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Scottish Underwater Hockey Association (SUHA)
Minutes of Fourth Annual General Meeting
Venue: Inverness Aquadrome, Inverness
Date: Sunday 27th January 2002
Attendees: Tim Dale (Chair), Libby Porteous, Brian McClory, Elaine Douglas, Shona Douglas, Ben Gowland, Fiona Gowland, Mark Price, Christina Uwins, Matthew Coslett, Alastair Skene (p.t.), Madeleine Halkett, Neil McKinnell, Jon Starr
Apologies: Graeme Tough, Neill Balfour, Debbie White
Tim Dale took the chair in the absence of the Committee members.
Adopt Minutes from last AGM
The minutes were adopted subject to one minor amendment — name Jon Starr changed to Jon Dale.
Chairman’s Report
The Chairman was absent and had provided his Report to Tim Dale. It had been a busy year for Scottish Ladies — taking part in Home Counties, International invitational, Nationals, and European Championships. Great success at Europeans, achieving all team objectives — thanks go out to Libby and to Debbie in particular, but help came from various sources.
Two new clubs set up in the last year — one going strong in St Andrews, with Paula Redman, Megan Davey and Ian Scott putting in the work which Tim started. The other in Inverkeithing was gaining momentum, but was struggling for numbers. Tim and Innes Turnbull getting the club off the ground.
The SUHA website was up and running and was becoming a useful tool for the Association. Brian McClory’s work very much appreciated, but Brian emphasising the need for external input for the site.
On the playing front, Tim, Jon Dale and Jon Starr made the GB development team and played at the Europeans in Belgrade. Encouraging for Scotland, in that the three did not seem out of place at that level. Hopefully it will encourage enough people to be able to put together a Scottish Mens’ team for the next Europeans. It was disappointing that there was not enough interest this year to assemble a Scottish Mens’ team, despite the efforts gone in to getting the invitation in the first place.
Thanks to Libby and Julie for setting up a logo for SUHA — this is based on Ewan Haswell’s original idea from some years ago. Logo was funded by SUHA which will continue to charge £1 for each use of the logo so as to recoup the investment.
The number of tournaments in Scotland is ever-increasing. Tim ran the Inter-Regionals in Edinburgh, Aberdeen ran the SNOT (this year won by Aberdeen), Aberdeen Uni and Orkney held successful invitational tournaments. Additionally, Inverness and Edinburgh went to Nautilus, Edinburgh to the Nationals, and Aberdeen to the inaugural European Club Championships.
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer was absent and provided her Report to Tim Dale. SUHA had funded the set-up of the Logo but had managed to recoup some of these costs already.
SUHA Website
The Website (www.suha.org.uk) was started within the last year and was generally thought to be a great success. Brian McClory advised that it was receiving around 30-40 hits a day, but that eventually the cost of renting the name will be incurred again. It had cost around £10 for two years’ registration and it was agreed that this was worthwhile, and worth continuing to fund.
There was discussion of advertising banner to cut costs in future years and it was generally agreed that this would be acceptable.
Brian appealed for technical input and feedback as well as input on the content.
Scottish League
More discussion on how this should be addressed. It was generally agreed that clubs should try to hold invitational tournaments and a seeding system may be brought in to cover the absence of a Scottish League system. It was also suggested that SNOT be used as the tournament to finalise the placings and so end the season, although the Tournament would also be a stand alone tournament in its own right. Clubs to try and run invitational tournaments this year and the position can be revisited next year to assess the effectiveness of this system.
SNOT
SNOT ran by Aberdeen, with thanks to Neill Balfour for taking this on. Matthew Coslett advised that the next tournament would be held by Aberdeen Uni over the second weekend of April, though the venue was subject to change.
Sportscotland Recognition
It was agreed that SUHA had been created to assist in getting Sportscotland recognition, assistance and funding. The criteria three years ago indicated that a national governing body needed to be created and up and running with accounts for three years before official recognition could be attained. Attaining recognition was considered to be a priority for SUHA this year. Tim and Alastair Skene had already looked into this matter and Tim volunteered to look into this. There followed much discussion on what should be the priority for funding, and it was agreed that development of the sport within Scotland ought to be the highest priority. It was agreed that the issue as to specific applications for funding need only be addressed if and when it becomes a possibility.
AOCB
The question was raised as to whether SUHA would be represented at the Dive Scotland show at the SECC in March. The matter was discussed, but it was not considered to be a priority for SUHA.
Tim noted by that Stirling was due to open its swimming academy the following day (28th January). The academy had two pools which looked ideal for hockey and it was agreed that someone should approach the pool to ascertain whether the pools would be made available for underwater hockey and if so, at what cost. Libby agreed to make the approach
Tim Dale circulated a leaflet which he had produced to promote the Inverkeithing club. The leaflet was based on a similar leaflet which Amy Beckley (Glasgow’s secretary) had produced to great effect. It was agreed that this was excellent promotional material and if possible should be posted on the website for general adaptation and use.
The Committee was due to be re-elected. Tim Dale nominated Jon Dale for the position of Treasurer, Libby Porteous seconded it and Jon Dale had previously intimated that he was prepared to accept the post.
Libby Porteous nominated Graeme Tough to remain in the post of Secretary. Tim Dale seconded it and Graeme had previously accepted.
After discussion, Ben Gowland nominated Tim Dale for the post of Chairman, Brian McClory seconded it and Tim accepted.
Alastair Skene advised that setting up clubs in University towns ought to be a priority as a good number of Orkney players would be leaving the islands in September 2002 to go to University. Alastair Skene also advised that Orkney were holding a mixed five-a-side tournament on 18th May 2002.
Christina Uwins asked whether SUHA should be registered as a club at Swim Shop, and so be able to benefit from the discounts available. It was agreed that this should be looked into.
The meeting closed at 13.45.
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