CharityAGM 2025

AGM 2025

Percy Main Cricket and Sports Club

Annual General Meeting 2025

Held on Saturday 22/02/2025, at Tynemouth Social Club.

Attendees

Steve Knight; Chairman (SK)

Rob Cooper; Vice Chairman (RC)

Alex Young; Club Secretary (AY)

Christine Meldrum (CM), Anne Robson (AR), Michael Robson (MR), Oli Robson (OR), Craig Sinclair (CS), Will Carter (WC)

Apologies

Dave Byerley, Phil Cramman, Ben Jenkins, Paddy Rathbone, Tony Robson, Peter Young

Minutes

  1. SK opened the meeting, welcoming attendee and thanking them for their participation
  2. **SK **gave an overview of the last year of the charity and cricket club operations. In February 2025 the charity had just been registered, with no assets, and no lease on the ground. Overall we have met our goals for the last year - we have security of tenure on the ground through a new lease, and are in a stable financial position. We will build on this foundation over the next 12 months.
  3. **Craig Sinclair **noted that 12 months ago there was a great deal of uncertainty concerning the future of the club. SK had done well in outlining the vision, but we all shared concerns toward its materialisation. CS indicated that these same concerns were substantially relieved at this point in time.
  4. Chair’s Report (SK)
  5. The charity is entering into its second financial year with some money in the bank, and in a financially stable position.
  6. We have recently been awarded a grant of £22k in order to secure the site, including new fencing to the rear of the ground, and a new main gate.
  7. The road-side fencing of the club has been completed by club members volunteering, and the Chair thanked all those who had contributed time and effort to this project.
  8. Overall, the level of member participation in voluntary activities has significantly increased over the last year, and we must continue this trend. With greater certainty around the future of the club, and the success of recent projects, we can transform volunteering from a burden to a pleasure.
  9. In order to achieve our long-term goal of a modern community sports club, we must broaden the use cases to which we cater. One of the primary targets is junior football. Greater integration with the local community is also a target for 2025.
  10. Over the last 12 months we have built a closer relationship with Percy Main Amateurs FC. We have formalised the relationship between the charity and the football club, with a monthly ground and facilities usage fee.
  11. Over the last 12 months we have built a closer relationship with Percy Main Pigeon Club. We have formalised the relationship between the charity and the club, with a monthly ground and facilities usage fee.
  12. Contributions from member clubs to the charity are used to fund the work of the charity, including insurance, accounting, and maintenance.
  13. Fundraising is a major focus point for 2025. Efforts in 2024 were limited, due to not achieving a lease until later in the year. We will establish a funding sub-committee, with clearly prioritised projects we wish to achieve. Any member wishing to get involved should make themselves known to one of the committee members.
  14. Treasurer’s Report (SK, AY)
  15. The charity has made profit in the last 12 months, this has been driven primarily by donations, in particular a legacy from the estate of Ron Balsillie of around £8k.
  16. The cricket fundraising event in August generated just over £1000. AY thanked all volunteers who had made the day a success.
  17. The annual statement has lowered junior expenditure, as some purchases had just fallen outside the financial year.
  18. The legal costs for obtaining the lease on the ground are significant, and are borne as a one time cost.
  19. Bar income is low. This is not a surprise due to the lack of proper bar facilities. The old club alcohol license has expired, and will not be renewed. For larger events, we will seek temporary licensing.
  20. Overall, cricket activities approximately break even. With better collection of membership fees, match fees, and a push for more sponsorship, we can do even better.
  21. The vision for the charity is of a community sports club - recent years have proved that this cannot be significantly funded through bar sales, and we must find other ways to achieve financial sustainability.
  22. We continue our policy that no player will be excluded from playing on financial grounds. In the next 12 months, we will formalise the process through which exemptions are granted, possibly with a specific bursary fund created.
  23. We are registered to receive gift aid eligible donations, although no claim has yet been made.
  24. Ground Report
  25. **RC **reported that the square and outfield are in excellent condition, particularly compared with 12 months ago
  26. End of season renovations had been successful, with thanks to a large team of volunteers who had provided their labour.
  27. There are now 10 volunteers trained to use some or all of the grounds equipment.
  28. Election of cricket committee members
  29. Steve Knight was proposed by the committee for re-election as Chairman
  30. Jon Roys was proposed by the committee for re-election as President
  31. Rob Cooper was proposed by the committee for re-election as Vice Chairman
  32. Phil Cramman was proposed by the committee for re-election as Treasurer
  33. Alex Young was proposed for re-election as Secretary
  34. The above nominations were decided by a single vote
  35. 9 votes for, none against
  36. All were duly re-elected
