Present
Ken Edwards (KE) – EVF Secretary, Regional Representative and Website Co-ordinator, Essex VA Secretary.
Paul Bohannan (PB) – EVF Treasurer, Essex VA President.
Brendan Osborne (BO) – EVF Youth Development Officer, Essex VA Chairman.
* Kwok NG (KN) – EVF Coach/Referees Co-ordinator, Sitting Volleyball Ambassador, CSC Cambridge.
Pete Saunders (PS) – Suffolk VA, Chairman.
* Tony Clark (TC) – EVF u14 girls coach, Essex representative.
* part
Apologies
Jon Clarke – Cambridge VC.
Keith Nicholls – EVF Competitions Co-ordinator, Norfolk VA.
Pauline Stevens-Smith – Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
Steve Rosser – Essex VA Treasurer.
Mark Harris – Essex VA Vice President.

1. KE welcomed those present stating that 2007/8 would be an important year for the region in the light of potential changes to the funding of selected sports which could see more funding being allocated at regional rather than national level. It was therefore important that over the year EVF resolved its role and formulated sound development plans.

2. In the absence of an elected chairman, it was agreed that KE chair the meeting.

3. The draft minutes of the EGM held at Cambridge on 23^rd September 2006 were approved as a true record and matters arising would be picked up during this meeting. The 2006 AGM minutes had been approved at that EGM.

4. Officers Annual reports

There is no Chairman’s report, this position having been vacant during the year

Secretary and Regional Representative. KE tabled a report (appended to these minutes).

There was discussion around the need for more referees with payment and player behaviour being suggested as potential reasons why people were retiring or not coming forward. Agreed that EVF would support a stronger line on player behaviour being implemented by referees as we wished to be ‘more like rugby than football’.
As a solution to the qualification issue PS suggested that a remote on-line test could work for players who were experienced but unqualified as an alternative to the two day Grade 4 course. Level 3 and above by practical assessment would remain. This was supported. It was also agreed that officiating and scoring should be seen as part of juniors learning the game and that NVL clubs should be encouraged to retain players in the sport perhaps through refereeing. PB noted declining referee numbers was not just an EVF problem. Agreed referees must be a priority in any EVF plan.
Action Secretary to share discussion with Volleyball England (VE) Referee Commission.

There was discussion over Newmarket having entered NVL without a regional recommendation. PS advised that Suffolk VA had given their approval. (Note this is consistent with current NVL rules)

BO expressed thanks for the organisation of the Level 3 coaching course. It had been enjoyed and helped networking.

Those present thanked KE for his work during the year.

Treasurer. PB tabled a report and annual accounts for 2005/6 (appended)

Income is all from VE. The £400 for Referees was a direct in and out from East Cambs Council subsidising the Level 4 course. Expenditure on junior regional squads is the major item and exceeds related VE grant. In the 2006 cycle the deficit on this was £509.95. The 2007 cycle is not complete but we can expect to be facing a similar deficit. Junior squad development was seen as a critical role of the region, but this is unsustainable longer term as it erodes reserves. PB also highlighted the future need to purchase kit and volleyballs (12 for each squad = cost £1,400). BO is in dialogue with VE about the u15 boys proposal to hold three training sessions in April. In response to a request from BO, it was agreed that the Treasurer and Youth Development Officer have discretion to award up to an additional £60 per squad to cover accommodation for coach/manager at the 2007 inter-regionals. It was further agreed that with the experience gained in this cycle, the Treasurer and YDO would create written instructions covering finance of junior squads.
Action Treasurer/YDO.

The valid reason for the delay in independently checking the accounts was noted and the Treasurer will also ensure they cover the constitutional accounting period of 12 months to 31^st May. Action Treasurer.

Those present thanks PB for his work during the year

Youth Development Officer. BO gave a verbal report supplementing those details in the Secretary’s report.

All four squads were operating and have entered the interregional event at UEA in early May.

Boswells (3) and Tendring (1) Schools were commended for their performance in reaching various national finals.

JUVO in June 2006 had been successful despite the clash with an England FIFA World Cup Finals match.

BO noted that KN had circulated a plan for a junior beach squad noting East had not entered the first interregional event in 2006. It was noted that central funding would be needed if this was to work and lessons taken from the indoor side.

Thanks were expressed to BO for his work during the year.

Regional Competitions Co-ordinator. Keith was unable to be present, but results were on the EVF and Norfolk sites.

The competition had again been enjoyable with the 50 rally game system proving effective.

The April round, opened up to NVL clubs was now back on.

The u16 girls squad had competed in at least two rounds and this had proved beneficial. Other squads might look to do the same in future.

Keith was thanked for his work during the year.

The proposals from Gemma Nunnerly, National Office (GN) for a Regional Champions Trophy were discussed. Information as to the history surrounding the Area and County Cups and their demise was given to inform the discussion. After discussion, it was agreed that the EVF view was as follows:
- there should be an open competition for any players with teams required to have individuals from at least three clubs.
- there should be a second competition open to non NVL clubs.
- the choice of representation should be for the region to decide (as is proposed).
Action Secretary to share with GN

The practical implications of such competitions for EVF were discussed. It was agreed that the open competition would require the region to appoint the coach and then counties to nominate players for squad inclusion. For the non-NVL competition the idea of an EVF Area cup for counties might be undertaken. It was agreed that the region might fund entry fees, but all other costs would be for the squad to meets. It was noted that the current Competitions Co-ordinator was unlikely to wish to administrate any actions on such a competitions.
Action Secretary to consider actions needed if implemented.

