AGM Minutes

Minutes from last month's AGM

Stanwick Rovers AGM Minutes

July 20th 2021 7pm

Committee members present: Nathan Cuthbert (Chairman), Mark Baker (Vice Chairman), Ally Shand (Secretary), Gabriella Foley (Youth Secretary and Welfare Officer), Karen King (Treasurer)

Apologies: None

Minutes of previous AGM: Chairman Nathan Cuthbert confirmed that minutes from the last AGM do not appear to have been recorded. As the new chairman he wants to ensure all meetings are conducted properly with minutes taken and recorded.

Chairman’s report: A copy of the report was available to all those who attended and will be available to view online shortly.

Nathan Cuthbert thanked outgoing first team manager William Gates for all he had done for the team. He went on to welcome and give his full support to new manager Jamie Duncombe. He also thanked all the youth coaches for the time and energy they give to nurture young local talent.

The Chairman spoke of the importance of the whole club going into the next season united as one and without divisions that might have been present previously.

An incident involving a member of a coaching team verbally abusing a referee was addressed and the Chairman made it clear he would not tolerate that type of behaviour at Stanwick Rovers.

The Chairman thanked Ally Shand for successfully obtaining a £10,000 grant which will be a massive help to the club.

He provided an update on plans to extend the club house and thanked Nev’s Aggregates for use of his lorries and time and Taylor Wimpey and Bridgebank for supplying some materials towards the build. Work should begin before the end of the year.

The Chairman finished by confirming he would be seeking more grants and funding to continue to improve facilities at the club.

Treasurer’s report: A copy of the accounts were available to all those who attended.

Treasurer Karen King presented this season’s accounts and confirmed that despite another season affected by Covid lockdowns and disruptions the club’s finances remain stable.

The treasurer advised that a new back account has been opened to hold the £10,000 grant money obtained.

It was noted that a significant number of youth team players were behind on subs. The Treasurer confirmed that reminders would be sent out with deadlines to pay but also a note to parents and carers that if they are struggling financially, they could speak to her confidentially about it.

Secretary’s report: Secretary Ally Shand thanked each member of the committee for all the time and effort they put into the club.

He said Stanwick Rovers is one club and should be united but to be a top club, success must start from the top and the first team must be a priority. The secretary was clear that whatever the first team have in terms of facilities and kits should also be available to the youth teams.

The Secretary spoke about the extension of the clubhouse and the club’s desire to obtain an alcohol licence to help raise funds and make the clubhouse a social space for members and others to use.

The Secretary said the extension will benefit the whole club in terms of its reputation, the look of the club and its finances.

Election of officers:

Chairperson: Nathan Cuthbert

Vice Chair: Mark Baker

Secretary: Ally Shand

Youth Secretary and Welfare Officer: Gabriella Foley

Treasurer: Karen King

No Objections raised to any of the above.

Darren Warren and Jamie Webb were proposed and seconded as general committee members – No objections raised. Natalie Bloomer was proposed and seconded as Minutes Secretary – No objections raised.

Matters Arising: Several issues were put forward by members before the meeting. They were each discussed, and it was made clear that they were ultimately matters to be decided on by the committee. The key points were:

Access to clubhouse: Chairman and Secretary both pointed out that access to the clubhouse would mean extra responsibility for coaches due to stock checks and cash taking then being needed. Youth Secretary Gabriella Foley and others present said all coaches should have a key and to the gate.

It was suggested a vending machine may be a good alternative for refreshments and snacks which new first team manager Jamie Duncombe said he may be able to obtain for the club.

Pitches:  Youth Secretary Gabriella Foley said finding new pitches needs to be a priority. Vice Chairman Mark Baker suggested speaking to Raunds Council about permission to use certain fields in Raunds.

Behaviour: Youth Secretary has updated the club’s code of conduct and would like everyone involved in the club to sign it including the committee. Youth Secretary and Chairman both agree there should be a direct link from parents to the committee so that issues can be reported. Gabriella Foley suggested the use of an app called Spond.

Kit Shed: The Kit shed will be moved when building work starts on the clubhouse. But it needs to be cleared and sorted. New committee member Jamie Webb and Manager Jamie Duncombe suggested adding some racking to help organise the kit.

Equipment: Chairman agreed that it would make sense for one person to be responsible for ordering all equipment and invoices to be sent to Treasurer.

Any other business:

Fundraising: Vice Chairman Mark Baker suggested the club could participate in the Wendall Walk to raise funds. It was suggested by Jamie Webb that football cards would also be a good way to raise regular additional funds.

Grants: Several funding and grant opportunities were discussed, the Chairman will look in to these further.

Social media/website: It was agreed that the club’s social media and online presence could be built upon. It was noted that it would be nice to be able to recognise achievements from those in the club and individual teams online.

Training Kit: 9 A-side metal goals needed and 7 A-side plastic goals needed. Would be nice to have some club flags. Portable flood lights will be needed for winter training on some pitches.

Behaviour: It was noted that language and behaviour at some of our first team matches could put off families from coming to support the team. Chairman recognised that we should all behave well but it is out of our control how the opposing side behave.

Unity: Youth Secretary Gabriella Foley and Chairman Nathan Cuthbert repeated how important it is for the club to be united and for the youth sides to feel as involved with the club as the first team.

Manager Jamie Duncombe and committee member Jamie Webb discussed how they would like to see a better connection between the youth teams and the first team and spoke to Mark Baker about them going to watch the under 16s play.

Chairman closed the meeting and thanked all for attending.