AGM Minutes
Thursday 21st May 2026 at Broad Oak Social Club
Meeting commenced at 7.30pm
Attending Clubs :- Waterlooville, Bellair, Copnor, North End Bowls, Cowplain, Broad Oak, Craneswater, Post Office, Havant, Emsworth.
Special Guest : Mandy Toms
Before the meeting commenced Chris Hardyman (Chairman) invited everyone to be upstanding for a minute applause for 4 past & recent members who have sadly passed away in the past 12 months, namely, Jim Hutton, Brian Watson, Rob Dandy & Steve Toms. Chris gave particular tributes to Rob Dandy who has been a long standing member and captain of the Dandys until his passing & also Steve Toms. Chris acknowledged Mandy’s presence stating that Steve’s passing is a huge loss for our snooker & billiards community.
CHAIRMANS REPORT
I take great pleasure in seeing so many members here to participate in this year’s AGM. Your Committee are continuingly trying to make the best decisions for you all and for snooker and billiards in this region, and we do rely on your input and reflections to help guide us. As per usual there will be an open question and answer slot at the end of this meeting.
There were two big decisions that we took over the past 12 months. The first was to scrap the summer league and extend the winter equivalent. The committee had been considering this move for some time and they appreciate it wasn’t an easy decision to make. After thrashing round a whole load of potential scenarios around, it was decided to extend the winter league at the expense of the summer. There were several reasons for this decision –
- The winter league is when we get most players and teams playing and in the old set up some teams were only playing 14 league games across a year. The change means more players playing for a longer time.
- There were comments from teams saying that they were losing enthusiasm for the summer league. It was played in the hottest time of the year and during the holiday season and teams were constantly struggling to get 6 players out.
- The finances for the summer league lost money with reduced league games. The finances are important and the extended winter league helps those finances.
- Teams were asking to drop out of the Peter Rook Cup either because they didn’t like the league set up or had issues with the handicaps. Extending the winter league allows the Cup to revert back to a knockout competition for those who want to enter it.
Generally the reaction to the changes have been positive, and thanks for all the support in making that transition so smooth. We will continue to review how it runs.
The second big change was the recent Billiard amendments that were voted through at the recent EMG. The Committee are committed to retain a billiards league in the area and the changes of reducing team numbers to 5 and weekly handicap changes were voted through and are now in situ. These changes have resulted in new players and teams taking place and we hope their enthusiasm continues over the summer and many years to come.
There is another point that I wanted to raise here, if I can.
On occasions this year there have been issues with the snooker balls and equipment that are available on match nights as well as the condition of some tables. We totally understand that we are reliant on many social clubs supplementing the remaining snooker clubs to give us the 30 odd teams that take part in the leagues, and we accept that the tables in those social clubs may not be to the standard of the snooker halls but we will be sending round a notification prior to the next winter season reminding all clubs to provide facilities and equipment that reflect the League rules that are in place – this includes using balls that reach the WPBSA standards, that all equipment such as rests are in place and that the tables are ironed prior to the start of the match.
Finally, as always, I wanted to thank the Committee for their support they have given this year. We have a great set of volunteers who are trying to provide the best product and structure for our members. I hope you can agree that they do a great job. Everyone plays a part, and I want to particularly thank Ioan and Pete for running the competitions, which I am sure you will agree are running seamlessly nowadays.
My main thanks, however, needs to go to Gary who is administering the league incredibly. Communication with members is superb, he is always available to support teams, and the results and website is updated by lunchtime on Friday. I know he is keen on someone else taking over the reigns going forward, and I am trying to encourage him to stay a little longer. That brings me onto the usual plea – if anyone here wants to get involved in joining the committee and helping to support snooker in the area then please get in touch. Without these guys putting in all this effort no one would be taking part in a league.
SECRETARY REPORT
Good evening everyone its so good to see so many of you here.
I always get the easy job of reading out all the results for past 12 months but before I’d like to register thanks to pretty much everyone, players, captains and the committee for supporting me in delivering the annual programme. It wouldn’t happen without that support so a heartfelt thanks to you all.
