Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting held at Ripley Castle - Monday, July 04, 2011

Present: Isabel Peel (IP); Tony Whittaker (TW); Alex Houseman (AH); Eric Houseman (EH); Sir Thomas Ingilby (SIRT); Tricia Heard (TH); Ian Sunderland (IS); Ben Drummond (BD); Paul Ellis (PE); Bill Kitson (BK); Anton Lodge (AL); Bob Skaith (BS); Peter Crack (PC); Justin Park (JP).

1. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Graham Hyde; Martin Blackham, Steven Coombs; Ken Coad; and Chris Newton. In addition, Roger Deakin offered his apologies and advised of his resignation from the Management Committee. JP agreed to address the role of Deputy Disciplinary Chairman.

2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 9th May 2011 had been circulated and were accepted as a true record.

3. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.

4. Correspondence & Secretaries Business (TH)
• A letter was received from Ian Powell requesting subject matter for a TV programme. It was agreed to add a note to the League website to allow interested parties to contact the programme makers directly.
• An email from Graham Hyde asked that a number of issues be resolved on the topics of cup competitions; the spirit of cricket and player behaviour; and enclosed a report on Grahams role as Umpires Secretary and the first meeting of the YCB ACO.
• Jack Fox sadly passed away and a tribute had been posted on the League website. However the tribute did not include Jack's work as an umpire which was recognised at this meeting.
• The facilities at two grounds was raised.
• Kirkby Malzeard 2 will not be playing this Saturday. The fixture has been re-arranged for Saturday 3rd September.
• Clive Swiers (Helperby CC) enquired about interest in a Golf Event at Ripon.
• An email from Tony Robson on the ECB Level 2 qualification was circulated (Addendum 1).
• A proposed letter from the Management Committee to all club secretaries, umpires and captains was received from Graham Hyde (Addendum 2). It was agreed to post the content on the League website to allow maximum accessibility.It was noted that the committee was happy for the letter to be sent to all clubs.

5. Treasurers Report (BS)
• Current account balance £9908.33
• Deposit account balance £314.67 (unchanged)
• 49/55 clubs have paid their invoices. Those still to pay include Baldersby; Blubberhouses; Masham; Middleham; Newton-le-Willows; and Pannal
• Lords International have been paid in full. EH questioned if the Lords invoice had been adjusted by £140.00 ball sponsorship for the Leeds Area Cricket Council competition. BS to check this.
• Glasshouses CC still owe the junior subs. IS to chase.

6. Umpires Report (GH)
• Graham's emailed had been circulated. In reply to two questions that arose in the email, it was decided the ban on Matt Uffindall had been served and that a request for a written apology from the umpires who served at a game between Ouseburn and Blubberhouses was not supported.
• Junior Representative fixtures delegated to Dave Moore.
• The Committee discussed umpire match fees for junior representative games. At present no fee is paid. It was agreed to pay a £28.00 fee per umpire from League funds to cover expenses.
• Ingilby Shield will be staffed by Jeff Watkins & Mick Bell on Sund 8th July.
• MCC fixture will be staffed by Dave KIng & Eddie Jeffs on Weds 31st Aug.
• Mick Bell; Dave Moore; Barry Canham; and Ray Osborne to stand for a YCB girls Kwik cricket event at Harrogate CC on Tues 5th July.

7. YCB ACO Report (GH)
• First meeting held on 27th June.
• Level 1 courses to resume from October 2011 and run by Richard Jones at Ripley Castle.
• Plans for an introductory course for parents, players etc. Marketing to follow. Sunday pm was thought best option in terms of timing.
• AGM planned for Sat 8th October with a likely speaker, Adrian Grayson.

8. Cup Competitions & Evening League (IS)
• Reached semi-finals stage of all cup competitions
• One amendment to the schedule circulated, Knaresborough Forest 2nds to play against Birstwith 3rds in the Peter Bentley Cup.
• Notable performances, Gareth Foxton 135 vs Little Ribston, Dan Thirkell 112 vs Ripley; J Henley 7-51 vs Goldsborough.
• Concessions 50% down on 2010. 28/29 Peter Bentley fixtures completed. 16/20 Wath Cup fixtures, 25/28 Barratt Cup fixtures, and 11/12 fixtures in the AtkinsonSwires Cup.
• Clubs that conceded were Pannal 2nds in the AtkinsonSwires; North Stainley 1sts, Crakehall and Ouseburn 2nds in the Barratt Cup; Bishop Monkton, Little Ribston 1sts, Pannal 3rds and Dishforth in the Wath Cup; and Thirsk 3rds in the Peter Bentley Cup.
• The matter of umpires attending empty grounds was considered. It was agreed to fine Thirsk 3rds; Bishop Monkton and Pannal 3rds £12.00 each for failing to advise the Umpires Secretary the fixtures had been conceded.
• A consultation on the format of the cup competions was considered. It was agreed to propose a rule change for the Barratt, Wath and Peter Bentley Cups to change each competition to a Twenty-20 format. It was proposed that each round of the cup would be 20 x6 ball overs.
• It was agreed to schedule the final of each of these cup competitions on a Super Sunday 'Finals' day. The Ground Committee will consider an appropriate venue for the 2012 Finals Day.
• No change to the AtkinsonSwires Cup was proposed but the Management Committee was open to any changes proposed by clubs for this or any other cup competition.

