Hon Secretary’s Report 2006 – 07 Treasurer's Report 2006-07
My report this year continues to show innovation in our sport and a recognition that it is a “sport for all”
Last year I commented on the loss of the Active Sports programme and with it the valuable asset of the county based hockey development officers. Thanks to much had work and lobbying by many people something has appeared out of the wreckage. England Hockey worked hard and achieved funding for a smaller number of hockey development officers who are part of the regional development teams. Effectively this means each county has about one third of a man-year of EH HDO time. In addition some counties have been fortunate to find local funds which means they will continue to have full time HDO based in the county. Everyone concerned with the fund raising efforts needs our thanks.
There continues to be problem of communication between the Association and the national governing body. Information from national committees still does not reach the Association in a timely or digestible fashion. Our representatives on the Regional Consultative Council have continued to stress the point that it is essential that the EH recognise the structure of the sport and that adequate time must always be allowed for effective consultation. We were pleased to note that the RCC has set aside time for the regional representatives to discuss matters of common interest in the absence of EH employees.
As I said last year consultation is still appropriate in a sport where the greater majority still play for the pleasure, friendship, exercise and fun. It is therefore refreshing to see that the EH Board has at last conceded that restricting the age of players in league hockey is not appropriate. Both South Leagues provided robustly argued papers showing the disastrous effects in terms of team losses to the leagues which would have resulted from age restrictions. The views of the South Leagues were strongly echoed by other regional leagues. It is therefore a great pity that in spite of these well-argued reports EH set about its own survey of clubs neglecting the fact that the reports from the South and East Leagues effectively covered 60% of league hockey.
Another concern regarding league hockey is the impact of the proposed indoor season on the outdoor league. Whilst an indoor preference season is acceptable to 10 team leagues – 18 weeks hockey – it creates very real difficulties for 12 team leagues that require 22 weeks hockey. Many hockey players have other sporting and recreational activities and don’t want their outdoor league hockey to start too early in September or finish sometime in May. No one doubts that it is a genuine aspiration to want to increase the interest in indoor hockey and reintroduce England to the international scene. It is a pity that once again there is an evident lack of consultation with the regional leagues in the preparation of the national programme.
The lack of understanding by EH on how consultation should work in a voluntary activity is evident in the Equality Action Plan. Put out for consultation on the web site on 4 June comments are expected in time for the Board to approve the Plan at its July meeting. This approach to consultation is unrealistic particularly in the closed season.
The planned reduction in the size of the EHL will have an impact on our leagues and lead, probably, to further restructuring. The Men’s South league is considering its format with the possibility that it will become a wholly open league. As a result of the EHL changes it is probable that the Women’s League will have to become a twelve team league. The second season of the new South Women’s Division Three was successful. Further consideration to the format of the Division Three may be necessary to avoid too large a shift in composition each season.
Congratulations to the winners of the South leagues, Rover Oxford Women and Sevenoaks Men, on their promotion to the National League. Let’s hope their promotion is not short lived because the restructuring of the EHL. Full details of team promotions and relegations within the leagues are available on the two web sites; www.southleague.org.uk/ and www.south-league.com
This season the Association fielded representative sides for regional competitions in all age groups from U14 boys and Under 15 girls to Over 65 men.
There is competition for a place in all these squads and this is extremely refreshing. The selection of squads is becoming more difficult and competitive because of the quality of the players offering themselves forward. Whilst it is a burden it is, none the less, a task that assessors and selectors relish. Congratulations go all the players selected for our squads. Our thanks go to the managers, coaches and physiotherapists who provided the essential backup to make our squads such a success. Congratulations too go to all Association squad members selected for places in the national sides.
Our own regional tournaments take a great deal of detailed organisation not often apparent to the occasional supporter, parent or club or school member who turns up on the day. Finding venues in a tight programme is not easy. We are grateful to the clubs and schools who provided facilities for both outdoor and indoor competitions.
