President – Paul tabled a written report acknowledging that 2012 Olympics and Par Olympics awarded to London giving opportunities to contribute players and volunteers and that funding had become available but required carefully planning and usage to ensure it isn’t wasted. He also described volu7nteers as the most valuable commodity and acknowledged the work of many in the room. Hew considered that more volunteers were required to ease the burden so that support to the new challenges could be undertaken. He commended a tabled booklet on expanding the numbers of volunteers.

Chairman – Noted many good things had happened in the year with a few disappointing areas. On the bright side all NL teams did well including new entrants and that Brentwood Estonians received promotion. Brendan stated he was very pleased with the success of schools in Essex, particularly Boswells and Tendring both at national and international level, also noted that they had been the backbone of the very successful regional teams. Congratulated Tony Pennock on the milestone of JUVOs and yet another successful tournament. Special thanks to Steve Rosser for running the EVA County and Area Cups and well done to the Essex men for winning this and the high placement of the ladies. Thanked Ken Edwards for setting up the coaching course that had produced a number of level 2 coaches for Essex and for the meeting he had facilitated to produce the Essex Volleyball Development Plan. This had been a productive and worthwhile initiative pointing the way to the future.

He also noted those who had been recognized by the EVA – Pete Guernari and Ken Edwards and Darren Lewis for Coach of the year.
The things he was disappointed about was not being able to do more personally toward improving volleyball in Essex; the poor level of fixtures fulfilled; and that administration within clubs with a couple of notable exceptions was poor. He went onto recognize that the people present at the meeting were the ones that were always ‘doing the doing’ he recognized this and applauded them for their contribution. He said there had been various meeting to consider how administration and the league could be improved. He thanked those who had met and proffered suggestions – ken, Steve and Mark and separately Ian Johnston with himself. The proposals would be considered later in the agenda.

Treasurer – Steve Rosser circulated accounts for the year and it was noted that a healthy balance was currently available. He offered to take questions and clarified in response to a question from ken that the accounts had been sent to Steve peacock to audit. Mark said that JUVO was very good value and that Tony Pennock should be encouraged to put the price up to £5 a player and that this would be still sustainable.

Competitions Secretary – Ian Johnston not present – Brendan thanked Ian in his absence for the work he had undertaken and acknowledged that his contribution had dwindled towards the end of the season because of work commitments but that he had also been frustrated with the number of fixtures fulfilled and the poor level of administration. It was confirmed that the Div 1 Open League had been won by Brentwood Wildthings who also won the Rucanor Cup. Chelmsford had won the Open Div 2 and the Plate. Brentwood Ladies had won the League and Janet Bedford Cup. Brentwood Woofs had won the Phillips Manning Handicap Cup. Mark asked for the final league positions to be published Ken agreed to put these on the web site but needed them from Ian. It was confirmed that Paul Bohannan of Chelmsford had won best club Secretary of the season, with Amanda Pollard of Exiles. One volley ball would be passed onto each of them and one for each winner of the main cup competitions. Mark asked how the finals of the Janet Bedford Cup had been determined as there had been issues with Dartford – Brendan explained how this had been sorted out and that he had reviewed Marks emails and could see that what he had been told was not quite accurate. He apologized for not having got back to Mark after reviewing the emails.

Alex told the committee of his experience ranging from when he was playing at school in Tendring in Essex league feeling daunted by playing against adults and exhilarated when winning. He described how this had inspired him to play at the highest level that he does now both for his country and professionally. He referred to his role models as school boy player and that without local league the school would not get any competitive games each year until December. He did think it was important for schools to be playing at the appropriate level and not getting a drubbing.

He also spoke about his recent experience as Community Coach in NE Essex where he is addressing the links between clubs and schools. He visited 25 schools in a term and a half and found all of them very enthusiastic to play volleyball. He said he was getting between 30 and 40 turning up to these sessions.

He explained how he was performance orientated and that there should not be so much emphasis on burnout comparing the number of local league games on average one every three weeks to a football team playing every week and getting at least 30 games a season. He considered all this have a good foundation for National League.

He spoke of his enthusiasm for the game and encouraged the Essex Committee to continue trying to work with schools and providing the leagues for them to get good competition. He said he planned to run a primary school league and was trying to encourage two new clubs with in NE Essex.

Alex answered various questions and Mark made the point that burn out management is all about having quality coaches.

Brendan thanked Alex for his inspiring talk and linked what he had said the need to encourage more coaches, promote the leagues and volleyball better and to forge links with schools he felt all this could be linked and progressed through the sports plan.