Minutes of the Referees Association East Kent Branch on
Minutes of the Referees Association East Kent Branch on 11th May 2006
The meeting was opened at 7.35pm by the Chairman who welcomed the members present to the meeting.
There were 16 members present.
Apologies:
W. Nicholls, S. Boshier, N. Mallion, D. Weltiner, J. Atkins, B. Blackwell, M. Henderson
April Meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held in April were signed as a true record.
Matters Arising:
The President commented that the previous month’s guest speaker was the Chairman of the KRA and not the President.
The President also asked that it be mentioned that at April’s meeting – 32 people were present of which only 18 were members with 14 newly qualified referees and therefore were not yet members.
The President also mentioned that Mr David Dickens was in fact not a member of the RA, he was the organiser of Chislet Football.
A discussion took place regarding the title of Mr. Richard Blackman (Chairman or Treasurer or both of RA England?)
Correspondence:
None received
Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer reminded members that subscriptions are now due for coming season.
The Treasurer also reminded members that RA Grand Draw tickets must be returned ASAP.
The Treasurer commented that subscriptions to KCFA were due by end of May complete with CRB numbers.
Funds were reported as was + any takings from the raffle and subs handed in tonight.
Social Secretary Report:
The Chairman proposed a discussion about the hosting of the Gordon Hodgman quiz in October.
It was decided that Joe Atkins would arrange the venue although Tony Newington commented that he believed that Whitstable Hall was booked for the quiz on 20th October.
It was agreed that Tony Newington and the President would complete the questions for the quiz.
Discussion surrounding the choice of food at the Quiz – it was decided that Joe Atkins would arrange a buffet for the night.
The Chairman proposed that the East Kent RA should supply a bottle of wine for each table. Upheld and the Chairman to organise.
Phi Knight mentioned inviting other branches and it was commented that this is fine but their attendance is patchy at events.
It was also decided that the Gordon Hodgman Quiz would be advertised in the local newspapers and that the entry fee would be £5 per head. It was also decided that a raffle would be done on the night (organised by the Chairman) and that the trophies still needed to be returned – possibly by Sharon Bowyer (Herne Bay League).
Other fund raising events were then discussed – Mark Cheeseman proposed a racing night and was asked to put together a package for the RA by the next meeting.
Branch Coach and Mentor Scheme Update:
Phi knight explained that the next course would be run from start September till end of November and it would be limited to 12-14 applicants. He commented that 10 were already signed up.
The following course will run from end November to the end of March.
Phil commented that all mentors should receive their payments from KCFA by the end of July and that if anyone had moved house then please tell KCFA asap because apparently KCFA can have one address for you as a referee and another as a mentor.
Phil also mentioned that he would be running fitness sessions every Wednesday from 7-8pm at Real Body and Mind Gym (Canterbury High School) and that payment would cost approximately £2.50 (although Body and Mind not particularly strict on collecting payment!) If necessary we could also use the tracks I Blean Woods as they are set distances.
The Treasurer made mention of a “Ladies Only” referee-training course he had seen advertised. Phil Knight responded that he did not know much about it.
Discussion about the new way of assessing referees – out of 100 not 10! It was agreed that this allowed for more sense and flexibility and also that the weighting of the assessment had changed for the better.
Kent Referees’ Association:
Alun stated that Gordon Innis – a previous treasurer of the CountyRA had passed away in April.
Alun advised that the AGM of the CountyRA is on 19/05/06 and that 3 rule changes had been proposed:
- The membership fee for Kent RA should be waived for the first season of refereeing – a discussion took place as to whether this was a season or a calendar year and therefore referees passing course half way through season would be affected.
- The Kent RA was proposing to provide a starter pack for each 2nd stage ewly qualified referee at no cost.
- To lower the number of meetings in the year from 5 to 4 – losing the July meeting but keeping all the others.
Alun mentioned that there were 6 teams for the 5 a-side competition (2x Dartford, 1x Sevenoaks, 1x Maidstone, 1x Gravesend and ourselves.) Chris Williams was given rules and agreed to inform everyone playing of them. It was mentioned that at the meeting Chris only had 3 players for the competition and could the Secretary (via the assistant secretary) please send an urgent email to the Branch requesting players.
The Treasurer mentioned that we had already paid a deposit of £25 and this would be refunded when we arrived. It was also decided that the Branch would pay reasonable expenses.
Canterbury and District League:
No meeting to report although it was commented that Martin Henderson does not attend these meetings.
HerneBay and Whitstable League:
It was discussed that Sharon Bowyer knew about the upcoming referee’s course and would distribute this in the Herne Bay AGM minutes.
A further discussion followed about the venue for the course and it was agreed that Clarkson House would still be standing and would therefore be suitable and also that Sharon Bowyer knows of 2/3 further people who would be interested in the course.
East Kent Youth League:
Nothing to Report Although Lee Hyatt mentioned that he had been asked to attend a meeting at Herne Bay Youth Football to discuss issues of behaviour on and off pitch with managers of local youth teams. He received good feedback and has since been contacted about further meetings. It was proposed that Phil Knight could attend one of theses meetings as a guest speaker.
A discussion ensued regarding CRB checks and abuse from spectators. Tony Newington commented that this was the responsibility of the individual clubs as it is in their Code Of Conduct.
Any Other Business:
The President commented that when the Branch was hosting the dinner in 2009 that it would also be the 75th anniversary of the East Kent RA and therefore we could link the celebrations and perhaps organise some separate celebrations. It was proposed that the Branch could conduct an open forum for clubs and players involving members of the branch, KCFA and possible other local sports dignitaries.
It was also commented that Tony Newington could use the website to advertise these events although possibly not the League websites without specific permission from the leagues.
Mike Potts agreed to supply footballs to each team at cost but they must approach him.
Phil Knight wished James Hatton good luck from the Branch in his upcoming CountyFinal.
Brian Budd mentioned a recent issue with Mick McCoy refereeing a Kent League game whilst wearing a shirt sponsored by Fly Emirates and questioned the issue of referees being sponsored. Phil Knight replied that referees must wear the shirt to the level they are qualified to no matter what level of game they are officiating on.
Alun Edwards brought up the Sturry 5 a-side competition on 03/06/06 and the Chairman asked for volunteers to referee the competition at ChaucerSchool. It would be a 9:30am start with a 5pm finish. Tony Newington would advertise the competition on the RA website and the Chairman would organise the referees.
The meeting was then closed by the Chairman at 8:35pm.
