TONBRIDGE NETBALL LEAGUE

21st September 2014 Sascha Ramos

Secretary

3 Duncan’s Yard

Newton Road

Tunbridge Wells

TN1 1RU

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Thursday 9th October 2014

at 7.30 p.m.

Tonbridge Football Club, Tonbridge, Kent

(Darenth Avenue)

Dear Club Secretary,

Please find enclosed the following:

1. Agenda for the Tonbridge Netball League 2014 Annual General Meeting.

2. AGM 2013 Meeting Minutes

3. Proposed ‘Umpiring Pack’

4. Summary Highlighting proposed rules/League Constitution changes

5. Committee Members’ reports for the year, any missing will be tabled at the meeting

6. Committee Member Nomination Form (Should you/a team member wish to be put forward for a

committee position). NB: This year the following positions are available on the committee:

a. League Secretary b. Coaching Secretary

You will be aware, as laid down in the Constitution; YOUR CLUB MUST BE REPRESENTED at the meeting in

order to secure a place in the 2015 Summer League. If you do not have a Club or Team representative present

for the full duration of the meeting, you will not be eligible to play in the league.

For this reason you will find enclosed a confirmation of receipt of the AGM information.

Please email confirmation of receipt of this AGM pack with details of who will be representing your team to

sascharamos@gmail.com by 4th

October. Alternatively you can return the enclosed slip to my address. Don’t

forget this is YOUR League and your chance to raise any issues that are important to you.

Finally, a nomination form (for committee positions) is also enclosed. This form MUST be returned to me ASAP

BEFORE the AGM. If this is not possible, please email-me (sascharamos@gmail.com) at your earliest

convenience.

With best wishes and I look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

Yours sincerely,

Sascha Ramos

Secretary

For and on Behalf of Tonbridge Netball League

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

2014

To be held at Tonbridge Football Club, Tonbridge, Kent

on Thursday, 9th October, 2014 at 7.30 p.m.

A G E N D A

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Agree Minutes from the 2013 AGM (supplied within the AGM pack)

3. Matters arising from previous Minutes

4. New ‘Umpire Pack’ Proposal (enclosed in AGM Pack)

5. Proposed changes to the Tonbridge Netball League Constitution (Rules Highlights enclosed in

AGM Pack)

6. Financial Report

7. Chairman’s Report

8. Committee Members Reports (enclosed / supplied at AGM)

9. Election of Officers - Nominations

a. Chairman

b. Secretary*

c. Summer Match Secretary

d. Winter Match Secretary

e. Tournament Secretary

f. Coaching Secretary*

g. Umpiring Secretary

h. Publicity Secretary

i. Treasurer

NB: (*) Denotes available positions.

10. Presentations

11. A.O.B

12. Roll Call

Minutes from the Tonbridge Netball League AGM

held on 10th

October 2013

1. Apologies:

Caroline Martin

2. Minutes of previous (2012) AGM Agreed by:

1st

Vivien Ambrose

2nd

Sue Fennell

3. Matters Arising from 2012 minutes:

Vivien Ambrose Team (Div 4) may require a beginner umpire approved by Committee to umpire

during the summer

4. Fixtures:

� Bank Holiday Notice - Vivien Ambrose said May bank holiday (bh) during half-term is waste

of time as games are always cancelled. Half-term difficult in general.

Proposed: Give notice by the Friday before BH and no points will be lost if notice is given by

the Friday. If later points will be lost. Give notice to Summer Sec. rather than to team so no

one knows who cancels first. Play the BH Monday at end of season.

o 24 hours OR Friday. Agreed: FRIDAY. No points are lost if this is adhered to

o Proposer: Jackie Gerety

o Agreed: Tracey Jones

� Delay to winter season – match rescheduling

o Wed teams: 8th

, 15th

, 22nd

January.

o Tuesday will continue into Dec.

o Winter Secretary to confirm the above via email

5. Beginner umpiring requirements

� Written test at start/before winter season starts so we know that beginners have some prior

knowledge of rules. Then they practice through winter in view of taking test at the end of the

winter. Everyone agreed.

� Lee proposed to phase it in during the winter 2013.

