Herts County Junior Squash
Minutes of Meeting 12 May 2003
Minutes of Hertfordshire County Juniors Meeting - 12/5/03
Present: Ray , Dudley, Julian, Simon, Ron
Apologies: Dave Sciberras, John Dixon, Dave Kerr.
Finances: Still Ok. Could Dave Sciberras make available for the next meeting a small financial report.
Herts Youth Games: Was a success with 7 regions competing (Stevenage, WGC/Hatfield, Tring, Three Rivers/Watford, E. Herts, St Albans). A full days squash was played at Gosling (9.20am – 4.00pm) and thanks go out to Ron Palmer for organising it. Each squad comprised 2 girls and 3 boys with an extra if available. If not sufficient girls were available then U11 boys could play.
St Albans were the final winners.
Awards for All : Some requests for funding were received and these were discussed in length.
Tring have requested £150 plus balls plus coaching expenses ie. Fuel, to run a 10 week coaching course.
Ray Waller commented that groups requesting funding should send some form of written proposal (should at least include area and clubs covered, number of expected participants and cost structure) As a County Association we should try to ensure that ‘areas’ benefit and not necessarily individual clubs. Some clubs have already received Lottery funding directly and this should be taken account of although not a reason for denying funds.
Should claims be met by the committee in full or is there an argument for partial funding. A small fee (£2.00/session) might not be unreasonable and gives some commitment from those attending. A free crèche facility should be avoided.
Ron Worrell felt that we were putting up barriers by requesting this information. However, the consensus was that if we are to be seen to act responsibly then what we are requesting (one A4 submission) was not unreasonable.
Ron will contact Betty Longhurst to discuss.
It was also mentioned that County Coaching should be moved around the County as whilst B.Stortford offer a great facility other clubs would also benefit from use of off peak courts. Holding it more centrally would also cut down traveling for some and maybe improve attendance. Simon Andrews made the comment that the last County training was not attended by enough top 5 ranked players and maybe we should ask for there commitment to training days immediately after the Herts Closed.
Funding Coaching Courses : It was agreed that more coaches were required in the County. This has become apparent as our activities have increased and Ron and Julian find it difficult to get enough coaching support. On this basis it was mentioned that Coaching should form a core part of our next Lottery application along with developing Girls squash.
Funding coaching courses is not cheap. Level 1 is £85 and Level 2 £220. a total of £305!!.
We have agreed to fund Pete Cheshire for level 1 (now completed ) and level 2 should be within the next few months. Having spent £300 on this what should we expect in return?.
Of course Pete will make himself available for county coaching. When part 2 is completed Pete will be qualified to charge out at around £15.00 per hour. Should we as a county expect 10 hours free coaching for our expenditure? This is equivalent to £150 being given back ie. Half our total outlay?.
A committee decision should be taken on this at the next meeting and Pete informed of this.
Adam Fuller is also proposed to be funded for part 2 to assist Pete. A similar scenario exists. Adam is our top Junior player and is also in the senior County team.
Level 1 Funding : several applications were received. Each application should be reviewed individually.
It was generally felt that if we decide to send people on this course then it should be 100% funded by us. Again some return should be sort by coaching assistance.
You must be 16 years old to attend the course.
It was agreed that from the list Jenna Shrub’s application would be supported. Jenna has already helped at Ladies coaching and has good squash ability. Jenna is 16 later in the year.
I would like to re-iterate the earlier statement that our next lottery grant should focus on coaching as currently our application is to grow squash in the County. On this basis funds for coaching qualifications should be limited.
Girls/Mixed Squash: Julian continued his earlier success with a graded tournament which was attended by 60 children. All got some prize. The cost was £166.
It was agreed that Julian would be re-imbursed £50 for his days efforts to take care of subsistence/travel etc. Can Dave please raise a cheque.
Over the season this has definitely been a success area and thanks goes to Julian for his efforts with all of those players who are not necessarily in the top 10 but who will hopefully form the backbone of clubs in the future.
Herts Closed: With one more meeting this season it would be good if we could find out the date allocated for this event. Can Ron please try and find out.
It was suggested that this year the U11 be held in a separate place and in effect have there own little tournament. This would also take the pressure off courts at the venue.
The senior Committee suggest several initiatives and these revolved around linking the Junior/Senior closed event. Should the finals all be held together?. Would linking the events make it more attractive for sponsorship?.
At the final meeting we need to reach some consensus on what is best for the Juniors. If someone from the Seniors could be present it would assist.
Interclub : all going Ok. Should finish early June. Results for U15 at Hazelwoods 9/3/03 have not been received.
Elite : Following the meeting John Milton called offering some places for a ‘Camp’ he is holding between 17-24th July. This is going to be held at Broxbourne and 6 overseas players will be invited with places for 2 or 4 of our top juniors.
The cost £250 each!!. This is prohibitive and negotiation needs to take place.
Would the committee be prepared to allocate £250 in total ?. If a deal cannot be struck then the funds should not be allocated for this training camp.
A.O.B.
Need to start to think about linking Juniors to clubs internal leagues.
(first Monday of the month)