Garston Ladies Football Club (1196876) Trustees’ Annual Report (1 Dec 21 - 31 Aug 22)
Aims and Purposes
Garston Ladies Football Club (GLFC) was established to provide a supportive environment for girls and ladies in Hertfordshire take part in football. We take responsibility for the safeguarding of all players while they take part in football, ensuring they have the right support and facilities to enjoy the sport.
Objectives and Activities
GLFC is committed to encouraging and enabling young people to enjoy the sport of football in a safe and enjoyable environment within Hertfordshire. GLFC uses the Metropolitan club, based in Bushey, as its home ground. Summer training takes place at the Metropolitan Club, but during winter when artificial pitches are required, training is undertaken at a range of suitable grounds (i.e Westfield School, The Meriden Community Centre and Power League)
The club currently manages 20 teams, ranging from the recently formed cubs (age 6) through to the adult teams (18 +).
Playing in the Hertfordshire Girls Football Partnership League (HGFPL) allows those girls that wish to compete, the opportunity to play league and cup football and also take part in tournaments outside of the main season. However, there is still a welcome place for players who simply want to train but not play games, meaning we do not have to limit our opportunities to offer access to football.
When planning GLFC activities the trustees pay due regards to the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit and ensure the committee is fully aware of our Charitable objective:
For the advancement of the amateur sport of ladies’ football in Hertfordshire for the public benefit by the assistance in the provision of facilities for participation in the sport of ladies football
GLFC is not a grant making charity at this stage, all income gained from player membership is used to cover the costs of running the football club.
GLFC is extremely proud of the volunteers that support our club and very grateful for the help that we receive. Our volunteers include committee members, coaches, and team administration. Nobody at Garston is recompensated beyond out-of-pocket expenses related to the charity’s activities.
Achievements and Performance
We have successfully managed 20 teams (in excess of 300 players) since the Charity was established, securing safe and appropriate locations for the players to train and play football, at a time when locations are in high demand, due to growing interest in playing football.
Each team trains once a week from August through to June. Additionally, games are played each Saturday during the season (September to May).
Over the season, teams have played in friendly leagues (up to Under 11), competed in the HGFPL (Under 12 – Under 18) and taken part in various cup competitions.
As trustees and committee members, we are firmly of the belief that playing football provides all players (training only and team members) with the opportunity to build their social skills, improve their fitness, develop their football skills, learn more about teamwork and take on responsibility. New players are always welcome at GLFC, the only time we limit participation is if the number of players per coach becomes unsafe, at which point we would look to recruit another coach, if possible.
As well as player development, we take coach and volunteer development seriously. GLFC has actively worked to bring all coaches up to date with their first aid training, which was halted by the FA during covid. We also ensure all coaches and assistants have the relevant safeguarding qualifications and DBS checks. We are working towards all teams having at least one qualified coach in each team. Other volunteers are encouraged to take part in the relevant training that will help in their role.
To celebrate the players success, we host an annual presentation day where players and families are invited to celebrate the achievements of the past season. Every player is recognised for their contribution to the club and their team.
In May 2022, GLFC hosted the HGFPL Finals Day at our home ground. This saw over 40 teams taking part over the day and acknowledged the league winners and runners up with medal presentations.
Financial Review
The charity maintains a stable position and monitors finances throughout the year so that we can ensure there are sufficient funds to enable us to deliver quality training and support to all players in a safe manner. At the year ending Aug 22, we have £9013 in avaialble funds to be carried forward to the next year.
GLFC were in receipt of £50,857, of which the vast majority (£48,532) was from player subscriptions. The remaining income was from attendance at the Presentation Day and a very small amount of fundraising (£100).
Our expenditure included £32,151 on pitch fees and DBS checks for the appropriate coaches and volunteers. Another £13,354 was spent on administrative costs including fees for accountancy, league affiliation, training courses, competition entry and match-day costs (such as pitches and referees) as well as insurance, football kits and repairs.
GLFC works out the annual cost of playing football for all of the teams and then splits this annual fee over 9 months to make payments easier for the people paying the subs. We are keen to keep football available to all, regardless of their economic status and are open to making alternative arrangements with people who may be struggling to pay the full fee.
Experience has shown that it is better to collect in 9 payments, v’s 12 as it has been known for people to stop payments during the months matches have stopped and this can have a detrimental effect on our budget. However, the expenditure of GLFC is not consistent across the year. Our winter training grounds cost more than the summer grounds and we are paying more pitch and referee fees through the playing season. As a result, this means that
money in the account tends to be higher at the end of summer (at the point of our year end) to see us through the winter period.
At the point of registration GLFC did not antipcate any significant funding been received that would alter the finances. As such GLFC currently does not have a formal reserves policy. This is under review and will be developed and in place shortly. GLFC have always tried to keep the costs of playing with GLFC as economical as possible. It has never been the intention of making money from the players and we have worked hard to balance income and expenditure. However, we are aware that improvements can be made to ensure the longevity of the club and to be able to continuing offering the services we do. The first part of this was to become a charity and we are now reviewing alternative income sources so we can build an adequate reserve to ensure that the charity is able to operate successfully and provide the public benefit described above and hopefully to more people. We have no question about the charity being able to continue at this stage, but would like to ensure that it is not only stable, but in a position to grow as more players want to participate in the sport.
Volunteers
Volunteers have already been mentioned in this report but the trustees would like to reiterate their thanks for all their support. They are the reason that GLFC continues to attract new players and maintain the teams that we currently have. The principal roles undertaken by volunteers is to coach the team, with the majority of teams having at least two coaching staff. We have the parents that take on the important role of match day delegate, ensure that the players have a supportive environment to play in. Our volunteers also support matches by taking on the role of assistant referee, once the teams reach competitive games (Under 12 and above).
