CUVC | Club Info | AGM Minutes 2001

Minutes of the 2001 AGM

4pm, Thursday 14th June 2001, New Hall College Graduate Dining Room

Present

Richard White (President, Treasurer and Chair)
Jon Lin
Pascale Garaud (Women's Captain)
Huw Vater (Men's Captain)
Janice Pedersen
Friederike von Tiesenhausen
Andreas Poulos
Andy Edwards
Ulrike Klossek
Pia Sondergeld
Jo Coulson
Anna Woo
Dan Escott
Thomas Triebel
Tancredi Tincani
Veronica Kunze
Jon Clarke

Also, arriving late, Soeren Koeppe, Steph Bee, Denis Zuev

Apologies

Richard Weinberg
Jonathan Bartrop
Felix Ho
Anne Mullin
Sofia Oikonomidou

Minutes of the 2000 AGM were presented and approved

President's Report

Richard thought that this year had been very successful for the Club at all levels

Membership: Increased membership (to 65) due to regular articles in Varsity (including a pre-season article introducing volleyball), which should be continued. The high level of coaching at beginner and intermediate levels, provided by the first team coaches, was also considered as being important in maintaining player interest, and should continue next season. Poster and email campaigns by college captains may further increase membership of CUVC.

Website has "exploded in popularity", now with nearly 16,000 hits, and has won two awards over the course of the year. The high quality of the website design (thanks to Dan) and content has been praised by external sources, with the glossary proving particularly popular.

Training: The extra slots at the Perse School had proved invaluable, especially as many of the Saturday sessions had been lost due to BUSA home matches . Richard had already arranged the same booking for next season. Chesterton Community Colleges new sports hall was mentioned as an alternative venue. Again, Richard had been in contact. The University have proposed the building of a new sports complex, including sports hall (although Friederike revealed that she thought this would not be completed for around 10 years yet). Booking it should be attempted on its completion.

Richard had successfully lobbied the Sports Syndicate for an additional Ł600 grant this season, to offset the increased cost of BUSA this season. The Sports Syndicate had questioned why CUVC charged entry to colleges for Summer League and Cuppers. Richard had explained that this money is spent on the entry to the Local League for the non-Blues players, and as such is spent on "College player development". The Sports Syndicate therefore agreed that this could continue.

Richard, as President, had been the main contact between CUVC and BUSA, EVA and other University AUs. This had proved essential with the new BUSA format. Richard had successfully negotiated with the AUs that all BUSA home matches could be played in our existing Saturday bookings, thus saving the Club a lot of money. He also managed to persuade BUSA to redo the knock-out draw this year, since their original scheme did not reflect the finishing positions in the Midland's Conference. A scheme drawn up by Dan and Rich had been used instead, enabling both Cambridge teams to have the comfortable paths to the finals that their 2nd-placed pool finish deserved. In addition, Richard discovered that Oxford had fielded an ineligible player in a BUSA match against Cambridge, the result of which was the match being declared null and void.

Women's Captain's Report

Pascale had lost the piece of paper containing her entire report

This was "easily" the most successful year for a Cambridge Women's Team. Only three people had stayed in the team from last year, but the influx of several newcomers of exceptional ability had meant that the standard of all the Blues players now was probably higher than the best player last year.

The first team had beaten Loughborough on their way to BUSA qualification - the first time that any UK University side has beaten them for five years - and eventually finished second in the BUSA Championship.

Cambridge women had entered two teams in the EVA Student Cup. The first team had qualified easily and went on to finish 4th overall. The second team had qualified for the finals after the withdrawal of another team, and had finished 16th overall.

Pascale thanked Jon Clarke for coaching and making the women sweat a lot (and gave him a knowing look).

Pascale thanked Dan for the quality of the website, which she felt had helped attract many of the better players to the team.

It was announced that Sofia had been the women's MVP for the season, both in terms of her impressive 189 kills, and her record of having played in every match. Steph and Veronica were joint best servers, with over 30 aces each, while Alice had the highest kill percentage (except Ulli, who had 1 kill from 2 swings).

The women had been selected to go to the European Championships on the basis of their BUSA result, and were trying to secure funding for this from an external sponsor.

