In June 2026 the Chair of the committee suggested and the committee members agreed that minutes of their meetings should be published.
Minutes of the meeting held 3 June 2026.
Minutes of the meeting held 3 September 2026.
Category: Meetings
AGM Minutes Of The WPGMHA 2026
Attendance: The register circulated for signature, see link below. Committee members present: Karl Luff, Warren Mechanik, Gary Frayne, Wendy Payne, Derek Mc Mahon, Noreen Wonacott, Peter Kratz.
Apologies: Heiko Alfeld, Neil Lavin, Mike Butcher, Michael Bolton, Stephen Kelly Senior, Elvira Ryan, Brian Goemans.
The chair declared that there was a valid quorum.
WPGMHA AGM Attendance register 18 May 2026-compressed
1. Adoption of Minutes
Adoption of the minutes of the AGM of the WPGMHA held at WPCC on 5 May 2025. Adoption proposed by Steve Dugmore and seconded by Brent Conbrink.
2. Chairman’s Report
Karl Luff, with assistance from Noreen Wanacott, presented a two-part historical overview tracking the growth of Western Province (WP) Grand Masters.
Historical Overview: 2010 – 2018
The first era, from 2010 to 2018, began with a highly successful inaugural tournament at Hartleyvale under the club’s first Chairman, Moir Scholtz. This foundational period included notable international tours to Oxford and The Hague, alongside crucial foundational work from pioneers Rob Birt and John Donald.
Evolution and Expansion: 2019 – 2026
The second era marked a phase of rapid expansion and structural maturity despite the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. WP launched its first Summer League in 2020 and subsequently grew its membership from 60 to 162 players by late 2024, aided by the introduction of our first ladies’ team. WP Grand Masters has demonstrated competitive and structural dominance, securing undefeated league titles in Gqeberha and fielding three full 55+ teams alongside the historic debut of the first WP Ladies Over 60s team in KZN.
Future Challenges for the New Committee:
- Recruitment: Attracting younger players (55+ for men, 50+ for ladies) to prevent the depletion of lower age brackets as players age up.
- Longevity & Coaching: Structuring leagues to accommodate different competitiveness tiers (similar to the Masters A, B, and C structures) and hiring high-level coaches for IPT preparation.
- On-Field Discipline: Improving pitch behavior and umpire respect.
- Player Movement: Regulating players playing across different age-level designations (“up and down”).
Danny St Dare thanked Karl for his tremendous efforts from the floor.
3. Financial Report (Year to 31 December 2025)
Previously circulated by Warren Machanik, who highlighted the following key points:
- Accounting Transition: Financials transitioned from a cash-based system to an accrual system.
- Performance: While 2024 cash-based accounting initially reflected a R2,000 loss, the corrected accrual framework showed a R12,000 profit. This year, the club achieved a net profit of just over R30,000, thanks to healthy profits and generous private donations for medical kits.
- Reinvestment: The club will invest funds directly into the league, including a 50% sponsorship of new team shirts.
- Approval: Adoption of the financial report was proposed by Warren and unanimously adopted by the meeting.
4. Constitutional Review
The proposed constitutional changes previously circulated to members were proposed for adoption.
Resolution: The changes were unanimously approved by the floor without objection, giving the committee the authority to update the Constitution document.
5. Other Business / Matters Arising
- Selection Issues: Chair asked members of the 60+ RSA side if the selection issues relating to one of the WPGM members had been resolved. Larry confirmed there was no longer an issue.
- Service Award – Noreen: Presented with a special token of appreciation for her years of dedicated service and administrative support as she steps down from her role.
- Service Award – Karl: Awarded a special token for his monumental leadership as Chairman since taking over the reins from Rob, John, and Pottie.
- Winter League Trophy 2025: Awarded to the Green Team.
- Summer League Trophy 25/26: Awarded to the Orange Team.
6. Election of Office Bearers
As only a single nomination was received for each portfolio, no formal ballot was required. The incoming committee for the 2026/2027 cycle was confirmed:
| Portfolio | Name |
|---|---|
| Chair | Warren Machanik |
| Treasurer | Grant Irlam |
| Secretary | Peter Kratz |
| Player Affairs | Gary Frayne |
| Support Player Affairs | Steve Dugmore |
| Player Affairs | Wendy Payne |
| Support Playing Affairs | Elvira Ryan |
| Governance Officer | Derek Mc Mahon |
A group photograph of the incoming committee was taken. There being no further business, the meeting was declared closed at approximately 21h30.
AGM Minutes Of The WPGMHA 2025
Monday 05 May 2025, At WPCC, At 20h30
Venue: Chairman’s View WPCC
1) Opening
- KL welcomed all to the meeting.
2) Attendance
- Register circulated for signature.
- See attached.
3) Apologies
- As per the attached.