6. Proposed changes to complaints procedure - League Secretary to send to all teams what is going to

be agreed and added to constitution

� 1) (Enquiry) Letter to committee and then a letter written from committee to individual

� 2) Written (2nd

stronger warning)

� 3) Reprimand as decided by committee

o Proposer: Heather Harman

o Agreed: Tracey Thompsett

7. Financial Report - League Fee Payments

� Why we have so much? More teams, less money going out. Winter season will be

cheaper/we will get a refund.

o Proposer: Barbara Taylor

o Agreed: Sue Fennell

8. Chairman’s Report

� Courts have been resurfaced. The delay to the start of the season was due to electricity

which was cut-off of the courts

� New website – Vivien’s hard work in re-designing and updating the website regularly, so

please use the site as well as Facebook to keep informed

� Paperless League – Please provide email address(es) for at least two team members

� 50th

Anniversary Rally – total disappointment. Explained how contacting courier/Hospice in

the Weald/local businesses/school providing free court was to no avail, despite everyone

agreeing to make it a big celebration in last years AGM

� Available Committee posts – many leaving after several years of service

� Presentation of gifts to members leaving the Committee

9. Committee Members Reports (enclosed / supplied at AGM)

Election of Officers - Nominations

a. Chairman* - Jennie Gregory

i. Proposer: Florie Mancel

ii. Agreed: Antonia Balaam

b. Secretary – Sascha Ramos

i. Proposer: Barbara Taylor

ii. Agreed: Sue Fennell

c. Summer Match Secretary –

Mandy Sandles

i. Proposer Barbara Taylor

ii. Agreed: Sue Fennell

d. Winter Match Secretary* - Nikki

Norris

i. Proposer: Chloe Tuite

ii. Agreed: Tracey Jones

e. Tournament Secretary* - Jenni

Shaw

i. Proposer: Sascha Ramos

ii. Agreed: Vivien Ambrose

f. Coaching Secretary* - Ros Tucker

i. Proposer: Pauline Pilgrim

ii. Agreed: Gill Elledge

g. Umpiring Secretary* - Lee Athwal

i. Proposer: Angela Balham

ii. Agreed: Jill Pope

h. Publicity Secretary* - Vivien

Ambrose

i. Proposer: Lee Athwal

ii. Agreed: Jackie Gerety

i. Treasurer* - Emma Palmer

i. Proposer: Pauline Pilgrim

ii. Agreed: Kate Miller

10. Presentations

DIVISION WINNERS RUNNERS UP

DIVISION 1 Wealden 1 Wealden 2

DIVISION 2 Freedom Ice Saints Blue

DIVISION 3 Cars Wealden 3

DIVISION 4 Sevenoaks Hearts red

DIVISION 5 Prodigals Blue Latte

DIVISION 6 Gems Roselands Blue

11. A.O.B:

� Kate Miller – Thanking committee for all their hard work and for the newly surfaced

courts!

� Caroline Holder – Change of team between summer/winter. Can we put it to a vote:

(Summer should be the same as the winter)

o Proposer: Caroline Holder

o Agreed: Majority vote

o 1&2 Wed / 3&4 Tuesday / 5&6 Monday

� Cancelled game – team cancelling lose points and if there are teams with the same

number of points at the end of the season, then Summer sec will see if either teams

have had games cancelled on them and will award goals accordingly.

o Constitution Change:

1. Proposer: Caroline Holder

2. Second: Julia Lippett

� League to contact school regarding turning posts and ask them to fix

� Lower car-park is now open – please use!

� Summer Season – If we are we are inundated with teams what should we do.

Suggestions include:

o 9 teams per division – start in March.

o Waiting list.

o Loyalty to teams that are committed all year round not just summer where

teams play in other leagues/training.

o If 9 teams perhaps consider 3 teams up 3 teams down.

o Start around 4th

March

o Summer Sec to address the above should the situation arise. All agreed

� £200 donation to the Hospice (rally) all agreed

12. Roll Call – The following were absent from the roll-call: Apex, Otford, Hadlow, Horsmonden

Silver, Capel, Langton and Sandhawks.

COMMITTEE POSITION NOMINATIONS FORM

PLEASE GIVE THIS FULL CONSIDERATION BEFORE THE AGM AND CONSULT

YOUR TEAMS ABOUT THESE.

NOMINATIONS FOR POSITIONS ON THE COMMITTEE:

Position :...…………………………..................

Name of Nominee:...........................................................

Nominated by :..............................................................

