SOUTHAMPTON LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE 2010 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Held at the Atherley Bowling Club, Hill Lane, Shirley, Southampton
At 7.30pm on Wednesday 17 November 2010
INTRODUCTION
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologised that Simon
Johnson, Tennis Development Manager for Hampshire & Isle of Wight LTA, who was
due to give a talk had not been able to make the meeting.
APOLOGIES
John Farley
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS AGM
Having been circulated, the Minutes were taken as read. Their adoption was
proposed by David Thomas, seconded by Jonathan Bliss and unanimously approved
by the meeting. These were then signed as being a true record.
MATTERS ARISING – none
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman reported that Association continued to operate successfully and was
in a sound financial position. The Apsley Summer and the Winter Leagues remained
popular and continued to be well supported with the results being displayed on the
Webside. The support of the LTA Level 1 Tennis Coaching Assistant’s Courts for
club members had continued and so far eleven participants have taken the course.
After eight years as Honorary Secretary Judy Greensmith was standing down and on
behalf of the Committee and himself the Chairman expressed his sincere thanks for
her having been a very efficient secretary.
The Apsley Summer League had again been run very successfully with Hampshire
Club regaining the Premier League Championship. Maureen Windle (Secretary),
Margaret Houlton (Chairperson) and Ken Grainger (League Co-ordinator) were
thanked for all their hard work.
The Winter League Annual Meeting had been held at the Atherley Bowling Club on
Wednesday, 8 September 2010. Presentations were made to the League Winners
and fixtures for the coming season were made. Geoff Prince was thanked for his
efficient running of this league.
The Junior Tennis Tournament had been held at the David Lloyd Club during the
week beginning 26 July 2010. The entries had been slightly down on the previous
year, but those participating had had an enjoyable tournament. The Chairman
thanked the David Lloyd Club for their support and also Chris and Jenny Whiting for
their usual sterling job in running the event. He informed the meeting that there
would be a change of venue next year as the tournament would be held at Totton &
Eling Tennis Club.
Due to the incapacity of the Editor, John Farley, who was wished a speedy recovery,
the Tennis Talk newsletter had not been published this year, but those articles which
had been received who be published on the website.
The Southampton LTA Website had operated very successfully since it’s inception
and Richard Cutler was thanked for all his hard work.
Belatedly the Chairman had learnt of the death of John Beirne, who had been a
member of the committee for many years and was well known and popular in
Hampshire tennis circles. He had been a leading figure in the establishment of the
Europa Tennis Club, the first of the major indoor tennis centres in the area. Sincere
condolences were offered to his wife and family.
The Chairman concluded by thanking the Secretary, Treasurer and Committee
Members of the Southampton LTA on behalf of all those present for giving their time
and support during the past year.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Angela Bassam, the Treasurer, presented the accounts, copies of which had been
circulated at the beginning of the meeting. There had been a deficit at the end of the
year of £1302.40, leaving a figure of £4319.90 to be carried forward. The Junior
Tournament had made a loss of just £47.
The Chairman thanked Angela Bassam for all her hard work and called for the
adoption of the accounts, this was proposed by Pam Cooper (Committee member),
seconded by Margaret Houlton (Apsley League) and carried unanimously.
AMENDMENT TO THE WINTER LEAGUE RULES
A proposal to amend the rules, which had been circulated to all the clubs prior to the
meeting, was put forward by Geoff Prince, the League Secretary. This involved
shortening the format of the league whilst maintaining the same number of players
and was in three parts. Firstly to establish whether or not there should be a
shortened format. Secondly, if the format was to be shortened, should it be (1) two
short sets (first to 4, 2 games ahead, or tie break at 4 all); (2) one pro set, (first to 8,
two games ahead, or tie break at 8 all) or (3) a sudden death deuce with the
receiving pair deciding who should receive. Thirdly, should there be a deciding
tiebreak for each match.
A vote was then taken by a show of hands amongst the representatives of the clubs
affiliated to the Southampton LTA (all but River Park, Winchester, were present) and
the result was as follows:
First proposal:
Second proposal:
Third proposal:
15 votes for shortening the format, 14 against.
(1)
3 votes
(2)
3 votes
(3)
23 votes
4 votes for a deciding tiebreak, 25 against.
ELECTION OF OFFICIERS AND COMMITTEE
The election of the officers and committee members was as follows:
Chairman
Tony Thompson
Proposed by Dave Thomas (Thornden),
seconded by Pam Cooper (Committee Member)
and re-appointed unanimously.
