Notes from January 12 Trust Board meeting


MEETING OF NEWPORT COUNTY AFC SUPPORTERS’ TRUST BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 12, 2023, 7pm

MEETING HELD AT NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL SPORTS VILLAGE

REDACTED NOTES FOR PUBLICATION 

ATTENDEES (Board members): Paul Marks (PMa, Chair), Joe Crocker (JC), Mike Everett (ME), Gavin Foxall (GF), Bob Herrin (BH), Shaun Johnson (SJ), Kevin Ward (KW).

APOLOGIES: Mark Crook (MC), Peter Madigan (PM).

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING (PMa)
    • The minutes of the Trust Board meeting on December 8, 2022, were approved as an accurate record.
  1. MATTERS ARISING (PMa)
    • None that are not included in agenda items.
  1. LEAGUE/CLUB/UPDATE (GF)
    • First team/January window: Club Group met with DK & GC to discuss window.
    • Fan-led review: Westminster session this week. No detail yet re timescales.
    • Office update: Matthew Higgins (club secretary) leaving to take up a role at West Ham. Gareth Evans stepping up from Academy to take on Club Sec role temporarily. Kelly Anderson taking on office manager role temporarily.
  1. OPERATIONS (GF)
    • Club policies: The Board discussed and agreed updates to the following club policies: Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing, Anti-Bullying & Harassment, Club Mascot, Accessibility, Volunteers. All other club policies have been reviewed in line with legislation and no updates are required.
  1. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (KW)
    • Zero complaints received during the month.
    • EFL ‘Together’ Code of Practice: our first development meeting with the EFL will be on February 9; submission date is November 30 next year. Important to note that EDI training from EFL is now compulsory for all club directors.
    • KA met Level Playing Field to discuss relaunch of DSA. Looking to do so during Unite for Access (Feb 25-March 12).
    • Football v Homophobia Month of Action is in February. KW & KA talking to County with Pride & others to agree action plan.
    • KA attended EFL Disability Etiquette and Disability Access training as part of the ‘Together’ strategy. This month attending EFL i-Recruit training (recruiting with no bias) & Understanding Religion and Ramadan. Other EFL training webinars in January: Anti-Semitism (Jan 25).
    • Working on Show Racism the Red Card event. This is where we can invite 2 schools (60 children) in to have a workshop from SRtRC and engage in activities with CITC.
    • We have been provided with a set of EDI books by the EFL for us to distribute in schools. KA is liaising with GF as to where and when these will be distributed by players. It would make sense to do this in February as part of Football v Homophobia Month.
    • Holocaust Memorial Day is January 27. We are looking at how we might mark this, at either the Wimbledon or Swindon home games. EFL has also offered for a Holocaust Survivor to attend the Club to provide their testimony in partnership with the Holocaust Educational Trust.
  1. COMMUNITY GROUP (PMa)
    • Supporters’ Trust membership currently stands at 1,049.
    • Trust continues to contact those members who have not renewed memberships to understand reasons why, and action as appropriate.
    • Hospitality box continues to be used on match days for Gold (and above) members, together with members who have won a place via the regular prize draw. Those attending have been very appreciative of the experience with good feedback received. 
  1. SAFEGUARDING (GF)
    • ‘Know Your People/Professional Game’ is now up and running. We have completed the first DBS application for the new YDP lead which returned within a week as completed.
    • We now have access to the Whole Game system, which enables KA to access coaches’ qualifications as a safeguarding check, and if someone has been ‘red-carded’ (banned by the FA) to work in football. This will further tighten our safer recruitment processes.
    • Player Care role descriptions and strategy are now written and awaiting sign off for distribution and signing.
    • Focus on exit transition as we plan for those exiting the Academy. Meetings have now been held for the U16s that have been released due to no scholarship offer, with these being positive.
    • Over the Christmas period, player care check in emails were sent to the families of every Shadow Squad, Pre-Academy and girls players, with some very positive feedback coming through.
    • Player and parent forums are to recommence this month, with themes added, so that we have a more structured agenda. For example, release and transition process.
    • Player Care hub is online on 18th January with a focus on U16 mental health and wellbeing – KA to attend.
    • Barnardo’s and PGAAC audit are due within the next few weeks.
    • EFL Safeguarding visited in December and have advised they are confident with the way that we have been dealing with cases and how tenacious we have been with some, that we are doing our utmost to create a safe and welcoming environment at the Club.
  1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS (PMa)
    • Kit supplier: VX3 chosen as new kit partner following tender process. Will also take on the running of the club shop and online sales.

NOTE TO TRUST MEMBERS: Please remember that these notes are an edited version of the full minutes of the meeting. In general, commercially sensitive and/or individual staff matters are redacted. These notes can only be edited and released once the full minutes have been approved at the next Board meeting.

 

Meeting closed at 9.30pm.