Constitution
Blackheath Junior Rugby Football Club
Constitution
- Name
2. Objectives
The objectives of the Club shall be:
(i) To bring people together as a positive group through the provision of facilities for sporting activities.
(ii) To develop the potential of players and to help them to become aware of their potential.
(iii) To actively involve people in achieving the above objectives.
3. Powers
The Club is a section of the Blackheath Football Club Limited (Hereinafter called BFC). In any event of this constitution being in conflict with the Rules of BFC, the BFC Rules will prevail.
In the furtherance of these objectives the Club may, in accordance with BFC Rules and where necessary with the approval of the BFC Committee:
(i) Apply for, collect and receive money
(ii) Enter into such contracts of Insurance as may seem expedient.
(iii) Publish or sell books, brochures and any documents whatsoever.
(iv) Do all such other things as will further the attainment of the above objectives.
4. Membership
Membership shall be open irrespective of political belief, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, race or colour to all boys and girls1between the ages of 12 and 17 on 31stAugust at the start of each season and shall be granted to any such person upon the lodgement with the Team Manager of an application signed by the applicant.
5. Committee
The Blackheath Junior Rugby Football Club shall be managed by a Committee of up to 13 members of Blackheath Football Club including the Chairman, Treasurer and Fixture Secretary. Each age group will provide 2 Committee members - normally the Head Coach and the Team Manager.
The procedure for appointment of the Head Coach and Team Manager of each age group is detailed in Appendix 1.
The Officers of the Committee shall be elected at the annual general meeting in each year and subject to termination of office by resignation or otherwise shall remain in office until their successors are elected at the annual general meeting next following their election. The Committee shall have power to fill any vacancy that may occur. The retiring members of the Committee shall be eligible for re-election.Minutes of Meetings will be recorded and agreed as an accurate record at the next following Meeting. The Minutes will be available to the BFC Committee. The Committee Chair will represent the section on the BFC Executive Committee.
The Committee shall meet as and when it thinks fit but normally every 2 months during the season, and not less than six times each year.
6. Subscriptions
The annual subscription for membership shall be such sum as may from time to time be decided by the annual general meeting of the Club and shall be due on the first day of September in every year.
7. Default in payment of subscription
All members whose current subscription shall not have been paid before the 1stday of January in any year and who neglect to comply with a written request for payment within 14 days after the same shall have been posted to them shall cease to be members on the expiration of such 14 days unless a reason satisfactory to the Committee shall be given for the delay.
8. Club colours
The principle playing colours will be the same as BFC, Red and Black with alternative playing colours of Black. Whenever possible all Club members should play in the principle colours unless there are acceptable reasons to the contrary and in such case the alternative playing colours should be worn.
The Club symbol will be that of BFC, a device representing a sprig of Whin together with a band bearing the legend CLUB. The use and application shall be controlled by the BFC Executive Committee. Any project involving the use of the Club's name or Club symbol must be submitted to the BFC Executive for approval.
All playing and leisure kit and equipment used must be supplied where possible through the BFC official supplier and purchased through the BFC Club shop.
9. Discipline and expulsion
All players, coaches, parents, and guardians agree to be bound by the codes of conduct for parents, players, spectators and coaches detailed in Appendix 2.
The discipline of members shall be conducted in accordance with the Disciplinary Code. In extreme cases, (where the Committee deem it necessary) the discipline of Junior members, Parents, Guardians, Coaches or Managers shall be conducted by the BFC Standing Disciplinary Committee in accordance with the RFU Disciplinary Code. The Committee shall have the power to expel any member who shall offend against the rules of the Club or whose conduct shall in the opinion of the Committee render such member unfit for membership of the Club.
10. Voting
Each member shall have one vote at general meetings of the Club to be exercised in person only except that where necessary the Chairman shall have in addition a casting vote.
11. Conduct of business
(i) The business of the Club shall be conducted in accordance with decisions and resolutions made or passed at the Annual General Meeting.
(ii) The members of the Club may adopt such rules of procedure as may seem fit.
12. Annual general meeting
A general meeting of the Club shall be held in every year not later than 31stAugust to transact the following business:
(a) to receive and if approved to adopt a statement of the Club's account to the end of the preceding year
(b) to receive the Chairman's annual report
(c) to consider and if approved sanction any duly made alteration of the rules
(d) to appoint the officers and other members of the Committee
(e) to decide upon the annual subscription
(f) to deal with any special matter which the Committee desire to bring before the members and to receive suggestions from the members for consideration by the Committee.
13. Special general meeting
A special general meeting may be convened at any time by the Committee and shall be convened within 21 days from the receipt of a requisition in writing signed by not less than 50 members specifying the object of the meeting for any of the following purposes:
(a) to consider and if approved, sanction any duly made alteration of the rules
(b) to deal with any special matter which the committee may desire to place before the members including the expulsion of a member
(c) to receive the resignation of the Committee or to fill any vacancy or vacancies caused thereby
(d) to dissolve the Club
(e) to deal with any special matter which the member requiring the meeting may desire to place before the Club.