Referee Co-ordinator. KN had previously circulated a report.

KN referred to the interest from Jo Richards (VE) in our appetite to run courses and clinics. He had responded one L4 course and potentially a clinic where a few were keen.

A discussion took place on the number of unregistered but either active or currently dormant referees with various ideas about how these might be reengaged. PS made the point that it was the clubs that needed referees so perhaps club affiliation should fund free referee registration. TC asked if there could be two levels of registration – one full the other free but effectively to provide a contact list only. PB/KN said there is a list of 60 people from the region who had qualified but had lapsed registration plus their contact details at qualification. PB/KN had updated this from personal knowledge. KE asked what the region’s role was in all this as distinct from the county or club. It was agreed that consistent with region-lite EVF would offer to maintain a regional library list of names/contacts but that this has to be populated by counties – the list would be as good as the counties made it. Action KN

KN was thanked for his work during the year.

Coaching Co-ordinator KN tabled a report (appended)

It was noted that a L1 had been run in Norfolk but that neither he nor KE as previous post holder had received any notification of it from VE. This remained a mystery.

KN had spent time identifying tutors across the region

KN noted that the regional coach newsletter took c2 man days to produce and consistent with region-lite the last edition was Sept 2006.

KN was thanked for his work during the year.

5. County Reports

No reports had been received from Beds (no association), Herts or Norfolk.

Essex – The Essex report (appended) is the annual development plan review. BO added that the new league format of 2 division pre-Xmas followed by 3 conferences based on final positions post Xmas had been successful; Brentwood planned to enter a second NVL ladies team in 07/08; the development plan was under review but the concept of a series of strong centres (club and school) covering the county would remain. He noted Chelmsford VC gained Volley 1 and that Brentwood VC and Tendring VC were also applying.

Suffolk – PS spoke to a tabled report (appended). He noted that the small committee of 4 kept the competitions going but had little capacity to do more. He also mentioned the influx of European nationals into the area who brought with them a strong volleyball pedigree. Four Poles and a Portuguese had joined his club but there are problems with fees as they were not used to paying to play and often on minimum wage. The Sitting Volleyball sessions were noted.

Cambridge – Although no formal report was tabled by Cambs VA, KN was able to mention a successful new women’s league, Friday night Cambridge league followed by informal social gathering, successful leagues and cups. Results are on the EVF website as Cambs VA had yet to launch a site. The referees course had produced more referees and the Level 3 coaching course had 3 from the county. Cambs Uni were going for Side-out accreditation and Cambridge VC were commended for their success in multiple NVL teams and accessing EU/ESF ‘On our Marks’ funding for coaching.

6. Region-Lite and Draft Region Development Plan.

KE gave the background of the decision at the EGM to adopt a region-lite approach reducing calls on regional officers who were often also running their counties. Since then responses received on what people would ideally like regional officers to do exceeded even what was done at present in direct disagreement with their EGM decision. Also none had come forward to take on such regional roles. We now had to move forward.

KE tabled a proposed list of what region-lite could involve based on areas where at least two respondents had requested this. KE also tabled a discussion draft of a regional development plan which sought to outline the principles of region-lite and EVF aims going forward.

PB suggested inclusion of something more specific about what might be expected at county level and this was agreed alongside the region-lite tasks.

BO asked if this approach would fit with VE’s plans. It was noted that two areas which were sections in the VE plan template (Club Development and Education) were specifically included in the regional role, but that those present agreed this was correct and were best undertaken at county level.

Following discussion, Section 3 (appended) – Vision, region-lite approach, aims and priorities were agreed in principle accepting that the detail especially action plans would need further work. It was further agreed to circulate this for comment in 4 weeks to counties and VE so that the regional representative attending the meeting at the Big Bash had this available. It was agreed that the incoming Executive then agree the plan and begin implementation. It was noted that this should be achieved before the main season and that other work in between was consistent with the draft plan.

Action KE to amend to reflect discussion including priorities and circulate for comment.

7. Election of Officers

The following were proposed, seconded and elected unopposed

Chairman                              Ken Edwards
Secretary                              Brendan Osborne
Treasurer                              Paul Bohannan          supported by Steve Rosser
Regional Representative        Brendan Osborne     supported by Ken Edwards
Youth Development Officer  Brendan Osborne      supported by Tony Clark
Competitions Co-ordinator   Keith Nicholls
Coaching Co-ordinator         Kwok Ng
Referees Co-ordinator          Kwok Ng
Web-site Co-ordinator         Ken Edwards

8. Any Other Business

Optua Open Day 28^th April. Sitting Volleyball was included but it was proving difficult to find a coach and KN suggested he miss the Big Bash to attend. Suggested KN consult Optua about missing this day due to conflict of dates

KE advised that Keith Nichols did not wish to nominated for a long service award, but PB had been re-nominated.

The meeting closed at 2.10pm