Position :...…………………………..................

Name of Nominee:...........................................................

Nominated by :..............................................................

Position :...…………………………..................

Name of Nominee:...........................................................

Nominated by :..............................................................

RETURN TO (in writing):

Sascha Ramos

3 Duncan’s Yard

Newton Road

Tunbridge Wells

Kent .

TN1 1RU

PLEASE RETURN ALL NOMINATIONS BY 1st

OCTOBER. If this is not possible, please

email sascharamos@gmail.com or call Sascha Ramos on 07796 921141.

Tonbridge Netball League

Umpires Pack

For all Umpires at TNL, Summer and Winter Seasons

_____________________________________________________

Please acknowledge receipt by providing the following information:

Name:

Current Qualification:

Date of current Qualification:

Name (if different) when you passed:

AENA region in which you passed:

Current club (if you are a member):

Affiliation number:

Email address:

(Please return to the Umpiring secretary – either be leaving in the

results box, or by post to Lee Athwal, 1 Estridge Way, Tonbridge TN10

4JS)

Welcome

Whether you are an experienced, highly qualified umpire or a complete novice, you

are very welcome to the Tonbridge Netball League. It is an often used expression,

but nonetheless true, that without umpires none of us could play netball. So on

behalf of all the clubs, teams and players, thank you very much for all that you do.

The purpose of this pack is to pass on some important information to anyone who

umpires at TNL, either in the Summer or Winter league. If you have been umpiring

here for years, then you probably know all of this, but we felt it important to put

all the relevant information in one place for everyone involved.

The Tonbridge Netball League has been running for many years and is now

permanently based at the Weald of Kent school, Tudeley Lane, Tonbridge, TN92JP.

There are 2 leagues: the Summer league is our ‘serious’ league and tends to run

from around Easter until early July, depending on the number of teams that enter;

the Winter league is our ‘friendly’ league and runs from around the second week in

September until Christmas, but sometimes runs into the new year, again, depending

on the number of teams that enter.

Netball is played on three nights, with matches at 7pm and 8.15pm as follows:

Monday nights: Divisions 5 & 6

Tuesday nights: Divisions 3 & 4

Wednesday nights: Divisions 1 & 2

Umpiring Awards and requirements for each division

Summer League

Divisions 1, 2 & 3 – C award umpire or above

Division 4 – C award or above, or TBGC+ (see below)

Divisions 5 & 6 – Beginner award or above or TBGC (see below)

Winter League

All Divisions – Umpires do not have to be qualified, but must be capable of

controlling a game. Trainee umpires (i.e. those who have not yet passed their

beginners award) may use this league to practise in advance of taking the

test. However we do ask that you contact the League umpiring secretary

and take a written test (similar to that taken for the Beginners award), to

ensure that you have a good, basic knowledge of the rules before you umpire

a game. Once you have passed this test you can use “Trainee” in the

Qualification box on the results card.

TBGC and TBGC+ awards

When AENA changed the rules regarding Beginner umpiring awards, introducing an

8 year time limit for umpires to progress to a C award, the league agreed to allow

lapsed Beginner umpires to continue umpiring in divisions 5 and 6. It was

subsequently agreed that some Beginner umpires (lapsed or otherwise) may be

allowed to umpire Division 4 matches at the discretion of the committee.

In order to formalise these arrangements, an Umpiring Green Card can be awarded

as follows:

Lapsed Beginner umpires will be required to take a written test to make sure they

are up to date with new rules. On passing this, they will be awarded with a TBGC

(Tonbridge Beginners Green Card) which will ratify their right to umpire in

Divisions 5 and 6. They should put the initials TBGC on the score card.

Beginner umpires (either lapsed or otherwise), who have sought and been given

permission to umpire Division 4 matches will be awarded the TBGC+ (Tonbridge

Beginners Green Card plus). This will certify them to umpire division 4 matches.

(If they are umpiring Div 5 and 6 then they can either put Beginner as their

qualification, providing it is not lapsed, or TBGC+.)

Please note that if you umpire a game that you are not qualified for then your team

(i.e. the team who asked you to umpire) will lose any points from that game. Also, if

you incorrectly record your umpiring qualification, then points may be awarded to

the opposition. (There will be some discretion here as these new procedures come

into effect).

