West Midlands Basketball League

West Midlands Basketball League

Committee Meeting – 3 March 2009

Present: Mike Neal (Chair), Dave Slade (Vice Chair), Keith Kershaw (Referees), Andy Millington (Secretary), Jane Huffer (Treasurer), Makis Chatzmichallis (Media Manager), Denise Kearney (Fixture Changes), Zoran Pancic, Roy Francis and Barrie Viner.

Apologies: Tony Johnson, Stephen Barnes and Nigel Evans.

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

1. Matters arising

1. The Chairman informed the Committee that the order had been placed for the trophies. Only two trophies have been returned, the Secretary will contact all relevant teams to remind them to do so.

7.2 Sam “Pac” Richards has now cleared all monies owing to B C Bears and is now free to play in the League. Barrie thanked the Committee for their help in this matter.

2. Secretary (Andy Millington)

1. The League have been approached by Mr Bobara Abule who is interested in putting a team into the League next season, he has been put on the mailing list to keep him informed.

2. Damon Burn (Wizards) has contacted the League as he is unable to take most of his B squad to Swinfen Hall due to them being under 16yrs. Wizards were given permission to make up a team with ‘A’ team players to enable this match to go ahead.

3. Aston A’s v Wolves CC. A’s played an ineligible player Kevin Weeks. Rule 6ciii. A’s forfeit the match 0-20 minus 1 point, and are fined £25.

3. Referees (Keith Kershaw)

1. I am disappointed that a number of referees, having accepted my appointments then go off at short notice to referee other games, or disappear on holiday without making any arrangement cover their West Midlands game. This then entails me having to explain to clubs why there is only one referee, and spending more time, and the League’s money in telephoning around trying to find replacements.

2. March appointments.
   This has been the most difficult month to appoint referees. I still have 5 games to cover, especially at Stoke Heath on a Sunday afternoon. If anyone can assist please contact me.

3.3 The appointments for April will be done when the cup games have been arranged, and I have finally covered the games in March.

4.
Competitions Committee

4.1
WM 228 Stoke Heath v ARUP Campus. For the 3^rd time ARUP failed to fulfill a fixture on a Sunday. They informed the home team they were cancelling the game 2 days prior to the game but failed to inform either the referees, Fixture Secretary, or Referees’ Secretary. This resulted in 2 Officials being involved in a wasted journey. Game awarded to Stoke Heath, no point for Arup.

ARUP Campus are fined £20 for failing to fulfill the fixture, and must pay referee fees and travel amounting to £60 - Rule 3eiii. ARUP Campus where also instructed to attend this meeting. They failed to do so & are fined £15 –Rule 6K. The total outstanding amounts to £95. This MUST be paid to the League Treasurer by 27^thMarch.

4.2 WM 240. Aston A’s v Lasers. This game did not take place on 2^nd March. Aston A’s have failed to follow rule 3eiii. Game awarded to Lasers 20 -0. Aston A’s fined £20. No point to Aston A’s.

4.3 WM 253. Walsall Wizards B are unable to fulfill this fixture. All parties oncerned were informed in good time. The game is awarded to B’ham
University Medics, and no point to Walsall Wizards B.

5. Denise Kearney (Fixture Re-arrangements)

The following games have
been re-arranged & Club Secretaries have been informed.

Will Club Secretaries ensure all of their club member are aware of these changes.

.

6. Cup competitions

The finals of the Rosebowl & Shield competitions have been put back one week and will now take place at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury Sports Hall on Sunday 3^rd May. The Shield Final will tip-off at 17.15, and the Rosebowl Final will tip-off at 19.00.

The draws were made for the cup competitions on 3^rd March by Mike Neal & Jane Huffer.

Rose Bowl, Round 5

Knock-out Shield, Round 3

Handicaps

The Competitions Committee have reviewed current team strengths and decided on the following changes to handicaps.

Wyre Forest reduced to 65. David Lloyds reduced to 91.

For both competitions the Management Committee reserves the right to alter handicaps if deemed necessary.

Will at home clubs ensure they have their sports hall reserved for these games.

Games MUST be played in this week.

Visiting teams. Please allow plenty of time for travelling if you are visiting an unfamiliar venue.

7. Summer League

We have had 16 teams showing an interest. If all 16 teams decide to take part then the Summer League will be run at 2 venues. 8 teams at Leasowes on a Tuesday 20.00-22.00 and 8 teams at TCAT, Telford on a Sunday 15.00-17.00.

The League cannot support the cost of the hire of 2 venues. If all 16 teams decide to participate then the cost to enter this year including
court hire, referees and table officials will be approximately £180 per club. Any clubs still interested MUST send a deposit of £100 to the League Secretary by Friday 29^th March with an indication of which venue they would prefer.

The Management Committee will make a final decision at the April Committee meeting depending on the number of confirmed entries.

8. Jane Huffer (Treasurer)

Fines paid

PL-01

Outstanding fines

JH15/08 (WM046). ProGuard Pistons. Rule 6cii. £5.Not paid now increased
to £17.12

New fines

JH 16/08 (RB26) Aston A’s. Rule 6bii £5

JH 17/08 (WM210) Aston A’s £25. Rule 6ciii

JH 18/08 (WM240) Aston A’s £20. rule 3eiii

JH 19/08 (WM 228) ARUP Campus. Rule 3eiii £20 + referee expenses of £60

JH 20/08. ARUP Campus. £15. Rule 6k

No assessment form.

AJ 01/08 (WM146) Stoke Heath £5. rule 6n

AJ 02/08 (WM149) Hawks £5. Rule 6n

AJ 03/08 (WM151) ARUP Campus £5.Rule 6n

AJ 04/08 (WM162) Wolves CC £5. Rule 6n

AJ 05/08 (WM172) Great Barr Lasers £5. Rule 6n

AJ 06/08 (WM177) Aston A’s £5. Rule 6n

AJ 07/08 (WM186) Churchbridge £5. Rule 6n

9.
Appeals (Tony Johnson)

9.1 The following teams have no record of assessment sheets for January. Rule 6n and are fined £5.00:

9.2 An appeal was heard from Aston Uni asking that dispensation be given to a National League player
who had not played in 3 matches prior to Christmas. The matter was discussed but the appeal was dismissed.

3. An appeal was heard from ProGuard but as the rules had not been followed in that no appeal fee had been sent, the matter was dismissed.

4. Notice to all teams that all fines are to be paid by 31^st May

.

10. Any other business

10.1 The date of the AGM will be finalized in the April meeting and should coincide with the last dates in the Summer League at Leasowes.

11. Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday 4^th
April 2009 in room 45 at Leasowes Sports Centre, Kent Road, Halesowen, at 6.30pm prompt.

Late Entry.
The Secretary has been informed of the death of Life Vice President Les Cooper, who passed away at 7.30 am on Wednesday 4th March at age 91yrs. His widow, Jessica Cooper is 89 and was registration secretary for the West Midlands Basketball League for many years. Les and Jessica
were married for 67 years and met each other 75 years ago! The funeral service will be held on Thursday 12^th March 2009 at Sutton Coldfield Methodist Church, South Parade, Sutton Coldfield, at 3.00pm.