The name of the club shall be Stevenage Town Youth Football Club, known as Stevenage Town Youth F.C. (the “Club”)
The Club’s objectives shall be:
a. to run non profit making youth football teams and associated social events under the name of the club to provide, promote, train and support youth football for the benefit of the children of the district of Stevenage, Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas; b. provided that in carrying out the objectives in (a) above the club will seek to welcome all children, regardless of gender, colour, race, nationality or ethnic origin, sexual orientation or disability and actively encourage children whose full participation may be limited by economic or social disadvantage; c. provided that in carrying out the objectives in (a) & (b) above the club will at all times abide by The Football Association’s Child Protection Policies and Procedures, Codes of Conduct and the Club’s Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination Policies and such other policies as may be in force from time to time;
a. The Club shall have the status of an Affiliated Member Club of The Football Association by virtue of its affiliation to/membership of The Football Association, The Rules and Regulations of The Football Association Limited and parent County Association and any League or Competition to which the Club is affiliated for the time being shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Constitution. b. The following Appendices shall, in addition, be deemed to be incorporated within this Constitution; Appendix 1 - Stevenage Town Youth F.C. Anti Discrimination Policy Appendix 2 - Stevenage Town Youth F.C. Equal Opportunities Policy Appendix 3 - Stevenage Town Youth F.C. Club Complaints Procedure Appendix 4 - Stevenage Town Youth F.C. Code of Conduct for Parents/Spectators Appendix 5 - Stevenage Town Youth F.C. Code of Conduct for Players Appendix 6 - Stevenage Town Youth F.C. Code of Conduct for Managers/Team Assistants/Officials Appendix 7 - Stevenage Town Youth F.C. Child protection Policy & Procedure
Subject to the matters set out in this Constitution, the Club shall be administered and managed in accordance with this Constitution by the members of the Management Committee, constituted by clause 7 of this Constitution (the “Management Committee”).
In the furtherance of the above purposes, the Club shall have power to:
a. raise funds and to invite and receive contributions (including sponsorship) provided always that the Management Committee shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law; b. to co-operate with other Clubs, Councils and the Football Association operating in furtherance of the objectives to exchange information and advice with them and provide mutual co-operation and support in furtherance of the objectives; c. to appoint and constitute such advisory and steering committees as the Management Committee may think fit; d. to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objectives.
a. The membership of the Club from time to time shall be those persons listed in the register of members (the “Membership Register”) which shall be maintained by the Club Secretary. Membership shall become effective upon an applicant’s name being entered into the Membership Register; b. Membership to the Club shall be at the sole discretion of the Management Committee; c. Every member must complete an annual Registration Form and pay a yearly registration fee, (the “Fee”) such amount to be determined on an annual basis by the Management Committee. For the avoidance of doubt the Fee is payable annually by each and every member and is non-refundable; d. All Fees must be paid and a record kept by the team Managers, to the satisfaction of the Treasurer. Any cheques returned by the Club’s bank will incur a £10 additional charge to cover the cost of re-presenting. The player concerned will be suspended until this amount, along with any balance due, is paid in full. Any player who has not paid in full by 31 August will not be registered to play; e. In the case of financial hardship the Management Committee may, at its discretion, waive the Fee in whole or in part or in the alternative arrange for the Fee to be paid on an instalment basis via post-dated cheques made payable to the Club; f. The Management Committee shall, at their sole discretion, have the authority to levy further Fees from the members of the Club such as are reasonably necessary to fulfil the objectives of the Club; g. The parent and/or guardian of every member is deemed, by virtue of the member’s registration with the Club, to have agreed to abide by the Club’s Parents Code of Conduct as set out in Appendix D; h. Every member of the club shall have one vote at the AGM; i. The Football Association and parent County Association shall be given access to the membership Register on reasonable demand; j. Members are responsible for the payment of all fines personally incurred whilst representing the Club.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Club the members shall elect from themselves a Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and such other Honorary Officers as the Club may from time to time decide, who shall hold office from the end of that meeting.
a. Subject to any conditions imposed from time to time and as hereinafter mentioned, the policy and general management of the affairs of the club shall be directed by a Management Committee whose membership shall comprise the following: · Ex officio the Honorary Members of the Club in accordance with clause 7; · Not less than six elected ordinary members of the Management Committee; b. The first members of the Management Committee shall be the Honorary Officers and those elected at the first Annual Meeting of the Club and subsequent Committees at subsequent AGMs; c. In addition the Committee shall have the power to co-opt persons whether or not being members of the Club to serve on the Management Committee and subject as hereinafter provided for such period as the Management Committee shall determine, provided that the number of co-opted members shall not exceed one fourth of the total number of elected members serving on the Committee at any one time; d. Election to the Management Committee shall be for 1 year. All of the elected members of the Management Committee shall retire annually but shall be re-eligible for election; e. The Management Committee shall meet on a monthly basis. f. Every member of the Management Committee shall have one vote; g. Any casual vacancy on the Management Committee may be filled by the Management Committee any person appointed to fill such vacancy shall hold office until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Club and shall be eligible for election at that meeting; h. The proceeding of the Management Committee shall not be invalidated by any inability to appoint or any defect in the appointment, election or co-option of any member thereof; i. The Management Committee may invite any person to attend its meetings as an observer but without the Power to Vote; j. The Management Committee will appoint any manager of a team of the Club.