League Rules

What we would like you to do:

All players must be wearing a skirt, skort or netball dress. No kit – no play!

Please check fingernails. They should be smooth and short. A lot of umpires do

the ‘can’t see your nails over your fingers test’ which is generally fine, but a very

small number of people may have exceptionally long nail bases which mean that

cutting the nail short enough not to show over the top of the finger may cause

real discomfort. In this case the umpire may show discretion providing the nail is

‘short and smooth’.

Please check for all visible piercings. This must be removed and may not be taped

over. Please particularly check for tragus and helix piercings (upper and inner ear)

as we have had a number of examples of people trying to play with these.

No jewellery may be worn except one plain wedding band which must be taped.

Please also check sweat shirts/hoodies etc for any loose zips or ties. Hoods must

be tucked into the back of the bib or inside the top.

Please make sure you think it is safe to play. It is up to the umpires, in

consultation with the Team captains to make any decision to call off a match. This

could be due to a slippery court surface, high winds etc and is at your discretion.

The safety of players and umpires is always the paramount consideration.

Games should start on the hooter. If a team has 5 players then they must take to

the court and start to play. If a team is not ready to play within 15 minutes then

the opposing team may claim the points.

All players who take any part in the match must be listed on the teams score card.

Please do not coach either time while you are umpiring, either during play or in any

of the intervals. Umpires should remain in court away from the teams during

intervals.

In the event of a serious injury, please can you complete an incident form, which

can be found in the garage, and place in the results box.

All subsequent league rules can be found within the Rules of Play, on-line at

www.tonbridgenetball.org

Tonbridge Netball League 2014 Rules/League Constitution update

Highlights

Squad sizes

All teams must declare up to 12 players at the start of the season. All games must be played using these

players only.

In summer, for clubs with more than 1 team, then a player may play up for a higher team twice, but

must join the higher team squad on the 3rd

time, staying within the maximum of 12 payers in the squad.

In winter players may play for other teams/clubs – but only within the same division, or higher. No

player must play down. The 12 players per team squad still applies.

If any team permanently loses a player and wants to include a new one, then the match secretary

should be informed.

Late Teams

If a team is late for a game, then the opposing team may take the court and begin to play, taking each

centre pass, until the other team is ready to join in.

Affiliations

All players and umpires must be affiliated for both seasons in order to be insured. Affiliation numbers

must be submitted when applying for a league.

Results cards

Results cards must be completed in full (including names of each team in both the summer and winter

seasons), with the names of all players who take to the court – not just the starting seven. Any

inaccuracies will be penalised.

Secretary AGM Report 2014

Welcome to yet another AGM that has come around quicker than I thought possible!

This year there have been some ups and some downs (well, issues and complaints),

but overall I think it's been a great year. The issues we've had to deal with have

raised unexpected situations which as a league we’ve dealt with in the best way we

can. However, as a consequence, 2015 may bring with it some changes....all of

which we hope will improve the League!

The year has also brought some big personal changes for me (a new and very

demanding job!!!), so I will be standing down as League Secretary this year. After 3

years of the League having to be patient with my lack of a general organisation, I felt

it was time to hand the baton over to someone who could actually do the job!

It has been a great 3 years, and I'd like to thank everyone for their support.

As always, should you have any questions/queries about the league in general, or

perhaps suggestions/feedback, please feel free to call, email or write to me (all my

contact details are below). You can also visit the website: www.tonbridgenetball.org.

Finally, as the League is virtually paperless now, please make sure your club contact

email address(es) are correct. Please update me as soon as possible with any

changes by either email: sascharamos@gmail.com, or by phone/text: 07796 921141,

or at home address in writing:

Sascha Ramos

3 Duncan’s Yard

Newton Road

Tunbridge Wells

Kent.

TN1 1RU

Many thanks and good luck to all teams for the 2014/2015 seasons!

Sascha Ramos

Secretary

Tonbridge Netball League

SUMMER SECRETARY REPORT 2014

Well another summer season over, time to enjoy the friendlier winter league, time to reflect

on the summer.

This summer we had mostly good weather, the courts played well and everything ran fairly

smoothly, I believe everyone had a good season, (except those teams that lost most of their

games), and hopefully it was enjoyed by all. I would like to thank every player, umpire,

coach and supporter for making it a really easy season to look after and for all the help

received from you all when needed.

