AGM minutes 2009
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
CAMBRIDGE RACQUETS CLUB
HELD IN THE CLUBROOMS THORNTON ROAD ON
MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2009 7.30 PM
PRESENT Graeme Martin (in the chair) Robyn Carr (Secretary/Manager), Richard Upton, Ian Bishop, Murray Browne, Nicky Gould, Peter Bryant, Anne Spelchan, Brod Ford, Gareth Smith, Robyn Smith, Eric Hopkins, Steve Barrott, Fran Hopkins, Michael Bland, Nicky Gould, Nicola Cochrane, Carl Jones, Marilyn Kennedy, Glen Bruce, Rafael Shuker, David Shuker, John Darby, Margaret Darby, Jocelyn Moore, Don Robinson, Geoff Masters, Andrew McKinnon, Ivan Martinovich, Greg Reeve, Craig Hoare, Gordon Calder, Jim Farrelly.
WELCOME: Graeme Martin called the meeting to order, welcomed everyone and thanked them for their attendance, and a special thanks to committees and members who had assisted through out the year.
APOLOGIES James Eldridge, Jane Stearns, David Stearns, Dave Kilbride, Steve Till.
Proposed Marilyn Kennedy / Carl Jones that apologies be accepted
Carried
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;
The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of 17 November 2008 were taken as read.
Proposed Peter Bryant /Anne Spelchan that the Minutes be confirmed
Carried
MATTERS ARISING:
Graeme Martin reported that the old business house on Tuesday nights had a change of format. Now named summer league which is run similar to Ladies League and proving very popular.
2 month concession card is available for tennis during December / January.
Gareth Smith reported that junior members on squash courts at peek times had resolved its self.
Robyn Carr reported the problems with the electronic email have not been solved and currently looking at changing the newsletter to one similar to the golf club.
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REPORTS: President’s Report: Graeme Martin read his report.
Proposed Murray Browne / David Shuker that the President’s report is received Carried
Tennis Report was tabled and read by Anne Spelchan. Ian Bishop gave a report on the junior coaching comparing the increase in numbers from the previous year.
Graeme Martin acknowledged the excellent work done by the tennis committee especially the juniors.
Proposed Brod Ford / Peter Bryant that the Tennis report is received Carried
Squash Report was tabled and read by Gareth Smith.
Proposed Richard Upton /Carl Jones that the Squash report is received Carried
FINANCIAL REPORT;
The Audited Financial Report was tabled,
Discussion took place re the squash accounts itemed as General. Explanation was given by Robyn Carr re these costs. Other concerns were on the increase in insurance cost and the establishment of the new affordable insurance through Marsh.
Proposed Marilyn Kennedy /Glen Bruce that the Financial Statements for 2008/2009 be received Carried
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
The following Officers were elected for the year 2009-10 All having been formally proposed and seconded prior to the meeting. Six member stood for four positions, a vote was held, and votes counted and scrutinized by Nicola Cochrane and Glen Bruce.
PATRON: Alex Boyd
PRESIDENT: Graeme Martin
TENNIS CHAIRPERSON: Anne Spelchan
SQUASH CHAIRPERSON: Gareth Smith
MANAGEMENT: Marilyn Kennedy
Carl Jones
Andrew McKinnon
Michael Bland
TENNIS COMMITTEE:
Jane Stearns
Anne O’Neil
Carl Jones
Jocelyn Moore
Ian Bishop
James Eldridge
SQUASH COMMITTEE:
Brod Ford
Robyn Smith
Michael Bland
Geoff Masters
HONORARY SOLICTOR:
Simon Makgill (Lewis Law)
BUILDING AND GROUNDS:
Marcus Grayling
AUDITOR: Stephen Nelley (Anderson Accounting)
Proposed Marilyn Kennedy/ Margaret Darby that the new committees are approved Carried
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Suggested new subscriptions: Peter Bryant outlined the management committee’s proposal to attendees. Objectives - to move away from one size fits all with the aim to attract newcomers while passing on activity costs to those who benefit most from these activities. This should provide well utilized courts, keeping up activity all year round while providing a financially health club so we can continue to make long term improvements to the facilities.
