Archive | Committee Meetings

Update on 2023 Season Section formation etc

Since Registration Night there has been a few additional teams registered bringing the total number of teams registered to 52 an increase of 4 from 2022. Whilst this is great because our prime objective is always to grow both the number of teams and individuals playing our game as possible. 52 represents a not insignificant growth in numbers when you consider the challenges that pubs and clubs and their customers (us!) face in these difficult economic times.

The increase in numbers has, though,   presented us with a dilemma, but in keeping with our desire to have as many teams as possible playing we have decided to add an extra section this season. This means that there will be 10 teams in the Premier/A section and in the B section with 8 teams in Sections C,D,E, and F. This means that instead of 18 matches in these sections there will be only 14 with 4 byes in each.

It’s worth reminding all teams that positioning in sections is, as it has been for several years, based on the aggregate score of the top 8 players from the previous season assuming they have registered again for 2023. In a few cases some teams and some players did not play in 2022, so where appropriate averages from their last full season (2019) has been taken into account. This process means that some teams may find themselves in a higher or lower section this year than last and this is simply because either their average determines that or because their registered players have changed. The handicap system used for the Premier and A section is based on exactly the same principles. 

On the positive side, for those sections with less teams  we have been able to arrange  the sections so that they free up 2 teams from each section each week which will give the opportunity to either arrange friendlies or even an informal “supplementary league” with teams from across 4 sections having the opportunity to play each other. We will have to sort out how best that is organised a bit later, it will probably need to be sorted by the teams affected, but it does give the opportunity for all teams to play 18 games and every week over the season if they want to..

As a result of these considerations the production of the fixtures etc has been slightly delayed, but all of the details will be with you by the end of April. The  league season proper starts on May 10th with the 1st round of the team 8’s knockout handicap competition scheduled for the week earlier May 3rd and the draw for those games will be published on the website and to the respective teams in the next few days.

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Changes and vacancies on the League Committee

Earlier this week our Chairman, Reg Couch decided to stand down after 4 years in the role. Reg took over as Chairman back in 2019 and before that had held the role of Vice Chairman.

We thank Reg for his past service to the Association in his various capacities. Reg has also  been one of our longest serving players, playing most recently for The Fox at Denchworth in what has been very much a family affair with his wife and son playing alongside him, together with their good friends, Vic and Pauline Pratt.

Unfortunately it looks like Fox B are not going to have sufficient players to form a side this coming season so Reg may be available for “transfer”, at this stage I don’t know whether a fee will be required! No doubt sides based around Grove and Wantage looking for more players could be interested!

Reg’s resignation leaves a gap on the Committee so if anyone is interested and is willing to be co-opted please make contact with any of the Committee formally or informally. It’s not too onerous a job half a dozen or so  Committee meetings over 12 months, support for the Competition days (2), and being present on Finals night and  the Annual Presentation Awards Night at the end of the season.

No money is involved, all Committee roles are entirely voluntary and all decisions made by the Committee are intended to be non controversial and in the best interests of all members of the league and all of  the people who play our game.

As a result of Reg’s resignation Paul Stone has been asked, by the Committee,  to take the Chair for 2023. Paul has accepted that role and we are confident that having Paul back on the Committee and now taking on the role of Chairman will be a real plus for the League going forward.

Once again on behalf of the League our  thanks and best wishes to Reg and a warm welcome to the Chair Paul!

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2023 AGM Update summary

For those who couldn’t make the recent 2023 Annual general Meeting here is a summary of all of the key points discussed and agreed at the very well attended meeting held at the Croft bar on Monday 23rd January.

