Tuesday 24 October 2006 – 7.00 pm
‘The Glasshouse Stores’, 55 Brewer Street, London W1F 9UN.

Attendees
Richie Gardiner RG Team Secretary
Adam Malin AM 2nd XI Captain
Dave Malin DM Treasurer
Matt Smith MS 2nd XI Vice-Captain
Dermot Steedman DS 1st XI Captain
Keith Williams KW Secretary

Apologies
Philip Harvey PH Member

Absent
Sunny Munn SM 1st XI Vice-Captain

Additional Distribution
ICC Website

Minutes and Actions/Information

1. Secretary’s Report
KW thought that 2006 had been a very good season. Seven matches out of eleven were won, and 26 players made their debut – with some excellent performances from the newcomers. Sides had been a little unbalanced at times – batting stronger than bowling. Recruiting more bowlers would allow players to bat in their natural positions, and allow two sides to be fielded more regularly. The challenge ahead is to continue to recruit interested players.

KW announced that he was due to become a father in April 2007, which would restrict his involvement with cricket organisation for the first part of that season, at least. He hoped that all those involved in the club would pull together in his absence, to ensure that things continue to get done.

2. Captain’s Report
DS had once again enjoyed captaining Isambard. He felt his was the best job in the club. Isambard had benefited from some talented new players in 2006, who had helped the club to shine on the field.

DS suggested that the role of Captain could occasionally be rotated, to give other players the opportunity to lead the side. All present felt that, whilst this might be desirable on an ad hoc basis, DS should continue to lead the side in the majority of games as the officially-appointed Captain.

3. Treasurer’s Report
DM advised that Isambard’s current balance was circa £400. Given that winter nets had already been paid for, this was a very healthy position, although expenditure on items such as trophies and match balls would be necessary. The £10 match fee had met with no objections; all agreed that this should continue for 2007.

DM suggested that a ‘jug’ should be bought post-match for opponents when this was felt to be desirable; this was deemed a good idea. AM suggested that fines be introduced occasionally, e.g. for ‘tour’ matches, as a way of engendering team spirit and creativity (in terms of the reasons for the fine). This would also provide useful income. Again, this was felt to be a good idea.

4. John Malin Memorial Trophy (Most Improved Player)
AM and DM chose not to nominate a recipient of this award. All others present voted DM as Most Improved Player. DM was therefore elected as Most Improved Player 2006.

Action: DM to arrange for engraving of trophy and purchase of keepsake.

5. Committee Roles and Changes/Vacancies
KW had previously volunteered to act as Fixtures Secretary, following Gareth Chew’s resignation. KW was willing to fulfil this role for a year (i.e. to arrange 2007’s fixtures), although did not intend to continue as both Fixtures Secretary and Secretary beyond then. This proposal was accepted by all those present.

KW also suggested that Ray Collins be approached to rejoin the Committee as a Member, following Ray’s decision to return to the UK in 2007. This was also agreed by all those present.

Action: KW to approach Ray to see if he would be amenable to this suggestion. Post-Meeting Note: Ray approached, and has agreed to rejoin the Committee as Recruitment Secretary.

6. Fixtures 2007
It was felt that, following the success of the 2006 tour, the Sussex tour should take place again over the early May Bank Holiday of 2007. The Committee felt that two fixtures against Rye, as in 2006, would be preferable. However, KW cautioned that the Bank Holiday weekend was almost a week later in 2007; it was possible that Rye would be prevented from playing two games because of the start of their league season. If this was the case, it was felt that Icklesham should be approached for a game.

Of those sides played in 2006, it was felt that Wimbledon Park should not be approached for a fixture. Bec Old Boys and Surbiton Conservative should only be approached for a fixture if any of the fixtures planned for 2007 did not come off.

AM mentioned that he had been approached by East Meon’s Fixtures Secretary for a match. This could be tied in with a Meonstoke fixture in order to create another weekend away. All felt this to be a good suggestion.

It was proposed that the following teams should be approached for fixtures in 2007:

Chipperfield 2nd XI
East Meon
Edmonton 3rd XI
Enfield Invicta
Fives Earlier than 2006 date
Meonstoke Earlier than 2006 date, at request of opponents
Merrow
Olinda Vandals
Oxted & Limpsfield Earlier than 2006 date*
Rye (two matches) Weekend 5/6 May
Southgate 2nd XI
Totteridge
Warne Stars Intra-club match
Wimbledon United

* - originally scheduled date may suit

Conference matches could be arranged if required for any ‘spare’ dates.

RG had supplied a list of key dates for festivals and the 2007 Rugby World Cup; fixtures should try and avoid these where possible. However, this notwithstanding, fixtures could be booked on equivalent weekends for 2007, except where listed above.

Action: KW to arrange all above fixtures, and update website for next season.

7. Proposed Home Ground/The Future
KW presented his report from March 2006 in which four possible venues were compared by means of a balanced scorecard approach. DS commented that he now felt that Isambard as a team were not yet ready to commit to regular home fixtures. There were insufficient people willing to undertake the sort of organisation this would require, and the balance of Isambard’s players supported the current wandering side. AM suggested that this topic be a ‘standing item’ for future AGMs, so that the club could review their position on the matter on a regular basis; this was agreed.

Action: KW to ensure this is a standing item for Agenda for 2007 and subsequent AGMs.

8. Awards Ceremony/Winter Entertainment
RG offered to approach Grant Cutmore to see if he would be willing to host the winter Awards Ceremony at his abode.

Action: RG to approach Grant as above.
Post-Meeting Note: Grant Cutmore has agreed to provide the venue for this. Likely date: January/February 2007.

RG also suggested an eight-a-side indoor match against Warne Stars, his indoor team.

Action: RG to arrange.
Post-Meeting Note: Proposal has engendered considerable interest. Likely date: November 2006.

9. Any Other Business
Team Caps/Shirts
KW presented a suggestion from Simon Codling that Isambard produce caps/shirts with a team badge thereon. It was agreed by the Committee that a team cap would be a good thing. RG suggested some may be made available in the team kit for occasional players.

Action: DM/KW to obtain likely costings for purchase of caps
Post-Meeting Note: KW has sourced a potential supplier. KW to publicise a competition for Isambard players to design a logo/choose a cap colour, judged by fellow players. Winner to receive a free cap. Intention to have caps for start of 2007 season.

Primary Club
AM outlined the work of the Primary Club, a charity which supports blind cricket in the UK. Membership is granted to anyone who makes a golden duck in any form of cricket. AM suggested that membership be paid for by the club for the first player in the season to achieve this; subsequent players making golden ducks may have their membership subsidised by the club. This was agreed by the members present.

Action: KW to publicise to team members.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30 pm.