Minutes of Meeting  10 February 2003

Apologies: Ray Waller, Simon Andrews, Dave Sciberras

Discussion deferred to next meeting

U/19 – Chichester 1/2/03 – Came 4^th – Played well – interesting controversy regarding fitness and appropriateness of one of the other team members to play, appearing hung over on court for the final match, upon which the overall result of the competition depended. He lost his first two games whereupon the organiser decided to seek judicial opinion, returning to stop the match only after the player had come back to 2 games all. Referred to England Squash. Herts Junior committee’s opinion: if he was able to win two games, he cannot have been that "unfit"!

U/17 – Berkhampsted – Cancelled as Suffolk pulled out leaving just two teams. Herts. and West Wales will stay up and Suffolk will be relegated. Received e-mail confirmation of this from the SRA.

U/15 Weymouth – Won only dropping one match.

U/13 – Bishops Stortford – Came 3^rd. Will be relegated.

JD expressed concern about the current format of the Junior intercounty championships. There was a huge disparity between the standard of Hertfordshire this year and most of the other teams in the Premier division. Team managers from other counties are also concerned about the huge year-to-year variation in team standard due to migration of players from one age group to the next.

JD suggested it would be better for all county teams to start each season on the same footing, initially playing purely regional matches at stage one, progressing to a hierarchy of leagues at stage two at a National or possibly North-South level. A grand final later in the season could decide the overall county champions. This may all be old hat but JD will inquire of England Squash about previous discussions and submit a proposal to Herts Junior committee query to rubber stamp and submit to England Squash.

JD was questioned about his method of selecting of the boys under 13 team. Concern was expressed that other boys in Herts had not been given a chance to play in the County squad.

JD explained that the selection of the squad had initially been based upon the results of the Herts closed competition and subsequently by a County trial held shortly afterwards, arranged due to concerns expressed by the committee that other potential squad members had not been included (see previous minutes). Representatives of most major clubs were present at the meeting and it was decided that committee members would spread the word about the supplementary trial to potential squad members.

The trial was very poorly attended; none of the aforementioned possible additions to the squad attended. JD was not aware of any new talent appearing between stage one and stage two.

Owing to the large numbers of under 13 boys and the ability of this age group to rapidly improve, it was accepted that a continuous reappraisal of the squad was necessary. It was agreed that the best way to ensure new talent was not overlooked was for the relevant junior coaches in each club to bring new talent to the attention of the County squad manager. The prospective County player could then be invited to an appropriate Junior (Saturday morning) session to play against other established squad members. Arrangements for travel etc would be the responsibility of the club's junior coach. Ron’s continued updating of the rankings is also valuable.

Ron said there was a very positive feeling about this initiative. Coaches are being arranged. He mentioned the probable need for money to purchase rackets; intention to discuss with the treasurer. Julian kindly offered to get hold of some good quality rackets if needs be.

• Application for funding 2003-2004 will shortly needed to be considered as this year's funding was to last to April 2003

To be held on 2 March and 23 March at Bishop’s Stortford. Paul Selby and Pete Cheshire will be coaching; 3 hours per age group. Pete Cheshire is keen to take his level one and two coaching certificates and Adam Fuller is also intending taking his level two. Both are hopefully going to be available to assist with Junior coaching and it is hoped that County funding will be forthcoming to assist with these courses.

U/11

Julian ran a graded tournament on the weekend of the 2/2/03. Very successful competition with 31 boys entering

• under 11 boys versus Essex away Sunday 23rd March, 2 PM at Flights: 12 per side
• under 11/under 13 girls mixed versus Essex, Canon's, 30 Mar, 12 noon
• girl’s mixed ages versus Avon, date to be announced, a Saturday in March.

Julian hoped funding would be available from County to help with running this event and it was felt this was an entirely appropriate use of County funds.

Concern was expressed at the recent failure of a Bishop’s Stortford under 11 team and a Bishop’s Stortford under 13 team to attend interclub matches. Inadequate 11th hour apology and excuses had apparently been made by the respective team managers. JD pointed out that illness and other squash commitments by squad members had been a major problem, which hampered the organisation of the Bishop’s Stortford teams but apologised on behalf of Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club and will pass on the vibrations the club.

Herts Open at Stortford – 22/23^rd Feb.

Congratulations to Adam Fuller who won the under 19 Essex Junior Open