Present	Vasco da Costa	Hockey Convenor
	Michael Franco	Secretary
	Ricardo da Silva	Grounds Keeper
	Rennie Marques	Newsletter Editor
	Omar Chan	Committee Member
	Stewart Chun	Captain, Men's A
	Eric Wong	Vice-captain, Men's A
	Marc Robson	Captain, Men's C
	Andrea Tang	Captain, Ladies' A
	Mandy Lui	Captain, Ladies' B

18 members representing all Recreio teams

Apologies	Fahmy Zaman	Committee Member
	Manny Pinto	Committee Member
	Gerry Xavier	Committee Member

The meeting convened at 7:40 pm with the confirmation of the 2004 AGM minutes.

The convenor and committee members voiced their disappointment to all regarding the poor turnout at this year's AGM compared to last year's 34 players, and hoped this was not an indication of things to come this season.

Vasco thanked all players for their contribution to a good season, with the men's teams all finishing in the top three of their divisions, but it was the two ladies' teams that brought home the silverware.

The convenor proceeded to brief all on the Hockey Section Committee meeting held on July 25th.

1. Player Status Of All Teams For 2005/2006

Vasco voiced his concerns regarding the number of players wanting to leave Recreio this year to play for other teams due to the general lack of team spirit and commitment. It was felt that if this was not addressed immediately, it would affect team performance during the critical 2005/2006 season. With the Men's "A" & "B" teams in the 2nd Division this year, it was the committee's belief that the Club had a good chance of returning to the First Division.

2. New Players Joining

The convenor advised the meeting that there did not appear to be many new players joining Recreio for the coming season, and that if existing players did not show more commitment to Club hockey the committee might resort to having only 2 men's teams in order to strengthen the sides.

Robert Chung commented that it would not be in the best interest for the future of Club hockey to have only 2 men's teams, and that efforts must be made by everyone to resolve the issues and maintain 3 men's teams.

Omar Chan advised the meeting that there might be five new players signing for Recreio's men's teams.

The Recreio ladies are looking at three or four University players joining them this season.

The matter of a full ladies team wanting to join Recreio as mentioned by Mandy Lui to the hockey committee was discussed. The convenor asked Mandy to invite the captain to contact him directly to discuss this, but stated very clearly that the Hockey Committee would only consider this if the players in the team were prepared to represent either the “A” or the “B” team based on their individual abilities.

3. Overall Feelings Regarding The Standard & Ability of Teams

Vasco remarked that based on the discussions of points 1 and 2, the general feeling was that there were team issues that concerned everyone. He then opened the floor for comments.

Omar noted that one reason for discontent among players was due to the poor turnout for league games by both the “A” & “B” teams. Had there been stronger support from those involved, the "A" team might well have been promoted to the First Division this coming season.

Stewart Chun was asked for his views, but they merely echoed those who noted that the root problem was a lack of commitment from players.

4. Foreseeable Problems Within Teams

The convenor indicated that a solution to the problems facing the men's teams would be for the committee and the captains to agree on the following:

i) Keep 3 teams in the men's league for 2005/2006 season.
ii) The men's "A" & "B" should become a squad of players instead of 2 individual teams.
iii) All 3 teams should have one objective – to get the “A” team into the 1st division.
iv) The squad must train together.
v) The squad must have strategic plans in place for the coming season.
vi) Selection of players will be the responsibility of both the committee and the captains.
vii) Player selection will be based on commitment first, ability second.

Mandy commented that the Ladies' “B” team would be weakened in the coming season with the migration of a number of experienced players to the “A”, and with new University players joining.

Vasco explained that, as with the men, the “A” team would always be the best squad representing Recreio while the “B” would be the training side that gives players the opportunity to improve their skills and experience.

5. Training For New Season

Michael Franco stated he would be coaching the ladies teams this season and that they would continue with their Thursday night sessions through the new season.

Mandy requested a sideline coach during league games, and Michael said he would speak to a few individuals but stated that these coaches would need to attend the weekday training sessions as well to be able to monitor and advise team performance accurately.

The convenor and committee members advised the men's teams that training sessions for the men's squad would commence ASAP with light training in August and full training in September when the pitch would be reopened.

All agreed that men's training sessions should be on Wednesday nights at 7.30 pm and should start on August 3rd. Team captains with the help of Rennie, Rick, Fahmy, Omar and Michael would monitor attendance of these training sessions as part of the selection criteria.

Saturday afternoons will be used for playing friendly matches between the men's "A" & "B" teams to develop the squad. This will be where the committee and captains will observe players for team selection.

6. Grounds & Equipment

With the confirmation that both men's and ladies' teams would be using Club pitch for training mid-week, Mike Franco requested Vasco and the Club to look into the financing for additional lighting to be installed.

Rick Silva advised all that the hockey pitch will be partially opened in designated areas for light training only, emphasis on no hitting, and the full pitch would be re-opened in September for full training.

The convenor announced that Marc Robson had agreed to be the hockey equipment co-ordinator for all the teams this season. All teams will be issued their quota of game balls this season. Any team needing to replace equipment for this season should speak to Marc.

Vasco also noted that all teams would be responsible for their equipment, and asked all to tidy up and use the lockers provided by the Club properly. He also advised that no new uniforms would be made this season but there would possibly be new ones next season.

7. Finances /Fines / Contributions

Vasco appraised everyone on the hockey committee's decision regarding fines, loss of equipment and players' contributions. Everyone agreed with the decision.

The convenor advised all that the Hockey Section expenditure for 2004/2005 season ran into a deficit of $60,000. Vasco stated that no request to increase fees had been made by the General Committee but the Hockey Section would continue to monitor the situation.

8. Any Other Business

Vasco announced that the 2005 annual Hockey Section dinner and prize presentation would be held at the end of August, date and time to be confirmed.

It was also announced that 2006 would be Club de Recreio's Centenary Year and the hockey section would be looking to commemorate this occasion with 3 hockey trophies - a Cup, a Plate, and a Bowl - to be donated to the Hong Kong Hockey Association for the men's league. Vasco told the meeting the Club would look into new uniforms for all teams for this event, and asked all to think of anything the hockey section might do to celebrate the event.

Mike asked if the Club would consider the same trophies for the ladies' league. He also advised the meeting of the coming hockey tour to Malaysia for the Ladies' Squad, and thanked the convenor and the Club for their support.

Vasco asked if Recreio would be entering a team this year for the KCC mixed tournament in October, and all present agreed to enter at least one team.

Lai Kwok Fai was appointed Captain of the Men's “A” team for the coming season.

On behalf of the hockey sub-committee, the convenor thanked both Robert Chung & Dr Lam Chor Yin for their kind donation of $1,200.00 to the Tsunami Relief Fund.

Rennie Marques asked those present if they would like the Recreio Newsletter to continue to be published this season, and the reply was a unanimous Yes.

Vasco presented a new “Sporting Membership” to all and asked those who have been guest players to consider this proposal and see if the hockey section could reduce the number of guest players presently registered.

An open invitation was made to any player who has an interest in the running and the future of hockey at Recreio to join the Hockey Section Working Committee.

Robert Chung voiced his concerns regarding the concept of a squad being adopted this season for the "A" and "B" teams, intimating that while this was good in theory, it would likely run into difficulties if it was not managed properly. Robert also stated that strategic planning would be needed to make it work with support from the committee, captains and especially the players. He noted that the training sessions would play a critical part in the success or failure of both teams this season.

There being no other business, the convenor thanked everyone for their hard work and contributions during the past season and closed the 2005 AGM at 10.00pm.