Present Gordon Ross, Jack Harris, Al Robertson, John Crosbie, Gordon Kerr, Tim Taylor, Robin Mace and representatives of Middlesex League teams.

Apologies for absence were received from Stewart Gibbs and Gail Coombe

Introduction Gordon Ross welcomed all attendees and advised agenda, secretary reports and accounts were available at each table.

Minutes of last years AGM (2007) were taken as read.

Secretarys Report Middlesex players achieved great success last season. National Champion Alison Waters, a tremendous achievement; Howard Cherlin O55s and Dulip Adihetty. Vicky King and Peter Gunter were both O40 semi finalists and a number of players were selected for home internationals.

A number of teams reached the finals in their respective divisions with the Ladies O40s coming closest but an unfortunate appeal by Yorkshire, upheld by England Squash, resulted in a walkover.

Andrew Taylor of Finchley Manor was awarded a junior colour. Andrew achieved a top 10 ranking last season and it is hoped he will go even further this season.

Karin Berzins has resigned after doing a sterling job with junior squash and received a small gift at the junior event. Gordon formally thanked Karin for her years of service

Middlesex have various teams entered for the coming season and continue to expand the teams in masters squash with a new Mens O50 team to be captained by Stuart Hardy.

The Middlesex County Closed Championships are to be held 03 05 October at Northwood, entry forms are available.

Treasurers Report Jack Harris has reviewed two sets of accounts MSRA & Middlesex League.

MSRA Jack reported the surplus £720 is down from the previous year, primarily due to spend on T shirts for the county teams. The T shirts are given free to those who play on behalf of the county. Most revenue is from England Squash Middlesex receive a proportion from the amount clubs have paid and some payments by individual members. Income has decreased due to fewer clubs and fewer people playing squash. No questions were tabled.

Unanimous approval of accounts.

Junior Activities Tim Taylor has succeeded Karin Berzins. Tim thanked the League who produces the majority of the junior funding. The Middlesex Junior Closed will be held on 27/28 September at Southgate, please encourage juniors to enter. Currently less than half of the county clubs enter juniors. Tim advised that squash drew a large entry at the London Youth Games every borough can enter a team and most Middlesex boroughs had, it was a well attended event.

Election of Committee Item moved to follow discussion regarding merger.

Appointment of Hon. Auditor Duncan Slaughter has kindly agreed to continue for the next year. Thanks were given to Duncan for his continued support.

Merger of MSRA and MSL This was first discussed at last years AGM and received unanimous approval. A working party was subsequently set up and hard copy proposals were available at the meeting. The proposed new name is Middlesex Squash & Racketball Association. The draft constitution was posted on the internet 23/06/08. The resolution put to members states:

That, subject to a similar resolution being approved by the Middlesex Squash League, the Middlesex Squash Rackets Association be merged with the Middlesex Squash League with effect from 1 May 2008 under the name of the Middlesex Squash and Racketball Association and that the Constitution shown on the Middlesex Squash League website on 23 June 2008 be adopted as the Constitution for the merged body and that its first officers be appointed forthwith.

All attendees were in favour, none against.

AOB Point a rally scoring is on the horizon Justyn Price to advise further. The WSF plans to review in October however, England Squash to introduce this approach for all junior activities from 1 September 2008. No further business was notified to the secretary.

Minutes of MSL AGM held at GlaxoSK on Wednesday 23 July 2008

Present Gordon Ross, Jack Harris, Al Robertson, John Crosbie, Gordon Kerr, Tim Taylor, Robin Mace and representatives of Middlesex League teams.

Apologies for absence were received from Redbridge and Berge Kay

Introduction Gordon Ross welcomed all attendees and advised agenda, secretary reports and accounts were available at each table.

Minutes of last years AGM (2007) were taken as read.

Treasurers Report Jack Harris has reviewed two sets of accounts MSRA & Middlesex League.

MSL Small surplus this year versus previous £2k deficit. Fines income has reduced enormously since the secretary change was implemented. Costs of administration and running the League are much the same. A proportion of the income generated goes to the juniors of £30 per team £10 is received by the juniors this is virtually the only source of junior income. Jack advised accounts will be separated to understand how each area is performing but will be combined overall. Over the years it has been demonstrated there are similar reserves from each area of the association (profits/retained funds). No questions were tabled.

Unanimous approval of accounts.

Election of Committee Item moved to follow discussion regarding merger.

Summer League Secretary Report Robin Mace advised the report was issued as part of final pack. He offered his congratulations to Hazelwood, winners for the 3rd time. 41 teams entered this season however, there were one or two teams who left it late to confirm their entry which created difficulties for the organiser. There were a couple of issues with some central London teams who find it difficult to get courts and also difficult to travel out to other clubs. Robins preference is to have score cards posted to him rather than sent via email or internet. Robin was thanked for running the leagues for another year.

Secretarys Report Al Robertson thanked everyone for their continuing help and commitment. Sadly Carwyn and Nick Derbyshire are no longer continuing as fixtures/results secretaries which leaves a couple of vacancies. If anyone can offer help please contact Al.

