Constitution

Name

• The club shall be called Fleet Town Girls and Ladies Football Club

Objects

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

Status of Rules

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

Rules and Regulations

• 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 the Club Rules.
• No alteration to the Club Rules shall be effective without prior written approval by Management Committee
• 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.

Club Membership

• 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 Registrations Secretary.
• Any person who wishes to be a member must apply on the Registration Form and deliver it to the Club Committee 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 and a registration fee being paid. Members are defined as players and parents or legal guardians as indicated on the player’s registration form.
• In the event of a member’s resignation or expulsion, his or her name shall be removed from the Membership Register.
• The Football Association and parent County Association shall be given access to the Membership Register on demand.

Annual Membership Fee

• An annual fee payable by each member shall be determined from time to time by the Club Committee. Any fee shall be payable as part of the registration of membership and annually by each member. Fees shall not be repayable.
• The Club Committee shall have the authority to levy further subscriptions from the members as are reasonably necessary to fulfil the objects of the Club.

Resignation and Expulsion

• A member shall cease to be a member of the Club if, and from the date on which, he/she 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.
• 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. An appeal against such a decision may be made to the Club Committee in accordance with the Complaints Procedure in force from time to time.
• A member who resigns or is expelled shall not be entitled to claim any, or a share of any, of the Club Property.

Club Committee

• The Club Committee shall consist of the following Club Officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Child Protection Officer, and Secretary, plus Team Managers and other Committee Members, elected at an Annual General Meeting, or between AGM’s by the Club Committee.
• Each Club Officer and Club Committee Member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the next Annual General Meeting subject to the normal member resignation & expulsion clause,7b. 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. Meetings of the Club Committee shall be chaired by the Chairperson or in their absence another member of the Club Committee. The quorum for the transaction of business of the Club Committee shall be five.
• Decisions of the Club Committee of meetings shall be recorded in the form of minutes to be circulated and maintained by the Club Secretary.
• 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.
• An outgoing member of the Club Committee may be re-elected. Any vacancy on the Club Committee which arises between Annual General Meetings shall be filled by 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.
• 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.

Annual and Special General Meeting

• An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held in each year to:
  • receive a report of the activities of the Club over the previous year
  • receive a report of the Club’s finances over the previous year
  • select the members of the Club Committee
  • consider any other business.
  • Nominations for election of members as Club Officers or as members of the Club Committee shall be made to the Club Secretary not less than 7 days before the AGM. Notice of any resolution to be proposed at the AGM shall be given to the Club Secretary not less than 7 days before the Meeting.
  • 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.
  • The Secretary shall send to each member written notice of the date of a General Meeting together with the resolutions to be proposed at least 7 days before the Meeting.
  • The quorum for a General Meeting shall be five.
  • The Chairperson, or in their absence a member selected by the Club Committee, shall take the chair. Each member aged over 18 present shall have one vote limited to one vote per registered player and resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority. In the event of an equality of votes the Chairperson of the Meeting shall have a casting vote.
  • The Club Secretary, or in their absence a member of the Club Committee, shall produce and circulate a copy of the minutes to all Committee Members.

Club Teams

• At its 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 will have the opportunity to present to the Club Committee at its last meeting prior to an AGM a written report on the activities of the team.

Club Finances

• A bank account shall be opened and maintained in the name of the Club (the Club Account). Designated account signatories shall be the Treasurer and one other member of the Committee. No sum shall be drawn from the Club Account unless authorised by the Club Committee. All monies payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer and deposited in the Club Account.
• The Club can change the Bank provider on agreement of the Committee.
• The income and assets of the Club (the Club Property) shall be applied only in furtherance of the objects of the Club.
• 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 on the production of a valid receipt.
• The Club shall prepare an annual Financial Statement in such form as shall be published by The Football Association from time to time.
• The Club Property, shall be controlled and distributed via the Club Secretary.

Dissolution

• 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.
• 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.
• Any surplus assets remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Club shall be transferred to the parent Association who shall determine how the assets shall be utilised for the benefit of the game. Alternatively, such assets may be disposed of in such other manner as the members of the Club with the consent of the parents.

Codes of Practice

• The Club Codes of Conduct follow the FA Chartered Standard Club Respect Codes of Conduct for Football.
• NB if using the PDF version of this document, please open the Code of Conducts 13 – 17 below separately from the Documents section of our website
• These are:-
  • Code of conduct for football
  • Code of conduct for coaches, team managers and officials
  • Code of conduct for players
    •  Adult players
    •  Youth players
  • Code of conduct for match officials
  • Code of conduct for spectators and parents/carers

Anti Discrimination Policy

• Fleet Town Girls and Ladies Football Club 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 confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.
• Equality of opportunity at Fleet Town Girls and Ladies Football 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 or disability.  This includes:
  • The advertisement for volunteers
  • The selection of candidates for volunteers
  • Courses
  • External coaching and education activities and awards
  • Football development activities
  • Selection for teams
  • Appointments to honorary positions
  • Fleet Town Girls and Ladies Football Club 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.
• Fleet Town Girls and Ladies Football Club 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.

Equal Opportunities Policy for Clubs

• Fleet Town Girls and Ladies Football Club 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 their general principles and the requirements of the Codes 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:
  • Treating any individual on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability less favourably than others.
  • 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.
  • Imposing on an individual requirements which are in effect more onerous on that individual than they are on others. For example, this would include applying a condition which makes it more difficult for members of a particular race or sex to comply than others not of that race or sex.
  • Victimisation of an individual.
  • Harassment of an individual, by virtue of discrimination.Any other act or omission of an act, which has as its effect the disadvantaging of a member against another, or others, purely on the above grounds. Thus, in all the Club’s recruitment, selection, promotion and training processes, as well as disciplinary matters, it is essential that merit, experience, skills and temperament are considered as objectively as possible.
• Fleet Town Girls and Ladies Football Club 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 the Football Club’s policy, any members offending will be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure.
• The Football 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 access. Appropriate training will be made to any member who requests it.

