CONSTITUTION

1. Name

The club shall be called United Netball Club, hereinafter called the Club.

2. Affiliation

The Club shall be affiliated to the Gloucestershire County Netball Association hereinafter called GCNA; and shall be affiliated to the All England Netball Association hereinafter called AENA. The Club will be bound by the rules of both organisations.

3. Aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of the Club will be:

• To promote and encourage the game of netball and the club within the local community at all age groups
• To offer coaching and competitive opportunities in Netball
• To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club
• To encourage the highest ethical standards within the club.

4. Membership

• Membership will be open to all without discrimination, senior over 18 and junior under 18.
• All members will be subject to the regulations of the constitution. By joining the Club, members will be deemed to accept these regulations, any codes of conduct that the Club has adopted together with any rulings of the executive committee

5. Membership fees

• Membership fees and payment terms will be set annually after the GCNA Executive Committee have determined their affiliation fees. The Club fee is payable to the Treasurer before the date of the GCNA affiliation night.

6. Administration

• The Club will be managed by an Executive Committee consisting of:
• Chair
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Fixtures Secretary
• Publicity Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Minutes Secretary
• Youth Development Officer
• Fundraising Officer
• CAPS Registration Officer
• Junior Representative

Officers will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

All coaching positions shall be appointed by the Committee at the first Executive Meeting following the Annual General Meeting. Coaches will be co-opted members with full voting rights at Executive Meetings.
A person may hold more than one position in the Club but will only have one vote at meetings.

Resolutions shall be decided by a simple majority with the Chair of the meeting having the casting vote.

7. Committee

The Executive Committee will be convened by the Secretary of the Club and meetings held no less than three times per year.
Five members shall constitute a quorum.
If a position on the Committee becomes vacant for any reason the Committee may elect any member of the Club to fill such vacancy.
The Executive Committee will be responsible for:

• Adopting new policy, codes of conduct and rules that affect the organisation of the Club
• Appointing sub-committees and advisers as necessary to the Executive Committee as necessary to fulfil its business.
• Disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules and taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings.

8. Finance

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

All Club monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the Club.
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The financial year of the Club will end on April 30th.
An audited statement of annual accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.

Any cheques drawn against Club funds should hold the signatures of the Treasurer plus one other officer.

The Club is a non-profit making organisation and any surplus income or profits shall be re-invested in the Club.

9. Annual General Meetings

The Annual General Meeting shall be held once a calendar year in the month of May to:

• Approve the minutes of the previous years AGM
• Receive a report from the officers of the Executive Committee
• Receive a report from the Treasurer and a statement of the audited accounts made up to April
• Appoint an auditor for the Club’s accounts
• Elect Executive Committee
• Consider changes to constitution

At least 14 days’ notice of Annual General Meeting, inviting nominations and resolutions, together with a copy of the Agenda, accounts and previous year’s minutes shall be given to all members by the Secretary.

Proposed amendments to the constitution and nominations for the Executive Officers must be received by the Secretary at least seven days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting.
Any position on the executive committee not filled at the Annual General Meeting shall be referred to the authority of the Executive Committee.

Approval by at least 75% of those present and voting shall be required to carry any resolution in respect of the Constitution of the Club.  Other resolutions shall be decided by simple majority, and in the event of a tie, the chair of the meeting shall have the casting vote.

The quorum for AGMs will be 30% of the membership.

An Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) outside the AGM may be called by the Executive Committee or by 10% of the members. Procedures for EGMs will be the same as for the AGM.

10. Dissolution

A resolution to dissolve the Club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of at least 75% of the membership.

In the event of dissolution, any assets of the Club that remain will become the property of GCNA.

11. Declaration

United Netball Club hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.

Club Secretary

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES, OFFICIALS AND VOLUNTEERS

Introduction

AENA expect all coaches, officials and volunteers to promote and develop the sport of netball in a fun and safe environment and with the highest possible standard of care. United Netball Club endorses this expectation and all coaches, officials and volunteers of the club must sign this code of conduct before working with any group.

