CLUBS AND SCHOOLS CIRCULAR - July 2002
|
CLUBS AND SCHOOLS CIRCULAR - July 2002 |
| Back a Page | Home |
Dear
Club Secretary / Head of PE
This is the normal circular issued following the AGM. There are a number of important points contained within this paper and I would ask that they are dealt with and actioned as soon as possible. Some of the actions required necessitate a fairly quick response time and I would be extremely grateful if they were dealt with within the timescales requested.
Please
ensure that the contents are brought to the attention of all your members and
that they are made aware of the various changes and implications.
If
any of your members wish to have their own copy, the circular is available on
the Welsh Hockey Union website at: www.welsh-hockey.co.uk
The
following decisions were made at the AGM:
Officers elected for
the following periods:
President
Anne Ellis
one year
Chairperson
Alan Rookes
two years
Vice-Chairperson
Margaret Edwards
three years
Auditors
Messrs S Brown & Co.
Registration
Fees for season 2002/2003:
Club
Fee
£40
Senior
Member
£15 }
These fees include Civil Liability
Youth
Member (aged 14 to 17 incl. at 1/1/03)
£6 }
Insurance as in previous years
Mini
Member (aged under 14 as at 1/1/03)
£2 }
Secondary
Schools
£15
Primary
Schools
£10
All
proposed Constitutional changes were approved with a few minor amendments.
All clubs and schools should note the new ‘Right of Appeal’, which was
approved, a copy of which is attached for your information. Additionally
the clarification in respect of players playing for more than one club was
also approved and all clubs and schools are recommended to ensure they and
their members are aware of the new rules. A full version of the updated
Constitution is available at:
www.welsh-hockey.co.uk
The Four Year Plan recently approved by the AGM will shortly be
discussed with the Sports Council for Wales and hopefully approved. No major
amendments to the copy you have already received were made and my thanks to
the total of 7 clubs who responded to my three requests for club information
over the past few months.
Please
find enclosed the usual Club Officers form, which should be completed and
returned to this office no later than 31st July. There are some
amendments to the form, which should receive your particular attention. The
main change is that the Fixture Secretaries details are no longer required as
we have found that by the time clubs have completed their fixtures for the
following season, more often than not the Fixture Secretary has changed. In
its place we now require the name and full details of each clubs Child
Protection Liaison Officer. It has been recommended in previous circulars that
these posts are filled as soon as possible and following the launch of the
‘Childsafe’ packs combined with the importance of the role it is felt best
to include the details in the annual Handbook.
To improve communication and reduce the substantial postage costs that
are incurred by the Union each year we also require one e-mail address per
club of a person who will take on the responsibility of ensuring any
information received is passed to all club members. Whilst this may be the
existing Secretary (to whom all posted items will continue to be sent) it
could be any responsible club member. Please ensure the appropriate section of
the form is completed. If any club has yet to receive the ‘Childsafe pack’
please let the WHU office know and arrangements will be made for one to be
issued to you.
Although
the majority of clubs ensured their registration of members for last season
was forwarded by the cut-off date of 31st October regretfully some
had to be chased on a number of occasions before all the necessary information
was received. I would inform you that there will be no such ‘leniency’
period this coming season with ALL appropriate members information to
be received by 31st October. Spot checks will be undertaken in the
various WHU competitions and the opportunity is taken to remind you that the
WHU Management Committee have the power to impose sanctions on any club or
school not registering and paying its full fees by 31st October.
Please
ensure that any new members are detailed on the enclosed ‘Members
Registration Form’ with amendments to existing members to be annotated on
the club printout, also enclosed. You will also find a final copy of your
total registrations for 2001/2002 season for your retention. We have wherever
possible issued information (circulars, press releases) to those individuals
whose e-mail addresses have been previously advised to us. However it is
becoming increasingly apparent that a large number of addresses have been
changed without the new details being forwarded. Please ensure that ALL
the e-mail addresses forwarded are correct, deleting those that no longer
apply.
