2/12/2006 - Minutes AGM Costa Blanca Umpires and Markers Association

Costa Blanca Umpires and Markers Association

Established 1994

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held at Albir Bowls Club, 2 December 2007

Photo. left to right:  John Cooper (Vice-President); Tony Lawley (President); Jacquie Roberts (Secretary); Harry Winfield; Brian Gardiner.
 

Costa Blanca Umpires and Markers Association

Established 1994

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held at Albir Bowls Club 2 December 2007

Present:                      Committee:                   Tony Lawley (President) John Cooper (Vice President)

                                                           Jacquie Roberts (Secretary/Treasurer) Brian Gardiner, Harry Winfield

Albir:                           Geoff Hutchinson, Margaret Wilde, Robert Penman

Benitachell:                   Maggie Lawley, David Roberts,

                                    Tony Hesketh-Field, Dorothy Donaldson, Iain Donaldson,

Carole Nicholas, Jill Hepburn, Alastair Hepburn

                        El Cid:                          Robin Baxter, Jim Howden, Paul Leeder

                        Emerald Isle:                John Walsh      

Finca Guila:                 Jerry Bartley, Mary Cummings, Tony Cummings

Javea Green:                Joan Moss

La Marina:                    Peter Bailey

La Siesta:                    Jean Cooper

Quesada:                     Bob Carter, Ken Leeming, Pauline Orange

San Miguel:                  Maureen Duffey, Ken Duffey,

San Luis:                     John Meadows

Apologies:       Albir:                            Tony Nicholls, David Stokes, Anne & Tony McKenna

                        B. B. C                         John Hendrick, Eric Johnson, Cynthia Cutts, Reg Cutts, Brian Winfield 

Wendy & John Hiskey

                        Calpe:                          Alun & Alison Edwards      

                        Country Bowls:             Sheila Cammack, Maurice Cass, Moira Dean

El Cid:                         Monica Stansmore, Ed Botten  

                        Emerald Isle:                June Jones, Keith Jones, Lily Stewart, Liz Mills

                        Finca Guila:                  Fred Simpson, Teresa & Geoff Stafford

                        Greenlands:                  Joy Gardiner

La Marina:                    John Albutt

La Siesta:                    Barry Lane, Joy Gardiner

                        Quesada:                     Diane Riley

The minutes of the last meeting were taken as read and duly approved:

Proposed – Joan Moss             Seconded – Iain Donaldson

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Another busy year for the Association with seemingly more clubs, more members and more responsibilities than ever.  We have also lost a number of valued members – within the last year or so we have lost Roger Johnson, Ed Pearson, Marilyn Johnson, Stan Stansmore, Rab Duke, Alex Sneddon and Pat Hart – all will be sadly missed.

The year started with the ongoing Update courses, which we continued to lay on up to and indeed beyond the introduction of the new law book in April.  Though it seems that most of our membership has taken the opportunity to update at some point, there remains a hardcore of those who have not.  Whether the Association should now be prepared to act on the 2005 resolution to expel members who fail to keep abreast of the times now deserves our consideration.  Certainly when appointing members to officiate either as umpires or markers we should take care to exclude those people whose failing skill levels could cause embarrassment to the good name of the Association.

We have continued to run Markers Courses in both the North and South Costa Blanca areas and warmly welcome all our newly qualified members to the Association.  We have plans for a further course in the South early in the New Year.  With the greater emphasis on the practical skill element in the Markers Course I feel that we are going to have to consider extending the Markers Courses to a third day.  An Umpires Course is also planned for the New Year.  This Umpire Course has already been extended to three days.  Existing Umpires and Markers please note that the standards we are now demanding continue to rise, we must all ensure that our own standards can at the very least equal them.  I had hoped to introduce Umpires Forums by now, a chance to get together locally for perhaps half a day once a year to discuss problems, new ideas etc., on an informal basis.  Unfortunately this had not yet proved possible but I hope that it can be considered for the future, in an attempt to keep us all up to date and foster a consistency of standards.

This year yet again we have had the National Championships in our area.  The problem of providing markers was much reduced by the introduction of preliminary rounds for singles and I am very happy to report that the standard of marking was excellent.  Many thanks to all those who “volunteered”.  For the first time the Federation paid for refreshments for markers.  We were again able to provide umpires at all venues throughout – my personal thanks to all those who officiated, and particular thanks to those umpires who gave so much of their time whilst not themselves participating in the competition – there ready availability was especially valuable.  I hope that members will come forward as willingly next year, when yet again the Costa Blanca is hosting the Championships.  Occasionally we hear that this or that member is rarely asked to officiate in any events, please do not wait to be asked, approach the organisers and offer your services.  I have heard again, this year, suggestions of an umpire being appointed for all league matches.  Desirable as this would be, logistically it would be completely impossible to find the numbers required.

