MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
BY ZOOM AT 8PM ON MONDAY 19 OCTOBER 2020
1. Present:
Alex Haffner (Chairman), Terry Hyman (President and Hon Treasurer), Danny Caro, Adam Brand (Vice-President), Ben Lederman (1st team VC), Steven Allweis (1st team Captain), Rafi Saville (Fundraising Officer), Tony Wise (Head of Colts), David Marks, Jonathan Freedman (Welfare Officer), Gideon Gale (2nd team Captain), Russell Corin (Fixtures Secretary), Simon Barnett, Jon Tobias, Ethan Tobias, Jonny Albert, Adam Solomons, Jon Feigenbaum (2nd team VC), Jacob Caro, Lauren Wise.
2. Apologies for absence:
Jonathan Daniels, Roy Solomons, Jeremy Harris, Richard Fraser, Micky Okin
3. Adoption of 2019 AGM Minutes;
These had been circulated prior to the meeting and were duly adopted.
4. 1st team Captain’s report
Steven Allweis reported that in the circumstances, given it looked like we might not play at all this season in March/April, it was great to get some games in and make the most of the season as best we could. The first team played five matches, had another two abandoned or cancelled due to rain, plus the intra-club day to round things off.
Across those games, there were 23 different players play at least one match – of whom 14 had come through the Vale Colts system and junior teams over the last few years, which is a brilliant achievement and testament to the work so many people have put in over the years.
It was a season where we shared the workload – and playing friendlies helped enormously with that, without the pressure or focus of winning league matches.
Six different batsmen score half-centuries (including Rafi, Sam Clarfield and Dan Grusd scoring their first for the club), and three players score more than 100 runs across the season. Well done to Joseph Greenwall-Cohen for toping the run-scoring charts.
Thirteen bowlers took wickets, which says a lot about how we treated this very much as a season where we tried to give everyone as much of an opportunity as possible and get new faces, old faces and those in between a chance to play and enjoy being part of the club.
Availability was generally good for obvious reasons. But, even then, to be able to get two teams out every single time we tried, and to be able to offer Jewish cricket to the amount of people we did – in a fun, welcoming, Covid safe environment – was a fantastic achievement– from across 1st XI, 2nd XI, colts, the committee, everyone who played and those who helped to get the squads together.
Hopefully, next year will see a return to some normality, but Steven emphasised that all involved should reflect on what they have done the past few months to move the club forward as a whole, keep existing players engaged and feeling part of the club, and welcoming so many new players and talents that bode well for the future.
5. 2nd team Captain’s report
Gideon Gale reported on a season of transition. While the end of lockdown had clearly had a beneficial impact on availability, the overall signs were undoubtedly positive. The team had 28 different players playing throughout the season, of whom 14 of those were under 18s. Huge thanks and testament to Anthony Wise (Wisey), Jon Feigenbaum (Feigy) and Danny Caro for all the hard work they put into the colts set-up.
Notable season moments included:
(a) A hat-trick for Ethan Tobias;
(b) 50s for Alex Haffner, Sam Wolfson, Jack Davis, Adam Solomons, Rafi Saville, Joseph Greenwall-Cohen and Steven Allweis;
(c) the prevalence of father and sons playing – Brands, Solomons and the Harris’s;
(d) the additions of new young cricketers, i.e. Felix and Johnny who have an interest in playing league cricket for us next year; and
(e) excellent wins against Totteridge and BECC
Jon Feigenbaum and Jono Albert were top run scorers and Sam Feigenbaum top wicket taker with Jack Goodrich and Ethan Tobias not too far behind. Overall there were 17 different wicket takers!
Gideon also reported that concerns from last year’s AGM regarding colts morning matches and communication between the 1sts and 2nds has been banished and there was very much a one club attitude prevailing.
Moving onto next year (2021), Gideon expressed the hope that with the right people, the 2nds could go on to win Chess Valley Division 5 in their inaugural league season (Covid permitting).
6. Colts Report
Anthony Wise reported on a season which turned out to be hugely successful after the delayed start because of Covid.
In the six weeks from mid July until the end of August, we arranged 24 matches between the three colts sides (U11, U13 and U15). All but one match (where the opposition were unduly aggressive) were played in excellent spirit, with always a good number of parents to support. On one occasion we had two sides playing at the same ground, which helped to create a good club atmosphere
Particularly pleasing was the fact that a record number of colts signed up (49),with very good attendance at both winter and summer nets.
He set out three main aims for 2021:
(a) to continue the increase in colts, which will be a challenge as we need to replace 8+ colts who are now in year 11 and thus too old for under 15s;
(b) to improve quality, and that improvement to be reflected in results on the pitch; and
(c) to get one or two parents to get involved in the running of either of the two older sides
Wisey concluded by giving huge thanks to Richard Fraser, Russ Corin, Danny Caro and Jon Feigenbaum for all their help this year: the colts section could not function without their help.
7. Welfare Report
Jonathan Freedman reported on the measures which the club had put together in short order to ensure cricket could be played post the end of lockdown and which had worked well.
Welfare and player safety remained a priority for the club and one in which increased vigilance was paramount.