Also we have secured a new home for our Committee meetings and AGM. The support from Broad Oak has been fantastic and very much appreciated.
I also mentioned almost 2 years ago my wish to pass on the secretary role to someone else. In that time the number of people clambering to take on the role has been overwhelming! No, seriously we have yet to find a successor but in essence all I need is someone cover the website updates and control the league table etc when I am away. This is what we will be focussing on over coming months so you are stuck with me for a while longer.
The results.
In a break with tradition Ioan is going to summarise all the competition results given he and Pete did all the work so just leaves me to focus on the leagues and high breaks.
Billiards 2025
We had one division of 8 teams and the champions were – W/Ville Bananas
Runners up – Cowplain X
Team K/O – Presidents Cup – Winners Bellair (Runners up Waterlooville C)
High Breaks
+20 and below Ben Cotton 64 (W/Ville Bananas)
+21 -+54 James Curtis 47 Cowplain X
+55 – +74 53 – Dusty Tingley (Bellair
+75-+100 36 – Rob Derry (Waterlooville C)
Summer Season 2025
Division One Winners – Copnor A&E
Runners up – Bananas
Division Two Winners – Waterlooville C
Runners up – Copnor E
Division Three Winners – Cowplain Misfits
Runners Up – Broad Oak Dandy’s
High breaks
Division One – Wayne Rendle 60 W/Ville Bananas
Division Two – Ioan Moon 33 Dandy’s
Division Three – Dusty Tingle 31 Cowplain Misfits
Winter League 2025/26
Division 1 – Champions Post Office Captain – Jamie Farrow
Runners Up – Copnor A&E – Captain Scott Compton
Division 2 – Champions Copnor D – captain Dave Glover
Runners Up – Bellair X – captain Archie Archer
Division 3- Champions Broad Oak Xcels – captain Andy Chambers
Runners Up – Copnor E – captain Stacey Wearn
Peter Rook Cup – Champions Craneswater R – RU Emsworth A 7-5
High Breaks
91-100 Jamie Wilson (Bellair A) 114
81-90 Same Laxton (Broad Oak Xcels) 74
71-80 Lyle Croft (Craneswater R) 60
61-70 Spencer Nelson (Craneswater R) 59
51-60 Chris Collings (Post Office) 48
41-50 Stacey Wearn (Copnor E) 43
31-40 George Steere (Cowplain X) 32
There were 326 breaks of 30 or over which averages 12 per week almost exactly the same as last year.
TREASURERS REPORT as at 30th April 2026
(A copy of the accounts can be obtained upon request to the Secretary)
This year we have shown a profit of £1654.24 in our finances as compared to a £1400.22 loss in 2025 accounts.
Don’t get too excited as this £3000 swing is a bit misleading due to a couple of reasons. Firstly, with the Winter snooker season extended it now meant that on our year end date of 30th April we were still playing matches. Therefore, things like the league prize money payout of £1120 would not be included in this year’s accounts.
The second reason that contributed towards the £3000 swing was the small increase in match fees and the team entry fee which would have obviously generated extra income for this year only.
But again, please remember, for the past few years we have normally shown a loss of approx. £1400 in the year end accounts so please don’t think we have made £1800 this year, we have simply tried to iron out the ‘£1400’s before we ran into serious trouble.
It’s worth pointing out that on page 5 of the accounts is a list of outstanding bills as of 30th April which is our year end date for the accounts. Since then several teams have paid, in fact, I only have 4 x teams still outstanding from the Winter snooker, so I might as well take this opportunity to plug a reminder to them – they are Cowplain Misfits, Craneswater R, Havant A & Pompey Royals.
I say it every year, please remember, we are a non-profit making organisation so we are not expected to make money each financial year, just be in control of what we have.
