It has been another successful year for the club but membership has been difficult. Both the men’s and women’s sides had a very strong start to the season but unexpectedly high injuries (especially in the men’s section) and uncertain availability for the school age members left managers and captains either struggling for numbers or with too many players to select from.

In the absence of a membership secretary, following the retirement of Harriet Chere, the club office team, supported by the management committee, has done an excellent job in supporting members by allocating the correct membership fee products and monitoring payments.

The vast majority of members pay on time and without the need for a reminder but sadly there are still a few members who train, play, eat teas and enjoy clubhouse and pitch facilities without paying until reminded. Unfortunately, a few set up direct debit payments but then cancel before the last instalment payments of the season creating unnecessary work for those having to follow up.

Fees for 2023/24 have been reviewed in the light of the current difficult economic climate, the cessation of the Higgins Group PLC sponsorship and to take account of the instalment payment difficulties.

Overview

The club is an amalgam of its members and as members we all rely on the support of each other. We are very fortunate that so many members volunteer to help our community. Recently some new members have suggested that they expect “the club” as they see it to pay for more staff to carry out more roles. Your volunteer (unpaid) management committee does not believe that increasing membership fees to be able to appoint more paid managers and administrators is in the best interests of members but if the majority of members think otherwise will review the membership increase proposals.

Challenges

The club spent a substantial sum this year to replace the floodlights. Both pitches (laid in 2011) are nearing the end of their time and financial reserves will need to be built up and then used to pay for new pitches.
After nearly 30 years Higgins Group plc have finally decided to hang up their boots. The club owes the company and the Higgins family a huge debt of gratitude. The club would not be in the healthy position (on and off the pitch) which it enjoys today. However, without their annual sponsorship the club will make a loss if it does not find alternative sources of income whether from new sponsors or by increasing revenue from its facilities or increasing membership fees.

What do fees cover?

The annual membership fee will continue to cover coaching and training, league and cup matches, match teas and the use of the clubhouse. The fees for Youth members cover both adult hockey league matches and youth league and cup matches. They do not cover indoor hockey or tournaments, training camps or summer league hockey.
Having carried out a detailed review of fees at other clubs, the committee remains of the view that the membership fees at Old Loughts are incredibly good value for what we all enjoy especially the fees for the minis. This is primarily thanks to the commitment of the members who give their time for free to help coach, manage, umpire, administer, assist and run the club. Membership fee discounts will continue to be offered to unpaid volunteers.

Proposals

The fee increase, principally just in line with inflation, will (subject to members’ views) be applied to existing categories as below with the Adult membership increasing at a lower rate than the others. The increase does not, at present, factor in lost sponsorship income but may need to. There will be a fee reduction for payment in full before 30 September. Anyone wishing to pay by instalments can do so from September to February in six equal instalments. No new membership categories are suggested.
The membership categories and proposed related annual prices will be:

Category / 2022/23 / 2023/4 if paid in full by 30 September / 2023/24 if paid by 6 instalments

Full Adult (over 25) / £396 / £410 /£425
Young Adult (18 to 25 on 1 September) concession / £288 / £305 /£320
Youth (12 to 17 on 1 September) / £296 / £315 /£330
Youth concession (under 14 on 01/09//2021) not playing Saturday League / £192 / £200 / £210
Mini Hockey (under 12 on 1 September) / £180/£190 /£198
Mini Hockey (under 10 on 1 September) / £160 /£168 /£180
Mini Hockey (under 8 and Seedlings on 1 September) / £150 /£158 / £165
Country (age 17 and over, living 60 miles round trip away from area, playing max 6 games in a season) / £120 / £120/ n/a
Social (may play up to 3 games in a season) / £60 / £60 / n/a

Consultation

This message has been published well in advance of the annual general meeting as your management committee would very much welcome your feedback on these proposals. Please send your feedback to chairman Phillip Wheater or any other member of the committee.
We also still need a volunteer (or volunteers) to act as membership secretary for the whole club or for the men’s or women’s section for next season. Please step forward.