Wilts Squash Report Oct 2023
Wiltshire Squash continues to operate well but it is still a challenging environment and we have not yet returned to pre-COVID levels of participation across all areas of activity. We were able to run both Winter and Summer leagues although team numbers were reduced. A full report on the leagues has been provided by the League Sec outlining the issues, outcomes, results and plans for the current season. We are trying to encourage more teams from more clubs to participate and are looking at innovate ways of achieving this.
The recent announcement that Squash will finally be an Olympic sport in 2028 has generated a lot of welcome publicity. As a result we were invited on to local Wiltshire radio last week to discuss squash in Wiltshire and John Watkins gave a great interview promoting squash across the county.
County Competitions have again been run at a number of different age groups and entrant numbers have increased and they were all successful and competitive events. We also want to participate in Inter- County and National Competitions to increase the profile of Wilts Squash nationally. Our priority is to recover participation numbers for teams, individuals and competitions across all age groups, juniors and women. We are also looking to encourage racketball numbers too.
In particular I would like to recognise: Age group champs National champs progress Squash and racketball
I would like to pass on my thanks to Dean Watkins in particular and the Wessex Club for their tremendous support in organising and hosting the various County competitions.
A separate update has been provided on Junior squash participation and our efforts to improve access and participation in this key area which remains challenging. I would like to formally record my thanks to Neil for his excellent contribution to Wilts squash over many years as he now steps down from the Ctee. I am looking forward to working with Josh as he takes over and together we can build on previous efforts and strive to promote junior squash across the county.
We are also considering future coaching options to ensure a development and improvement pathway exists for all levels of squash participation across the County.
We will continue to review future options on the funding models for hosting visiting teams after some issues have been raised on the various options currently available and we will be looking at how these options are being received throughout the Winter and Summer seasons.
The cost Cost of team entries will also be reviewed for the coming season.
ES membership models for clubs and individuals is also under review nationally and so we will be monitoring these developments and the potential impact this may have on different club models within the County and will communicate these issues with Clubs.
Committee Membership
As Neil steps down then Josh has volunteered to take over. As a result All Ctee posts remain filled and I am grateful for the current Ctee for all their support and efforts over the last year which has been another challenging period. I recognise that time and effort is still a key issue with volunteers on the Ctee balancing their many various commitments. There is an ES governance review underway too and we are currently considering the impact of these proposed changes and any transitional considerations that may be required.
We have been updating the Website, hosting environment, Communications, Sporty HQ integration, costs, matches, results, fixtures and matches. We are also reviewing our Media and Comms strategy and any data and governance challenges. The future strategy and constitution needs to be reviewed and updated to reflect current challenges.
CIO Governance
We are continuing to meet our mandatory requirements for governance and accountability as a CIO. There is also an ES transition plan for all Counties to achieve CIO status so we have already achieved that aim which is a good position to be in.
Finances
There is a separate report from Treasurer which details our accounts for the FY. We remain financially stable and healthy but need a long term sustainable plan for growth across the County. We received a healthy contribution from SRF after those funds were distributed to individual counties. Funding priorities and opportunities now need to be identified. We have the money but now need to be able to spend it effectively to promote Squash participation across the County.
England Squash
As Chair, I represent Wilts on ES meetings and forums. There are a number of governance proposals and timescales which have been distributed for comment. The Southern Regional Forum, which acted as an intermediary between the national ES level and County levels, has now been formally dissolved and the funds distributed down to individual counties. The SRF remains as an informal association of county chairs for advice and support purposes. CIO transition has been a key topic.
The ES AGM will take place on 15 Nov 23 and I will attend and represent Wilts Squash.
Summary
The last few years have been a very challenging time and we are now working with ES to support bounce back activities to try and recover levels of
participation that have dropped significantly after COVID. We have an experienced Ctee with funding available and a core number of teams and players across the County. We now need to use this strong base to build a strategy to support growth in participation and improve quality across all age groups and locations across the full breadth of what is a large geographical County area.
The inclusion of Squash as an Olympic sport provides a fantastic opportunity to reignite interest at all levels and we will work with ES to use this time to promote new initiatives and programmes to build on the increased profile that Squash will hopefully now attract.
Wiltshire Squash No (if any) Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 4/1/2020 3/31/2021 To from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds
| Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted |
Restricted | Endowment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts England Squash rebate 98 League Fees 125 Events 973 Coaching - Grants 10,500 Miscellaneous - - - 11,696 - - Sub total - Total receipts 11,696 A3 Payments Inter county 255 Events 1,053 Admin 600 Coaching 42 Grants - Development Officer - - - - Sub total 1,950 - - Sub total - Total payments 1,950 Net of receipts/(payments) 9,746 A5 Transfers between funds - A6 Cash funds last year end 13,859 Cash funds this year end 23,605 funds to the nearest £ Sub total(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). A4 Asset and investment purchases,(see table) |
to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - funds |
to the nearest £ funds |
Total funds to the nearest £ 98 125 973 - 10,500 - - - 11,696 - - - 11,696 255 1,053 600 42 - - - - - 1,950 - - - 1,950 9,746 - 13,859 23,605 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
| - - - - - - - - - |
98 | - | ||
| 125 | 200 | |||
| 973 | 243 | |||
| - | - | |||
| 10,500 | 3,649 | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| 11,696 | 4,092 | |||
| - - - |
- | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | 11,696 | 4,092 | ||
| - - - - - - - - - - |
255 | 165 | ||
| 1,053 | 227 | |||
| 600 | 50 | |||
| 42 | 713 | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| 1,950 | 1,155 | |||
| - - - |
- | |||
| - | ||||
| - | - | |||
| - | 1,950 | 1,155 | ||
| - | - - - - |
9,746 | 2,937 | |
| - | - | - | ||
| - | 13,859 | 10,922 | ||
| - | 23,605 | 13,859 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Details Senior Treasurer account PayPal Account Junior Bank account Details Details Details Details Signature Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
to nearest £ to nearest £ 21,292 - - - 2,312 - 23,605 - OK OK to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Print Name Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) |
to nearest £ Endowment funds |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| to nearest £ Endowment funds |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| Current value (optional) |
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| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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