The AGM held on Saturday 24th was quorate though physical attendance was thin. Those that joined by Zoom this year were better able to hear thanks to mics in the room. Unfortunately the internet to the whole HSoG pavilion fell over part way through the Secretary’s report and we had to thrash around tethering mobile phones to the PCs to continued. Apologies to those inconvenienced.
President’s / Secretary’s Report. John formally noted the passing of Mike McInally. John remarked on the growth in membership and thanked all the Age Group Coordinators and especially Charlotte under whose guidance the Ladies section had doubled in size. Thanks were also given to the committee members for their contributions during the year and John Connaghan stepping in as auditor for the accounts.
Ladies Events. Charlotte noted the increase in events attended and the fact that the increased membership is now allowing them to send two teams to bigger events.
Treasurer’s Report. Jim stated that the club was in good financial health with membership fees and interest covering the running costs and the contribution from our Dundee Festival allowing us to continue with the shirt subsidy. He acknowledged there are risks and one identified for action was, for the Euros for example, we pay nearly £1000 per team entered months in advance of gathering deposits from players. In 2025 we withdrew squads in time but the risk is that if a squad entered cannot attend – how do we recover the £1000? The proposal put to the AGM was a £1 levy per player per event backdated to January 2025 to create a sinking fund that could be used if the risk ever crystallised. He also proposed that £500 be allocated from club funds to start off this sinking fund. Both resolutions were passed.
Accounts Auditor. Jim explained that this is actually more of an inspection than an accounting audit and John Connaghan was thanked for stepping in. Alan Parker and Brian De Mattos are likely to help with this inspection for 2025. The suggestion was raised that on the next revision of the Constitution the word Auditor be revised to clarify the duties.
Membership Fees and Insurance were discussed together. There was substantial discussion about why and how insurance is relevant including that for many people a club solution could duplicate personal solutions. It came down to the proposition that the club and anyone taking any responsibility (Exec, Managers, Coaches, Captains etc) need certainty that they are covered. The club also needs to know that every player at a Thistles event is covered and for that reason the proposal detailed below was passed.
· For 2025 the Full Member fee remains at £20 and Associate Member at £0.
· For 2026 the Full Member fee will rise to £30 and the Club will take out Public Liability Insurance to cover the club and all members. (Whilst playing hockey PLI covers any damage to property and injury to other players and anyone else.)
Thanks to the sterling work of Paul Bateson the club has found an all-inclusive insurance that covers players for all eventualities whilst on tour. It is economic but the minimum premium is substantial and we feel we need a larger group to ensure no shortfall. Therefore we are to discuss with Scottish Masters Hockey about joining together to gain the benefit of this policy.
Scottish Hockey Survey. Charlotte presented information on the survey sent out by S.H. to all clubs in Scotland to gage the interest in masters age hockey. This was started in Mike’s time and with information finally available at last Charlotte is to compile the findings so they can be put on the website.
Men’s Events. Ian presented that thanks to the excellent work of John Swift and Carlos Michelson we have extended the age range attending events to o50s and grown the 55s and 60s significantly. National, quite correctly, always have the right to select any players. Recently their needs have had a substantial knock on effect especially in 65s, 70s and 75s resulting in only 60s and 70s going to IGMHF and none of the older groups to the Euros in Ludwigsburg.
Initiatives for more Thistles led hockey in Scotland have not progressed but are on-going.
Initiatives for Thistles teams to be more competitive have been successful with both the 65s and 70s earning medal positions at Tilburg.
Office Bearers. Alan Parker resigned during the year and was thanked for his efforts. All others currently on the Exec are willing to continue. With the sad passing of Mike it was necessary to appoint a new President and Ian McCreath was proposed and accepted; he promised as our new President not to paint his face orange or to immediately impose tariffs.