Secretary
Marietta Maidman
Proposed by Ruth Spencer (Hampshire Tennis)
Treasurer
Committee
seconded by Angela Bassam and appointed
unanimously.
Angela Bassam
Proposed by Ruth Spencer (Hampshire Tennis)
seconded by Geoff Prince (Winter League
Secretary)
It was agreed to re-appoint the current committee as a block as there
were no further nominations. This was proposed by Dave Thomas
(Thornden), seconded by Les Brown (Littleton) and carried
unanimously.
JUNIOR TOURNAMENT
Chris Whiting told the meeting that the support for the event was very disappointing
there were not enough girls to run any events and in the boys section it had only
been possible to run limited draws. It had been decided that if the event was
cancelled it might disappear from the calendar, in which case a longstanding and
traditional tournament would come to an end. Next year, Richard Cutler of Totton &
Eling Tennis Club, had offered to amalgamate this tournament with one he runs at
almost the same time and the Committee had agreed that this was a good solution,
particularly in view of the costs incurred at David Lloyd. The event would therefore
be run from Thursday to Sunday making it family friendly and hopefully leading to
more entries.
He explained that there had been quite a few changes in Junior Tennis over the last
few years due to a grading system which gives all players the ability to progress in a
constructive way and to manage their tennis in a more time friendly way. Parents’
time is now a major consideration in managing events, with a one day competition at
the weekend usually well attended and Grade 3 events regularly have 200 or more
entries competition, so it is what is on offer elsewhere which determines the level of
participation. He therefore hoped that the change of venue and date would revive
interest in the Southampton LTA Junior Tournament.
APSLEY LEAGUE
Maureen Windle presented a report to the meeting, a copy of which is attached to
these Minutes (Appendix 1). The Chairman again thanked Maureen Windle,
Margaret Houlton and Ken Grainger for all their hard work.
WINTER LEAGUE
Geoff Prince presented a report to the meeting, a copy of which is attached to these
Minutes (Appendix 2). The Chairman again thanked Geoff Prince for all his hard
work.
HANTS & ISLE OF WIGHT LTA
Jonathan Bliss, the Association’s Representative on the Committee, presented a
report to the meeting, a copy of which is attached to these Minutes (Appendix 3).
The Chairman thanked Jonathan Bliss for all his hard work.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(a)
Retiring Secretary – Judy Greensmith was presented with a number of
gifts and thanked for all her hard work.
(b)
New Indoor Tennis Courts – Stuart Levy (Winchester Tennis Club,
informed the meeting that they now had a number of indoor courts which
were available for hire.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.45pm and confirmed that he would be
standing down at the next AGM.
Appendix 1
APSLEY LEAGUE REPORT
for SOUTHAMPTON LTA AGM 2010
2010 had been a very successful, enjoyable and problem-free season.
All matches, with one exception, were completed although a little later that usual as
the last match was played on 2 October.
Re-arranged matches, using the new forms, were a huge success and improvement.
It helped to keep records up to date and Margaret to arrange her visits which, as
always, proved very popular. I did join her on some occasions and hope to do more
visits next year.
Ken Grainger has the website up and running and working well. We sent out e-mail
address lists to all clubs who requested it.
Score sheets were good with very few missing, a great asset as these are essential
to check the players and where they have played.
Hopefully, next year will be as successful as 2010.
Maureen Windle
Secretary, Apsley League
Appendix 2
WINTER LEAGUE REPORT
for SOUTHAMPTON LTA AGM 2010
2009-2010
We lost 3 Sundays to rain before Christmas, but then after Christmas, the snow
came and stayed for a number of weeks, but the last match was played on the 24th of
April. There were 28 walkovers, an increase on last year and 1 void match.
The Men’s cup was won by Winchester A, with the Ladies’ cup returning back to
Hants Club A.
There were 4 unbeaten teams in the Men’s leagues and 3 in the Ladies’.
There was a very close finish in the Men’s Division 3, with Thornden B and
Winchester C equal on points, and in Division 4 where Bassett C won with 9pts
followed by 3 teams within 1 point.
There were also close finishes in both the Ladies’ 1st and 2nd divisions with Hants
Club A and Winchester A equal on points, with Salisbury A one point behind in
Division 1 and in Division 2, Winchester B and David Lloyd had equal points, with
Waterside only 1 point behind.