Notice convening a special general meeting shall be advertised to the members not less than 7 days before the meeting and shall specify the matters to be dealt with.
14. Finance
(i) All moneys raised by or on behalf of the Club shall be applied to further the objectives of the Club and for no other purpose.
(ii) The Treasurer shall keep proper account of the finances of the Club and shall open a bank account in the name of the Club.
(iii) The accounts shall be audited at least once a year.
15. Dissolution
(i) The Club may be dissolved by resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened by the Committee for the purposes of considering such a resolution.
(ii) Upon the dissolution of the Club, the assets of the Club shall not be paid to or distributed to or among members of the Club but shall be applied to such other sporting purposes as the Committee shall decide.
16. Alterations to the constitution
Alterations to this Constitution may be made by resolution of not less than two thirds of the members of the Club present and voting at a General Meeting convened by the Committee for the purpose of considering such resolution.
17. Service of notices
For the purposes of these rules notices of any matter shall be deemed to be duly served upon any member if the same shall have been posted on the Club's notice board and distributed by Team Coaches/Managers.
18. Quorum
At Committee meetings 5 members shall form a quorum.
Constitution revised and ratified at the Annual General Meeting held on the 5thof June 2006.
1Constitution revised and ratified at an Extra General Meeting held on the 11thof January 2011.
Louise Farmer
Chair Blackheath Junior Rugby Club
Appendix 1
Procedure for Election of Head Coaches and
Team Managers for Individual Age Groups
Normally, the Head Coaches and Team Managers for each individual age group will be appointed by consensus among the coaches and the parents without recourse to a formal election process. This document is intended to outline the procedure that will be used when it has not been possible to reach a consensus decision about the election of suitable candidates to these positions.
Election Procedure
A formal election for appointment of Head Coach or Team Manager of an age group may be made by a written request to The Chair of the Junior Section by coaches of that age group or parents of registered players in that age group. A minimum of 2 coaches must be signatories to the request for an election for Head Coach. A minimum of 10 parents must be signatories to the request for an election for Team Manager. If The Chair of the Junior Section has direct involvement with the age group concerned, as a coach or a parent, the election procedure should be carried out by another member of the Junior Committee who does not have direct involvement with the particular age group.
The Chair of the Juniors, or the other Junior Committee member, will then arrange for a secret written ballot to be carried out within 2 weeks to the date of receipt of the written request.
Head Coach
The Head Coach for each season will be elected by a secret written ballot carried out among the other coaches who normally work with the age group. The Chair of the Juniors, or the other Junior Committee member, will identify who the coaches are who normally work with the age group and will provide each of these coaches with a ballot paper indicating the names of the candidates who have put themselves forward for election to the position of Head Coach. Each candidate will be asked to provide a written statement, up to a maximum of 100 words, indicating the reasons that they wish to be elected to the post of Head Coach, and this election statement will be included as part of the ballot paper. The candidates for election to the position of Head Coach are required to hold a recognised RFU coaching qualification. The candidates are unable to vote in the election. In the event of a dispute about the definition of coaches who normally work with the age group, The Chair of the Juniors, or the other Junior Committee member, will decide who should be entitled to vote in the election. In the event of a tied election, a second election will be held in which all the parents of the players will be entitled to vote. The procedure will be that outlined below for the election of the Team Manager. The Chair of the Juniors, or the other Junior Committee member, will announce the results of the election and the successful candidate will be appointed for the remainder of the season in which the election takes place, or for the forthcoming season, if the election is held during the break between seasons.
Team Manager
The Team Manager for each season will be elected by a secret written ballot carried out among the parents of registered players in the age group. The Chair of the Juniors, or the other Junior Committee member, will identify who the parents of players in the age group are and will provide each of these parents with a ballot paper indicating the names of the candidates who have put themselves forward for election to the position of Team Manager. Each candidate will be asked to provide a written statement, up to a maximum of 100 words, indicating the reasons that they wish to be elected to the post of Team Manager, and this election statement will be included as part of the ballot paper. The candidates are unable to vote in the election. In the event of a dispute about the definition of who are parents of registered players in of age group, The Chair of the Juniors, or the other Junior Committee member, will decide who should be entitled to vote in the election. The parents of each player will be entitled to one vote for each registered player, so parents of twins will be entitled to two votes, etc. The Chair of the Juniors, or the other Junior Committee member, will announce the results of the election and the successful candidate will be appointed for the remainder of the season in which the election takes place, or for the forthcoming season, if the election is held during the break between seasons.
In the event of a tied election, the matter will be decided by a special meeting of the Junior Committee, excluding members of the age group involved in the election process, who will decide on the appointment of the best candidate for the position of Head Coach or Team Manager.
Appendix 2
THE GOOD PARENT'S CODE
PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
- Be familiar with the coaching and training programme in order that you can ensure that your child is fully involved and the coaches are aware of their availability.
