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Women's Football League Bulletin Board |
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Maritime
Women’s Football League: Annual General Meeting Saturday
February 27, 2010 Moncton, NB YMCA Call to order: Lisa Harlow Called to order at 1:38pm Welcome by chairman- Lisa Harlow, League Commissioner Introductions (Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton, Halifax, and guests from Dartmouth) Certification of Voters: 1 player rep per team and 1 exec per team. Additions to the agenda: none Review of Minutes from 2009: Not
possible due to copies not being available. Reports
From: Commissioner: Lisa Harlow reported that there were no major issues arising from 2009. It was a good season. There are new Executive positions that will need to be filled. She then presented the 2009 financial statement. Motion to adopt Financial Statement-Gilles Lavoie, 2nd by Jim Mather, motion carried. Halifax (Team Report): Kevin Breen said the team had had a rough start, followed by an even rougher season last year, and that there remains some things to be “fixed” for the upcoming season. One of which was a significant loss of players part-way through the season. So far, things are “looking good”. Saint John (Team Report): Jim Mather reported that it could have been better and that the numbers had stayed about the same as before. Lost a few, gained a few. They are looking forward to what this season will bring. Moncton (Team Report): Gilles Lavoie echoed the sentiment that was shared by the first 2 teams. He gave recognition to the Saint John team for a job well done in organizing the Final Play-offs. Fredericton (Team Report): Josh McKay reported that 2009 was a ‘learning year’ for the Gladiators. It was the continuation of a building year which will continue on in 2010. They are currently very actively recruiting new players. Motion to adopt the team
reports- Kevin Breen, 2nd by Jim Mather, motion carried. Proposal
of new team from Halifax area: (Gilles
Lavoie requested clarification as to whom the voters would consist
of…the old exec or the new exec. Lisa Harlow explained that since the
new exec has yet to be determined that it would be the old exec voting) Nick (Dartmouth) made opening remarks on behalf of the proposed Dartmouth team. He said he had 20 players confirmed, he had secured jerseys, equipment, 5 coaching staff, and that 16 players had attended a clinic which was held the week prior. Of the 20 confirmed players, 5-6 of them were former Halifax players who would refuse to return to the Halifax team if Dartmouth team does was not formed. Nick added that he did not go to the Halifax team to “actively recruit” those players, and that it was disgruntled players who’d left Halifax part way through the season who had contacted him. Kevin (Halifax) reported that in 2009, he began the season with about 20 committed players…but that partway through the season he was left with about 15… Larry (FNB) cautioned about a similar incident which took place in SJ a few years ago, where there was an attempted “split” into 2 teams which proved to be unsuccessful partway through the season. In order to salvage what was left of the season, they had to re-amalgamate which was very difficult and unfair to everyone involved. If teams from Dartmouth and Halifax have only enough interest to secure 15 players each…both teams run the risk of causing a similar backlash thus having a negative effect on the entire league. Gilles (Moncton) asked whether we would should be jeopardizing a current team in order to add a new one? If so, then that is not considered “growing the league” at all. Especially since the addition of the Dartmouth team means Halifax would be losing their gear. Attrition has and always will play a problem. Every year each team loses about 8-10 players and this is no different. He then made reference to the failed attempt at founding a 6-a side team. Brian suggested that the obvious friction between two teams is a goods thing and that 6 players will not make or break a team. The coaches involved need to look past their egos and work together if they truly want this league to grow. Ashley (Halifax) reported that Nic had, in fact, actively sought out Halifax recruits and that there were more Halifax players that would NOT play for Dartmouth than there was vise versa. Some discussion was had regarding the release of players to other teams, and that, ultimately, it was up to the individual teams to decide. More discussion over reasons why the Halifax Boys and Girls club were refusing to provide the Halifax team with their gear. Motion to adopt a new Dartmouth team this season (voting was done by confidential ballot resulting in a 4-1 vote AGAINST the new team). Motion to adopt the new team was denied. Lisa Harlow then requested confirmation of Halifax’s participation in the league no later than April 1st. Kevin agreed. Election
of 2010 Executives: (Some discussion as to whether or not 5 executive positions are required since president does nothing more than the commissioner. The problem with eliminating the president role is that with 4 members, there could be a tie. The problem with only 3 members is that one of the teams will not be represented on the executive. Decision was made to remain with 5 positions for the time being). Lisa Harlow (SJ) reoffered as Commissionaire, motion carried. Ali McKellar (absent, Halifax) was offered as president, motion carried provided that she accept when notified. Jenny Miller (Moncton) reoffered as Vice president, motion was carried. Melanie Legere offered as new treasurer, motion was carried. Kristen Warner
(Fredericton) offered as new secretary, motion was carried. New
Business: Defensive Set up (Special Rules): Option A- Ends may line up as wide as they like. Option B- keep the philosophy of 1 on 1 blocking by sending the identical number of defence in the box as sent by offense. Some concern over the widened ends leading to direct angle of attack at QB. Also noted that option B would make coaching and playing the line more “interesting”, and promote linemen having to think on their feet and react to changes on short notice. Option B would be harder to police, and that players would need to comply on their honour. Also clarification needed as to whether or not the back field could attack on the outside of the box, or to keep in inside. Motion to adopt 1-1 blocking was passed by a majority vote in favour of option B. Motion that new rule would NOT apply to punting and kicking- Gilles Lavoie, 2nd Kevin Breen. Motion passed. Passing: All agreed to keep the pass forward. No motion needed. Ball Size: Motion to go from the TDJ to the bigger TDY (composite) ball- Michelle Young Mather, motion carried. Game Lengths: Motion to go from 10 minute quarters to 12 minute quarters (as per rules)- Lisa Harlow, motion carried. Mercy Rule: Motion to make mercy rule up to the discretion of the losing coach, as this would allow players more time on the field and more worthwhile especially when losing team travelled to play-Kevin Breen, motion carried. Jr. Girls Spring Camp: Will take place on the Long weekend in one day during May for girls aged 14-17. There is a need for female players and coaches to volunteer to participate. Championship Game: Gilles expressed concern over safety issues surrounding holding play-offs in ‘less desirable’ fields. He motioned to allow championship winners of previous year to host play-offs of current year. Motion was denied. Kristen motioned to keep hosting on a rotating schedule as it has in the past. Motion was carried. There was also agreement that we should adopt the FNB hosting policy to ensure minimum standards are met. Scheduling: If we choose to play through the July long weekend, there will be issues regarding ref availability as well as implications from the teams who have lost several players to the World Championships. It was decided that regular season games will be on June 5,12,19,26, (bi week), and continue July 10, and 17. Teams playing on June 26th will be required to meet the 15 player minimum in order to avoid forfeiting. Semi finals will be July 24, and Finals will be on July 31st in Fredericton. Since fields need to be booked prior to April 1st , we cannot wait to see which teams will be affected the most by players attending the World Championships before assigning games. Schedule was made by teams drawing numbers at random. June 5th will see Fredericton playing @ Halifax, and Saint John playing @ Moncton. The official schedule will be posted on the MWFL website shortly. 2010 Budget: Currently each team pays $1,500 for first 20 players (by June 1) and an additional $20 per player above and beyond that. There is currently a slight surplus so fees will NOT be raised this year. Lisa reminded coaches that any
time an accident should occur as a result of participation in the MWFL,
and accident report MUST be filled out within 24 hours of said accident
taking place (for insurance purposes). Motion to adjourn at 4:20pm-
Kevin Breen….motion carried. Submitted by Kristen Warner, 2010 Secretary. |
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