient of a red card in the Plashet –Havering match were resolved and the correct
player had served the16-day suspension.
2.7.
General warnings to all clubs about
late results and teamsheets have been issued to all teams in Divisions 3NE,
4NE, 5NE and 6SW, 7SW, 8SW 9SW.
2.8.
Umpiring peculiarities regarding a (dis)allowed goal in the match between March 3 and Alford 2
are not within the remit of the League Committee.
2.9.
Ely 3 had forfeited a match due to
lack of a goalkeeper. On the same day
Ely 4 had played their league match on a friendly basis, but now sought to
replay the match as a league match.
This is not acceptable, and the 0-3 award stands (BH).
Noted that from January lack of a fully equipped goalkeeper would no longer be
an issue due to changes in the Rules of Hockey.
2.10.
Warnings have been issued to a
number of clubs hoping to double up players outside the rules.
3. League
structure and organisation
3.1.
EH Proposals for A Single System for
Hockey: The survey of
all East clubs to determine the impact on team numbers of EH proposals to ban
U13, U14, and U15 players from senior leagues is under way, covering all East
League clubs and the three County Ladies Leagues that had asked to be included (Norfolk,
Suffolk, and Cambs).
There has been an astonishing 70% response rate so far. Based on responses to date, if U-15 players
were banned from adult hockey, the East Men’s League would lose around 100
teams, the East Women’s League 10 teams, and County Leagues an average of 1 team
per club – in all 250-300 teams throughout East.
Comments from clubs were overwhelmingly against the proposal, and ranged from
the critical to the vitriolic. The final
report should be available in December (TW).
There will be a consultative meeting between England Hockey and the Regional
Leagues on the LTAD proposals in January.
The age limitation proposals are of great concern to all leagues,
particularly those like East with large areas where junior/badger leagues
cannot be established.
EHL restructuring: A
consultation paper will be issued by England Hockey to all EHL and Regional
Premier Clubs in December or January setting out options for a new national
league structure with a greater emphasis on player development. Regional Leagues and the EHL will also be
invited to comment. The paper will be
circulated when available (TW).
4. Finance
4.1. Fines
for late teamsheets etc in the EWL are few in number and generally paid promptly.
5. Umpiring
5.1. Umpire
complaint form: draft now with SM for
finalisation.
5.2. Three
clubs have been reported to the League as not supplying umpires to county pools
as required by League Rule 5.1, whilst receiving umpires from both a county
pool and East pool. Appropriate warnings
were issued. To date, East and County
umpire associations will not confirm that the clubs are now in compliance,
despite requests to do so*.
Noted that Cambridge University is a club with no qualified umpires at all, but
one that is still regularly receiving pool umpires.
With no proper communications from umpiring associations and the allowance of
exceptions by umpiring associations, it is impossible for the Leagues to fairly
and properly manage the rule. This issue
is to be pursued at East Management level (RN).
5.3. Check
on club umpire memberships of County HUA are in progress, following which lists
will be copied to League Managers (SM).
6. Discipline
6.1.
An incident in the EWL between
Cambridge University and Cambridge City had led to a complaint by the University about the conduct
of the East pool umpires during and after the game. This was passed to ERHUA. No further information is available.
6.2.
Monitoring of Bedford 1st
team behaviour by East umpires is in progress, with no issues reported in early
October.
6.3.
Cards to date: EML – 352 Yellow, 7 Red. EWL – 31 Yellow, 1 Red.
The worst offending clubs are, in order,
Broxbourne, West Herts, Pelicans, Wisbech, Bedford.
It is apparent that red cards as noted on teamsheets are not always entering or
progressing through the county disciplinary
7. Rule
changes for 2007/8 – proposal subject to 2007 AGM
7.1. Fixture
card supply this season is much improved on last season, with only 30 clubs
failing to meet the deadline. However,
with less than half of all clubs now producing a paper fixture card, the value
of cards as an advertising opportunity for an East sponsor is much diminished,
and likewise the need for a central league collection. Agreed to recommend
scrapping the rule next season. In view
of this, agreed that no fines be applied this season for breaches of the rule. .
8. Presentation
Day and AGM 2007
8.1. Venue
details still being pursued (RM, DB)
9. Future
meetings: Committee
2006-7: 8th Feb, 26th April, Stansted Hilton, starting time 7.30.