- Be familiar with the teaching and coaching methods used by observing the sessions in which your child participates.
- Be aware that the club has a duty of care and therefore, where appropriate, assist coaches with the supervision of the young players, particularly where numbers are large and there is a need to transport youngsters to away games.
- Be involved with club activities and share your expertise.
- Share concerns, if you have them, with club officials.
- Be familiar with the Good Coaches Code. In particular:
- Coaches should recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players.
- Coaches should keep winning and losing in perspective, encouraging young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
- It is important that parents support coaches in instilling these virtues.
- Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment not that of their parents.
- Encourage young people to play - do not force them.
- Focus on the young players' efforts, rather than winning or losing.
- Be realistic about the young players' abilities; do not push them towards a level that they are not capable of achieving.
- Provide positive verbal feedback both in training and during the game.
- Remember that persistent, negative messages will adversely affect the players' and referee's performance and attitude.
- Always support the rugby club in their efforts to eradicate loud, coarse and abusive behaviour from the game.
- Remember young people learn much by example.
- Always show appreciation of good play by all young players both from your own club and the opposition.
- Respect decisions made by the match officials and encourage the young players to do likewise.
PLAYERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
- Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing the opportunity for you to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.
- Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to adults and team mates.
- Recognise that every young player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse.
- Understand that if an individual or group of young players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, then you have a right to tell an adult either at the rugby club or outside of the game.
- Play because you want to do so, not to please coaches or parents.
- Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game.
- Be attentive at all training and coaching sessions.
- Work equally hard for yourself and your team - both will then benefit.
- Recognise good play by all players on your team and by your opponents.
- Be a sportsman - win or lose.
- Play to the Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees' decisions.
- Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents, or match officials is not acceptable.
- Treat all players, as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of any player.
SPECTATORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
- Act as positive role models to all young players.
- Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.
- Respect the rugby club with regard to spectator behaviour.
- Remember children play sport for their enjoyment not yours.
- Acknowledge good individual and team performance from all youngsters irrespective of the team for whom they play.
- Respect match officials' decisions. Remember - they are volunteers providing an opportunity for youngsters to play rugby.
- Never verbally abuse young players, match officials, fellow spectators or coaches. Such behaviour can create a negative environment for young players and their behaviour will often reflect this.
- Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than the "win at all costs' ethic.
- Verbally encourage all youngsters in a positive way. If you do want to shout make sure it is "for', not "at' the players.
- Encourage all youngsters irrespective of their ability - never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team for whom they play.
IN RUGBY UNION, COACHES OF YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD:
- Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players.
- Understand that most learning is achieved through doing.
- Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of the sport.
- Be a positive role model - think what this implies.
- Keep winning and losing in perspective - encourage young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
- Respect all referees and the decisions they make (remember it could be you refereeing next week) and ensure that the players recognise that they must do the same.
- Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner, to all young players, both during coaching sessions and games.
- Provide experiences, which are matched to the young players' ages and abilities, as well as their physical and mental development.
- Ensure all youngsters are coached in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand.
- Avoid the overplaying of the best players, by using a squad system, which gives everybody a satisfactory amount of playing time.
- Never allow a player to train or play when injured.
- Ensure good supervision of young players, both on and off the field.
- Recognise that young players should never be exposed to extremes of heat, cold, or unacceptable risk of injury.
- Develop an awareness of nutrition as part of an overall education in lifestyle management.
- Recognise that it is illegal for young players under 18 to drink alcohol.
- Ensure that their knowledge and coaching strategies are up to date and in line with RFU philosophy.
- Be aware of, and abide by, the RFU recommended procedures for taking young people on residential tours at home and abroad.
- Be aware of, and abide by, the policies and procedures outlined in the RFU Policies and Procedures for the welfare of young people in Rugby Union
COACHES WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS UP TO THE AGE OF 12 MUST
FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY RFU RUGBY CONTINUUM.
COACHES WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS AGED 13+ MUST BE AWARE OF
THE UNDER-15 AND UNDER-19 LAW VARIATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT
APPLY TO CROSS BORDER MATCHES.
CHILD PROTECTION
Coaches' Code of Conduct
- All rugby coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person with whom they work with and treat them equally within the context of rugby union;
- All rugby coaches must place the physical and emotional well being of all young players above all other considerations, including the development of performance;
- The relationship that a rugby coach develops with the players with whom they work must be based on mutual trust and respect;
- All rugby coaches must ensure that all activities undertaken are appropriate to the age, maturity, experience and ability of the young players;
- All rugby coaches must encourage young players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance;
- All rugby coaches should clarify with the young players (and their parents/carers) what is expected of them both on and off the rugby field and also what they are entitled to expect from the coach;
- All rugby coaches should work in partnership with others within the game (officials, doctors, physiotherapists, sports scientists) to ensure the well being, safety and enjoyment of all young players;
- All rugby coaches must promote the positive aspects of the sport, e.g. fair play. Violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant regulations or the use of prohibited techniques or substances must never be condoned.
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