HertsSQUASH
County Committee Meetings
MINUTES OF THE 2005 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HERTS SQUASH RACKETS ASSOCIATION
HELD AT HERTS COUNTRY CLUB, ON 4TH JULY 2005
Present: Jason Foster Chairman
Domnic Webster Secretary
Dean Clayton Treasurer
Isobel Smith Ladies Captain
Nicky Wase League Secretary
Sally Ann Webster League Secretary
Lesley Garner Herts Closed Organiser
1. Apologies: Derek Thorpe HERTS WEBSITE, Broxbourne Ladies Team, , Paul
Drakes Herts Fire and Dave Proudfoot, Tring.
2. The 2004 Minutes
The minutes were accepted unanimously. Proposed by Julie Simmons (Allenburys)
and seconded by Tony Porter (Royston)
3. Chairman
Jason Foster introduced himself and the committee to the AGM. He thanked
everyone for their
commitment to squash and Herts squash in particular.
4. Secretary’s Report
Dominic spoke about England Squash and a new idea they are promoting of an
Area Squash Acadamy. This will include area coaching for juniors of all
standards. They will be running competions etc. for the juniors. Information
has been sent to clubs, but as sometimes happens, it doesn’t reach the right
person. If a club wished to host a junior competion, the minimum requirement
were four courts and viewing facilities. Dominic asked that if anyone wanted
further information to ask his after the AGM.
England Squash are also trying to encourage racketball and are setting up a
National Racketball competition. Dominic asked if there was anyone keen on
racketball as this was a chance for someone to join the committee as a
racketball represenative.
Invoices for membership and affiliation are going out to clubs shortly.
Clubs need to list all members details in order for England Squash to get
their records up to date. Invoices sometimes get sent to the wrong person at
a club and Dominic said that he had copies of the invoices if anyone
required them.
5. Ladies County
Isobel Smith reported that the Ladies Team were competing in Division 1
South. The squad for the first weekend was very depleted and consisted of
Zoe Durbach, ( Brox), Isobel Smith (HCC), Elke Rubsam (Cannons) and Jenna
Shrub (Cannons) who helped out at the last minute. Unfortunately Herts came
third and went to the relegation weekend.
At the relegation weekend the team was Isobel Smith, Emma Abbegglan (Bishops
Stortford), Elke Rubsam (Haileybury), Laura Taylor (Cannons) and Sally Philp
(Cannons). Norfolk withdrew from the competition and Herts lost 5-0 to Devon
and 4-1 to Gloucestershire. The s beat Cambridgeshire 5-0 and beat Devon 3-2
but lost to SE Wales 4-1 .The team remain in Division 1.
Congratulations to Zoe Durbach who represented England at O’35.
The ladies Vets Team of Isobel Smith, Maureen Winter, Elke Rubsam, Sheila
Blake and Sally Philip enjoyed had a mixed season and remain in the same
division.
6. Mens County
The Men’s senior team were
The squad was Adam Fuller (HCC) Keith Timms (Broxbourne) Jonathon Fuller(HCC)
Jason Foster (B/Stortford) David Beattie (Cannons) and Adrian Waller (Hazlewood)
Herts won two matches at the second weekend and came joint 2nd. However on
count back of points we came 3rd and were unfortunately relegated.
Mens O’35
The team was Bruce St Ledger, Steve Lloyd, Gary Raw, Gavin Roger-Lund,
Martin White (HCC), Laz Fernando
Mens O’45
Awaiting report from Julian Craxton.
Congratulations to Jason Foster who represented England at O’35.
7. Treasurer.
Dean Clayton presented the audited accounts for year ended 31st May 2005. He
thanked Just Rams for their sponsorship of the Herts Closed 2004.
The accounts were proposed by Geoff Long (Broxbourne) and seconded by
Alistair Ambrose (Bishops Stortford).
Jason reminded the AGM that Dean had in fact resigned from the committee due
to moving to
Devon. A presentation had been made to Dean at the Herts Closed. Jason
thanked Dean on behalf of the Committee for hard work and commitment over
the years he had been in Hertfordshire. No replacement was forthcoming.
8. Herts Closed 2004
Lesley Garner read a report of the 2004 Herts Closed. Thanks again to Just
Rams who generously sponsored the tournament. numbers were slightly up from
last year with a total of 86 players against and entry of 82 last year.