The South Round of the national mini tournament is a feast of enthusiasm by young hockey players and umpires and was this year, a larger, two-day event. Both Sandra Marlow and Richard Nixon do a not insignificant amount of work in bringing this tournament together. There is also a considerable effort on the part of the South Young Umpires Action Group to provide young umpires and experienced coaches and mentors. Once again some of young umpires were selected to appear at the national mini finals.
The Southern Counties Hockey Umpires’ Association (SCHUA) and the county umpires’ associations continue to provide superb support at all levels of the game. We never have enough umpires and there is extensive development work in our counties, not only to obtain new umpires for the neutral appointments systems, but also to widen the club base of trained umpires. It always pleasing to see new faces moving up the ranks through Level 2 and onto the Level 3 register and congratulations go to all umpires who have progressed during the season.
Progress up the grading system would not be possible without the regular coaching and mentoring provided and we are grateful to all umpire assessors, mentors and coaches for the time they put in. In addition the SCHUA tries to provide an umpire manager for all events where it appoints and this is welcomed not only by the umpires but also by the tournament organisers.
Provision of tournament officials is also important. John Gawley has worked tirelessly in this respect as our technical co-ordinator, without sometimes the support he deserves. Technical officials increasingly play an important part in the successful running of tournaments. Traditionally drawn from the ranks of umpires being a technical official is a role open to any one with an interest in tournament hockey.
The Association's Council met three times and the Management Committee on five occasions.
The Committee was pleased to welcome new faces in Ali Pope and Richard Beer to its discussions. It is important that new blood be introduced to keep the Association’s polices fresh and in keeping with the wishes of our leagues and clubs. The Committee considered a succession plan and would have recommended changes to the AGM. However Nick Chilton has been elected to the Board of EH as a non-executive director. Neither the Committee nor Nick believe that he should be a director of EH and simultaneously chairman of the Association. The AGM will therefore be asked to ratify Sheila Plant as Chairman for a further term and also to ask John Gawley to continue as our President.
All aspects of hockey in the Southern Counties have received attention. The bulk of the work of the Association is connected with development of all aspects of the game and the regional representative sides. Increasingly the Management Committee and Council find themselves responding to the national consultations, or in some cases stressing the need for consultation when, as I mentioned earlier, none has been forthcoming.
The important issue of the future of counties was discussed at the January meeting of Management when it was joined by senior representatives of counties. Various EH proposals seemed to be aimed at the disbandment of counties for most purposes. The meeting produced a strong paper on the subject “Implementation of the Single System Proposals at County and Regional Level” and this was sent to EH for discussion by the Board. As far as we can see this paper has neither been acknowledged or been discussed by the Board.
The Management Committee also met to discuss the difficult issue of junior representative sides. EH were clearly informed that all the Southern Counties wish to retain county sides and that these must form the basis of the relevant level within the development programme. The Association, along with other regions, also expects the regional tournaments to continue.
Our junior committees work hard to run our full programme of county championships and the South rounds of national competitions and to develop and select our squads. It is therefore disappointing that EH’s approach has caused the resignation of a number of key management personnel and the premature retirement of others. All the organisational effort on behalf of our junior committees is voluntary, often by people who already have extensive commitments, like work, elsewhere.
The Association’s only direct representation in a national forum is on the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) and this is the Association’s principle route into the consultative process. The RCC is an integral part of the EH structure. Nick Chilton was our nominated member and Sheila Plant our alternate member. Both attended at the RCC this year. In spite of the best efforts of our representatives feedback from national committees is neither regular nor timely.
Following Nick Chilton’s election as a non-executive director of EH Sheila will now take over the role of RCC representative. We will be looking for a new alternate member.
Another issue that faced Management and Council was the issue of the 2007-08 Rules which permit games to played without goalkeepers. Council believed, in the light of previous comments by the Rules Board, that this was a step too far. It was also concerned that a mid season rules change of this magnitude was foisted on the game by EH without consultation.
