TAVERHAM FOOTBALL CLUB

  Code of Good Practice

 In Association with

 

 The F.A. Football
Development Programme

 

The booklet includes:

 

·       Standard Club Rules I Constitution

 

·       Codes of Conduct

 

·       Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities Policies for Clubs

 

·       Goalpost Safety Guidelines

 

·       Club Complaints Procedure

 

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The Club Rules

 

1.     The club shall be called TAVERHAM FOOTBALL CLUB
(the Club).

 

2.     OBJECTIVES  

The objectives of the Club shall be to arrange association football matches and social activities for its members.

 

3.     STATUS OF RULES

These rules (the Club Rules) form a binding agreement between each member of the Club.

 

4.     RULES AND REGULATIONS

(a)    The Club shall be affiliated to the Norfolk County Football Association and abide by 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 the Club Rules.

(b)    No alteration to the Club Rules shall be effective without prior written approval by the parent Association.

(c)    The Club will also abide by The Football Association's Child Protection Policies and Procedures, Codes of Conduct and the Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination Policy.

 

5.     CLUB MEMBERSHIP

(a)    The members 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.

(b)    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 applicant's name being entered in the Membership Register.

(c)    In the event of a member's resignation or expulsion, his or her name shall be removed from the Membership Register.

(d)    The Football Association and Norfolk County Association shall be given access to the Membership Register on demand.

 

6.     ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE

(a)    An annual fee payable by each member shall be determined from time to time by the Club Committee. Any fee shall be payable on a successful application for membership and annually by each member. Fees shall not be repayable.

(b)    The Club Committee shall have the authority to levy further subscriptions from the members as are reasonably necessary to fulfill the objects of the Club.

 

7.     RESIGNATIONS AND EXPULSION

(a)    A member shall cease to be a member of the Club if, and from the date on which, helshe gives notice to the Club Committee of their resignation. A member whose annual membership fee or further subscription is more than 2 months in arrears shall be deemed to have resigned.

(b)    The Club Committee shall have the power to expel a member when, in their opinion, it would not be in the interests of the Club for them to remain a member. There shall be no appeal procedures.

(c)    A member who resigns or is expelled shall not be entitled to claim any, or a share of any, of the Club Property.

 

8.     CLUB COMMITTEE

(a) The Club Committee shall consist of the following Club Officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and Minutes Secretary, plus up to 5 other members, elected at an Annual General Meeting.

(b)    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. The Club Committee shall be responsible for the management of all the affairs of the Club. Decisions of the Club Committee shall be made by a simple majority of those attending the Club Committee meeting. The Chairperson of the Club Committee meeting shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie. The Chairperson or Vice Chairperson shall chair meetings of the Club Committee or in their absence the Secretary The quorum for the transaction of business of the Club Committee shall be three.

(c)    Decisions of the Club Committee of meetings shall be entered into the Minute Book of the Club to be maintained by the Club Secretary.

(d)    Any member of the Club Committee may call a meeting of the Club Committee by giving not less than 7 days' notice to all members of the Club Committee. The Club Committee shall hold not less than four meetings a year.

(e)    An outgoing member of the Club Committee may be re-elected. A member proposed by one and seconded by another of the remaining Club Committee members and approved by a simple majority of the remaining Club Committee members shall fill any vacancy on the Club Committee, which arises between Annual General Meetings.

(f)     Save as provided for in the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association and the County Association to which the Club is affiliated, the Club Committee shall have the power to decide all questions and disputes arising in respect of any issue concerning the Club Rules.

 

9.     ANNUAL AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

(a)    An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held in each year to:

(i)     receive a report of the activities of the Club over the previous year

(ii)    receive a report of the Club's finances over the previous year

(iii)   elect the members of the Club Committee

(iv)   consider any other business.

(b)    Nominations for election of members as Club Officers or as members of the Club Committee shall be made in writing by the proposer and seconder, both of whom must be existing members of the Club, to the Club Secretary not less than 21 days before the AGM. Notice of any resolution to be proposed at the AGM shall be given in writing to the Club Secretary not less than 21 days before the Meeting. 

(c)    A Special General Meeting (SGM) may be called at any time by the Committee and shall be called within 21 days of the receipt by the Club Secretary of a requisition in writing signed by not less than five members stating the purposes for which the Meeting is required and the resolutions proposed. Business at an SGM may be any business that may be transacted at an AGM. 

(d)    The Secretary shall send to each member at their last known address written notice of the date of a General Meeting together with the resolutions to be proposed at least 14 days before the Meeting. 

