AGM 2018

By Dave Picken - May 4 2018
AGM 2018
Graeme Southern has once again taken on the role of Chairman of Rugby which now also incorporates the role of Chair of Rugby.

The appointment of "Sos" was the only change to the Board at this week's AGM. It came after Peter Robinson stood down last week because of the work commitments  which had prevented him from being able to play a full part in attending Board meetings, and travelling to away games.

Similarly, Stu Hardy has had to miss quite a few games and training sessions and his expertise and qualifications will be used next season in a new coaching co-ordination role.

Graeme told the meeting that he was now putting together next season's coaching team which would see Gavin Painter (backs), John Painter and Liam Bailey (forwards) join Stu Waites who would continue to take the lead role with the first XV.

A very well attended meeting provided a lively discussion following this season's lack of success with the two senior sides. Injuries and retirements to key players compounded by lack of numbers at training, fitness levels and lack of focus on forward play were all said to be factors.

Graeme said that the Stags would benefit next season from a new look "North and South" Candy league which would reduce travelling and some of the mistmatches against the second strings of semi-professional clubs such as  Darlington Mowden Park.

Other highlights:

Chairman (Dave Stubbs)

  • A silence was observed  in memory of club members and rugby friends who had passed away since our last AGM including David Iveson, Fred Evans, Bill Dale, Mick Feather, Al Watt, Brian Watt and Joyce Turner.
  • On the pitch the coaches had had to work with a squad which was lacking experienced players who were injured or who had retired - as a result some 43 players had been used.  There had also been a lack of people willing to travel to away games including some players, coaches and board members and this had to be better next season.
  • However, the first team had bounced straight back from a relegation in the past and there was no reason why it could not be achieved once again. Everyone needed to pull together and work hard off the pitch as well as on it.

The Club (Dave Picken)

  • Discussions taking place over funding for improved entrance and car park, demolition of pavilion and replacement with a new storage building, new mini-pitch on site of old portacabins and training floodlights (planning permisison already being sought for latter).
  • Club bookings going well, but too many of our members making bookings which were being cancelled at short notice.
  • Club had indicated to the RFU that if an Artificial Grass Pitch were to be situtated in Hartlepool we would be amendable to Brinkburn being the location.
  • Board also to dicuss suggestions  from members for increasing casual use of the facilities, including attracting more non club members to come along to watch TV coverage such as the Football World Cup this summer.

Finance (Reg Bunter)

  • Club in happy position of having paid off historic creditors but finances still having to be closely managed in order to meet bank lending criteria.
  • There had been a drop off in members putting money on their cards and it would be a big help, specially out of season, if members could put cash on their cards.
  • Club needed to continue to invest in repairs and refurbishment in order to keep the premises attractive to users.

Board Members Elected

Chair - Dave Stubbs

Hon. Sec. - Dave Picken

Chair of Finance (Treasurer) - Dave Stubbs

Chair of Rugby (Director of Rugby) - Graeme Southern

Membership Secretary - Graham Frankland

Chair of Entertainment - Janis Bennett

Chair of M&J's - to be appointed at M&J's AGM.