WORL Meeting

April 15, 2008

Attendance:

Susan Hill – Secretary; Jodi Walsh – WR Executive; Dan Whitcroft – Dorchester; Renee Overton – St. Thomas; Andrea Pinnell – St. Thomas; Bill Rodgers – Chatham; Mike Reid – Waterloo; Craig Richardson – Guelph; David Kelton – WORL 2^nd Vice Chair; Ken Rowe – Elora Fergus; David Duncan – Waterloo; Brian Tapscott – Guelph; Karen Lawrence – Kitchener; Jeff Snyder – E/F; Terry Williams – EF; Dave Gillis – EF; Wayne Smydo – EF; R.D. Branton – EF; Becky Branton – EF; Bob Bryant – Chatham; Gary Ryan – Stratford; Dan McCulligh – Mitchell; Diane Bakker – Mitchell; Bill Gardhouse – Hanover; Lori Adams – Treasurer/Dorchester; Terry Nosal – St. Clement’s; Michael Reid – Exeter; Brent Day – Dorchester; Ron Vermeltfoort – London; Mike Guiler – London; Donna Jones – Stratford; Dave Atthill – Exeter; Janet Logan – Region G&T; Chris Beuglet – Region Chair; Chuck Webber; Scott Borland; Peter Westelaken; Scott Nosal; Tania Pettitt-Tracey

Roll Call:

Present: Chatham; Dorchester; Elora Fergus; Exeter; Guelph; Hanover; Kitchener; London; Mitchell; St. Clement’s; St. Thomas; Tillsonburg; Waterloo

Peter Westelaken opened the meeting with remarks on the process, the issues/concerns raised to him in the last week as well as his position on both the WORL and WR Executive. Peter has worked extremely hard to provide all the information received from Player’s Intents, Association’s Willing to Host as well as tryout attendance so that all parties have the information they need to make decisions.

Discussion from each Association on how the Enhancement Policy negatively or positively effects their Association.

• Bill Rodgers, Chatham: no impact on their Association because of geographics. Is here to listen.

• Scott Borland, Dorchester: Dorchester is quite often waiting for the largest centre in the area before they can finalize teams. Looking to maintain teams. Concerned with the timing of the enhancement being midstream in the tryout process. Creates confusion to parents and players when rules are changing. Dorchester would see some benefit to seeing some of their players return to their teams this season.

• Jeff Snyder, Elora Fergus: asking for time to discuss with their Association. Negative effects: would probably have to be a fully home grown Association to have AA teams. Positive effect: Would be strong AA.

• Dave Athill, Exeter: no major impact. Here to listen.

• Craig Richardson, Guelph: Didn’t have an opportunity to bring to own Executive/membership. Have limited access to outside players. Looking hard to grow internally. Timing of implementation is of concern. Could have made different decisions regarding teams and player ownership.

• Bill Gardhouse, Hanover: Without the support of Grey Bruce teams, Hanover would likely not have some teams. Support players staying with teams they’ve played on for last 1-2 years because of player/team development. Sees the enhancement as positive.

• Karen Lawrence, Kitchener: Do not have AA teams. What measurement are we using to define positive and negative effect? Associations and players having to absorb a lot of changes.

• Mike Guiler, London: Issue is the way it was done. Created mass confusion. May not know the positive or negative effect this year. Is the enhancement going to haunt us in years to come? Concerned with how it will effect the sport in the future.

• Diane Bakker, Mitchell: Will have an effect in years to come. Individual centres are already indirectly recruiting players, which is a concern. Would have to protect their core as an Association. Knee jerk reaction to an issue. Would like to see protocol in how to handle issues rather than make knee jerk reactions.

• Gary Ryan, Stratford: Concern is with the timing. Not seeing transparency from Western Region.

• Terry Nosal, St. Clement’s: It benefits and supports our Association. Don’t see negative effect. Still protects Home Association.

• Andrea Pinnell, St. Thomas: No negative effect. Helps smaller Associations. Still waiting to hear discussion tonight on the direct negative effect.

• Paul Martin, Tillsonburg: No impact. Players migrate out as they get older.

• Mike Reid, Waterloo: Discussed open communication at Executive Meetings. Caught off guard by policy. Timing of policy and not having a vote is of concern. No communication or opportunity for input. Lack of opportunity to work together. Could be very difficult for new Provincial teams to form. Will be minimal competition because we’ll be limiting the number of teams. Everyone should have an opportunity to ice Prov. Teams.

• Ken Rowe, Elora Fergus: Effects all Associations for the few players that have issues. Concerned about the timing of policy. Understands and agrees with what WR is trying to do, but timing is of issue.

• Craig Richardson, Guelph: effects all levels of play. Elite players have place to go – AAA. Sport does not allow players to dictate where they are going to play. Subjective decisions on level of play limit the growth of the sport.

• Terry Nosal, St. Clement’s: What is the direct effect to your Association?

• Melinda Suchard, London: AA is rarely homegrown. Players within the area are saying they will only play for certain teams. London could have a strong AA team if players that are supposed to play in London, play in London. Timing of policy has had an effect.

• Chris Beuglet, WR Chair: Decisions are based on the good of the sport. If it is a good rule – it will be implemented without delay.

• Ken Rowe, Elora Fergus: Closest Association Matrix was only a communication tool. Process regarding Closest Association did not change.

• Jeff Snyder, Elora Fergus: Questions St. Clement’s ability to substantiate having 2 AA teams. One of the negative effects – it waters down teams, which in turn leads to difficulty in competing outside the region.

• Janet Logan, WR G&T: WORL is under the direction of Western Region. League can make recommendations. Policies require ratification by 23 Associations. Process is missing regarding a recommendation from WORL to Western Region.

• Dave Kelton, WORL 2^nd Vice Chair: concern is the process, lack of consultation and not able to give input

• Susan Hill, WORL Secretary: Question to WR. Had there been open communication and co-operation at our last meeting(s) – would this decision have occurred? Chris Beuglet – can’t say yes or no, however, Western Region was looking for an open forum and cooperation to happen.

• Ken Rowe, Elora Fergus: how do we move forward. Asking for direction from Peter.

MOTION: To separate the acceptance of the change and the AA process. Communicate to WR Executive, while we endorse the policy amendments as presented in principle, we would ask that they rescind the implementation date until after the AGM. Dave Kelton . . . no seconder Motion defeated.

MOTION: To extend the release period by one calendar year. Donna Jones/Scott Borland . . . . .defeated.

MOTION: That the AA full declaration date for AA final team rosters be extended to May 14^th. Tryouts can continue up to that point. Ron Vermeltfoort/Chatham . .. . carried

Tania Pettitt-Tracey: Resigning as WORL Officiating Scheduler. Maintaining position on Western Region Executive.

MOTION: For adjournment London/Guelph . . . .carried.