EABA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The English Amateur Billiards Association held its Annual General Meeting at The Reardon, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday 6th April 2002. The following Officers were elected for a three-year term:

• President: Alf Nolan Esq.
• Chairman: Mr. Peter Shelley
• Vice-Chairman: Mr. Paul Dunning
• Treasurer: Mr. Steve Crosland
• Auditor: Mr. Alan Hughes OBE

The position of Vice-Chairman was newly introduced by resolution of the meeting. It was also resolved that the Committee Members who had previously been elected for a three year term would now stand on an annual basis. The following were elected to Committee:

• Mr. Tony Keeling
• Mr. Dave Smith
• Mr. John Smith
• Mr. Clive Scott
• Mr. Derick Townend
• Mr. John Bousfield

Mr. John Richmond retired this year as Secretary of the Association, and received a vote of thanks from the meeting for his work whilst in office. There being no candidates for replacement, the position of Secretary was left vacant. Subsequent to the meeting Mr. Harry Wah was co-opted as "Minutes Secretary" with the other secretarial duties to be spread amongst existing Officers.

Finances were reported to be in good shape despite no attempt having yet been made to attract external sponsorship. The income being made up essentially by member subscriptions, entry fees, the "200 Club" draw, sales of "The Amateur Billiard Player" and donations from individual members. Two additional substantial donations were pledged at the meeting and these should ensure that the coming season is in surplus.

Motions before the AGM included one from Alf Nolan Esq; who proposed that the English Champion be excluded to the start of the Competition Proper. Mr. Nolan seemed uncharacteristically short of words in support of his motion and with the meeting remaining unconvinced, it was defeated by substantial majority.

Mr. Roger Clark presented extensive proposals for alteration to the Constitution, some of these were adopted, others defeated, and the balance referred to a sub-committee for further consideration. One of the successes of year had been the formation of the Referees Section, whose membership was reported to now be approaching 30 qualified referees. This will ensure that all EABA events will be fully covered by experienced officials next season.

The following Competition entries were confirmed for the 2001-02 season (previous year in brackets):

The increases in numbers for the Junior Championships is particularly encouraging although the underlying Junior Ranking Tournaments are currently in a perilous position with continuing discord between three regions principally involved. The junior circuit is currently run independently of the EABA although it was suggested at the meeting that the National circuit could disintegrate into its component parts of Teesside, Lincoln and East Anglia if the EABA continued to stand aside from taking a controlling role. EABA officers made it clear that they had no intention of considering such a move.

The Secretary reported that the Association held two meetings with EASB at the request of their Executive and Jason Ferguson, Freya Broad and Suzanne Goscombe met with EABA officers to discuss matters of common interest. These meetings were regarded as "exploratory" with no conclusions being reached. However it was intended to continue discussions to determine whether any benefit could be established for members.