WCF Management Committee Meeting 5th February 2008, Christchurch, New Zealand
Present:
David Openshaw – WCF President
Keith Aiton
Charles Jones
Max Murray
Apologies:
Carole Jackson
Amir Ramsis
Andrew Hope - Treasurer
Brian Storey – Secretary-General
1. WCF as a World Governing Body
It was agreed that the WCF should aim to become a governing body covering all aspects the games of croquet.
2. ACA motion on AC Laws
It was agreed that we should support changes on AC laws which were agreed by consensus with the four large associations. WCF saw a role for WCF to coordinate the management of the process as a first step. (Note at the later Council Meeting the ACA motions were defeated.)
3. Discussion of Secretary-General’s paper on World Team Championships.
It was agreed that WCF should retain the Mac Robertson Shield as the World Team Championship but with a stronger role for WCF. Note: At a later Meeting of the Mac Robertson Shield, David Openshaw put forward proposals for the WCF to chair the MacRobertson Shield Meetings and provide secretariat back up and to have voting rights. It was agreed that these proposals should be submitted in writing for the four MacRobertson Shield Countries to consider.
We also considered possible events which would involve all our members in a world event. Of those considered a format for teams of two received general approval. This was envisaged to start with regional matches, with a final for eight teams to be played in the same year as the Mac. Keith Aiton to circulate more detailed proposals. Some issues are: Will strong players play in it?. Is there room in the calendar for such an event? Does it achieve the objective of providing a competition for those countries who do not play in the Mac?
4. The Ranking Systems (AC and GC)
David Openshaw reported that the WCF Ranking Committee had held extensive discussions but had not reported back in full. Also that the selection of wild cards for the AC championship had shown considerable differences between ranking order and national selectors order. It had also shown that issues still existed on relative ranking between countries and on the question of volatility of a player’s position in the ranking list.
It was agreed that where necessary a member of the WCF MC should be appointed to committees with the role of ensuring timely progress and meeting of any deadlines set for reporting back.
It is proposed that Keith Aiton be appointed to Chair the WCF Ranking Committee and that revised objectives be set. These will be circulated to all WCF MC members for comments before sending to the members of the Ranking Committee.
GC Rankings were not discussed. This will be discussed in Capetown where Amir Ramsis and Stephen Mulliner (who now runs a GC ranking list) will be present.
5. Sports Regs for WCF Events Championships
It was agreed that following the two world championships we would review the current sports regs in the light of experience and feedback from the two events. This would include issues raised by Scotland and USA regarding the allocation of places and Wild Cards. Keith Aiton would co-ordinate this.
6. Forward schedule of events
The forward schedule of events was discussed.
Proposed to
- Confirm Australia as preferred bidder for 2011/12(Australian summer) World AC championship.
- Ask England to host in 2013 (English summer) World AC championship.
- Finalise date for next Women’s GC Championship after discussion with Amir in March in South Africa Either Nov 2009 or Mar 2010
- Hold next GC World Championship in either 2010 or 2011. The issue with c and d is whether to move away from the 2 yearly cycle that has been established. Also whether to have both in the same calendar year. Proposed to ask both Egypt and England if they want to hold next GC world Championship.
- To ask Scotland if they are interested in holding the Women’s GC World Championship in 2001 or 2012
- Confirm Cheltenham June/July 2009 for next European Championship. (in agreement also with Stephen Mulliner President European Croquet Federation.)
7. Formation of a player’s forum or committee.
Proposed that we formalise the consultation process with players by forming a player’s forum. This would be around 20 players who we could ask for opinions on specific topics. It should reflect the geographic spread of our members. This would supplement the current feedback we receive. We would still seek feedback after tournaments of all players. Proposed that Max would co-ordinate questions to this player’s forum.
8 WCF development programme
(Stephen Mulliner President of the European Croquet Federation joined the meeting for this item.)
David reported that in 2007 the development programme had taken off well. We had supported coaching (both playing and refereeing) for a number of European countries. Where we helped players to travel we did so on a part-funding basis. The principle of part funding was confirmed as policy. A total of £2700 was spent in 2007. A figure of £6000 was proposed for the 2008 budget.
SM stated he was in the process of understanding the needs of individual European countries. It was agreed that a plan be drawn up over the next three months for development in each European country and that this be used as a basis for any development funding.
Also confirmed all member countries were eligible for development funding.