Responsibilities

As a coach, official or volunteer within United Netball Club I accept I have responsibility for the development of an individual or group of individuals in the sport of netball.

I will

• demonstrate exemplary behaviour at all times when with children, parents and other personnel involved in the sport
• treat all people as equals and with respect and dignity, putting the welfare of people first before winning or achieving goals
• aim to make the sport fun, enjoyable and  promote fair play
• adhere to the GCNA Code of Conduct at all times. (see Appendix 1)

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Good Practice

In order to provide a duty of care to young people I will work within the following guidelines:
 

• Always ensure I am never left alone with one child. Avoid situations where I am unobserved with an individual child.
• Where any form of physical support is required, it will be provided openly and according to guidelines provided by England Netball.
• Where possible, arrange for parents/guardians to take on the responsibility for their own child in the changing rooms. If young people need to be supervised in the changing rooms, the club will try to ensure that coaches/volunteers work in pairs.
• Encourage an open environment (i.e. no secrets, always explain why something is being done in that way).
• When working with the teams, the club will agree with parents/guardians when it is appropriate to enter the changing area.
• Include young people in committee decisions to ensure their voice is heard.

As a coach, official or volunteer of United Netball Club I will avoid:

• Spending excessive amounts of time alone with young people away from others.
• Taking young people (other than my own relations) alone on car journeys, however short.
• Taking young people (other than my own relations) to my home where they will be alone with me.

If circumstances arise where these situations are unavoidable, then the consent of the child’s parent/guardian should be sought prior to the event.

As a coach, official or volunteer of United Netball Club I will never:

• Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay.
• Share a room with a young person
• Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching.
• Allow young people to use inappropriate language unchallenged.
• Make sexually suggestive comments to a young person, even in fun.
• Do things of a personal nature for young people that they can do for themselves.
• Invite or allow young people (other than my own relations) to stay with me at my home unsupervised.
• Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or ignored.

N.B. It may sometimes be necessary for a coach, official or volunteer to do things of a personal nature for children, particularly if they are young or are disabled. These tasks should only be carried out with the full understanding and consent of parents and the players involved. There is a need to be responsive to a person’s reactions. If a person is fully dependent on another, talk with them about what is to be done and give choices where possible. This is particularly so where there is involvement in any dressing or undressing of outer clothing, or where there is physical contact, lifting or assisting a child to carry out particular activities. Coaches, officials and volunteers should avoid taking on the responsibility for tasks for which they are not appropriately trained.

Incidents that must be reported/recorded

If any of the following occur they should be reported immediately to another club official and the incident recorded on an Accident/Incident Report Form - see Accident and Emergency Procedure. The parents/guardians of the child must be informed as soon as possible:

• If you accidentally hurt a player.
• If a player seems distressed in any manner.
• If a player appears to be sexually aroused by your actions.
• If a player misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done.

APPENDIX 1
GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY NETBALL ASSOCIATION
CODES OF CONDUCT
To ensure that the game of netball in Gloucestershire is played in a manner consistent with the ethos of fair play, integrity, sportsmanship and honesty, each club entering GCNA league or competitions shall sign up to the following codes of conduct for their coaches. 

• Never ridicule or shout at players for making mistakes or not winning.
• Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
• Operate within the rules and spirit of netball and teach your players to do the same.
• Avoid overplaying talented players; the lesser talented players deserve equal time.
• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with netball (including opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, parents and spectators).
• Show concern and understanding to sick and injured players.  Follow medical advice as to when an injured player is ready to recommence training and competition.
• Attempt to keep up to date with appropriate qualifications and coaching practice.
• Always adhere to the Child Protection Policy to ensure your role cannot be put into question.
• Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every player regardless of ability, cultural background, religion or personal circumstances.
• Shall not consume alcoholic drinks or smoke, nor be under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs when coaching.
• Be understanding of players’ personal circumstances
• Be objective in selection and give as much playing opportunity to all players...
• Be open with players and prepared to discuss with them any matter (performance, selection, and attitude) that will benefit the player at an appropriate time.
• Abide by the Umpires and other Officials’ decisions.