This season we are losing teams from both Princes and Coolhurst who are struggling with courts and player numbers. However, Al welcomed Finsbury Leisure Centre and Connaught who are represented in the league this season. Paddington and Portobello are entering additional teams and there is a possible addition to the ladies league.

Al referred each attendee to the blue booklet. There will be no separate, hard copy match cards to complete on match night e cards will be used. The booklet has results cards incorporated for each captain to keep and record their own results. This is designed to make it as easy as possible. There is space to write players names and the string number played to ensure teams are within the rules. Al is happy to provide additional guidance for those new to the system. One addition to the e card this season is the fixture number which will need to be advised. There is a section for the home team to give marks on the away side regarding arrival time, and the away side to mark the hospitality received from the home team.

Booklets will be issued at the fixture meeting. Thanks to Arlon for free production.

A couple of clubs continue to use hard copy cards. Al advised this is fine but they will be issued with new cards detailing his new address

Some matches are finishing later and later. All clubs must make an effort to start on time to avoid future problems. Please communicate with respective secretaries to ensure the match can get started with those who have already arrived.

League rules are in the booklet but full rules are also available on the website as a PDF so can be printed off. Any questions/clarity required, contact Al before the match, not after.

Website Updates The League structure is now on the website, minus Finsbury Leisure so there will be some movement to accommodate the team. Al to be notified if any team believes they could move up a division.

The Mens Fixtures Meeting is 19 August at 7.00pm. If any team has not paid their subs before then please bring along on the night. £30 fee if paid by the end of July, £35 after that date and £50 if the final deadline is missed.

The Ladies Fixtures Meeting is not necessary as ladies captains contact each other individually to arrange suitable dates.

Merger of MSRA and MSL This was first discussed at last years AGM and received unanimous approval. A working party was subsequently set up and hard copy proposals were available at the meeting. The proposed new name is Middlesex Squash & Racketball Association. The draft constitution was posted on the internet 23/06/08. The resolution put to members states:

That, subject to a similar resolution being approved by the Middlesex Squash Rackets Association, the Middlesex Squash League be merged with the Middlesex Squash Rackets Association with effect from 1 May 2008 under the name of the Middlesex Squash and Racketball Association and that the Constitution shown on the Middlesex Squash League website on 23 June 2008 be adopted as the Constitution for the merged body and that its first officers be appointed forthwith.

All attendees were in favour, none against.

Gordon Ross formally announced the two associations merged. The date of the merger coincides with the start of the financial year.

Election of Officers Honorary President Gordon Ross

Chairman Gordon Kerr

Vice Chairman Tracey Webster

Secretary Stewart Gibbs

Treasurer Jack Harris

Mens/Womens League Al Robertson

Vets/Vintage League Jack Harris

Summer League Robin Mace

Junior Representative Tim Taylor

Mens Team Co ordinator Alan Thomson

Womens Team Co ordinator Tracey Webster



All attendees were in favour and the committee was confirmed.

Any Other Business No further business was notified to the secretary.

England Squash News from Area Justyn Price

Justyn thanked the county, league and attendees for their continued support of the sport.

JP is responsible for the London Region (Middlesex, Sussex, Surrey, Kent) for squash and racketball. JP was a professional footballer, played badminton and has now moved to squash. Squash is growing sport with 70 new clubs affiliating in the last year. JP and England Squash are giving focus to racketball as it helps with utilisation of squash facilities. Racketball evenings now run as open evenings has helped to increase membership with a club in the South West now looking to re convert a gym back to a squash court. JP is running some pilots (one in Hammersmith) to try and engage with businesses to use local facilities at lunchtime (squash or racketball). A recent 6 week programme has introduced nearly 100 people to the sports. He is also trying to encourage local schools to add the sports to the PE curriculum and utilise local clubs. JP is running coach workshops for coaches free to attend and area squads for county juniors. Point a rally the last ES board meeting determined it would make sense for junior sanctioned events to move to this (11 pts) so juniors would not be disadvantaged in European competitions. A decision has yet to be made for inter county junior events. No update regarding senior competitions but anticipates this will be a consultative process.

Surrey/Middlesex event at Feltham Community College squash was the most popular sport at the event (which included table tennis and badminton). Any questions or help/guidance his contact details are available on the England Squash website.

PeterNicolSquash.com & London Squash Academy Presentation

PeterNicolSquash.com sells Prince equipment. They are trying to re define the way squash equipment is sold. The concept differs from an online shop by working closely with clubs. They put together a demo bag for the clubs involved to allow individuals to try the products ahead of purchase. Clubs do not need to hold any stock, items purchased are issued within 48 hrs with commissions paid for items sold. Peter will be visiting clubs to host demonstration days. The intention is to expand the service to offer coaching facilities.

Middlesex County Closed Championships Posters are available to put up at clubs to generate interest and encourage entry. Contact John Crosbie with any queries.

Gordon Ross formally closed the Middlesex League AGM by thanking all secretaries/representatives and wished everyone a successful coming season.

Presentation of Trophies and Awards

Secretary of the Year: Mervyn Nelson
Club of the Year: Oakleigh Park
Norman Wilby Special Merit Award: Gordon Kerr