Notes from October 6 Trust Board meeting

MEETING OF NEWPORT COUNTY AFC SUPPORTERS’ TRUST BOARD

OCTOBER 6, 2022, 7pm

HYBRID MEETING HELD AT RODNEY PARADE & VIA VIDEO LINK

REDACTED NOTES FOR PUBLICATION

ATTENDEES (Board members): Paul Marks (PMa, Chair), Joe Crocker (JC), Mike Everett (ME), Gavin Foxall (GF), Bob Herrin (BH), Peter Madigan (PM).

ATTENDEES (Club staff): Nigel Stephenson (NS).

APOLOGIES: Mark Crook (MC), Kevin Ward (KW) Shaun Johnson (SJ).

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING (PMa)
   • The minutes of the Trust Board meeting on September 1, 2022, were approved as an accurate record.

2. MATTERS ARISING (PMa)
   • None that are not included in agenda items.

3. LEAGUE/CLUB/UPDATE (GF)
   • First team: GF gave an update on all first team matters following a meeting of the Club Group earlier in the day.
   • Supporter behaviour: Discussion around behaviour of a minority of supporters following multiple suspensions and banning orders, especially homophobic comments. Police also involved in action against alleged offenders. Club promoting preventative action.
   • Rodney Parade: World Cup Fan Zone in collaboration with RP now confirmed. Discussions continue with RP regarding future agreement.
   • EFL Conference: GF and NS attended. Fan-Led Review, digital deals, commercial, youth, among discussions.
   • League Celebration: End of season hall of fame event in Bisley. Larger event later in year and a project (museum) collating 10 years of league football items (loans etc). Working with Supporter Group and other groups to organise.

4. OPERATIONAL UPDATE (NS)
   • General: Third kit now available and utilised by first team at Leyton Orient.
   • Academy: 22 applications received for Academy Manager post – shortlisted to 5. Interviews to take place later in the month; kit pack sales process now underway across all groups; new part time session coaches recruited.
   • Ticketing: Season ticket sales to date 2,280. This compares with total sales last season of 2,196 which included 205 half-season tickets. Match day ticket sales ahead of budget for league games to date. Leicester City Carabao Cup fixture now on sale.
   • Football administration: Coach travel provider contracted for remainder of season ensuring costs are fixed. All EFL surveys and returns completed for the season.
   • Operations: Key focus on spectator behaviour after isolated incidents at all home games this season. Banning orders and/or suspension letters have been issued where appropriate. Club has written to all season-long box holders to ask for their help to maintain expected standards in these areas.
   • Retail: All three shirts now available in store.

5. FINANCIAL UPDATE (NS)
   • Satisfactory performance for second period of new financial year. Season ticket sales ahead of forecast. 

6. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (GF in KW absence)
   • Two new match day complaints of homophobic and racist language.
   • KA has attended a range of online EFL EDI training, including Handling Investigations, Transgender Inclusion, Understanding Microaggressions, and Colour Blind Awareness.
   • All new ‘Together’ assets (the EFL’s new EDI branding) have now been received and should be in place for this weekend’s game against Rochdale. This replaces the existing ‘Enjoy The Match’ branding.
   • The Club supported the first ‘Pride in the Port’ on 3rd . We weren’t able to attend due to having a home game but we promoted our support with video messages from JR and GF via social media. Save the Date for the event was shared on the big screen, social media accounts and digital programme. There were also posters in Rodney Parade. The Academy got involved via social media with a photo of the boys in rainbow bibs with a rainbow football sharing their support.
   • Our Rainbow Laces game is October 22 against Colchester. We will be showing our support for the campaign across all areas.
   • KA has attended an online EFL EDI Code of Practice session which has broken down the standards needed to achieve bronze, silver or gold accreditation. Each Club will be assessed every two years. Our first assessment season being 23/24. Each club must achieve a minimum of bronze standard to achieve compliance. Failure to do so will result in non-compliance and disciplinary proceedings from the EFL. KW will be working with KA on a strategy to ensure we achieve the necessary standards. We are there or thereabouts for bronze, and achieving silver in some areas already.

7. COMMUNITY GROUP (PMa)
   • Current active membership 1,062. Community group actions ongoing: Member engagement e.g. hospitality, prize draws; Recruiting new corporate members; Continue to monitor and contact new/cancelled members. Supporting league celebration event. 

8. SAFEGUARDING (GF)
   • Safeguarding concerns: 7 new concerns in September: 2 wellbeing, 1 complaint, 4 safeguarding.
   • Academy safeguarding: Scouts induction to take place on 5th October. FDP induction to take place on 7th October. 1st Year Scholars are in the process of their ‘Personal Development Programme’ with the LFE. Scholars are engaging positively.
   • Other updates: Play Safe campaign will run this weekend, with Keeping Children Safe In Sport Week running from 2nd – 9th October.

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
   • Remembrance: Fixture v Stockport on November 12. NCAFC has been invited to take part in civic parade on Remembrance Sunday.

Meeting closed at 8.10pm.

Next meeting: Thursday, November 3rd at 7pm.