Item

Action

A minute’s silence was held in the memory of Kevin Toal who died suddenly on Tuesday, 19 th April

The meeting was opened at 8.05pm by Chairman, Barney Quinn

1.00

Apologies for Absence

1.01

Apologies were received from Michael Ashley, David Cartwright, Gerry Francis, Martin Lale and Dolly Coffey

2.00

Minutes of last AGM

2.01

The Minutes of the last AGM were unanimously approved by those present. Action points from the last Minutes have all been dealt with.

3.00

Secretary’s Report

Debbie Potts gave her report as follows:

3.01

Play Tennis Open Days : 2 of these events took place, but neither were successful. DP recommended we did not arrange for this year – took a lot of work, with little gain for the club.

3.02

Team Performance

For the Summer it was a struggle to get teams out, so only 1 ladies, 2 mixed and 4 mens entered (all 1 less than last year).

For the Winter, the 1 st and 2 nd mixed teams both won their Divisions – congratulations to all.

DP thanked Nick Adley for the great work he is doing with the mens teams – organizing/getting teams out.

DP congratulated all those who have played and taken part in all the teams, and offered a big thank you to all who had captained teams.

3.03

Club Leagues/Tournaments

DP again thanked Nick Adley for organizing the internal club leagues.

DP thanked Andy Speight and Matt Dean for organizing tournaments. It was noted that whilst indoor tournaments were enjoyed, the club lost money on them. Committee to make sure we at least break even on future events.

C’tee

3.05

Wimbledon tickets : 6 pairs of tickets received last year – have not been advised this year of allocation. Membership to be advised of draw details once tickets received.

C’tee

4.00

Treasurer’s Report/

Accounts for financial year ending 31 st March 2005

4.01

Barney Quinn thanked Jacqui and Michael Ashley for their hard work on the accounts. Jacqui agreed to do the audit again next year.

The audited accounts for the 18 month period were accepted. (Proposed by BQ; seconded by Jon Handley)

4.02

The balance sheet shows URTC in a healthy situation, with a small profit and assets of c.£11,000 in cash.

5.00

Election of Committee for 2005/06

All those nominated agreed to stand and were unanimously elected by those present, as follows:

Chairman – Barney Quinn

Vice Chairman – Andrew Speight

Honorary Secretary – Debbie Potts

Honorary Treasurer – Michael Ashley

Mens Match Secretary – Nick Adley

Membership Secretary – Nick Adley

Ladies Match Secretary/Mixed Match Secretary – Debbie Potts

Veterans Secretary – Sue Peters

Social Secretary – vacant

Tournament Secretary – Matt Dean

Junior Secretary – Stephen Wakefield

Club Coach – Mark Pain

Social Secretary position is vacant as Melissa is standing down. BQ thanked Melissa for doing a great job.

It was agreed that the four main social events of the year would each be run by a different Committee member, and the position of Social Secretary would be left vacant.

C’tee

Barney Quinn thanked all those members of last year’s Committee for their hard work and effort during the year.

6.00

Any Other Business

6.01

New Autumn tournament

It was proposed that a new Autumn tournament be held every September/early October in honour of Kevin Toal. Shield/plaque to be purchased. Tournament to be a fun event that everyone can join in with.

(Proposed by BQ, seconded by Andy Speight – unanimously agreed)

C’tee

6.02

Specific Club Sessions for Children (item requested by Nick Wallen)

It was agreed that it would be possible to have special junior sessions (say between 5 and 7pm), but there are legal problems (child protection regulations) and insurance problems.

This item will be taken forward to the next Committee Meeting for discussion/action.

C’tee

6.03

Indoor Bubble

BQ announced that URTC, in conjunction with the University and the LTA, are looking to build an indoor bubble at the university. Technical feasibility has been carried out, and LTA/Berkshire LTA/University consulted re putting in capital for project. LTA will provide c. 75% of the finance, including £120,000 in a grant which will not have to be repaid.

Plan is to complete a business plan by end of June, for approval by Berkshire LTA in July. Full approval planned for end of 2005 (subject to planning permission being granted by Reading Borough Council). Building work to commence latter part of first quarter of 2006, for completion Autumn 2006.

BQ

Plan is for a 3 court indoor facility to be open 30 weeks a year minimum (hopefully up to 50 weeks). Bubble to be sited on new land at the side of the current outdoor courts.

When plans are at a more advanced stage (end of this year), an EGM of URTC will be called to approve go-ahead.

C’tee

This will not be a URTC exclusive facility. A coach will be employed full-time in the bubble, and he will generate income; also, local groups (vets/ladies/juniors), RU students. Courts will not be free to members, but will be available at subsidised rates.

Should this project proceed, URTC will be the only local club with grass courts, outdoor hard courts and an indoor bubble. It is therefore anticipated that club membership will grow substantially.

Membership of URTC will increase when the bubble opens, but existing members from 2005/06 will be offered membership at preferential rates.

BQ will circulate a draft proposal to all members by mid-June for comment/reaction.

BQ

6.04

Amendment to Membership

One condition of the bubble being built is URTC taking a 10 year contract with the university. Therefore, need to put in place a one year agreement to take us to April 2006.

A fixed fee of £4,000 has been agreed with the University for 2005/06. The following changes in membership conditions have been agreed:

- no membership included to Wolfenden, but members able to take out corporate membership for £37.50

- grass court exclusivity on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturdays,

- new core times for hard courts, but no free booking at other times,

- match fees to be paid in a lump sum, or an increased fee to be paid by occasional team players,

- introducer’s fee to be paid to members who introduce new club members.

6.05

BQ to e-mail Committee to arrange first meeting (subsequently arranged for 18 th May at Barney Quinn’s house).

BQ

There were no other questions from the floor

Barney thanked everybody for attending and the meeting was closed.