Changes from the 2025 AGM

Some changes in roles were voted on - people stepped down, and we at the club would like to thank everyone for their service, no matter the time spent helping out the club in any way.

A large thank you needs to be given to Mrs Lorraine Wallis, who after being chairperson of the club for 15 seasons has stepped back from the role. Throughout her time as chairperson the club has overseen a number of large changes, from league changes and navigating the unknown waters of a full scale restructure, to helping support and being an integral member of the team tasked with supplying a new pitch in Long Sutton, which was dutifully delivered in early 2020. Recently, she has led the club through the hard times of any COVID pandemic, and the cost of living crisis, and for that again we are thankful for all she has done.

The new roles of members have been updated on the website already, and can be found on the below link

Firstly, England Hockey have increased their membership costs from last year significantly. The invoice that we received for the England hockey affiliation, and the entrance of the 5 adult teams into the leagues, was £1,762.77. This year, we have been told that the costs will rise to an estimated £2,934, of which the invoices I’m passing around signify. This is in addition to the expected slight increase of east fees, and mixed fees. This is a major increase of over £1,200, and as such we at the club felt that even after the increase in price last year, we need to unfortunately complete another one. A proposal of the following increase in membership fees to directly offset the cost of this increase is as follows:

Adults - £30 to £40 (increase of £10)

Inter - £20 to £25 (increase of £5)

Junior - £10 to £15 (increase of £5)

Family - £60 to £80 (increase of £20)

Using last year’s figures as a guide, we raised £2,556.20 for playing-membership costs. With the same numbers and increase in memberships, these proposed fees would mean an increase in club revenue of £918.80. This would be directly used against the increase in EH affiliation costs, so as players can continue to play the sport that they love, with the same number of teams and people. The club is willing to take the remaining hit on the difference between the two figures to help keep costs down for members.

Vote was taken and the membership fee increase was confirmed.

From the accounts, we made money last year but less than we need to. The pitch will need replacement in approximately 10 to 15 years, and as such we need to look at generating the remaining shortfall we have, majority through self-funding through fees etc.

There are two potential ways in which were proposed that this shortfall is raised by. One proposal has a midpoint step in getting it back to the pre-COVID levels, whereas the other level is less of an increase but also includes the addition of Teamo’s processing fees being passed onto the individual player.

Proposal 1: Pure Match Increase

Adults - £12 to £14 (increase of £2)

17-21 - £7.50 to £9 (increase of £1.50)

Juniors - £6 to £7 (increase of £1)

Adult Training - £3 to £4 (increase of £1)

Junior Training - £3 (remains the same)

Bank Processing fees – by Club

Proposal 2: Match Fee and Bank Fee Increase

Adults - £12 to £13 (increase of £1)

17-21 - £7.50 to £9 (increase of £1.50)

Juniors - £6 (remains the same)

Adult Training - £3 (remains the same)

Junior Training - £3 (remains the same)

Bank Processing fees – by Player

Proposal 1 is such that the fees rise to the mid-point from what the levels were pre COVID. This I believe is a fair reflection of the amounts that can be charged, whilst keeping costs as low as possible. Based on the current levels of players and ages, I would estimate that Proposal 1 would increase the income to the club by just over £2,100; whereas Proposal 2 would increase the income to the club by just under £1,400.

The two proposals were put to a vote, and Proposal 1 was voted in with the following changes:

Friendly fee remains £5

Mixed Fee moves from £5 to £6

Umpiring fee is trialed for a year, with if you umpire in a week you get your whole match fee reduced.

Rearranged League Fixtures will still be at full rate, rather than at the friendly rate it was at before.