Winnington Park RFC

Action

Title

Action

By Who

By When

Status

1

Welcome

·       Quorum of 25 members (excl. Committee) to be present: 43 members present therefore the meeting is quorate.

·       PD opened the meeting. Welcomed all in attendance. Explained aims and objectives of the meeting and explained AOB would follow main agenda

·       PD introduced the Committee / roles

·       BC noted apologies

·       BC asked for Matthew Treacy to proposed. Jason McPhillips seconded acceptance of last year’s minutes – Accepted.

Chairmans Report

·       Thanked all members through the challenges of Covid and the economic Crisis we as a club are still financially stable.

·       Every pound we get goes back into the club

·       PD stated we have generated stability – well run club, membership is stable when other clubs have suffered post covid.

·       We don’t spend unwisely – we debate and make sure you, our membership and our Club get the benefits of all financial contributions obtained for the club.

·        Rugby was great last year Men’s 1^st XV won the national cup at Darlington, Colts won the league and reached 2 cup finals winning one, M&J’s fantastic growth, under 15’s reached Cheshire cup final and many junior players representing the county.

·       Extensive improvements to the club listed for the benefit of the Club – sourced with help from the membership

·       Extensive ground improvements

·       New ventilation system in away changing room and shower

·       Balcony shelter repair

·       New changing room doors

·       New outer porch doors

·       New projector system

·       Balcony side painting

·       Car park barrier system

·       Continued Japanese Knotweed treatment

·       Toilets for All – 100% complete

·       Reseeding of Burrows Hill

·       Sub-soil Project – clay breakdown

·       Purchase of new line marker & mower

·       Full service of all ground equipment

·       Player Coach recruitment – Ben Elliot

·       New flooring in stand

·       Extensive painting project of ground floor and changing facilities

·       Revamp of Café

·       Complete top-dressing application (250 tons)

·       Fertiliser on ALL grass

·       Seat repairs in stand

·       Ground maintenance secure compound construction

·       Attracted 2 x overseas players

·       New shower heads

·       New pitch side & club wall advertising

·       Installation and upgrade of all external lighting

·       New buffer tank

·       Legionnaire’s compliance

·       Fire protection equipment

·       Drain repairs and new drain covers

·       Line marker store construction

·       Bar furniture repairs

·       Relocation of loft hatch

·       Full loft insulation and lighting system

·       Free gym usage for members

·       Introduction of new Membership cards

·       M&J specific cards

·       All weather post protectors – all pitches

·       Construction of Shep’s Wood

·       New gate at Moss Farm entrance

·       Substantial and complete kitchen overhaul

·       Chimney maintenance and swept

·       Expansion of CCTV system

·       New picnic benches and viewing benches

·       New bar furniture

·       We remain a full-house Club – a team in every category the RFU have for men/women and mini & juniors – puts us up the priority list with the RFU

·       We have a fantastic ‘Little Ruggers’ over 40 kids enjoying rugby

·       PD listed associated clubs

·       Winnington Park Hockey Club

·       Weaver Valley Cycle Club

·       Hartford Girl Guides

·       3^rd Hartford Brownies

·       Walking Rugby

·       Touch Rugby

·       Cheshire Police RFC (HQ)

·       RNIB – guide dog training

·       Al these bring revenue into the club for re development of the club

·       Amazing we have 24 teams including 19 Mini& Juniors

Treasurers Report

·       This past year has been a recovery year since covid. It has been a slow start 22/23 and we are nearly back to where we were pre covid

·       We have seen good margins on bar sales (Applause for Steve Turner and bar staff) We do not charge gate fees most revenue is from subscriptions and bar sales.

·       Explained the club had been spending wisely and she ensured money was spent appropriately on the things that enhance the club and the playing facilities including the cost of Ground Maintenance which is approx. 1k a month

·       RR explained the P&L account and went through the trading accounts

·       Match Day, playing account including coaches, physio and playing expenses had increased

·       Travel expenses had increased for Coaches and travel to IOM and we only get 2k from the RFU for this match.

·       Kit shop is managed on small margins with a 2k surplus this year

·       Subscription is the main source of Club funding but were slightly down, James Nield explained GMS and the new process for obtaining membership

·       Oktoberfest was a great success and was the main event income but also some other events which support the finances

·       Total income just over 153k

·       Expenditure has continued to increase with the cost of living

·       We had income from varies grants including 10k recently from Beach Road Tennis Club, Spacehive toilets for all project 13k

·       Member asked a question, “What is the 10k other for” Rose said she would answer at the end.

·       Small profit made for the year end of £3500

·       Rose said she was stepping down after 7 years she has really enjoyed the time and put the club in a safe position from where it was when she started.

·       Rose explained the 10k other was the compensation from United Utilities for the damage to the training area at the rear of the first team pitch.

·       PD thanks Rose for the tremendous work she had done as the treasurer and presented her with flowers.

·       Members also congratulated her on her service

Presidents Report

·       BC Thanked Rose and the committee

·       Thanked the great work of the grounds team (Last of the summer wine team)

·       Thanked Tim and Kate Barton for all the work they do with the 400 club

·       Thanked all the mini & junior coaches, admins and parents

·       Thanked Steve and the bar staff

·       Explained that the club continued to grow and as a result crating 5 new golden roles to support the club and committee moving forward.

