In attendance were:

John Allum President
June Prenger Secretary/Treasurer/Web Site Manager
Rick Prenger Team Rep Kingston Knights
Paul DeVett Team Rep Pilot House
James Hayes Team Rep East Side Mario’s
Mike Harrett Team Rep Kingston Pools
Chris Duhamel Vice President EOBA

Absent:

Roger Fouzie Vice-President
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(1) The President (John) welcomed Chris Duhamel, who attended the meeting to provide information regarding the OBA.

(2) The minutes of the September 2006 meeting were reviewed and accepted.

(3) The league finances were discussed and a copy of the league financial statement was explained and given to the team reps.

(4) John welcomed the teams back and thanked the Treasurer (June) for keeping accurate records and finances. He also noted that the league has become safer over the past two years and thanked the past Vice-President, Rick, for the good job he did while Vice-President. He also thanked Paul .

(5) John explained that due to higher ice costs the team fees would have to go over the $2,000 amount, which is more than in past years. The City also requires insurance from the league this year, which is an additional cost. There will be 32 games played in Kingston and 8 in Westport this season (14 Oct and 25 Nov). The Referees were also discussed.

(6) John advised that the season will begin on the 14 October in Westport. Linda Lott is currently making up the schedule and coordinating it with the Women’s League. The schedule should
be completed during the week of the 8 October. Semi Finals will take place on the 24 February with the season ending on 9 March. The banquet will follow within a week or two weeks of the season end.

(7) Chris Duhamel advised of the new and amended rules coming down from the CBF. A short discussion followed. These will be further discussed at the Rules Committee meeting.

(8) Everyone agreed to the Team Reps checking helmets and facemasks this season to ensure that they are both CSA approved and that they have not exceeded their expiry date. It was also discussed that face masks and helmets should not be modified as this nullifies the CSA approval.

(9) It was suggested by all, that the Rules Committee make a genuine attempt to simplify the rules, and decrease the number of rules that are redundant, and already included in the CFB rule book. Chris Duhamel requested that he be permitted to attend the Rules Committee meeting as an advisor.

(10) The President noted that the run time is working well and thanked the team reps for their cooperation.

(11) Chris Duhamel suggested that tournaments might assist in raising funds to go toward the ever-increasing ice fees, decreasing the amount each team would have to pay. He also gave a number of suggestions to simplify the running of a tournament. It was discussed and decided that we may attempt to organize a tournament this season, in order to raise funds to offset next year’s team fees. John will look into organizing this.

(12) Timekeeper. We do not have a Timekeeper this season. Team Reps were requested to ask around to see if anyone would be interested in this position.

(13) Balls. It was decided that this year, each team would purchase their own balls, if required.

(14) It was discussed and decided by all, that team fees would be due in two installments. Team Reps are to have ½ of the team fees to the Treasurer prior to the first game played in Kingston (i.e. 21 October). IF THESE FEES ARE NOT PAID, THAT TEAM WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PLAY UNTIL THE FEES ARE PAID. The remainder of the fees are to be paid by the 25 November and again, IF THESE FEES ARE NOT PAID, THAT TEAM WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PLAY UNTIL THE FEES ARE PAID.

(15) Web Site. June requested that if anyone has anything that they think would be of interested to players or teams, or even to the general public, and you would like to have placed on the Web site, such as photos, news, etc., to please pass it on to her. James suggested the possibility of sponsors to be included on the web site. June passed, to team reps that were interested, the names of people who had forwarded requests to play broomball, through the web site.

(16) Game Sheets/Stats. June requested that copies of the game sheets be given to her or phoned in to her, after each game. This way, the web site will be kept up-to-date and the referees can be accurately paid. John commented that he will do the stats this season.

(17) Constitution. June suggested that the league could benefit from having a formal Constitution and possible By-Laws. Paul provided June with a copy of the 1999 Constitution for review.

A more detailed copy of these minutes will be given to the team reps in the near future.

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HISTORY OF BROOMBALL IN KINGSTON

The Kingston Broomball League has been around longer than the Ontario Federation - approximately 35 years. In the 1970's it was eight teams strong and teams played occasionally in tournaments around Ontario.

Jim Thompson was our first league president and promoted a league that was vibrant and growing. Over time, one team continually won, leading to a division of levels of play, i.e. fun teams and competitive teams. Gradually rough play came in and a some teams opted to quit the league. The league was then down to six teams.

The league remained six teams strong well into the 1990's, then became the problem of aging players, with a lack of upcoming younger players. This eventually reduced the league to four to five teams, depending upon the year.

The introduction of an Ontario Co-Ed competitive regional and provincial championship aided the leagues more skilled players by providing an additional outlet for them. Kingston players have been on the Gold or Silver winning teams every year since then and attended the only Nationals for Co-Ed teams in 2000, finishing sixth overall.

The Kingston league has provided players and coaches to many teams playing in tournaments and has had players on winning teams at the Broomball World Championships, held every two years.

Kingston has had a strong tradition of skilled players, thanks in part to the local Canadian Forces Base - CFB Kingston, and the willingness of local players to develop their individual skills and talents.

Our small league has produced teams and players that have created a winning tradition that is recognized across the province of Ontario.

Our Kingston Co-Ed Broomball League continues to provide lively entertainment each and every Sunday evening and some Friday evenings throughout the winter months, that is free to all who wish to attend. Our home ice is at the Wally Elmer Arena - so why not come out and watch us play - you might even want to try it yourself!!