And lastly, a few thank you’s from me. Firstly, I’d like to thank John Wyatt who again this year personally donated £60 towards the Frank Wyatt Trophy (Individual Handicap Singles Comp) in memory of his late father. Secondly, to Gary for all his efforts in carrying out the role of secretary of this association and thirdly to Ioan for recently helping out the committee with prize money distribution and arranging for the various trophies to be engraved and distributed in the absence of Steve Toms.
COMPETITIONS & TROPHY SECRETARY REPORT
This year Ioan Moon spoke on behalf of both Comps Secs in the absence of Pete Gorvin.
Ioan read out all the competition winners
Scratch Singles – Graham Simper Cup 2025/2026
Champion – Lee Eden (Copnor ST’s) 4:2 over Joe Rigby (Craneswater R)
Entries this year 45 v 38 last year = +7 Difference
HCap Singles – Frank Wyatt Memorial Trophy 2025/2026
Champion – Spencer Nelson (Craneswater R) 3:0 over Simon Munday (Broad Oak)
Entries this year 70 v 58 last year = +12 Difference
Scratch Pairs – The Alan Betteridge Cup 2025/2026
Champions – Steve Ball and Wayne Rendle (Waterlooville Bananas)
3:2 Over Scott Compton and Mark Tillison (Copnor ST’s)
Entries this year 21 v 24 last year = -3 Difference
HCap Pairs – The Dennis Hushley Memorial Trophy 2025/2026
Champions – Jamie Farrow and Chris Collings (Post Office)
3:1 over Ben Cotton and Dan Lee (Waterlooville Bananas)
Entries this year 33 pairs v 32 last year = +1 Difference
Over 50’s – The Terry Cole Cup 2025/2026
Champion – Rod McBain (Craneswater R) 3:2 over Mark Mottershaw (Havant A)
Entries this year 34 v 31 last year
Peter Rook Cup 2025/2026
Champions – Craneswater R 7:5 over Emsworth A
This year 16 teams entered the Competition.
Billiards Scratch – Sid Mathews Cup
Champion – Ben Cotton (Waterlooville Bananas)
Runner-up – Rob Kirby (Craneswater A)
16 players entered in 2025
Billards H Cap – The Harding Cup
Champion – Ben Cotton (Waterlooville Bananas)
Runner-up – James Curtis (Cowplain X)
30 players in 2025
Many thanks to Steve Scott / Paul Jagger / Tina and BELLAIR club who hosted all the finals in 2026.
2026 Billiard Competitions have not started yet. So far there are:
- 16 entries for the Scratch competition, and
- 26 entries for the HCap competition
Closing date for entries is tomorrow – Friday 22 May.
After all the above reports reports the meeting progressed to the Proposals as set out on the Agenda.
Committee Proposals
1. That the incumbent committee, including co-opted members, be re-elected en bloc with no other nominations having been received.
ACCEPTED
2. Rule 8 – Monthly meeting to be changed to ‘Bi-Monthly meetings’
ACCEPTED
3. Rule 31 – Change ‘Home teams may be penalised 1 point’ to ‘Home & Away teams may be penalised 1 point’ – making both teams responsible for scoresheet accuracy
ACCEPTED
4. Rule 31 – Change ‘24 hours’ to ‘by 12 noon the next day’ for submission of the scoresheet
ACCEPTED
5. That League Billiards Match are drawn as follows – the top 2 ranked by handicap followed by the remaining 3 ranked by handicap.
REJECTED – 7 For, 8 Against (all others abstained)
Members Proposals
That all Competition Semi-Finals to be played at neutral venues
Proposer: Lee Eden Seconder: Scott Compton
ACCEPTED
Snooker in Lowest Division:- That the draw for each league match be as follows – The top 2 handicaps be drawn against each other, the middle 2 handicaps and lowest 2 handicaps thus aligning players with similar handicaps for a more competitive outcome.
Proposer: Ray Axton Seconder: Ted Dowse
ACCEPTED
League Snooker in Lowest Division :- That all League matches be played off Handicaps.
Proposer: Ray Axton Seconder Ted Dowse
This Proposal was removed from proceedings at the request of Ray Axton.
