West Midlands Basketball League

WEST MIDLANDS BASKETBALL LEAGUE

COMMITTEE MEETING - 9 OCTOBER 2007

Present: Mike Neal (Chair), Andy Millington (Secretary), Jane Huffer (Treasurer), Keith Kershaw (Referees), Michael Buckle (Fixtures), John Taylor, Nigel Evans, Tony Johnson, Zoran Pancic and Steven Barnes.

Apologies: Dave Slade, Jim Smith, Barrie Viner, Martin Bromage-Griffiths and Kevin Henry.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were read over and signed as being correct.

Changes to handbook from 11.9.07

Referees: New address for Roy Francis, 1 Slater Close, Old Hill, B64 6JB. Tel (h) 01384 639227

Delete Trevor Hadley & Andy Millington

Stoke- directions to court. Clayton Hall Business and Language College, Clayton Lane, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs. ST5 3DN. DIRECTIONS North on M6 to junction 15. Follow slip read around and then turn left at roundabout onto the A519. Go over next roundabout. After 600metres turn right into Clayton Lane and the school/college is on the right.

Aiden Hayes (Old Eds.) new address 1. Private Way, Groveley Lane, Cofton Hacket, Birmingham. B45 8UD

Changes to handbook from 9.10.79

Referees: New address for Dave Bradshaw, 3 Glebe Close, Ispley, Redditch, B97 4NE. Tel. (h) 01527 459494

Add new referees: Brian & John Miller. Full details are under Bromsgrove in Division 3. Correct home telephone number 01527 83194.2

Aston A's home court - Hamstead Hall School, Craythorne Ave, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham. B20 1HL. A-Z 5D 46. Tip off Sunday 3.15pm.

Weston Hoops B home court - Sir Graham Balfour School, North Ave, Stafford. ST16 1NR. Monday nights - 8.15pm tip off.

2.  Matters Arising.

Tony Johnson was present at the last meeting.

Brian Miller's telephone number was incorrect, see above.

This Committee meeting had to be put back one week due to the unavailability of the venue.

2.1 Table Officials' course. Jeff Booton will be running another table officials course which Tony Johnson will organise starting Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th January 2008, 7-9pm with the exam on Monday 28th January 2008. Places are limited to 15. Preference will be given to clubs with no qualified table officials and is on the basis of first come, first served.

The 12 candidates who took the last course passed, well done to them. It is also hoped to run a level 3 course later next year for the successful candidates.

2.6 The website is now up and running at WMBL.co.uk there have been over 2000 hits so far.

7.2 Teams who change their tip off time and or venue MUST inform all clubs and referees to ensure that matches go ahead.

3. Secretary's Report (Andy Millington)

3.1 Several changes to handbook see above.

3.2 Lorna Griffiths, Aston A's wanted to know the eligibility of Alan Bean who was suspended from the League owing monies to Wolves CC. Andy to research the minutes and reply.

3.3 Barrie Viner informed the secretary that the grant application to the area for the table officials' course has been successful for £150 (30 x £5 training packs from English Basketball) and also £100 for the re-design of the website.

4. Referees Secretary (Keith Kershaw)

4.1 Competitions sub committee. The Management Committee have approved the formation of a Competitions sub-committee to deal with the following; referee appointments, fixture cancellations and re-arrangements, management of the Babe Clay Handicap Cup. This sub-committee will consist of Keith Kershaw (referees), Michael Buckle (fixtures), and Kevin Henry.

4.2 Draft appointments for November sent to officials on 5th October. Updated and correct list will be sent out, and posted on website no later than 28th October.

4.3 Referee's pre-season seminar on Tuesday 25th September at Leasowes Sports Centre. Only 9 officials attended. Those present contributed to an interesting, and lively debate, regarding the game, rules and their implementation and interpretation.

4.4 Licences. All non EB National League referees need to licence through me. Please send £12 (payable to West Midlands Basketball League), with your date of birth and I will do the rest. Those who have an EB licence, can I have your licence number. For your own safety the League need to know you are insured.

