A.G.M.REPORT

Chairman Simon Woods reflected on another successful season as the club's 50th Anniversary Year reached a positive conclusion at the recent A.G.M. With 3 teams promoted the previous season, consolidation was the aim in 2024 and that was certainly achieved as the 1st, A Team and C Team all comfortably competed in their new higher divisions with the As finishing a creditable 3rd. The B Team, having been relegated in 2023 bounced back to Norfolk League Division 1 at the first attempt and remained unbeaten all season. In addition there was success for the juniors with the U15s winning the Andy Seeley Trophy, the U13s winning the ECB County Cup and reaching the final of the regional competition. The club's 21 teams enabled all members to play competitive cricket while the success of the bar, plus events like the 50th Anniversary weekend and the Presentation Dinner (held at the ground for the first time), enabled Treasurer Carl Fawkes to provide a very positive financial report. The Chairman thanked the club's main sponsors, Yellow Brick Mortgages, Alan Boswell and Nimbus Bookkeeping for their support.

Reports from the team captains, the Head of Junior Coaching, the Membership Secretary and the Treasurer, which had all been circulated prior to the meeting, reflected the largely upbeat picture and were unanimously accepted. However, the escalating costs of running a club as big as Great Melton and with the expected need to supplement the hitherto voluntary efforts of the groundsman with more paid assistance in the future, a fair bit of discussion ensued with regard to subscriptions and match fees for 2025. It was agreed that the present fees needed to be raised but, with the Treasurer unable to attend the meeting, it was decided that the Executive Committee, in consultation with the Treasurer, would have the final say on subs, match fees and junior coaching fees. The Chairman thanked the captains and officers for their comprehensive reports.

With several officers standing down for various reasons, there will be some noticeable changes to the Committee. Matt Rushton, having relinquished the Head of Junior Coaching role, was elected Vice-Chairman with Nick Aston taking over Matt's previous role. With Clive Gristwood moving away from Norfolk, Seshni Mohammed was elected Secretary while Rich Waddell replaced former Club Captain Chris Greenslade in the re-titled role of Head of Senior Cricket. Chris will continue organising the bar and bar team. Last year's captains, Nick Aston (A Team), Woody Loines (B Team) and Duncan Greenslade (C Team) were all re-elected but, with some uncertainty regarding the 1st Team position, the Committee was mandated to fill this role in the new year. There will be a new Over 40s Captain – Olly Harris.

There was some interesting discussion regarding a proposal to combine the Great Melton and Swardeston Ladies' sections in order for a team to be fielded in the newly proposed Iceni Women's League Division 1. It was generally agreed that Melton had struggled to find enough women/girls of the right age profile/standard to compete in the top leagues and it was becoming difficult to retain the club's better players who wished to play at a more competitive level than the Shell Women's League. With Swardeston in a similar position the motion to continue discussion towards a possible merger was carried. It was stressed that any merger would not affect junior girls nor would it preclude females from representing their respective clubs' Saturday teams. It was explained that fixtures and training would be split between Melton Park and Hilltops and would be taken by coaches from both clubs.

The full list of officers is: President & Statistician, Steve Phoenix; Chairman, Simon Woods; Vice-Chairman, Matt Rushton; Secretary, Seshni Mohammed; Treasurer, Carl Fawkes; Membership Secretary, Georgia Ryan; Fixture Secretary, Maxine Rushton; Safeguarding Officer, Maria Greenslade; Head of Senior Cricket, Richard Waddell; Head of Junior Coaching, Nick Aston; Bar/Pavilion Manager, Chris Greenslade; Groundsperson, Mike Phoenix; 1st Team Captain, To be confirmed; A Team Captain, Nick Aston; B Team Captain, Woody Loines; C Team Captain, Duncan Greenslade; O40s Captain, Olly Harris. Cricket Club Village Hall Representatives: Steve & Mike Phoenix & Steve Clarke.