  37. Peter Young was proposed by the committee for election to the committee
  38. 8 votes for, 1 abstention
  39. Peter Young was duly elected
  40. Dave Byerley was proposed by the committee for election to the committee
  41. 9 votes for, none against
  42. Dave Byerley was duly elected
  43. ECB Anti-Discrimination Code
  44. **AY **proposed the formal adoption of the ECB Anti-Discrimination code.
  45. This will provide an objective framework through which discriminatory behaviour can be recognised and dealt with.
  46. If we wish to apply for the ECB Clubmark in the future, this is a necessity.
  47. 9 votes for, none against
  48. The charity therefore formally adopts the ECB Anti-Discrimination Code (2024)
  49. Engagement of official kit supplier
  50. AY proposed entering into a formal agreement with our current kit supplier, VX3, to be our exclusive supplier for a period of 4 years. This provides significant benefit to the club, primarily in the form of a rebate for usage of the club shop. This will allow provision of kit to members in financial distress, volunteers and coaches. 
  51. 9 votes for, none against
  52. AY will enter agreement with VX3 on behalf of the charity
  53. The Future of Percy Main Sports
  54. SK gave an overview of the long term goals of the charity project
  55. Cricket in Percy Main is not an enormously popular sport, and there is currently a disconnect between the local community, and the club.
  56. **SK **proposed a motion that the work of the charity continue under the name Percy Main Community Sports Club, to make it clear that our  goals are all sports in the community, with no bias toward cricket.
  57. Members voted in support of this motion, 9 in favour, none against
  58. Longer term, the cricket club would become a separate entity from the charity, likely as a community amateur sports club (CASC). This would put all clubs using the ground on an equal footing.
  59. **AY **outlined some of the benefits of this de-integration. The charity acts as leaseholder, and works to improve overall ground condition, manage member clubs, and as a vehicle for fundraising. Its existence ensures ongoing security of tenure for all member clubs, regardless of the success or failure of those clubs underneath it. Financial clarity would be achieved between charity versus cricket assets.
  60. Charity trustees are currently all associated with the cricket club. We envisage a future where member clubs contribute to the board of trustees.
  61. **SK **outlined the long term redevelopment goals
  62. A new facility remains the pinnacle of our 10 year plan
  63. This facility should provide services to the local community year round
  64. Opportunity for short-term redevelopment
  65. The charity has been approached, through SK, by a local individual looking to open a boxing gym. They indicated that they were looking to create a community gym, and had some funds to invest.
  66. This is an exciting opportunity, but still in the very early stages.
  67. MR noted that due diligence must be performed before any agreement is entered
  68. Members voted unanimously that this opportunity be explored further
  69. RC indicated that members would be consulted prior to the confirmation of any plan
  70. Diversity in cricket
  71. AY reported that the first season of open age Women’s cricket at Percy Main had been largely successful. 20 women had participated in either training sessions, or one of the several softball festivals in which we participated. The team is led by Megan Roys.
  72. Building on this initial momentum, a Percy Main Women’s team will enter the softball league this season, with fixtures to be determined.
  73. Recruitment of players is ongoing, and there will be a a push coming soon
  74. In 2025, we will enter an U13s girls team into the county leagues. Jon Roys will lead the program, with assistance from Andy Beer.
  75. **AY **reported that he had met with the refugee charity “Walking With”, based in Wallsend. Introduction was via Akakhel Mashal, one of our senior cricketers, who has been helped by, and volunteers with them. As part of this summer’s national refugee week we will be hosting a President’s XI vs Refugee XI game on 22nd June. Details will be confirmed, but volunteers are invited to come forward to assist. This is an opportunity to welcome people to our club and promote ourselves to potential players from a wider range of backgrounds. 
  76. Junior Cricket
  77. **SK **reported that Ann Thelwell has stepped down from the role of Junior Secretary, and wished to express his gratitude for her tireless work in this area. This was echoed by all members present. We are still seeking a volunteer to take on this role, in the meantime AY is deputising.
  78. **CS, AY and SK **discussed the important role that senior players can provide in inspiring, coaching, and supporting our junior players. This year we will push for greater integration between the senior and junior sides of the club.
  79. Our 2nd team captain Paddy Rathbone is well known by the juniors, and his appointment will ease their pathway into senior cricket.
  80. Close
  81. **SK **closed the meeting with thanks to all attendees and volunteers. The past 12 months have been a team effort, and combining our strengths will drive us forward for the next year. There is still plenty of work to be done, but grass shoots, both literal and metaphorical, are beginning to appear.

Next Meeting

The next AGM of Percy Main Cricket and Sports Club will be held in February 2026, the date to be confirmed and published to all members at least two weeks prior.