Sevens Meetings

A meeting especially for seven-a-side team managers/coaches will be held twice during the season.

These meetings provide the club representatives with a valuable forum (outwith the routine business of general meetings) at which they can discuss all aspects of the small-sided game, where they will be briefed on changes/developments within the small-sided game thus ensuring a continuit of information enabling everyone to "sing from the same hymn sheet."

Clubs must send at least one representative to the meetings, which will be held on the Second Monday of the following months November and February.

Minutes of the Development Football Meeting held within the John Hannah Building,

Auchincruive at 7.30pm on Monday, 12 November, 2007.

1. CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS

1.1 T. Dempsey welcomed the members present to the first development football meeting of the Season. He said that there was a large agenda and that he hoped that there would be much that was of interest for the members. He introduced David White; SFA Community Coach based at Ayr United and asked David to give a short presentation on his role.

2. MEMBERS PRESENT

2.1 Per Sederunt.

3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

3.1 Caledonian 10s, Ayr Boswell 12s and Sorn 12s.

4. PRESENTATION

4.1 D. White addressed the meeting and advised him of the objectives of his role and his various responsibilities as determined by the SFA, Ayr United and South Ayrshire Council. He made clear his desire to work with member clubs to improve coaching and to enhance opportunities for children to play football and develop to their highest potential. He said that he would remain for the meeting and would hope to attend all league meetings adding that he would be available for discussion at the end of the meeting.

5. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

5.1 T. Dempsey reminded the members that the minutes had been posted on the website since February. On the proposal of Valspar F.C. seconded by Dean Thistle, they were unanimously accepted as a true record.

6. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM

6.1 Onfield/spectator discipline (Item 5.2). T. Dempsey said that there did not appear to be significant improvement in this area. He urged coaches to enforce the laws of the game and rules of play and to take action when necessary to deal with foul play. He added that failure to do so created problems for clubs when teams played under official referees with players falling foul of discipline procedures.

6.2 First Aid Kit (Item 7.1). The Chairman said that there was still a lack of kits in evidence at some matches. He reminded members that it was a condition of a match taking place that both teams were to be in possession of a suitable kit. He offered his assistance in securing same.

6.3 Disclosure Checks (Item 9.1). The members were informed that the League was organising a Disclosure event for January, 2008. People wishing to become additional signatories would also be able to undertake the process on that evening. The meeting was reminded of the importance of checks being undertaken and of the requirements for all persons assisting a club, in any capacity, including everyone who entered a changing room, to be checked. The process was explained as was the actions to be taken on receipt of a temporary suspension notice from the S.Y.F.A.

6.4 Summer Football (Item10.1). T. Dempsey expressed his disappointment regarding the lack of support for the events which were arranged for the summer period. All had been cancelled due to the poor response. He said that whilst the League could attempt to arrange events for summer 2008, the members should give some thought to what and when they wanted, and, present their ideas at the February meeting.

6.5 Safety Goggles (Item 11.3). The Chairman advised members of a recent incident wherein a child had received injury from the lens of ‘normal’ spectacles, whilst playing a match. He reminded members of their responsibilities to ensure children were safe and wore the proper equipment and advised them to look at the S.Y.F.A. website for details of the ‘safety goggles’ available at Specsavers. The validity of Insurance cover whilst wearing ‘non safety’ glasses was raised and it was considered that failure to wear safety goggles might constitute grounds for the rejection of a claim.

6.6 4 v 4 event (Item 11.5). T. Dempsey reported on the successful event held at Carrick Academy in June. He said that he had received good feedback and that the League would organise a similar event during the current season.

6.7 Referees (Item 11.1). The Chairman advised members that there remained a shortage of referees and that allocated referees may, on occasion, be taken from a 12s match to cover an older age group. A. Hall said that she had difficulty in securing referees, but that she would continue with her best efforts, to cover matches. The Chairman said that it was important that members call their referee on a Sunday evening and informed members that 14 new referees were due to qualify this week and that he would communicate with them as soon as he received their details. All new referees, he said, must officiate at two age 12 games in the first instance, so he expected some improvement. He encouraged members to assist in the recruitment of potential referees.