8. Treasurer’s Report
Terry Hyman presented the accounts and budget for 2021.
The 2020 Accounts showed income of £12,555 and expenditure of £11,416, which included £3000 loan repayments regarding the club nets, leaving a balance of £2,000 and £6,604 in the bank.
Overall it had been a hugely successful season, with record numbers of paid members (98).
As regards the 2021 budget, this was based on the following provisions:
(a) senior player subs remain at £200, but students subs go up to £100.
(b) for those likely to play just a few games,. £25 membership and then £15 or £10 per match, according to age;
(c) a sub of £140 for the colts summer season, comprising coaching and matches until the end of August;
(d) no indoor nets in 2021;
(e) 18 games for each of the 1sts and 2nds from beginning of May until the first Sunday of September; and
(f) teas may be available for the second half of the season.
This would give rise to a predicted (small) loss of £500 but leave more than £6000 in the club bank account and all but pay off the remainder of the nets loan.
9. Chairman’s report and club awards
The Chairman outlined some stats:
• 98 Paid members;
• 24 Colts matches across U11, U13, and U15 teams
• 16 Adult matches with teams selected well ahead of the Sunday;
• 30-40 colts attending Sunday morning practice sessions; and
• 15-20 Adults and Colts training outdoors every Monday night.
These would be pretty impressive in any given season, but in a season which started in mid-July on literally a few weeks’ notice, the Chairman felt they are outstanding and reflective of a great effort by all concerned.
Looking back on his report at the previous AGM, the Chairman had mentioned progress that had been made on several fronts and expressed the hope the club could build on that progress this season. He was extremely proud, 11 months’ on from the last AGM to report that LMVCC goes from strength to strength.
The Chairman mentioned the success of the 1st, 2nd and Colts teams highlighted in each of the preceding reports.
He emphasised that the progress made with each of those components had been down to lots of behind the scenes work from those who give of their time to make the club function: Steven Allweis and Ben Lederman, the 1st team, Jon Feigenbaum and Gideon Gale the 2nd team, and Tony Wise, Danny Caro, and Richard Fraser the Colts.
It was particularly pleasing that the club had been able to recognise Tony Wise’s massive contribution this summer at the Club Day with a special presentation on behalf of all the colts parents and his well-deserved elevation to Vice President.
Alongside those already mentioned, Russ Corin again living up to his tag as the Mensch of LMV, organising the fixtures without complaint – and he even almost got to play this season! Plus valuable contributions from Jonathan Freedman to make sure the club stays on the right side of the Health & Safety line, Adam Brand, Neil Lederman, Rafi Saville and David Marks all providing valuable input.
Last but certainly not least, Mr Vale, the silver fox himself - Terry Hyman. The Chairman remarked that Terry was still the lifeblood of the club and told the AGM of how, when he had rung in mid-June to discuss Vale’s Project Restart and Mrs Hyman had answered the phone, the first thing she said to the Chairman was “Terry’s got his cricket back – he’s already a happier person!” That perfectly summed up Terry’s absolute dedication to the cause.
On Sunday 13 September, in glorious late summer sunshine, the club had held an inter club 6-a-side tournament at Southgate CC. Four teams played with the participants ranging from Ben Musikant an incredibly talented 12-year-old through to our elder statesman, David Marks and Tony Wise each displaying their unique cricketing abilities…Thanks in particular to Neil Lederman for helping to organise the day.
The Club Day had showcased everything that we are trying to achieve as LMVCC – a club for Jewish cricketing talent of all ages to thrive and, equally importantly, a one club atmosphere in which everyone feels part of the Vale Community.
Finally, the Chair remarked on his great privilege of giving out some awards. There had been no voting on player of the season awards, because of the shortened season, but did want to still have two awards:
• Champagne moment to Ethan Tobias the Champagne Moment his hat trick;
• Danny Caro and Jon Feigenbaum are the joint-winners of the Alan Shapiro award for all their efforts in relation to the Colts and 2nd teams.
10. Election of Officers
The following officers were duly elected to serve for the next 12 months:
President Terry Hyman
Chairman: Alex Haffner
Vice-chairman: Adam Brand
1st XI Captain: Steven Allweis
1st XI Vice Captain: Ben Lederman
2nd XI Captain Gideon Gale
2nd XI Vice Captain: Jonathan Feigenbaum
Treasurer: Terry Hyman
Fixtures Secretary: Russell Corin
Media & Comms Officer: Danny Caro
Club Welfare & Clubmark: Jonathan Freedman
Head of Colts: Tony Wise
Fundraising & Sponsorship: David Marks
11. Any other Business (AOB)
A few items were raised under AOB, including:
· Relationship with Rowley Lane: in response to questions raised by several members, Alex Haffner explained that, unfortunately, it seemed unlikely that Rowley Lane would be available going forward for cricket matches. The remedial works to the football pitches which run across the pitch would require split level pitches and so prevent cricket being played. He emphasised that the club now had a good relationship with both Southgate CC and Old Camdenians and would also explore other options for 2021.
· Website and club records: Adam Brand mentioned this and Alex Haffner reported that an update was already underway.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.15pm.