It
is vital for both your members and your club that the fees are paid, as no
civil liability insurance cover will be provided to anybody not registered
with the WHU.
All Secondary schools would have received over the past few months
invitations to attend a “localised’ introduction to the training aid. I am
aware that a substantial number of schools have replied to their invitations
but any that are not able to attend and have not replied to the Co-ordinator,
Carol Donovan, please contact the WHU Office when we will arrange for the pack
to be delivered to your school, subject of course, to your affiliation fees
having been paid.
At
the recent WHUA AGM it was agreed by all present that any WHU sanctioned
league or cup match MUST be umpired by members of both the WHU and
WHUA. This will ensure that all umpires carry the necessary insurance offered
by the organisations and I would ask all Club Secretaries to pass this
information to their Executive / Management committees.
Please find enclosed details of these positions, which are open for
selection. It is probable that the Coach selections will be made before those
of the Managers and please ensure that anybody interested is made aware of the
opportunities.
I am delighted to advise that John (Gillies) Williams has been elected
by Council as a Life Member of the Union. Gillies was Executive Secretary for
the Union for 4 years having held a similar role with the WHA for a number of
years
prior to the merger. His commitment to Welsh Hockey is undoubted and he
continues to play a vital part both as Webmaster and Publicity Officer as well
as being heavily involved with the annual Prize Draw.
As requested a few clubs returned their applications to attend hockey
specific first aid courses earlier this year. Unfortunately 95% of clubs did
not consider the free courses to be of any value and did not forward their
form and I regret that with such low numbers it has not proved practical for
the courses to be held.
For the first time in European hockey history one city (Cardiff) hosted
three European club tournaments over the past few months. Our congratulations
must go to Cardiff Athletic LHC, UC Wales Cardiff HC and Whitchurch HC for all
taking on the responsibility and commitment for organising three very
successfully run tournaments. Particular congratulations to UC Wales Cardiff
for being the first University team throughout Europe to host any European
Club tournament. Each of the three were extremely unlucky not to have gained
promotion and it is hoped that when the EHF Competitions Committee finalise
their current review it will be possible in future events for the two
strongest teams to win promotion even if they are drawn in the same pool.
Congratulations must also be offered to Swansea LHC for their exploits in both
the European Indoor and Outdoor Club Championships and also to Newport HC for
their first trip into Europe since 1975 in the Indoor tournament. A full list
of those clubs who have qualified for European club tournaments for next
season is detailed at the end of this circular.
Over the past three months Wales has hosted more International hockey
than at any time in its history with Canada playing 8 matches in Cardiff
against various selected teams and France, Ireland and Scotland combining with
Wales to play in the two Celtic Cup competitions. Wales have also recently
played Scotland in Manchester. With European Qualifiers for both the Senior
Men and Women following within the next few weeks combined with the
Commonwealth Games for the Senior Men our best wishes go to all International
squads, umpires and technical officials in their various tournaments and
matches. Full results of all matches played so far this year are detailed at
the end of the circular. It would be remiss not to offer my thanks to all
those who willingly gave up their valuable time to assist in the organising of
both the Canadian and Celtic Cup weekends and in particular Anne Mullin who
spent numerous hours before, during and after the two weekends in running our
successful tournaments.
It
has come to my attention that a number of clubs are currently suffering
financial hardship. They may or may not be aware that every ticket sold in the
Welsh Hockey Union Prize Draw gives the selling club 70% of each ticket’s
face value (i.e.35p). This is a comparatively easy way to raise your funds
with some clubs known to have covered their total registration fees from this
source alone. You do not have to pay anything to cover the cost of the prize
(usually a weekend in either France, Dublin or Rome for the 6 nations match
against Wales including flights, accommodation and match tickets) and if your
club does not receive any automatically it is probably because somebody from
your club has indicated that you do not wish to be involved. If you have now
changed your mind please let either Anne Mullin or Gillies Williams know on
01633-420326 or e-mail [email protected] The opportunity to sell
tickets is open to any section of Welsh hockey including Clubs, schools,
international squads, coaches and umpires.
