Minutes of Wellington Pétanque Association Committee Meeting 13 February 2003

Present

Brian Smith, Gwen Hill, Bevedey Mason, Neil Dykes, John Beard, Lindsay Skinner, Patrick Smith , Tim Lovell-Smith, Ian Baine, Michael Rocks, Daphne Hendrie, Fran Beach, Maureen Wood, Graeme Morris, Louise Sligo

Apologies

Peter Ball, Ralph Priddle, Ngaere and Barrie Sinclair, Brenda Dykes

Minutes 5 December 2002

Minutes of 5 December 2002 be accepted. Moved: Brian Smith, Seconded: Fran Beach

Matters Arising

• The minutes of 5 December omitted Kapiti as being drawn for the Jacques Cochonnet challenge in March
• Noted by Daphne Hendrie that under General Business the previous minutes did not sufficiently report members' reactions to the disaffiliation of the Wellington Petanque Club from the WPA.
• Several committee members concurred with Daphne's view and were disappointed that the minutes did not better record their regret at the notice of disaffiliation.
• Michael Rocks recalled that the Wellington Club's notice of disaffiliation was neither accepted nor rejected by the committee until some attempt had been made by Graeme Morris to set up a discussion.
• The disaffiliation of the Wellington Petanque Club is therefore accepted with regret and with the understanding that should they wish to rejoin the WPA at a future date they will be welcome. Moved: Graeme Morris, Seconded: Brian Smith. Carried unanimously by vote of the committee.
• Noted that the previous minutes recorded Brenda Dykes as an apology for non-attendance yet showed her suggestion for WPA input into the proposed Chaffers Park Scheme. Secretary explained that she had conveyed the suggestion on Brenda's behalf.

Correspondence

Inwards

• Brenda Dykes - Sport Wellington Region Calendar for Training and Education
• Gwen Hill - noting Kapiti's omission from the Jacques Cochonnet draw and scheduled for March
• Peter Ball - noting the above omission and failure to mention letter received from Helen Ball of discontinuation of Carreau due to other commitments.
• Ngaere Sinclair - re. Manawatu Club's inability to participate in the Jacques Cochonnet Trophy due to membership numbers.
• Marguerite Christophers - via Peter Ball - re. Petanque for Children with Special Needs. A multisport Festival from Newlands College March 12

Outwards

• Helen Ball - expressing the thanks of the WPA for the time and effort given to the production of Carreau
• Gerard Pinguet - acknowledging receipt of Wellington Petanque Club notice of disaffiliation from the WPA and indicating that Graeme Morris was willing to meet with the Club to discuss underlying issues.
• Bill McKay - expressing thanks for arranging meeting with Brian Smith and Pat Robinson in order to discuss the suitability of the terrain for petanque at Berhampore Bowling Club.

Financial Report

• At 13.02.03 Bank a/c $2,387.94, General Fund $1,648.94, Travel fund $739.00
• Neil put forward the option that the 2002 $2 affiliation fee be paid by March 2003 or that both years' fees be paid by 31.10.03. Moved by Brian Smith that both fees be paid by 31.10.03, Seconded: Patrick Smith
• Michael Rocks asked if Otaki Club was to be affiliated. Brian said it is their intention to join both WPA and PNZ
• That the financial report be accepted. Moved: Neil Dykes, Seconded: Brian Smith

WPA

Proposed 2003 Interclub and Winter League Doubles

• Copies had been circulated of amended formats and incorporating suggestions made at previous meetings. Clubs to respond to this version and final entries are to be advised by 10th March.
• Upper Hutt, Kapiti, Masterton, Khandallah, Hataitai, Silverstream and Park Avenue clubs have so far signalled their willingness to participate.
• The Levin and Open Polytechnic clubs will be approached for interest in playing.
• Lindsay Skinner noted that Porirua was not happy with the proposal as it stood for the reason people with some disabilities could be restricted in singles play. Brian said that it would be possible for a helper to assist.
• Brian uncertain as to how best select venues for play - whether by a one-off round or on a "home and away" basis. Graeme Morris suggests Brian sets something out illustrating these possibilities for clubs to consider.
• Winter League Doubles - will consist of 3 rounds and a final round.
• Some queries centre on the number of entries that might occur and whether any limit on these should be imposed. Michael Rocks would prefer if necessary to look for more than one terrain rather than see restriction placed on entries.
• Michael suggests the following dates for Winter League Doubles of 4th May; 8th June; 13th July and 10th August for the WL Doubles and gives a basis for Interclub timetabling.
• The cutoff point is 7th April for entries to the Doubles.
• Fran Beach asked for an approximate number of matches to expect. Brian stated that for one round of 7 teams there would be 6 games and if conducted as "home and away" it would be twice the number.
• Ian Baine commented on the dangers of members' absence from their club's premises which disadvantages newer people.
• Moved: Michael Rocks. That for the first year Interclub League be confined to one round only. Seconded: Brian Smith

Michael advised that Khandallah are holding their annual Swiss Doubles toumament on Sunday 27th April and that he would be happy to assist other clubs who wishes to hold a Swiss Doubles.

