Present 22/9/25 AC, AS, DN, WE, RT, RV, BA, LV, KL
Finance committee • looking for volunteers- may approach S. McNaughton
Junior Coaching update (RV) • agreed to make all weekday off peak courts, for age 21 and under, £3 • junior group coaching 7 week course fees: agreed to amend to £36
Club Champs (for Season 2024/25) • Agreed went very well but will change date for this season
Wazygoose update (WE) Squash Levels integration in progress Internal Leagues Session started 29th Aug and runs to 10th Oct. 68 players. Steady stream of new members joining and members moving in from Bob's courses New feature to track the performance of our social media campaigns, email our coaches when there is an enquiry, and manage campaigns and enquiries. Coaching e-Board) which will be easy to keep updated (courtesy of Adam Coates) - agreed to pay costs to AC Courses Admin: allow to transfer a paid-up player onto a session with a different price Memberships-284 members since 1st September (total by end of 2024/2025 season was 477)
Adult Coaching update (BA) 58 on the present courses and a number of new starters. 60/40 split in favour of women. The rise in course fees has not been a problem, but I believe better accepted by Adult Liberdade at Gosforth Civic Theatre want courses before Christmas and after. Their students loved their Squash experience and the facilities at Northern and their 'cheeky Coach'. They have promised to positively endorse and advertise Northern Squash on their numerous social media outlets. Walking Squash is working well. We have one last free session on 12th of October. Had a number of people from outside the club making enquiries, and I am actively encouraging them to come along. Great idea to reward the Ladies and Pathways with awards similar to the main leagues at the next club Championships. Agreed this will happen
Fridays Ladies are still well attended and in the long term absence of Karen Heron, Shae has offered to help do a rotation with me, which offers a different coaching perspective
Ladies Squash update (LV) Despite losing 7 players due to university/injury/work, we still have sufficient numbers to enter 3 ladies teams into the County Leagues. 22 ladies in the nominations, which includes 5 ladies who can't commit to all the matches The format has changed from last year's format, running with two divisions from the outset, with promotion/relegation at the halfway point. Teams will be 5 players as per last season and play home and away each half. Ladies 1 are in the 1st Division and Ladies 2 and 3 are in Division 2. This should mean more competitive games. Ladies 1 and 2 will arrange post-match food which is likely to be self-catered. Ladies 3 have chosen not to offer post-match food.
Other Teams Update (DN) Summer League - Northern Blues Won this. Northern Reds finished 10th. Winter Leagues - 7 teams in Men's league (inc. one Junior team managed by RV - effectively a reset for Junior teams as Juniors 1 (who gained promotion to Division 1) has disbanded and most of last season's Juniors 2 have stopped team squash or transferred into "adult" teams). Juniors 1 has become Northern 3, with the remnants of Juniors 1 playing in that team (or, in Duncan Rutherford's case, Northern 1 in Premier Division). Strong competition for Northern 1. We have lost Aidan Mahoney and Sam Tufton to Northumberland Club - who have 3 teams in the Premier Division and Dave Jackson back to Newbiggin. Northern 1 nominations are 1. Andrew Shipley, 2. Cai, 3. Alex Robertson, 4. Duncan Rutherford, 5. John Thompson. Chris Thompson and Mark Dinsley are nominated in 2nd team (plus Matthew Thompson, Roland Orton and others) so we have still got strength in depth. Match fees have stayed the same (£100 for home match - £10 per player home and away - covering court fees and food (using delivery options ordered through the club). Reducing match fees for juniors discussed (suggested by KL). As well as the Junior team, there are 4 Juniors nominated in "Men's" teams and several in the Ladies teams. Agreed for now to keep match fees for juniors the same as adults
Club Play (DN) Numbers low and variable over the Summer - but expect to pick up. Fees held at £3 per session.
County (DN) Nil to report.
Coaches Update (LV) 3 Head coaches: Richard, Bob & Cai 6 Lead coaches: Ben Tudor, Zoe Shipsey, Katherine Palmer, Shae Paterson, John Thompson and Kieran Mahoney 9 assistant coaches: Kate and Ava Naisbitt, Dan Toole, Duncan Rutherford, Sam Tufton, Aidan Mahoney, James Ulyatt, Isla Cook, Lexi Sweeney (6 of whom took their Community Coach award at Northern in August) Expiry dates continue to be logged to ensure coaches keep the requirements up to date KP, SP & KM agreed to have free membership as unlikely to play but will assist coaching sessions as required
Health and Safety (KL) • No major issues reported. First Aid kit updated except users have not emailed KL re usage to replenish as required- to remind members via Volleys to email KL as per notice
Safeguarding • Nil to report
Next meeting Tuesday 4th November 7.15pm at NFC