10. North & West Yorkshire Cricket Council (IS)
Nothing to report.

11. Ground Committee Report (BD)
Ben Drummond indicated that a letter was due to be sent to Markington in the next two weeks highlighting the facilities requirements to enable promotion to Division 2.

12. Child Welfare (IP)
• September courses planned
• Will be advertised but available on a first-come- first-served basis.
• Reminder that CRB checks need renewing every three years.
• Concerns raised about non-compliance and how to enforce child welfare.
• Threaten expulsion from League for start of 2012 season if non-compliant.
• Letter to all clubs requesting upto date information of Child Welfare Officer, proof and date of their qualifications. Explaning courses available to ensure compliance.
• Agreed to copy letter to all club secretaries and junior secretaries.

13 Disciplinary Committee (JP)
• Five cases since 18th June.
• TW asked for details. Two cases related inelligible players; one related to a website remark; one related to the over-bowling of a junior; and a final complaint about umpire conduct.
• EH asked to raise concerns about procedural issues relating to an earlier case which had been appealed. He thought the penalty was disproportionate given decisions taken at previous hearings and believed the hearing had not followed the Leagues own guidelines in particular rules 31.2.2, 31.2.6 and 31.3.6. EH had received advice from the ECB about the eligibility of a Dacre player, Shane Wills, and believed this player should be eligible to play for England under ECB qualifications and therefore qualify as a UK resident/registered player. The player had a certificate of permanent residency and had been cleared to play in 2010 in another league as a UK registered player.
• TW suggested that if there had been any doubt Shane could have been registered as a recreational overseas player and no issue would have arose.
• AL explained the facts were not in dispute. The decision of the disciplinary panel had been based upon the facts presented and the rules for ECB qualification. This decision had been upheld by the appeal panel, although the status of a certificate of permanent residency was unclear.
• To ensure natural justice AL agreed to review the earlier decision in light of any material facts which might alter that earlier judgement. In particular, the status of the certificate of permanent residence would be reviewed.
• JP was concerned a member of the appeal panel was asked to stand down and that a literal interpretation of rule 31.2.2 "a club that might directly benefit from any disciplinary action (eg by the deduction of points) should be a member of the Committee" would make disciplinary hearings unmanagable. AL agreed to review the apparent inconsistency between the disciplinary procedures 29.2 and the guidance 31.2.2.

14. Junior League Representative (PE)
• JB Memorial trophy monies set aside
• League funds will match funds available
• EH to procure a trophy

15. Six-a-side Junior Indoors (BK)
• Invitations out by 5th July 2011
• 1 offer from umpires to date
• BK asked EH to check availability of more durable balls from Lords International.

16. League Representative Side (AH)
• Great day, great hosts at Studley CC
• Poor result vs Halifax League
• Spectator numbers disappointing

17. Any other business
• Only 42 Lords Intn balls in stock.Shooting Stars available and can be used in lower divisions. Trials available on alternate balls.
• MCC game at Burton Leonard. TH asked that cheque be drawn to cover meal costs. EH enquired on numbers attending.
• Date of next meeting scheduled for Monday 5th September.


