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ST HELENS WALKING FOOTBALL CLUB. CLUB CONSTITUTION

  1. Name

     

    1. The club will be called St Helens Walking Football Club

       

  2. Aims and Objectives.

     

    1. The aims and objectives of the club will be to:

       

      • offer participation, coaching and competitive opportunities in Walking Football

      • promote the club within the local community and Walking Football locally and nationally.

      • safely manage the participation at All Venues.

      • ensure a duty of care to all members of the club; and

      • provide all its services in a way that is fair to everyone.

  3. Membership

     

    1. To ensure all present and future members receive fair and equal treatment, Membership should consist of Officers and Members of the club. All Members will be subject to the regulations of the Constitution and by joining the Club, will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of practice & conduct that the Club has adopted. Membership will be by payment of an annual fee each calendar year. The fee level will be set by the Management Committee and/or the AGM.

    2. Members will be enrolled in one of the following categories: Club Member–by payment of annual membership fee.

      Life Member–Granted by Club Executive Committee, no annual membership fee payable

  4. Membership fees

     

    1. Membership fees will be set annually and agreed by the Management Committee or determined at the Annual General Meeting. Fees will be paid; annually/monthly/bi-weekly/weekly subscription.

  5. Officers of the club

     

    1. The officers of the club (shown below with current appointees) will be:

       

      Chair

      Peter Fitzpatrick

      (appointed in 2023)

      Vice Chair

      Chris Gourdji

      (appointed in 2024)

      Secretary

      John Hawkins

      (appointed in 2023)

      Treasurer

      Les Brack

      (appointed in 2024)

      H&S/Welfare Officer

      Phil Middleton

      (appointed in 2024)

      Media Manager

      Chris Fitzpatrick

      (appointed in 2023)

      Football Manager

      Andy Houghton

      (appointed in 2024)

      Social Secretary

      Martin Briggs

      (appointed in 2024)

      Lead Referee

      Jeff Birchall

      (appointed in 2023)

      Kirsty Stockton

      (appointed in 2024)

       

    2. Officers will be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

       

    3. All Officers will serve for a period of two years as set out above; but will be eligible for re-appointment at the end of that period.

       

  6. Management Committee

     

    1. The club will be managed through the Management Committee consisting of the Officers listed under Section 5.1 above. Only those posts will have the right to vote at meetings of the Management Committee.

       

    2. The operation of the Management Committee will be as follows:-

       

      • The Management Committee meetings will be convened by the Club Secretary and held no less than two times per year.

      • The quorum required for business to be agreed at Management Committee meetings will be five

      • The Management Committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, codes of practice and rules that affect the organisation of the club.

      • The Management Committee will have powers to appoint sub-committees as necessary and appoint advisers to the Management Committee as necessary to fulfil its business.

      • The Management Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules/regulations/constitution; as set out under Section 9 of this constitution. The Management Committee will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings.

  7. Finance

     

    1. All club monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the club.

       

    2. The Club Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the club.

    3. The financial year of the club will end on: 31st December.

       

    4. An audited statement of annual accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.

       

    5. The Chair, Treasurer and Secretary shall be responsible for oversight and management of any bank accounts held in the name of the club; and for ensuring that the account is operated according to the requirements of whichever bank(s) hold any accounts on behalf of the club. Any expenditure requiring release of monies from any bank account held by the club must be reported by the Treasurer to the first Management Committee meeting held after such expenditure; or to all Committee members no later than three weeks after the date of such expenditure.

  8. Annual General Meetings

     

    1. Notice of Annual General Meetings (AGMs) will be given by the Club Secretary. Not less than 21 clear days’ notice to be given to all members on the Club Website. www.sthelenswalkingfootball.com and/or via SHWFC’s WhatsApp Notice Board

       

    2. The AGM will receive a report from Officers of the Management Committee and a statement of the audited accounts.

       

    3. Nominations for Officers of the Management Committee and motions/proposals for discussion at the AGM must be sent to the Secretary 7 days before the AGM; and sent to all members 6 days before the meeting. Nominations and Motions for the AGM must include both the name of a proposer and seconder from amongst the Club’s members.

       

    4. The Chair may, at the AGM, use discretion to allow any other motions not submitted under paragraph 8.3 above; if they are deemed to be urgent.

       

    5. Elections of Officers are to take place at the AGM.

    6. All Club and Life Members have the right to vote at the AGM.

    7. The quorum for AGMs will be 25% of the membership.

    8. The Management Committee has the right to call Extraordinary General meetings (EGMs). Procedures for EGMs will be the same as for the AGM.

  9. Discipline and Appeals

    1. For the purpose of clarification it should be emphasised that the abiding principle of the club is that, wherever possible, any disputes which arise should be dealt with amicably and through discussion without the need to invoke disciplinary procedures. This section is therefore provided as a ‘last resort’ where actions are either of a very serious nature, or where more informal dialogue has failed to reach a satisfactory resolution.

    2. Any complaints and investigations considered under this section will be considered in the light of the Club’s Code of Conduct, attached as an Appendix to this constitution, and forming part of this constitution.

       

    3. In support of this disciplinary process, it will be the duty of the Secretary to record and retain, for a period of 9 months, details of any red and blue cards issued by referees during matches played within or by the club, or any matters which have caused action to be taken under this section. Any member of the club may at any time request to see any such records which relate to themselves.

       

    4. Any Club member may raise with any committee member any concerns/ complaints they have that the clubs code of conduct has been contravened. The committee member should then inform the club secretary (or his/her nominated cover/deputy) as soon as practically possible.

    5. Within 48 hours of the club secretary (or his/her nominated cover/deputy) being informed of the concern/ complaint at least three committee members will need to investigate whether any further action is needed.

    6. The outcome of that consideration should be reported by a committee member to the club secretary (or his/her nominated cover/deputy) and all members concerned as soon as possible. The member/s who the concern/ complaint is about, will now have the right of appeal. This should be raised with the club secretary (or his/her nominated cover/deputy) in writing within 3 days

    7. If an appeal is received the club secretary (or his/her nominated cover/deputy) will arrange for five different committee (or fully paid-up) members not involved in the initial consideration detailed in 9.6 to meet as soon as is practicable to consider the appeal. This committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership. The outcome of the meeting will be notified in writing to the club secretary (or his/her nominated cover/deputy), the person/s who lodged the complaint and the member/s against whom the complaint was made as soon as possible and at the latest within 7 days of the meeting.

    8. The decision of those hearing the appeal as detailed in section 9.7 above will be final. After reaching and communicating their decision the matter will be closed.

 

  1. Dissolution

     

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

       

    2. In the event of dissolution, any assets of the club that remain will become the property of: a nominated sports organisation or some other club with similar objectives to those of the club.


      APPENDIX TO THE CONSTITUTION

      Code of Conduct

      • Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning

      • Adhere to the rules

      • Display and promote high standards of behaviour

      • Promote fair play

      • Always respect the match officials’ decisions

      • Never engage in or tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour

      • Never engage in bullying, intimidation or harassment

      • Speak to my team-mates, the opposition, spectators and my coach/manager with respect

      • Remember we all make mistakes

      • Win or lose with dignity.

      • Shake hands with the opposing team and the referee at the end of every game

      • Be an ambassador for my club

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