Blackburn Arms Soccer Semi-Annual General Meeting

 (outdoor season)

September 14, 2019, Blackburn Arms Pub patio, 12:15 p.m.

1. Previous SAGM (March 2019) minutes
   • Unfortunately, lost during a business trip (they were on paper only).
   • Still, election results were properly recorded by a second source and applied.

2. President’s report
   • Teams are competitive, with five of six still in contention for the league title as of Sept. 14, 2019
   • Refs notes: compliments on overall play and behaviour; still enjoy officiating in the league; many requests to Frank Roscoe for chance to officiate in the BA.

• By-law modifications

• Spares
  • Currently, no outfielder spares are allowed in Cup play.
  • Collective motion by Executive to (starting this season): allow spares in playoffs, with spares coordinators deciding whom to assign, in consultation with the Executive Committee, if needed.
    • After lengthy discussion and widely varying opinions, an amendment to the motion was proposed by Jason Robinson and seconded by Bill Coleman: You qualify for a spare if you are below 11 in summer, 7 in winter, to bring numbers up to a full on-field squad.
  • Motion passed, not unanimous (but close)
  • Steve Cock was asked to provide historical context for current rule: Motion to disallow spares in the Cup was brought up by Dave Boeyen several years back, under the pretext this would allow weaker teams with good attendance a chance to win in important games.
  • Mike Murphy: Last day of regular season sometimes used to balance the teams, but can be controversial.
  • Jared Kitcher: Vast majority of the spares are really good, so can greatly change balance of teams when they play
  • Marc-André Daoust: Argument is based on attendance; it’s no different from allowing spares in the two or three final games of the regular season and the title is still up for grabs; why would Cup competition differ from that? Both hold equal importance.
  • Jason Robinson: If teams are below 11, that’s the big difference
  • Bill Coleman: Has this been a recurring issue?
  • Mark Meng: The Exec could make team adjustments before the Cup starts.
  • James Cuthill: Lower teams can make playoffs as is, and it’s a good thing.
  • Mike Murphy: Pub league, aimed to be fun; executive should be allowed to make the decisions based on the situation, for the best of the league; being too regimented goes against the overarching philosophy of the BA.
  • Bernie Pilon: The system was abused a few times in the past.

• Outdoor Cup keepers
  • Keepers from spares list are allowed in the Cup, but what if none are available for the final of the Outdoor Cup?
  • Motion by the Executive Committee: In the final of the Outdoor Cup, one of the remaining full-time keepers from the other teams can play.
  • Motion amendment by Bernie Pilon, Seconded by Ryan Zurawell: Random draw from available keepers, replacement keeper allowed only in case of injury or personal leave, not if the original keeper has been suspended.
  • 10 for, 9 against; motion passed, but contested.
  • Jason Robinson: How is this different from outfielder spares?
  • James Cuthill maintained that keepers are no different from outfield players.
  • General reaction that GKS are different, and not having an experienced person in goal can create a huge imbalance and skewer results.
  • Jared Kitcher: Teams should learn to adapt; the proposed rule change isn’t right.
  • Marcel Chbat: Injured or absent keepers should be replaced.
  • Motion maintained, but executive will keep a close eye on what transpires to see if the changes causes problems.

• Finances
  • Jared Kitcher presented a finance update on behalf of Brian Garson
  • Winter 2018-19: surplus of $2300, before donations; no equipment purchases
  • Expecting $300 surplus in 2019-20, before equipment
  • Overall positive balance; league in very god financial health
  • Motion to accept finance report by Marc-André Daoust, seconded by Bernie Pilon. Carried unanimously.

• Discipline
  • Jared (Discipline Chair) spoke.
  • Card count is similar to that of other years; one player was ejected from the league until at least September 2020.

• Uniforms
  • Steve Cock (uniform coordinator) announced he would be stepping away from the position and that a replacement would soon be needed. Responsibilities are to collect, store, inventory and replace any shortages.
    • No volunteers came forward at the SAGM
    • Position will need to be filled for by the end of the 2019-20 indoor season, with Steve completing the sweater arrangements for the 2020 outdoor season before he steps down.
  • New purchases to be decided by Executive to replace inventory for certain colours as required; better quality shirts are preferred to the Sports International brand now being phased out.
  • Black-White jerseys from outdoor 2019 will need to be all returned or replaced entirely.
  • Some Umbro jerseys are discontinued, new company model will likely be required. Steve will inquire.
  • New supplier Four-Two-Four (online company) is a possibility.

