In Attendance: Mike Keddie, Ian Moffat , Mike McDonald , John Murray, George Harwood , Brad Wight, Scott Kennedy, Garey Steele , Chris Silver , Steven Tait, Darren Niven , Jim Anderson, Dave Bisset , Scott Bowers and Stan Thomson.

1

George Harwood was invited to open the meeting in the absence of a fully elected SEPF Chairman.

GH: Congratulated the SEPF on its growth and progress over the proceeding year. The SEPF was praised for the high quality and well supported competitions it has held over the last year and for the great progress made in correcting the financial issues of the previous year due to dishonesty. GH : Highlighted the massive participation made by Scotland at the recent European Championships in Malta . He thanked the SEPF membership, regional and executive committees for all their hard work. Derek Ahern and Scott Kennedy were thanked for their contributions as Chairmen during a difficult period for the SEPF. Member leagues from regions 3 and 4 were welcomed to their first SEPF AGM.

George Harwood

2

JM: Reminded the AGM that membership of SEPF is by league affiliation, i.e. the leagues are the SEPF members and not individual players, with each paid up member league entitled to two votes. Each member league in attendance was allowed three delegates and one designated voter who can cast two votes.

Attendance: Elgin , Doonhamers (Dumfries), Lockerbie, Border, Styx and Fraserburgh. A minimum quorum was achieved with a total of 12 votes eligible to be cast in attendance.

Apologies: Aberdeen , Boddam & Cruden, Stonehaven, Montrose, East Lothian, Gretna & Springfield and East Neuk .

John

Murray

3

JM: Highlighted that the SEPF constitution was available for members to view but required significantly updating and redrafting in places despite a lot of work by the previous secretary. It was suggested that constitution to be reviewed at the next three SEPF Executive meetings and sent out to members for comments. Than the 2011 constitution would be ratified at the 2012 AGM

.

Proposed by Fraserburgh, Seconded by Lockerbie. Passed 12 Votes to nil.

John

Murray

4

Mike McDonald (Acting SEPF Chairman) thanked GH for his help and support of the SEPF over the last year.

MM: Apologised for being unable to attend the European Championships due to ill health. Mike expressed his wish to stand for, and continue as SEPF Chair subject to the support of the members. Mike reported his view that while great progress had been made during the last year the SEPF still had a long way to go. He highlighted the poor standards of match dress, low morale, poor etiquette, behaviour and conduct observed by him at the 2010 World Championships. He if elected the new SEPF Chairman he would adopt the original title of 'SEPF President' in line with the other members of the EEPF rather than the latterly adopted 'Chairman'. He congratulated the new committee on its work. Mike stated he had strong views that the selection procedure for the national teams requires changing to return the Scottish team to winning ways. Mike emphasised that the SEPF needed to be a national organisation with equality given to all member leagues and regions. His vision for the SEPF is continued expansion, professional organisation, running the best competitions in Scotland , financial prudence, strong regional committees, greater marketing and sponsorship for events and players, greater commitment and passion being shown at international level from players.

Mike expressed his concern at the number of a non member leagues gaining access to the benefits of SEPF memberships without affiliation. The practice of allowing new members a period of trial membership was good practice but several leagues from all regions were entering competitions and had players playing internationally while not full SEPF members. This could not be allowed to continue and many participating leagues have already been contacted in order to allow them to become fully affiliated members of the SEPF.

Proposal that the Presidents report be accepted by Fraserburgh, Seconded by Lockerbie. Passed 12 Votes to nil.

Mike

McDonald

5

IM: Handed out detailed the financial statements from the previous year ending on the 31 December 2010. IM: Listed all income and expenditure from the last 12 month's in great detail. The figures showed a positive situation for the last year with the overwhelming majority of the outstanding liabilities resulting from the problems of the previous year repaid but not in their entirely. BW: Commented on collection of debtors re-fines and it was agreed to be discussed at next executive meeting.

Ian Moffat stated that payments for the Inter-League had been problematic with payments into the bank account not accompanied by details of the depositor. He requested that all payments be detailed at the bank when made. Receipt of payments for the euros had been smoother but a small loss had been made due to the euro exchange rate not being favourable, bank transfer changes and a referee penalty fine.

