NORTHBROOK ATHLETIC CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
held on 27th January 2016, 8.30pm at Jaguar Sports and Social Club, Browns Lane, Coventry
- Present: 50+ members.
- Apologies – Linda Richards, Richard Cawley, Peter Kirkhope.
- Minutes of Last Year's Meeting – Last year’s minutes accepted (Proposed: Roger Ladbury, Seconded: Tony French).
- Matters Arising from Last Year's Minutues – None.
- Chairman’s Report – Bob Adams – “It’s been another eventful year for Northbrook A.C. There has been more interest in the cross country season, with more ladies running. A ladies team won the Warwick University cross country relays. Amanda Deavy has again been selected to represent Warks in the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships. The men are in a good position to gain promotion from division 3 of the Birmingham Cross Country League, and are currently in 2nd place. Thank you to John Wilson and Amanda Deavy for motivating the teams. Northbrook teams also performed well in the Warks Road Race League, the Cotswold Hilly 100, and the Thunder Run relay this year. It’s been encouraging to see the number of runners in the Summer Handicap. Great credit goes to Richard French, the handicapper, and all the timekeepers. The hard work that everyone is putting into the Wednesday evening sessions is producing some great results. The decision to filter the groups before running, is working well. Also, the Sunday and Monday sessions are very popular. Northbrook were chosen as the ‘Club of the Year’ at the Coventry Half Marathon. It was great publicity for the club and gave our runners the chance to be ‘race pacers’. Thanks to Mark Baker for getting us elected and organising marshals on the day. Also well done to John Wilson for training the Myton Hospice entrants. Last July the club again hosted the 10Km race, which continues to be a fantastic event. There was a record entry of 548, and great support from our sponsors. There was a great amount raised for charities, including Zoë’s Place, the Scouts, Great Ormond Street and Allesley Festival. Once again, many thanks to the 10Km sub-committee for all their efforts. John Wilson has done an excellent job training the Myton Hospice runners for this year’s Coventry Half Marathon. This has helped Northbrook to be recognised as the Club of the Year for the Coventry Half Marathon. This will give us great publicity to attract new members. It’s been another great year on the social front, with Corinna O’Connor organising the Awards Night, and many other events. Finally, I’d like to comment on the fact that we are continuing to attract new members, and great credit for this must go to our Membership Secretary, Mark Dalton. Roger Ladbury also continues to do an excellent job updating the club website. I would like to ask members to volunteer for the new roles that help the club to grow in future. Thanks to everyone on the committee and the training group leaders who have all helped the club this year. Tonight is your opportunity to have your say about the operation of your club, so please feel free to contribute to the discussion. I look forward to an orderly and constructive meeting.”
- Treasurers Report – Tony Mackness
discussed the report previously circulated to members. The committee
recommended that subscription fees increase to match the England Athletics
fee increases. Accepted (For 37,
Against 2) – Fees
are now due.
Existing Member Renewals:
Full rate: £28, Concessions: £20, Second Claim: £19.
New and Rejoining Members:
Full rate: £41, Concessions: £29, Second Claim: £29 (all include vest).
- Proposals Received –
- Proposal – Additional categories for Northbrook
Road Race Championship
That additional categories should be added for 60+ for men and 55+ for women as there are a lot of older people still running but certainly in the ladies a 60 year old lady has no chance of winning compared to a 45 year old or one of our over 65 men and a 50 year old one. Fitness goes down rapidly at that age. The little shields can’t be that expensive and it would show older runners that they are still appreciated and would encourage them to continue to support the club and run.Proposed by: Claudie Combelas, Seconded by: Kevin Coughlan.
Amendment - That Men and Ladies have the same categories to comply with Warwickshire rules as follows: 1 overall winner, First 3 in the categories for Senior, 35+, 45+ 55+, 65+. Some new winners shields needed, and more small shields.
Proposed by: Tony French, Seconded by: Paul Robbins.
Amended proposal accepted. (For 44, Against 2)
- Proposal – Parkruns in Club Road Race Championships
That Parkruns Runs be reinstated to be part of the 5k category in the Northbrook Road Race Championship, and that any times already recorded in 2016 can be counted as part of this year’s competition.Proposed by: Martin Winch, Seconded by: Scott Shepherd.
Proposal accepted. (For 38, Against 4)
- Proposal – Introduction of Vice Captain position.
