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THE SITE ELECTRICAL NORTH
MANCHESTER CRICKET LEAGUE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2009
HELD AT GREENMOUNT CRICKET CLUB
TUESDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2009 @ 7.30PM
The North Manchester Cricket League Annual
General Meeting 2009
Chairman’s Report
With Sadness
The overriding shadow of 2009 was the passing of
our League President, Cyril Fletcher. Cyril was
one of a diminishing band of chaps that I always
refer to as the ‘league of gentlemen’. This
‘band of brothers’ are getting thin on the
ground now but their lasting legacy is the
people that they have helped to groom and shaped
ensuring that the League and it’s clubs are
still strongly bonded together. As I and others
grew up within the League, this group of
gentlemen were there to guide and nurture a
number young radical thinkers, myself included.
As I and others got a little older it became
clear why this group of gentlemen were held in
so high esteem; their foresight, patience,
diligence and the eye for detail. Sometimes I
feel that in today’s constant run a round it is
easy to rush through one or more of their
traditional values but in the learning generally
the fact is – miss one and you are generally
heading for a fall. Whilst we acknowledge
Cyril’s passing let us ensure that we do it with
grace and style – just the way that these chaps
brought the second generation through their
foundation years.
Weather Watch
2009 was just as busy as ever cricket wise and
just as wet as ever weather wise; who knows, one
day we may get back to the barmy summers for
sport! Whilst we make light of the poor weather
again this year my thanks on behalf of the
League Executive is to both the umpires and
players for their patience and understanding in
difficult weather conditions, whilst I know we
had a couple of incidents of short tempers this
year, on the whole everyone tried to work
together and work toward some form of resolution
on match days. Bad weather and cricket never go
well together. Lets hope for a dryer 2010.
Vampires
On the subject of Umpires, may I again recognise
the work of the North Manchester Cricket League
Umpires Association, its officers and in
particular Bernard Sweeney for all the hard work
undertaken on behalf of the League and its
clubs. It was Bernard’s first year in the hot
seat of Umpires Secretary and I for one, think
that he acquitted himself with great
professionalism. It is a very difficult
Voluntary Office that he holds and as the umpire
numbers still slide he needs as much support as
all clubs and the League Executive can manage.
As always the plea is about identification of
new umpires; if clubs can help, all new members
of the white coat brigade will be welcomed with
open arms.
Sponsorship
Site Electrical have again committed to another
year of sponsorship and I on behalf of the
League offer thanks for their kind support,
particularly as we are all aware of the state of
the financial climate just at present. It was
very nice to welcome Tom and his partner Julie
to this years presentation, they are always
great company even through they led me astray to
the new Witherspoons and Two Tubs well after the
witching hour – I am still carrying the
headache!!
Worries
If I have one worry within the League at the
moment it surrounds the number of teams that
have played short again this year and the couple
of teams that we have lost, particularly
Westleigh Methodist 11 and Uppermill 111. It
would be easy for me in the capacity of League
Chairman to ignore and allow the moment to pass
but there is concern that it appears that clubs
in a number of areas are struggling to connect
with the army of young people that we are told
are playing the game at grass roots level. There
may be vagaries such as Uppermill’s claim that
transport was an issue but most of our clubs are
playing on good grounds and have good people
attached so why are we apparently having so much
of an issue? I will table an agenda item early
in the New Year to discuss some of the problems
and if as a League we can help, as always we
will, I am also sure that clubs can support each
other with ideas for recruitment and retention.
My concern is that if we are not proactive
someone will eventually go to the wall, lose a
second or third team and in my eyes it stunts
development and growth and also hits the clubs
financially. Strong words but honest sentiments.
Child Protection
As Lead Officer for the League it is very
important that I stay abreast of current
movement within Sport and Recreation. Reality
teaches us all that sometimes reaction should be
on a united front aka the United Utilities issue
and sometimes individually as a League; I
certainly put the Child Welfare / Independent
Safeguarding Association (ISA) in that bracket.
