A report of the MCA AGM
Of 21/07/2021 held at Aigburth Cricket Club
This was a sparsely attended AGM with 3 clubs [Hoylake, PKA, Waterloo not attending, the meeting was however, quorate . St Helens(formally Widnes have withdrawn from the League)
The following items were discussed
1 Lessons from the 2019-20 and 2020-21 season
Every one agreed that the 2019-20 season had been abandoned although Liverpool still have a strong sense of injustice and feel they won the Division 1 title. Their actions after the closure of the season claiming certain matches as forfeiture was condemned by an Atticus representative and their demand that that the Web controller withdraw his email was also rounded on. Discussion was curtailed by the chair and moved onto the next season.
Representatives of Liverpool felt that the time limit set for the on-line league was too long and that this had put off many players from their club which is why they didn’t enter the competition. Discussion ranged around the topic but it was generally agreed that the time limit worked well. All agreed that Martin had done a marvelous job in setting up and running the competition in a very professional manner.
For next season the priority would be to establish over the board [OTB] chess and there were no current plans to run an on-line league, although the possibility of ad hoc on-line tournaments may be run if there is sufficient time, capacity and interest
2 Treasures Report
The bank balance is extremely healthy with £7,000circa in the bank with no outstanding debts
For 2021-2 the ECF have said they would prefer individuals or for preference, clubs pay for membership…the Club should collect the fee and pay in batch. For this reason, the MCA will in future, not be collecting and paying ECF fees
By way of note the current lowest membership [Bronze] is £18 and if paid before August will run until Aug 2021
Action Point for Atticus decide on ECF fee and Club membership fees
For 2021 -22, due to the healthy finances of the MCA there will be no board fees. This should help clubs revitalize their own finances or reduce membership fees
3 Election of Officers
The following decisions were reached
President Russell Cowell
Vice President Tom Webb
Secretary Nick Martin
Treasurer Leon Wolszcak
Website and fixtures Martin Blasczyk [if he is prepared to continue]
Tournament controller Dr Will Cook [if he is prepared to continue]
NCCU Delegate Nick Martin
Junior Organiser Jim Gallagher
Child protection Kevin Sartain
Committee Members The same as this year [if they are prepared to continue] i.e.
Graham Heath [Wallasey], Gareth Ellis [Widnes], Alan Kelly [Wallasey],
Luke Boumphrey [Atticus], Mike Clarke [Liverpool] and Bart McHugh [Skelmersdale]
Grader Vacant Action Point is anyone in the club prepared to take on this role?
4 Leagues and Cup competitions
Main Leagues
Division 1 [7 Boards] Controller Dave Whitby |
Aigburth 1 |
Atticus 1 |
Atticus 2 |
Hoylake 1 |
Liverpool 1 |
Wallasey 1 |
Waterloo |
Division 2 [6 Boards] Controller Leon Wolszcak |
Aigburth 2 |
Atticus 3 |
Liverpool 2 |
PKA 1 |
Southport 1 |
Wallasey 2 |
Division 3 [6 Boards] Controller Jim Moran |
Atticus 4 |
Formby 1 |
Hoylake 2 |
Liverpool 3 |
Skelmersdale 1 |
Wallasey 3 |
Division 4 [6 Boards] Controller Russell Cowell |
Aigburth 3 |
Formby 2 |
Liverpool 3 |
Liverpool 4 |
Skelmersdale 2 |
Wallasey 4 |
600 and 440 Leagues
600 League [4 Boards] Controller Dave Whitby |
Aigburth |
Atticus |
Formby |
Hoylake |
PKA |
Southport |
Waterloo |
All teams play each other once
440 League [4 Boards] Controller Luke Boumphrey |
Aigburth |
Atticus |
Formby |
Hoylake |
PKA |
Wallasey |
All teams play each other once
Knotty Ash Cup and John Ripley Leagues
Both competitions have 10 entries for 2021-2
5 Any other business
Playing and Covid protocols
Quite a broad ranging discussion but in summary
Any ECF guidelines would be adopted
Captains arranging games would confer with their opposite number any specifics
In general the clubs would have to follow the house rules of the venue
Promoting chess across Merseyside
Generally thought to be a good thing! Some discussion on widening across social media
Russel Cowell, the new president, has some initiatives in mind