Northern Squash Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday 18th October 2021 7pm
This meeting was conducted remotely via Zoom.
Present: Roger Tames (acting chair), Sharon Naisbitt, Wayne Eastaugh, Andy Smith, Dave North, Tim Barker, Julie Cornell
Apologies: Allan Curry, Keith Linsley
Matters arising:
Northern Squash Regulations 2021 - now on Wazygoose website. WE to arrange lamination for display on notice board and both changing rooms
Wazygoose SLA-ongoing.
Defibrillator Training – This was well attended and successful. The committee recorded its thanks to Dean Shipsey.
England Squash update
No further updates from ES with regard to Covid 19.
Concerns were raised that the hand sanitiser bottles were often empty, especially outside court 1.
ES are running initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion; however, funding has not been offered to Northumbria.
DN reported that funding for promoting Racketball has now been received.
Committee Profiles
These are now available on the club website.
Court maintenance
AS reported that AC was investigating having that court walls cleaned and repairs to the floor of court 2 and the wall of court 1 before January 2022. The committee felt that it should uphold its previous decision that this should be deferred until Summer 2022, to avoid inconveniencing the members and because the court remain in good condition overall.
AS reported that the light issue on court 2 appears to have been resolved.
WE reported that the main computer had failed and that he had replaced it with the spare while he rebuilds and reinstalls the origing.
Junior Committee
TB reported that Richard Vitty has agreed to continue with his current coaching commitment for the next few years.
RV will apply to ES to hold the Junior Open either 26/27 February or 19/20 March 2022.
Group coaching is running smoothly.
Individual coaching remains an issue.
TB will update the committee on the future of Junior Coaching at the next meeting.
Membership 2021/22
Currently 299 members
It was observed that a number of unrenewed members appear to be continuing to play at the club.
Guardian memberships
The status of the Guardian membership was discussed, with some committee members feeling that, as this category was created to allow guardians to play with their own juniors, there was no need for this category to have any booking rights.
Teams
Report sent by DN prior to the meeting.
Internal Squash Leagues
WE reported that internal leagues were running with increasing numbers of participants, currently 75.
Club Championships
There was a protracted and difficult discussion regarding the proposed Club Championships, planned for 8-14 November. None of the committee members felt able to act as Tournament Director, nor could suggest anyone who would be willing to do so. Concerns were also raised at the very short time left to arrange a tournament. Increasing cases of Covid was also mentioned as a concern for some.
Female Squash Initiative
RT reported that the Ladies Squash Week sessions arranged by Sam Ward had attracted 12 participants. Sam has applied to Sport Newcastle for a grant to run further sessions, which if successful, will be matched by the County.
Karen Heron continues to run Friday Ladies Squash sessions.
Classic Competition
• TB to contact Cai Younger for an update and to offer promotion of the event to members.
NFC Communication/Squash Meetings
• RT to circulate Volleys ASAP
Executive Committee
Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting held on 27th September were circulated prior to the meeting.
Safeguarding
No reported issues.
Date of next meeting – 7.00pm 15/11/21 by Zoom.