Michael also suggested that as the Kapiti Open Doubles marks the start of a season for a range of players, Wellington could hold an open toumament late in the year which would look to attracting new and out of town entries.

Brian put forward the dates of November 29th and 30th for Wellington Open Triples and this will be discussed at the next meeting. The NZPA are holding an event in late October and there needs to be sufficient space between these for people outside of the area to be interested.

Training Day

This took place on 7th February and Brian thanked Kapiti for all their hard work with an overwhelming response - and largely from Otaki, Levin and Kapiti. Some 52 people participated and follow up seen as desirable for members in recently formed clubs at Otaki and Levin. A further training day could be set aside for intermediate and experienced players.

Training/Coaching is essential to funding from SPARC and the recognition of pétanque. The success of the training day is indicative of the need for such.

2003 Women's Singles

This was scheduled for 23rd March. There were 32 entries in 2002. This event is being arranged by Michael and Elizabeth Rocks. Park Avenue had been approached on the viability of either 16th or 23rd March. Only the 23rd was possible. Michael is unavailable on that date. Date of 30th March to be confirmed at Park Avenue. Eariy entry will be advisable.

General Business

NZPA Report

• NZ Coaching trainees leave for Australia.
• Also, a Trans-Tasman Challenge series will happen in 2003 limited to 6 players.
• AGM to take place in Auckland.
• 6 teams from Wellington to participate in Peugot National Triples on 22/23 February.
• This will mark the end of the association with Peugeot and Graeme Morris intends to acknowledge their contribution at the end of the toumament and the need for a new sponsor. Peugeot contributed $4,000 annually.
• This is also the last year of SPARC funds.
• It will be imperative to find new funding either by fee increases and/or other sources.
• A meeting took place with SPARC and Graeme, Barbara and Brian. Discovered Pétanque's recognition was not linked to grading. A sport's programme must meet SPARC objectives in order to obtain assistance and be able to demonstrate the extent of their participation.
• A meeting will take place at Eden Park on the Friday night before the National Triples for strategic planning and with help from Sport Auckland.
• Patrick Smith asked who had been most involved in fund raising. Graeme most involved and with Barbara and Brian. Patrick of the view that a full time funding officer would be the ideal solution.

Other

• WPA Triples has attracted 21 entnes and 4 pools. Format outlined.
• The Clash last hosted at Hataitai. Neil Satherley from Christchurch put forward a proposal that the next team be expanded to 12 players and with 12 non-clash players for a social competition. Uncertain whether funding would cover extra Clash players. Committee favoured retaining the smaller number at this stage and Brian will respond. The selection to be made from the Winter League Doubles and excluding the top 10 in Wellington seeding to ensure a similar standard between Wellington and Christchurch teams.
• AGM will take place on the 10th April with next meeting of WPA to follow.
• Ian Baine asked for other clubs' views on visitors and the payments expected. Bowling Club holding the lease. They currently ask for $2 contribution. Masterton's practice is to set a limit on visits and then expect membership. Khandallah has a policy of seeking a gold coin donation which can be difficult to collect. Palmerston North operate a box for collecting the same. Associate membership could prove a useful concept.
• Lindsay Skinner mentioned the Porirua Programme and that the University of the Third Age come to play.
• Lindsay asked Brian if he had followed up his suggestion earlier re. Agenda Agencies. Brian stated that he had made the contact but found them uninterested in marketing.
• Trophies to commemorate Peter Berrill and Ken Doyle remain to be chosen.
• Fran Beach referred to Baine Trophy and inclusion in the calendar.
• Michael Rocks suggested that clubs on the periphery of the Region be invited in to the Regional Doubles (for example Nelson and Wanganui). This to be discussed further at the next meeting.

With sorrow, we note the sudden passing away of Daphne Hendrie on 24 February 2003.