The meeting was held in person at Sandbar, 120 Grosvenor St, Manchester, M1 7HL.
The agenda was circulated in advance of the meeting via WhatsApp to the committee members, and via WhatsApp community to all members of the club.
All members were invited to attend. Notifications delivered via email and WhatsApp community.
These are consolidated minutes for the purposes of publishing online. The full minutes are available on request by emailing secretary@northernwave.org.
Attendees
The committee members as named below, plus the following:
Susan F, Wesley C, Trevor B, Oona G, Rachel H, Melissa W, Chris V, Dan G, Marie C, Charlie H, Richard D, Abi H, Daniel J, Barry C, Eric F, Jess W, Lucas L, Lucie B, MY L
Quorum
The quorum was met with 8+ committee members with voting rights present.
Chair
The meeting was chaired by Julie Parker.
Normal Business
Committee Introductions
Julie Parker – Chair
Mike Evans – Vice Chair
Donald Vaughan – Treasurer & Membership Secretary
Phil Joy – Secretary
Kevin Soares – Monday and Saturday Rep (absence excused)
Honzik Slovak – Tuesday Rep
Abi Stone – Wednesday Rep (absence excused)
Alastair Dawson – Co-Social Secretary
Andrew Pierce – Co-Social Secretary
Sarah Hazelwood – Comms
Ben Gross – Social Media
Jess Nichols – Welfare Officer*
Edwin Lace – Head Coach*
*Denotes no voting rights
Chair's Report
Julie delivered the Chairs report, a copy of which is available on request.
Treasurer’s Report
Donald delivered the Treasurer’s report, a copy of which is available on request.
The change in pricing structure last year has helped the club’s financial outlook, and we are now running at a small profit. We were fortunate enough to receive two grants during the year; one to enable us to purchase new kit and one providing a small cash injection to help with solvency.
We have cash reserves of approx. £8000 (once unspent grant money is returned) which would allow us to run for approx. 8 months in the event that income ceased.
Tuesday session continues to perform the best from a financial perspective, with Monday, Wednesday and Saturday sessions running at small losses. It was noted that Tuesday financial performance remains strong, despite recent attendance numbers showing a small decrease.
It is a requirement that our club accounts are reviewed by an independent examiner, who is not permitted to be a committee member (or related to/live with someone on the committee). Tim Offer was appointed at the last AGM to be the independent examiner for the period 2025/26. He is in the process of reviewing the accounts with Donald and the committee will be updated once this is complete.
Year-end accounts were accepted (subject to any issues being raised by Tim during audit).
Election of Officers
Julie Parker is willing to re-stand as Chair, for a 2-year term.
Nobody else has opted to stand for the position.
Proposed by Donald Vaughan and seconded by Trevor B.
No objections received.
Julie Parker elected as Chair, position to renew in 2028.
Donald Vaughan is willing to re-stand as Treasurer, for a 2-year term.
Nobody else has opted to stand for the position.
Proposed by Barry C and seconded by MY L.
No objections received.
Donald Vaughan elected as Treasurer, position to renew in 2028.
Donald Vaughan is willing to re-stand as Membership Secretary, for a 2-year term.
Nobody else has opted to stand for the position.
Proposed by Phil Joy and seconded by Oona G.
No objections received.
Donald Vaughan elected as Membership Secretary, position to renew in 2028.
Ben Gross was co-opted onto the committee during the year, as Social Media Officer, and he is willing to formally stand for the position.
Nobody else has opted to stand for the position.
Proposed by Eric F and seconded by Chris V.
No objections received.
Ben Gross elected as Social Media Officer, position to renew in 2028.
Abi Stone is willing to re-stand as Wednesday Rep.
Nobody else has opted to stand for the position.
Proposed by Dan G and seconded by Andrew Pierce.
No objections received.
Abi Stone elected as Wednesday Rep, position to renew in 2028.
Alastair Dawson and Andrew Pierce are both willing to re-stand as Co-Social Secretary.
Nobody else has opted to stand for the position.
Alastair Dawson proposed by Dan G and seconded by Andrew Pierce.
Andrew Pierce proposed by Eric F and seconded by Alastair Dawson.
No objections received to either appointment.
Alastair Dawson and Andrew Pierce both elected as Co-Social Secretary, position to renew in 2028.
Tim Offer has been asked to act as the independent examiner for the club’s accounts for 2026/27. Nobody else has offered to be appointed in this position. No objections received. Assuming Tim confirms that he is willing to act, Tim Offer is appointed as the independent examiner for 2026/27 accounting period.
Club Survey
Great engagement with the survey and thanks given to those who responded.
Positive to note that many of our members feel their fitness has improved in the last 12 months, consider that the club has a positive impact on their wellbeing, and have found coached sessions enjoyable and challenging.
More time is needed for the committee to consider the results in full, and additional details will be circulated in due course.
Northern Wave Manchester Masters 2026
Our gala will be returning this year on 8 August.
Rachel is helping to coordinate volunteers.
Entries are coming in at a good rate and members are encouraged to enter early to secure their place.
Ben has already promoted with many clubs across Europe and the US.
New Kit
We have a new kit supplier which keeps our brand identity whilst offering a refreshed design.
Details will be circulated with members.
Pride 2026
Pride takes place on 29 August. We have secured a parade entry with 50 wristbands. Members encouraged to attend.
Any Other Business
Donald gave a note of thanks to our door volunteers.
Trevor gave a note of thanks to Julie, for her ongoing work as club Chair.