Apologies for absence: G Berry & J Smart
Minutes of the last meeting: These had been circulated and were agreed.
Matters arising: The investigation into the viability of having BTTL T - Shirts was still an ongoing situation.
Correspondence: None
Chairman's Report: It had been a reasonably smooth year apart from one team withdrawing from the Premier Division.
Treasurer's Report: The accounts were presented and the treasurer went through them answering questions put. It was asked if sponsorship for assistance for juniors for example had ever been explored. It was pointed out that grants are not available for leagues, but only individual clubs. The General Secretary said that he would try and enquire.
Rule amendments: The proposed rule changes and voting results are attached.
Election of officers: The existing officers and Committee members were elected en-bloc without opposition apart from the Inter-league Secretary post, which remains vacant due to lack of nominations or a volunteer.
AOB: Banned rubbers were discussed. It was pointed out that under ETTA rules, players could use any rubbers in league matches.
Proposed rule changes 2008
No rule changes are proposed by clubs so we are left with those from the Lancashire Table Tennis Association which are non-controversial and some from the Committee. Background info is in italics:
The following were recommended by the LTTA following the Tonge dispute when requested to arbitrate and are endorsed by your Committee.
They were all passed unopposed.
That after the word 'final in the third paragraph of rule 2, the words 'subject to appeal' should be inserted.
All decisions of a league Committee can be appealed and reference should be made to that fact.
That after the word 'for' on line one of rule 3 the words 'New rules' be inserted.
As the rules stand, there is no provision for the insertion of new rules.
That after the word 'Year' on line three of rule 3, add ' For consideration at the AGM'
The current rule does not say what should happen once they have been received by the Secretary.
That ITTF be replaced by ETTA in rule 30.
The ETTA rules are designed to specifically cater for league play and competitions. The ITTF rules are mainly concerned with Tournaments.
That after the word 'Start' on line 1 of rule 19, delete the word 'start' and insert ' not later than'.
This gives the home team the ability to start matches earlier than the declared time of 7.30 after agreement by the away team.
The following are Committee proposals:
Cup Competitions
That the first paragraph of rule 4 be replaced with:
A team shall be deemed to constitute those players registered for that team.
In the event of a qualified player not being available a player from a lower ranked team may be included.
The current rule precludes registered players from taking part if they have not made the most league appearances for the team.
27 For; 3 Against
Delete rule 5.
The statement is contradictory and would in theory prevent a player from a lower team assisting a higher one.
Passed unopposed.
That cup rule 6, 2nd & 3rd sentence be replaced with:
Teams with1 or 2 team separation are played off scratch; 3 to 10 separation +2; 11 to 18 +3; 19 to 26 +4; 27 to 34 +5; 35 to 42 +6; 43 to 50 +7; 51 and above +8.
The match secretary has examined results and it is felt that the lower teams need a slight improvement in their handicap.
Passed unopposed.
That the word 'three' in rule 12 (d) be replaced with 'six'.
It is felt that there is not enough assistance for teams who have lost players for a variety of reasons after the commencement of the season. This would improve matters and still prevent the permanent establishment of two man teams.
Passed with 1 against.
That the second sentence of the second paragraph of cup rule 4 should read:
In order to play a semi-final and final a player must have played in 50% of league matches from the date of their registration and up to the semi-final and final.
Someone who registers for a team late has a problem representing their team even if they have played regularly up to the date of semi-final or final.
Passed unopposed.