ORANMORE F.C. CONSTITUTION

1. NAME

The club shall be called Oranmore Football Club.

2. OBJECTS

The objects of the Club shall be

(a) To provide facilities for and promote participation of the whole community in the sport of football .

(b) To arrange and/or participate in Association Football matches and competitions for its members.

(c) To provide and/or arrange for the provision of, premises, facilities and equipment in connection with

sub clauses (a) and (b) above.

(d) To organise fund raising, social and other events in connection sub clauses (a) and (b) above

3. STATUS OF RULES

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

4. RULES AND REGULATIONS

(a) 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 Limited. The Rules and Regulations of

The Football Association Limited, Galway and District League 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) The Club Rules will be amended as and when deemed necessary, or when required, to incorporate any legal or procedural policies and regulations administered by the Club or an affiliated party.

5. CLUB MEMBERSHIP

(a) Membership of the Club shall run from the 1st August to the 30th July of each season unless terminated beforehand and shall be renewable on an annual basis.

(b) The following persons shall be entitled to apply for membership of the Club: -

(1) Players or prospective Players.

(2) A legal guardian representing a player(s) or prospective player(s) under the age of 18 years.

(3) Any person who is interested in furthering the objects of the Club, including, but without limiting the foregoing, persons involved in the training, managing or officiating of Club games, sessions or events

(c) Membership of the Club shall be open to all persons irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs; or of age, sex or disability except as a necessary consequence of the requirements of football as a particular sport.

(d) A Membership Register, listing all Club Members, shall be maintained by the Club Secretary.

(e) The Membership Register will also include all personnel involved in the management or administration of Club issues and responsibilities.

(f) Membership shall become effective upon an applicant’s name being entered in the Membership Register.

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

(h) The Football Association and The Galway and District League shall be given access to the Membership Register providing that they have valid reasons for doing so.

(i) A Membership Committee consisting of the Chairman, Secretary, and one other member of the Management Committee shall be responsible for administering admission to or expulsion from the Club

6. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE

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

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

7. RESIGNATION AND EXPULSION

(a) A member shall cease to be a member of the Club if, and from the date on which, he/she gives notice to the Management 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) A member who resigns or is expelled shall not be entitled to claim any, or a share of any, of the Club Property.

8. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

(a) The Club Management Committee shall consist of the following Club Officers:

Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, plus up to five other members, elected at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.

(b) Each Club Officer and Management Committee Member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the next Annual General Meeting unless other wise resolved at a Special General Meeting. One person may hold no more than two positions of Club Officer at any one time. The Management Committee shall be responsible for the management of all the affairs of the Club.

Decisions of the Management Committee shall be made by a simple majority of those attending the Committee meeting. The Chairperson of the Management Committee meeting shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie. Meetings of the Management Committee shall be chaired by the Chairperson or in their absence any member of the Management Committee. The quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee shall be four.

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

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

(e) An outgoing member of the Management Committee may be re-elected. A vacancy on the Management Committee that arises between Annual General Meetings, shall be filled by a Club member proposed by a Management Committee member, seconded by a different Committee member and approved by a simple majority at a Management Committee meeting.

(f) The Management Committee shall have the power to declare a seat vacant should a member be absent from two consecutive meetings without satisfactory explanation.

(g) Save as provided for in the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association and The Galway and District League, the Management 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 Management Committee

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(b) Nominations for election as members of the Management Committee and appointments as Club Officers shall be made in verbally by the proposer and seconder, both of whom must be existing members of the Club, to the Club Secretary at the AGM. Notice of any resolution to be proposed at the AGM shall be given verbally to the Club Secretary at the AGM

(c) The Club Secretary, or in his or her absence any other member of the Management Committee, shall enter Minutes of General Meetings into the Minute Book of the Club.

(d) The Secretary shall give notice to each member of the date of any General Meeting together with the nature of the business to be conducted at least 7 days before the Meeting. Notice under this section shall be satisfied by publication of a notice on the Club’s website.

(e) The quorum for a General Meeting shall be fifteen members.

(f) The Chairperson, or in his or her absence any other member of the Management Committee, shall take the chair of a General Meeting. 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. A Member must have attained the age of 18 in order to vote.

10. CLUB TEAMS

At its first meeting following each AGM, the Management 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 Management 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 two other members of the Management Committee. No amount exceeding €100.00 shall be drawn from the Club Accounts without the consent of a majority of the Management Committee. Cheques must be signed by two of the four designated signatories. All monies payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer and deposited in the Club Account.

(b) The Club is a non-profit making organisation and all income, profits and assets of the Club (the Club Property) shall be applied only in furtherance of the objects of the Club. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members or third parties.

(c) The Management 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

(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 who shall deal with the Club Property

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 Management Committee shall be responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Club.

(c) In the event of the dissolution of the Club Any assets remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Club shall not be paid or distributed among members of the Club, but shall be given or transferred to one or more of the following approved sporting or charitable bodies:

1) A registered charitable organisation(s)

2) Another Club which is a registered in The Galway and District League

3) The sports national governing body for use by it for related community sports.

13. CLUB COLOURS

All Teams are required to play in official Club colours which are Red shirts, Red shorts, Red socks with a limited amount of White trim on shirt depending on what is available in the current catalogues.

In the event of a second strip (clash of colour kit) being purchased, this should be in Blue & Red and or White & Red.

Managers should consult The Management Committee before purchasing any strips to ensure that all teams are playing in the same trim. The Management Committee will be happy to speak to any prospective sponsor regarding Club colours.

