REPORT BACKOF THE MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF DRRS 6th NOVEMBER 2007.
Present: The President, Past President and Messrs Friend, Harrison, Healy, Hinshelwood, Momer, Lane, Meagor, Rice, Wakeham and Webb. Mr Harland was in attendance in his capacity as RFU Referee Development Manager SW.
1.Apologies: The Vice President.
2. Minutes: the minutes of the October Meeting were approved.
3. Matters arising: none for a change.
4. Correspondence: the Secretary reported that he had received the following,
a) RFRU: Minutes + notes of recent meting.
b) Geoff Simpson: IRB Circular + Devon Merit Table Information.
c) RFU: Law Guidance Card
d) Phil Burford (Newton Abbot RFC): Latter re. Number of replacements.
5.Current Membership: Mr Webb reported that numbers had been augmented by the arrival of Messrs Garratt, Searle, Williams, Bell, Bick, Starkey, Baker ,Dorey and Lamanna. Some had limited availability but their membership was nevertheless a welcome addition to the strength of the Society. Mr Mc Kenzie had resigned as he is moving out of the area on Royal Navy duties. Mr Lane raised the issue of the induction of new members and a comprehensive discussion ensued. It was agreed that a proper mentoring system needs to be put in place to introduce them to the Society and to ensure that their services are retained and their careers advanced. The matter would be aired at the Main Laws meeting on 21at November and Mr Lane ,as Elected Active Member will be responsible for handling membership enquiries and coordinating the mentoring arrangements.
6.Appointments Secretary: Mr Hinshelwood presented his proposals and, these were, with suitable modifications, approved
7.Grading Secretary: Mr Webb reported that 70 reports had been received to date. Some exchange reports are awaited and most members have been seen once already.
8.Exchange Secretary: Mr Friend revealed our American brethren have arrived and a full programme of fixtures was under way. Mr Wakeham was coordinating arrangements for their accommodation and entertainment. Exchanges to Liverpool, Manchester and Gloucestershire have already taken place.
9.Training Secretary: Mr Wakeham disclosed that arrangements for next main Laws are complete. Mr Harland would deputise for Mr Rose. Two local meetings had passed most satisfactorily. Mr Harland revealed that the first module of the new RFU Training programme had been well received at Plymouth/West Devon meeting.
10.Disciplinary Officer: Mr Rice had experienced a very busy month with several sendings-off and their attendant reports to be completed
11.Finance: Mr Harrison presented his report. He had received a cheque for £800 as the Society’s reward for the takeover of the Portman BS by Nationwide BS. It had been split 3 ways, two cheques each of £266.33 paid into Devon RFU Referees deposit account and a similar payment to the Angus Colville Memorial Fund. Invoices for the first part of the season would shortly be despatched to clubs. A new claim form was approved and would be available electronically. A policy document on the payment of expenses was also approved. Thanks for initiative on the redesign of the claim form are due to Mr Lane. Secretary would despatch both documents to members.
13. SWG/FEDERATION/RFRU:
SWG: This was ongoing. Mr Friend Jun had been appointed to a Level 4 game..
Federation: the shirts sponsored by the brewers ‘Skinners’ are now available.
RFRU: a working party had revealed that all federations seem to operate along similar lines .Concern had been expressed at the rescinding of a disciplinary sentence on the grounds that the referee “had a bad game” and therefore his treatment was justified. Any more attempts at this line of approach would be opposed vigorously by RFRU.
14. AOB : the Past President raised the matter of the use of videos by clubs to criticise the performance of referees. After some discussion Mr Harland undertook to raise the matter with the club concerned, and get this practice halted. Mr Meagor mentioned that Mr Atkins had attempted to referee Brixham 2nd XV when 7 of their floodlights were out of action. This is dangerous and the club would be told that games could not proceed under such treacherous conditions. Mr Rice raised the matter of a certain individual wishing to referee. If the said individual completed the application form his candidacy would be considered. Mr Lane stated that an application form must be completed for each prospective member. Mr Harland raised the matter of the IRB Ruling re. definition of a “high tackle”. The Secretary would e mail a copy of this document to members.
Meeting closed at 20.40 hours.
Date of next meeting: Tuesday, December 4th at 19.00 hours.
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