AGM Minutes

Draft Minutes Sale Sharks Supporters club AGM 2/11/2024 6.15pm at CorpAcq stadium, Sale.

Welcome from Chair Joe Parsonage
Apologies from Helen Cooper, Merrall Stanworth, Neil Rothwell, Carol Thomas and David Thomas
Minutes of 2023 AGM approved, proposed by Raymond Floyd, seconded by Judith Mayne. No Matters Arising.
Chair’s report, see below, Proposed by Joe Parsonage, seconded by Dean Styger.
Treasurers Report, see below, Proposed by Dean Styger, seconded by Joe Parsonage
Explanation of proposed changes to constitution by Mike Harding
Election of Committee en-bloc, all stood down, Graeme Bowers took the chair, all re-

elected, Ian Wallwork and Charlotte Coleman has stood down as Membership Secretary and Secretary respectively, both are staying as committee members with Charlotte taking over responsibility for mailchimp and newsletter and Mike Harding becoming Membership Sec.Make up for 24/25 is as follows: Chair Joe Parsonage, Vice-Chair and Social Sec Kim Rothwell, Treasurer Dean Styger, Membership Sec Mike Harding, Committee members, Lisa Johnson, Charlotte Coleman and Ian Wallwork.Proposed by Raymond Floyd, Seconded by Adrian Seddon.

AOB. Raymond Floyd proposed a round of applause for the committee, much appreciated.

Lynne Morris asked about fun buses and moving forward, a discussion was had about distances, dates, costs and loses. SSSC will run buses to Gloucester, Northampton and Leicester as long as the match is not a Friday night or a ‘difficult’ bank holiday. Graeme Bowers asked about SSSC continuing to have a dialogue with Sale Sharks about the match day experience, it was agreed that this would happen.

Approval of the revised constitution. Proposed by Mike Harding, Seconded by Kim Rothwell
Meeting closed at 7.15pm by Joe Parsonage.

Chairman’s report

Welcome to our 22nd annual SSSC AGM. Thank you for coming along and supporting this event.

On the playing front, we had an eventful season. Hoping to go one better than the previous year.

Being a World Cup year our season didn’t get underway properly until October.  

We had a mixed start opening with a win against Northampton. A couple of other wins a a couple of big losses. December saw our European campaign start with a good result against Stade Francais. Christmas saw our form stumble. A win over Sarries but two defeats left us struggling. January and Europe beckoned. Our 1st port of call was as far south in Europe you could get. Namely Cape Town. For those of us fortunate enough to make the trip, it was an amazing experience.

Back to the Premiership and our early season form took a turn for the worse with us being written off by the media. However a run of 5 games unbeaten starting with a 41-5 win over Exeter saw us secure a place in the playoffs. A tough ask at Bath saw our season draw to a close. But well done to the team.

Away from the rugby we continued to build our membership to over 400 now. We did have one casualty from the committee with Graeme Johnson standing down for personal reasons. We thank Graeme for what he added to the committee.

We ran several successful events over the season which were well supported. First up was our “Meet the new players “ Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ernst van Rhyn, Sam Bedlow, Tom Ellis and Tyson Harper, presented themselves to the meeting.

Next up was our “ From grass roots to Sale boots” thanks to Sam James, Tom Burrows, Harry Thompson and Frank Chadderton. An entertaining insight hosted by Steve Hanley. We had a good attendance of over 100 including Trafford schools rugby who were given their SSSC Sponsored tops.

We quickly followed this with the “How was your World Cup “ with Rachel McLachlan, Gus Creevy, Manu Tuilangi and Morwenna Talling. For those of you who follow the women’s game may have seen her score for the Red Roses at the weekend in Vancouver against the USA.

“Meet the coaches Half Term report “ attending were Dorian West, Pete Anglesey, Paul Deacon and Jamie Langley was our next venture. Once again we had an interesting debate on all things coaching.

Next event was a good favourite for some of us oldies, a night amongst the “ Sale legends” with Dean Schofield, Stu Turner, Jonny Leota and non other then Steve Hanley providing the entertainment, with John Everton and Graeme Bowers asking the questions.

Our main event of the year is the annual “Supporters Dinner and Awards ceremony “

Once again an event that’s ever increasing in popularity with “Full house” signs being posted.

This year’s awards went to:

Player of the year Tom Roebuck

Best newcomer was shared by Ernst  van Rhyn and Asher Opoku Fordjour.

Unsung hero Ross Harrison

Sale Sharks women’s Player of the year, Niamh Swailes

Outstanding contribution Sam James 

Selorm Kuady award Tommy Taylor and Nick James

SSSC Hall of fame Sam James and Vicky E Irwin

A couple of final points. We did run 3 fun buses and we also beat Altrincham supporters club in the annual cricket match at Ashley.

Finally as has become custom on my part is to “ reflect and think of the people who we lost this season. Our thoughts and condolences go to their families and friends.”

Thank you.

I was asked to have a look at the Club’s Constitution and Rules in line with Section 9.3, requiring the Constitution and Rules to be reviewed every two years.

Following consultation with the other committee members, the following changes are recommended as laid out in the revised copies on your tables.

Amended of document to be a Constitution only, not a Constitution and Rules.

Change of A J Bell Stadium to Salford Community Stadium.

Update the Committee to a minimum of four members.

Consolidate the sections on co-option and filling of vacancies to the Committee.

Amend Auditor to financial professional in various sections.

Amend the quorum to just twenty members for AGMs and EGMs, removing the higher threshold of 10% of members.

Add a provision that members can be available at an AGM or EGM via electronic communication.

I propose these changes be adopted.

Treasurers Report

Dean Styger said the accounts had been signed by Mr Gary Dodds, a chartered accountant and ex-managing partner of Lloyd Piggot.

He proceeded to highlight a number salient points on the figures.

Membership ended 2023/24 on 465 members. He encouraged all present to promote the SSSC and try and get us to 500 members

The 201 club has 73 members. Again ,he encouraged more people to join and help get to 100 members.

3 buses had been run to away matches. The Gloucester bus had lost over £500, but the 3 in total had virtually broke even, which is perfectly acceptable. He stated strongly that fun buses would not be run at a loss, where members subscriptions who did not travel were used to subsidise buses. The aim of breaking even throughout the season would continue. Subject to the dates of fixtures, buses would run to Leicester, Northampton and Gloucester.

The 2024 Annual Dinner was another great success, enabling £9000 (the highest amount ever) to be donated to the Sharks Academy. Badger & Coombes had again sponsored the event and Ged Mason had kindly double the amount raised via the auction and Raffle (£3673)

Social events income was down from 2022/23 due to a quiz not being held.

Vicky Irwin was the 2024/24 Woman’s sponsored player and donations had also be made to Trafford Schools, Ollie Davies, Will Hirstwood and the Sharks Foundation.

Increases in room hire from Sale FC accounted for the Social Events variance form 2022/23.

The miscellaneous cost was paid to Pic Rights Ltd due to previous committees using unauthorised images on the website.