Full detailed figures are available from Ian Moffat on request.

MM: Thanked Ian Moffat for his efforts.

Proposal that the Treasurers report be accepted by Styx , Seconded by Doonhamers. Passed 12 Votes to nil.

Ian

Moffat

6

JM: Reported that he had been involved mainly with improving communication between the membership and the SEPF. He had made active use of websites, facebook, email, newsletters, posters and telephone contacts and had attended meetings with member and prospective member league committees all over Scotland . He reported recent contact with Oban who had responded by sending players to the Scottish Open in Aberbeen. JM: Stated that contacting existing members for affiliations had been problematic due to the lack of up to date contact information supplied to him. John has now built up a useful contact database and is in contact with several leagues considering membership of the SEPF. John had been also active in obtaining government funding for players and was following up several contacts for sponsorship.

JM: Stated that he wished to be able to concentrate on marketing and development of the SEPF as a national body and felt this role and the secretaries role was too much for one person.

Proposal that the Secretary's report be accepted by Lockerbie, Seconded by Fraserburgh. Passed 12 Votes to nil.

John

Murray

7

GH: Suggested that John Murray be appointed the Mark eting and Development Director of the SEPF with the following aims.

1. Focus on the development of the SEPF nationally by contacting and meeting new prospective members, expansion of existing regions, attracting new players.
2. Seeking out sources of funding for the SEPF.
3. Mark eting of the SEPF as an organisation and its events to sponsors.

Proposal that John Murray be elected to the national executive as Mark eting & Development Director of the SEPF proposed by Lockerbie, Seconded by Fraserburgh. Passed 12 Votes to nil.

George

Harwood

8

JM: Reported that no proposals had been received from members to stand against the incumbent executive committee.

Proposal that Acting President Mike McDonald be elected SEPF President.

Proposal that Acting Vice President Mike Keddie be elected SEPF Vice President.

Proposal that Treasurer Ian Moffat be re-elected as SEPF Treasurer.

Proposal that Acting Assistant National Secretary Brad Wight be elected as SEPF National Secretary.

Proposal that John Murray in addition to his Mark eting and Development Director role assist Brad Wight for a short interim period as Assistant National Secretary to ensure continuity in the position.

Each candidate was proposed and elected in turn with each passed 12 Votes to nil.

MM: Thanked the AGM and welcomed the new committee to their positions.

Members

9

Part 1.

That no players qualify automatically for the Scotland squads. The reason for this proposal is that of the automatic qualifiers picked from regions 1, 2 & 3 as well as the 2 automatic picks retained from the international ranking list all the players failed to accept a place at the European Championships.

Part 2

That the Scotland squads be selected by trials only based on the regional tour performances.

SK : Commented that he felt this was unfair to players that had represented Scotland and formed the basis of the team for several years.

JM: Stated that just as many players who attended the trails in Aberdeen failed to accept places at the Europeans.

JM : Also highlighted the failure of many players to attend trials when invited.

MM: Stated that removing the 'carrot' of a squad place from the regional tours would negatively affect the incentive for players to play on the regional tours.

BW: Reminded the AGM that the squad place via the tours was one of the major reasons that had led to the recent formation of new regions and attracted new member leagues.

GH: Felt that the system was fair as it was but the issue of players not supporting some events such as the recent Europeans was a separate issue which needed to be addressed by the executive committee rather than change the system.

MM: Stated that the tours should be the foundation of the SEPF selection procedure and that he personally felt that all players should play on the tours pointing out that several players travelled this year from as far as London to attempt qualify on the region 3 tour. He felt this should apply to all sections not just the men's. The use of wildcards was in his view against the ethos of the SEPF and would not play any part in his team selection as SEPF National Team Manager.

IM: Questioned the feelings of region 3 players at allowing English based players who many or many not qualify as eligible for Scotland to play on their tour.

MM: Welcomed any players onto the region 3 tour as it was raising the experience and quality level of the region 3 tour as witnessed by good recent performances by region 3 at SEPF events.

Mike Keddie withdrew the proposal placed before the committee and no vote was required by members.

