EAGLES BADMINTON CLUB
Annual General Meeting 5th June 2025
Held virtually on a Zoom hoping to increase participation
Present: Ray Calder, Matt Clark, Amanda Austin, George Williamson, Rob Clark, Arvin Panesar, Asha Patel
Apologies: Terry Summers, Brandon Ngooi, Harrison Ansell, Adam Master
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed by Ray Calder and seconded by Matt Clark
Chairman’s Report
Ray reported to the meeting about the growth in the club in the last year. How this time last year we were looking at closing the club as we struggling with the constant stop/ start of hall availability at Emerson Park. How the decision was made to invest in the club despite the precarious position. Harrison Ansell and his company have updated our website, logo and given us an online presence which has made us more modern and visible, in a year it has turned around so much with the new venue, being able to play all year without the breaks, lots of new members, a new Thursday adult class, full classes and waiting lists for the majority of sessions. He reported that having constant sessions made it a better experience for both players and coaches and people seemed happier with the situation. This is still a period of adjustment, but the hall venue and social media have definitely been worthwhile. Ray also reported that there had been no teams or competitions this year so he couldn’t report on that.
Secretary’s report
Matt said that there was nothing major to report. We had 152 members as of the AGM date which was made up of 54 adults and 98 juniors. This is always fluctuating but if a member leaves, we are able to take someone from the waiting lists. Matt stated that adult sessions vary, people pay but don’t always turn up. All members on joining are registered with Badminton England. Matt explained we have to have maximum numbers and stick to them with juniors but are slightly more flexible with the adults.
Treasurer’s report
Matt presented his accounts. Matt explained that as the fees were set at the last AGM before the venue change we knew we would make a loss this year regardless of what we did numbers wise. The hall was 40% more and with courts reducing from 4 to 3 meant we lost a potential of 25% of our income. The only income was from fees and our expenditure was coaches, court hire, shuttles, training equipment, Badminton England affiliation, social media, printing and miscellaneous. We did have Jack Petchey funding but what we could use this money on was very limited. At the AGM last year it was agreed that we could use money from our savings account. The money in this account was from years ago where coaches were all volunteers and the hall hire was free so any fees taken from members in the first five years of Eagles went into this account. Matt explained that some of it had been used in COVID to pay our coaches and we agreed that using some of this was an investment in the future and should be used to try and keep the club going. So in the accounts this was the £4000 that moved from the deposit to current account. Numbers have increased and taking into account the money moved from our deposit account it means that the club made a £3736.83 loss which was a lot less then we expected and meant that the club had been able to continue up to this point when full closure of the club really could have been the only option. The investment from the deposit account was what was needed whilst numbers increased so wont be something used every year.
Election of Officers:
All officials stood down and the floor were asked if anyone would like to take on any of the club roles.
Ray Calder stood down after almost ten years in the role of Chairman and Rob Clark agreed to take over.
The committee is as follows:
Chair: Rob Clark
Treasurer: Matt Clark
Secretary Matt Clark/Amanda Austin
Match Secretary: vacant as no league currently
Child Welfare Officer: Terry Summers
Media and Newsletter Editor: Amanda Tragen
Jack Petchey Coordinator: Amanda Austin
Committee member – Arvin Panesar
Confirmation of adopting Badminton England’s codes of conduct and policies
It was unanimously agreed that as a club we would continue to adopt all policies recommended by Badminton England. These policies are on our website, in our welcome pack but are always on the Badminton England website.
Fees
There was a lot of discussion about fees. The club needed to be viable and cover all associated costs. The club was never meant to make huge profits but to keep sessions as affordable as possible. It was pointed out that as we were struggling retaining members last year that all junior fees were frozen and adult fees were reduced. Taking this into account and looking at the increases in coaching, shuttles and court hire we would need to implement an increase across the board. It was agreed that for all sessions other than the new Thursday session fees would go up by £5 a month. This translates as just over a £1 a week and gives us the opportunity to play year round. It was agreed that with playing all year round rather than only being able to adjust fees at an AGM an amendment should be made to the constitution to allow fees to be changed during the year if the situation demands it. It was reported that it is a very fine line between keeping the club viable and keeping the sessions as affordable as possible but we were doing everything we could to ensure both. With the junior sessions being frozen last year it meant that this increase is over two years and with the adults being reduced it actually means that prices are very similar to two years ago.