No Other Matters were debated. The meeting finished at 8.30pm
The meeting then went on to the Winter League Prize-Giving where all winning captains were present to receive their Trophies and cash winnings. Presented by Chris Hardyman (Chairman).
Notably Dave Glover (Copnor D), Jamie Farrow(Post Office) and Ben Cotton (Bananas) donated their winnings to Mandy Toms.
EGM – Monday 23rd March 2025
7.30 pm on Monday 23rd March 2026 at Broad Oak Social Club
John Wyatt (Vice Chairman) opened the meeting at 7.30pm. Clubs represented at the meeting were – Cowplain, Copnor, Broad Oak, Craneswater, North End Bowls (14 members in total)
John said that in the lead up to the EGM a meeting took place to determine the future of Billiards. The league has been surviving on 8-9 teams for a number of years & 1 or 2 teams have hinted they might not enter a team this year. The emergency meeting yielded a number of proposals with the sole aim of making it easier for teams to register and play Billiards. The proposals were subsequently agreed by the Committee which in turn has resulted in an EGM ahead of the start of the Billiards season.
John handed over the meeting to key Committee members to run through the proposals. This lead to a more general debate covering all the proposals given they all are largely inter-linked. After an hour of debate John invited all members present to vote. All Proposals were carried & the results are recorded against each proposal below.
John finished by thanking all members for attending and supporting Billiards.
Meeting finished at 8.45pm
PROPOSALS
- That with immediate effect the number of players for each team be reduced from 6 to 5.
Carried – Unanimous
- That with immediate effect the 5 player rule be changed to 4 players and captains have unlimited usage of the rule throughout the season
Carried – Unanimous
Billiards Handicaps
- That with immediate effect a players handicap be altered by plus or minus 5 after each league match played. Plus 5 for each match lost (up to a maximum of 125) and minus 5 for each match won. Should a player play twice under 4 player rule then only the first match played will be counted.
Carried – 13 in Favour, 1 against
- Billiards Competitions :- In conjunction with proposal No. 3 – that with immediate effect a players handicap will be determined at each round draw date and remain unaltered until the next round draw date.
Carried – Unanimous
Billiards
- That with immediate effect the home players will play with the yellow ball and away players will use the white ball.
Carried – 9 in favour , 5 Against
NO OTHER MATTERS CAN BE DEBATED
AGM Minutes – Tuesday 20th May 2025
Meeting started at 7:30pm.
Attending clubs – Craneswater, Post Office, Waterlooville, Emsworth, Bellair, Copnor, Broadoak, Cowplain and NEBC.
CHAIRMANS REPORT
Chris welcomed everyone to the meeting and said it’s lovely to see so many people here for the 2025 AGM – even if I do accept that we have to bribe some of you by combining this with the competition prize giving. He then went through the agenda for this evening.
I think we have had a good year and am happy that, for the first time in many years, our team entries went up, hopefully a trend that will continue in future years. The leagues and competitions all seemed to run successfully, and I think that some of the recent rule changes have allowed teams to easily sign on new players and we avoided many late postponements that have previously blighted some seasons.
There are 2 main areas I wanted to focus on in my report.
Firstly handicaps. It seems we have almost annual discussions on handicaps and whether they are fair and these complaints come from all leagues. It is our intention to try and create an even playing field where handicaps are used, be that in Peter Rook Cup or other handicap competitions. That, after all is the intention of a handicap competition.
I know some div 1 players believe that giving away a large deficit at the start of a frame is unfair but the Peter Rook Cup results suggest that it isn’t actually the case. Indeed, I believe we have now reached a stage where I am happy with the differential between general players in Div 1 and Div 2, and the Peter Rook Cup this year showcased that most leagues were competitive, there were a number of ‘shocks’ in the 2nd round, and each quarter and semi final finished either 7 – 5 or 7 – 6. I can’t believe that any of us think that is a bad state of affairs for any handicap competition.
The one division that I ma still not happy with is Div 3, with most teams struggling. I intend to further tweak those handicaps in that division to try to introduce better parity for those teams going forward.
