Minutes - Commitee Meeting 7 June 2017

Venue: Glossop RUFC 7^th June 2017

Present: 
Fred Swarbrick, John Powell, Ian Cosens, Greg King, Reg Robinson, Andy Thompson, Paul Whiston, Tommy Hughes & Jon Daldry

Apologies: 
Peter Rhodes, Craig Hine & Sara Shackleton

Meeting opened 18h30

Matters Arising

None. Minutes of the previous meeting (20^th February 2017) were passed as a true record.

Finance

Greg presented the Leagues Financial Statement which demonstrated similar income/expense comparisons to the 2015/16 season.  The Bank Accounts displayed a healthy position and it was decided that there would be no need to increase Membership fees for the upcoming season. The Benevolent Fund was also healthy with no payments being made during the 2016/17 season.

Sponsorship

Ian Cosens confirmed that sponsorship remains in a healthy position with thanks to Sale Sharks taking on the remaining unsponsored league divisions. Ian also presented a proposed Voucher System from Halbro – available to all current playing teams in the league - which would allow the club/team to purchase a new set of Team Shirts and enjoy a £100 discount on the purchase price. This would be limited to one set of shirts per team and will be available for the upcoming season only. A final decision from Halbro is expected by 14/6/17 – details will then be published on the League Website. The League will also be known as the ‘Halbro North West Leagues’ for the 2017/18 season. Both Brooke Edgley Specialist Technical Services & LBS will remain as the Cup Sponsors.

League Structure 2017/18

Following consultation with the clubs represented in the 2016/7 season’s Premier League it has been agreed that the format for 2017/18 will change to reflect as follows:

• Premier League – comprising of 8 teams (play each other 4x)

• Championship – comprising of 9 teams (play each other 3x)

• Division 1 – comprising of 14 teams (play each other 2x)

There will be a total of 176 teams playing in the leagues in the 2017/18 season – playing across 15 divisions – full details to be published on the website.

The Finals were held on 6th May 2017 at the Aspull and Wirral Clubs – as usual a great spectacle of rugby and window to the success of the both the Cup and League formats. Thanks were expressed to the organising Committees of both clubs, with all attendees: officials, players and supporters enjoying the hospitality provided on the day.

Dinner

This year’s Annual Presentation Dinner (the 14 th) was held at Preston Grasshoppers RUFC on 12^thMay 2017 with Mark Ashley William as MC and Guest of Honour Rosie Williams from the RFU. Overall it was felt that this was the best dinner to date with a relaxed atmosphere enjoyed by all who attended – the players and club representatives having a great time as the photos taken on the night demonstrate. Thanks go to the all the people behind the scenes at Hoppers who organised an ensured the night ran smoothly. A further word of thanks goes to Ian Cosens for all his unseen hard work on both the Dinner and Finals Day.

AGM Proposals

The Committee has received, in total 6, proposals regarding rule changes for the 2017/18 season – 4 from representative club’s a and a further 2 amendments proposed by the Committee.

The 4 proposals from our Clubs were discussed, these delivering some differences of opinion within the Committee and it was agreed that a free vote would be given to the Committee during AGM to consider the proposals.

Meeting closed 18h30