4.5 Templates for a new Disciplinary report form & Referees report form have been distributed. Officials are asked to use these forms.

4.6  Nominated team referee. The following teams have failed to nominate an official in accordance with Rule 5 cii. All fines must be paid by 30 October.

Aston A's £35, Aston University £35, David Lloyds £15, Featherstone £45, Hagley £15, Pro Guard Pacers £15, Pro Guard Pistons £15, Smith's Wood £35, Walsall £15, WM Police £45.

5. Fixtures (Michael Buckle)

5.1  Postponement of games. Clubs are reminded they MUST adhere to the correct procedures as printed in the handbook - Rule 3 eii & eiii. It is the requesting clubs responsibility to inform their opponents of any cancellations. Requests for emergency postponements MUST be made to me in the first instance. If I am not available then contact Keith Kershaw.

5.2  A list of re-arranged fixtures will be sent to relevant clubs. Clubs are asked to confirm they accept the new date within 7 days. The new date will then be incorporated into the fixture list and no further reminder will be sent out.

5.3  WM-001 Kidderminster v Aston A's. Late cancellation by Aston A's. Match awarded to Kidderminster 20 - 0. Aston A's fined £20. Rule 5 eiii. (MB01/07)

6.  Babe Clay Handicap Cup (Rose Bowl)

6.1  The draw for the Preliminary round w/c 14 October, and the 1st Round w/c 26 Nov are attached. Club Secretaries are asked to check this carefully for your game. Clubs will NOT be informed individually. Home teams please ensure your sports hall is booked. Visiting teams please ensure you know the tip-off time and directions to venues you have not been to before.

6.2  Games must be played in the week scheduled. If you are unable to fulfil the fixture then the game will be awarded.

6.3  The Management Committee seeks a club to host the final during April next year. Any club interested please contact Michael Buckle.

7.   Treasurer (Jane Huffer)

KK 14/06. M Nash Rule 6f. Now increased to £22.50.Fine frozen.

M Nash suspended from officiating in West Midlands League.

Monies received

JH13/06.C White (Aston A's) has been paid by Wolves CC.

JH 02/07 Redditch. Rule 6ii Failure to attend AGM.

JH04/07 Walsall Wizards. Rule 6ii Failure to attend AGM.

JH 03/07 Swinfen Hall. Rule 6ii Failure to attend AGM.

Outstanding fines

JH 01/07 Pro Guard. Fine increased to £33.75. Rule 6ii Failure to attend AGM.

JH 05/07 Pro Guard. Fine increased to £33.75. Rule 6iii. Late entry to League.

New fine

MB 01/07 Aston A's £20. Rule 3 eiii. Late cancellation.

Non compliance charge - Rule 5cii

JH 06/07 Aston A's £35

JH 07/07 Aston University £35

JH 08/07 David Lloyds £15

JH09/07 Featherstone £45

JH10/07 Hagley Hawks £15

JH11/07 Pro Guard Pacers £15

JH12/07 Pro Guard Pistons £15

JH13/07 Smith's Wood £35

JH14/07 Walsall Wizards £15

JH 15/07 WM Police £45

Pro Guard Basketball Club

Now have outstanding fines and charges amounting to £97. This MUST be paid no later than 30 October 2007. If they fail to do so then 2 representatives of the club are instructed to attend the next Management Committee meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 6th November 2007 at Leasowes Sports Centre.

8. Any Other Business

8.1. John Taylor complained about the amount of paperwork involved in registering players and officials with English Basketball. Andy will contact English basketball to put forward the Committee's concerns.

8.2 Tony Johnson provided an update of the things to do calendar for the committee.

8.3 The League Rules and handbook have been updated on the web site.

8.4 John Taylor expressed his concerns about an item concerning his club on the website, Tony will investigate with Makis.

9. Date of next meeting

THE NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2007 AT LEASOWES SPORTS CENTER, KENT ROAD, HALESOWEN AT 6.30PM PROMPT