Pascale tried to end here report there, but Jon Clarke pointed out that she'd neglected to mention the Varsity Match result. Pascale reminded us all that they'd won the game, and went on to announce that Loiza, Jo, Janice, Anna and Emily had been awarded Half-Blues, with Anne, Steph, Veronica and Sofia getting Full Blues, in light of their exceptional level of play. Pascale explained that the Half-Blues had been awarded to players who had not previously been given one, as it was felt that the standard and commitment was high throughout all of the players, and there were insufficient awards (9) for everyone.

Men's Captain's Report

Huw said that disappointing performances and unfortunate and untimely injuries had meant that the Blues had not lived up to their own high expectations

The men had finished 8th overall in BUSA and 9th in the EVA Student Cup, which means they will have to enter the qualifying round next year.

The Varsity match was won 3-0, and was the first time that Cambridge have achieved a hat-trick of victories back-to-back.

Huw was very pleased with the turn-out and attitude of the players at training, saying it had been better than in recent seasons.

Huw had applied to the Blues Committee that Dan Escott be awarded a Full Blue for his continued services to the Club, and in recognition of his receipt of English Universities Colours this year.

Thanks to Richard for coaching and organising a lot of the team matters, and for Dan for the Website.

[Steph was spotted lurking outside the room, and was directed inside]

Junior Treasurer's Report

Subscriptions were increased this season to Ł70 for Blues players, Ł55 for the women's 2nd team and 40 pounds for everyone else. Non-members were charge on a per-session basis. The increase was to cover the additional cost of the new BUSA structure, based on a budget drawn up by Richard and Dan, in which the two Blues teams had separate quotas which they could use to fund travel. Money collected from Blues players (except membership) was kept separate for the two teams. Both the men's and women's teams decided to charge players Ł1 per set played in BUSA, up to a maximum of Ł3 per match.

The budget had proved to be a little too cautious. The Club anticipates a profit of around Ł1400 this season if the expected BUSA grant comes through. The profit was due, in part, to additional money from the Sports Syndicate (Ł600), and money saved by cancelled court time (eg. for Varsity Games) and rearranged home fixtures. It does look, however, as if player subscriptions may have been too high.

The women's team players have paid a total of Ł624 more than the men's team players this season (and therefore the women's team has spent Ł624 more). Dan wondered why there was such a large difference. Ł300 of this was on travel for the women's first team to the EVA qualification tournament, which the men did not need to attend, but much of the remainder could not readily be accounted for during the meeting as the figures were not to hand. It was unanimously agreed that the women's team should be refunded for these additional expenses when the source of the expenditure could be determined, such that the cost per player is the same for both the men's and women's first teams. Pascale pointed out that preferential refunds would go to those women who have not received money from their colleges, and that players that get no money should provide the Club a letter from their college to that effect.

It was suggested that the Blues teams continue to charge money per set played in BUSA, as this does seem a fair way of spreading the team costs over the year. It was also pointed out that there will be more BUSA matches next year (this year one men's and one women's team dropped out), so this money will probably be needed.

The Club has applied for a larger Sports Syndicate grant than in previous years. The grant has been the same amount (Ł1900) since 1997, during which time the contributions from Club members has increased significantly.

Rich thanked Talking T's and Added Value Auto Rental for their continued sponsorship, which had proved most valuable to us this season.

Jon Lin had managed to get some second-hand, but high quality, volleyballs from Stanford at a significantly lower rate than they can be bought elsewhere.

The Club is currently looking for sponsorship for the Club as a whole, but also specifically for the women's trip to the European Championship finals, later this year. Jo said that she had already "put several feelers out" with regard to this (Anna moved hands in the style of feelers going out).

Pascale announced that the women's team have been awarded an Ospreys Bursary of Ł100. The general feeling was that this was a disappointingly small amount in relation to the women's team achievements and costs this year.

[Dan opened his first can of beer, followed rapidly by Huw. Almost as if he'd smelt it, Soeren promptly entered the room (some 60 minutes late and grinning broadly).]

Development of Non-Blues Players

The sports Syndicate have insisted that the Local League teams emphasise the fact that they are College players. It was agreed that Veronica's suggestion of "United Cambridge Colleges" was the best name, and the teams would therefore be UCC1, etc.

Jonathan Bartrop, in an email to Richard and Dan on Wednesday 13th June, 2001, had suggested that three teams be entered in the Local League next year. This was to cater for the strong core of regular players who wanted to gain more match practice together (UCC1), as well as keep the traditional intermediate (UCC2) and beginner (UCC3) teams going.