Mike Keddie

10

A change in the SEPF constitution to the effect that;

'Introduction of a rule for all SEPF competitions that failure to fulfil any element of the fixtures results in automatic expulsion from the tournament'.

BW: Reference was made to the events at the SEPF Interleague when several teams failed to complete their full fixtures in the group stages.

GH : Suggested that the proposal was very sensible but should include 'without good reason' and that future disciplinary actions could be taken after the event.

Proposal that the following be incorporated into the new SEPF constitution;

"Failure of any player or team to fulfil its obligations to meet any element of the competition without good reason will result in the immediate expulsion from the event and may be subject of future disciplinary action by the national executive."

Proposed by Elgin Seconded by Doonhamers. Passed 12 Votes to nil.

Brad Wight

11

JM: The whole Scottish team had enjoyed the European championships with all the players attending having enjoyed the competition. The teams all played well with great team spirit. The players were thanked for their professional focus on playing in the event, no players were late for matches, match dress was smart at all times, team sheets submitted in good time and no incident occurred involving any Scottish player. Special mention was made of the strong playing performances of the under 21 team and Gary Simpson in the Wheelchair event. It was very pleasing to see so many new players gaining a well deserved place in the Scottish team.

MM: Thanked all the players who attended the Europeans for their performances and accepting places in the team, some at short notice.

GH: Thanked Scotland for sending such a large team to the Europeans and congratulated them on their conduct and sportsmanship at the event. Mike McDonald was thanked for being in daily contact by telephone with the team.

John

Murray

12

JM: Reported the disappointment that the national tour had not been supported by all regions after agreement by the executive despite reservations, it was felt that aims of it had not been communicated back to each region as well as would be wished.

MM: Felt that the commitment had been made to the events and they should take place providing that sufficient numbers attended.

IM : Felt players would be reluctant to travel to Aberdeen if no region 1 players wanted to take part in the over 50's.

JM: Reported interest from at least two R1 players and very good interest in this section from R3.

GH: The event should be reviewed ongoing and the SEPF should consider not holding events with less than 16 entries.

John

Murray

13

GH: Confirmed that this competition was to go forward in Scotland . Full details of the event are to be confirmed at a later date.

JM: Reported that at the European AGM the SEPF had committed each region to send a three man team to the event. But hoped for more interest from the players.

George

Harwood

14

IM: Reported that the under 50's teams had struggled in Malta . Several Scottish players were playing on the UK senior's tour. There was a rise in interest from players in this category and several more players would be turning 50 soon and would like to be involved.

MM: Expressed concern that a trial had not been held for a long period of time and that several new players would like to be given the chance to trial for the team, he would like to see a trial held to select the world championship team for this year.

Ian

Moffat

15

MM: Voiced his great disappointment that Scotland was unable to field a Ladies team at the European Championships and this was echoed by all in attendance. The consensus of the meeting was that the ladies section has become distanced from the SEPF and this situation needs to be corrected urgently. The SEPF need to bring the ladies international selection procedure in line with that of the other teams. The amount of ladies players available must be increased to ensure that Scotland can meet its international commitments.

MM: Wild card places are no longer to be permitted in any form in the Scottish International teams. Players must commit themselves to playing in both the World and European Championships. A trial must be held soon to increase the squad available for international selection.

GH: Brad Wight was asked to contact all the ladies that we have contact details for to inform them of the decisions taken. The selection procedures for the ladies need to be brought in line with the rest of the SEPF.

MM: Duncan Lowery has been confirmed as the Scotland Ladies Manager, operating under Mike McDonald as SEPF General Manager.

The following action plan was approved:

1) Karin Burt , Susan Collins , Jodie Holt, Sue Thompson and Lyndsay Mckellar are all to be offered places in the Scotland squad for the 2011 World Champs and the 2012 European Champs.
2) Four places to be won at trial. (More places if any of the above declines their offer.) Trial 16th April @ Styx . BW: to circulate details.
3) All players entering the Squad or the International trial must commit to playing in both the 2011 World Champs and the 2012 European Champs.
4) Breach of this commitment, without good reason = 2 year international ban
5) Wild cards no longer permitted for any SEPF International team.