The second thing that will occupy our time over the next few months is potential changes to the Winter League. The Winter League is our showpiece league where, by some distance, the biggest participation levels are. We need this league to thrive in the future.
Previously we changed the Peter Rook Cup to a league basis to extend the Winter season, but I am aware that this isn’t universally popular, and many would like to see a return to a knockout format. If we did this without extending the normal Winter league, teams that get knocked out in the first round, may only play 15 games across the whole season. I don’t think that is healthy for us.
I am therefore looking forward at future committee meetings, to leading a debate around restructuring the Winter league format to increase its length and get the majority of our players playing for longer, and in the competitions that they want to be playing.
I am sure we will be looking for input from captains as we have those discussions and we are always looking for ideas or suggestions from you as members. Maybe you can chat with your teams about what you’d like to see going forward.
Finally, as always, I’d like to thank the Committee for their support. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to run the leagues and cups across the year and I’m sure you all agree it has run smoothly this past year. It’s also great to see some new (and younger) members joining the committee, their enthusiasm and desire to see this great sport continue to thrive in the area is really welcomed.
That is me done and any questions.
SECRETARY REPORT
Firstly, please accept my apologies for not being with you this year. You can blame my wife for booking a holiday deal last November without informing men of the date! I did however, feel obliged to go through with it so I wish you all well this evening from very warm and sunny part of the world.
Before my colleague (Steve) reads out the results from the past 12 months I just wanted to register my continued thanks to everyone involved in our leagues. When I say everyone, I mean ‘everyone’. The committee, the captains and all the players are a collective without which leaves our leagues would not take place. Year in year out I’m very humbled by the level of support everyone gives me and the committee. Such support is crucial in the delivery of a full programme of Snooker and Billiards.
A special mention to the clubs who kindly host competition finals, notably Copnor, Cowplain and Bellair. Also, thanks to Carlton club for the use of their rooms for our monthly meetings and AGM. A special shout out to Steve Toms for continuing to champion our delivery of refereeing the competitions.
Thank you everyone for all you do.
Now onto the results, a list of results was read out for Billiards 2024, league winners and high breaks. Summer season of 2024 for leagues and high breaks. The list of Winter 2024/25 will be done at the end in the prize giving.
Finally…
With heavy heart, this year is likely going to be my last secretary’s report at an AGM. I informed the committee last year that I am looking to step down mainly because my wife and I want to travel more in our retirement years. Today is a good example of those plans and I predict I won’t be around more and more at crucial times of the year to set up the leagues etc.
That said I am keen to wait until a suitable successor step forward and I will help to facilitate a smooth transition with as much support as I can.
I will remain on the committee and plan to create an archive of our league history which will certainly keep me busy given there are 114 years of records to sort through and make sense of. I’m not sure what the end result will look like but it will likely show up on the website one day.
I’ve also wanted to highlight what I feel is a significant step forward in our committee make up. Dean Bates, Grant Vernon and Adrian Pledge have joined us over the past year. Not only have they significantly reduced the average age of the Committee but have already shown themselves to be great potential for the future of the committee and therefore our leagues. I hope members will continue to support them and all the committee in future years.
Please continue to contact me if you need any support. I speak with someone in our community almost every day, so let’s keep that communication going please. It can only lead to a positive outcome.
Thanks to everyone once again and keep playing well.
Gary Curtis Hon.Sec
TREASURERS REPORT
Tony reported that this year we showed a loss of £1465.22 in our finances as compared to £1334.45 in 2024 accounts.
Last year, I said that strange as it may sound, but the loss has been planned by the Association as we have decided to continue slowly chipping away at our bank balance, well the same goes for this year. So, there is nothing to worry about.
To remind everyone, this is mainly achieved by continuing to grant free entry to all snooker and billiard competitions and not to charge for any player registrations by sticking to a one-off team entry fee, currently set at £40 with match fees at £5 per match.
However, please bare in mind nothing lasts forever, so there may be in time when we may have to reconsider some of the benefits I previously mentioned.