• Spares
  • Ray spoke on behalf of Frank Lamontagne and Dave Willey, spares coordinators.
  • Good availability of spares overall; quality also very good.
  • Spares need to use TeamSnap more consistently, teams as well.
  • TeamSnap (M-A)
    • Reiterated that teams and spares need to use it more effectively

• Executive election
  • Bernie Pilon is not renewing his position as executive-at-large.
  • Roles and responsibilities are being adjusted to be more widely distributed among the committee instead of falling mostly on the president.
  • Rhys Williams was nominated by Ray Martel, seconded by Howard Weingarden
  • No other nominations were received, so the motion passed unanimously and Rhys Williams elected in absentia (he had consented to being nominated).

• Meeting adjourned at 13:50

Recording secretary: Mark D’Agostino, BASL executive at large

Blackburn Arms Soccer League SAGM

 Sept. 22, 2018, Blackburn Arms Pub

Minutes (discussions, decisions and action items)

As recorded by Romeo Pantalone and reviewed by Ray Martel

Attendance

1. Ray Martel , President
2. Romeo Pantalone , Vice-President / Discipline Officer
3. Brian Garson, Treasurer
4. Mark D’Agostino, Executive at Large/Discipline Officer
5. Jim McKenzie, Executive at Large
6. Bernard Pilon, Executive at Large
7. Jared Kitcher, Finance Committee/Discipline Chief
8. Nick Nikolov, Spares Coordinator
9. Regular members of the BA soccer league (see the attached list and signatures)

ITEMS

Charity Donation Decision (All)

Discussion to continue with the BA contribution to the Gloucester Hornets’ Pat Dinardo Benevolence Fund through the 2018–2019 summer and winter seasons. $5 from each player will be contributed as per past seasons. Donation is a way to say thanks for Hornets’ help with BA field bookings in both summer and winter and for help with player registrations with OSA/EODSA. Also reflects BA’s desire to lend a hand in the greater Ottawa community.

1. Motion to accept decision: Ray Martel
2. Seconded: Brian Garson
3. Decision: Carried (unanimously)

Implementation of a Spirit of the League Team Award (Askar Umarbekov)

A new award is proposed for the team with the fewest bookable infractions. A tally will be taken based on the following point system: a team receives 1 point for any yellow card and 3 points on any red card. The team with the fewest points at the end of the season wins a prize to be determined by the executive committee. A new trophy will be bought as well for the “Lady Bing” team award.

1. Motion brought forth by Askar Umarbekov
2. Seconded: Bill Coleman
3. Decision: Carried (unanimously)

Fair and Friendly Play Policy Review in the BA: (All)

1. Stressing the elimination of the shoulder to shoulder contact against players. Seemingly, some players may be going in too hard on tackles.
2. Communication to be had with the Refs in the league to call the game more cautiously.
3. Managerial duties include controlling on-field antics, with authority given to managers to remove any player getting out of hand, with the full backing of the BA executive. “Take 5 Attitude”

Executive Committee Authority to Sanction Repeat Offenders of the Play-Fair Policy: (ALL)

1. The league reserves the right to punish repeat offenders under the play-fair policy in the constitution beyond the normally or regularly noted suspension time frame as aligned under FIFA rules. Judgment rulings will be used, and an ad hoc committee of Executive and Discipline Committee members will be formed to handle special cases of repeat offenders.

Early-bird Registration to the BA (All)

1. The early registration has proved to be a very effective method of getting players to sign up early and position themselves to get onto a team.
2. Early registration also allows time for the volunteer services of the team structuring members to directly align players on teams with the full intent of making the teams as fair as possible.

Financial Planning and Funds Allocation (All)

1. Motion to not exceed a total bank account float of over $5,000.
2. Potential to use excess funds to upgrade or expand uniforms (socks, bags, etc.) or for extra prizes.
3. Steve Cock advises that the Adidas Tabela jerseys will become a discontinued product, so resources will be required to purchase new shirts in the near future if team members do not return the jerseys at the end of the year. Shirt re-use is saving the league $1000 to $2000 a year.
4. Financial statements will be loaded to the BA Website moving forward to increase transparency.

New Executive Member / End of Terms Needing Elections (All)

1. Marc-André Daoust was elected as an Executive member at large for a two-year term (to replace Andrew DeVries, who resigned because of his move back to B.C.).
2. Mark D’Agostino’s term as Exec at large ends in March 2019.
3. Romeo Pantalone’s term as VP ends in March 2019.
4. Ray Martel’s term as president ends in March 2019 (anyone elected will start with a one-year term).
5. Spares Coordinator – Nick Nikolov is stepping away from the position to focus on other things and we will need someone to step into the position at the March 2019 SAGM for 2019 summer.

END OF DISCUSSION/ADJOURNMENT CARRIED BY SHOW OF HANDS

NEXT SAGM IN MARCH 2019