Keith, greetings to you all.

I have been asked for my ruling and opinion on several matters from some senior Keiths about the upcoming trip to Australia.

Some questions were easy to answer and some requied a bit of thought.

Here then, are my definitive answers.


Question 1 - "Can Keith funds pay for things on the trip?"

The Keith Charter states only that:
Article 5.3 A Financial position may be operated for, and on behalf of the Keith Rugby Team. Strict accounting is to be in force at all times.

The Rules of Incorporation (1499581) states that the financial controller is 'empowered to make investments (sic)' and is 'responsible for the day to day operation of the accounts ... authourised to make payments not exceeding $200 without the consent of the committee'.

By tradition, when on tour, Keith has in the past, paid for things such as transport costs, a Player of the Day shout and many miscellaneous items required for the smooth operation of the tour.
This then gives me reason to answer in the affirmative.

Answer 1 - Yes. Keith Funds may be used on the Keith Trip.
Qualification - Within reason.


Question 2 - "Are The Ashes being played for?"

A question fraught with difficulties.
The Ashes are bound by rules which have never yet been broken. There are also Traditions which have never yet been broken.

Tradition - The raison d'etre for 23 Keith end of season trips starting in 1989. Is a doubles knockout challenge pool tournament with the winning pair being known as the Ash Holders.
However, the tournament did not take place in 2010 due to no Official Keith Trip being undertaken.
A long standing part of Keithliness has been to try and aquire by stealth the Ashes from the Holder(s) and for some, is the very symbol of the non rugby side of Keith.

Rules - Numbers 1,3 and 5 seem to me to be the ones needing examination.
1. The current holders are to be challenged by the remaining teams. If only one Ash holder is present, his team shall be deemed to be the holding team.
2. The order of challengers shall be determined by points from the throw of darts.
3. If no Ash holders present, then the above darts points shall determine the order of play.
4. The winner of the Ashes shall be the last team remaining.
5. The Ashes must be on display one hour prior to the tournament commencing.

Travelling within New Zealand presents no problem, but I am unsure of bio-security rules in Australia surrounding a jar of coal ash mounted in a block of untreated wood with which an untanned skin of a road killed possum surrounded it. To have this Keith heirloom retained and destroyed by an officious Australian would be more than could possibly be countenanced by me and every Keith who has competed for this valuable Trophy.
It is my understanding that the current Holders are not intending to travel to Australia at this time. But Rule 3 states that no Holder need to be present for the tournament to proceed cogito ergo sum, a valid tournament can be held.

Answer 2 - The physical trophy of the Ashes MAY NOT leave New Zealand. Those travelling to Australia must announce their intention as soon as possible before leaving to Australia as to if they wish to hold an Ashes tournament. If they do, they may aquire a temporary substitute in Australia and procede as per the above playing rules. If they do not wish to compete for the Trophy, the Holders may, if they wish, host an official Ashes tournament sometime within the usual two month time period after the last Keith game of the season.

List of Ash Holders http://keithrugby.com/cms2/index.php?itemid=950



Question 3 - "Will the Keith of the Year be awarded in Australia?"

The Keith Cup has been awarded every year for the last 27 years. It is not something that is competed for, but is awarded to a Keith worthy of the title 'Keith of the Year'.

Tradition - '... voted on at an official Keith function (usually if possible the end of season trip) ...' It has always been preferable to vote for this award on a trip, but as in 2010 when Hayden Robinson held the Cup, that was done at a Keith meeting at the pub.
Another tradition that has NEVER been broken is that the current holder present the Cup to the new incumbent.
Rules - The rules about the Cup only relate to voting procedures and have no bearing to the question or answer.

I firmly believe in the tradition of pasing the Cup along to the next holder as was passed onto me by Swede and who I then passed on to C.B. ; but herein lies a difficulty. The current holder has signaled his intention to not travel and therefore cannot adhere to the tradition. This makes both him and I slightly downhearted, but I believe this is a lesser tradition than the main one of actually awarding it.
The fact of the matter is, the trip to Australia is the official Keith trip for 2013 and that takes precedence over those Keith remaining in New Zealand.

Answer 3 - The Keith Cup SHALL travel to Australia and be voted on by those present using the rules allowed: ie -
1. If you have previously been awarded Keith of the Year, you are ineligible for nomination and any votes cast in your favour are invalid.
2. To be eligible you must be present at the voting meeting/occasion.
3. No proxy votes permitted. To cast a vote you must be present at the voting meeting/occasion.
4. You may vote for yourself if eligible.

The current holder shall at an agreed time before departure, hand the Cup over, with his good wishes, to the Tour Leader who shall keep it safe until such time as the new holder has responsibility.

List of Keiths of the Year http://keithrugby.com/cms2/index.php?itemid=72


Here endeth my decision.