·       Head of House and Grounds to be split into two roles, House, Andy Rowland and James Creed, Grounds

·       Head of Business Development -Dave Cross

·       Head of Events – Alex Wakzak

·       Head of Safeguarding – Simon Davies

·       Head of Marketing & Communications -TBA

·       Rose was stepping down and Graham Wood was going to be Treasurer. Graham is an account with his own company and also on the board with Witton Albion Football club

·       Jen Williams was stepping down as director of mini and juniors and Matt Heywood would take on this role

·       Ceri Hart was stepping down as Director of Women’s Rugby and was thanked for her support on the committee

·        

Election of Officers

·       BC Explained the rest of the committee had agreed to stay on and proposed all named be sworn in as the 2023/24 committee.

·       Position                                    Nomination

·       Chairman                                    Paul Dean

·       Vice Chairman                             Dave Snasdell

·       Hon. Secretary                                      Nick Cornwell

·       Hon. Treasurer                                      Graham Wood

·       House                                                    Andy Rowland

·       Director of Rugby                                   Dave Allcock

·       Director of Mini & Jnr’s                            Matt Heywood

·       Director of Ladies                                  Jen Williams

·       Membership & Data Secretary               James Neill

·       Director of Business Development         Dave Cross

·       Head of Grounds                                   James Creed

·       Head of Events                                         Alex Walczak

·       Head of Safeguarding                            Simon Davies

·       Head of Marketing & Communications   TBA

·       Proposer – Jason McPhillips – Seconded – Chris Shepherd

·       PD Thanked Brian for his efforts

·       BC ask for interested members to step forward and notify the Committee if interested in the position of Head of Marketing & Communications

·       Break in meeting

Moving Forward

·       PD outlined the committees’ fundamental beliefs

·       We will not pay any of our players other than expenses

·       Reinvest all profits into the club for the benefit of members

·       Inspire to improve all players what ever team they are in

·       Key area to focus on

·       Finance

·       Subscriptions

·        Business Development

·       Rugby

·       Committee Enhancement

·       Projects

·       Finance …consolidation

·       To maximise the resources, we have in order to generate a sustainable revenue income.

·       To continue to have a prudent and pragmatic hold on finances.

·       To continue to invest in facilities for benefit of all members.

·       Business Development

·       To focus of increasing the coverage of the pitch-side advertising boards. (YOU!)

·       To develop a multi-layered value proposition that demonstrates value for our sponsors.

·       To attract new sponsors via our membership, local businesses, and Associate Clubs

·       Subscriptions

·       Continue to develop and increase our subscription revenue

·       To attract more ‘social’ members.

·       To promote and push the use of the membership cards. These will be reset for this season

·       Subs to increase by £10

·       Committee – 5 new roles

·       Creation of new roles to add focus and to share workload.

·       Maximise the strength and experience we have within our membership.

·       To secure ‘new blood’ and ideas within your committee.

·       To continue to provide the best facilities, enhance coaching network, and focus on development and continued success of ALL our playing and non-playing members.

·       To create an environment that is consistent with the RFU Core Values.

·       To continue to be the “Club of the Town”

·       Future Projects

·       Lift Access.

·       Aspirations:

·       3^rd Team Training lights (grant)

·       PD Thanked the new committee

A.O.B

·       Questions?

·       Chris Shephard – Can we review access on Sundays for Ladies and Colts?

·       Action to review with committee

·       Jason McPhillips – Fire Escape needs to be looked at could it not be linked with the lift project. Advised would investigate the fire escape presently it is fit for purpose

·       Matthew Heywood – Over 45 potential club members who could pay membership – Little Ruggers

·       James Neill explained on GMS parents can come social members / donate to the club

·       Jason McPhillips – Do we have a school liaison member of staff?

·       BC Explained Matt Heywood had started work on this visited some schools already and Paul Rees now become head of rugby at Sir John Deans

·       Mike Kirkman – Access to individuals with disabilities 120 kids at Petty Pool College

·       BC – Stated we would look at this already doing work with the college

·       Gary Miller – What are we doing for the World cup Programme and legacy

·       PD – Good Question we have not organised anything and will get Event Director to focus on this straight away

·       TV prosed very expenses why not get more residents involved with the club?

·       PD yes will look at this, members asked about just subscribing to individual live sporting events

·       Will review this with Andy Rowlands

·       Thea Breau – Update please on Ladies Section

·       PD mentioned Mark Phoenix has come on board as coach along with Dan Mitton so hopefully the Ladies will develop further this season and Jen Williams now Head of Ladies on committee

·       Bill Telford- Lots of investment in the pitches particularly the first team pitch and this evening the do not use sign was moved and first team pitch used when it should not have been.

·       DS agreed and will ensure the training staff are made aware and needs to be communicated to all teams to adhere to the request

·       Gary Dykes – Gate to Moss Farm is this going to be impacted for access as a result of the Moss Farm development?

·       Action taken away by DS to follow up with CWAC, lengthy discussion regarding news that the enclosed football pitch was to redevelop for Northwich First Team Pitch. No communication about this and committee would follow this up

·        Sarah Davies – Are we hosting Chester Sevens Festival next year

·       Lengthy discussion of value for money, revenue v damage to pitches, discussion re contracts etc PD Explained it was reviewed each year.

·       Thea Breau – Can we have the other gate access to be looked at to accommodate pram access- Agreed this would be investigated.

PD: Closes the meeting and thanks all for their support and attendance: 22:30pm