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Minutes of Committee Meeting - 14-April 2026


Meeting Minutes: Cup Finals & Presentation Dinner Planning

Date: Tuesday 14th April 2026 Time: 7:00pm Duration: 1h 12m Chair: Fred Swarbrick Attendees: John Powell, Greg King, Craig Hine, Peter Rhodes, Tommy Hughes, Mark Ashley, Sara Ashley, Paul Riordan, Chris Farmiloe

Apologies: Andy Thompson, Ian Cousins

  1. Matters Arising
  • Serious Injury Updates:
    • All previously supported injured players have received the agreed £500 payments except the player from Crewe, who is recovering from a head injury and currently declining financial support.
    • No new serious injuries reported since.
  1. Finance
  • Savings Account Proposal:
    • Previous plan to place £30,000 into a higher‑interest savings account has stalled due to restrictions on organisational accounts.
    • Personal accounts offer better rates, but committee agreed it is inappropriate for funds to be held in an individual’s name.
    • Craig and Greg to explore alternative community/association‑eligible savings products.
    • Peter to share details of the Sales Sharks Foundation’s investment arrangements for comparison.
  • Current Balances:
    • Benevolent Fund: £6,357.59 (significant reduction due to injury payouts)
  • Benevolent Fund Sustainability:
    • Relying solely on raffles is no longer viable.
    • Proposal agreed to increase league membership fees by £10 per team, with the additional amount ring‑fenced for the benevolent fund.
    • Committee to prepare supporting examples and documentation for AGM approval.
  • Dinner Costs:
    • Deposit paid for the presentation dinner.
    • Hotel rooms booked; sponsors staying will be supported with transport where possible.
  1. League Performance & Participation
  • Participation rate has dropped to 75%, the lowest in several years.
  • 17 teams have withdrawn this season; 18 more are on their final “life”.
  • 137 matches have been voided due to team withdrawals, impacting participation metrics.
  • Discussion held on potential rule changes to prevent voiding of completed fixtures when teams withdraw late in the season.
  • John to draft a proposal for AGM:
    • In March/April, teams withdrawing would have points removed but completed matches retained on record.
  1. Pools Panel
  • 11 decisions made this season; no significant complaints.
  • No changes required.
  1. Sponsorship
  • No sponsor secured for the Cup yet; advertising to be placed in finals programmes and dinner materials.
  • Impact Rugby continuing involvement; promotional materials to be displayed at finals and dinner.
  • Social media engagement significantly increased (9,321 views in 28 days).
  • Committee encouraged to like/share posts to support sponsor visibility.
  • WMD to be removed as a sponsor due to non‑payment.
  1. EMCs (Electronic Match Cards)
  • Compliance inconsistent in Premier and Division 1.
  • Some clubs refusing or forgetting to complete EMCs.
  • RFU likely to introduce penalties next season.
  • Committee agreed to oppose mandatory EMCs unless rules and enforcement are clarified.
  1. Finals Day Planning
  • Venue Allocation:
    • Ormskirk: Peter, Greg, Tommy, Chris F, Craig
    • Aldwinians: Mark, Sarah, John, Fred, others
  • Referees confirmed; Madref providing officials free of charge at Aldwinians.
  • Trophies are being prepared.
  • Photographers arranged for both venues.
  1. Presentation Dinner
  • Google file circulated with likely trophy recipients; final confirmation expected after weekend fixtures.
  • Communications to clubs will follow.
  • Social media announcements to be coordinated between John and Craig.
  1. Hosting Future Finals
  • Prenton expressed interest in hosting a finals day.
  • Committee open to considering them for future seasons.
  1. Rule 19 Issue – East Manchester / Marple
  • Significant concern raised regarding East Manchester’s first team conceding, enabling their second team to influence the league outcome against Marple.
  • Committee agreed:
    • No rules have been broken; fixture must be played.
    • Situation is against the spirit of the game and will inform AGM rule‑change discussions.
    • Greg to advise Marple to field their strongest available team.
    • Marple may request assistant referees; Lindsay can only act on club request.
  1. Any Other Business
  • All preparations for finals and dinner progressing well.
  • Committee to continue pushing communications within their leagues.