AGM Minutes 2009/10

Present – Dave Moore (Rush Green Jnr), Chris Wilding (Godwin), Alan Harris (St Margaret’s), Graeme Farquhar (Hunter’s Hall), Peter Duggins (District referee), Russell Wilson (The Leys), Kerry Mullon (St Joseph’s Dagenham).

Apologies – John Filer (Beam) Lee Wilton (William Bellamy Jnr), Mandy Gullefer (William Bellamy Jnr), Fiona Bevan (LBBD), Reg Winters (London SFA), Mike Spinks (English SFA), Christine Smith (Warren Jnr), Trevor Jeffery (Marks Gate).

Minutes of last meeting

Were read and agreed.

Matters arising

Adults Other Than Teachers/Referees - Every year, at the AGM, the rules regarding AOTTs are stated, with the corresponding text from the English SFA Handbook reviewed. This is then relayed to head teachers on the AGM Minutes cover letter. It is also displayed for public viewing on the BDSFA Website. Football is unlike other sports, who do not have a governing body with specific rules.

 

Unfortunately, over the last twelve months, some schools still act in ignorance or in spite of the rulings. Therefore, the subject was moved forward in discussion so that the details could be reviewed clearly and without confusion. The rules are as follows:

“All teams must be under the ultimate control of either;

• A practising teacher, recognised as such by the Department for Education, or

• A retired teacher, or present or past employee of the education service who has direct approval in writing from the appropriate local or county Schools’ Football Association to undertake such responsibilities.

• A person who has direct approval in writing from the appropriate local or county Schools’ Football Association who:-

• Has at least a Level 1 FA coaching qualification.

• Has undergone a (CRB) Criminal Records Bureau check – any payment associated with this shall be the responsibility of the local/county Schools’ Football Association.

• This information must be registered with the ESFA on the appropriate form and the CRB certificate must be attached to the form. This registration is to be done on a three-year basis. Approval may be withdrawn by the ESFA, or the local or county schools’ football association at any time.”

In English, this means that a qualified teacher should ideally be in charge. A retired teacher or employee of the education service (mid-day assistant, caretaker etc) can also take a team if BDSFA have provided written permission. Any other individuals must have an FA Level One Coaching qualification, valid CRB and be registered with English SFA. Alternatively, non-teachers may run teams, if a teacher is present.

 

It is the responsibility of individual schools to request approval letters from BDSFA, which are issued by Chris Wilding, as secretary, following approval from the committee. Failure to do so invalidates ESFA and borough insurance.

Teachers may also find themselves open to legal difficulties if they knowingly enter a fixture where the opposing school fails to meet these requirements.

 

Similarly, referees should either be a qualified teacher or a qualified referee. Other persons are permitted to officiate in matches IF they have written permission from BDSFA.

 

Changes to Competitions - Due to the withdrawal of sponsorship, the format of the three 11-a-side competitions has been changed. The Barking Trophy and Dagenham Trophy no longer exist as competitions. Instead, the Barking & Dagenham Cup has been altered to incorporate six groups to be played on a round robin basis. The winners of the six groups, and the two best-placed runners-up, will progress to the knockout rounds. The remaining teams will be placed in a knockout Barking & Dagenham Trophy. This reduces the expense of three competitions whilst increasing the amount of games played. So that the games can be played on time, the draw has already been made, with twenty-five schools entering, and has been sent out to schools via email. The deadline for completing group games is March 1st. Schools should start arranging matches now.

 

The BDSFA Girls’ League has also been changed due to difficulties getting games played. Previously, schools that had taken heavy beatings were reluctant to play the stronger teams, leaving their pupils de-motivated and demoralised. Therefore, the ten entrants have been placed in two groups of five. The top three from each group progress to an A Division, with the lower placed teams being placed in a B Division. This should ensure similar standard teams play each other in the closing weeks of the season.

Website – The BDSFA website is now one-year old and has received over 30 000 hits to date. This represents an excellent success and schools are encouraged to check regularly for updates. The site includes all BDSFA policies, documents and codes of conduct, as well as details of competitions at both intra and inter association level. Schools are welcome to send match reports and photos to be included in its content and are encouraged to check regularly for updates. With this new initiative, schools have no excuse for not receiving up-to-date information. The address is www.bdsfa.bdcs.org.uk

Funding – For several seasons, the BDSFA finances have relied on surplus funds left over from an Awards For All grant in 2004. That money has now run out as the association continues to operate at a loss, facing the prospect of cutbacks in activity. In response, the committee has been successful in applying for £3500 worth of funding from the East London Community Foundation to cover costs for this year. A breakdown of purchases was provided and added to the minutes. Ten percent will be held back by ELCF and paid upon completion of a satisfactory end of grant report.