That a new role of Vice Captain be introduced for the men's and ladies' teams. Other proposals to help the captains have largely been ignored with the responsibility continuing to remain with just 1 or 2 people. A new role of Vice captain will be a small step towards helping those individuals. We have seen the demise of Sphinx over the past few months, largely due to their 'individuals' not being available. We don't want the same thing to happen to this club. The proposer is willing to take on the role of men's Vice Captain.Proposed by: John Wilson, Seconded by: Spencer Davies
Proposal accepted, (For 45, Against 0)
- Proposal – Change to design of club vest 1.
As a number of club members run abroad, either on holiday, races or at training camps, should we include the union flag on our running vests.Proposed by: Adrian Powell, Seconded by: Tony Mackness
Proposal withdrawn.
- Proposal – Change to design of club vest 2.
We have runners who have been paid-up members for many years. Should we recognise this by adding 5, 10, 15, 20 then 20+ (to indicate years of continual membership) below the club name & logo on the running vests.Proposed by: Adrian Powell, Seconded by: Tony Mackness
Proposal withdrawn.
Amendment – That certificates be given to members for every 10 years of continuous membership eg. 10, 20, 30 40 years.
Proposed by: Clive Horton, Seconded by: Kevin Coughlan
Proposal accepted, (For 21, Against 12)
- Proposal – Funding for coaching
That more funds should be made available for people in the club to take coaching qualifications. I did one last year, but funded it myself. Now there are sufficient funds to do this without bankrupting the club. Perhaps we could pay less money to Zoe’s place or increase membership fees slightly to fund this. After all we are a running club, before we are fund raisers for local charities. I’m not suggesting we stop supporting these charities, just reduce the contributions.Proposed by: Tom Miller, Seconded by: Mick Duggan.
Proposal defeated. (For 1, Against 37)
- Proposal – Recognition of group leaders
All the group leaders on a Wednesday give up their time voluntarily to lead the groups. As a gesture from the club, it would be nice to give the leaders something back in return for their commitment to the club. My proposal is – the club pays for their basic Jaguar membership fees (£16 at the moment). Also, the club provides a t-shirt for the leaders of each group, so that they are identifiable. This is only a proposal for the main group leaders – not people who cover for the odd occasion.Proposed by: Jill Pittard, Seconded by: Lyn McDonald.
Proposal defeated. (For 9, Against 16)
- Proposal – Additional categories for Northbrook
Road Race Championship
- Election of Officers -
- President - Tony French (confirmed by vote: for 40, against 1)
- Chairperson - Bob Adams
- Secretary - Mark Baker
- Treasurer - Tony Mackness
- Mens Captain - Spencer Davies
- Ladies Captain - Clare Rowntree
- Membership Secretary - Mark Dalton
- Social Secretary - Corinna O'Connor
Non committee
- Summer Handicap - Richard French
- Website - Roger Ladbury
- Kit Person - Damian Pharoah
- 10km race - Tony French, Tony Mackness, Kevin Coughlan, John Ralph, Sean Flanaghan
- Press Officer - Martin Winch
- Men's Vice Captain - John Wilson
- Ladies' Vice Captain - Cath Fenn
- Club Coach - John Wilson
- Endurance Coach - Clive Horton
- Men's Team Manager (Cross-Country) - Tom Miller
- Road Race Champs Administrator - Kevin Coughlan
- Auditor - Terry Moynihan
- Welfare Officer - vacant
- Men's Team Manager (Road) - vacant
- Ladies' Team Manager (Road) - vacant
- Ladies' Team Manager (Cross-Country) - vacant
- Awards for 2015
- Mens Road Race (overall) - Stuart Lumsden
- Ladies Road Race (overall) - Amanda Deavy
- Senior Mens Road Race - Martin Winch
- Senior Ladies Road Race - Rachel Meredith/Amy Burdis
- O/40 Mens Road Race - John Wilson
- O/35 Ladies Road Race - Lyn McDonald/Jill Pittard
- O/50 Mens Road Race - Mark Baker
- O/45 Ladies Road Race - Sarah McNaney
- Veteran of the Year - Joe Kelly
- Mens Summer Handicap - Brian Hewetson
- Ladies Summer Handicap - Gemma Darby
- Paul Kelly Trophy - Spencer Davies
- Clubperson of the Year - Liz Pharoah
- Most Improved Runner - Corinna O'Connor
- Any other business:
- Race Results – Please can members forward any race results and reports to the website (results@northbrookac.org.uk).
- Meeting closed at 10.15pm