7. PROPOSED WINTER EVENTS

7.1 The members were informed of the proposals to organise ‘Futsal’ events at the Magnum in January. The Chairman explained the background of the game and said that he would enter all Teams at age 11 & 12. Those unable to attend were to opt out by informing him. He asked that members visit the website regularly and that he would publish information on the site, as son as it came to hand.

7.2 The members were also advised of the possibility of a five-a-side event for the younger age groups, to be held at the Citadel, also during the shutdown.

8. INTER-LEAGUE FESTIVALS

8.1 The Chairman reported on the events under the auspices of the S.F.A., held earlier in the season. The members were in general approval. Clubs asked whether or not medals would be handed out in the future. They were advised that the steering group had decided against such practice and explained the reasons behind the decision.

8.2 The members were informed that a further event for ages 8, 9 and 10 was being planned for 6 June, 2008 and that further information would follow.

9. PLAYER PROTECTION

9.1 T. Dempsey reminded the members of the responsibilities of player protection officers with regard to the welfare of players and stressed that matches were not to be played during adverse weather conditions. He also reminded members when marking pitches on ‘full’ size pitches to keep the sideline to the 6 yard box line and well away from the posts.

9.2 Tarbolton B.C. raised concern regarding the shortage of facilities and sought advice on how to improve them locally. The Chairman gave a few suggestions and said that he would be available for discussion outwith the meeting and that he would assist where possible to point the Club in the right direction.

10. NEW TEAMS

10.1 The Chairman reminded members that new members and additional teams representing existing members would be admitted during the shutdown. He said that applications could be obtained from either the League Secretary or himself. He said that applications must be made before 31 January, 2008.

11. FAIR PLAY AWARD

11.1 The Chairman advised the meeting that the League would introduce team lines for ages 8,9,10 and 11 the restart of the season. He explained the requirements of the completion of the forms and said that each player would be issued with a registration number. He added that the line contained a section requiring teams to rate the sportsmanship and behaviour of the opposition and that the scores given would for the basis of a ‘Fair Play Award’ to be given at each age group. He said that forms would be posted on the website for download and that completed forms could be sent to him either by post or e-mail.

12. REGISTRATION FORMS

12.1 T. Dempsey expressed his concern at the tardiness of some clubs in the submission of registration forms. He said that the League may have to consider postponing the fixtures of the errant clubs.

13. WINTER SHUTDOWN

13.1 The Chairman reminded members that fixtures were published until Christmas and that the re-start date would be decided upon at the February meeting. He said that if the weather was kind during the break, the League would sanction matches. However, he stressed that approval of the match secretary must be obtained prior to the match and that age 12 teams would require a permit.

14. DISCIPLINARY SECRETARY.

14.1 R. McBride expressed concern regarding the manner in which some coaches shouted at children. He reminded the members that discipline procedures have been initiated against development teams in the past. He asked that age 12 team lines be submitted for every match and asked that where there was no referee, the clubs were to forward the forms to him. He stressed that the forms must be accurately compiled.

14.2 The Discipline Secretary then discussed the procedures for dealing with correspondence, and, in particular, letters of complaint. He said that all correspondence must be signed and that in accordance with S.Y.F.A. practice, any anonymous letter would not be dealt with.

15. AGE 12S MATCH SECRETARY

15.1 Alison Hall said that she welcomed the news of the additional referees and hoped that all of the newly qualified referees would come to the League. She reminded members that she was to receive calls on Sunday evenings between 5 and 6 pm only. W. Wallace, Valspar FC, reminded members that some of the new referees may be older people who might not take too kindly to abuse and cautioned against such.

16. OTHER BUSINESS

16.1 T. Dempsey advised members that the League, working with the S.F.A. and the other Ayrshire Leagues was in the process of arranging a ‘Transition Seminar’ for age 12 clubs at the end of the season. Each club would be required to have a representative at the seminar, which it was envisaged, would comprise of both classroom and onfield sessions. He said that information would be published as it came to hand.

17. CLOSE

17.1 There being no further business, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and contribution and closed the meeting at 8.45pm.

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