  • League entrance fees will increase for 2023 from £40 to £45 per team with up to 15 players registered per team. ( This effectively represents the same cost as pre Covid years when the team registration was £30 plus £1 per registered player)
  • The existing Committee were re-elected with the very welcome additions of  Paul Stone and Anton Wooloff both agreeing to return to the Committee. They are very welcome!!
  • A new (re-instated) position of Honorary President was proposed and agreed of and a suitable incumbent will be nominated and appointed by the Committee
  • The discussion over start times for matches was interesting but the proposal to compromise on our long established start time of 8.30 and the 2022 amended  start time of 8 pm led to an agreement that the 2023 preferred start time will be 8.15 pm 
  • Competitions other than the 8’s will again be held on Sundays as in 2022, but with the 3’s, 4’s and 5’s to be held on one day and the Pairs, Singles, Captains and Secretaries being held on a later date. full details and dates to follow.
  • The season will kick off on Wednesday 3rd of May with the first round of the 8’s and the league proper will start on the following Wednesday, the 10th.
  • The online registration of match cards which worked very well in 2022 will be retained.
  • The option (in the lower section/s) of playing with a minimum of 6 players per side will be retained as an option for 2023 season
  • Registration Night will take place on Monday March 20th at Abingdon Conservative Club for both the league and the Team 8’s Competition. Details will be on the website with registration forms soon 
  • The entry date and for the remaining Competition’s will be agreed and confirmed later.
  •  An effort will be made to recruit and attract more teams and players of all ages and gender for 2023 to enable us to increase our numbers above the 48 teams entered in 2022. We need  to  focus on both former and new pubs and clubs throughout the area and the benefits of having 16+ people spending money in  their bar every Wednesday or every other Wednesday for 18 weeks of the Summer.
  • Thames Cables have kindly agreed to continue as League sponsors for 2023 and have asked that their sponsorship should include some increased  focus (and benefits) on the lower sections.
  • It was proposed that we seek to build on the history of our Association first documented by our founder the late Basil Collins who documented the first 30 years of the Association. So we are seeking a volunteer(s) 

I think that’s about it. It was a very well attended (19 teams represented) meeting with good discussion on a range of topics that impact our game and all of  the teams and people who play it. 

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2023 Annual General Meeting Date correction and change of venue

The 2023 AGM will be held on MONDAY JANUARY 23rd not as I mistakenly previously posted JANUARY 29th which is, in fact, a Sunday not a Monday as previously stated! I was obviously suffering with the excesses of Christmas and New Year when posting the date last week!

 

There is however a change of venue as Abingdon United can’t host us on a Monday as they have both Darts and Boxing every week utilising both bars at United.

The meeting will now take place at The Croft Bar in Peachcroft commencing at 8pm. There’s plenty of car parking adjacent to the Croft.

 

Any items to be raised at the AGM either for discussion or to  propose changes to the rules will be discussed at the meeting and every club/team registered for the 2022 season is entitled to 1 vote each in the event of any voting necessary on the day.

 

I would remind everyone that through 2022 we had only 4 serving Committee members and that’s just not enough resources  to maintain the league to the standard needed. So any volunteers will be welcomed with open arms, but will be subject to both a nomination and election process on the night.

Full details of the Agenda will be sent to Secretaries and Captains early next week and we really want all 48 teams entered last year to have the opportunity of making their contribution to the way the league is organised and administered going forward.

 

 

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Summer League AGM – Monday 28th January @ Ab.Utd. FC – call for motions and volunteers

The 59th Abingdon and District Aunt Sally League Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 28th January 2019 at 7:30 for 8pm start at Abingdon United FC. 

The following roles need to be filled:-

  • Chairman (Mr. J. Barguss standing down)
  • Vice Chairman
  • League Secretary (Mr. P.Stone standing down)
  • Treasurer
  • Dolly Recorder
  • Competition Secretary
  • Committee members

We will also need some support for the website with the League Secretary standing down so if you know either a student or professional that is willing give some time to add this to their CV please let us know – they need to be familiar with or want to learn WordPress, PHP, MySQL to help the site develop.

  • Motions for the meeting must be submitted in writing 14 days in advance i.e. by 14th January. 
  • This can be done by email to Secretary or Chairman @ AbingdonAuntSally.com.
  • Proposers for motions should attend the AGM.
  • Voting at the AGM is one team one vote.

Previous minutes are available here.

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End of the Season & AGM

Friday night saw the culmination of the 2018 Summer Season and as we move into the winter break I want to update you on the AGM date and give you some important news.

As usual the AGM will be on the last Monday of January which this year is the 28th starting at 8pm.

Those of you who were there last year know that long serving member Paul Stone will not be standing for re-election for the 2019 season.

I want to take this opportunity to inform you that I also will not be standing for Chairman either. I will continue to do some of the more mundane admin work but the Chairman should be more involved with the league than routine admin work. The league is in a good shape and sponsorship has been confirmed for the 2019 season by Dyno Plumbing and Heating.

The Competition Secretary is also standing down this year and will also need to be replaced. Please understand that they do need to be replaced. If you wish to continue playing Aunt Sally in this the 60th year then volunteers do need to be found. Understand that just assuming someone will volunteer is a sure way of ensuring that nobody will.

I hope that if you can spare the time you will contact a member of the Committee before the AGM to pledge support.

Many thanks

Your Chairman

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