Devon Rugby Referee Society

Present: Messrs : The President (SR) , Vice President (JM), Dummett (PD), Rice(TR), Hawkes(MH),Hinshelwood(DH) ,Steggall(RS), Trueman (PT), Healy (TH), Rose(DR), Davies (DD), Sutcliffe (CS), Baker (SB).

1.Apologies: Mr Turner (MT). Mrs Veacock (SV).

2. Matters brought forward at the discretion of the President:
None.

3.Minutes:

The Minutes of the February 2017 Executive Meeting were approved .

4.Matters Arising:

a. Chairperson of the Executive Committee.

The interview for the post was held prior to the meeting. Mr P Dummett was the only candidate and the interview panel (Chair TH , SR and Mr A Boraston) listen to the presentation and questioned the applicant on related topics. The panel agreed that Mr Dummett should be put forward for the post and the membership can vote him in at the AGM.
At the EGM (8 March 17) SR will inform give a short presentation and the membership will need to approve the proposed Constitutional changes , prior to the ratification changes and appointment at the AGM.

b. CB update.
Following the initial discussion with DRFU , there was a very long discussion on the implications . Both aspects of becoming a CB and the advantages of remaining with DRFU were discussed in detail. SR suggested that the membership, at the EGM, should be given a brief outline of the progress.

DH to address the membership at the EGM (8 March) to give a brief update.

c. Angus Coleville – MH informed the Committee that the initial meeting with Tavistock RFC, PRRS and DRRS would take place at the Rock Inn , Yelverton on 2 March. TH would also be attending.

Post Meeting Note : At the meeting it was agreed that a function should take place in September 17 at Tavistock RFC. TRFC , DRRS and PRRS would finance a buffet and the event should take place when the 1st XV are home. Local clubs connected with AC would be contacted. It was agreed the next meeting would be in July 17 when fixtures are known.

5.Correspondence:

None

6. Current Membership:
CS presented a report to the Committee. Since the last report there have been three new recruits and four pending / showing interest. The training session at Tiverton RFC is gaining in popularity with two possible attendees with more likely.
CS highlighted that he was getting enquiries from clubs for the Society to train club referees. CS stressed that really they should be part of the Society and then referee at their club. CS suggested that if this line of enquiry continues , the Society might consider running courses for the clubs, at a fee, and the referees could then become a type of ‘associate member.’

RS joined the meeting.

7.Appointments Secretary:

DH submitted his appointments for April 17. Next month most referees will have two matches. Discussions took place over the appointments for the Devon Junior Cup final, Plate and Vase all to be held on the same day at North Tawton RFC. It was decided to send a team of four to rotate throughout the day. A similar situation arises with the Devon Colts Cup finals at Sandy Park – DH will appoint.

Reappointments Secretary:

DD submitted a report covering all re-appointments since August 16. During this period there were 1006 appointments,162 games cancelled, 193 new games,340 changes of referees, 17 games without referees and 3 games were cancelled without notification. SWPF organised courses for level 7-9 referees and MO but the uptake was poor. The Sevens Course was not well attended. The Federation are holding a SWG Conference for level 7-9 referees on Mothering Sunday.

8.Grading Secretary:

TR submitted a report . There were limited reports produced due to the amount of games. The DCMO course ( 18 April at Okehampton RFC) has been circulated and Messrs Clarke and Albery have signed up. TR, via TH, has ordered 4 new assessor radios and a receiver station along with waterproof boards.

9.Exchange Secretary:

PD submitted a report. In February there was one exchange and we worked with PRRS to appoint referees for the four SWPF fixtures. March will be a busy month with three exchanges, Somerset and Cornwall semi – finals, a County U20 fixtures and the Devon Cup competitions . In April there is the final exchange with Liverpool RRS.

10.Training Secretary
DR had nothing else to add as most of the training issues were discussed in the Membership agenda point.

11. Discipline:

RS, in his report, listed the outcomes of incidents heard by DRFU and that there were two red card incidents in February.
RS also reminded referees and Assessors of the directive concerning personnel in the playing area. He urged assessors to support the referee.

12. Finance:
TH’s report showed that all accounts were in the black.
It was agreed that the Society would donate £120 to the three charities Mr I Gunn wished to support following the sad death of his wife.
It was agreed that TH should purchase the radios for the Assessors (see Grading Secretary’s Report).
PD suggested that the Society made an inventory of the radios and associated equipment. SR also suggested that not all MO require radios. TR stated that they were a fundamental tool in assessing referees.

13. Website Manager:

SV reported that the website was running well. Any articles she receives are entered within a week.

13a Who’s The Ref Website (WTR).

PT informed the Committee that the trials were working well. The presentation to the members at the EGM is ready.

14. DRFU.

None

15. SWG/FEDERATION/RFRU:

SWG / Federation

DD informed the Committee , that all points were previously discussed.

RFRU:

None

DRFU

16. AOB

a. 125 Year Celebration . CS suggested a production of a book might be appropriate along with a Gala Dinner. CS would try to see if Mr T Spreadbury might be available as the guest speaker. CS would continue the initial planning for a Dinner.

b . The AGM was agreed for 10 May at Kingsbridge RFC. The Executive Committee meeting planned for that evening has been brought forward to Wednesday 3 May.

ACTION : MH to finalise details.

c. DD presented a sponsorship proposal from Team Tors. After a discussion it was agreed that DD would go back to Team Tors with a package. It was discussed that a full kit package (shirt, shorts,socks) could be sought for all referees and waterproofs for the Assessors. The deal should be for two years. Further discussions took place on other sponsorship deals that could be reflexed on logos on sleeves, collars and shorts.

ACTION: DD to further investigate and report back to the Committee

d. DH brought the Mitsubishi Volunteer Nomination scheme to the attention of the Committee. Mitsubishi are offering two packages of free entry and hospitality at the Badminton Horse trials on 6 / 7 May 17. The Society have the opportunity to nominate personnel who have done outstanding voluntary work in the rugby community.

Meeting closed at 21.20 hours.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 29 March 2017 at 1900 . Planning Meeting