Murray Browne raised concern on the basis of “splitting” the club in two – tennis and squash. Gordon Calder contested as club has one entry level with add ons.
Murray Browne requested the reports be available to members. Agreement these will be posted on the web site.
Murray Browne asked if there were any plans to extend the Astro to the hard courts. There is no plan as hard courts are preferred for the top players. Therefore there will be two surfaces available.
CLOSURE: As there was no further business the meeting closed at 2105hrs
CERTIFIED CORRECT … DATE 24 Nov 09
Tennis report 2009
TENNIS REPORT 2009/10
Tennis membership has continued its steady growth again this year while usage of the courts has increased significantly.
Three things have had impact on tennis this year
Firstly the New court Surface – We have now had them for 12 months. And now tennis is played for 12 months. Tennis does not stop in April as it has always done – it just now does not stop..
Secondly The revamp of Business House on Tuesday Nights to a two man Summer League with three grades has been a popular move. We started with 12 teams back in February this year. 2 months later in April there were 18 teams. At the start of this season, a month ago, 20 teams were entered and right now I have a list of 12 names waiting to join soon as the first round is completed. I expect this to become a full house. 28 teams in the not distant future. It is really good to see our squash players playing in this , this year.
And thirdly our new tennis coach. We were hit by an unexpected whirlwind when we took him on. Ian has taken on the role of club coach with immense commitment, drive and hard work providing us with a total package and taking us into the professional coach/tennis academy era.. He has converted many juniors from just simply taking lessons into club members by his introduction of junior interclub with 6 teams of four entered into Waikato competition. Adult lessons have been popular and often requiring a second time slot and the Grasshopper Tournaments are always well supported. Then there is the pro-shop a great asset to our club.
The New World ladies league continues to be a popular night out for the girls. Though down two teams (12 players) at the start of this season, two teams are waiting to join when we resume in February. The standard of play has grown significantly to this year require a 3rd/beginners division to be included.
Club Nights had life sparked into them on a Monday night over the passed season. Matt you were a big help in taking that on and much appreciated by players and myself.
Wednesday Morning club morning has shown steady numbers and many thanks to Ann O’ Neil for her effort there.
A new position on the committee of tennis publicist was created and Jane Stearns kept tennis in the paper letting Cambridge know tennis is happening in Cambridge.
Our Club Championships saw 24 single, doubles and combine entries. It is growing each year.
Our 2009 Champions were Open Men’s title Nic Weatherhead and women’s Champion Fiona Thomsom
IT was a disappointment to have to cancel, last February, due to inclement weather, the first Tennis Tournament the Racquets Club was to have held in many years. We thank Ross Todd Motors for their commitment to sponsor it. It would have been a great sight to have had all the tractors surrounding the courts. March 5th and 6th 2010 is the date for this season’s tournament.
Our admin team has given us great back-up. Their huge efforts in fundraising both the Caberet earlier in the year and the recently run donation board, to help pay-off the large cost of astro-terfing our courts has been greatly appreciated. Thank you to our squash players too for getting in and helping us change the face of tennis here.
Interclub
Two men’s teams were entered in the Waikato Interclub competition and
two ladies teams entered into Waikato Mid Week Interclub with the A team winning Division two and are this season playing Division 1.
Junior Interclub has been sparked into life again after a lengthy absence here. It is brilliant to see our juniors playing against other clubs here on a Sunday morning and enthusiastic parents and whanau here supporting them.
My thanks to all who have contributed to tennis this year. Many thanks especially to Carl for your great support. I believe tennis is in a healthy position with a very sound future.
Anne Spelchan
Chair of Tennis
Nov 23 2009
President’s 2009 report
Presidents Report 2009
It is with pleasure, once again, to present my annual report. I have been President of this club since 2004 and I think now it is timely to reflect on what we have achieved and to reflect on how far we have come to be the best racquets club in the Waikato. I often remind myself why I got involved in the club and then into the management team of the club. My goal was to get people playing tennis in Cambridge as the courts seemed to be very under utilised. It is with great pleasure that I can now see the use of the courts – 7 days a week by all ages and level of development.
