NORTH WEST INTERMEDIATE RUGBY UNION LEAGUES
SPONSORED BY HALBRO
Minutes of the A.G.M. Meeting: Leigh RUFC on 30th June 2022
Committee Present: Fred Swarbrick, John Powell, Andy Thompson, Paul Riordan, Peter Harrison, Peter Rhodes, Paul O’Riordan, Crag Hines, Craig Ross, Tommy Hughes and Mark AshleyApologies Committee: Ian Cousens, Greg King and Sarah Shackleton
Attendees Clubs: Mike Marrow Aldwinians Clive Ennis Broughton Daniel Marrow Aldwinians J Knight Macclesfield Geoff Perks Warrington J Curtis Macclesfield Les Towler Bolton R Tomlinson Macclesfield B Elliott Lostock Martin Parkinson Eccles Allen Bower Ashton-u-Lyne
Apologies Clubs: Don Edmundson - EcclesMeeting opened at 19:30
Chairman’s Report: I’m sure you will realise that last season was one of the most difficult to run, and administer, since the Leagues commenced now some 20 years ago. Yes 20 years since we first met to set up our structures which indeed continue as of today.
A number, including myself, are still together as members of your Committee (now good friends). I wonder how many of you here tonight were with us 20 years ago as we developed the Leagues.
We now have the fixtures prepared and of necessity we have had to set up our Leagues on a 12 team basis, an anathema to my thoughts, but we needed to be in line with the National Leagues in order to set our fixtures alongside, the Nationals.
Once again John Powell has carried out the task of setting up our fixtures, 143 sides involved over 12 leagues not an easy task. We were faced with many queries regards placements and John has managed to cover all these needs apart from one. You will note that the mileages necessary for travel have reduced considerably (John has worked assiduously on these needs) as we attempt to meet the necessary requirements of our sides. Premier and Division One, not particularly easy to accommodate with the need to maintain levels of competition at these levels.
The season was affected by the Covid bug and numerous changes regarding cancellations and postponements were required as the season progressed. The honesty regards cancellations due to Covid being genuine or not, was in fact unbelievable and thank you all for offering the truth in the many instances. (“The excuse of Covid being responsible for cancellations rather than a real shortage of players did not seem to be used generally.”)
Hopefully we can now start in September without any “bug” interruptions. We are aware of the different competitions, nationally, being played next season on top of the normal Home Internationals, and it could, just be that 12 team leagues in place could help in needs of re-arrangements. Note in these cases once again two or three sites need to be updated for communication purposes. Early notice will always be appreciated. Hopefully the needs won’t be too numerous.
We are continually reminded that our “Concede” rules are too severe, but we run at possibly 8 – 16 % concessions (inevitably higher this season), South of England 50% Midland 35% and North East 25% . You will realise that during the past season we have allowed postponements in many cases and we are certain this has maintained the low figure of concedes and indeed sides leaving us during the difficult times. Perhaps in conversations with your relevant League managers and the imposition of 12 team leagues there could be options in some cases, to alleviate the need of a concession.
We were met with difficult situations in this sphere even moving to our renowned Premier Division where 2 sides left us, Kirkby Lonsdale early season and latterly Macclesfield one of our most successful sides since the instigation of the Leagues. Were these difficult situations for us ??? Must thank the Macclesfield Club for continuing in the Cup and you’ll note we have now included a ruling that any side having to leave us will be able to continue in our Cup Competitions.
You will note the Competitions will now be held in late season March/April again in line with the Nationals. The Finals Day at Sedgley Park and Vale of Lune did produce some brilliant competitive games enjoyed by all present. The Finals’ Day is becoming – no it is - a blue riband event in the North West rugby calendar. The time to apply to hold the Finals Day will be posted on the Web Site soon after the seasons commencement.
Your Committee as at present are prepared in total to continue next season and we would hope they might receive your support as we move into the election of officers on the Agenda this evening.
Again, as above, please in all cases of player availability issues, consult your particular League Secretary with regard to possibilities. Our low cancellation figures do offer security of fixtures which indeed is appreciated by your oppositions on a particular day, but also by our Refereeing fraternity who like to know there is certainty that the game will take place. This benefits us all !!!
