West Midlands Basketball League

WEST MIDLANDS BASKETBALL LEAGUE

COMMITTEE MEETING - 11 SEPTEMBER 2007

Present: Mike Neal (Chair), Jane Huffer (Treasurer), Keith Kershaw (Referees), Barrie Viner, Nigel Evans, Zoran Pancic, Michael Buckle, John Taylor, Makis Chatzimichalis, Kevin Henry. Tony Johnson

Apologies: Andy Millington, Martin Bromage-Griffiths, Jim Smith and Dave Slade.

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

1.  Matters Arising.

2.5 The table official's course had over 25 applications for 15 places. Jeff Booton is to be approached about running another course as soon as possible.

2.6 Makis Chatzimichalis introduced himself as the new web site manager and gave a brief overview of the new site which will be going live soon at www.wmbl.co.uk.

2.  Chairman's Report (Mike Neal)

2.1  Jeff Booton's mobile number is 07872926934. Any team with table  problems can contact him on that number.  

2.2  An application has been received from Bromsgrove Blaze to join the League. The application was accepted and a late entry fee is to be charged. Bromsgrove will play on a Friday evening.

3.  Secretary's report (Andy Millington)

3.1   All registration forms have been sent out to clubs. Insufficient forms were supplied by the area so any extra need to be acquired from Malcolm Heath. Details of registration numbers need to be returned to the secretary as soon as possible, on the form supplied. REMEMBER NO NUMBER - NO PLAY!

3.2  Registration numbers of licenced table officials also need to be forwarded to Andy, on the form attached, who will forward them on to Jeff.  

3.3  Web site Makis hopes to have the web site live at www.wmbl.co.uk as soon as possible. Makis, Andy, Keith and Tony will have access to update the site.

3.4  Lee Clark has resigned from the Committee due to other commitments. There is now a vacancy so if anyone would like to join please contact the Secretary.  

3.5  Neil Roberts attended the meeting to discuss an ongoing dispute regarding comments which were considered to bring the game into disrepute. Neil retracted the comments and agreed to put this in writing to the Committee within 7 days. (This has now been done and the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the Committee)

4.Referee's Secretary (Keith Kershaw)  

4.1  Appointments for October should be with officials by 17th September.

4.2 Referees' pre-season seminar. Tuesday 25th September at Leasowes Sports Centre commencing at 19.45.

4.3 Licenses. All non EB National League referees need to licence through me. Please send £12 (payable to West Midlands Basketball League), with your date of birth and I will do the rest. Those who have an EB licence can I have your licence number. For your own safety the League need to know you are insured.

4.4 Hawks B have withdrawn from Division 3. Their fixtures will be taken over by Bromsgrove. Their match night is Friday at 19.45. Court details: Ryland Centre, New Road., Bromsgrove B60. Contact Brian Miller 01527 83192

4.5  With immediate effect Michael Buckle will be taking on the role of re-arranging fixtures. His details are in the handbook. His e-mail address is mbuckle@talk21.com

5. Treasurers report (Jane Huffer)  

5.1  Monies received:

£95 from BU Medics for entry to League

£85 from Bromsgrove for entry to the League

KK 15/06 D Finch. £25.50 Rule 6f.

5.2  Outstanding fines

JH13/06. C. White (Aston A's) still unpaid. Now increased to £33.75.

C.White is suspended from any games in the West Midlands League until this fine is paid. This is a now a club fine. Aston A's MUST pay this money before 30th September. If not paid they MUST attend the next Management Committee meeting on Tuesday 2nd October at 7.30pm.

JH 01/07 Pro Guard. Fine increased to £22.50. Rule 6ii Failure to attend AGM.

JH 02/07 Redditch. Fine increased to £22.50. Rule 6ii Failure to attend AGM.

JH 03/07 Swinfen Hall. Fine increased to £22.50. Rule 6ii Failure to attend AGM.

JH04/07 Walsall Wizards. Fine increased to £22.50. Rule 6ii Failure to attend AGM.

JH 05/07 Pro Guard. Fine increased to £22.50. Rule 6iii. Late entry to League.

KK 14/06. M Nash Rule 6f. Now increased to £22.50.Fine frozen.

M. Nash suspended from officiating in West Midlands League.

5.3 Trophies

All trophies have now been insured for loss or damage. However any excess will have to be met by the club, or individual, concerned.

6. Rosebowl 2007

6.1 Jim Smith has produced the handicap system to reflect the nature of clubs & the league. List of handicap scores attached.

6.2  The draw for the Preliminary round w/c 14 October, and the 1st Round w/c 26 Nov are attached. Club Secretaries are asked to check this carefully for your game. Clubs will NOT be informed individually. Home teams please ensure your sports hall is booked. Visiting teams please ensure you know the tip-off time and directions to venues you have not been to before.

6.3  The administration of this competition will be undertaken by Michael Buckle.

6.4  The Management Committee seek a club to host the final during April next year. Any club interested please contact Michael Buckle.

7. Any Other Business

7.1 Keith Kershaw has produced a new Team conduct form to be completed by referees. The form will be discussed at the referees' meeting on 25th September.

7.2 All team secretaries are asked to check all club details in the new handbook are correct. If mistakes are found please forward to Andy for insertion in the minutes.

7.3  Barrie Viner has attended the last Area meeting and has details of how to obtain funding from them. Contact Barrie for further details. Barrie will also be placing a bid to the Area on behalf of the League for the new web site and the forthcoming table official's course.

7.4 Keith Kershaw has been elected as the Chairman of the Women's League.

7.5  John Taylor reported difficulties in producing the new handbook due to clubs not returning their details. Much hard work is done by John and his staff to produce these in time for the new season at a very competitive price. Tony Johnson suggested that in future all handbooks be compiled on the web site where teams can download as many as they wish. The league rules and history are already on the site.

7.6 Kevin Henry reported the sad loss of Mark Maynard. The Committee forwarded their condolences to his family.

8. Changes to handbook

8.1 Referee's. New address for Roy Francis, 1 Slater Close, Old Hill, B64 6JB. Tel (h) 01384 639227

8.2 Delete Trevor Hadley & Andy Millington

8.3 Add new referees, Brian & John Miller. Full details are under Bromsgrove in Division 3.

8.4 Stoke- directions to court. North on M6 to junction 15. Follow slip read around and then turn left at roundabout onto the A519. Go over next roundabout. After 600metres turn right into Clayton Lane and the school/college is on the right.

8.5 Aiden Hayes (Old Eds.) new address 1. Private Way, Groveley Lane, Cofton Hacket, Birmingham. B45 8UD

9.Notice

Team Secretaries are reminded to read and understand the League rules as ignorance will not be accepted as a reason for any default.

10. Date of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will take place at Leasowes Leisure Centre, Kent Road, Halesowen, on Tuesday 2nd October 2007 at 6.30 pm prompt.