Addendum 1

Mr Hyde,
Thank you for your recent email RE: ECB Level 2 Eligibility Criteria. I will try and address your queries below in the order in which they were placed.
The ECB Level 2 qualification is accredited through the Qualifications Credit Framework and is endorsed under the criteria stipulated by the United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC). Both of the methods of endorsement verify and accredit the learning programmes meaning the qualification is recognised as meeting the standards of the industry and vocational qualification structure, just as an A-level or GCSE is. At Level 2, the guidelines to meet the endorsement criteria stipulate that Level 2 coaches must be 18 years of age, or older to become certified, this is the case for all sporting qualifications at an equivalent level, including Football. From a legal standpoint, L2 coaches are qualified to lead sessions and take responsibility for the well being of their participants, 18 years of age would seem to be the point where it is possible to access insurance and indemnity cover to allow somebody to do this at a rate that is not prohibitively expensive.
The decision ECB makes is whether or not it wants it's qualifications to be rigorously verified and endorsed to industry standards, if we chose not to do this, it would clearly be to the detriment of both the quality assurance of the course and the status of the course as a 'qualification' in the truest sense. ECB do not create the Occupational Standards which govern vocational qualifications, and as such cannot decide to lower the certification age without opting out of the structure.
This has been the situation for nearly 6 years and has been clearly communicated to all key stakeholders, (Stated in pre-course info) in some instances 17 year olds do attend the course, knowing they will be 18 upon certification, although this is rare. Delaying certification causes enormous problems with the administration process for the qualifications, creating a back-log and also being counter productive for financial management of courses. When a coach is not certified, because of age or otherwise, and they potentially lead a session, this could place them in jeopardy with regards their own liability and insurance, should anything go wrong. As such, ECB would never want to place any coach in this position and recommend that coaches are 18 (at least) before they attend the Level 2 Coach Award based on this and the necessity of the qualification criteria.
The range of qualifications under Level 2 (the ECB Young Leaders Award, the Level 1 (UKCC1) Coaching Assistant Award and the ECB Training Methods Workshop) are designed to help to engage and develop a young person's interest in coaching. ECB also recognise that the qualification is just the start of a coaches learning journey, and as such would expect coaches to gain practical experience between attendance at formal courses. Coaching is a highly skilled and responsibility laden-task, so ensuring that our qualifications maintain their integrity and allow us to protect and support those coaches which hold them is our top priority.
Kind Regards
Tony Robson
Tony Robson : Regional Training Manager (North)
England and Wales Cricket Board : Lord's Cricket Ground, London, NW8 8QZ

Addendum 2
To Nidderdale & District Amateur Cricket League - Club Secretaries, Umpires, Team Captains.
This communication is intended to remind all clubs, team captains and league umpires the responsibility placed upon them, set out in the Laws of Cricket, regarding player conduct, the captain’s role in managing the team on the field of play and the Umpire’s responsibilities.
Spirit of Cricket: Preamble to the Laws [1]
Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.
The Nidderdale League Management Committee take a dim view of poor on-field behavior and has a strict disciplinary procedure within its rules to deal with this. League Rules 29, 30, 31 and 32. Rule 29.9 specifically sets out the range of penalties at the disposal of any Disciplinary Panel.
Team Captains and Umpires are encouraged to report bad behavior using the appropriate procedure as they are required to do.
Poor behaviour certainly isn't restricted to the top divisions where Umpires are provided by the League. Lower division teams can also demonstrate bad behaviour which can be very contagious.
Frustration with umpiring decisions has always been – and always will be, a part of village cricket, even when neutral umpires are officiating. Having said that, most teams accept it with a wry smile, knowing that they too will get fortunate decisions in due course.
The standard of player and Umpire education within our League is something that the recently formed ECB ACO North Yorkshire branch is actively seeking to address. Often, a basic lack of knowledge of the laws of cricket often leads to over-appealing or the questioning of an umpire’s decision. Captains often seem unwilling or unable to keep their players in check. All players and officials are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Laws of Cricket and also the rules pertaining to the Nidderdale League. Problems surrounding umpiring decisions are seldom one-sided, players are encouraged to look out for a range of education opportunities over the forthcoming winter. Improved standards of umpiring will lead to fewer confrontations.
It is fair to say that a ‘common sense’ approach to umpiring within the Nidderdale League should be adopted and it should be stressed that both teams are playing the game for enjoyment, and that umpires should promote fair play AND enjoyment of the game.
It is worth clarifying one of the rule changes for the avoidance of any further doubt.
Law 17.3 b) ii) there shall be no bowling or batting practice on the outfield. Bowling a ball, using arm action only, to a player in the outfield is not to be regarded as bowling practice but shall be subject to (b)(iii) and (c) below. However, a bowler deliberately bowling a ball thus on to the ground will contravene Law 42.3 (The match ball – changing its condition).
Therefore a bowler MAY practice his bowling action by bowling a ball to a teammate, so long as it doesn’t bounce. Umpires are asked to employ common sense in the application of this rule and not to remove players from bowling.
To summarise, the Nidderdale League is tough on players and umpires that cross the line when showing dissent, and is aware it needs to ensure that umpires are the best they can be, and go out there with the right ‘firm but understanding, and always fair’ attitude. The League is aware that it urgently needs more umpires and steps are in place to address this. Having a bigger list of umpires will assist the League Umpires’ Secretary to marginalise and ultimately ‘retire’ those umpires whose performances don’t always make the grade.
Otherwise we can be proud, because from what Sir Thomas has observed, the problem of poor behaviour is very isolated in our League. This doesn’t mean that we can be complacent, but it does mean that we are doing a lot right.

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