Brighton Cougars Basketball Club
Annual General Meeting Minutes
Date: Wednesday 7 October 2026
Venue: Dorothy Stringer School, Classroom 1A
Chair: Sean Jupp, followed by incoming Chair Chris Odle
Status: Draft for members, subject to formal approval

Sean Jupp welcomed members and thanked the committee, coaches, volunteers, parents, carers and club
administrator.
Chair’s report
● The 2025/26 season included 182 registered members, 14 teams and 187 games.
● U11s and U12s won their Sussex league and cup competitions. The women’s team won the Sussex league and
plate. Men’s 1 were plate runners-up.
● Main challenges were shortages of coaches, referees and table officials; court-hire commitments; rising costs;
and administration and safeguarding demands.
● Planning for 2026/27 started earlier, with coaches identified before trials and court bookings matched more
closely to expected needs.
Treasurer’s report
● Ben Foster presented the financial report for the year ended 31 July 2026. The accounts had been inspected.
Financial summary 2025/26
Total turnover £92,737.27
Membership income £81,011.97
Camp income £8,267.99
Court hire £48,397.28
Coaching costs £31,035.40
Operating deficit £16,159.59
● The deficit reflected income below expectations, unused court bookings and higher coaching and
administrative costs.
● Financial priorities are to protect cash flow, rebuild reserves, increase fundraising and other income, and
monitor costs and team places.

Welfare and safeguarding
Mark Cooper was unable to attend the meeting so presented his report remotely
● Mark Cooper’s work included improving safeguarding policies, DBS and training compliance, and oversight of
coaches and team managers.
● The incoming committee will review adult supervision and relevant Basketball England requirements.
● Photos, videos and social media must be handled with appropriate safeguarding arrangements and parental
consent.
Committee elections for 2026/27
● All five outgoing officers confirmed they would not stand for re-election.
● All nominations were submitted to the Secretary before the AGM. All five appointments were confirmed, with
no contested elections recorded.
Chair — Chris Odle
● Outgoing: Sean Jupp
● Nominated by Nadir Namane; seconded by Tehmine Green.
Treasurer — Emily Russell
● Outgoing: Ben Foster
● Nominated by Sam Odle; seconded by Nadir Namane.
Secretary — Tehmine Green
● Outgoing: Karen Perrier
● Nominated by Sean Jupp; seconded by Hugh Fox.
Vice Chair — Nadir Namane
● Outgoing: Liz Pitcher
● Nominated by Liz Pitcher; seconded by Emily Russell.
Welfare Officer — Sarah Swales
● Outgoing: Mark Cooper
● Nominated by Claudia Mcque; seconded by Tehmine Green.
● The outgoing committee was thanked and agreed to support the handover.

6 Basketball opportunities and club development
● The 2026/27 programme includes 10 teams, including three adult teams, alongside recreational and
development opportunities.
● The club will continue to offer welcoming basketball opportunities for different ages and abilities.
● Discussion covered clearer playing levels, sustainable team numbers, opportunities for girls, and a balance of
competitive and grassroots basketball.
● Development games and friendlies were suggested to support players and help train officials.
● Possible member benefits, including priority booking and camp discounts, were discussed. No new benefits or
fees were approved.
7 Communication and volunteers
● Members discussed improving the website, social media and information about fixtures, results and events.
● Offers of help included IT, website support, social media, photography and session supervision.
● The incoming committee will coordinate these offers and agree responsibilities.
8 Follow-up actions
● Handover: outgoing and incoming officers to transfer records, access and responsibilities for finance,
administration and safeguarding.
● Safeguarding: Sarah Swales and the committee to review supervision, DBS checks and training requirements.
● Communication: the committee to arrange website and social media access and coordinate volunteers.
● Planning: the committee to review team places, court hire, coaching, budgets, fundraising and reserves.
● No completion deadlines were stated at the meeting.
9 Closing remarks
● Members thanked the outgoing committee and everyone supporting the club.
● The incoming committee will focus on strengthening operations and keeping basketball accessible and
sustainable.
Financial handover after the AGM
● The discussion after the AGM highlighted problems with banking access, signatories and the lack of a usable
bank card.
● A change of bank was discussed. Ben Foster offered support for Emily Russell’s handover and access to Xero.
● The incoming committee will review banking arrangements with Ben. No formal AGM decision to change banks
was recorded.