4) Adoption of Minutes
- Minutes of the AGM of the WPGMHA held at the WPCC on 15 February 2024 (Note: Minutes posted on the WPGMHA website).
- NL proposed, D St D seconded. KL noted they are on the website.
5) Matters Arising
a) Voting Rights
- As raised at the SAGMHA AGM (5 April 2025). SGM was held.
- KL noted that the SAGMHA has an SGM at 5 pm. First vote on voting procedure: 16–4 voted to use a vote as per WP objection.
- Shane Deme is the new Chairman. Barry is the new Player Rep. WP will have 1 seat. GT will handle fundraising and transformation. KL remains as the Chairman rep for WP.
b) Principle of “No Pay, No Play”
- KL proposed enforcing this principle. Passed as an option and accepted.
- NvB noted that exceptions should be made for players who genuinely cannot afford fees. KL agreed, provided justification is given—the aim is to deter opportunists.
c) Proposed Changes to WPGMHA Constitution
- None.
6) Chairman’s Report Back
a) Amalgamation of WP Masters and WPGM
- D St D did significant work, but WP Masters never signed.
- KL noted that SA Masters now treats SA GM as a province. The new committee will revisit this issue.
b) Player Report on SAGMHA IPT (EP, 4–6 April 2025)
- Reports submitted but awaiting 60B. Will be posted once received. They are attached below.
c) Summer League
- KL commended GF for managing the 7 teams—a great success.
- Orange Team won the league; White Team won the SGM Award. AI won the Umpires’ Award.
- Fewer disciplinary issues—thanks to captains, admins, coaches, umpires (CB), and physios.
d) Winter League
- 6-team league—appears well-balanced and competitive.
e) Ladies’ Involvement for Next IPT
- Imperative to include.
f) IPT Feedback
- KL noted that WP performed well:
- 55s & 60B undefeated. 60W, 65s, 70s also strong.
- Complimented on discipline and sportsmanship.
7) Awards
a) SAGM awarded Long-service awards
- NW and RB (recognised for contributions to WP & SAGM).
b) WP Awards:
- RB: Trophy for commitment to WP & SA GM (since the first World Cup in CT).
- JP (“Potty”): Trophy for contributions to WP teams & managers.
- Mike: Trophy for longevity in the game.
8) Upcoming Tournaments
a) Master’s IPT (EP, 7–10 August 2025)
- Spotters/Scotts for U60 (no WC selection).
b) Africa Cup (21–23 November 2025)
- SA squad selections for WC (all age groups).
- NvB raised concerns over pre-selection bias (SG Hockey favouritism). KL will clarify oncethe details are final.
- CJ noted a ladies’ selector at IPT—concern as no WP ladies’ team participated.
c) SAGMHA IPT (KZN, 20–24 February 2026)
- Final SA squad announcements.
- KL: Potential humidity challenges. WC moved to August 2026 (originally October). Location TBD.
d) World Cup (60–80s – TBA)
- Trials in November for 55–70s (men & ladies).
- Managers to be appointed before trials for preparedness.
9) Financial Report
a) 2024 Financial Report
- Distributed via email. One query on IPT expenses.
- Thanks to B Alcock (unpaid work). Query on capitation rules (now per competition). KL to clarify SAHA levies.
- IPTs are costly—may have undercharged.
- Limited funds for KZN IPT. Assisted 5 players + managers’ accommodation.
- Astro costs increased.
- Full player fees are required to maintain subs. Some players reneged on commitments.
- SS proposed fundraising — approved, SS to run with this.
b) Banking Account
- 7k interest—allocated to players’ fund.
c) Weekly Games Fee – Review
- No discussion noted. However, a budget has been done and invoices will be sent out.
10) Election of Office Bearers
- Chairperson: KL re-elected.
- Secretary: PK nominated and accepted.
- Treasurer: WM to move across from secretary.
- Player Affairs (Men): GF accepted.
- Player Affairs (Ladies): WF accepted.
- IPT Convener: NW accepted.
- Governance & Discipline: DMc accepted.
- Additional Committee Members:
- NL (goalkeepers).
- DM to remain.
11) General Discussion
- BW: Complimented EP’s IPT organisation. KL to send thank-you.
- LS: Raised selection issues. KL to respond once the official position is clear.
- NW: Clothing policy—older kits for 65s/70s, newer for 55s/60s. Accepted.
- CB: Umpire grading concerns. Proposed local grading (even if unrecognised by FIH).
- CJ: Ladies’ teams—discussed Boland ladies and mixed Masters. NvB suggested continuing efforts.
- TH: Proposed a working group to resolve issues.
Meeting Closed 21:43.
Attachments
Attendance Register
Apologies Register
Reports
WPGMHA Annual General Meeting Notice 2025
Mark your calendars, hockey fans – it’s AGM time!