Remember, we are a non-profit making organisation so we are not expected to make money each financial year, just be in control of what we have.
And lastly, I’d like to thank John Wyatt who again this year personally donated £60 towards the Frank Wyatt Trophy (Individual Handicap Singles Comp) in memory of his late father Frank.
Are there any questions from the floor on the finances.
RESULTS, TROPHY and MONEY SECRETARY REPORTS
May I start by saying a huge thanks to Gary for his continued efforts in continuing to improve our website. There is more information on there now, especially as I give him weekly reports when I can to upload to our website. It can only get better in the future.
Thanks to the referees for helping out at all the finals. Ioan, Peter, John and Rob etc. Thanks to all the clubs, Copnor, Bellair and Cowplain for allowing the association to host the finals throughout the seasons. ON THAT – A special mention to Steve Scott from Bellair for preparing that tables at the club, as usual well-presented and prepared.
A huge well done to Pete and Ioan for yet again running and competition the competitions in good time and smoothly run.
Just to touch on trophies, please make sure that ALL trophies that are competed for and won by, Individuals, Pairs or Team are kept at the club of those who have won. AT NO TIME MUST THE TROPHY BE KEPT AT A HOME ADDRESS, only if special permission is given for a person to take home and not have it at the club. Also, if a trophy has been damaged, then the CLUB RESPONSIBLE will have to pay for the CLEANING, FIXING or REPLACING of that trophy.
At the end of tonight when we give out the prize giving, please can the person collecting the money sign the sheet. Thanks, are there are any questions.
COMPETITION SECRETARY REPORTS
Peter started saying that the Graham Simper competition this year with 38 entries, ran very smoothly, a couple of odd games behind but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Final was at Bellair with Jamie Farrow beating Rob Kirby 4 – 2, and played in excellent spirit. Many thanks to all the players for their cooperation, it helped it make easier while running it during all the matches.
In this year’s billiards total entrants was 16 in the Sid Matthews Scratch competition. All competitions have run smoothly with no issues and now down to the semi-finals stage with Ben Cotton v Chris Bishop and Harry Yard v Steve Scott to be played by 2nd June 25.
Like to thank all the players who pulled together to ensure all games were played on time, so credit to everyone, for their efforts. Final to be played on 7th July with venue TBC. Thanks Pete
Ioan who looked after the handicap competitions said that the Frank Wyatt Memorial Trophy was won by Martin Richardson beating Russell Bevan 3 – 1. Entries this year was 58 compared to 55 the previous year. Thanks to Bellair for hosting the final.
The Dennis Hushley Memorial Trophy was won by Lee and Wayne Rendle who beat Kelvin Connor and Ioan Moon 3 – 2. Entries were 32 compared to 43 last year difference of 11. Thanks again to Bellair.
The Harding Cup – Billiard’s singles competition is at the semi final stage. Rob Kirby against Ben Cotton and James Curtin against Ollie Rendle. Matches to be played by 9th June 2025. Entries were 30 compared to 25 the previous year.
That was the reports from the Secretary’s so next will be the proposals.
Committee proposals
That the incumbent committee including co-opted members be re-elected en bloc. ACCEPTED
Members Proposals
- Billiards in all league and cup games the Home Team plays with the yellow and use the top score board. REJECTED
- That the top 8 players in the scratch billiard competitions (Sid Matthews Trophy) be seeded in the draw. ACCEPTED
- That the result for Snooker league matches be changed from total frames to points i.e.) 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw with zero points for a loss. REJECTED
No other matters can be discussed.
The next thing to be done is the prize giving of all the competitions and Winter league, with trophy and cash to the winners and runners-up.
Steve then went through the list of all the winners and the relevant players came up and received the money and the trophies.
Finally, a Life Membership was given to Steve Scott. Steve Toms read out his background and history in the league. Steve Scott came up and accepted the Life membership and gave thanks to the committee.
Chris at the end thanked everyone for attending this year’s AGM.
Meeting closed at 9:15pm