Every month a minimum of three pages within Hockey Sport are dedicated to ‘Welsh News’ although due to the lack of information forthcoming from clubs it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain these pages at existing levels. Please forward any information that you may have to [email protected] It is not just match reports that are required (although some would obviously be welcomed) but human-interest stories i.e. 3 father and sons or 3 mothers and daughters playing in the same team, that are required. Numerous phone calls are received from the media looking for such stories but unless you tell us we cannot tell them!
It
is possible that the majority of WHU members do not realise that the vast
proportion of the money used to further development within welsh hockey
originates solely from the Sports Council for Wales. Without their support we
would simply not be able to employ Development Officers, run courses, assist
Sports Development Officers and Dragon Sport Co-ordinators, run key Stage lll
sessions and to a large extent survive! The funding that the Sports Council
for Wales receives for distribution to all the National Governing Bodies comes
directly from the National
Assembly
and it is extremely disturbing to note that this year’s budget from the
Assembly has remained at £9.3M. The most worrying part is that in comparison
to the Sports Council for Wales, the Arts Council for Wales has received a 20%
increase in their budget which now stands at £20.7M. It is well known that
sport plays a crucial part in society and the Assembly themselves have
highlighted the importance and relevance of sport in helping to address long
standing problems associated with health, social inclusion, gender inequality
and criminal activity amongst the young. At the request of the Welsh Sports
Association (WSA) all Welsh Sporting Governing Bodies have lobbied the
Assembly to plead that its members review the apparent inequality in funding
but your support is also required. Please take time to consider the fact sheet
enclosed with this circular and take the opportunity to help us to help you by
forwarding your own letter (from club and / or individuals) to your local
Assembly Minister. The WSA have requested that copies of all letters issued
are collated and all I would ask is that you forward a copy of your letter to
this office. This is an opportunity to bring to the attention of the Assembly
the fact that sport counts – please help!
You
will find enclosed full details of the recent winners in the WHU Friends Draw
for display on your club notice board. If anybody wishes to join the Draw,
which has raised considerable funds for the WHU over the years, please contact
either Roger Caddick on 029-2036-2860 or the WHU office.
The
Welsh Hockey Union are looking to appoint either one to two people to these
voluntary positions. The Marketing Officer would be expected to assist both
the Publicity and Sponsorship Officers in helping the Union to meet both its
current and long term plans with an ability to undertake research, plan and
instigate activities to the benefit of hockey ideally required. The
Sponsorship Officer would work closely with the professional WHU Sponsorship
Agent and would be expected to ensure new and existing sponsors needs are
serviced with ‘good value’ offered. An ability to prepare and make
presentations to prospective sponsors would be an advantage with an aptitude
in understanding sponsors needs and funding avenues of definite advantage. A
full introduction to current practices and the activities of the Union will be
provided. This is an ideal opportunity for one or two people with the right
inter-personal skills to help the Union in what is a very important area. For
further information please contact the WHU office.
A
number of people are authorised to commit the Union to various expenditure
e.g. make pitch bookings for competitions or tournaments etc. Please ensure
that all of your club members are aware that if they are in this category that
they first contact the WHU office to obtain an official order form which will
be returned via e-mail. This will greatly assist in the reduction in telephone
calls that have to be made when invoices from facilities suppliers e.g.
Leisure Centres, are received with very little information detailed.
The
12th Annual Mixed International will be taking place at Rydal Penrhos School,
Colwyn Bay on Sunday 14th July commencing at 15:00 to be preceded
by the Semi-Finals and Final of the Conwy Primary Schools Hockey tournament.
The current results stand at England 6 wins, Wales 5 and it is an opportunity
for everybody to attend what has become one of the most enjoyable days in the
calendar. Entry is £2 for adults and £0.50 for children with any other
information available from the organiser, John Roberts on 01492-547905. All
North Wales clubs have already received a poster advertising the event and it
is hoped that a large crowd will attend to encourage the home side to level up
the overall scores.