Although it was largely a success we did have a few problems. Firstly the toilet key got lost

twice, mainly because people left the key in the toilet door, not returning it to the white

box. If anybody takes or sees the toilet key, please return it to the white box, whether you

took the key or not. I know it doesn’t seem a big issue but we do not want to get to the

stage where we are relying on the caretaker to open the loos every night, this will happen if

we are not responsible enough to look after a key!

Secondly there were many instances where the result cards were not correctly filled in,

again it seems trivial to worry about one card, but when you are looking at 48 cards weekly,

it gets to you. You will find that we DO have rules about completion of the cards and teams

WILL be penalised next summer.

Thirdly, it was discovered that a few games were being umpired by people not correctly

qualified to umpire, this resulted in teams losing points for the games involved. There were

also cases of players playing for more than one team, even if it’s only one game, and teams

knowingly using these players. As a League we do not want to get to the stage where you

will need photographic team identification per player or umpire, checked when you enter

the court. Therefore please respect the rules of the summer league, as these will be clearly

defined at the AGM and stronger penalties will be imposed next summer.

I know I always moan about things every year, but it would be quite boring just to say “it

was nice”. You know as well as I do, (I hope), that it was a good season, a great atmosphere

every night, lovely games and sportsmanship, friendly banter and a great competitiveness, I

would just like to improve it for next year.

Mandy

Winter League Secretaries Report

Firstly I would like to thank all those that entered this Winter for their prompt

and on time entries and payments. Hopefully I managed to apply all requests on

time, opposites and days!!

Next season, if you need to move up divisions as you came top, or your

Summer position indicates you need to play higher, then you will have to move

up and day requests can’t be taken into consideration as this impacts on those

who have done well in the lower divisions and can’t be moved up because a

higher team refuses to move and there is no space! Your teams need to be made

aware of this, and availability ensured. Also, a majority of the Summer Division

1teams don’t play in the Winter, this heavily impacts on Division 3 (Tuesday)

Summer league as they have to move to Division 2 (Wednesdays) for the

Winter, this also needs to be made aware to your team. This is really the only

division with night switches over Summer and Winter seasons.

The courts in the wet in the Summer proved to be playable and fairly safe since

the resurfacing last spring, I’m sure the Winter will benefit from this

resurfacing, any concerns please let me know.

On a whole, I appreciate still early days, but all running to time at the moment

and thankfully the weather has been kind, long may it continue.

Please all have a safe and enjoyable Winter 2014.

TOURNAMENT SECRETARY REPORT - 2014

Following a few years of the league not being able to host a tournament, we were determined to make it a

success this year. After an initial online survey, we found enough interest to give it a go with a total of 14

teams entering across all 6 divisions.

The 14 teams were divided into two groups with all teams progressing to either the cup or plate knockout

stages.

The cup was dominated by Wealden 1 who won 6 games scoring an impressive 70 goals in the process, and

who also won the cup by beating Panthers in the final. The plate was more evenly matched with the final

resulting in Saints 1 claiming victory over Prodigals Blue by only 3 goals.

The day was a brilliant success and I would like to thank all the players and umpires for the spirit in which

the games were played. Thank you also to all those volunteers who helped organise the day too, as

together we raised £500 for the Hospice in the Weald with the raffle raising an additional £210 for the

Tunbridge Wells winter Shelter Charity.

Tonbridge Netball League

Umpiring Secretary Report 2014

It has been a busy year with more than usual to do to try to ensure all our players and umpires are

having a good netball experience and enjoying the competition. We have done some work to

consolidate and clarify the umpiring situation at TNL. We have developed and Umpiring Pack for all

teams and umpires. Each umpire will be asked to confirm receipt of a pack and their umpiring

qualifications. If you are using an umpire that does not usually umpire at TNL then please let me know

so that I can issue a pack. Packs will be sent to all teams and to umpires that we know.

The pack refers to the new rules that are also being discussed at this meeting, so please read them in

conjunction with that.

In short we want to make sure we know who is umpiring at TNL and that they are appropriately

qualified, to ensure all umpires know what is expected of them and how to fill in the results card. We

also have some new requirements for trainee umpires and lapsed beginner umpires.

We really hope this will help to make everything open and clear. If you have any questions or comments

please let me know.

Lee Athwal

Umpiring Secretary