Results
Mens A Jason Foster bt Keith Timms 3 - 0
Mens O’35 Jason Foster bt Martin White 3 – 0
Mens Vets Peter Leary bt Robert Last 3 – 1
Mens Vint Malcolm Newton bt Tony Clifford 3 – 2
Ladies Zoe Smith bt Isobel Smith 3 – 0
Ladies Vet Maureen Winter bt Sheila Blake 3 – 0
Thanks to all that supported the event, players, officials and to Cannons
for hosting the tournament.
Although Cannons are more than willing to host the Herts Closed again, the
committee felt that a change of venue might help create more interest in the
event, even perhaps holding it over a weekend. This was put to the AGM with
not many comments either for or against. The committee will decide whether
to hold the event in January on the allocated weekend and hold a Masters
tournament the weekend after. A host club will need to be found with a
willing volunteer to help coordinate over the weekend. The club should have
six courts and facilties for viewing.
Broxbourne said that they would be willing to host. A decision will be made
in the next few weeks.
9. Ladies League
Nicky Wase reported that the ladies had had a good season with two divisions
of four teams. The usual story of needing more ladies to play was stressed
and hopefully to get a few more team playing next season.
Haileybury won Division 1 and Tring won Division 2.
Mens League
Sally Ann reported that Broxbourne had dropped out of 2nd division in the
Summer league and that Radlett had taken their place. Berkhampsted 5 have
had to withdraw at halfway from Division 3.
The online leagues launched last winter have been a great success and the
feed back has been good and has created more interest in other people’s
results etc. Sally Ann apologised that the summer leagues were not online
but hopefully they would be next year. It is a much more efficient way of
getting results, however people still make mistakes and it is necessary have
match cards sent in as well. Sally Ann offered to hold a workshop to show
non-users how to enter their results.
Sally Ann proposed a Rule Change to say that a team order must stay
conistent and can only be changed at the half way stage. This motion was
carried with no dissenters.
The Cup Competition had culminated in a very successful finals night at
Herts Country Club with Bishops Stortford beating Berkhamsted 5 – 0 in the
senior cup and Royston beating Hawks in the junior cup. There had been some
complaints regarding the “free week” that had been left to play the matches
and Sally Ann asked for comments on how this could be changed. After some
discussion it appeared that having a free week was the best option but
perhaps the home team keep to their match night. Other suggestions were a
plate competition and also handicapping, although this might prove quite
difficult. The ladies thought that they would try running a similar
competition this year.
Sally Ann asked for comments on the website and the general opinion was that
it was fine.
Jason thanked Sally Ann for hard work organising the leagues.
10. Steve Lloyd representing the junior committee, addressed the AGM. He
asked everyone to encourage juniors in their clubs, whatever standard they
may be. Give them a chance of playing in a team in say in Division 5, make
them feel welcome with the adults. The junior girls open was held last
weekend and there were 25 entries this year (there had only be six last
year). This is a great improvement. He asked that they be given
responsibility within clubs.
Jason agreed the junior committee were doing a great job and highlighted the
successes of some of the juniors. England Ranking
Adrian Waller 3 U’17
Jonathon Fuller 9 U’17
Oliver Dixon 3 U’15
P Waller 5 U’13
Tim Dixon 10 U’13
Jemma Ockwell 7 U’13
Rachel foster 10 U’13
Our U’13 squad reached the National Finals played in Yorkshire. The lost in
their semi final but won the play-off against Warwickshire, thereby coming
3rd. Great performance.
Adrian Waller and Oliver Dixon had both represented England this year.
Congratulations.
10. Election of Officers
The committee were re-elected on bloc, proposed by Neil Stennet (Batchwood)
and seconded by Betty Longhurst (Tring). Dean Clayton has resigned
asTreasurer and Referees’ Coordinator in due course and an appeal was made
for a successor.
11. Any other Business
12. League Presentations
Ladies
Winner RU
Winter League Div 1 Haileybury
Div 2 Tring
Mens Winner RU
Summer League Div 5 HCC4
Div 4 Harlow
Div 3 Hawks
Div 2 Bishops Stortford
Div 1 Broxbourne 1
Winter League Div 5 Gosling
Div 4 Royston
Div 3 Potters Bar
Div 2 Dunstable
Div 1 Bishops Stortford
The Wilkinson Sword was presented to Bishops Stortford for managing to win
Division 1 and the County Cup and for the clubs enthusiam for organising
events and being involved in Herts Squash.
The meeting finished at 9.00 p.m.
Next Meeting - 2006
