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2024-05-31-accounts

OXFORDSHIRE SQUASH & RACKETBALL ASSOCIATION

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

For year ending 31 May 2024

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Reference and Administration Details Page 3
Achievements and Performance Page 4
Structure, Governance and Management Page 7
Objectives and Activities Page 8
Financial Review Page 10
Declaration Page 12

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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS

Charity name: Oxfordshire Squash and Racketball Association (“OSRA”) Registered Charity number: 1202213 Principal Address: Lane End House, Sands Lane, South Newington Banbury OX15 4JJ

Trustees

Mr Andrew Wilson Chair of Trustees Appointed 07 March 2023 Mr Brian Bell Treasurer Appointed 30 August 2024 Mr Martin Packman Appointed 30 August 2024 Mr John Riddick Appointed 30 August 2024

Accounts Independent Examiner

Richard Hill, 4 Lambrick Way, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5TP

Bankers

Lloyds Bank, 25 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7HN

Insurers

AXA XL Insurance Company UK Limited, 20 Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 0BG

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENTLY EXAMINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MAY 2024

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE: Chair of Trustees Report

Chairman’s Report (v0.1 )

Last year was one of consolidation for OSRA. Building on work commenced post-COVID lockdown, we have continued the development of grass roots squash across Oxfordshire in places such as leisure centres, and have provided improved opportunity for advanced and competitive players to test themselves in leagues and tournaments. There is still a lot more work to do, particularly on aspects such as the promotion of squash and in communicating with players and clubs, but there are increasing signs that the key elements of the framework to help grow the sport in the county are starting to become established.

While there are indications of a modest increase in participation in both league and recreational squash in the county, the national trend according to Sport England is still downward. This cannot be solely attributed to the after effects of the COVID lockdown as other sports have recently seen improved levels of activity. The causes of this decline seems to be complex and does not lend itself to an easy fix but it is hoped that the presence of squash at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will help generate greater awareness of our sport in the coming years and will encourage both past players to pick up a racquet again and attract new players to the sport for the first time. Increasing participation at all levels must continue to be the focus of OSRA’s efforts to develop squash in Oxfordshire.

Last year saw OSRA operating for the first time as a registered charity. This has enabled us to straightforwardly apply for funding from England Squash to support development projects to promote squash in particular in sports centres. Going forward, we are well placed to apply for further funding from the national body and from other public and private sector organisations although the challenge of how to resource development initiatives still remains a problem with inadequate numbers of qualified coaches in place to support projects around the county. A key focus for the year ahead must be to increase the number of qualified coaches that can be called upon by OSRA.

Similar to recent years, OSRA’s finances are in a strong position with outgoings and incomings in accordance with expectations. Initiatives to help grow squash at the grass roots level have continued with funding provided for projects at a variety of clubs in the county including a new junior squash initiative at Carterton, continuation of the established junior scheme at Henley, and the creation of a junior club at Chipping Norton. A variety of squash equipment including racquets, protective goggles, and balls have been purchased by OSRA to support the coaches involved in these projects. OSRA was able to benefit from £2000 funding from England Squash to support this work and other initiatives such as the creation of subsidised club night squash at leisure centres.

The entry fees from Oxfordshire league squash continues to generate vital income but it will be necessary to find other sources of revenue such as league and tournament sponsorship to support development activity in the county.

The county development strategy continues to be implemented with work continuing on the creation of a new web site. Together with improved use of social media it is hoped that these improvements will lead to greater awareness and visibility of squash-related activity in Oxfordshire.

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Jason Varrie, OSRA’s Head Coach, has been leading a separate part of the development strategy to help grow participation in sports centres such as those at Wheatley, Chipping Norton, and Witney. Critical to the success of these projects is the support of the sports centre manager but gaining this support is unpredictable and can often take longer than originally anticipated. Success in each case is the increased participation that comes from holding regular club nights and box / ladder leagues – events that experience shows people find enjoyable. In some locations these indicators of success are already present but in others more work is required by OSRA and the sports centres to ensure they become established.

The OSRA Management committee has regularly met during the year using Zoom. The OSRA Trustees committee met for the first time in December 2023 and since then has met on a quarterly basis. The role of the OSRA Trustees meeting fulfils our obligation as a CIO and is primarily one of governance.

Brian Bell has done a fantastic job in picking up the role of Treasurer from the legendary Alex Perry and sits on both committees. David Quinn has continued as League Secretary (more below).