📅 Date: Monday, 5 May 2025
⏰ Time: 20:30 (post-games)
📍 Location: WPCC (Chairman’s View)
💻 Option: Zoom available (but in-person has better snacks)
Why Attend?
• Shape our hockey future
• Learn where your fees go
• Witness democracy in action
• Snag a committee position
📋 Full Agenda
- Attendance – Sign in or Zoom in
- Apologies – Tell us why you can’t make it
- Minutes – From last AGM (available on website)
- Matters Arising – Including voting rights and the constitution
- Chairman’s Report – The year in review
- Upcoming Tournaments – Mark these dates!
- Financial Report – Show me the money
- Committee Elections – Your chance to step up!
- General Discussion – Have your say
🚨 Committee Call-Out
Several committee members are stepping down – we need fresh blood! Positions available:
- Chairperson
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- 3 Additional Members
Nomination forms available below: – deadline 5 May before meeting. No experience necessary – just enthusiasm and willingness to help.
See you there (or explain why not)!
Minutes of the WPGMHA AGM 2024
Meeting held at 20:05 on 15 Feb April at WPCC
Attendance: Register below. No Zoom attendees
Apologies: As below
- JP Welcomed all.
- Adoption of the minutes of the AGM of the WPGMHA held at the WPCC 2023
- Proposed RB seconded CH.
- Award of League Trophy
- JP stated that the league was competitive, and this is a good thing, and this has affected the Spirit of Masters. Since the meeting the spirit Is far better, umpires have noticed the difference.
- Winner Yellow team, top goal scorer GB
- SAGM — MOA vote submitted changes.
- JP explained that as part of the AGM we are having a SGM to verify the MOU. No comments in writing.
- DstD stated the MOU is signed, it sums up the essentially of the 2 constitutions. And forms an understanding between the two bodies. The MOU was published and sent to all. WP masters are happy with what they do, and are happy with what we do, and neither party really wants to interfere with each other. Our success is important for them to continue playing hockey.
- MOU took 6 months to construct and congrats to GT in getting the agreement in place.
- NvB asked if the plan it to still have a single body, DstD at the moment there are still issues with this merge. We at WP are the leading way. We are proposing that IPTs are separated. Nothing is decided on SA level.TH asked what the structure is. DstD said it was in the MOU.
- RB stated that this IPT has shown that the close dates cause an issue.JP stated the MOU is one step in the process, we need to have changes to the committee. We need to vote as to whether the committee can go ahead.
- DstD stated that we need to make changes to the constitution.
- It was unanimous that we give the committee the mandate to proceeds.
- Remembrance wall for masters – to be virtual
- A reembrace wall has been proposed. The idea is to create a virtual wall on the website.
- Finances
- NW – financials were emailed to all.NW end of last year we had 80k, we used 10k to have the second defib. We made R20k profit from the IPT, thanks to Vinnie, he was thanked. Of the 20k we are using this to assist the coaches to assist to get to IPT.NW – we make a little profit from our fees, not much. Not all the members of the 6 teams are paying so we are covering our costs and making a little.
- NW – Physio and first aid have had a little increase.
- PK stated we should pay per season, and defaulters should be excluded from the league. WM explained that we did state that people must pa per season or half a season, and there were a few queries about this. This issue was moved to maters arising.
- NW thanked BA for the finances.
- TH said that the way any extra funds are being distributed, should be transparent. NW stated it was in the financials.
- Nominations for WPGM committee.
- The positions nominated and agreed
- Chairman:Nomination of KL to be chairman, accepted.
- Treasurer: NW nominated and accepted.
- Secretary:WM nominated and accepted.
- Player affairs (2 members):GF and DMa nominated and accepted.
- Disciplinary affairs: RB nominated and accepted.
- General member: NL nominated and accepted.
- Matters Arising
- NW stated that WP caps are available.
- NW also said the bucket hats are also available.
- NW stated there is place that she is looking at soft peaks.
- BCr – asked if we are resolving the issue that those not paying need to be excluded. We need to pay per season. KL stated that there should be exceptions. PK stated that there are some people who are not requesting relief and are not paying, and they should be excluded. It was agreed this would be the case.
- DstD stated there is no definition for a member. It is proposing that there should be a separate subscription.RB stated there may be issues with SAHA fees.
- DstD asked how national selection is done. We have had no national selector, and wanted to know what the WPGM committee needs to address this. RB stated responses were sent to all. JP stated that the coaches do the selection.Voting at SAGM is that a delegate and a vote per team. So we only have 1+3 (maybe 2, not sure if 55s have a vote) sides. We need to consider this when sending sides.