During the last year I have received two complaints that members have been under the influence of alcohol whilst officiating, to the detriment of the proper execution of their duties.  For obvious reasons I do not intend to go into the details of either case.  Suffice it to say that to bring the Association into disrepute in this or any other way is totally unacceptable.  Whether it is necessary for us to actually create a policy with regard to alcohol consumption, and what that policy could or should be, is I think an appropriate topic for discussion amongst us at later today.

Some delegates may have been having difficulty in obtaining all the Law books they require.  The supply and distribution of these books is, in theory, the responsibility of the Federation.  I apologise that we have had some difficulty recently in obtaining sufficient books from the Federation. This is partly due to the logistic problem of transport arrangements from the Costa del Sol, and partly since the federation are insistent in payment in advance, despite the fact that we are now unable to make any profit on selling them even to offset our distribution costs.  It is to be hoped that a more satisfactory arrangement can be achieved for the future supply of law books.

Earlier this year the Federation requested a greater degree of co-operation between the Umpires and Markers Associations of the three areas of bowling in Spain.  I am pleased to say that Costa del Sol Association is once again active, under new leadership and we have at their request provided a significant amount of help in the organisation of courses, examinations etc, - they are now actively arranging courses and examinations based on the CBUMA formula. We have recently provided similar help to the Almeria region, including also details of our constitution, and they are hoping to follow suit in due course.  We should be proud that they aspire to achieve the high standards that I believe we have developed on the Costa Blanca over many years.  It would seem likely that in the not too distant future there may be calls for standardisation in these matters throughout Spain, which in my opinion can only be of benefit to us all.

Finally, some very important thanks must go to John Cooper, Brian Gardener, Harry Winfield and Jacquie Roberts for all their support over the last three years without this what we have achieved would not have been possible.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

I am pleased to say that we have finally managed to source ties at a reasonable cost of 8 euros, for all qualified Umpires and Markers.

The Federation Champion of Champions singles for ladies and men was held at Quesada in October.  A total of 86 games were played.  It was difficult to find sufficient markers from one club.  I must thank all those Umpires who stood in as markers, and all those markers from other clubs who helped to make the Competition a success.

Next year the qualifying rounds for the Nationals singles will be held at Quesada and San Luis, in the South Costa Blanca Area.  We hope to hold a Markers Course at San Luis early in March.

It is our intention to hold at least one Seminar or update course, on the current Laws, in the North and one in the South each year with the hope that in two years time we can retest those Umpires and Markers who have been qualified more than 5 years.

With the help of Harry and Tony normal Umpires and Markers courses will still take place.

TREASURERS REPORT

INCOME                                                                  EXPENDITURE

Markers Courses                                  656.00                          Purchase of Law Books             400.00

Sale of Law Books Dec 2006     546.00                          Stationary                                 93.71

Sale of Law Books 2007                       400.00                          Telephone Expenses                   82.60

Sale of Markers Badges              24.00                         Travel Expenses                                   106.20

                                               ______                                                                        ______

                                                 1626.00                                                                                682.51

Balance b/f from 2006                         49.19

                                               _____

                                                 1675.19

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

There being only one nomination for each position, the nominees were duly elected as follows:

President                    -           John Cooper   Nominated by Barry Lane, Seconded by Malcolm Broughton

Vice President            -           Brian Gardiner            Nominated by John Cooper, Seconded by Jean Cooper

John Cooper thanked everyone very much, “I feel a little shanghaied and I hope to maintain, in the future, the same standard set by Harry Winfield and Tony Lawley.

I would like to bring in one seminar or open forum each year, one in the south and one in the north, and have all those that are interested to retake any certificates that are over 5 years old.  In the UK they are re-sitting every 3 years, (they do not have markers courses).  Some of our Umpire and Markers certificates are of 7/8 years old so we need to re-dress this situation for all those that are interested.

Harry Winfield and Tony Lawley will continue instructing on the Umpire and Markers Courses and with their help we will go on upwards and onwards.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Tony Hesketh-Field – BBC Would like to see lists of all Umpires and Markers sent out to all the delegates – this would make the Club Delegates job easier when looking for markers and umpires.

Jacquie Roberts – BBC  Lists of club delegates are sent out to each club and it is probably easier to refer to them when looking for markers/umpires.  If not the complete list is available but due to the lack of response from many of the clubs the list is never up to date.  Please could all the delegates that are here today amend this situation and e.mail Jean Cooper with up-dated lists.

Robin Baxter – El Cid Do we have a list of numbers in the CBUMA

Harry Winfield – BBC. Most of the problem is whether they are active or not.

John Cooper – President. We will up-date and improve it over the next year making sure that they are active.