Can I offer all a successful season, uninterrupted by any outside issues, allowing us to complete hopefully one of our most successful League Seasons. The Leagues being the envy of our other friends in the game as a whole… Fred SwarbrickChairman of the Halbro North West Leagues…
Sponsorship: All leagues and 1 of the cup finals were sponsored during 21-22 season and it is hoped that these Sponsors will continue to support the leagues
Finance: During the 21/22 season the league had suspended fees for clubs and that in line with smaller funding from the RFU meant income was down on previous pre-covid seasons. Even so the League continued to subsidise the Annual Dinner by £5,000. There was £5,280 expenditure on trophies a couple needed to be renewed. Overall, the closing balance on the account at the 31st May 2022 was £31,657.51In the Benevolent Fund the closing balance was £9,519.88 with £1,242 of receipts from collections at the dinner and cup finals and £2,500 had been paid out to 2 self-employed players who suffered serious injury and were unable to work.Following presentation of the accounts a discussion took place with regards to the Benevolent Fund which is unique to NOWIRUL. This year we had support 2 self-employed players with serious injuries. Macclesfield asked whether the league should recommend to players to get insurance, but it was agreed that the Clubs were best placed to ensure players were notified of the need to take out adequate insurance especially for self-employed players.
Fixture Secretary: That was a very interesting season that we have just finished. We always knew it was going to be challenging and wasn’t surprised with what happened.We saw the problem of teams being affected by outbreaks of Covid and the shortage pf players many concerned about returning to playing.Rule adaptions were made throughout the season. We allowed many late re-arrangements (167), and we allowed postponements due to Covid (76). However, by the New Year things began to get back to normal and we reduced the number or rearrangements and postponements allowed.By the end of the season all fixtures had been finalised. Some 52 Fixtures were decided by Pools Panel and 362 games had been rearranged for the various reasons. Luckily the weather was reasonable and only 71 games had to be rearranged due to weather.Out of a total of 1653 scheduled games 277 were conceded and 28 teams had to leave due to the number of concedes accrued. That is 16% which is higher than usual but low compared with Leagues throughout the country.We started with 147 teams and ended the season with 119 teams. 8 teams have left us at the end of the season for various reasons. These include Whitchurch and Newcastle who joined the Midlands RFU Leagues and Blackpool joined the North RFU Leagues. Aspull 2 joined the ADM Combi League. Lostock has joined with the Bolton Club and Leyland Warriors has joined with Tarleton.We have been in discussions with the ADM Combi Leagues throughout the summer and indeed 5 teams have joined us. Another 10 new teams have joined us including Congleton 1s and Sale Vikings. Including the 15 teams who have reapplied to join, the number in the Leagues is now 143.Following the RFU setup and structure we decided to ensure that Leagues would be a maximum of 12 teams in size following the RFU Dates. This allows for a balance in Home and Away fixtures.We now look forward to the start of a new season.
RULE CHANGING PROPOSALS
Rule 20: RearrangementsAll fixtures will be decided by the League Committee. In Division 3 and above, games to be rearranged if the grounds are unfit. The Leagues FIXTURES Secretary will decide the date of the rearranged fixture. This will usually be the first available Saturday. In the case of a league game date being changed to accommodate postponed games, the two fixtures’ secretaries will be informed and given an opportunity to express any concerns. Once agreed any failure to play the game will result in a concede against the offending team. Where Saturdays are no longer available to rearrange postponed games, the leagues Rule Committee will discuss various options to allow the fixtures to be settled. This might involve Double Headers and Pools Panel. There is No appeal available against Pools Panel decisionsIn Div 4 and 5 the following will apply This part of the Rule is suspended from January 1st 2022 to the end of the season• Weather Postponed games will not be rearranged. The Pools Panel will be used for all matches postponed due to weather.• Requests to postpone (Reasons other than weather) must be agreed by both teams with the League Secretary and an agreed date be arranged.PLEASE SEE INFORMATION ON WEBSITE NEWS REGARDING POSTPONEMENTS CAUSED BY COVID
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Rule 20: RearrangementsAll fixtures will be decided by the League Committee.Where matches need to be re-arranged, for whatever reason, the decision on the rearranged date must be ratified by League’s FIXTURE SECRETARY.If a team requires a re-arrangement, they must gain the agreement of their opponents and a new date agreed. This information must be communicated immediately to their League Manager. If there are no dates available, the re-arrangement cannot take place and the fixture is expected to be played on the original date.Weather postponed games will be rearranged by the League’s Fixtures Secretary. This will usually be the first available Saturday. Where Saturdays are no longer available to rearrange these games, the Leagues Rule Committee will discuss various options to allow the fixtures to be settled. This might involve Double Headers and Pools Panel. There is No appeal available against Pools Panel decisions Macclesfield asked if all rearrangement requests could go to the pools panel and this would cut down on the amount concedes. It was pointed out that we cannot change proposals that had already been submitted, and any changes needed to go through the proper processVote: For 17 Against 3 Motion Carried
Rule 19: Concede by Senior team
The Senior fixture in a Club’s list MUST ALWAYS, UNLESS THE SENIOR MATCH IS NOT PLAYED FOR SOME VALID REASON, be honoured at the expense of a lower team’s fixture. Failure to do this will result in ALL teams from the offending Club losing ALL POINTS, (Winning or Losing) from their respective matches. In addition another TWO POINTS will be deducted from all the offending Club’s teams. Only exception to deduction of points is when a team doesn't have a scheduled fixture.The Opposition team(s) will NOT be awarded the winning points.If this happens on a weekend that involves a Cup Competition, all teams from that Club winning a Cup match that day will be eliminated from the Cup Competitions and their opponents will replace them in the next round. This includes teams who had a bye that day.
