West Midlands Basketball League

WEST MIDLANDS BASKETBALL LEAGUE

COMMITTEE MEETING - 4 DECEMBER 2007

Present: Mike Neal (Chair), Dave Slade (Vice Chair), Keith Kershaw (Referees), Andy Millington (Secretary), Martin Bromage Griffiths (Appeals), John Taylor, Zoran Pancic, Barrie Viner, Nigel Evans, Stephen Barnes, and Kevin Henry.

Apologies: Jane Huffer (Treasurer), Tony Johnson, Jim Smith and Mickey Buckle.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read over and signed as being correct.

Changes to handbook from 6.11.07

Warriors Basketball. Court directions, M54 junction 6, follow signs for Hospital. Turn right passing Tesco Extra on the left. Straight over 3 traffic islands then turn left. Blessed Robert Johnson RC College 200m on right. Post Code TF1 3DY.

Weston Hoops B secretary is now Dave Weetman as for A Team. Weston Hoops Home court telephone number should be 01785 356700.

Changes to the handbook from 4.12.07

Walsall Wizards have changed their kit from purple to red and black.

Balkan Express are changing their home court and tip off time to: - Dame Elizabeth Cadbury Technology College, Woodbrook Road, Bournville,B30 1UL. Telephone No 0121 464 4040, tip off 7.15pm with effect from January 1^st 2008

1. Matters Arising

2.1 Table Officials’ Course. Jeff Booton will be running another table officials’ course which Tony Johnson will be organising starting Wednesday 16^th and Thursday 17^th January 2008, 7-9pm, with the exam on Monday 28^th January 2008. Places are limited to 15. Preference will be given to clubs with no qualified table officials and it is on the basis of first come, first served. Please send details of your candidate ( name, club, contact number) to tony.johnson2256@yahoo.co.uk. Closing date for applicants will be 11th Jan 08.

4.1 The matter of the complaint received from Old Eds. Regarding a Pro Guard player was discussed following observations by the referees and a report from a representative from Pro Guard. No further action is to be taken over this matter, but all clubs are reminded that verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated under any circumstances and that any incidents must be reported to a match official.

Dave Slade apologised to the Committee for his oversight in forgetting to attend his first Committee meeting in 30 years.

The fine and loss of points to West Hoops has been cancelled due to a Committee oversight, their match against Orillo will be re-scheduled.

2. Chairman’s Report (Mike Neal)

2.1 The Chairman reported that Scorpions had resigned from the League, all points and matches played will be void. M. Bale (Scorpions) remains suspended until and if he rejoins another club.

2.2 Discipline

111103 P.Polierongimedes (Balkans A) is suspended for 3 games and fined £10 as of midnight 4.12.07.

3. Secretary’s Report (Andy Millington)

3.1 A report was received concerning Aston Uni’s table, no one from Aston attended the meeting. Several proposals were recommended and these will be passed on to the Aston Uni Secretary.

3.2 Balkan Express are changing their home court and tip off time in the New Year, please see above and mark in your handbooks!

4. Referees (Keith Kershaw)

4.1  I am extremely disappointed in the growing number of officials who accept appointments from this league and subsequently ask me to find a replacement at a later date, often this is because certain officials are taking on games that appear to pay more money. This league has no problem referees accepting National League appointments at short notice & we will always find replacements in this instance. Can I remind officials that we agreed I would send your West Midlands appointments approximately 3 weeks in advance and you will honour these appointments. Starting from 1^st January once you have accepted your West Midlands League appointments it will be your responsibility to find your own replacement, and inform me. There is a system of fines in place for non-attendance and this will be adhered to.
4.2  We have decided, for the foreseeable future, not to list referee appointments on the web site. At present I do not have the time to constantly update the website with daily changes. Please refer to the list I send to each referee by e-mail.
4.3  Appointments for January should be sent out by 14^th December at the latest.

5.1  Due to an administrative error match WM-53 Orillo v Weston Hoops A will be rescheduled.

6. Treasurer (Jane Huffer)

Monies received:

£390 from West Midlands Area, rebate on registration fees

£100 from West Midlands Area, contribution to new website

JH 07/07 & JH 17/07- Aston University

JH 08/07 - David Lloyds

JH 13/07 - Smith’s Wood

MN 01/07 - M Bale (Scorpions)

Outstanding monies;

MB 01/07 - Aston A’s. £30. Rule 3 eiii, late cancellation. Increased by 505 NOW £45

JH 06/07 - Aston A’s. £35. Rule 5cii. Added surcharge £15. NOW £50.

JH 15/07 - WM Police. £45. Rule 5c11. Added surcharge £15. NOW £60.

JH 16/07 - BU Medics, Rules 6G & 6P. Increased by 50%. NOW £15.

THESE OUTSTANDING SUMS MUST BE PAID BY 31^ST DECEMBER OTHERWISE THE DEFAULTING TEAMS WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM THE WEST MIDLANDS BASKETBALL LEAGUE

New fines

MN 02/07 - S Martin (Balkan Express) £15

MN 03/07 - P. Ploieongimedes £15

7. Rosebowl Draw

The draw for the next round of the Rosebowl was made as follows:-

8. Area Representative (Barrie Viner)

8.1 Barrie reported that he was unable to attend the last area meeting, but was pleased to report that additional funding had been approved for the next table official’s course.

9. Any Other Business

9.1 Summer League 2008. If there is sufficient interest the successful central venue Summer League will be run again in May/June next year. The cost would be in the region of £150 per team with no other costs involved. Any teams interested please contact the secretary as soon as possible. Entries as last year will be picked on a first come first served basis so get your e-mails in as soon a possible.

9.2  Rosebowl Final.

10. Date of next meeting.

The next meeting will take place at Leasowes Sports Centre, Kent Road, Halesowen on Tuesday 8^th January 2008 at 6.30pm prompt.