Jon Clarke pointed out that this does not cater for the women's second team, who are certainly not beginner level, but perhaps not strong enough to compete with the intermediates (on a men's height net). He suggested that the women's second team enter the Beds League next year. Dan thought this might cost too much, and suggested that they should enter the Local League instead. Jon thought that the cost was not that much greater, even after travel and court hire had been accounted for, and it was agreed that the women's second team could enter providing it was a self-funding venture, beyond the equivalent cost of entering the Local League.

Jon Clarke also suggested that the women's second team could enter the EVA Student Cup again, in addition to the Beds League. Dan pointed out that this would cost around 300 pounds for the qualifiers, and the same again plus accommodation for the finals. Jon thought the cost would be lower if teams travelled together. Again, it was agreed that the women could enter as an entirely self-funding venture. The suggestion was put forward that the men may like to do the same. It was noticed that teams withdraw from the EVQ qualifiers on the day, so it probably wouldn't be difficult to delay making a decision on this until much nearer the time.

It was noted by Richard that the University Sports Syndicate will not fund second teams and, by Dan, that Colleges won't fund them either. The cost of second teams will therefore have to come from member subscriptions alone.

[Denis enters, looking as if he's run all the way from John's]

Winter Cuppers

Thomas proposed that a one-day inter-college tournament be organised for the end of the Michelmas Term, similar to Cuppers. This was seen to an affordable alternative to a winter league. He estimated the cost for 6-8 teams to enter would be around Ł40, and said that many colleges would be able to afford this, if given sufficient time to prepare their budgets.

Dan pointed out that there are hundreds of players in the Summer League who we never see when we start playing volleyball indoors 6 months later. He suggested that a Winter Cuppers would therefore be a good way of getting people along who aren't already members of CUVC, but who could be encouraged to join.

It was mentioned that court time may be difficult to find, although Richard seemed to think that finding a court for the whole day on a Sunday might not be that difficult. The last Sunday of Full Term was seen as the most probable date for players to be available to attend.

It was agreed that the idea was a good one in principle, and that interest amongst college captains should be canvassed at Cuppers, 4 days later. The tournament would be organised by CUVC, but would be entirely funded by the colleges entering. Thomas agreed to help organise the competition, although is not currently a member of the Club.

Inter-Departmental Competition

Dan has had around 10 people interested in organising a team for a competition to take place over the summer. It was anticipated that a league would be the simplest format, with matches taking place on weekday evenings. There would be a minimal charge for entry, and there would be no net cost to CUVC. There were no objections to this going ahead.

Proposed Amendment of Constitution

Richard and Dan felt that the heavy workload of the person responsible for organising the first teams demanded a more rewarding title that team "co-ordinator". It was also felt that Richard's role as President, agreed temporarily last year, was a worthwhile addition to the Constitution, whereas the roles of Secretary and Social Secretary could simply be co-opted if required. It was agreed unanimously that paragraph 3 or the Constitution be changed from:

"The Committee shall consist of Men's Co-ordinator, Women's Co-ordinator, Secretary, Junior Treasurer and Social Secretary. It shall be the responsibility of the Co-ordinators to organise coaching for all levels of the Club. The Committee may, at its discretion, co-opt additional Committee members where it perceives a need, or to fill vacancies that may arise."

to:

"The Committee shall consist of the President, Men's Captain, Women's Captain and Junior Treasurer. It shall be the responsibility of the Captains to organise coaching for all levels of the Club, and to organise all aspects of the running of their respective First Team. The Committee may, at its discretion, co-opt additional Committee members where it perceives a need, or to fill vacancies than may arise."

Election of Officers for 2001-2

All positions were uncontested, and each officer was elected unanimously.

Committee Members

President Richard White

Women's Captain Anne Mullin

Junior Treasurer Pascale Garaud

Co-opted Committee Members

UCC1 Captain Andy Edwards

Women's Team Assistant Captain Jo Coulson

Women's Team Assistant Captain Janice Pedersen

Men's Head Coach Richard White

Women's Head Coach Jon Clarke

So far no-one had been found to take the role of Men's Captain. Huw agreed to continue as Captain until a replacement could be found, hopefully as soon as possible. This was agreed unanimously.

AOB

Dan asked if Jon Clarke had anyone in mind for organising the women's second team. Jon said he would select a player after the initial squads have been sorted out in October, as there are no current members of the second team.