As you will no doubt recall,
Bethan Walsh, the WHU’s own FIH Global Youth Hockey Promoter, is moving
matters forward with the Welsh Youth Forum with meetings already arranged.
Bethan is regularly attending Union Management meetings with Siobhan Rowlands
attending Development Committee meetings. If any of your younger members would
like to be involved please e-mail Bethan at [email protected] In a
similar vein, if anybody would like to become involved with the hockey pen pal
scheme please let Bethan know.
Contacting
the WHU Office
As many people will be aware
the office is currently under substantial pressure due to the absence of Jeff
Clease, the National Administrator. In an effort to allow staff to clear the
daily post and e-mails that are received please note
that the telephone will not be answered until after 10:30
each day. The answer phone will be switched on so please either leave a
message or ring after 10:30.
Veterans
Hockey & Regional Tournament
Management Committee have
received a request to officially ‘recognise’ International Veterans hockey
within Wales and they propose that Bernie Wheeler be co-opted to act as the
Men’s Veterans Coordinator. If anybody wishes to nominate another person to
undertake this task please forward their name to the WHU Office by 31st
July, having first obtained their confirmation of nomination.
The Veterans Regional
Tournament will be held at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 31st August /
1st September between the Regions of North, South, West and
Ex-Pats. Anybody interested in representing their respective Region at this
level are asked to contact the organiser, Bernie Wheeler on 01834-891218 (H),
01834-891443 (F) or by e-mail to [email protected] Please ensure
that every eligible person in your club is aware of the opportunity to play.
HSBC
National League
Swansea LHC
(2003 ‘B’ Division European Club Championship)
Welsh
Cup
Swansea LHC
(Cardiff Athletic LHC will play in the 2003 ‘B’ Division European
Cup Winners Cup)
Welsh
Indoor
Pontypridd LHC
(2003 ‘B’ Division European Club Indoor Championship - Brescia,
Italy)
Welsh
Plate
Newtown LHC
Welsh Shield Howardian LHC
2nd
XI
Cup
Swansea LHC
Veterans
Cup
Whitchurch Saints LHC
County
Championship
Glamorgan
Club
Championship
Whitchurch HC
(2003 ‘C’ Division European Club Championship)
Welsh
Cup
Cardiff HC
(2003 ‘C’ Division European Cup Winners Cup)
Welsh Indoor
Swansea Bay HC
(2003 ‘C’ Division European Club Indoor Championship - Brussels)
Welsh
Shield Bridgend
HC
2nd
Xl Cup Whitchurch
HC
Veterans
Cup
Bridgend HC
Welsh
Presidents Xl
Men v Canada
L 0 - 4 Women
v Canada
L 0 - 5
Welsh
Academy Men
v Canada
L 0 - 4 Women
v Canada
L 0 - 4
Wales
Men v Canada
W 1 - 0
Women v Canada
L 1 - 2
Men v Canada
L 2 - 3
Women v Canada
L 1 - 3
Celtic
Cup
Men
v Ireland L 1
- 3
v France D 1 - 1
v Scotland D 2
- 2
Women
v Ireland
L 1 - 4
v France L
0 - 2 v
Scotland
L 2 - 3
Manchester
Men v Scotland
W 4 - 3
D 1 - 1
Women v Scotland
L 1 - 2 L
1 - 8
Chris
Brewer
Director
of Hockey
Enclosures:
Clubs
Registration
Fees 2002 / 2003 return
Club
details form (for return by 31st July)
Club
Printout (showing 2001 / 2002 data for retention)
Club
Printout (showing no fees for return to Fay Davison after being updated by 1st
October)
Blank
registration fees (for new members)
Right
of Appeal
Friends
of Welsh Hockey Winners
Fact
Sheet – Lobbying for Sport in Wales & list of National Assembly and
Constituency Members
Poster
re Coach & Managers positions for Men’s International Squads
Schools
Schools
details form (for return by 31st July)
Right
of Appeal
Friends
of Welsh Hockey Winners
Poster
re Coach & Managers positions for Men’s International Squads
| Back a Page | Home |