Monday 9th Jan., 2012
Clubs present : Brightlingsea(RK) Bury St. Eds (MP), Clacton (CG), Colchester (RC),
Harwich (BM), Haverhill (TH & IW), Ipswich(MH), Ipswich YM (SP), Mersea(GM),
Mistley (RB), Southwold (RS), Sudbury(RC), Thorpeness (DH), Thurston (JK) and Woodbridge(BD), AS (EC), KP (Playing Chair) AW(Schls)
Tony Bush from Suffolk Sport (County Sports Partnership) gave a presentation outlining support they could give Clubs, and explained the Sport England Market Segmentation tool.
Andrew Sarek (RFU Council Member) gave us the salient points of Slaughter & May report on the Governance of RFU. 150 recommendations some of which created some debate. We all await the consultation process.
1. Apologies. Anslow(Colch), Fletcher (Women), Hanham (Wood), Lord (Bury), Neal (Refs), O’Kane (Thorp), Meston & Russell (Mistley), Underwood (Sud) & Winders(Had)
2 .Minutes of last Meeting agreed as true and accurate record
3.Matters arising. None.
4. Reports
i) Secretary.
a) VRugby Activator (Joe Mather) has put SRU on Facebook & Twitter ( MP & RC monitor content)
b) Letter from YM about Clubs strengthening sides in Merit Leagues. Totally unacceptable all agreed, but difficult to police. Communication between captains before matches could ensure no mismatches. Pres/Chair/Sec to write letter to Clubs from SRU. Encouragement to travel even when short as players can be lent.
c) Any more sponsorship for MP’s Santa Dash. (RFU Injured Players Foundation) Currently made £378.29 but more sponsorship due! Thank you to one and all.
d) Still not heard from Wattisham about County Dinner.
ii) Treasurer.
a) Some Clubs still not paid affiliation fees.
b) 6 Nation tickets in red ( BM brought cheque from H & D which got it in black.)
c) Youth funding now being handled directly by ECRU.
iii) Eastern Counties Report.
a) ECRU to have 2 RDO’s & 4 CRC’s. Penny Chapman apptd as other RDO
b) Incorporation important to Clubs. Norwich Law firm offering to help Don Chapman at Leathes Prior (dchapman@leathesprior.co.uk)
c) Still awaiting details of new ‘cut down’ SoA
d) Rep needed for Harry Moore’s Adult Players Workgroup
e) CCPD – Youth structured season agreed
f) Phil Sharpe has resigned as lead coach & development manager for Girl’s rugby
g) Mini Rugby Festivals – Clubs have been reminded to register them with ECRU
h) Dereham has withdrawn from Leagues
i) RugbyFirst development has been delayed
j) Ken Watkins announced as ECRU Press Officer.
k) Norfolk rep John Langford has stood down.
l) EC 2012/13 Action Plan has been ratified by RFU
m) Volunteer recognition – Curry in Park at 6 Nations. Nominations to RC
n) Volunteer Workshop at EC offices had only 16 attendees (9 from Suffolk)
o) RFU Presidents Awards close on 1st Feb!!
p) Still need Asst VC for East of County.
iv) Playing Committee
a) KP has apptd Nigels Brown & Seaman to coach and Jamie Warner to manage
b) Currently only Norfolk game (Cambs withdrawn) but hopes to get Prison Service game
c) U 20’s beat Norfolk
v) Competitions/League
a) Leagues – Getting better but still a lot of call-offs. Woodbridge III’s have withdrawn and results will be expunged.
b) Cup – Shield Final - Haverhill won and play in Plate when it starts on 21st Jan.
c) Sevens – President outlined results of his consultation
1) Competition to be at end of season
2) To avoid mismatches there will be two competitions
3) Need venue with three pitches.
He will be looking for sponsorship. Olympic Legacy Fund might help.
vi) Youth / Schools
a)Youth – Suffolk Plate went very well with 7 Clubs in Finals
Main Cup on 22nd Jan, Mar 4th, & Mar 18th
U14 Fest at Framlingham on 15th Jan .3 way Fest with Norfolk & Cambs on Apr 1st
County sides – U15 & U16 at Cambs on 15th Jan & v. Norfolk on 29th Jan at Southwold.
Dev Festivals on Mar 11th U13’s at Stowmarket and U14’s at Sudbury
Ross is looking for a SUCCESSOR – any takers? He will support them.
b)Schools – 23 young people took Young Officials Course before Christmas but need 10 hrs practical refereeing Mini matches. Offers?
Emerging Schools Competition starts end of Jan and runs through to April. U13 & U15 Girls Contact for first time. Need Clubs reps at matches!
Govt Sponsored “School Games” initiative to start also. MP will circulate details.
vii) Referees DN not present but MP has informed Darryl Chapman of Young Officials Course so SNERS can monitor boys progress as poss ELRA candidates.
viii) Women/ Girls Not present but MP hopes to meet them soon.
ix) Safeguarding Little to report except ‘Coaching’ are advising coaches not to hold contact pads as injuries have resulted. Why encourage contact?
x) Membership.
a) SR not present but would like to see more VPs. Please recruit! Ties available.
xi)Sponsorship. MP had a note to say ST was working on this.
xii) Volunteering appears in EC report
5. Development Plan MP to produce sheet detailing progress
6. AOB
a) DH thanked AS for excellent Vets Competition. ( 2 sides have dropped out & AS has restructured.)
7. Date of next meeting – 12th March 2012 at Ipswich YM usual time of 8.00
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