Both the Midlands Region HA and the Association introduced local rules requiring only fully equipped goalkeepers in junior (U18) hockey. (The Midlands went further applying their Rule to all hockey.) EH subsequently took legal opinion which, although not providing a definitive opinion, lead to the local rules being withdrawn. The Management Committee considered the legal opinion in detail and as a consequence approached the issue from a different direction by modifying our child protection guidelines to require all junior hockey to be played with a fully equipped goalkeeper. Managers of the Association’s junior squads are instructed to always play with a fully equipped goalkeeper. There were a number of queries concerning this ruling but only in respect to hockey being played by under-elevens in games not to EH mini hockey rules. Where hitting or lifting the ball is not permitted then the risk is very low and a fully equipped goalkeeper is neither necessary or in many cases practical.
A key issue once again is that of discipline. As in previous seasons we have been made aware of umpires retiring because of abuse and the lack of a friendly welcome both before and after the game. In his annual report the Regional Discipline Administrator records ten Matchday Misconduct Offences; nearly all relating to both verbal and physical abuse to umpires after the match has finished. He notes that the in the majority of cases the penalty awarded was thirty days. He recognises that the attitude of clubs and counties to this type of offence is changing but he reminds clubs and County Associations that they do have the power to award penalties exceeding simple suspension and he encourages them to do so.
Full details of the Regional Disciplinary Administrators report are available separately. There were 59 red cards issued. Some suspensions are carried forward to next season. The Appeal Panel, under the chairmanship of Colin Howard, heard five appeals.
Our President, John Gawley, has appeared at as many events as was humanly possible. This was a difficult year for John and we are very grateful for his continued support and counsel.
As I have said before it is not possible to name all the people who help make South hockey the success it is. The Association is grateful to all who participate, whether it is at club, county, league or Association level or as player, coach, umpire or administrator. We all participate because of our love for the game and our wish to be part of a dynamic, family friendly, sport.
June 2007
Accounts for the Period Ended 31 March 2007
I
am pleased to present the Accounts of the Association for the year ended 31
March 2007, its seventh period of operation .The Accounts comprise a Summary
Income and Expenditure Account, a Detailed Income and Expenditure Account and a
Balance Sheet, in the same format as last year, to reflect the activities of
the Association in a clear and consistent manner. In essence where funds are
generated by specific activities and are then to be expended only on those
activities a ring fenced fund has been set up and Income and Expenditure during
the year is set against this fund .The balances on each individual fund are
carried forward on the Balance Sheet and comprise the Coaching Fund, the
Minihockey Fund, the Mixed Hockey Fund, The South Youth (Boys) Fund, the South
Youth (Girls) Fund, the Women’s South League Fund and the Youth General Fund.
All
other activities of the Association during the year are shown on the Income and
Expenditure Account and are to set out in such a manner to show clearly from
what sources our Income is derived and where it is spent as compared to the
previous year.
The
Accounts are drawn up to include all items of Income and Expenditure relating
to the period under review which were notified to me by 10 June 2007 and any
other Liabilities or Income due of which I am aware and which have a material
effect on these Accounts.
The
Summary Income and Expenditure Account shows a surplus of £ 6,128 which
represents the balance of Affiliation Fees remaining after the net financing of
the various competitions as shown in the Detailed Income and Expenditure
Account. Affiliation fees for the year
at £ 9,209 are some £450 lower than the previous year and £300 below our target
of £9,500. Fewer teams have affiliated
in all counties with the exception of Kent and Middlesex which I hope will not
be a continuing trend. This Income has been enhanced by the contribution of
£1,112 from Interest Received and £146 from unsuccessful disciplinary
hearings. As an offset to this income
the Association has contributed £3,390 to the 2006 Under 21 Regional
Tournaments, £639 to Hockey Kit for the Men’s and Women’s Veteran teams, £217
on the Men’s Indoor Tournament and £93 to the 2006 Women’s Veteran Tournament.
Overhead
Expenses show have risen by nearly £300 due to the increase in Room Hire
charges for committee meetings leaving an excess of Income over Expenditure for
the year of £4,461 some £2,800 below the level of last year.
