SCDG Minutes – 17th January 2011
Shepway Cricket Development Group
Minutes of meeting held at Folkestone CC
Present: C Gould, M Leadbetter, W Laker, G Kirk, N Pichowski, J. Godden, D Rawlings, W Greaves, G
Hambrook , J.Richards, P Payne
1. Apologies
1.1. Apologies were received on behalf of B Owen, M Clarke, M Wybrow
2 Minutes of Previous Meeting
2.1. The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted.
3 Matters Arising.
3.1 Item 3.1 – ML stated that the Sports Development Seminar has not yet taken place.
3.2 Item 3.6 – ML suggested that the SSSP’s would need to ensure that sufficient umpires are provided for the Kwik Cricket finals next year.
3.3 Item 5.2 – GH reported that the £2.5k has not yet been received.
3.4 Item 5.4 – ML stated that there was still funding opportunities available from Sport England and that there might be more over the next year or two and suggested that clubs would be advised to tap in to this funding stream.
3.5 Item 5.8 – WG confirmed that the £500 donation from Shepway was on its way in the near future.
3.6 Item 5.9 – ML explained that Mark Dobson was not in the country at the moment so there has been no development on the issue of specialist coaching for the District teams.
3.7 Item 5.10 – PP stated that he understood that the coaches’ shirts have been obtained and that Nobby was seeking quotes for the players shirts.
3.8 Item 7.5 – PP explained that Hawkinge have volunteered to run the Under 10 District side this coming season.
4 Chairman’s Report
4.1 ML announced that he would be stepping down as chairman at the end of the meeting due to his other commitments.
4.2 ML stated that over the last 10 years cricket in Shepway has improved in many ways, but the number of clubs in the area has diminished.
4.3 ML observed that participation in the district has increased including in district training sessions. However, the trend has been for fewer but bigger clubs.
4.4 ML stated that the challenge was to find ways of bringing the ‘lost’ clubs back into the District set up and to encourage their participation in the SCDG.
4.5 ML suggested that arrangements similar to the one between Stowting and Sibton Park could be considered by other bigger clubs to nurture their smaller neighbours.
4.6 WG asked clubs to help him to reach out and get other clubs involved in the District affairs, especially those on the Marsh.
4.7 DR suggested that some clubs are way behind in their development and junior sections are probably out of reach of some of these clubs.
4.8 WG felt that there was a ‘2-tier’ system evolving where some clubs are simply not interested in development. WG suggested that the District could use the Focus Clubs to mentor these smaller clubs.
4.9 CG explained that the some smaller clubs go along to the Dover District Group meetings and the agenda include items other than just youth issues. CG suggested that Shepway could expand the agenda of their meeting to do the same.
4.10 JR pointed out that Selsted only became aware of the SCDG recently and suggested that there are probably other clubs in a similar position.
4.11 ML asked whether the Marsh clubs feel more connected with the Ashford area rather than Shepway. PP confirmed that correspondence regularly goes to some of the Marsh clubs but without response.
4.12 WG suggested that tit might be possible to get the message out to them during the Sports Development Seminar to which they have been invited.
4.13 WG pointed out that only 2 clubs applied for the Shepway Community Chest fund this year, but it was no closed. CG advised that the SCDG and clubs need to work out fully what they are bidding for and then go to Sport England etc either as a District or individual clubs. CG added that she had a template that can be used for such bids if required.
4.14 NP stated that the SCDG’s focus should be for the greater good of all clubs rather than for individual clubs. WG agreed adding that the District should be showing these clubs that there is potentially a pot of money for using to their benefit if they get involved in the SCDG.
4.15 ML proposed that JG could liaise with CG with a view to putting a grant application together.
5 Development Officer’s Report
5.1 WL reported that Josh Bryen has been leading the indoor coaching sessions and is doing a very good job indeed..
5.2 WL stated that unfortunately the overall standard of the young cricketers is not quite as high as in previous years. However, there are some very good individuals, some of whom are involved in the Kent Youth set up.
5.3 WL pointed out that the indoor sessions will finish 28th March.
6 Treasurer’s Report
6.1 GH reported that there was approximately £2000 in the account. However, The Harvey is still owed about £1000 although they have yet to invoice the District for the hire of the Hall.
6.2 GH pointed out that there was still £1300 from KCB. CG stated that she has chased up the cheque for this.
6.3 WL stated that the income from the indoor training has suffered due to bad weather reducing the attendance figures. WL added that some weeks they haven’t actually broke even. PP suggested that all clubs should make an effort to chase up their own players to encourage attendance.
7. Team Managers’ Report
7.1. In the absence of any team managers, there were no specific reports.
7.2. PP announced that Hawkinge have agreed to take on the responsibility for the Under 10’s this year as Hythe have not been able to do so. However, PP added that Hawkinge will be looking top other clubs to help host one or two of the matches due to pressure of fixture at their ground.
8. Kwik Cricket
8.1. There was no official report submitted.
8.2. WG explained that the SSSP’s are to be funded until 2012. WG undertook to talk to Paul Castle about how they are to operate this year.