Oranmore FC Disciplinary Procedures

1. Complaints regarding the behaviour of members, howsoever arising, shall be submitted verbally to the club secretary. Such complaints may relate to any act, involving football activities or otherwise, which might bring the club into disrepute.

2. The management committee shall have the power to suspend temporarily from membership any member pending further investigations or enquiries. This suspension is to facilitate the investigation and is without prejudice to the outcome of the investigation.

3. Any member believed to have infringed any of the club’s rules or codes of conduct or the rules andcodes of conduct of The Galway & District League or who have been accused of any misconduct shall be invited to comment, in writing, within seven days following a request to do so by the club secretary of Oranmore FC setting out the allegation.

4. The management committee shall consider any reply at the next available opportunity. Such consideration may take place by telephone call or via email. If the management committee is not satisfied by the response of the member it shall set up a disciplinary committee of three members, none of whom have any direct interest in the matter.

5. The disciplinary committee will make such further enquiries as it thinks fit and will offer a reasonable opportunity to the member concerned with a friend, if so desired, to meet with it and answer the allegations.

6. The disciplinary committee will hear such witnesses as are reasonably produced.

7. The disciplinary committee will make such procedural provisions as necessary for the just and efficient consideration of the case.

8. The disciplinary committee will submit a written recommendation to the management committee within five days following the final meeting with the member.

9. The Disciplinary Committee may recommend one or more of the following actions to the Management

Committee

a. Note the offence but take no further action;

b. Warn the member concerned as to future conduct but no further action;

c. Suspend or disqualify the member from competition, coaching and/or administration for some definite or indefinite period;

d. Impose a reasonable financial sanction an/or require the member to meet any related losses or pay any fines that the Club has paid;

e. Terminate the membership or such other penalty as the Disciplinary Committee considers appropriate.

10. The Management Committee make a decision as soon as is practical thereafter. The member concerned will receive written notification of the outcome within seven days of the Management Committee’s decision.

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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 codes of conduct have been broken, they should follow the procedures below.

All complaints and disciplinary matters should be addressed to the club secretary in writing and include the

following information: -

a) Details of what, when, and where the occurrence took place.

b) The name of the accused and the role that person holds within football.

c) Any witness statements and relevant names.

d) Names of any others who have been treated in a similar way.

e) Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when and to whom made.

f) A preference for a solution to the incident.

It should be noted that any complaints received by management committee, club officers or team managers will immediately be passed onto the club secretary with all relevant details and information. On receipt of a written complaint, the club secretary will assess the necessary course of action to be taken, in line with the club’s disciplinary policy

MAINTAINING HIGH STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

The Club has worked extremely hard to maintain the excellent reputation built up over many years.

It is vital all club members project a professional and respectful image at matches and training sessions and treat match officials, parents and players with the utmost respect. Visiting teams should always be made to feel welcome and treated courteously.

Bad behaviour of any kind must be reported to Team Managers who are well versed in the Club’s procedures. All Complaints will be investigated and names of people involved must be reported to the Manager. Anyone making a complaint must be prepared to attend a Disciplinary hearing.

Anti Discrimination Policy

Oranmore 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 andeliminate discrimination whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

Equality of opportunity at Oranmore 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.

Oranmore 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.

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Equal Opportunities Policy

Oranmore 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 this general principle and the requirements of the codes of practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality.

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 is 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.

Oranmore 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.

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ORANMORE FC’S CODES OF CONDUCT

Code of Conduct for Players

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.

A player should

a) 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.

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

c) Avoid all forms of gamesmanship and time wasting.

d) Always have regard for the best interests of the game.

e) Not use inappropriate language.

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

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

h) Accept the decision of the match officials without protest.

i) Avoid words or actions, which may mislead a match official.

j) Show due respect towards match officials.

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

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

m) Resist any influence, which might, or might be seen to, bring into question his commitment to the team

winning.

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

o) Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.

p) Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques

Code of Conduct for Coaches

Coaches must

a). Respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the

sport.

b). Place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of

performance.

c). Adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies.

d). Develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.

e). Not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.

f). Encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.

g). Ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of

players.

h). Clarify with the players (and, where appropriate, parents) exactly what is expected of them and also what they

are entitled to expect from their coach. Co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports

scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player.

i). Give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests.

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

k). Promote ethical principles.

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

m) 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.

n) Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.

Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

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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).

The team official should.

a) Accept the decisions of the match officials without protest.

Avoid words or actions, which may mislead the match officials.

b) Show due respect towards match officials.

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

d) Promote and develop his own team having regard to the interest of the players, supporters and reputation of

the national game.

e) 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.

f) Avoid all forms of gamesmanship.

g) Show due respect to match officials and others involved in the game.

h) 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.

i) Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

j) Show due respect for the interests of supporters.

k) 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.

Code of Conduct for Parents / Spectators

Parents/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 that parents/

spectators should encourage:

a) Children’s enjoyment of football.

b) A sense of personal achievement, and self-esteem.

c) Improving the child’s skills and techniques.

d) Parents/spectators within the club should always be positive and encouraging towards all of the children not

just their own.

e) Oranmore FC actively encourages parents/spectators to:

f) Applaud the opposition as well as your own team.

g) Avoid coaching the child during the game.

h) Not to shout and scream.

i) Respect the referee’s and assistant referee’s decisions.

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

k) Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football.

l) Ensure that parents/spectators within your club agree and adhere to your club’s code of conduct and child protection policy.