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Rule 19: Concede by Senior teamThe Senior fixture in a Club’s list MUST ALWAYS, UNLESS THE SENIOR MATCH IS NOT PLAYED FOR SOME VALID REASON, be honoured at the expense of a lower team’s fixture. Failure to do this will result in ALL teams from the offending Club losing ALL POINTS, (Winning or Losing) from their respective matches. In addition another TWO POINTS will be deducted from all the offending Club’s teams. Only exception to deduction of points is when a team doesn't have a scheduled fixture.The Opposition team(s) will be awarded the winning points.If this happens on a weekend that involves a Cup Competition, all teams from that Club winning a Cup match that day will be eliminated from the Cup Competitions and their opponents will replace them in the next round. This includes teams who had a bye that day.This was brought about to make it fair to the opposition of the conceding teamVote:
For 18 Against 0 Abstentions 2 Motion Carried
Rule 4: Membership Fees
Any team not having paid its membership fee or returned its "Code of Conduct" form by August 27th will be deducted 5 points and for each subsequent week will be deducted a further 5 points per week. Fees for 2021-2022 have been waived to allow teams to concentrate on their playing side.Code of Conduct to be carried forward from Season 2019-2020, with only new Clubs to complete a form
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Rule 4: Membership Fees
Any team not having paid its membership fee by August 27th will be deducted 5 points and for each subsequent week will be deducted a further 5 points per week. Fees for 2022-2023 have been set at £50Code of Conduct to be carried forward from Previous Seasons, with only new Clubs to complete a form.A discussion took place with regards to the Membership fee. A number of clubs thought that at £50 per team that was good value for money and that it should be higher. JP said that we as a league wanted to enusre that clubs recovering from loss of Finances after COVID weren't penalised with higher feesVote: For 20 unanimous Motion Carried
CUP RULE 2 ENTRY
Cup entry will be optional. Teams can OPT OUT of the Cup before the 1st August by informing John Powell by Email sent by the Club’s Fixtures Secretary.
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CUP RULE 2 ENTRY
Cup entry will be optional. Teams can OPT OUT of the Cup before the 1st January by informing John Powell by Email sent by the Club’s Fixtures Secretary.Teams that leave the Leagues due to concedes will be allowed to remain in the Cup Competitions if they wish to.This was brought about by the situation with Macclesfield 2XV who had got through to the Cup Final yet were eventually expelled from the league due to concedesVote:
For 18 Against 0 Abstentions 2 Motion Carried
Election of Officers:
The whole committee was standing again for re-election in the posts they currently heldProposed by: J Curtis MacclesfieldSeconded by: J Knight MacclesfieldVote (Clubs Only): For 14 unanimous Motion CarriedJ Knight from Macclesfield proposed a thanks to the committee for the hard work they do in running a successful league.
A.O.B:
Macclesfield raised the issue with regards to the number of concedes before a team is expelled. Macclesfield themselves fell foul of this rule at 2nd XV level and as such all 3 teams were expelled. Aldwinians who have applied to re-join our leagues for 22/23 stated that the ADM leagues which they were a part of for the 21/22 season do not have any such sanctions for teams conceding and they themselves ended up with only playing 50% of their fixtures. They thought that if the ADM had sanctions similar to ours then they would have ended up playing more games.
Meeting closed at 21:00