The fixtures meeting was again held at the Atherley Bowling Club with
representatives from all 27 clubs present (Sandleheath have withdrawn) to receive
the awards and make fixtures for the coming season.
2010-2011
We started with 48 men’s teams in 7 divisions and 33 ladies’ in 5 divisions.
The fixture dates and nominated names came in generally well, although I did
receive the final name from one club only on the 1st of November.
We are now 7 weeks into the new season and have only lost 2 Sundays to rain, firstly
on the 3rd of October and last weekend, although some of you did play on Sunday.
I am still awaiting re-arranged dates for some of the fixtures.
Finally I would ask that the result sheets are returned fully filled out, with all the
names plus division entered and also the club submitting the sheet clearly shown, not
just a signature, plus an email or sheet from both clubs, if a match is conceded.
Enjoy your tennis
Geoff Prince
League Secretary
Appendix 3
HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT LTA REPORT
for SOUTHAMPTON LTA AGM 2010
I have continued to represent Southampton LTA on the Hampshire & Isle of Wight
LTA Council during 2010. Two other Southampton LTA Committee members also sit
on the Hampshire & Isle of Wight LTA Council in their own right – Chris Whiting
(County Matchplay Co-ordinator) and Richard Cutler (Club representative for Totton
& Eling Tennis Centre) – so we are well represented.
Current membership of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight LTA is 81 clubs, 3 Associate
clubs, 9 Other Organisations, plus 231 Individual members.
From 1st October 2010 Registration of clubs as “Places to Play” replaced the old
Affiliation system. Revised fees are £100 per hard court and £50 per grass court, with
a maximum registration fee of £1,200 for 12 courts. This new system has resulted in
a substantial savings in annual fees for the vast majority of clubs. It is expected that
the clubs will use the savings generated to re-invest in their own facilities and
development activities for the benefit of British tennis.
Following significant down-sizing of the national LTA Council during 2009, Hampshire
& Isle of Wight have retained the right to appoint 2 councillors. Bob Battersby and
Peter Grinyer represented Hampshire & Isle of Wight on the national LTA Council in
2010, and it is proposed that they should continue to do so for 2011.
It is very likely that during 2011 the LTA and The All England Lawn Tennis Club,
which runs the Wimbledon Championships, will incorporate. There will be a flow
through impact on the County LTA’s and the Clubs which would be expected to
follow suit shortly thereafter. The principal reasons for incorporation are to limit
potential liabilities in the case of a major claim and to improve governance.
After incorporation the County LTA’s will be the shareholders and members of the
LTA, and will exercise rights over the Main Board of the LTA, of which Bob Battersby
from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight LTA will become a board member.
The immediate change for individual Clubs is that they would become affiliates rather
than direct members of the LTA, and would no longer be able to vote at General
Meetings of the LTA. The Clubs would continue to be members of the Hampshire &
Isle of Wight LTA, and influence overall decision making via their votes at the County
level.
In due course full explanations of the proposed changes will be circulated to the
Clubs, and a task force from the LTA will provide presentations and handle queries.
A template of standard changes to the Statutes of the County LTA’s and individual
Clubs will be prepared by leading lawyers, and it is the LTA’s intention that no County
nor individual Club will suffer any negative financial, fiscal or legal consequences
from these changes.
Draft accounts from Hampshire & Isle of Wight LTA indicate a surplus for the year
ended 30 September 2010 of £40,000 and net assets of £190,000. The County LTA
is prudently managed and funded, and is pleased to look at requests for individual
small projects through the Facility Support Grant scheme. The Clubs are expected to
utilize savings on affiliation fees towards suitable projects, supplemented by
additional funding at the County or national level as appropriate.
The proposed Vetting and Barring Scheme, affecting the recruitment of individuals
working with children and vulnerable adults in England & Wales, has been
suspended by the Coalition Government pending remodeling of the criminal records,
vetting and barring schemes. Further news should emerge during 2011.
Turning briefly to tennis development within the County, the following operational
priorities have been identified: Increasing and improving junior and adult competition;
Optimising player programmes; Growing and professionalizing the coaching market;
Improving Places to Play; Improving the tennis experience.
Our key contacts within the County office are Simon Johnson, Tennis Development
Manager, and Sandra Holmes, County Secretary, and thanks are due to them for
their help and support.
Jonathan Bliss
Soton LTA Representative