Goalpost Safety Guidelines

• Fleet Town Girls and Ladies Football Club, the Football Association, along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Health and Safety Executive and the British Standards Institution, would like to draw your attention to the following guidelines for the safe use of goalposts. Too many serious injuries and fatalities have occurred in recent years as a result of unsafe or incorrect use of goalposts. Safety is always of paramount importance and everyone in football must play their part to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future.
• For safety reasons goalposts of any size (including those which are portable and not installed permanently at a pitch or practice field) must always be anchored securely to the ground.
• Portable goalposts must be secured by the use of chain anchors or appropriate anchor weights to prevent them from toppling forward.
• It is essential that under no circumstances should children or adults be allowed to climb, swing on or play with the structures of the goalposts.
• Particular attention is drawn to the fact that if not properly assembled and secured, portable goalposts may topple over.
• Regular inspections of goalposts should be carried out to check that they are kept properly maintained.
• Portable goalposts should not be left in place after use. They should be dismantled and removed to a place of secure storage.
• It is strongly recommended that nets should only be secured by plastic hooks or tape and not by metal cup hooks. Any metal cup hooks should be removed and replaced. New goalposts should not be purchased if they include metal cup hooks which cannot be replaced.
• Goalposts which are “home made” or which have been altered from their original size or construction should not be used. These have been the cause of a number of deaths and injuries.
• Guidelines to prevent toppling :
  • Follow Manufacturer’s guide-lines in assembling goalposts.
  • Before use, adults should :
    • ensure each goal is anchored securely in its place
    • exert a significant downward force on the crossbar
    • exert a significant backward force on both upright posts
    • exert a significant forward force on both upright posts
    • These must be repeated until it is established that the structure is secure. If not, alternative goals/pitches must be used.

REMEMBER TO USE ALL EQUIPMENT, NOT JUST GOALPOSTS, SAFELY AT ALL TIMES.

Club Complaints Procedure

• In the event that any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way, or that the Club Policies, Rules or Code of Conduct have been broken, should follow the procedure attached below.

Child Protection Policy Statement & Regulations

• Every child or young person who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse.  This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football.  Fleet Town Girls and Ladies Football Club and The Football Association recognise their responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying.  We are determined to meet our obligations to ensure that as a provider of football opportunities for children and young people we do so to the highest possible standard of care.  These procedures apply to anyone in football whether paid in a paid or voluntary capacity.  For example volunteers in the club, the referees, club officials, helpers on any club tours, coaching and medical staff.
• Fleet Town Girls and Ladies Football Club in conjunction with The Football Association will consider, having taken advice , whether anyone is who has a previous criminal conviction or caution for offences related to the abuse of children or young people, violence or any sexual offences should be excluded from working with children and young people.  This position is reinforced by U.K. legislation and guidance.

Football Association’s Regulations

• Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children, shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the game into disrepute.
• In these Regulations the expression “Offence” shall mean any one or more of the offences  contained in Schedule 1 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and any other criminal  offence which reasonably causes The Association to believe that the person accused of the  offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.
• Upon receipt by The Association of:
  • notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence; or
  • notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, social services or any other authority relating to an Offence; or
  • any other information which causes The Association reasonably to believe that a  person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children then The Association  shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or any specific football activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
  • In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 2 should be made The Association shall give consideration, inter-alia, to the following factors:-
    • whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm;
    • whether the matters are of a serious nature;
    • whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of any investigation by The Association or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded.
    • The period of an order referred to in 2 above shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date upon which any charge under the Rules of The Association or any Offence is decided or brought to an end.
    • Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation (b) above, The Association shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of The Association against the person  relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.
    • Where a person is convicted or is made the subject of a caution in respect of an Offence, that shall constitute a breach of the Rules of The Association and The Association shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or any specific football for such period (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
    • For the purposes of these Regulations, The Association shall act through its Council or any committee or sub-committee thereof, including the Board.
    • Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned  and/or any club with which he is associated as soon as reasonably practicable.

Legal and Procedural Framework

The practices and procedures, based on the principles contained within the UK and International legislation and Government guidance, have been designed to complement local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures and take the following into consideration;

• The Children Act 1989
• The Protection of Children Act 1999
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• “Caring for the young and vulnerable”
• Home office guidance for preventing the abuse of trust 1999
• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Human Rights Act 2000

OFFICERS OF FLEET TOWN GIRLS AND LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB – As of July 6th 2023

Chairman – Darren Moggach

• 7 Tamworth Drive, Fleet, Hants, GU51 2UW
• Tel: 07565 441480

Vice Chairman – Iain Logan

• 1 Hazeley Drive, Fleet, Hants GU51 1DN
• Tel: 07980 001016

Secretary – Paul Skidmore

• 30 Elms Road, Fleet, GU51 3EQ
• Tel: 07711 929678

Treasurer – Nathan Duncombe

• 9 Birchwood, Basingstoke, Hants RG24 8TY
• Tel: 07951 851784

Child Welfare Officer –  Andrew Miller

• 2 Cudbury Drive, Fleet, Hants GU51 1HQ
• Tel: 07540 849491