A member of the Management Committee shall cease to hold office if he or she; a. is disqualified from acting as a member of the Management Committee by virtue of s72 of the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of this provision); b. becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing or administering his or her own affairs; c. is absent without the permission of the Management Committee from all meetings held within a period of 6 months and the Management Committee resolve that his or her office be vacated provided that a member faced with removal shall have the right to be heard by the members of the Management Committee before a vote is taken; d. notifies to the Executive Committee a wish to resign (but only if at least three members of the Management Committee will remain in office when the notice of resignation is to take effect); e. fails or conducts such actions as to deem them to fail to meet the standards of The Football Association’s Child Protection Policies and Procedures, Codes of Conduct and the Club’s Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination Policies or other policies as may be in force from time to time; f. The Management Committee shall have the right, for good and sufficient reason to terminate the membership of (i) any Manager or Team Assistant or (ii) any member of the Club for, but not restricted to, the reasons set out in clause 10(b) and (e) above and in the alternative, by the failure of a member’s parent/guardian to abide by the Club’s Parents Code of Conduct, provided that the person shall have the right to be heard by the said Management Committee before a final decision is made.
Any member of the Management Committee for the time being who is a solicitor, accountant or other person engaged in a profession (other than professional coaching) may charge and be paid all the usual professional charges for businesses done by him or her or his or her firm when instructed by other members of the Management Committee to act in a professional capacity on behalf of the Club, provided that at no time shall a majority of the members of the Management Committee benefit under this provision and that a member of the Management Committee shall withdraw from any meeting at which his or her own instruction or remuneration, of that of his or her firm, is under current discussion.
a. The Management Committee shall hold an ordinary meeting every calendar month; b. A special meeting may be called at any time by the Chairperson or by any two members of the Management Committee upon not less than four (4) days notice being given to the other members of the Management Committee of the matters to be discussed but if the matters include the appointment of a co-opted member then not less than twenty-one (21) days notice must be given; c. The Chairperson shall act as chair at meetings of the Management Committee. If the Chairperson is absent from any meeting, the members of the Management Committee present shall choose one of their number to be chair of the meeting before any other business is transacted; d. There shall be a quorum when at least one third of the number of voting members of the Management Committee for the time being, or three members of the Management Committee, whichever is greater, are present at a meeting; e. Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members of the Management Committee present and voting on the question but in the case of equality of votes the chair of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote; f. The Management Committee shall keep minutes of the proceedings at meetings of the Management Committee any sub-committee.
12.Annual General Meeting
a. There shall be an Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of the club which shall be held each year, subject to no meeting being more than fifteen (15) calendar months after the preceding AGM; b. The Management Committee shall call every AGM. The secretary shall give at least twenty-one (21) days notice of the AGM to all members of the Club. At the meeting all members of the Club shall be entitled to attend and to vote at the meeting; c. The Management Committee shall present for consideration and approval to each AGM the annual report and accounts of the Club for the preceding year; d. Nominations for election to the Management Committee must be made by members of the Club and must be received by the secretary of the Management Committee at least fourteen (14) days before the AGM. Should nominations exceed vacancies, election shall be via ballot.
a. The funds of the Club, including all donations, contributions, fund raising and sponsorship for team kits, shall be paid into an account operated by the current Treasurer in the name of the Club at such bank or building society as the Management Committee shall from time to time decide; b. No fund raising activity on behalf of the Club shall be undertaken by any individual without the prior consent of the Management Committee; c. The funds belonging to the Club shall only be applied in furthering the objectives; d. All letters and other communication despatched by the Club must be on official Club stationery and must be sent out under the Secretary’s signature, or in his or her absence, the Chairman’s signature, and must be seen by at least one other Executive Officer prior to despatch. The Secretary will retain copies of such correspondence.