Our committee is very active, with each individual having specific roles to ensure the smooth running of the club. The committee also provide essential support to the charity trustees.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Charities governing document is our Constitution, developed from the Charities Commission template for a foundation model. GLFC is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Initial trustees were approached as people that have been involved in the club and have shown an interest in the club becoming a charity and wish to support this direction of travel.
There is a minimum of three trustees at anyone time and a maximum of 12. To ensure that there is continuity and also fresh ideas with the trustees, we will be looking to recruit a further trustee to the board. Being a trustee is open to those linked with the club, with the key requirement been that they want to support and advance the charity for the benefit of the wider community.
Trustees are all on the board in their own right as individuals.
The trustees of GLFC designate the day to day running of the charity to the GLFC committee. This group meets regularly throughout the year to discuss any issues arising and plan for the future to ensure we are delivering accessible and enjoyable football for players in Hertfordshire. At least one trustee is in attendance at the committee meetings and will report anything of concern to the remaining trustees. Additionally, the charity chair and
committee chairs are in regular contact. An accountant is also retained to manage payments for the club and to build our annual accounts. These have been further reviewed by an independent examiner.
Reference and Administrative details
Our Charity Name is Garston Ladies Football club, although we are also known as GLFC. The charity Number is 1196876. The principal address is 7 Leggatts Close, Watford WD24 5NG
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theresa Howe | Chair | N/A | ||
| Emma Cole | Trustee | N/A | ||
| Richard Bennett | Trustee | N/A | ||
| Neil Cole | Trustee | N/A |
There are no corporate Trustees and no trustees holding titles to charity owned property. GLFC does not act as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details – none
Other optional information
None
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Theresa Caroline Howe
Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Chair of Trustees
Date: 27/06/23
Report on the Financial Statements for Garston Ladies Football Club (Charity), period ended 31[st] August 2022
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Darrell Foley
Darrell Foley FCCA
Garston Ladies Football
Club Statement of Financial
Activities
For the period from 1st December 2021 to 31st August 2022
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Prior year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Total funds | total funds | |
| Income and endowments from: | |||||
| Donations and legacies | _ | _ | _ | _ | 0 |
| Income from charitable activities | 50856 | _ | _ | 50856 | 0 |
| Investments | 1 | _ | _ | 1 | 0 |
| Other income | 0 | _ | _ | 0 | 0 |
| Total income | 50857 | _ | _ | 50857 | 0 |
| Expenditure on: | |||||
| Raising funds | 0 | _ | _ | 0 | 0 |
| Other expenditure | 45505 | _ | _ | 45505 | 0 |
| Total expenditure | 45505 | _ | _ | 45505 | 0 |
| Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer | 5353 | _ | _ | 5353 | 0 |
| Transfers | |||||
| Gross transfers between funds - in | _ | _ | _ | — | — |
| Gross transfers between funds - out (Donations made) | _ | _ | _ | — | _ |
| Other recognised gains / losses | |||||
| Gains / losses on investment assets | — | _ | _ | — | — |
| Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use | — | _ | _ | — | — |
| Net movement in funds | _ | _ | _ | _ | |
| Reconciliation of funds | _ | _ | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 3,660 | _ | _ | 3,660 | _ |
| Total funds carried forward | 9,013 | _ | _ | 9,013 | _ |
Unaudited accounts for Garston Ladies Football Club (Charity No 1196876)
Profit and Loss
For the period 1 December 2021 to 31 August 2022
| Account | Dec 2021-Aug 2022 |
|---|---|
| Turnover | |
| Bank Interest Received | 1.01 |
| Club ShopSales(Paypal) | 60.80 |
| Fundraising | 100.00 |
| Gate Receipts from Presentation Day | 2,162.68 |
| Player Subs In | 48,532.96 |
| Total Turnover | 50,857.45 |
| Cost of Sales | |
| DBS Checks | 120.00 |
| Pitch Fees - Meriden CommunityCentre | 3,780.00 |
| Pitch Fees - Met Police Club | 21,049.00 |
| Pitch Fees – Misc | 110.00 |
| Pitch Fees – Powerleague | 2,100.00 |
| Pitch Fees - Watford Woodside(Everyone Active) | (928.50) |
| Pitch Fees - Westfield CommnunityCollege | 5,920.00 |
| Total Cost of Sales | 32,150.50 |
| Gross Profit | 18,706.95 |
| Administrative Costs | |
| AccountancyFees | 673.80 |
| Affiliation & CupFees | 1,540.00 |
| CupEntryFees | 109.00 |
| Entertainments / Presentation costs | (524.14) |
| FA Fines & Penalties | 115.00 |
| General Gifts | 65.00 |
| Insurance(7105) | 380.78 |
| Other Kit | 73.91 |
| Printing | 159.84 |
| Referee Costs | 3,761.49 |
| Repairs and Renewals | 228.14 |
| Sports Kit / Teamwear | 6,081.94 |
| Subscriptions | 439.60 |
| TrainingCosts – Courses | 250.00 |
| Total Administrative Costs | 13,354.36 |
| Operating Profit | 5,352.59 |
| Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation | 5,352.59 |
| Profit after Taxation | 5,352.59 |
Garston Ladies Football Club
Balance sheet (Summary) As at: 31st August 2022
| Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Current liabilities Trade creditors Net current assets less current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Represented by Unrestricted Unrestricted - General fund Funds of the club |
10080 |
|---|---|
| 1067 | |
| 9013 | |
| 9013 | |
| 9013 | |
| 9013 |