BDSFA will continue to fund raise through raffles, entry fees and sponsored events to try and create a surplus to cover losses for coming seasons.

Dave Moore thanked Chris Wilding for his efforts in securing the grant.

Chairman’s Report

Secretary’s Report

(For a copy, click here).

Treasurer’s Report

Competitions

11-aside competitions:

• Barking & Dagenham Primary Schools Cup: Winners – St Margaret’s C of E Primary
• Barking Trophy: Winners – Thames View Jnr
• Dagenham Trophy: Winners – William Bellamy Jnr

Concern was again raised about the number of matches played later than the given date. Changes to this year’s format should help with this (see Matters Arising). It was also restated that Y5 pupils are NOT permitted to take part under any circumstances. Schools who break this ruling leave themselves open to legal proceedings in the event of an accident. Chris Wilding has taken over from Dave Moore as Competition Secretary.

Small-sided competitions:

• Evans-Moore Cup: Winners – Hunters Hall
• Evans-Moore Plate: Winners – William Bellamy Jnr & Richard Alibon Primary
• Monteagle Shield: Winners – Godwin Primary
• BDSFA Girls’ League: Winners – St Joseph’s Dagenham

Graeme Farquhar has agreed to oversee the Evans Moore Cup to be held at Monteagle Primary on Saturday 7th November. Schools were reminded that this is a 7-a-side competition for boys only. Entry forms have already been sent to schools. The finalists will then be eligible for the Essex round of this national competition, The Malcolm Moffatt Trophy on November 26th. Nominations were also taken for the equivalent girls'' tournament. As a result, Marks Gate Jnr and Godwin will represent the borough. The county finals will be held on a weekday over two locations, with the winners meeting in a play-off for the overall title. The winners of the Evans-Moore Cup may also be invited to represent the borough in the Football League Community Cup, as guests of Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. Graeme will also acts as competition secretary for The Evans-Moore Plate and Monteagle Shield, to be held in the Summer and Spring terms respectively.

Chris Wilding will continue to act as competition secretary for the BDSFA Girls’ League. Entry forms were sent to schools in the first week of September. Fixtures have been finalised and sent to the schools involved. Last year, there were problems with schools submitting their entry fees and playing matches on time. Chris urged schools to get fixtures arranged as soon as possible.

Boys’ District Football

The Boys’ District side will be run by Dave Moore and Graham Farquhar. BDSFA is grateful to be assisted by Pete Duggins, who acted as a regular referee and accompanied the squad to Jersey.

Last season the District side was:

Monteagle	L Gelston	W Bellamy	J Centeno
Marsh Green	E Allionis	T View	A Monk
Godwin	R Durban	Beam	J McDermott, S Franklyn
W Ford	S Odelusi	H Green	A Malbon, B Rose
St Joseph’s D	E Okoh	H Hall	D Boyce, L Phillips, F Tilley
Gascoigne	C Gray	H Green
St Vincent’s	B Ocran	Ripple	R Turner

Dave and Graeme stated that last season was another successful and enjoyable campaign. The team reached the final of the prestigious Crisp Shield and the Essex 7-a-sides. They also finished in third palace in the Essex Finch League. The Jersey trip was once again a highlight.

This Year’s team consists of:

W Ford	A Molloy	R Green	J Kemsley,            M Watters
Warren	M Turner	St Margaret’s	M Folkes, D John, S Thomas
St Peter’s	R Morris	Southwood	S Mitchell
Roding	J Richardson	H Green	D Parish, F Naidoo
H Hall	J Amoh	Ripple	J Sinclair
Cambell	N Casey

The team has been entered in the Essex SFA Finch League, London SFA Lester Finch Trophy, London SFA Crisp Shield, Kent SFA Gills’ Trophy and the Essex 7-a-side tournament. In addition they will play a number of friendlies.

Home games will take place at May & Baker Sports Club, 10:30 kick off.

We hope to run the Jersey trip again this year

Thanks to teachers who have assisted in the selection of the district side by putting players forward and relaying messages to pupils/parents. A record number of trialists attended this year. Also thanks to Keith Thwaites at Eastbrook for allowing us to use their facilities for trials. Any teachers wishing to assist should speak to Dave or myself.