1. The Management Committee shall appoint a Manager for each of the Club’s football teams (“the Managers”). The Managers shall be responsible for managing the affairs of the team. The appointed Managers shall present to the Management Committee at ordinary meetings a report on the activities of the team; 2. If a Manager cannot attend an ordinary meeting he may elect a representative to attend on his behalf. Failure to attend or elect such a representative may result in the Management Committee levying a fine upon the Manager; 3. No team of the Club may hold a separate bank account in the name of the Club or otherwise; 4. The Managers shall be responsible for the recruitment and appointment of coaches, assistant managers and other volunteers, (together “Team Assistants”) provided always that such appointments shall be approved by the Management Committee prior to confirmation; 5. Every Manager and Team Assistant will submit to a police check, supply appropriate references and provide such other information as suggested by The Football Association from time to time prior to appointment ; 6. Every Manager and Team Assistant will undertake to: (a) abide by The Football Association’s Child Protection Policies and Procedures; (b) abide by the Club’s Codes of Conduct and the Club’s Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination Policies and such other policies as may be in place from time to time; (c) with the support of the Club, to complete training including, but not limited to, these areas to the satisfaction of the Club and the Football Association.
The Club will at all times ensure that one member of the Management Committee will hold the position of Child Protection Officer who will: (a) Attend such training as recommended by the Football Association from time to time; (b) Be responsible for ensuring that child protection procedures are followed by the Club as set out more fully in the Child Protection Procedures and Handbook;
a. All new team kits must be approved prior to purchase by the Management Committee and must be in the Club colours of royal blue and scarlet; b. Team kits once purchased will immediately become the property of the Club and must be returned in the event of a team or player leaving or transferring out of the Club. For the avoidance of doubt this includes kits obtained by sponsorship;
The Management Committee shall: a. Keep proper accounting records of the Club; b. Prepare annual statements of account for the Club.
If the Management Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Club then it shall call a meeting of all members of the Club, of which not less than twenty-one (21) days notice shall be given stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting the Management Committee shall have the power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the Club. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such charitable institution having similar objectives to the club as members of the Management Committee may determine or failing that shall be applied for some other charitable youth purpose.
This clause the Constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed.
Any notice required to be served on any member of the Club shall be in writing and shall be served by the secretary or the Management Committee on any member either personally or by posting such notice in a properly addressed, pre-paid envelope to the last known address of such member, and any letter so sent shall be deemed to have been received within ten (10) days of posting such letter with the Royal Mail.
This Constitution forms a binding agreement between each and every member of the Club. This Constitution has been agreed and adopted at the General meeting of the Club called on 9 June 2005.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Stevenage Town Youth Football Club (the “Club”) takes its responsibility for setting standards and values to apply throughout the Club at every level very seriously. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone, equally. The Club is committed to and responsible for confronting and eliminating discrimination whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion, disability, or economic status. Equality of opportunity at the Club 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, disability or economic status. This includes, but is not limited to: · Advertisements for volunteers including Team Assistants and Managers; · The selection of volunteers, including Team Assistants and Managers; · The selection of and attendance at Courses; · External coaching and education activities and awards; · Football development activities; · Membership and selection for teams; · Appointments to the Management Committee and Honorary Members. The Club will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal, from members or parents/guardians of members and will strive to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the procedure laid out in Appendix 3 of the Club’s Constitution. The Club is further committed to the development of the programme of ongoing training and awareness raising activities, in order to continuously promote the eradication of discrimination both within our organisation and within football as a whole.
Equal Opportunities Policy
Stevenage Town Youth Football Club (the “Club”) is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all members and requires all members of whatever level or authority and parents/guardians of members where applicable, to abide by and adhere to the principles and codes of practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality. All members and parents/guardians of members are in addition expected to abide by the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1986 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995. In addition, discrimination is prohibited by, but not limited to: · Treating any individual less favourably than others on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, economic status or disability; · Expecting an individual to comply with requirements for any reason related to their membership which are different to the requirements for others; · Imposing on an individual requirements which are, in effect, more onerous on that individual than on others; · Victimisation of an individual; · Harassment of an individual by virtue of discrimination and other actions; · Any other action or omission, which has as its effect the disadvantaging of one member against another, or others, purely on the above grounds. The Club further undertakes that in all Club recruitment, selection, promotion and training processes and disciplinary matters, merit, experience and skills will be considered objectively. The Club further commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination on the above grounds and where such discrimination id found, immediate disciplinary action will be taken by the Club in accordance with the procedure set out in Appendix 3 of the Constitution. The Club also commits itself to disabled members whenever possible and will treat such members in aspects of their recruitment and membership, in exactly the same manner as any other member, including, but not limited to, assistance with gaining access, special assistance and appropriate training.
Complaints/Disciplinary Procedure
In the event that any member of Stevenage Town Youth F.C. feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way (as more particularly described but not limited to the descriptions in the Constitution including the Appendices thereto), or that the Constitution and/or the Appendices have been broken, then he or she should follow the procedures set out below: He or she should report the matter to the Club Secretary or any other member of the Committee in writing, to include: · Details of the incident, including what, when, where and how the incident took place; · The names of any witnesses; · Names of others who have been treated in the same way (if applicable); · Details of any former complaints made about the incident; · A preference for a solution to the incident. The Club’s Management Committee shall hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the incident within twenty eight (28) days of such complaint being received; The Club’s Management Committee shall have the power to: · warn as to future conduct · suspend from membership · remove from membership any member found to have broken the aforesaid Constitution.
