Minutes of Meetings - 12th March 2012
Minutes of the BPFC Management Committee Meeting
Monday March 12th 2012 @ 7.00 pm
Present:
Monday March 12th 2012 @ 7.00 pm
Present:
- Alan Bramhall (Chair) - AB
- Phil Clarke - PC (items 1-4)
- Adrian Curtis (Minutes) - AC
- Gillian Harrison - GH
- Alan Marsland - AM
- Dave Pilkington - DPil
- Dave Poppitt - DPop
- Jim Rochford - JR
- Bill Seddon - BS
- Andy Stripe - AS
- Apologies: Christine Barber (CB), Rob Jones, Rob Loveday (RL), Bryn Morgan
- Minutes of last meeting: These had been circulated and were noted. The meeting had been inquorate.
- Matters arising not dealt with elsewhere: The request to host a dog show had not been pursued.
- Discussion with Phil Clarke: PC reported on the current situation in terms of his position in relation to the City Council and the RFU. The council had had to make cuts though sport was relatively unscathed, but an implication was that he now covers Rugby Union, Rugby League and Cricket. Changes in RFU arrangements have sought to provide a more even coverage of Community coaches, so PC’s team now includes 2 community coaches supported by the RFU and 2 by the City Council. Jason Duffy will be covering the area around BPFC and therefore supporting the club. There will be a Schools festival, involving 9 schools (18 teams) at BPFC on 26 March at 4.00pm. The accreditation process for coaches is changing and BPFC will need to be aware of this. (DPil indicated that it is anticipated that all coaches will take the level 1 qualification in the summer.) In discussion with PC, points raised included:
- the availability of the community coaches to be called upon to improve the quality of coaching, but the necessity for clubs to be finding suitable people to be trained
- the fact that many parents of minis/juniors do not have a rugby background, but that now a number of former players are becoming involved
- the desirability of developing a strategy involving the RDO and Youth section, including building on links with local schools
- the necessity to build on existing strengths at mini and junior level rather than try to fill current ‘gaps’
- Bar Update:
- Incorporation:
- Manchester 7s and County Game:
- Hortaleza XV visit:
- (Accounts 2011:
- Sponsors Match day:
- Ground Development:
- the need for additional car-parking space
- the importance of clarifying the extent to which the Council we be responsible for maintenance
- the inclusion of a 4G pitch as an essential element
- the desirability of not losing our identity as primarily a Rugby Union club – it was suggested that Mancunians and GAA might become associate members.
- RL Funding Offer:
- Playing Budget:
- AOB:
- RL is pursuing the issue of damage to the clubhouse roof.
- There is an issue concerning the necessity to approve the videoing of matches involving minis and juniors.
- RL wishes to stand down as Hon. Secretary in 2013, in view of other club commitments; he will continue during 2012-13 with a view to someone shadowing. It was noted that it is desirable for the Hon. Sec. to have legal expertise but that the Assistant Secretary could undertake some other responsibilities.
- BS reported that the Music Hall evening had raised £620. There had been a problem with the sound system which needed to be investigated.
- AM asked about the fact that the club had received no allocation of tickets for the 6 Nations internationals. It was understood that Twickenham had claimed not to have received the request for tickets.
- There had been a problem with the security gate being locked before everyone had left after a recent event. It was suggested that a combination lock should be purchased (Action GH) and the number provided to existing keyholders.
- AC drew attention to the number of vehicles which continue to be parked on the service road on match days, causing potential problems for ambulance access.
- BS indicated that he would email members re the opening of the bar during International matches the following Saturday, and liaise with CB over requesting the bar to be open. DPil agreed to lock up afterwards.
- DPil reminded members that he had raised on a previous occasion the fact there are currently only 2 key-holders (CB and himself) available to respond to alarm calls. More are needed. It had been agreed that enquiries would be made as to whether a professional company would undertake this. (See Minutes of 9 January 2012, item 6.)
- Next Meeting: Tuesday 10 April 2012 at 7.00 p.m.
This had led to some difficulties being raised, but AB would be meeting with Ken Andrews(Lancs) and Marco to resolve issues. Entry to the 7s and for the County game would be handled by Marco, with appropriate wrist bands. Car parking arrangements would be the responsibility of BPFC. (DPil reminded members that it would be unlikely that colts could be involved because the timing coincided with A and AS level exams.) With regard to the request from Lancs Colts for entertainment facilities, RL was investigating the cost of a marquee. JR knows a PTA with a marquee which could be hired, depending on the size required.
In discussion of this suggestion, the general issue of payment of players was raised. JR indicated that there is no money available to make such payments. It was also noted that loss of the club’s amateur status might threaten existing links with the City Council. The necessity to strengthen the coaching staff and to approach other potential coaches within the club was also mentioned.
Other points raised included, the number of injuries and retirements which had affected the strength of the first XV in particular, despite which the club had continued field 5 sides each week, albeit that several are in leagues involving teams from a higher ‘level’ within their own clubs. It was proposed (JR), seconded (DPil) and agreed by majority that there should be no payment of players. DPop requested that his abstention from the vote should be recorded.
It was agreed that the present arrangement for paying the coach’s expenses should continue for the 2012-13 season.
It was noted that it was unfortunate that no representatives of the coaches or players were present to take part in such a discussion. AM suggested that it should be the expectation that the first XV Captain or a deputy should attend Management Committee meetings.
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