Present; D. Gibbs,N. Batho, A. Liebermann, Ali West, E. Nachtigal– Torexe, R.Sutherland – Kings, D. Rolls – Wanderers, S. Milne – Exeter Uni, A. Coles– Taunton, G. Patrick – Channings Wood, K. Alves – Kirton.

Apologies: D. Reece, R. Swindell

Chairman’s report

The committee would like to thank Dave and Rachel for setting up and running the beach league during the summer.

Following up on a number of queries from Fixtures Secretary, Wanderers and Kirton confirmed that they had registered with the E.V.A. The committee decided that as no home fixtures had been played by these teams who were late registering, although if there were the games would be forfeit and the points awarded to the visiting side.

The committee gave permission for the Birdmen/Kirton game due to be played on the 26th Oct to be played at a later date.

Secretary’s report

New ref rules were not due to be implemented until Jan 09, committee agreed to defer this until the next meeting.

Fixtures Secretary

The fixture’s meeting went very smoothly and all fixtures have now been finalised, there were a few minor changes mostly to times, but much easier than last season. The first 3 fixtures have been played and I am looking forward to a smooth season. 

One thing that has had me chasing clubs is the EVA affiliations. The new registrations started in August and right from the applications for entering the league going out at the beginning of August, teams were reminded to renew their affiliations, as they were supposed to be up to date prior to the fixtures meeting. As of Saturday 11th Oct, three clubs are still outstanding in this matter, Birdmen, Kirton and Wanderers, all assure me that they have submitted their applications – although perhaps left it until the last minute to do so! The committee needs to decide whether, or at what point sanctions should be imposed, for failure to get their affiliations up to date. Whilst there are a number of benefits to membership, the most important being that affiliated clubs have public liability insurance, so that they are covered when they host matches at their home venue. The main question in my mind is whether uninsured clubs should be allowed to host home matches – this is probably a mute point for Exeter Prison, as I am sure that everything conducted within the prison will be covered by the Prison Service Insurance, however for clubs playing at Exeter School, it is not so clear whether they are covered by any other insurance policy.

On a more positive note, a date has been set for the first Ladies Development Tournament on 23rd November at Riverside, applications can be made on-line on the EDVA web site. This is attracting interest from outside the current EDVA clubs, with teams from North Devon, Ivybridge, Exeter College and Richard Huish School all expressing an interest. These clubs will all need to take out an associated membership with the EDVA, as discussed last year. To keep the event manageable the entry has been limited to 8 teams, however I am aware of the possibility of more than 8 teams wanting to play, so entry will definitely be on a first come first served basis. The aim is to play single set matches under normal match rules within a half-hour timeslot, which allows for time-outs and substitutions. I am quite happy to pull together an EDVA team if clubs do not have a full team just 1 or more individual players, these players need to get their names to me as soon as possible. 

Costs are being kept to a minimum (no prizes, just sports hall time and tournament insurance). The tournament insurance is £20 and at present we have 4 hours court time pre-booked with Riverside, it is hoped to at least double that by taking both sides of the hall. I am hoping that the EDVA is at least prepared to underwrite this tournament, but given that we also have a significant interest from junior teams is the EDVA prepared to allocate any additional money? If we went to a 6 hour event using both sides of the hall the costs would be just over £168 with an income from 8 teams of £160. I will need to work on the match format when I get back from hols to work out what fits best and how much time is needed, it is quite likely that we may only go to a 5 hour event

Exmouth Beach League Report

Introduction
This report is a quick summary on what happened this summer, with reference to the EDVA Exmouth Beach League, player numbers, results and the league set up etc. 

The pre season beach proposal called for the project was to be self-funding and based on a membership fee of £5 per person per league with a £2 dropping & training fee. This was set to break even with eight teams per league, Ladies, Men's pairs and Beach Fours. 

Player Numbers

Ladies League
Six team registered (14 players), matches were arranged each week and most teams had two fixtures per week, the top teams played each other four times during the league period.

Men's League
Five teams registered (12 players) during the season but players were not very regular, so a full schedule league program did not take place. Players & teams played who ever was available that week. No pairing played more than four matches against each other.

Beach Fours
Six teams (35 players) entered in all, each team had two fixtures per week, each team played each other 5 or 6 times during the summer.

Training nets
Each week beach coaching was available but this mostly consisted of teaching beginners how to play basic volleyball (not beach pairs training).

A total of 36 people took advantage of the beginner’s sessions. Out of this number it is worth mentioning a group of six from Exeter College (boys & girls) and a group of seven girls from Exeter St. Peter school.

Overall, 97 playing / training positions were used during the season (although a few people who played in the pairs & four are counted twice in that figure).

Each week we also left a net available for general beach users, the net was always in use by someone. This was a great way to introduce ourselves and the sport to other beach users.

Equipment
All the nets were either our own or borrowed free of charge, in all we had eight nets available to us, the following people or organisations lent us their nets: Dave & Rachel, Ali, Torexe VC, SWVA & EDDC.

Most nets had to be converted from basic grass nets to beach nets and this is where most of our equipment costs went. Beach lines, steel stakes, net bags and frisbees (post supports).

AOB

None

Date of Next Meeting 4th December at George’s Meeting House. Exeter. 6.30 – 7pm