Minutes of Committee Meeting - 2 April 2025
NORTH WEST INTERMEDIATE RUGBY UNION LEAGUES
SPONSORED BY HALBRO
Minutes of the Committee Meeting via Teams 7pm Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Committee Present: Fred Swarbrick, John Powell, Paul Riordan, Craig Hine, Tommy Hughes, Ian Cosens, Greg King, Mark Ashley, Sara Shackleton, Chris Farmiloe, Andy Thompson, Peter Rhodes
Apologies: none
Matters Arising
Sponsorship: Still no main sponsor to replace Halbro for next season. Andy Thompson suggested contacting O’Neills, who sponsor Junior sections. Kit Sportswear (ex Wales international Colin Charvis’ company) was also suggested as a potential target. Fred Swarbrick suggested the idea of offering main league sponsorship to Primo, who currently sponsor the Cup comps, and finding a new Cup sponsor.
Cup Finals:
The following was voted on and a majority was reached regarding which matches would take place at each venue, with KO time:
Cup Final – Caldy 2 vs Sedgley Park 2 – New Brighton 3.45pm
Jug Final – Sale vs Stockport – Macclesfield 3.30pm
Trophy – Congelton vs St Edwards Old Boys – New Brighton 2.30pm
Bowl (W/S) – Caldy 3 vs Marple – New Brighton 12.45pm
Bowl (N/C) – Wigan 2 vs Trafford MV – New Brighton 11.00am
Shield - Heaton Moor 2 vs Broughton – Macclesfield 1.45pm
Plate – East Manchester vs Dukinfield – Macclesfield 12.00 noon
John Powell to put on the website tomorrow, Craig Hine to post on Social Media
Referees will be provided by Societies from Manchester (for Macclesfield) and Liverpool (for New Brighton). Ian Cosens suggested inviting some retiring Association referees to the end of season dinner in lieu of refereeing Cup Finals.
The members of the committee attending New Brighton – Mark Ashley, Sara Shackleton, Fred Swarbrick, John Powell, Tommy Hughes, Chris Farmiloe. Macclesfield – Ian Cosens, Craig and Gemma Hine, Peter and Margaret Rhodes.
Trophies are on the way.
Medals will be allocated.
Sponsorship from Halbro is via kit provision as opposed to cash, so the committee discussed allocated Halbro kit to all clubs in the league rather than just clubs in the cup finals. Ian Cosens to come back with a list of gear available and value.
Mark Ashely to get a quote from Primo Drink’s Karam Banga for press release.
End of Season Dinner
Ian Cosens to take the lead with regards to payments from Greg King due to Greg’s absence around the time of the dinner, taking place at Preston Grasshoppers on 9/5.
Likely to be £25 / head, which will be £20 for the ticket and £5 donated to the benevolent fund.
Criag Hine suggested a card machine (sum up machine) to take donations for the Benevolent fund on the night.
Fred Swarbrick asked about guests. Ian Cosen has approached all sponsors. Fred to advise Ian of guest lists and Fred to finalise. Will be c30 committee and guest in total
Mark Ashley to MC the dinner
Finance
Greg King reports finance is healthy and The Benevolent Fund balance is £8641, which has taken a significant drop this year due to a higher number of serious injuries. Halbro Sponsorship credit is £3385.92. Ian Cosens to take on responsibility for finance whilst Greg King steps away temporarily for health reasons
Sponsorship – revisited from earlier in the meeting. Will leave Halbro on the website and the RFU site until another sponsor is found.
Completion rates – March has been very good. Rearranged games have been mostly replayed and John Powell expects overall game completion rate will 83%. Average in Yorkshire is closer to 60% and some leagues there are at 30%
AGM – date for the next AGM will be 7.30pm on 1/7/25 at Leigh Rugby Club. Proposals to be in by 10/6.
AOB
Andy Thompson raised an issue in 3N regarding 2 teams in particular ‘loading’ when higher team not playing. A 45 minute discussion ensued that covered the ongoing issues of teams conceding, teams loading (across all leagues) and whether Electronic Match Cards (EMCs) could be a solution.
The committee were unanimous the EMCs not the answer as there is no actual rule against loading.
The committee agreed to park the issues until the AGM
Fred Swarbrick suggested a meeting with Lancashire Chairman who is in favour of EMCs. John Powell suggested waiting until the outcome of a vote on EMC sent out to all club chairmen in Lancashire.
Meeting Ended 9.55pm
Post meeting note: EMCs sent to 60 clubs. 10 votes received, 5 in favour, 5 against.