The 2017 AGM and Awards night was well attended for the first time at Odd Down
Chairman’s report
2017 was a very successful year for the club, the Men’s First team came away with the West D1 title whilst the seconds were runners up in the same division. The women’s team attended every tournament except the January indoor, and improved remarkably finishing 5th in the South West Ladies League, Bath Ladies finished 11th out of 14. Congratulations to Captains Luke Wilmot, Irene Moynihan and Nik Roberts.
Bath’s attempt to gain promotion against Welwyn Lacrosse resulted in a 19:3 defeat, and this meeting will need to discuss whether the club takes the option to challenge 9th placed Bristol Bombers.
The Men’s First team also made the Intermediate Flags Final in Guildford, but were soundly beaten by Hillcroft A (East D1 Champions) 23:3
The move to Odd Down has proved successful, with the club able to provide 3G training under floodlight, (albeit at a later time than is optimal), and matches have been on either Grass or 3G. A good relationship has been developed with the Café on site for after match refreshments. Parking and changing rooms are all to a higher standard. He Bath Eights has been booked at Odd Down for the 2nd of September and this year will see a ladies section for the first time in the clubs 32 years of running the event.
Sadly, the last Bath Eights on the recreation ground was a wash out, and profits were severely affected. The volunteers worked their socks off to keep the event working efficiently and the club extends it thanks to all those that worked so hard on the day.
The club membership has been strong, although the finances need tightening up, as several players have not paid their fees. The club fielded 77 players this season, 50 for the Men’s teams and 27 for the Ladies.
The breakdown of the squads is interesting
Mens
- 50 fielded
- 29 Senior players
- 18 University players
- 3 Youth Players
Womens
- 27 fielded
- 3 Senior players
- 23 University players
- 1 Youth player
The club also went on tour for the first time in 25 years or so, 12 players attended the Stockport Eights and generally had a good time in Stockport and Manchester. There were several club nicknames appointed, and it seems the club song is now Sweet Caroline (Ba Ba Baaa). Well done for Laurence Dawson-Smith for organising. From the sound of it there will be more in the future.
Awards for the tour were handed out
- Top Scorer – Dale Armstrong
- MVP Tour – Ben King
- Dick of the tour – Laurence Dawson-Smith
Lastly it is with popular demand that the club Trophies have been reintroduced
We will be giving out trophies for:
The Chairman’s cup, last awarded in 1993, this trophy is for the person that, in the eyes of the members, has given a lot of time, effort and enthusiasm to benefit the club.
We have Most Valued Male and Female Trophy’s, voted by the players for the player that has had the most impact on the field of play.
The coaches and captains put their heads together to award the most improved Young players Male and female, plus the overall most improved player open to all ages. This last trophy is again an old one brought back into use.
Lastly there will be a trophy to the Men’s player that scored the most goals over the season ion official League and Flags games. This one is the worst kept secret in the club and Lloyd Butler should be proud of his achievement bagging 34 goals, although he was pushed hard by Craig Morey and Nik Roberts (All the tables are on the web site)
Although no trophy it should be noted that the best turn out for the club would be, for the Men: Luke Wilmot and Ben King who played in 16 official games and for the Women, Meg Critcher who played in 5 of the 6 tournaments.
Actual winners
Most improved Junior Female – Carmen Williamson
Most improved over all Player – Joe Stone
Development report (Nik Roberts)
Luke has been a part time LDO this season and attended 4 Primary Schools and one secondary after school club. Alongside the WESPORT CLDO and ELA work we have:
- Writhlington School, Radstock – After School club well attended and the school enters an U13 team in the National Schools for the second-year running
- Paxcroft PS, Trowbridge – Continuing after school club
- Stanton St Quintin School Chippenham – Curriculum coaching
- Redlands PS – Curriculum Coaching
- St Mary’s Weston – Curriculum coaching
- Haysfield Girls School – After School Club
- Melksham Oak Community School – Teacher training and running their own programme.
The work at Writhlington should bear fruit as there are a few 15 year olds coming through.
From my point of view I would like to thank Luke for his hard work, and congratulate the young players that have started to become the backbone of the club. Especially Ben King, both Long and short stick (He even scored a long pole goal in the Stockport Eights), Carmen Williamson who, towards the end of the season was the go to midfield player, popping up with a couple of good goals. Akito Jacques who has afterburners to spare and last but certainly not least Will Tilson who at 15 has been an excellent SENIOR goal keeper, moving on from just a “maybe we’ll blood you” Second team keeper to standing between the pipes against Welwyn in the Playoff game, the boy has talent and guts.
At the Flags final game Bath were presented the Trophy for winning West Division 1
Luke Wilmot accepted on behalf of the club from English Lacrosse CEO Mark Coups
Committee Posts voted for on the night
- Chairman – Steve Mooney
- Secretary – Nige Gates
- Treasurer – Laurence Dawson-Smith
- Development Officer – Nik Roberts
- Club Captain – Luke Wilmot
- Ladies Captain – Irene Moynihan
- Lady’s Vice-Captain – Ella Drury (New)
- Men’s Second-team Captain – Nik Roberts
- Welfare Officers – Paul Bown, Nicola Roberts
- Social Secretary – Craig Morey (New)
- Match Secretary – Nik Roberts
- Communications – Richard Bowen-Ashwin
- Media Officer – Nik Roberts