- DstD stated that the delegate is asked to vote on issues, and this needs to come back to the members. He wanted clarity on this. RB stated that the AGM agenda will be published soon, and at the moment there are no issues to vote for.KL stated that we have had no vote to amalgamate SA Master and SA GM, so it cannot amalgamate unless it is ratified.RB stated that FIH has prescribed that Masters and GM must amalgamated. The MOU is a consequence.BF state that he felt that WP is drifting away from SA Masters / SA GM, we need to get someone on the committee.
- RB stated that he has sent out documentations to ask for nominations.JP stated that KL is to be proposed as chairman.
- BW asked if Barry would stand down, It was not clear.
Meeting closed at 21:55
Attendance Register WPGM AGM 2024
| AI — Allan Issacs | GI — Grant Irlam |
| AR — Andreas Redenz | IF – Ian Faulkner |
| BC – Robbert (Bob) Commin | JP – John Potgieter |
| BF — Robert (Bobby) Freeman | JS —John Shardlow |
| BCr — Brent Crombrink | KL – Karl Luff |
| BG — Brian Goemans | LL – Leon Lategan |
| BW — Bryan Webster | LS — Larry Sherman |
| CdlH —Colin de la Harpe | MD — Martin Duys |
| CH — Chris Hayley | MoK – Mike O’Keefe |
| CR — Cliff Rutherford | NL – Neil Lavin |
| DM — Dereck Marnewick | NvB – Nel van Blerk |
| DMa – Deon Maart | NW – Noreen Wonnacott |
| DMc — Dave McKechnie | PK – Peter Kratz |
| DstD — Danny St Dare | PS — Peter Shardlow |
| EF – Edmund Fisher | RB – Robert Birt |
| FA — Frank Aspeling | SD – Stephen Dugmore |
| FS — Fanie Steffans | TH – Tony Hugget |
| GB — Glyn Bedford | TJ — Trevor Joao |
| GF – Gary Frayne | TK — Trevor Knight |
| GI — Grant Irlam | WM – Warren Machanik |
Apologies WPGM AGM 2024
| Brian Alcock (BA) | Clive Belcher |
| Glenn Turner | John Donald |
| Dereck McMahon |
SL23-24 Wrapup, IPT Prep and AGM
Wrap-up of summer league
This week we wrap up Summer League. It has been great fun for all those who attended, thanks to all the players, umpires, admins, physios and first aiders.
IPT Prep
From 15 Feb we go into the IPT Prep games. The structure of this preparation stage will be that 4 sides play games, one side then practices. All players that are not in squads are welcome we will need every one of you to make sure we have full teams. If you are not in an IPT team, please email Gary, who will be allocating extra players to the various teams. Gary’s email is garyfrayne7@gmail.com.
The colours of the teams are:
| Yellow | 55s |
| Red | 65s |
| Black | 70s |
| White | 75s |
| Blue | Ladies |
Here are the fixtures for these warmups:
| Date | WPCC B 18:15 | WPCC A 18:30 | WPCC B 19:15 | |||
| 15-Feb | 70s | 75s | 55s | 65s | Ladies | Practice |
| 22-Feb | 55s | Ladies | 65s | Practice | 70s | 75s |
| 29-Feb | 65s | 75s | 55s | Practice | Ladies | 70s |
| 07-Mar | Ladies | 65s | 75s | Practice | 55s | 70s |
| 14-Mar | 55s | 65s | 70s | Practice | Ladies | 75s |
AGM
After the games on the 15th is the AGM. All are welcome. The agenda is here…
Nomination forms are below…
WPGMHA AGM Agenda 15 Feb 2024
The meeting scheduled for 20:00 at WPCC
Items on Agenda
- Accepting minutes – old minutes
- Awarding of League Trophy
- SGM – MOA vote submitted changes.
- Spirit of Grand Masters
- Remembrance wall for masters.
- Finances.
- Nominations for WPGM committee.
- ChairmanTreasurerSecretaryPlayer affairs (2 members) Disciplinary affairs
- Matters Arising
Nomination forms
WPGMHA November updates – MOU, Meeting and IPT 2024
There are 3 items of news.
1. MOU
Dear WPGM Members please find attached the signed Memorandum of understanding that has been put forward by the sub-committee in charge of producing it. It is now signed, and it is available for you to request amendments or approve. In the new year we will have a meeting to finalise any amendments and then the members can approve the MOU. Contact the committee to get a copy.
2. Meeting about on the park issues.
Some members have approached the committee about problems on the park. We want to fix these problems. Hence, we request you to attend a meeting next week on November 30, 2023. The meeting will happen after the last game on Thursday the 30th at 8:45 PM. We hope the meeting will be short. If you have something to say, please keep it short and to the point.
Let’s solve these problems and make sure we all have fun playing Grand Masters.
WPGMHA AGM Minutes 2023
The Western Province Grand Masters Hockey Association held their AGM 24 April 2023. Please find below the minutes and the IPT report mentioned in the minutes: