MINUTES OF 10th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SYDNEY SHIRES CRICKET UMPIRES ASSOCIATION INC HELD AT THE BOWLERS CLUB, 99 YORK STREET, SYDNEY

WEDNESDAY 1 JUNE 2011

ATTENDEES (30 from a membership of 86)

Chairman Peter Friend, Honorary Secretary Stephen Blomfield, Treasurer Mike Wheeler, Tony Bergman, Steve Clements, Darren Goodger, Ian Hamilton, Spencer Harrison, Ivan Holland, Mark Hughes, Ron Jaensch, Dean Martin, Rupert Mathews, Peter Mooney, Trevor Parker, Derek Ponsford, Michael Roberts, George Richards, Trevor Schokman, Jim Shellens, Mano Singham , Bob Shield, Gordon Smith, Steve Starks , Patrick Smellie, Geoff Taylor, Brett Tribolet, Aaron Vella , Arthur Watson, Geoff Wheeler ,

APOLOGIES:

A total of seven members pre advised their apologies for non attendance

GUESTS

Darrell Hair, Graham Chudleigh, David Dilley, Stephen Poole & Troy Penman from NSWCU&SA as well as Stirling Hamman & Mike Wood from the Shires sub committee

WELCOME

Chairman Peter Friend opened the meeting at 7:05 pm welcoming all to the SSCUA’S AGM.

The chairman acknowledged the attendance of Darrell Hair, Graham Chudleigh, David Dilley, Stephen Poole & Troy Penman from NSWCU&SA as well as Stirling Hamman & Mike Wood from the Shires sub committee

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Adoption of the minutes of the 9th AGM held on 14 July 2010 was moved by Michael Roberts and Seconded by Arthur Watson. Motion carried unanimously

ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Chairman Peter Friend invited anybody at the meeting to speak on the production and supply of the Annual Report for Season 2010/11

NSWCU&SA Executive Officer Darrell Hair addressed the meeting. Darrell congratulated the Association on the completion of the first 10 years of its existence and congratulated the Association on such a comprehensive annual report.

Darrell went on to supply some information on the current business within NSWCU&SA which included –

• A commitment to support all affiliated Associations
• The running of umpire courses in metropolitan and regional NSW to ensure more new umpires can get to participate in SCA competitions as well as country districts
• The re-introduction of the NSWCU&SA monthly meeting in January
• He encouraged all members to continually update themselves on laws and playing conditions using the resources that are available to all members
• The acknowledgment of milestone matches for members not just SCA but all affiliated Associations
• Membership stands at 1,260 – Thanks to Darren Goodger for the hard work he puts into recruitment
• The acknowledgment of members service – Principle membership & years of service awards
• It was advised that NSWCU&SA membership fees for 2011/12 increase from $50 to $55 (the first increase for 13 years)

Arthur Watson spoke about the production of the annual report, he thanked the Association and in particular Stephen Blomfield for the high standard that each report each year brings its members.

Peter Friend thanked the committee for their work during the 10th anniversary season. He said it was great that we managed to fill all Shires games with umpires during the anniversary round. He said the feedback from the clubs at the end of season shires dinner was enormous and that the clubs are very pleased about their own umpires Association and the quality of the decision making from our members. He also said that he was very proud of the 10th annual report. Special thanks were extended to Ian Bowman who did a huge amount of work on the graphics and artwork of the report.

Peter also flagged with the membership if we should persist with a professionally produced annual report every year from now on (Total Cost in Season 2010/11 for 100 copies was around $1200), or do we go back to a black and white (free to produce) photocopy report and only do a full produced colour report for major anniversary seasons (eg, every 5 years). Members were asked to think about this and a decision will be voted on in early 2012

Peter handed over the floor to the Treasurer, Mike Wheeler

Mike said he was pleased to report that the season came in on budget, he did mention that a significant amount of the Association’s resources were spent as part of the Association’s 10th Anniversary. Having said that, he believed that we are on track in 2011/12 to again come in on budget, we aren’t going to run short and he feels 2011/12 will run smoothly based on current projections. Financial report amended to these minutes

Rupert Mathews as the Association auditor spoke saying he was happy with the Association’s accounts and that he believed everything was in order.

