Minutes of YCBA Management Committee meeting held on 26th February 2008 at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Garforth
Present: Philip Mason (Chair), Graham Jepson (Vice-Chair), Janet Latham (Secretary), Rob Turner (Assistant Secretary),
Stuart Davies (Tournament Secretary), Judith Biles, Peter Foster, Phil Godfrey, Ian Rodger, David Waxman and Ted Bond
Prior to the start of the meeting the Chair welcomed Ted Bond, who had been invited to attend to explain the proposed
changes to the YCBA Constitution.
The Chair also informed the committee that he had resigned from the Board of the E.BU.for personal reasons and had been
replaced by Andrew Petrie.
1. Apologies for absence
None
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 18th Sept 2007
These were accepted as a true record
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Re Item 4.1 An effective system had still to be devised for recording the hand-out of Y.C.B.A trophies
ACTION – JB and IR
3.2 Re Item 3.3 It was decided that the purchase of Bridge Mates be deferred for the time being.
4. Secretary’s report
The Secretary read out a letter from the Secretary of Worcestershire regarding a Midland Counties Invitation event.
The six counties involved are:-
Worcestershire
Warwickshire
Staffs and Shrops.
Gloucestershire
Derbyshire
Herefordshire
Instead of holding individual invitation events these counties would hold a combined event. This year’s Midland Teams’
Challenge Bowl would be hosted by Herefordshire on Sunday, June 8th. It was agreed that Yorkshire would send a team.
5. Acting Treasurer’s Report
A paper had been distributed by the Acting Treasurer which indicated a current balance of £17946.07, a figure approximately
£600 lower than a year earlier.
The Treasurer reported that competitions and the Yorkshire League had been holding their own, producing a surplus of around
£3,500 so far in this financial year. However this money and subscriptions were not enough to cover the cost of supporting
Youth Bridge, entries and subsistence for national competitions, and the day-to-day expenses incurred in the running of the Y.C.B.A.
6. Tournament Secretary’s report
6.1 The Tournament Secretary circulated a report detailing numbers for competition entries as at 26th February 2008.
These reflected roughly similar participation in events to that in the previous season.
6.2 The Tournament Secretary commented on the use of duplimated boards in the Division 1 matches in the Yorkshire
Leagues. He was having problems with Butler Scoring as some clubs did not send in the result sheets promptly.
It seemed that clubs approved of the duplimated boards although there had been some teething problems.
7. Membership Secretary’s report
7.1 A report was tabled indicating broadly stable membership numbers in overall terms.
7.2 The Membership Secretary produced an Age Profile which indicated that the average age of Y.C.B.A members was
approximately 62.5 years, 2.5 years higher than three years previously.
8. Matters arising from YCBA Council Meeting 30.11.07
The Secretary reported that a Keighley member had questioned what he felt was an omission in the Minutes. He believed that it
had been agreed that the Yorkshire Council could mandate the Yorkshire shareholders on how to vote at Shareholders’ Meetings.
The Committee had no clear recollection of this decision and it was agreed that the Vice-Chairman would contact the Keighley
member for clarification.
ACTION - GJ
9. Proposed Y.C.B.A Calendar of Events 2008/9
The draft calendar was circulated and venues for Y.C.B.A events were determined.
10. Competitions Brochure 2008/9
10.1 The entry fee for the Waddington Shield was raised from £20 to £24
10.2 Charges for Under-25s. The half-price entry fee will not apply to Under 25 players in full-time employment
10.3 Eligibility to represent clubs in the Yorkshire League
The Chair proposed that players whose County of primary allegiance was other than Yorkshire should not be allowed to play
in the Yorkshire Leagues. Phil Godfrey proposed an amendment that “Any player who plays in the Yorkshire Leagues should be
a member of the club he/she represents”. The amendment was accepted.
10.4 Newcomers Pivot Teams
This would be open to players with no more than 5,000 Master Points. One teacher could play in each team
10.5 Entry Qualifications for Yorkshire Mixed Pairs and Yorkshire Individual.
These would remain as described in the competitions booklet for now, but Helen Barr would be asked to suggest how qualification
for the Yorkshire Individual competition should be decided next season.
10.6 Yorkshire Masters Pairs
A paper had been received from Christopher Close at Keighley suggesting changes in the structure of the Yorkshire Master Pairs.
After discussion it was agreed that we should adopt his second proposal.
Grade 1: Premier Grand, Grand, Life & National Masters
Grade 2: Regional, Premier, Tournament and Star Masters
Grade 3: Advanced Master and below + unranked
11. Update of the proposed changes to the Y.C.B.A. Constitution
Ted Bond circulated copies of the 2001 Constitution together with copies of a proposed revised Constitution. He highlighted
the important changes which the Sub-Committee was proposing. It was agreed that copies would be sent to all Clubs so that they
would have an opportunity to discuss these before the A.G.M. in June.
The Chair thanked the Sub-Committee of Ted Bond, Raphael Grossman and Graham Jepson for the work they had done.
ACTION - TB
12. Reports on Northern Counties League
12.1 Graham Jepson reported that the Yorkshire A and Yorkshire B Teams had both finished second in their respective leagues.
Yorkshire C (South East) were to be congratulated on having won their league
12.2 Dates for this year are as follows: (all Saturdays)
28th June 30th August 27th September 25th October
(The date of 5th April given at the meeting was incorrect)
13. Yorkshire Congress 2008
The Chair distributed Congress brochures to Committee Members
14. Appointment of Selection Committees
Tollemache Cup and Presidents Cup
David Waxman (Chairman), Richard Winter, Phil Godfrey
Northern Counties League
Graham Jepson (Chairman), Janet Latham, Judith Biles, Phil Godfrey, Ian Rodger , David Waxman and Philip Mason.
15. Report on proposed E.B.U. Pay to Play Scheme
The E.B.U. is currently analysing the questionnaires submitted by clubs and will shortly be producing a new strategy document.
A meeting for Yorkshire clubs to discuss this has been scheduled to be held at Wetherby Bridge Club on Monday 12th May and each club
is entitled to send two representatives. The Vice-Chairman is circulating clubs with details.
ACTION - GJ
16. Date and venue of next meeting
The next meeting was arranged for Tuesday 16th September 2008 starting at 7.15 pm at the Holiday Inn, Garforth
17. Any Other Business
Y.C.B.A. Website. Rob Turner reported that he was investigating the possibility of hosting this elsewhere since he was currently
relying on a dial-up connection.