Club Constitution

1. NAME

The name of the club shall be “OAKHILL TIGERS FOOTBALL CLUB” and thereafter referred to as “OAKHILL TIGERS”.

2. AIMS

The aims of the club shall be:

To provide an environment where the youth of Southgate and surrounding areas, irrespective of race or religion, can participate safely in football and other recreational activities. To develop youth players to become skilled footballers and to build a culture of discipline and excellence amongst playing members.

3. ANTI DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Oakhill Tigers is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by everyone equally. Our commitment is to eliminate discrimination whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability. Equal opportunity at Oakhill Tigers means that in all our activities we will not discriminate, or in any way treat anyone less favourably on grounds of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

This includes:

a) The advertisement for volunteers

b) The selection of candidates for volunteers

c) Courses

d) External coaching and education activities and awards

e) Football development activities

f) Selection for teams

g) Appointments to honorary positions

Oakhill Tigers will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal, and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.

Oakhill Tigers is committed to the development of the programme of ongoing training and awareness raising events and activities, in order to promote the eradication of discrimination within its own organisation, and within football as a whole.

4. MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the club shall be open to boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18, from Southgate and the surrounding areas. An annual fee for club membership will be payable, as determined by the management committee on an annual basis. The players, parents and guardians will automatically become associate members of Oakhill Tigers.

Any person who wishes to be a member must apply on the membership application form and deliver it to the club. Election to membership shall be at the sole discretion of the club committee. Membership shall become effective upon an applicants name being entered in the membership register.

In the event of a members de-registration or expulsion, his or her name shall be removed from the membership register.

The Football Association and the parent County Association shall be given access to the membership register.

Upon attaining membership status, either parents or legal guardians shall be entitled to vote at the club AGM or specially convened EGM’s.

All Oakhill Tigers players must train, subscribe and maintain payments to “Dave Marett School of Coaching” throughout the season. Failure to do so will render that player ineligible to play for Oakhill Tigers. However this ruling can in exceptional circumstances be waived, if a new Oakhill Tigers team is established by another individual. All decisions relating to this issue will be taken by Oakhill Tigers Committee and will require a majority vote.

5. MANAGEMENT

The management of Oakhill Tigers shall be in the hands of the management committee.

The management committee shall consist of:

The Chairperson
The Club Manager
One Team Manager or Team Coach from each of the club sides
Secretary
Treasurer

Each club officer and club committee member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the next Annual General Meeting unless otherwise resolved at a Special General Meeting. One person may hold no more than two positions of club officer at any time.

6. QUORUM OF COMMITTEE

Fifty per cent of members of the management committee shall be deemed a quorum, with the authority to make any necessary decisions.

7. POWERS OF COMMITTEE

The management committee shall have the power to enforce the rules of the club and shall suspend or expel any member or associate member deemed guilty of conduct prejudicial to the good name of Oakhill Tigers. The management committee shall have the power to fill any vacancies arising in its membership between annual general meetings. The committee shall have the jurisdiction over any matter not provided for in these rules.

8. MEETINGS

The management committee will meet on the first Monday of each month. The management committee shall be responsible for the running of the club affairs and will have the power to form sub or special committees as required. Managers or their representatives must attend all management meetings.

9. NOTICE OF MEETINGS

Members and associate members of Oakhill Tigers will be given fourteen days notice of any annual general or special general meetings. Members or associate members wishing to move any resolution at any general meeting must give notice in writing to the secretary detailing the resolution seven days before such meeting. A special general meeting may be convened by a member upon written request provided at least ten members are in agreement to such a meeting taking place and giving at least fourteen days notice.

10. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (“AGM”)

The “AGM” shall be held the second week in June each year. Emergency meetings may be arranged, providing seven days notice is given to all members of the management committee.

11. FUNDS OF THE CLUB

This being a non-profit making club, all funds shall be used towards providing football and recreational activities for members of Oakhill Tigers. Official receipts for all monies received shall be signed by the Hon. Treasurer on behalf of the club. Cheques shall be signed by the treasurer and one other nominee.

12. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

Members shall receive at or prior to the “AGM” an audited statement of accounts for the financial year.

13. FINANCIAL YEAR

The club’s financial year shall be from the first day of June to the thirty first of May.

14. REGISTER

A register shall be held containing relevant information on all playing members of Oakhill Tigers.

15. CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondence shall be addressed to the secretary who shall conduct all correspondence for Oakhill Tigers.

16. AFFILIATION

The committee shall affiliate to the London Football Association and any similar body deemed necessary by the management committee. The change from Hertfordshire being due to rule changes regarding venue of home team fixtures. Affiliation to Hertfordshire (Ref. NY009390) has not been renewed.

17. AMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION

The club shall have the power to alter these rules, but only at a general meeting of the club after given fourteen days notice of any intended change. It then requires at least three-quarters of those present and voting, to vote in favour of each change.

18. MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTION FEES

The joining fee shall be agreed by the management committee and payable on registration as a football player. The annual membership subscription, also to be agreed by the committee will be payable at the start of the season and renewed thereafter annually. The committee may from time to time determine the membership fee and subscriptions. All membership monies will be spent on furthering the aims set out in paragraph two of the constitution.

Any member failing in payment of the membership fee will be deemed to have resigned from the club; however, he shall still be liable for this fee for the ensuing year. The committee shall have the power when warranted by the circumstances to accept the membership fee in half-yearly instalments payable initially on application to join the said club. Any member intimating his withdrawal from the club shall do so in writing to the secretary without refund of the membership fee paid. Should the conduct of any member, in the opinion of not less than two thirds of the committee, be injurious to the character or welfare of the club, he may be called upon for explanation and if in the opinion of a majority of the committee this is deemed unsatisfactory they shall have the power to suspend or expel the member without refund of the membership fee paid.

Additionally each selected player shall pay £2 per game payable to the team manager or his replacement prior to the game starting. A reduced match fee may be levied on a player at the discretion of the team manager, or his/her replacement, if a player’s “time on pitch” is less than the playing time of the match in question e.g. he/she is a substitute or is substituted.

Team managers will hand all residues to the treasurer at the monthly committee meeting for centralised banking and the treasurer shall record all monies received.

In the case of hardship, the management committee will consider subsidising membership fees and subscriptions if finances are available.

Oakhill Tigers management committee and the treasurer are responsible for authorising all club expenditure. The club accounts will be audited annually and will be available for all members, parents and guardians to examine at year-end if required.

19. FUND RAISING AND SPONSORSHIP

We are always looking for new ways of raising money to fund activities and equipment for the members. If parents or guardians are willing to help out in any way, sell raffle tickets or even organise events, please make yourself known to the team manager or a member of the management committee. The management committee welcomes sponsorship from appropriate organisations or companies. Sponsorship enquiries should be addressed to the club secretary.

20. SPORTSMANSHIP

It is important that Oakhill Tigers attain the highest standards of discipline and sportsmanship both on and off the field, whatever the actions or intentions of their opponents. This should always entail shaking hands with opponents after the game, never abusing players or officials, and never retaliating on the field of play.

21. DISCIPLINE

Players:

When playing in leagues, players are subject to the rules of that league (The Watford Friendly League) and their county associations, in our case the London Football Association. Whatever age group boys are playing in, they can be sent off of the field for misconduct. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, the players may also receive a fine or suspension. Such fines are payable by the playing member or his family – not the club. Suspensions may also include school football. The league, the London Football Association and the management committee can impose fines. The club operates a disciplinary committee drawn from the management committee, which will examine the incident. In certain cases, the player may be suspended from playing.

Parents and adult supporters:

There can be no greater fun than cheering on the team, but there are a number of occasions on record where adults, supporting youth footballers have indulged in abusive and even violent behaviour towards opposing team mangers or officials. This can result in the team or even the whole club being removed from a league.

We respectively ask all supporters to refrain from abuse on the touchline, particularly the use of foul language and to remember that they risk the enjoyment of many boys by losing control or indulging in bad behaviour.

Should the club be advised of any incident involving any parent, guardian or adult supporter’s behaviour, or should the club become aware of an incident, the following procedures will be observed.

Firstly, the management committee will, within seven days, form a sub-committee to investigate the incident and notify the parties involved. The committee shall have the authority to suspend members, or in extreme cases, cancel membership. Appeals shall be allowed to the full management committee.

22. THE CHARTERS

Running successful youth football entails a partnership between boys, parents or guardians and team managers and coaches and a clear idea of roles. In recognition of this fact, we reproduce here a charter for each group:

A PLAYERS CHARTER
A PARENT AND GUARDIAN CHARTER
A TEAM MANGER AND COACH CHARTER

Membership of the club automatically infers each party will stand by the charter.

PLAYERS CHARTER

Players shall:

Listen to and follow the instructions of the team’s managers and coaches at all times

Adhere to the fact that the manger’s decision is final

Always play fair

Attempt to beat opponents only by skill and endeavour

Maintain self-control and never retaliate

Players observe and learn the laws of association football

Obey referees and assistant referees without question

Give the ball to the opponent promptly for throw-ins, free kicks etc.