It is easy to say we have achieved a lot but I would like to make particular recognition of those who have contributed. When I was elected as President, we had a very solid base to work from with the outgoing committee led by Murray Browne as President. A lot of hard work had been done so my responsibility was to grow on those efforts.
We have been very fortunate to have a membership of people who are very passionate about their sport, be it squash or tennis. We have also had equal passion from the day to day management team of the club, namely Robyn and Nicola.
The past year has been difficult with the financial crisis engulfing all business and therefore our revenue line from sponsorship has been challenging. We lost our main sponsor ASB Bank as a consequence, but we have been very strongly supported by our long term sponsors as well as new ones coming on board. It is this support that epitomises the values and culture of Cambridge Racquets.
The other main source of revenue is of course membership and their subscriptions. With the hard work of the respective committees we have continued to grow our membership and it is with a special mention to those who have worked hard over the years. Thank you to Gareth Smith and his team on the squash committee and Anne Spelchan and Carl Jones on the tennis committee.
With particular reference to squash it is important to note that due to the strength of numbers we had to find a “new home’ for some of our squash teams. It is disappointing to record the lack lustre support from the Leamington club but pleasing to note that Morrisville and Te Awamutu were very welcoming to our teams. The squash committee continued to organise and run squash tournaments which are a great achievement and a lot of hard work and hours invested in the club.
Tennis continues to grow with strong numbers from the women’s league. With the new format for men’s tennis we have a good number of new players and also of particular note a number of players returning. This year we are fielding more interclub teams than previous years with particular strength in the junior ranks with 6 teams.
The key area for growth in tennis is the junior players which are a direct result of the coaching and marketing effort of Ian Bishop. In Ian’s second year as professional coach, Ian has been so successful he has engaged another coach from the UK, Victoria Toates. Vicki will focus on the new beginners and Ian will focus on development of the juniors 14 years and over. This is the future of our club and is a fantastic result with the coaching focus. Senior members are also benefiting from the coaching clinics that Ian runs.
The investment in the astro turf courts has paid huge dividends to the tennis members, allowing play throughout the winter on those damp nights. It has also attracted members who have had difficulty with the hard plexipave courts as it is quite hard on knees and joints.
Squash has also been a major success as reported above. The growth of our membership and interclub teams means that we are times limited for court space and hence the need for teams to reside off site. To that Gareth has initiated a project looking at the feasibility of expanding our facility with two new squash courts and we are looking at this being our next key investment in your racquets club.
Our junior squash players have had a successful year with representative honours and competing at Nationals. Also successful was Alana Sincock and Amanda Cranston but her season was shortened by injury. It is also pleasing to record success off court with Scott Calder heading overseas to pursue a career on the equestrian world stage.
On the financial side of the business, we have been able to keep the club in a cash flow positive state throughout the year following the investment in the astro turf tennis courts. It is the positive growth in membership of the club supported by the social activity at the bar that has allowed this position. We have also had new sponsors come on board.
Once again I would like to acknowledge Richard Upton on his management of the bar with good stock management, good purchase power and also his positive contribution to management through his role as bar manager.
Your management, led by Peter Bryant, have taken a critical view of the subscriptions and structure of our fees. The subscriptions have not changed for many years. Peter will propose a new fee structure which will be more advantageous for members and also continue to attract members to our club.
As reported I have been the President for the past 5 years and I have thoroughly enjoyed my role and believe it is the combined effort of the management committees, past and present that allowed the club to succeed to be the envy of all clubs in the Waikato district. Personally I believe I have achieved my goal in terms of people on court – a result I am very proud of.
This year some of the management committee are standing down. I would like to acknowledge the valuable input of Mat Jolly who always has a positive input backed with unrivalled enthusiasm.
I am willing, if elected, to continue as President for the next year though I am sure there are able and qualified people to step forward. I would encourage members to be a part of the management committees and share the success of this club.
Thank you to all members for their positive contribution, especially those mentioned above. I am looking forward to another successful year at Cambridge Racquets.
Graeme Martin