8.3. DR reported that the dates for the festivals has been posted on the web site and appears to be 7th June. The County Finals are thought to be 3rd July.
8.4. WL stated that the Year 3&4 festivals are usually held at the Harvey. WL suggested that the SCDG need to get the dates and find out what is happening with the Year 3&4 cricket.
9. Saxon Shore League
9.1. PP reported that they were awaiting the fixtures for the coming season which should be available for the next Saxon Shore Meeting, which has yet to be arranged.
10. Club Mark and Focus Clubs
10.1 ML reported that there was a major incident last season whereby St Lawrence were relegated
because they had not achieved Club – they were the only Premier club not to have it.
10.2 ML stated that Sibton Park were in their re-accreditation year and they were almost up to date.
10.3 CG pointed out that Elham were also going through the re-accreditation process this year. CG
added that there was a lot more to the re-accreditation process than some think. CG explained that
the Development Plan needs updating annually and that annual ‘health checks’ should be undertaken by all Club Mark and Focus clubs.
10.4 PP reported that Hawkinge has now achieved Club Mark status and wished to thank Clair and Bridget for all their help and guidance along the way.
11. Election of Officers.
11.1 WL suggested that there was little point in going through process of the election of a new chairman in the absence of any serious nominee. WL agreed to chair the next meeting at which there will hopefully be at least one candidate put forward.
12. Any Other Business.
12.1 WG advised clubs to send in their invoices for the subsidised coaching courses agreed earlier in the year. WG accepted that the coaches will not be taking their final assessments until March but felt he could rely on the good will of the clubs to ensure that the individuals involved actually complete the course and deliver some coaching time back to the District either via their own clubs or with the District training sessions.
12.2 CG suggested that KCB could perhaps deliver a Level 1 or 2 course in the Shepway area if there were enough candidates and a venue could be provided.
12.3 PP asked whether there could be a possibility of some fast track courses for some of the younger candidates during the summer. This might work because many of the students would be available during the week rather than at weekend, which would avoid clashes with club games.
12.4 CG stated that Umpire courses could also be delivered in the locality and SCDG could generate interest through their contacts with the clubs.
12.5 It was suggested that Coaching Courses and Funding could be distinct items on the agenda for future meetings. CG suggested that funds for coaching courses should be directed through SCDG.
12.6 WL reported that some of those doing the coaching courses are coming to the District training sessions to complete their assessment hours.
12.7 CG stated that she had information on various issues including V-coordinators, umpire courses, Safehands workshops and CB updates for people to take away with them following the meeting.
12.8 CG reported that Kent’s women’s side has did well last year and suggested that SCDG could put in a bid for funds for girls’/women’s travel expenses in relation to representative cricket.
12.9 CG stated that there was an ECB Roadshow on 17th February which will coer areas such as Club Development, ground maintenance and funding.
12.10 CG confirmed that for anyone who has taken the Equity in Coaching course and is still active in their club, the certificate is still valid. However, if the person ceases to be active, someone in the club would need to take the appropriate course to cover the Club Mark requirements.
12.11 JG reported that the lease on the Cheriton Road ground was about to be signed. Half the wickets have been completed, with a new square to be located at the bottom end of the site. JG added that they were about to go out to tender for the construction work, and that the work on the astro pitches was due to start early March. These are to be floodlit. The completion date is expected to
be early 2012.
12.12 JG stated that that advert has gone out for the new development officer for the Cheriton Road Ground Trust. PP suggested that the successful candidate should be invited to the SCDG meetings once appointed.
12.13 PP pointed out that there was to be an Active Shepway Sports Development Seminar on Saturday 19th March at the Folkestone Academy(9.30am-4.00pm). WG explained that the seminar was open to all and that the intention is to help promote sport and sports clubs to the wider public and to encourage wider participation.
12.14 CG stated that it was important that local cricket was fully represented at the seminar. CG agreed to provide a basic leaflet to promote all clubs together at the seminar. CG added that she would ask her assistant to chase up all clubs in the district to ascertain the correct contact details.
12.15 CG suggested that other groups such as the KCB should be incorporated into the SCDG meetings and their issues dealt with under separate Agenda Item headings. This would help to coordinate all cricket issues and involve clubs who perhaps do not have youth sections.
12.16 WG requested that SCDG present him with a plan for delivering cricket courses for clubs in the Marsh area. He would then try to organise this and perhaps even involve a Kent player in the courses.
13. Next Meeting.
13.1 The next meeting will be held on Weds 30th March @ 7.30pm at Selsted CC.
Distribution: Mike Leadbetter (Chairman)*, Wallace Laker, Bridget Owen*, Nell Young*, Claire Gould*, Frank Hobbs*, Geoff Cooke, Nobby Clark*, John Hughes*, Geoff Kirk, Geoff Hambrook*, Nigel Pichowski*, Martin Wybrow*, David Rawlings*, Glyn Perry*, John Godden*, Wilbert Greaves*, Arthur Atkins, C Parker, Brad Harper*, Jerry Brown*, June Beaumont *, Paul Woodward*, Paul Price*, Paul Fox*, Martin Cobb*, John Richards, Richard Rose, Philip Payne.
* Sent by e-mail
