HAMPSHIRE SCHOOLS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

 

1  Name of Association

 

The Association will be called Hampshire Schools Football Association, and may also be known as HSFA.  Hampshire Schools Football Association will be affiliated to the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA)

 

2  Aims and Objectives

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            The mental, moral and physical development and improvement of school children in Hampshire and students through the medium of                               Association football.

 

3   Membership & Fees

 

1. Membership of the Association is open to formal district schools associations in Hampshire. Such members shall be deemed ‘full members’.

2. The membership shall consist of eligible schools and colleges in Hampshire, provided that they provide full time education in accordance with the Education Act.

3. All members will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the Association will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of practice that the Association has adopted.

4. Membership categories:

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-  Full members, with one vote at the AGM (e.g. districts within a County)

-  Affiliate members, without a vote (e.g. individual schools)

-  Honorary members, without a vote (e.g. life members

 

The Association will charge membership fees and then charge entry fees for services provided by the Association (e.g. leagues, competitions)

 

The Association may, at its discretion, award honorary membership to individuals offering significant or long standing service to schools’ football in the area.

 

4   Sports Equity

 

1. This Association is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. The Association respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status. 

2. ​The Association is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse. All members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity. The Association will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously.

 

5   Committee

 

•           The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by a Committee which shall consist of the Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer,             Secretary, Competitions manager, County manager, Child Welfare Officer, Under 18’s representative and district                         representative, who shall be re/elected at the Annual General Meeting. 

•          All committee members must be members of the Association

•          The term of office shall be for two years, with eligibility for re-election.

•          If the post of any officer or ordinary committee member should fall vacant after such an election, the Executive Committee shall                                   have the power to fill the vacancy until the succeeding Annual General Meeting.

 

The Committee will be responsible for ensuring that Hampshire organises the Association’s activity in line national rules and within its stated values; that expenditure is set and remains in line with budget; and that national expectations (e.g. child welfare regulations, RESPECT guidance) are implemented effectively in the Association. The Committee shall take day to day decisions to ensure the effective operation of the Association, such as approving fixtures, awarding medals/trophies, competition decisions, competition disputes and appointing match officials.  The committee will also be responsible for any other disputes that arise

 

• The committee meetings will be convened by the Secretary of the Association and be held no less than once per year. The quorum for Committee shall be 25%. Only the posts listed above will have the right to vote at committee meetings. 

 

          6   Finances

 

(a)           The treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the Association.

 

(b)           The financial year of the Association will run from 1st June and end on 31st May.

 

(c)           All monies will be banked in accounts held in the name of the Association. 

 

(d)          An audited statement of annual accounts will be presented by the treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.

 

(e)           Any cheques drawn against Association funds should hold the signatures of the Treasurer and Chairman.

 

(f)           All members of the Association shall be jointly and severally responsible for the financial liabilities of the Association.

 

           7  Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings

 

           (a)  General Meetings are the means whereby the members of the Association exercise their democratic rights in conducting the                       Association’s affairs.

 

           (b)   The Association shall hold the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the month of June to:

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• Approve the minutes of the previous year’s AGM. 

• Receive reports from the Chairman and Secretary. 

• Receive a report from the Treasurer and approve the Annual Accounts. 

• Elect the officers on the committee. 

• Agree the membership fees for the following year.

• Consider any proposed changes to the Constitution.

• Consider any changes to competition rules.

• Deal with other relevant business.

 

            (c)  Notice of the AGM will be given by the secretary with at least 28 days’ notice to be given to all members.

 

            (d)  Nominations for officers of the committee must be sent to the secretary at least 14 days prior to the AGM.

 

            (e)  Proposed changes to the constitution and competition rules shall be sent to the secretary prior to the AGM, who shall circulate                       at least 14 days before an AGM. Any amendments to be circulated 7 days prior to the AGM.

 

             (f)  All members have the right to vote at the AGM. The voting rights are – one vote per district and one vote for each committee                         member, to be cast individually at the meeting.

 

             (g)  The quorum for AGMs will be 50% of voting members.

 

             (h)  An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by an application in writing to the Secretary supported by at least two                      of the members of the Association. An application will not be considered for a vote that took place at the previous AGM, under                      the correct rules.The Committee shall also have the power to call an EGM by decision of a simple majority of the Committee                          members. All procedures shall follow those outlined above for AGMs.

 

             8   Amendments to the constitution

 

               The constitution will only be changed through agreement by majority vote at an AGM or EGM.

 

             9   Discipline and appeals

 

               (a)  All concerns, allegations or reports of poor practice/abuse relating to the welfare of children and young people will be                                   recorded and responded to swiftly and appropriately in accordance with the Association’s child protection policy and                                     procedures, which are compliant with the National Governing Body guidance. The Association Welfare Officer is the lead                               contact for all members in the event of any child protection concerns.

 

               (b)  All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the Secretary.

 

               (c)  The Management Committee will meet to hear complaints within 7 days of a complaint being lodged. The committee has the                          power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

 

               (d)  On field disciplinary will be dealt with by the Hampshire Schools disciplinary secretary.

 

           10   Dissolution

 

                (a)   A resolution to dissolve the Association can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of the membership.

 

               (b)   In the event of dissolution, all debts should be cleared with any Association funds.  Any assets of the Association that                                   remain following this will become the property of ESFA.