Provisions
made in earlier years for such items as the handbook and cheques not presented
which are now out of date, totalling £2,121, have been written back to retained
profits this year and this offset by the contribution to Youth Boys and Youth
Girls of £2,000 apiece leaves the Association with £22,021 available for future
support of South Hockey .Out of this sum £6,000 has already been committed the
Youth programmes.
The
Balance Sheet shows an Accumulated Fund for the Association £27,021 which,
after retention of £5,000 in reserves agreed by the Management Committee and
the £6,000 for Youth mentioned above, leaves £16,021 of expenditure available
for South Hockey Programmes in ensuing years.
In
addition to this the Balance Sheet shows further funds available of £41,322
which are ring fenced for Coaching and Development, Minihockey, Mixed Hockey,
Women’s South League and Youth.
I
am pleased to report that the Association remains in good financial health and
Affiliations at the current level will enable it continue to do so. I therefore propose that Affiliations for
the 2007/2008 Season remain at £6 per team.
I am indebted to County Treasurers and all
those members of the Association who organise Competitions, Leagues, Training
and collection of monies for the efficiency with which they go about this task
to achieve the financial stability mentioned above.
Thank
you once again
PMM
Taylor
Hon. Treasurer
Year to 31 March 2007 |
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|
Income |
Expenditure |
Net |
31/03/2006 |
|
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
Affiliation Fees |
9,209 |
0 |
9,209 |
9,666 |
|
Men’s Indoor
Qualifier - 2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
260 |
|
Men’s Indoor
Qualifier -2006 |
800 |
1,017 |
-217 |
-291 |
|
Men’s U21
Regional Tournament |
0 |
1,510 |
-1,510 |
-1,333 |
|
Women’s Indoor Competition - 2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
578 |
|
Women’s Indoor Competition - 2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-60 |
|
Women’s U21
Regional Tournament |
0 |
1,880 |
-1,880 |
-555 |
|
Women’s Vets
Tournament |
375 |
468 |
-93 |
-299 |
|
South Veterans
Hockey Kit |
48 |
687 |
-639 |
-684 |
|
Disciplinary
Committee |
370 |
224 |
146 |
236 |
|
Bank Interest
less Charges |
1,114 |
10 |
1,104 |
946 |
|
Interest Received
-War Stock |
8 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
11,924 |
5,796 |
6,128 |
8,472 |
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|
|
|
|
Administration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Committee
Expenses |
|
447 |
|
-439 |
|
Insurance |
|
663 |
|
-658 |
|
Room Hire |
|
400 |
|
-90 |
|
SCHA Website |
|
157 |
|
-183 |
|
|
|
|
-1,667 |
-1,370 |
|
Excess of
Income over Expenditure |
|
4,461 |
7,102 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Add :-
Retained Profits brought forward |
|
19,439 |
16,337 |
|
|
|
|
|
23,900 |
23,439 |
|
Add :-Past year provisions no longer required |
|
2,121 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
26,021 |
23,439 |
|
Less :-
Support Grants paid out |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-2,000 |
|
-2,000 |
|
|
|
-2,000 |
-4,000 |
-2,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained
Profits carried forward |
|
|
22,021 |
19,439 |
|
Detailed
Income and Expenditure Account |
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Year Ended 31
March 2007 |
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INCOME |
|
Affiliation |
South |
Men’s U21 |
Women’s U21 |
Women’s |
South Vets |
Disciplinary |
Interest |
Total |
|
|
|
Fees |
Men’s |
Regional |
Regional |
Vets |
Hockey |
Committee |
Received |
|
|
|
|
|
Indoor |
Tournament |
Tournament |
|
Kit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
Fees, Sales etc |
|
9209 |
|
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
9257 |
|
Entry Fees & Players Contributions |
|
|
800 |
|
|
375 |
|
|
|
1175 |
|
Appeals Fees less Refunds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
370 |
|
370 |
|
Interest Received - Bank |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1114 |
1114 |
|
-
War Stock |
|
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|
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