AGM MINUTES - WEDNESDAY 18 th September 2024

Kate: Thanked everyone for attending. Thanked the Bell for hosting. Thanked everyone for attending the knock out competitions and to all venues for hosting. Thanked teams for sending results promptly and a massive thank you and round of applause was given to Dave Sage for uploading them and for the tremendous website and all his hard work. Kate thanked Bernie for the fixtures.

Roy: Treasurer's report. £770 spent on trophies, £40 more than last season, but also included knock out cup. Balance £193.97. Thanked Julian for the trophies and reminded everyone to sign for the shields before taking them at the end of the meeting. Subs to remain at £50 to be paid at end of meeting. Envelope for each team has receipt in, team reg sheet and enough results sheets for all season, but everything is on website anyway. Teams were asked that on the Team Reg sheet, to only please tick the “add to WhatsApp group” if the person is not already on the group.

Kate: Remarked that the committee did not make the existing rules and don't necessarily agree with them all and that everyone's patience had been asked for while we all adjusted to our new roles. Stated that the committee felt a lot of the rules were too ambiguous, too unclear and needed amending / clarifying / simplifying.

Kate: Proposed NO signing on of ANY new players after half way mark, NO exceptions (remove “written permission” in the rules as too ambiguous). It was suggested teams sign on anyone they think will play, at the start of season and a reminder will be given on WhatsApp just before half way point. This was voted in favour of the rule change.

Kate: Knockout competitions. Proposed to amend / make the rule clearer regarding the spread of players across venues. It was voted by majority that 2 players can go to one venue, more than 2 players, then split evenly across venues. Everyone agreed pre-registering doesn't seem to work but everyone felt it would be polite for people to let venues know how many they are sending from their team, to help venues preparing food etc, but this wouldn't be a rule. It was suggested that the committee would try to make singles venues closer to each other so it helps people car sharing. Signing on sheet should be photographed and posted on the WhatsApp group before the draw is made. People not adhering to the rule will not be allowed to play in the following season's knock out competitions.

Kate: Reminded everyone about Rule 9 – Captain always gets the point if a game is cancelled – 10-0 and captain's point.

Kate: Asked if teams wanted a rule that allows a postponement if a major England European or World Cup football tournament clashes with a darts fixture? This was voted on and majority vote was NOT to add this as a rule. Potential to add a free week in the fixtures list if it is known in advance that the darts will clash with a major England game.

Carl: Asked the floor if Rule 11 could have the £10 fee for food if a game is cancelled, removed. This was agreed to remove it.

Carl: Asked if rule 15 could be simplified about signing on for matches and this was also agreed.

Kate: It was agreed by everyone to delete rule 16b regarding sending in results sheets as they are now posted on the WhatsApp group. Kate also reminded everyone about rule 20 - Captains' meetings. If captains want a meeting, put it on the captains' chat and if the majority vote in favour of having a captains' meeting, it will be arranged.

Carl: Everyone agreed If there is a weather postponement, we will move the mixed pairs to after the AGM.

Carl: At the last AGM it was agreed by everyone to grow the league, hence why we agreed to Bakers Arms and The Cube joining. Everyone was reminded The Swan, Woodham Bell, Woodham Town, Heybridge Inn are all not in the dengie boundary. It was discussed whether for future decisions re new teams joining, whether the committee decides who joins or whether the teams are asked first before a decision is made.

The majority vote was for future teams wishing to join, this request would be put on the Captains' group chat and all captains must vote by a given time as to whether that team joins and a majority vote would be final.

Committee stood down.

Committee were voted back in, by majority, for the next year.

Roy: Roll Call for Winter 2024/25 season.

Div 1 – Old Con Vics, Woodham Bell, Hardy's, Royal Oak, Mundon White Horse. Woodham Village, Borough Arms, Norton, Heybridge Inn.

Div 2 – Woodham Town, White Horse Rustlers, Blackwater Quay, Norton Nomads, Welcome Sailor, White Swan, The Cube, Bakers Arms, Mundon Drifters.

Committee: Welcomed The Cube and Bakers Arms.

Kate: Gave reminders… Rules will not be changed mid-season and will be adhered to. No allowances for postponements unless bad weather and ALL fixtures postponed. Rules are on website, as is all the paperwork for knockout draws, results and reg sheets etc. Must play 3 games a season to qualify for knockout competitions. Must send photo of signing on sheet and draw (stated in knockout rules on website). Continue to send results' photos to group chat.

Subs were paid, receipts given, trophies signed for by those available to collect them.