Here are some issues that we should all be considering before the club AGM, in no particular order:
Captaincy:
Do we wish to continue to rotate the captaincy among the senior players or should we look to have a more stable leadership, as long as there's someone qualified & willing to do it.
Selection:
With more squad members this year do we need to revise our selection methods? Do we keep the 'contracted' & 'ad-hoc' players lists that worked well on the whole last season, or; change to an open selection process according to predetermined availability?
Selection committee:
- If there's a fixed captain should they have a say in the team selection?
- Do we want to stay at 3 selectors?
- Do we want to retain the existing 3 (if willing) or have an open vote?
- Are we happy to have the same people again (potentially) or do we want all new people, excluding previous selectors from the vote?
Fixtures:
- Do we want more / less / the same number?
- Do we want to play against the same opposition? Anyone we wouldn't want to play against again?
- Do we want to play the same formats? Do we want longer / shorter limited overs games, or some timed games or more Twenty/20 encounters?
Home Venue:
Do we want to stick to using Enfield as our base of operations (when available), considering how pricey it can be (weekend matches + tea) although the good facilities & club links? Are there any viable alternatives we could investigate & compare?
Organised competitions:
We were invited to enter two competitions last season but declined or were unable. Do we want to consider entering this season, players permitting? Do we want to try to organise our own?
Winter / pre-season nets:
- Options: WH School / Hatfield / Grammar School / any others?
- Comparative cost & time slots?
- What's the optimum time / day slot to maximise attendance?
- Do we require players to block pay in advance?
- When do we need to have secured a slot?
- Net fees - as the club is skint do they need to kick off the club fund raising for next season?
- Potential drawbacks (exams!)
Summer / seasonal nets:
As above.
Club fund raising:
- Do we need nominal subs from existing squad members to allow for new kit purchases?
- Should net fees just cover the cost of the nets or should there be a small premium to boost funds?
- Match fees - should they remain at the present level? How did they fare last season vs costs & post match drinks?
- Do we need to investigate further ways of raising funds?
Club kit requirements:
- What existing kit needs replacing? (bag, pads, gloves, bats, medical kit, etc)
- What new kit do we need? (extra helmet, extra net stumps, new scorebook)
- Do we need left handed kit?
- Do we need some emergency whites in case of forgotten items / last minute stand ins?
- Do we need to ask for more donations?
- Should we buy match balls in bulk to cut costs?
Club attire:
- Any more caps / 20/20 shirts required: for last season's players; for replacements of existing caps / shirts?
- Do we want to consider other club branded kit: i.e. jumpers / tracksuits / cricket shirts?
- Club pennants were mentioned last season, especially re our distant away games (& maybe 20/20 series opponents?)
Club officials:
- Do we want to stay fairly flexible with regards to roles or introduce more formal roles (i.e. treasurer, chairman, club sec, fixture sec, procurement officer/quartermaster) & more structured decision making?
- If so what roles & how decided?
Website:
- A roaring success in promoting community feeling, does anything need to be added or changed? (i.e. club contact details for potential opponents)
- Is any funding required?
Club events:
- Along the lines of the trip to the dogs & the upcoming golf day are there any other social events that should be considered / arranged?
- In order to help the passes situation with the WAGS do we want to designate a match (probably a home game earlyish in the season) as a family day, where the players bring along (or try to) their WAGS & kids & introduce them to everyone else & the delights of cricket!
- Could we manage to incorporate a during or post match BBQ to any of next season's matches (a possibility at Enfield)
Club communications:
Should their be a master list of player contact details be circulated at the beginning of the season? It would enable players (especially new or less established ones) to collaborate on travel to & from nets & matches.
Coaching:
- Should the club look into acquiring coaching videos / manuals for use by the players? Perhaps a session with a pro coach may be an option for those interested.
Enough to be going on with? But we might want to start the proceedings with the ones that are easier to agree on...I remember Nick's 40 minute debate over selection back in February!