MINUTES OF SQUASH COMMITTEE MEETING ON 16/09/2024
PRESENT: Allan Curry (Chair), Lesley Vitty, Bob Aynsley, Tim Barker, Keith Linsley
APOLOGIES: Dave North, Roger Tames, Wayne Eastaugh, Andy Smith
IN ATTENDANCE: N/A
AGENDA ITEMS 1. Minutes of previous meeting: ? Approved ? All members agreed to continue in 2024/2025 except for KP (Junior Committee)
2. Jim Pollock’s Report:
? AC to attend meeting on 25th September to discuss NFC development.
3. Report from RT:
Weekend Junior Coaching:
• RV is reducing his commitment to Saturday coaching by working alternate Saturdays. Ben Tudor (BT) will cover.
• TC will stop Sunday coaching to go travelling in December. Zoe Shipsey (ZS) will take over at Christmas and work alternate weeks with TC until then.
• BT & ZS are both Level Two qualified and RV will mentor them both, especially in the early weeks. It has been agreed they will be paid the Lead coach rate per hour, which matches what TC is paid.
• This solution provides a progression path for coaching at Northern although it is recognised that a longer-term succession plan should be considered.
Wall of Fame:
• It was agreed that BA’s recent England Squash Coach of the Year award should be recognised on the Wall of Fame.
• England Squash have proposed BA for a UK Coaching award as Community Coach of the Year. RT assisted ES to put together an application and the outcome will be known in October.
• Sport Newcastle’s Coach of the Year Award which will be presented to BA at the charity’s Annual Dinner on Thursday 14th November 2024.
Schools Programme:
• There has been a slow response from the First Schools signing up to squash taster sessions with only 3 confirming to date. Middle Schools have been as forthcoming as usual.
• Concern has been expressed that schools are being put off holding these sessions due to the modest charge for these sessions. It was agreed that the sessions will be free of charge to the schools, with RV’s coaching fee met by the club.
• Some fitness equipment is required (plastic hurdles, ropes etc). It was agreed this cost will be met by the funds raised from previous Junior Squash Open Tournaments.
Junior Representation on the Committee: • Consideration was given to a suggestion that a junior/young member would give a new dimension and perspective by joining the committee. It was agreed if an appropriate volunteer expressed an interest, this would be considered.
Chair of Junior Squash/Executive Committee:
• Following the resignation of KP as Junior Chairperson, a number of potential replacements have been identified.
• Further discussions will take place to agree the structure and frequency of Junior Committee/meetings.
• RT has replacing TB in representing Junior Squash on the Northern Executive committee.
• RT will liaise with the Junior Committee & RV and provide an update.
4. Adult Coaching: (BA)
? Participants in the adult coaching courses continues to be strong.
? Following a successful application by BA, England Squash are providing a grant to encourage ladies into squash. A ‘Bring a Friend’ event has been planned.
5. Ladies Squash/Facilities: (LV)
? Summer Ladies Team training has been a success with high participation for each session, with thanks to RV and BA.
? KL held two ‘Mind & Sporting Performance’ sessions which were also well received.
? Following a proposal from Newcastle University, ladies’ teams will return to 5 players, from 4 last season. This resulted in a change to the fixtures with both Northern Ladies 4 and Newcastle University 3 withdrawing to accommodate the change in team players. The teams will play in one division and consideration will be given in December, if the league will split into two for the second half or remain in one league. The change hasn’t impacted the number of ladies at Northern able to play competitive matches.
? Several clubs in the County use Squash levels to record box league results, which can be beneficial for tournaments, rankings, handicaps etc. LV to liaise with WE, if this potentially feasible to implement at Northern and report back.
? The higher cost of team matches per home match was raised as a concern and as a result, potential alternative catering arrangements are being investigated. Update to be provided at next meeting.
6. Mens Squash/Teams/club play/County: (DN)
• Teams:
? Summer League - Northern Juniors finished 2nd in the league but couldn't field a team for play-offs (clash with Junior tournament). Northern (adult team) finished 5th and qualified for the play-offs. Lost in close semi-final to Eldon (eventual champions).
• Winter Leagues start 17th Sept. Due to lack of committed players (including long term injured and students off to university), Northern have entered one less team in the Men's league. The club still have 7 teams in the Men's League (inc. 2 Junior teams) and 3 teams in the Ladies League, who have reverted to 5 players per team. Cost of team matches has been agreed with DG which equates to an increase of £1 per player per match compared to last year.
• DN thanked LV for her help in organising the Ladies teams.
• County:
• County Committee is looking for a new Treasurer and other committee members (lead for Inclusion - Ladies and Girls in particular).
