Minutes 17/3/25
Present AC, RT, LV, BA, KL, DN In attendance Jim, President NFC
Coaching update (LV and BA) • I Cannot locate BA email sorry • • Northern have 14 active coaches with all the relevant England Squash requirements completed. 8 level 1 coaches, 5 level 2 and 1 level 4. • This includes Sam Tufton who was added as a level 1 coach this month. • Tom Cornell - Coaches Club membership due 2nd April. A reminder has been sent should he wish to re-commence coaching post travels. • Kieran Mahoney - First Aid due 21st April. He is aware and will ensure this is completed. • I was hoping to arrange for the England Squash website to reflect all of the active coaches for Northern, however, individual coaches need to opt to be on Coach Finder under Northern or accept an invite, so it is unlikely that Northern will have a full list of all coaches on the ES website, however, I will continue to maintain our own record. • BA has updated his ES coach details • Discussion re CY ? re ‘elite coaching’ tbc. RT ? ‘Matchpoint’ day tournaments court fees. RT to confirm agreed cost with CY
Ladies and junior girls teams (LV)
• Ladies 1 - 3rd in Division 1. Final fixture will not change the final league position.
• Ladies 2 - Top in Division 2. Final fixture will not affect the end result.
• Ladies 3 - Currently 4th/bottom of Division 2, 4 points behind Newcastle University 2. Positions 3 and 4 will be decided by the last match between Northern 3 and the University Team.
• Ladies 1 and 2 will qualify for the Northumbria Cup and League Cup competitions respectively. However, availability of players is likely to be reduced due to mock exams.
• Post Match Food. Gi agreed that Ladies 1 could self-cater for post-match food which has worked well for 3 home matches. This has reduced the food costs and had the benefit of reducing the total match cost to players by approximately £3 per match. Ladies 2 and 3 opted to not provide food since the change. A consensus will need to be agreed for next season.
• LV will update Jim re final positions
Mens and Junior teams (DN) • Northern 1 almost certain to win Premier Division (need just 6 pts from their last game at Primrose to be mathematically sure). • Northern 2 in contention for 2nd place in Divh 1 (automatic promotion) but more likely 3rd place (meaning playoff against 8th placed team in Premier Divn for possible promotion) • Northern 3 likely to finish 7th in Divn 2 (which would mean play off to avoid relegation) • Northern 4 likely to finish 7th in Divn 3 (which would mean play off to avoid relegation) • Northern 5 possibility of finishing 3rd in Divn 5 (which would mean playoff for possible promotion) • Juniors 1 still unbeaten in 2nd place in Div 2 (automatic promotion). 7 pts behind leaders Newcastle Uni 3, who they play on Thursday (in league and cup double). Both almost certain to be promoted. • Juniors 2 will win Divn 5 (and promotion) with 2 matches to play • Northern 2 and Junior 1 could meet in League Cup A semi final (if both win their quarter finals this week). Ladies 2 in League Cup semi final. Ladies 1 and Northern 1 in Northumbria Cup semi finals. • League season cumulates with Cup Finals and Presentations (at Northumberland Club) on 12th April. • DN will update Jim re final positions
County update • Bids for funding participation activities, submitted by Allan, have been approved. Ill let Allan expand on this. • County want to encourage more individual membership with England Squash (as this generates rebates for County funds, as well as supporting our governing body). One suggestion is for clubs to offer incentive for members to sign up for paid ES membership (eg discount on club membership or partial refund (eg bar voucher)). I've also been asked if team players could have a discount as they now have to pay ES direct (saving the club money)? • AC to follow up funding bid awards • RT to highlight ES membership in next Volleys
Club Championship • Invited Jim to present at, which is happy to do if available. RT to liaise & confirm
Wazygoose, membership and leagues (WE) • New league session just started runs to 11st April • 73 players in this league session • Wazygoose: The Bookings screens are 100% re-engineered which enables me to create new features in Bookings more easily + Individual Coaching now has on-the-day transfers. • We’re continuing to welcome new members joining, even at this late stage in the season: • Non members booking rights tbc
Maintenance (AS) • The court heaters are all now repaired and working and the temperatures all seem OK. • I need to chase Gi about the faulty electric radiators which still aren't working. • The men's showers have been deep cleaned and the loose tiles repaired as arranged by AC. • I'm still looking into the following: • Electric radiator in court 4 lobby. • Shower heads and accessory trays in women's showers. • Ladies changing room toilet – Jim kindly agreed to raise issue through appropriate channels
H&S • Nil new to report • Any suggestions to report to KL
Safeguarding • TB to review Child Protection Policy and update AC
AOB • Bike shed in progress; AC
Presidents Business • NFC logo polo shirt possibility (or T-shirt if preferred for playing) particularly with 150th Anniversary in mind. • Squash committee to decide if want T-shirt or Polo and preferred colour. tbc • Suggestion that squash members who join ES receive a complimentart T-shirt or Polo Shirt. tbc • Presidents Dinner – RT to include date in next Volleys