Peter Friend moved for the adoption of the financial statement & annual report. Seconded by Stephen Blomfield. Adopted unanimously.

ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS

Peter Friend asked NSWCU&SA Chairman, Stephen Poole to read the results of the recent election of office bearers.

Before announcing the 2011/12 office bearers Stephen said that he wanted to congratulate the committee and members for their 10th anniversary. He said the annual report was an exceptional piece of work.

Office Bearer were announced as follows

• President – Peter Friend was the only nomination and was elected unopposed.

• Vice-President - Jim Shellens was the only nomination and was elected unopposed.

• Honorary Secretary - Stephen Blomfield was the only nomination and was elected unopposed.

• Honorary Treasurer – Mike Wheeler was the only nomination and was elected unopposed.

• Committee of Management - The constitution allows up to 5 but not less than 3 members to be elected to this committee. Trevor Schokman, Mark Hughes, Stuart Wood & Tony Kingsford-Smith nominated and all were elected to the Committee of Management of the 2011/12 season

• Honorary Auditor - Rupert Mathews conducted this role last season and stated he was happy to continue. The chairman asked for any other nominations from the floor. With none forthcoming Rupert Mathews was elected unopposed

CONSIDERATION OF HONORARIUM

Honorary Secretary, Stephen Blomfield excused himself from the room while discussion took place on this topic.

Treasurer Mike Wheeler advised the membership that last years honorarium was $1000. He wanted to recommend an increase to $1200 and moved that way. Further discussion on the floor suggested that $1500 would be more appropriate based on the time & effort that went into the running of the Association’s 10th anniversary. Motion Moved Stephen Clements, seconded by Mike Wheeler. No further discussion took place & the motion was carried unanimously.

AWARDS CEREMONY

The chairman announced that the most improved umpire of the year (Ian Bowman) was absent – The presentation of this award is to be held over to future meetings during the upcoming season.

* Darrell Hair was invited to present the following awards

Umpire Of The Year – Brett Tribolet
Rookie Umpire Of The Year – Aaron Vella

* Stirling Hamman was invited to present certificates to all members who had umpired a Shires Grand Final in season 2010/11

* Mike Wood was invited to present certificates to all members who had umpired passed 50/100/150/200 & 250 Game Milestones in season 2010/11

* Chairman Peter Friend then presented certificates to all members who had passed either 5 or 10 years of consecutive membership in season 2010/11

GENERAL BUSINESS

Secretary Stephen Blomfield provided a report of various issues for the upcoming season summarized as follows –

• Availability dates for the season will be distributed to all members as soon as possible. Members are asked to please turn around the return of this information straight away if possible

• Members were reminded that Jim Shellens will act as Secretary from 10 June to 1 September in the absence of Stephen Blomfield. All emails continue to go to shireumpires@iprimus.com.au

• The Pre season meeting is to be held on Wednesday 21 Sept in the auditorium at Cricket NSW. This should be considered compulsory for all Shires members wishing to be active umpires in 2011/12

CLOSING STATEMENT – Chairman, Peter Friend

Peter pointed out that the upcoming season might be challenging as we strive not to go backwards with our available members. We need to continually refresh with new members to take over from those that call it day. Members are ask to be vigilant in talking to as many people as possible to try to talk them into considering taking up umpiring. Recruitment is something that all members need to continually try to do, it’s not just a task for the committee.

Peter thanked all members for their contribution during the season and wished everybody all the best for the upcoming season

Members were again asked to sign the attendance sheet before leaving.

With no further general business from the floor, Peter Friend declared the meeting closed after a duration of 50 minutes. The meeting closed at 7.55pm

Next members Meeting – Wednesday 21 September 2011
Cricket NSW Auditorium , Driver Avenue, Moore Park. 7pm Start