(e)    The quorum for a General Meeting shall be the chairperson, the Vice Chairperson and the Secretary. 

(f)     The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson and the Secretary or in their absence a member selected by the Club Committee, shall take the chair. Each member present shall have one vote and a simple majority shall pass resolutions. In the event of an equality of votes the Chairperson of the Meeting shall have a casting vote. 

(g)    The Club Secretary, or in their absence a member of the Club Committee, shall enter Minutes of General Meetings into the Minute Book of the Club.

 

 10.   CLUB TEAMS

At its first meeting following each AGM, the Club Committee shall appoint a Club member to be responsible for each of the Club's football teams. The appointed members shall be responsible for managing the affairs of the team. The appointed members shall present to the Club Committee at its last meeting prior to an AGM a written report on the activities of the team.

 

11.   CLUB FINANCES

(a)    A bank account shall be opened and maintained in the name of the Club (the Club Account). Designated account signatories shall be the Club Chairperson, the Club Secretary and the Treasurer. No sum shall be drawn from the Club Account except by cheque signed by two of the three designated signatories. All monies payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer and deposited in the Club Account. 

(b)    The income and assets of the Club (the Club Property) shall be applied only in furtherance of the objects of the Club. 

(c)    The Club Committee shall have power to authorise the payment of remuneration and expenses to any member of the Club and to any other person or persons for services rendered to the Club. 

(d)    The Club shall prepare an annual Financial Statement in such form as shall be published by The Football Association from time to time. 

(e)    The Club Property, other than the Club Account, shall be vested in not less than two and no more than four custodians, one of whom shall be the Treasurer (the Custodians being the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and the Secretary), who shall deal with the Club Property as directed by decisions of the Club Committee and entry in the Minute Book shall be conclusive evidence of such a decision. 

(f)     The Custodians shall be appointed by the Club in a General Meeting and shall hold office until death or resignation unless removed by a resolution passed at a General Meeting. 

(g)    On their removal or resignation a Custodian shall execute a Conveyance in such form as is published by The Football Association from time to time to a newly elected Custodian or the existing Custodians as directed by the Club Committee. On the death of a Custodian, any Club Property vested in them shall vest automatically in the surviving Custodians. If there is only one surviving Custodian, a Special General Meeting shall be convened as soon as possible to appoint another Custodian. 

(h)    The Custodians shall be entitled to an indemnity out of the Club Property for all expenses and other liabilities reasonably incurred by them in carrying out their duties.

 

12.   DISSOLUTION

(a)    A resolution to dissolve the Club shall only be proposed at a General Meeting and shall be carried by a majority of at least three-quarters of the members present. 

(b)    The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution and the members of the Club Committee shall be responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Club. 

(c)    Upon winding up the assets, funds of the club shall be surrendered to the Norfolk County Football Association, in accordance with the association membership rule '23'.

 

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A Code of Conduct for Football

 

Football is the national game. All those involved with the game at every level and whether as a player, match official, coach, owner or administrator, have a responsibility, above and beyond compliance with the law, to act according to the highest standards of integrity, and to ensure that the reputation of the game is, and remains, high. This Code applies to all those involved in football under the auspices of The Football Association.

 

Community

Football, at all levels, is a vital part of a community. Football will take into account community feeling when making decisions.

Equality

Football is opposed to discrimination of any form and will promote measures to prevent it, in whatever form, from being expressed.

Participants

Football recognises the sense of ownership felt by those who participate at all levels of the game. This includes those who play, those who coach or help in any way, and those who officiate, as well as administrators and supporters. Football is committed to appropriate consultation.

Young People

Football acknowledges the extent of its influence over young people and pledges to set a positive example.

Propriety

Football acknowledges that public confidence demands the highest standards of financial and administrative behaviour within the game, and will not tolerate corruption or improper practices.

Trust and Respect

Football will uphold a relationship of trust and respect between all involved in the game, whether they are individuals, clubs or other organisations.

Violence

Football rejects the use of violence of any nature by anyone involved in the game.

Fairness

Football is committed to fairness in its dealings with all involved in the game.

Integrity and Fair Play

Football is committed to the principle of playing to win consistent with Fair Play.

 

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Code of Conduct for Coaches 

Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football. Their concept of ethics is their attitude directly affects the behaviour of players under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct.

Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, have ethical implications. 

It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches. This code is not intended to conflict with that. However, the code calls for coaches to disassociate themselves from a "win-at-all-costs” attitude. 