Code of Conduct for Parents & Spectators
The Club recognises that parents and spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment of and success
in football.
Parents and other spectators are at all times expected to positively contribute towards:
· Children enjoying football
· A sense of personal achievement of every member of the Club
· A member’s personal self-esteem
Every parent and spectator should:
· Applaud both the opposition as well as the appropriate Club Team
· Respect the relevant official’s decision at all times
· Give attention and encouragement to every member of the team
· Abide at all times with the behaviour and conduct as more specifically laid down in the Club’s Constitution
and Appendices.
Parents and other spectators must not:
· Coach the team from the side-lines during a game
· Interfere in any way with the Manager or Team Assistants choice of team or player’s position within a game
· Shout, scream or use abusive or defamatory language at members of the Club, opposition players or spectators
or match officials
· Act in any other way contrary to the behaviour set out in the Club’s Constitution and Appendices
For the avoidance of doubt if a complaint is received by the Management Committee that a parent or other spectator
of Stevenage Town Youth F.C. has exhibited behaviour contrary to the Constitution (including the Appendices thereto
and in particular this Appendix 4) then the appropriate complaints/disciplinary procedure as more fully set out in
Appendix 3 of the Constitution will be initiated immediately.
!Remember – please don’t spoil the game – football should be an enjoyable experience for all concerned!
Code of Conduct for Players
The Club recognises that the players are the most important people within the Club, however the Club strives at all times to emphasise that winning must be balanced with respect for every other individual and the concept of fair play. The Club recognises that success, failure, victory and defeat should all be accepted equally. Every member of the Club who is also a player should at all times: · Not use inappropriate language · Avoid time wasting · Set a positive example to all other individuals · Strive t give maximum effort for the best possible performance during a game · Abide by the rules of the game · Safeguard the fitness of opponents, avoid at all costs rough play or violence and assist with injured opponents or team members · Accept the decision of any Manager, Team Assistant or Club Official without protest · Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Manager, Team Assistant or Club Official · Show due respect at all times to Managers, Team Assistants, Spectators and Officials For the avoidance of doubt if a complaint is received by the Management Committee that a player of Stevenage Town Youth F.C. has exhibited behaviour contrary to the Constitution (including the Appendices thereto and in particular Appendix 5) then the appropriate complaints/disciplinary procedure as more fully set out in Appendix 3 of the Constitution will be initiated immediately.
Code of Conduct for Managers, Team Assistants and Team Officials
This code applies to all Managers, Team Assistants and Team Officials, although it is acknowledged that not all items
may apply to all officials at all times.
The Club recognises that Managers, Team Assistants and Team Officials have a great responsibility in fulfilling their
role. Every Managers, Team Assistant and Team Official must at all times work with the ethos that health and safety,
welfare, protection, education and morale of young people are a priority which far exceeds the achievement or
reputation of the Club.
Every Manager, Team Assistant and Team Official involved with the Club must:
· Agree and submit such information as requested by the Football Association and/or Club from time to time as
more fully described in Clause 14(5) of the Constitution
· Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every single person and treat each person equally (within the context
of the game)
· Place the well being and safety of each player above al other consideration
· Adhere at all times to the guidelines laid down by the Club and Football Association including the Child
Protection Policy
· Develop a mutual and appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect
· Not exert undue influence for benefit or reward
· Encourage and guide players at all times to accept responsibility for their own behaviour, performance and
actions
· Clarify with players and parents what is expected of them
· Co-operate with all other specialisms for the best interests of the players
· Attend such additional training as the Football Association and/or Club shall deem necessary
· Promote at all times positive aspects of the sport and never condone violations of rules and regulations
· Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance
· Not use nor tolerate or permit to be used inappropriate gestures or language
· Show due respect and accept the decision of the Match Officials at all times, whether or not a decision is
agreed with
· Show due respect to spectators and opponents at all times
· Give priority to the team over individual interests
· Promote ethical principles throughout the Club and beyond
· Avoid all forms of gamesmanship
· Set a positive example to others at all times.
Child Protection Policy & Procedure
The Club fully endorses and will comply at all times with the Football Association’s Regulation on child protection and will at all times follow the Child Protection Procedures and Practices as set out in the Handbook produced by the F.A. in June 2001 which are hereby incorporated within this Constitution. In addition it is the policy of Stevenage Town Youth Football Club that the use of video equipment during football matches and / or training sessions is prohibited, except with the express permission of the STYFC Management Committee, who may grant such permission. It is envisaged that permission will only be granted to persons actively involved in the coaching of the teams and will be only used for such purposes.