Mike

McDonald

16

JM: Reported that a well attended under 21 trials had taken place at Aberdeen . The selected players had performed excellently at the European Championships reaching the semi final stages. Marc Fleming was praised for his leadership of the under 21 team in Malta who conducted them selves in a way which was a credit to the SEPF. Two Scottish players had also helped by playing for the Channel Islands in Malta .

John

Murray

17

JM: The junior team had not performed well in Malta against very much more experienced English and Maltese teams. Also the small number of teams entered in the event had made the competition very strong for the inexperienced Scottish team. There was a good team spirit and the entire team had enjoyed the event. John to review the individual performances in order to select the team for world championships; several other players are available in the squad from the selection process. John is to concentrate on giving some of the younger players a chance in order to build a stronger future team. John felt that the lack of funding for junior players did not allow for the best team always being able to attend events.

Strong junior tours are operating in region's 3 & 4. Regional Junior Managers have been appointed in all four regions. Les Anderson R1, Mike Keddie R2, Steven Tait R3 and Adam Wood R4.

MK: Reported that R2 would be holding a junior competition prior to the national tour to create interest in the event.

John

Murray

Region 1

MM: Expressed his concern at the poor attendance from region 1 at the AGM. He thanked Derek Ahern for his efforts and reported Derek was in better health. As Derek felt currently unable to make any return to the region 1 committee Mike was talking to several people in Aberdeen to invite them to come forward and form a the basis of a new region 1 committee. Mike would also like representatives from leagues outside Aberdeen included on the committee. Lyndsay Ahern was happy to run the SEPF events and tours but was currently unwilling to take on a formal role and he needed the support of a full committee. The Scottish Open was again a successful weekend attracting significant player numbers.

Mike

McDonald

Region 2

MK: Region 2 had found limited scope for enlargement. The region 2 tours are well supported and the introduction of the genesis tour had been a great success in developing players with a player from that tour gaining a place in the European team.

Mike

Keddie

Region 3

JM: Region 3's Border tour has just held its largest ever event, region 3 events are attracting players from England with Scottish roots who have heard of the progress of the SEPF. The over 50's and juniors are very well supported in the region. The region has very few under 21's and ladies players. The Border Classic had been established as a great competition and would be repeated this year with a 3 man team event. The Scottish masters were to be held at the same venue as the classic. The growth of the tour is starting to make it difficult to find venues large enough.

In the Borders; the border league has been very successful in launching a new development programme including a junior sticks club on a Saturday morning to attract in junior players. They have also completed a 24 hour pool marathon on the local Tesco's and raised significant funds for their development fund and charity. Scope for enlargement is limited as the Border league covers a large number of towns. The size of the league has increased since joining the SEPF and they were happy they had several players involved internationally. Good relations with the local press had proved useful in gaining significant good publicity.

In Dumfries and Galloway ; there is significant scope for enlargement of region 3. John is in contact with a number of leagues on the edges of region 3 currently.

IM: Expressed his concern at players from South of the border joining the region 3 tour as it may unset region 3 players.

MM : Felt that the introduction of these players was helping improve the overall standard of the tour and that could be seen in the most recent performances by region 3 players.

John

Murray

Region 4

BW : Reported that region 4 had launched its men's, under 21's and junior tours. They felt it was too early to ask players to travel to other regions for events. They have had excellent press coverage and support of local sponsors. They are in contact with several other leagues and are attracting new players to the tour.

GS : Summarised the outstanding fundraising efforts made in the region to assist the players who represented the SEPF in Malta . Garey also reported the first under 21 tour event had been held and had been a success.

Brad

Wight

18

GH: The home internationals were to be held in Scotland this year. The venue is not finalised but he had held several meetings with venues and potential sponsors and hoped to be able to announce the full details soon.

George

Harwood

19

MK : Expressed a wish that Scotland consider entering bid to host the European Championships and wished to know more details about the requirements.

GH: The next three European Championships venues are well into the planning stages and but he would welcome any Scottish bid after this time.

1. SEPF AGM Minutes 2011
2. SEPF AGM Financial Report 2011