Over the past few months the League has watched,
as other have, the movement regarding the ISA
and has been looking for a steer from Government
or the ECB /LCB. All advising agencies still
appear to be watching the movement so we are
doing similar. I understand, from the Greater
Manchester Child Welfare Officer, that
communications to the advising officers are only
just starting and they are still not fully aware
of the ISA implications going forward. From a
League point of view, whilst most senior clubs
are being picked up within their own Leagues we
need to pull ourselves in line with Safeguarding
and Child Protection and Time to Listen
Training. Whilst I have been picking up the
Child Welfare issues on behalf of the League for
some time now, I have been advised by the Child
Protection Officer for Greater Manchester that
all our Senior Clubs need to register their
Child Welfare Officer with us and then we can
advise the County Board. To enable us to do this
two night training, Child Protection and Time to
Listen, are being arranged for early in the New
Year, it is worth noting that participants can
not register for the Time to Listen without
having attended the relevant cricket specific
Child Protection course. These courses will be
on a first come, first served basis so clubs
need to get organised, a simple booking sheet
will accompany this report at the AGM. Thanks to
Greenmount Cricket Club for offering to host the
training and to David Lees for being so
accommodating.
The booking sheet can be accessed HERE.
Club Facility Development
It is very pleasing to see that clubs are still
managing to improve their facilities. In the
current climate everyone is aware things are
difficult but there are still some good small
grants to be had. There are also some great
online resources available. The Big Lottery
Awards for All has had a refresh, the Community
Foundation for Greater Manchester carries great
information for the voluntary sector, the LCB
Website is carrying good links to Funding Bodies
and a number of our Local Authorities are still
carrying small grants and support under the
Community Investment Fund and Sport Unlimited
Project. I accept that we are all busy people
but I can see these funding bodies reducing in
grants as we move ever closer to the Olympics so
my advice would be to get after them now, don’t
wait until it’s too late. Well done to everyone
who is working so hard to improve their clubs
and facilities.
NMCL Going Forward
As always I hope that the Executive at the NMCL
are seen as a proactive and forward thinking
League and I have spoken to one or two people
over the past few weeks who have suggested that
a couple of themed workshops through the year
may be helpful. I’m fine with that suggestion
and I’m fine with using some of the League
Meetings as the platform following the main
business of the night. Suggestions have been (1)
advice or short workshop on Funding (2) Club
Development and Facility Management for Small
Clubs (3) Advice on the Governance Arrangement
for Clubs and Associations. If any clubs have
suggestions or requests again just add it to the
proforma and return and we will do our best
accommodate.
Website
Thanks to our webmaster, Simon Edlington. I
thought that this years refreshed website and
the support offered to John Barrow to keep him
on the straight and narrow IT wise was fantastic
as always. Thanks Simon, said on behalf of
everyone.
Annual Presentation Evening
Another notable success! I hope that all who
attended this year presentation had a good
evening. The format appears to work and although
Graham could not be in attendance (and I have
sent a note of understanding to him) which was
very understandable, people’s comments after the
event have been very gracious. A lot of work
goes on around the evening which is generally
unseen and to this end I must thank John Barrow
and Steve Sumner for their continued support. It
was nice to see Steve behaving himself this year
although there is one observation that someone
made and I did say that I would pass it on –
“what a lot of noise such a little man makes!”
Thanks also to everyone who contributed to the
raffle and to Elton Vale for selling tickets, it
must be the best in the business and it also
helps us to keep the cost of the ticket price
down.
One last thing
Just to say a big thank you to all the League
Officers and Club Representative for all the
hard work, support and friendship over the past
year. The Officers of the League work tirelessly
to ensure that the League is working for the
benefit of the League Clubs but we cannot
function properly without the support of all
clubs and understanding of Club Chairs.
Apologies if I have upset a few people over non
attendance at meetings this year but we just
cannot get important information out if clubs
are missing, whilst the League is a haven for us
all, we must also realise that it is a big
League with lots of movement of fixtures,
umpires etc throughout the season therefore the
ongoing communication is vital and all have
responsibilities to ensure smooth running.
And a footnote
Boxing Day Cricket at Tottington St John’s –
11am start.
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