• Joe Witherspoon delivered free Markers Awareness course to approx. 20 members, mainly from Bob’s courses plus some lady team player, on 2nd September. Should the club like JW to run another session, there would be a charge, however, the County have agreed to subsidise to reduce the overall cost.
• Northern are hosting the Junior County Closed on 21st/22nd September. The County will be invoiced for the courts as agreed.
• England Squash:
• New direct membership for individuals went live 19th August. Northern will be invoiced for 4 courts on 1st December. Individuals for whom the club paid for last year will have to renew direct then (JustPlay or Junior category @£15 pa or PlayPlus @£25 pa, for those who want to play in county leagues or ES sanctioned tournaments). This would reduce the cost to Northern compared with last year.
• A suggestion has been received that the saving could be used to provide Northern branded team shirts through Kits4All. This wouldn’t include juniors for whom the club paid ES subs for last year who aren’t in the teams (ie. play ES junior tournaments only). This was discussed and agreed.
• Club Play:
• Numbers continue to be good – 12 plus each week.
7. Junior Squash:
? Summer BBQ Event was a big success and KP, BA & RT praised for their valued contribution. There was a proposal to consider a Christmas event, however, this was not agreed due to the volume of events held at the club over this period.
? It was agreed a cycle shed cover will be arranged to provide shelter from the elements. This was something highlighted by VO’S who recently retired from squash.
8. Health and Safety/Concussion Guide: (KL)
? No issues arising.
9. Safeguarding/Coaching Guidelines:
? Any coaches promoted by the club are qualified/accredited with England Squash, hold a First Aid qualification and are DBS checked.
? The process and selection of coaches was highlighted for consideration for future ‘vacancies’.
10. Coach Remuneration & Court Costs:
? It was agreed that further review of the lead and assistant coach hourly rates should be undertaken.
? The cost of courts for external parties, county and tournaments etc. will be reviewed and formalised to ensure consistency.
? It was agreed that BA will be remunerated when running free taster sessions for potential new members. He is representing the club and this recognises the time spent. BA will invoice the club for 1 hour at Lead Coach rate for each session.
? It was agreed that Lead and Assistant Coach invoices should be submitted at the end of each course.
11. Membership/Wazygoose/ /Leagues (WE):
? Leagues: A number of players have returned to the leagues at the start of the Winter League session, with more expected at the start of October. https://wazygoose.com/Leagues/Tables/1/607?title=internal-squash-league-tables-league-ending-11-oct-2024
? Wazygoose:
i. Work is ongoing to improve engineering and user experience, particularly focused on membership administration.
ii. LV raised if a link to the internal leagues could be located within the Northern Wazygoose site and will liaise with WF accordingly.
? Memberships:
i. 255 members renewed for 24/25 so far.
ii. One member in the Temporary Over 21 memberships category as agreed.
iii. A Country membership enquiry has been received whereby membership at a reduced cost would be offered. As the membership categories have already been agreed for 2024/25, it was agreed, this could be re-visited prior to next subscription year.
12. Court Maintenance (AS):
? Court 4 floor repairs and door catch replacement now completed. There is still some 'give' in the floor in the right service box but it is improved. Situation to be monitored.
? Changing rooms refurbishment completed. The wall mounted extract fan in the male changing room has stopped working. DG is arranging a replacement. Some tiles in the male changing room are coming away from the wall due to water ingress and need to be removed, replaced and regrouted.
? The annual servicing of the squash court heaters and lights has been arranged for 25/9/24. DN has booked off the courts to facilitate the servicing. As suitable replacement LED tubes are no longer available, Steve Drummond has repaired existing tubes which are to be installed in place of faulty ones. He will then try to repair the faulty tubes for future use as replacements. The situation needs to be monitored as the 'repaired' tubes are not likely to last as long as the originals.
13. AOB:
? Club Championships:
i. A vote will be held at the next meeting to agree the timing of this tournament. TA to send out options for consideration and allow those not able to attend the next meeting to vote.
? Email from CL:
i. Highlighted the fan and loose tiles in the men’s changing rooms which need replacement. AS to investigate.
ii. The updating of the Honorary Vice Presidents Board will also be arranged.
? Sponsorship:
i. DB Glaziers have kindly provided sponsorship again this year which is very much appreciated.
ii. Another sponsor is also being considered, who has offered sponsorship in return for advertising on the tin on all 4 courts.
14. 2024/2025 Meeting Dates:
? Next meeting: Monday 21st October 2024 at 7.15pm.
? Proposed future meeting dates are:
i. 18th November 2024
ii. 20th January 2025
iii. 17th February
iv. 17th March
v. 21st April (Easter Sunday – TBC)
vi. 19th May
vii. 16th June