Jason Varrie is now well established in the position of Head Coach and has done a wonderful job both in promoting grass roots squash in sports centres and clubs and in the development of our talented juniors. Aubrey Bell has decided not to seek re-election to the Management committee – his wise counsel and understanding of squash in Oxfordshire will be missed. Henry Tebbs from Abingdon Squash and Racketball Club has represented the voice of junior players on the committee. There is a long standing vacancy for the position of Secretary on the committee and we are also seeking a replacement Welfare Officer.

OSRA has continued to play an active role in the England Squash Council and other England Squash governance meetings. One of the more significant developments from England Squash this year has been the creation of a new membership scheme that establishes a much closer link between players and the governing body. County associations, such as OSRA, will receive 20 % of the membership fee back as a ‘rebate’ that can be used to support squash projects within the county (more information can be found on the England Squash web site). As this is very much in the interest of OSRA the committee recommends that England Squash membership is a mandatory requirement for all those players taking part in the Oxfordshire league and in representing the county. This will require a constitutional change and the proposal will be voted on at the AGM in August 2024. The new England Squash membership scheme will be launched in August 2024.

The Winter 1 and Winter 2 Oxfordshire leagues ran successfully with the number of clubs and teams taking part slightly up from the previous year. At the time of writing the Summer league is well underway with levels of participation typical for this time of year. Once again David Quinn and his Divisional Managers have done a fantastic job in managing the leagues and dealing with any periodic ‘bumps in the road’ that occur. Keeping things running smoothly is no small feat especially when dealing with the vagaries of relatively new league software.

The Oxfordshire Closed and Graded tournament took place at Abingdon Squash and Racketball Club in June 2024. Once more superbly run by Jason Varrie, it saw a record number of players take part in the closed in the post COVID era. Similar to the previous year it was played in a fantastic spirit and is now, for many, gaining the status of being a nailed-on event in the Oxfordshire squash calendar.Our new county champions, who join an illustrious list of former winners, are Michelle Knight in the Women and Ben Hedger in the Men. The future looks bright for the county closed tournament.

This season saw an increase in Oxfordshire players participating in the Inter County Championship with teams taking part in the Women’s O40, Men’s 035, Men’s O45, and Men’s O65 categories. Unfortunately the Men’s O35 team did not make it past the exceptionally strong preliminary round but the Women’s O40, Men’s O45, and Men’s O65

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teams all reached the final round. It is with some pride that Oxfordshire can boast a number of players that have been selected to play for their country this season, including:

Junior county squash in Oxfordshire has continued under Jason Varrie’s guidance. The Oxfordshire Junior closed, which took place at Abingdon Squash and Racketball club in September 2023. This year’s event, sponsored by Property Procurement and Development, was well attended by players from across the county. Oxfordshire took part in this seasons inter-counties matches, fielding teams in the Boys U13, Boys U17, Boys U19, Girls U11, and Girls U17 categories. We are very proud of our juniors who accounted well for themselves and showed a great deal of determination against very strong opposition. County training and coaching events were held in different locations through the year to support the progression of both advanced and up-and-coming players.

OSRA has had a strong year with excellent foundations now well established for the promotion and growth of squash in the county. The Oxfordshire league and County Closed provide the opportunity for competitive players to test themselves and create the opportunity for the talented and ambitious to represent the county and play at a national level. It is important that initiatives to increase participation and, most importantly, to foster the joy of taking part in squash at all levels are not lost sight of and that this work continues in the season ahead.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

Oxfordshire Squash & Racketball Association (OSRA) (“the Organisation”) was originally established as an unincorporated association on 01 April 1990. On 07 March 2023 a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) was registered with the Charity Commission number 1202213 in the name of Oxfordshire Squash & Racketball Association.

Constitution

The Objects and Aims in the constitution of the CIO, effective 07 March 2023, are virtually identical to those in the constitution of the previous unincorporated association. The CIO took overall responsibility for the Organisation from 07 March 2023.

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Trustees

Below is a record of the length in office served by each Trustee.

AGM On Registration of
the CIO on 7th
March 2023		 On Registration of
the CIO on 7th
March 2023		 On Registration of
the CIO on 7th
March 2023		 30th August
2023		 30th August
2023		 30th August
2023		 21st August
2024		 21st August
2024		 21st August
2024
Trustee Stood down Elected Complete
Years		 Stood down Elected Complete
Years		 Stood down Elected Stood down
Alexandra Perry x x
David Quinn x x
Andrew Wilson x x x x 1
Brian Bell x 1
Martin Packman x 1
John Riddick x 1

As per OSRA’s Constitution, at the first Annual General Meeting of the members of the CIO all the charity trustees shall retire from office. At every subsequent Annual General Meeting of the members of the CIO, one third of the charity trustees shall retire from office. If the number of charity trustees is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest to one third shall retire from office, but if there is only one charity trustee, he or she shall retire.

