East Leagues;  Joint EWL and EML Management Meeting: Thursday 20th September 2007

Present

Russell Nutter	Ö	Neil Liversedge		Rosemary Prince	Ö
David Burt	Ö	Sarah Mann	Ö	Pritpal Sagoo
Janet Goody	Ö	Steve Mayhew		Robert Southgate	Ö
Cliff Gulbis	Ö	Samantha Menear	Ö	Trevor Williams	Ö
Barry Harness	Ö	Jim Morris
Bob King		Richard Munns	Ö

Apologies: Neil Liversedge, Pritpal Sagoo, Jim Morris, Bob King,

Minutes of previous meeting.
Agreed as correct.

1. Correspondence

1.1. Cambridge University had asked for dispensation from player registration and starring deadlines due to late arrival of freshers this season.  Agreed that the Club must submit a list of 10 starred players before the start of the season.  Subsequent amendments can be made to that list, and whilst the rule limits those changes to November and January, we will be flexible with regard to any changes needed just after the start of the season.  TW to advise Club.

2. Sponsorship

2.1. We have entered into a three-year sponsorship deal with NE14HOCKEY, a new hockey website based in East but operating nationally. The website is designed to complement existing hockey sites and will feature hockey news stories, opinions, opportunities and information on a national and regional basis. It will provide a 'free to register' information resource for clubs who want to promote themselves to potential new members, publicise their festivals and tournaments and organise their own tours. NE14HOCKEY will sponsor the East Leagues at a rate of £1000 per season, primarily in return for logo links on the East League website pages.

3. Playing matters

3.1. A request from a regular goalkeeper wishing to play as a field player on a regular basis in a lower team was agreed, i.e. he is to be treated as if two different players.  This is not a change in the League Rules, but is a dispensation from the Committee, and other similar requests will have to be treated on an individual basis.  

3.2. Noted that the restriction on overseas players in EML Premier A and EWL Premier is now limited to one such player per season, in line with changed EH policy.

4. League structure and organisation

4.1. David Burt is expected to relocate to Antarctica for two months, from late Nov to early Feb.  Cover for results and queries will be provided as follows:  6SW CG, 7SW PS, 8SW RN, 9SW SM.
DB to advise TW when dates are finalised.

4.2. Revised Postponement Guidelines were discussed and agreed: (a) League Managers may consider giving postponements to 2nd teams because of commitments to national/regional indoor competitions, and may also consider the loss of junior players.  However, the number of players lost to the League team must be significant (it is not acceptable to have a postponement just for the loss of a goalkeeper).  Clubs receiving such postponements must be reminded that players not involved in the national/regional competition must not play down in East League matches.
(b)Teams playing in lower divisions with less than 22 fixtures in the season can move fixtures to blank league dates (not slips) at the discretion of the League Manager and if both teams agree.

4.3. EWL Division 2C now includes teams as far apart as Welwyn and Yarmouth (228 miles round trip).  Likewise Division 2S includes Harpenden and Canterbury (183 miles).  Splitting the League at this level into more divisions would significantly decrease overall travel distances.  Agreed that we should have four divisions 2 next season.  The initial and ultimate sizes of the four divisions needs further consideration.  TW to seek County League opinions and Club comments.

4.4. The new website player transfer system is fully set up and replaces the use of Transfer Forms.

5. Finance

5.1. Most clubs have paid league fees for the coming season.

5.2. Sponsorship of £1000 has been received from NE14HOCKEY.

6. Umpiring

6.1. Umpire complaint form:  ERHUA continues to progress.

6.2. The new website club umpire listing system is fully set up and clubs are already adding details of all their umpires ready for the new season.

7. Discipline

7.1. Clubs have been reminded of players with carried over yellow card bans.  In response to a query, confirmed that a multiple yellow card ban runs consecutively after a red card ban.

8. Presentation Day:  the venue for 2008 should be in the south of the Region.  SM to investigate the availability of Redbridge & Ilford Sports Centre for June 8th. 
Agreed that in 2009 the venue should be in the north, and Vauxhall Sports Club had already volunteered their availability.

9. Future meetings:  15 Nov, 7 Feb, 17 Apr, Stansted Hilton 7.30.  AGM: 8 June