Sessions
Whilst transitioning we moved all of our sessions over to the new venue despite having such low numbers. Since the move all sessions are full apart for one primary space on a Monday with waiting lists for all sessions. The waiting list got so long for the adults that a new Thursday session was introduced and that class too is building up. We are now able to offer primary, secondary and adult sessions for all ages and abilities. We would ned to look into the number of year 6 transitioning to secondary sessions and include them even if it moves going slightly over our preferred numbers to keep them within the club. It was felt existing members needed to be found a space.
Team Selection / League entry
There had been approaches about a team being entered for next season into the league and thought in principal that having a competitive team would help raise the standard on a club night too. It wasn’t as straight forward as just entering as we would need to find courts as our existing court hours wouldn’t allow enough match time, enough players and someone to run the team. Adam who takes the Tuesday had said people expressed an interest so it was agreed that a message would be sent to him to find out interest about venue, dates, commitment. If a team couldn’t be put in place this year we would look at still having a team but asking other clubs for friendly games and hopefully enter the full year the league. Jay Pearce had expressed an interest before the meeting and Arvin Panesar did at the meeting.
20th Birthday celebration
It was pointed out that the club held a big event to celebrate its 10th anniversary and that 2026 would indeed be the club’s 20th birthday. We would be looking at options and ask for ideas that we could cost and put forward to the club. We would be looking at holding whatever event we run in the window after exams but before the main school holiday in the summer of 2026.
Digital marketing and advertising review
Harrison and his media company had a huge impact on the club in a really positive way. He has upgraded the website, logo and social media accounts. We are now the top club in Havering on google. It was asked if we need to keep spending at the same rate as all of our sessions were full. Harrison was unable to attend and had sent an update which Amanda read where he pointed out the advantages of keeping levels the same and how it could be used to benefit the club. It was agreed that new Chairman Rob would speak to him and discuss. The club needs to decide if we are still in a growth phase or a maintenance phase, and then that should direct marketing investment. Plus, while the club does not have teams, nor members who play BE comps, the community spirit and club celebration is difficult through social media. Therefore social media for eagles, at the moment, is mainly about awareness and getting enquiries.
Taking the club forward
With the success and growth of the club over the last year and with waiting lists we would need to look at options going forward. People had asked about weekend sessions, matches for juniors, daytime holiday camps, parent and child sessions. These were all ideas that can be discussed over the coming year.
Any other business
The following points were raised in AOB:
George raised the subject of an automatic shuttle feeding machine. He suggested Jack Petchey funding but that would only cover £600 of the cost. It was agreed that we could look into this but would have to consider storage as obviously we only have the school cupboard and would need it available to all sessions so a coach couldn’t take it home.
In view of Ray standing down as Chairman Amanda and Matt offered Ray the position of Honary club life member which was a new position. He agreed and this position would now be added to our constitution.
Amanda thanked Matt, in particular for all his hard work and efforts in taking the club forward. He had been recognised by Badminton England and was awarded one of their monthly prizes.
Amanda thanked all the volunteers both as officials and coaches for all their hard work over the season. This had been a huge period of transition for all players, coaches and volunteers. In particular, when exams are on swapping halls and all that entails but this had all been handled professionally. Feedback about all our coaches has only been positive so a huge thank you. Nicola Thompson has stood down as Jack Petchey coordinator so special thank to her for her period in the role.
George reiterated all the thanks to everyone and said that he was proud to be a part of Eagles
Ray said it had been a pleasure being part of the club and he wished Rob, who has been a primary member, secondary member, coach, team player and now Chairman all the best and said he really was Mr Eagles. Ray said he would be honoured to still be involved and also added to the thanks to Matt for his efforts pointing out that he nor any of his family were involved in playing with Eagles so it really was an extraordinary situation.
Date of Next Meeting
It was proposed that the next meeting would be held sometime in May/ June 2026 but would be confirmed nearer to the time.