Increased responsibility is requested from coaches involved in coaching young people. The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, school, coach or parent. 

Set out below is The FA Coaches Association Code of Conduct (which reflects the standards expressed by the National Coaching Foundation and the National Association of Sports Coaches), which forms the benchmark for all involved in coaching: 

1.     Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport. 

2.     Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance. 

3.     Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies. 

4.     Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect. 

5.     Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward. 

6.     Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance. 

7.     Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players. 

8.     Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the players (and, where appropriate, parent) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach. 

9.     Coaches must co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player. 

10.   Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant rules and regulations or the use of prohibited substances or techniques. 

11.   Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance. 

12.   Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language. 

This code of conduct shall be distributed to all Coaches at the start of each season at the Management Committee Meetings.

 

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Code of Conduct for Players

Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game. But not winning at any cost - Fair Play and respect for all others in the game is fundamentally important. 

This Code focuses on players involved in top-class football. Nevertheless, the key concepts in the Code are valid for players at all levels. 

 

Obligations towards the game 

A player should: 

1.     Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina. 

2.     Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, even if his team is in a position where the desired result has already been achieved. 

3.     Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters. 

4.     Avoid all forms of gamesmanship and time wasting. 

5.     Always have regard for the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion on the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game. 

6.     Not use inappropriate language.

  

Obligations towards one's own team 

A player should: 

1.     Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help his own team win. 

2.     Resist any influence, which might, or might be seen to, bring into question his commitment to the team winning.

 

Respect for the Laws of the Game and competition rules 

A player should: 

1.     Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules. 

2.     Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally. 

3.     Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques.

 

Respect towards Opponents 

A player should: 

1.     Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game. 

2.     Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.

  

Respect towards the Match Officials 

A player should: 

1.     Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest. 

2.     Avoid words or actions, which may mislead a Match Official. 

3.     Show due respect towards Match Officials.

 

Respect towards Team Officials 

A player should: 

1.     Abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this Code. 

2.     Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.

 

Obligations towards the Supporters 

A player should: 

1.     Show due respect to the interests of supporters.

 

This code of conduct shall be distributed to each player together with the registration form through the managers of each team.

 

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Code of Conduct for Team Officials 

This Code applies to all team / club officials (although some items may not apply to all officials).

 

Obligations towards the Game 

The team official should: 

1.     Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters. 

2.     Promote and develop his own team having regard to the interest of the Players, Supporters and reputation of the national game. 

3.     Share knowledge and experience when invited to do so, taking into account the interest of the body that has requested this rather than personal interests. 

4.     Avoid all forms of gamesmanship. 

5.     Show due respect to Match Officials and others involved in the game. 

6.     Always have regard for the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion of the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game. 

7.     Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

 

Obligations towards the Team 

The team official should: 

1.     Make every effort to develop the sporting, technical and tactical levels of the club/team, and to obtain the best results for the team, using all permitted means. 

2.     Give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests. 

3.     Resist all illegal or unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques. 

4.     Promote ethical principles. 

5.     Show due respect for the interests of the players, coaches and officials, their own club/team and others.

 

Obligations towards the Supporters 

The team official should: 

1. Show due respect for the interests of supporters.

 

Respect towards the Match Officials 

A team official should: 

1.     Accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest. 

2.     Avoid words or actions, which may mislead a Match Official. 

3.     Show due respect towards Match Officials. 

The Managers of each team shall distribute this Code of Conduct to each Team Official at the Management Committee Meetings.

 

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Code of Conduct for Parents / Spectators 

Parents I Spectators have a great influence on children's enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost love the game - it's fun. It is important to remember that however good a child becomes at football within your club it is important to reinforce the message to parents I spectators that positive encouragement will contribute to: 

·       Children enjoying football.

·       A sense of personal achievement.

·       Self-esteem.

·       Improving the child's skills and techniques. 

A parents I spectator's expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child's attitude towards: 

·       Other players.

·       Officials.

·       Managers.

·       Spectators. 

Ensure that parents I spectators within your club are always positive and encouraging towards all of the children not just their own.

Encourage parents I spectators to: 

·       Applaud the opposition as well as your own team.

·       Avoid coaching the child during the game.

·       Not to shout and scream.

·       Respect the referee's decision.

·       Give attention to each of the children involved in football not just the most talented.

·       Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football.

·       Ensure that parents I spectators within your club agree and adhere to your club's Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy. 

This Code of Conduct shall be mailed to each Parent together with the registration document of each player and shall be distributed to each spectator by the Manager or Team Official.

 

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