Not overreact when your team scores

Accept victory modestly and defeat graciously

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS CHARTER

Parents and guardians shall:

Ensure that club subscriptions are paid when due
Ensure that players arrive on time and are collected promptly
Assist the team manager or coach with kit washing, transport etc.
Ensure that kit supplied by the club is returned promptly when requested or when a player resigns his membership
Adhere to the fact that the manager’s decision is final
Stand back from the touchline when cheering the team on
Never attempt to coach the team from the touchline
Be hospitable to opposing teams, their supporters and officials
Not use any foul or abusive language including racial abuse
Refrain from consuming alcohol whilst watching games
Pay any fines imposed on the player promptly

TEAM MANAGERS AND COACHES CHARTER

The team manager and coach shall:

Attend a Football Association coaching course and relevant first aid course at the earliest possible opportunity, and at Oakhill Tigers expense, should funds permit
Attend all scheduled club meetings on the first Monday of each month or whenever necessary to do so
If unable to attend any meetings, to ensure either the coach or a parent represents their team and a list of monthly achievement and subscriptions is forwarded to the secretary (if no representative can be found, then the secretary must be informed and the above information forwarded to the secretary prior to the appropriate meeting)
To pay a fine upon demand if not represented, without due notification at three scheduled meetings
To supply kit, footballs, nets and corner flags for their team
Be responsible for the safety and well being of their players at all times
Ensure the appropriate first aid kit is available at all matches and training sessions and replenished whenever necessary
Be responsible for any club equipment in their possession
Provide the chairman with a list of names of all their players at the first monthly meeting of the season and to advise him of any new signings
To collect or to ensure subscriptions are collected from every player as required by the constitution. These to be paid to the treasurer when required to do so
Be responsible to the management committee for the financial administration of their team and ensure players subscriptions are paid
Be responsible for the behaviour of their team and supporters
Ensure everyone associated with the team welcomes the opposing players, supporters and officials
To discipline players and parents as necessary at all games
Be honest with parents and guardians regarding the players’ ability and future within the team
Not verbally or physically abuse any player or practice any form of discrimination
Not consume alcohol whilst in charge of a team, during training or at a game
Not behave in any way on or off the field that brings Oakhill Tigers into disrepute
To attend all their league meetings
To liaise with other clubs and referees regarding all league matches, cup matches or otherwise within five days of receiving the draw or other notification from the secretary
To arrange payment of any league or county fines incurred by their team

23. CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

The club will maintain at least one qualified child protection officer on the management committee. The role of the officer will be to monitor and regulate any issues concerning the players’ welfare. The officer(s) will also be responsible for advising on such matters as football tours and acceptable practices associated with such organised events.

24. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Oakhill Tigers is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members of whatever level or authority, to abide and adhere to this general principle and the requirements of the code of practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality.

All members are expected to abide by the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1986 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Specifically, discrimination is prohibited by:

a) Treating any individual on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability less favourably than others.

b) Expecting an individual solely on the grounds stated above to comply with requirement(s) for any reason whatsoever related to their membership, which are different from the requirements for others.

c) Imposing on an individual requirements which are in effect more onerous on that individual than they are on others.

d) Victimisation of an individual.

e) Harassment of an individual by virtue of discrimination

f) Any other act or omission of an act, which has its effect the disadvantage of a member against another, or others, purely on the above grounds. Thus, in all the clubs recruitment, selection, promotion and training procedures as well as disciplinary matters. It is important that merit, experience, skills and temperament are considered as appropriately as possible.

Oakhill Tigers commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice cease forthwith, restitution of damage or loss (if necessary) and to the investigation of any member accused of discrimination. Any member found guilty of discrimination will be instructed to desist forthwith. Since discrimination in its many forms is against Oakhill Tigers policy, any members offending will be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure.

The club commits itself to the disabled person whenever possible and will treat such members, in aspects of their recruitment and membership, in exactly the same manner as other members. The difficulties of their disablement permitting, assistance will be given wherever possible to ensure that disabled members are helped in gaining success. Appropriate training will be given to such members who require it.

25. CLUB COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

In the event that any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way, that the club policies, rules or code of conduct have been broken, should follow the following procedures.

They should report the matter to the club secretary or another member of the committee.

The report should include:

a) Details of what, when and where the occurrence took place

b) Any witness statement and names

c) Names of any others who have been treated in a similar way

d) Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when and when and to whom made

e) A preference for a solution to the incident

The clubs’ management committee will sit for any hearings that are requested.

The clubs’ management committee will have the power to:

a) Warn as to future conduct

b) Suspend from membership

c) Remove from membership