AGM round-up

An update from the 2025 Annual General Meeting

Mersey Rose Recreationals' 2025 AGM was held on Monday 24th November 2024.

The chair, Joe Crossley, welcomed members and gave a brief report on his own involvement during the season, which regrettably didn't involve as much playing time as he would have liked due to illness. He thanked players and committee members for their efforts in 2025 and, in particular, highlighted the club's participation in the Out4Cricket tournament.

The club secretary, Anna Page, provided membership information and gave updates in regards the club's partnerships with other clubs and organisations. She reported on the club’s community-related activity and the success of the club’s involvement in the Pride for Cricket Festival and the Out4Cricket tournament. She also outlined the difficulties the hardball squad has experienced this year with reduced availability on 2024 and subsequently having to cancel several fixtures – it is hoped 2026 will see a return to regular hardball cricket.

Andi Page, the club treasurer, provided a summary of the financial position and offered up-to-date accounts. The club has made a loss this season, but this was expected as a result of the lack of hardball fixtures and the loss of associated match fees. Overall, he stated that the club is financially healthy despite this and detailed income and expenditure, with reference to grants and income expected in the next few months. He confirmed that the club will receive a significant grant from Sport England in the near future, in relation to a project to promote inclusive cricket in partnership with Wavertree CC. Potential other funding opportunities were discussed and explored by the AGM.

Subscriptions and match fees were discussed. The AGM agreed to keep most fees at current levels, but with a small increase in relation to softball. Agreed fees are: Annual membership: Full £25, Junior £10 Match fees (hardball): £10 standard, £5 concession, £1 junior Match fees (softball): £4 standard, £1 junior The following were elected as officers for the 2025 season: Chair: Joe Crossley Vice-chair: Steve Fowle Secretary: Anna Page Treasurer: Andi Page The following were elected as committee members: David Crossley, Joe Crossley, Steve Fowle, Aaron McKenna, Andi Page, Anna Page, Martin Snape

The AGM approved the committee's appointment of captains for 2025. These are: Hardball Team: Andi Page Softball Team: Anna Page In regards vice-captains, it was proposed that instead of appointing a vice-captain for the season, these would instead be appointed on a game-by-game basis with a view to succession planning and developing potential future captains. It is anticipated that there will me multiple opportunities to encourage players to serve as vice-captains in games and potentially also as captain with support from the regular captain. The committee, and the AGM, felt this was a fair-minded, open and inclusive approach that allowed wider scope for development. Gail Rose was introduced as the new club chaplain. Sports chaplaincy has been used to positive effect especially in professional and semi-professional football clubs, but seems not to have been widely utilised in grassroots cricket. Gail talked about her own role as a lay preacher in the United Reformed Church, her professional experience as a social worker and her vision for sports chaplaincy.

The constitution was amended. Point 6.4 was changed from “The quorum for all general meetings is 12 members” to “The quorum for all general meetings is 12 full members or 25% of the full membership, whichever is less.”

The end of season awards event will beheld in January.