Humber Squash Organisation

Humber Squash Forum

RECORD OF THE FORUM/AGM PART 1 HELD ON MONDAY 3 APRIL 2006 AT THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND, NORTH FERRIBY

PRESENT:

• Eddie Docherty, Peter Hindmarsh and Paul Matthewman (Appleby Frodingham)
• Andy Cockerill, Sapphire Sutcliffe and Mark Birtles (Hull and East Riding)
• Mike Clemson (Ferriby Hall),
• George Marshall, Steve Harris and John Mackenzie (Anlaby),
• Steve and Max Ball (Haltemprice),
• Robert Saffery (Blackburns),
• Derek Norris (Goole),
• Adam Toes (David Lloyd and East Riding of Yorkshire Council)
• Mark Shipley (England Squash).

APOLOGIES

• were received from Ron Freitag (Ferriby)
• Valda Thornton (Goole),
• Andy Stott (Total Fitness),
• Louise Waite (Hornsea)
• Andy Davidson (Scarborough)

REPORT ON 2005-2006.

Mike Clemson reported that the Directors of HDSA (Richard Townsend, Mike Clemson and Steve Ball) had met on a number of occasions. The Administrator, Craig Ellyard had resigned just before the start of the season, and Steve Ball had taken up the role at short notice to ensure that the League operated. The Directors had dealt with one formal complaint about a players behaviour on court, and had issued warnings in a small number of other cases. HDSA had attracted a grant of ?5k from Awards for All, thanks to Adam Toes, who had drafted the application, for use in developing school-club links and promoting coaching.

 

Steve Ball reported that the League had run fairly smoothly, but a number of match results cards still had to be received, the majority for matches in Division 1. Another concern was the number of matches cancelled by the away team at short notice. The enewsletters had been welcomed, as had the regular page in the Hull Sports Mail, but there had not been time to keep the website up to date. The ranking lists had also attracted interest and comment. Steve was thanked for his work and commitment, and congratulated on his appointment as Manager of Hallamshire Squash Club in Sheffield.

 

Following the 2005 Forum, HDSA had established a Development Group which had appointed Kenny Martin as Chair. In Kenny's absence, Adam Toes and Mark Shipley reported that the Development Group had met on eight occasions, its purpose being to develop junior squash, increase the number of qualifed coaches, increase the number of England Squash Affiliated Chartered Clubs, and develop school/club links, using the Awards for All grant to assist with all of this. This had led to the qualification of 23 level 1 and 3 level 2 coaches. An evening for referees had been attended by 24 people, 12 of whom took the Provisional Status exam, 6 of whom passed. A mini-squash training day for experienced part 2 and 3 level coaches had 7 participants. School/club links had commenced with two clubs, and plans were in hand to extend this with 2/3 more, assisted by Mark Shipley, who was in contact with a number of clubs about affiliation to England Squash and the pursuit of the Clubs Charter.

 

WORKING GROUPS

Mark Shipley had a useful discussion with Eddie Docherty about the implications of their affiliation to England Squash and his extension to cover their area. Adam Toes led a group discussing coaching, which included coach licensing, the Humber Sports Partnership Coach Education Courses, and the need to re-establish the Humber Area Junior Squads. The aim could be four squads per year with rotating venues, a junior league/ranking days, spotting potential from local clubs, excellence squads linked to the Area Academy, grading events, and additional courses and coaching clinics linked to Sports Sciences at Hull University. Robert Saffery led a group on Inter-Club activity which concluded that the current format of the Hull and Distrct League was basically sound, but that rules around breaches of behaviour and late cancellation of matches needed to be examined and various other areas tightened up. There was also a call for the re-establishment of the Ladies League.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING PART 1

Mike Clemson explained that this part of the meeting would deal only with the appointment and resignation of Directors, and the membership of the Development Group. It was anticipated that the new Board of Directors would re-convene the AGM within the next few weeks to deal with the remaining matters, including a Financial Report and any proposals for Rule changes for the Hull and District League.

 

The following were nominated and accepted unanimously by the eight club representatives present as Directors of the Hull and District Squash Association - Robert Saffery, Stephen Harris and Eddie Docherty. The resignations of Richard Townsend and Mike Clemson were accepted.

 

It was noted that Steve Ball would continue as a Director for the time being. It was agreed unanimously that the membership of the Development Group would comprise Robert Saffery, Stephen Harris, Steve Ball and Eddie Docherty (all ex-officio as Directors of the Company); Kenny Martin, Martin Merrikin, Henrietta Ball, Sapphire Sutcliffe, Derek Norris, Joan Perrins and Andy Cockerill.

 

The meeting was then declared closed.

 

Download the Forum Report in a Word document.