Operating Group

The day to day running of OSRA has been delegated by the Trustees to a Management Committee which is constituted as:

England Squash Affiliation

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OSRA is affiliated to England Squash, the National Governing Body for squash and racketball in England.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and Aims

The principal object of OSRA is:

The promotion of community participation in healthy recreation for the public benefit by supporting the provision of infrastructure and facilities required for playing the sports of Squash and Squash 57 in the county of Oxfordshire .

In planning our activities, we have kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

The primary public benefits to OSRA’s members and the wider community are healthrelated, as well as social aspects of joining clubs and playing in teams.

MEMBERS

OSRA members are those clubs or facilities which enter a team into the inter-club leagues administrated by OSRA. Based on the most recent league, 2023-2024, OSRA had the following members during the year:

  1. Abingdon Squash & Racketball Club

  2. Banbury Spiceball

  3. Banbury West End

  4. Brackley Squash Club

  5. Carterton Squash Club

  6. Chipping Norton Squash club

  7. Defence Academy Squash Club

  8. Gladiators Squash Club

  9. Henley Squash Club

  10. Harwell Squash Club

  11. Hithercroft Squash Club

  12. The Oxfordshire Health & Racquets Club

  13. Paramount Squash Club

  14. Racquets Fitness Centre

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  1. University of Oxford

  2. Wallingford Squash Club

  3. Witney Squash Club

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves Policy and Risk Management

The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The Trustees reviewed its financial controls on 22 July 2024.

The Trustees have approved holding reserves which equate roughly to 1 year’s overheads, being £8,000, to guard against unexpected costs.

OSRA does not have access to any overdraft or loan facility.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MAY 2024

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibility for preparation of financial statements and consider that under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) a formal audit is not required, nor is an independent examination, for the year ending 31 May 2024. However, the members of OSRA have requested an annual independent examination and the Trustees are aligned with their view that such an examination should be undertaken.

The financial statements were examined and approved by the Board of Trustees on 22nd July 2024 and signed on behalf of the Trustees by: Andrew Wilson

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF OXFORDSHIRE SQUASH AND RACKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 May 2024.

As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Richard Hill (original on file)

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Name: Richard Hill

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies: ACA Address: 4 Lambrick Way, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5TP Date: 24[th] July 2024

OXFORDSHIRE SQUASH & RACKETBALL ASSOCIATION

CHARITY NO: 1202213 RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MAY 2024

Receipts
England Squash
Winter League fees
Summer League fees
Other
Total
Payments
Administration costs
Website costs
Senior player support
Women player support
Junior player support
Head coach fees
Intercounty competition
Total
Net of receipts /
(payments)
Transfers between funds
Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
Funds
Prior Year
Funds
£
£
£
£
474
2,000
2,474
233
2,905
-
2,905
3,105
1,150
-
1,150
1,100
742
-
742
120
5,271
2,000
7,271
4,558
417
417
458
1,687
-
1,687
512
1,606
1,606
794
0-
-
-
-
(482)*
1,866
1,384
127
2,700
150
2,850
1,430
965
965
792
6,893
2,016
8,909
4,113*
(1,622)
(16)
(1,638)
445
(16)
16
-
-
15,657
-
15,657
15,212
14,019
(16)
14,019
15,657

Please note that OSRA received £622.00 for sponsorship for the Junior Closed which is included in the other receipts.

*Development Initiatives in the year:-

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*The £482 credit under Junior Player Support represents net generated by junior monthly coaching sessions and the Junior Closed.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 MAY 2024

Cash funds
Cash at bank
Total cash funds
Liabilities
Head coach fees for
May & April 2024
Court costs for
Nuffield x 5 courts
(Oct 23-May 24)
Head Coach Fees for
May 23
Court Costs for May
23 Tournament
Court Costs for 21
May Coaching
Total liabilities		 Unrestricte
d Funds
£		 Restricte
d Funds
Total
Funds
£
£		 Prior
Year
Funds
£
1,4019 - 15,657
14019 - 15,657
Fund to
which
liability
relates
£		 Amount
due
When
due
£
£		 Prior
Year
£
400
375
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Unrestricted		 July
2024
July
2024		 330
257
75
775 662

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DECLARATION The Truste85 dedar8 that they have approved the Trustees. rewrt abov8. S￿ned on behawof Ihe tharity's Truste•s'. Signature.. Full name.. A G Wilson Position.. Chairperson 30 August 2024 Date.. 12 12

Date: ________

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