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5s & 3s League Annual General Meeting – 20.08.13 – Agenda
Report on Sevens Competition.
“Sevens” was introduced to fill the match evenings lost due to the drop from 16 to 14 teams per division. It was agreed to trial “Sevens” during the 2012/13 season. The competition attracted 16 teams who were drawn into four mini-leagues of four, each to play the others once. The four mini-league winners then competed in semi finals and the resulting final took place on Finals Night, where the winners were Kings Head Cockfield.
The programme was introduced on three Mondays in the spring term, which also includes the first two rounds of the team knockouts. The result was a confusing mix of three different disciplines which proved unsatisfactory. This also coincided with an extended winter break at Xmas and then Finals Night was delayed a week due to Easter. Many members felt that rather than nicely fill the season, it extended it unnecessarily.
Another drawback was the complicated administration required for this kind of competition. It is unlikely that it could be easily arranged for more than 16 teams – hence it would not be available to all league members. Oddly the fear that members would not like playing Sevens was not borne out, and generally the format was accepted as an interesting change. However, it was not universally popular for the reasons as laid out above.
The Committee consider that the balance of opinion was that the competition should be not continued. If, however, it was decided to maintain it, it was the Committee’s view that it should follow at the end of the league programme, thus allowing those not wishing to participate to do their own thing. The only problem would be a gap for those teams between the end of the league season and Finals Night.
Report on Summer League.
Summer League was started for a small group of eight teams, and designed to be more social than competitive. Teams of four meant transport was a simpler proposition, and traditions like supper and buying drinks for winners were dispensed with. It was also hoped to encourage extra supporters to play, all-be-it not for points, and to attract younger players where possible.
Each of the teams involved played each other once, and the winners got two league points with one point for a drawn match. A perpetual shield was donated to the League to be held by the winner(s) for a year.
Several more teams have indicated an interest in joining the Summer League. The Committee propose that it should be continued as a regular feature in much the same format, with teams indicating a wish to enter at the Captains’ meeting to allow the working of a timetable. There should be no charge for entry, and the trial rules are seen as perfectly adequate.
Report on Individual Trophies.
The committee have received a number of comments on the individual trophies presented to winners and runners up. There is a concern that they are not really valued, despite costing the league funds. Given the imminent retiral of Robert Oliver it is also doubtful that the discounts he gives would continue. The options to consider would seem to be threefold:-
Members views are requested.
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