Broadbridge Heath Tennis Club A.G.M.
Monday 21st November 2011
Present: Committee members: Sue Whitty, Ann Lines, Mike Coombs, Peter Ballard, Nick Trout, Michael Heeley, Rosie Browning, Graham Horley, Claudia O'Connell
Club members: Elaine Jowett, Roger Jowett, Tim Shelton, Joanne Coombs, Ken Pierce, Rob Leigh, Jean Henning
1. Apologies: Nick Leach, Lisa Williams, Roger White
2. Minutes of the 2010 AGM were accepted as a true record of that meeting. Proposed by Joanne Coombs, Seconded by Michael Heeley.
3. Matters raised from the minutes: Ann reported that she had completed the block booking for BTM and that members had risen from 50 to 84. Roger Jowett asked if we had a key for the Cricket Club pavilion. Joanne Coombs was able to report that she had been given one recently by Geoff Reed for Tennis Club use.
4. Chairwoman's report: A copy of the report is attached separately. It included details of the resurfacing project with special thanks to Mike for handling the grant from Biffa, details of events during the year and news of the death of Bruce Wilkinson who had been an active Club and committee member. Following the report Sue presented the trophies which had been engraved to the tournament winners.
5. Treasurer's report: A copy of the report is attached separately. Mike was able to report that the final payment from Biffa has now been made and the project is complete. Tim Shelton was formally thanked for undertaking the audit. The report was accepted by the meeting. Proposed by Graham Horley, Seconded by Rob Leigh
6. . Election of the Executive Committee: Sue announced that she would like to stand down as chair but would be happy to remain on committee, Mike announced that he would like to stand down as Treasurer. Ann was happy to continue in her role as Secretary and Peter was happy to remain membership secretary. Nick wanted to stand down as tournament and coaching secretary but would be happy to remain on committee without a role due to work pressures.
Sue proposed Mike as Chairman, seconded by Rob Leigh and Mike was happy to accept this role. With no one on committee prepared to take on the role of Treasurer, Tim Shelton agreed to come back onto committee and once again take on this responsibility. This was proposed by Ann and seconded by Roger Jowett.
Joanne Coombs offered to join committee.
At this point in the meeting Mike took the chair and proposed a vote of thanks to Sue for her work as Chair.
A sort break was then taken for refreshments before the meeting was opened to the floor for suggestions and discussion on the future of the club
7. Future of the club:
- Floodlights - Mike told the meeting that he, Ann and Sue had undertaken some preliminary research on the possibility of the Club installing floodlights. Possible problems look to be spillage of light causing an issue for planning, cost and ease of electrical supply, getting to and from courts in dark. Roger Jowett suggested looking into possible affiliation with a club with indoor courts or courts with floodlights. Mike suggested we form a sub committee to look into all issues. Rob Leigh, Roger Jowett and Nick Trout agreed to do this and to report back at end Jan/early Feb. Ann to forward them LTA details on floodlighting.
- Online Booking - Peter suggested this as a possibility and Ann to forward him details of Bookit which is recommended by LTA. Peter and Michael to have suggestions ready for early Feb. Ann suggested that club could look at possibilities of online subs too and will get information from LTA for suggestions for next committee meeting. Claudia suggested that BBH shop be approached to see if they would collect court hire fees, she agreed to ask them before the next committee meeting.
- Club sessions - Sun am, Thurs eve (summer), Tues and Fri am for seniors. At the moment only Tues is formally listed for seniors, Fri to be formalised. A men's session was suggested and this was agreed by the meeting. To be held on the first Saturday of the month from 10 -12 am commencing in January. Ann to draw up a contact group of all possible men and send this to Nick to distribute. It was also suggested to hold a weekday Ladies morning, this too was agreed and details for this to be arranged at the next meeting.
- It was suggested to start the Tournament earlier in the season and to enable this to happen it was agreed to distribute the tournament details with the membership renewal pack. It was agreed to keep the finals weekend in Sept and Rosie agreed to be Tournament secretary.
- Coaching - It was agreed by all to have these sessions as turn up and pay rather than booking a course. Administration to be handled by Enric. There was a suggestion that coaching be graded if at all possible; but it was recognised that this would be dependent on numbers - Enric to advise.
- Rob Leigh offered to speak to Warnham school to organise details of a mail shot and/or possible mini tennis sessions as tasters in school.
- Promoting Club - It was suggested that the Club tries to target Horsham with an emphasis on the club being family friendly and open to ALL standards. Ann to investigate editorials in magazines and papers. Also suggested that we collect email of non members hiring courts and send them info on joining and benefits of membership. Joanne offered to liaise with the senior group to put posters around village to encourage new senior members.
A.O.B.:
- Graham mentioned that the nets have not been correctly set up and he offered to do this.
- Rob suggested installing bins and drinks holders. This was agreed and he offered to source them for the Club.
Meeting closed at 10.25pm