Tony Lawley – BBC.   The  5 years qualification, will it be for Umpires and Markers.

John Cooper – President.  Both I think we will discuss this and write an exam paper.  There is nothing more embarrassing when on the green trying to find the relevant law number.

Tony Lawley – BBC.  Carol Nicholas bought back from Australia a World Bowls Law Book.  Not only does it have the index but a clarified index as well and we are in the process of getting this processed electronically, as it is excellent.

Harry Winfield – BBC.  A good idea would be to invite Umpires and delegates along to the Markers Course at San Luis just to see how things have improved.

Jerry Bartley – Finca Guila.  At the moment we are solvent and it is down to the top tables hard work and efforts.  What do the members think about asking for a small membership fee?

Harry Winfield – BBC.  Right from 1994 a lot of discussion has gone on about this.  The constitution always was to levy but it is an administration nightmare.

Tony Lawley – BBC.    The constitution states that we can impose a levy but not a membership fee. The only time it could be necessary will be when the Law Book changes, and we could rectify that situation.

Iain Donaldson – BBC It was mentioned in the report about drinking whilst on Umpire duty.  Alcohol does affect your judgement when confronted by Mr Angry.  I would like to see a ban put on drinking for those on Umpire duty.

John Cooper –President..  It would be far more appropriate for water or soft drinks.  A bulletin should be placed on all club boards.

Tony Lawley – BBC It can be a directive from John Cooper.  Views please.

Robin Baxter – El Cid.  No drink at all during the day if you are Umpiring.

Harry Winfield – BBC Not for markers?

Joan Moss Javea Green.  I do not want Umpires drinking on duty.  I do no want people punished though for doing so.

Bob Carter – Quesada.  Can we not use the Umpires for measuring rather than the markers if they have been drinking?

Iain Donaldson – BBC  All International games get the Umpires on to measure. 2 Umpires would be good.

Harry Winfield – BBC.  As you know we have 8 rinks at BBC and it can be difficult with the normal measuring that an Umpire has to do.  To do it all would be impossible.

Mary Cummings – Finca Guila.  Why are people asking someone who has been drinking to mark anyway.

Brian Gardener –Vice President.  Policing is a different ball game.  If there were a problem the two players would do there own measuring if it was just a club game.

John Cooper – President.  If Umpires are marking in the afternoon then having a drink during the lunchtime must discouraged. 

Tony Hesketh-Field – BBC. A different approach would be to give an advisory note so as not to make it public.  Also a notice from the CBUMA saying no drinking. 

Tony Cummings – Finca Guila.  At the first seminar in Wales we were advised not to drink.  It is not good for players to smell alcohol on ones breath.

Ken Leeming -  Quesada.  Drinking is not good the Umpire must be seen to be squeaky clean.  What about the players?

Harry Winfield – BBC  It is the controlling bodies responsibility.

John Cooper – President.  As with dress it is the controlling bodies who will keep it in house.

Joan Moss – Javea.  I agree we need to keep it in house.

Tony Cummings – Finca Guila.  Seminars are an excellent idea.  Can different days be selected for the South and the North.  If one cannot get to one it can at least get to another.

John Cooper – President.  Yes we can make this happen.

Tony Cummings – Finca Guila.  If not attending every two years would you come off the active list?  Also will it be practical as well as exams and being encouraged to use the law book.

John Cooper – President.  It can be anything and we should be able to teach what ever we want. 

Harry Winfield – BBC.  I do not think it will mean taking another exam but just a checklist during the break time.

Geoff Hutchins – Albir.  We get a number of people who go back to England in the summer. so what about them.

John Cooper – President.  Not that many of them are Umpires but we will look at March/April.  It is not easy with more league games and club competitions being played.

The Federation has agreed that Umpires will receive 15 euros a day.  I had asked for 20 euros as that is what La Marina and Country Bowls pay for the service but they will only pay the 15 euros.

Tony Lawley – BBC  The next Umpire course will hopefully be on the 24^th, 31^st  January, and 7^th February, subject to confirmation, and  acceptance will be discretionary.

John Cooper – President.  If you are qualified as an Umpire in another country then you must take the marker course.

Joan Moss – Javea Green.  In the past we have been told that we can accept them.

Tony Lawley – BBC.  To be a full Umpire they just take the marker course.  They will only be honorary if they do not.

John Cooper – President.  I can understand the reciprocal situation. To be a voting member you take the marker course.

Geoff Hutchins – Albir.  Is there a time limit?

Harry Winfield – BBC  It is discretionary.

John Cooper – President.  There being no other business it remains for me to say thankyou once again to Bridget and Jackie for their co-operation in allowing us to use Albir facilities and that in 7 days time I will be thinking of you on our holiday cruise.  A very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all.

The meeting closed at ll.50 am.