Let’s hope for a successful year.

Fixtures are posted on the BDSFA website.

Girls’ District Football

The Girls’ District side will continue to be run by Chris Wilding and Graeme Farquhar. BDSFA is grateful for the assistance of Peter Duggins and Rob Calderwood last season. The previous squad was:

St Vincent’s	K Darroux
Rush Green	E Lancaster
St Joseph’s D	E Wells

D Barley	C Webster, E Webster
Manor	L Patten, A Davis
Godwin	S Sach, C Sinclair, A Wallace, C Harris

Unfortunately, the Mayor’s Cup was not held this year. However, the Girls’ District team remained unbeaten for the second successive season, with wins against Woking away (4-0), Woking at home (4-1), Jo Richardson Y7 (17-0), and Bexley (3-2).

Trials will take place after Christmas and the management team are slowly building an increasing group of contacts to provide future opposition.

Many thanks go to Jo Richardson for the use of their mini-bus at away matches.

Election of New Committee

• Chairman – Dave Moore (nominated by Chris Wilding, seconded by Graeme Farquhar)
• Secretary – Chris Wilding (nominated by Graeme Farquhar, seconded by Kerry Mullon)
• Treasurer – Dave Moore (nominated by Chris Wilding, seconded by Graeme Farquhar)

A.O.B.

London SFA Competitions – Last season, a number of schools entered the 7-a-side and 5-a-side competitions run by London SFA for girls and boys. Due to a series of events, the competitions did not take place. In response, the committee complained on behalf of the schools and received a full apology from Reg Winters, LSFA President. Graeme Farquhar has taken over as competition secretary for this year and schools that entered last season can take part for free this time round. Updates will be on the BDSFA website.

Funding Opportunities – Free kits for schools can be obtained through the Football Foundation Junior Kit Scheme. The scheme allows provides £400 worth of vouchers available to purchase a range of products in the Football Foundation catalogue. The form has been simplified and takes 20 minutes to complete. See www.footballfoundation.org.uk for details.

Schools can also apply for grants of up to £10000, every two years, from Awards for All. Uses include setting up new football opportunities as an extension to the curriculum.  This can be in the form of kits, equipment or coaching. See www.awardsforall.org.uk for details.

Match Reports – The Barking and Dagenham Post continue to sponsor Primary Schools’ football and match reports should be emailed to Neil Trannis, FAO Barking & Dagenham Post Sports Desk to dagenhampost.sport@archant.co.uk. They can also be posted on the BDSFA website. Send them via email to Chris Wilding.

Use of Goals Centre – available free for schools until 5:30 p.m. upon application. Schools are reminded that this facility is kindly given without charge and parents/pupils/staff should respect the premises accordingly. Correct supervision is necessary at all times. Studded boots are not permitted on the pitches.

Health & Safety – Teachers in charge of football, as part of their ongoing Risk Assessment, need to maintain vigilance with regard to suitable footwear. There is no direct instruction regarding studs or blades although steel studs are not advisable. Studs/blades are preferable on grass, particularly in slippy conditions. However, if the ground is hard, trainers or astro-boots/moulds, may be more suitable. A common sense approach is encouraged. It is the teacher/referee’s responsibility to check footwear is appropriate. Shin guards however are necessary in all structured or organised matches/training. If an injury takes place, particularly if caused by studded boots, and a pupil is not wearing shin guards, teachers may find themselves open to legal proceedings.

Transport – Teachers are reminded that anyone assisting in school arranged transportation of pupils to matches should be CRB checked. In addition, schools should obtain copies of a valid driving license, car tax, MOT and fully comprehensive insurance for business use. An alternative to this is to adopt a “meet me there” policy with teachers playing no role in assisting with arrangements. The onus is then with the parents to arrange transport. Pupils under 135cm require booster seats. Journeys further than seven miles require completion of an EVA1 form from the borough.

Risk Assessment - Schools should have a generic Risk Assessment that covers sporting activities. There is no requirement to complete a Risk Assessment for individual matches unless the game is outside the usual activities of the school e.g. one-off County Finals etc.

BDSFA Policies and Codes of Conduct – These documents will no longer be posted to schools. Instead, they are available to copy and adjust from the website at member schools’ discretion.

Chris Wilding

BDSFA Secretary

16/10/09