GFNA Adult League Rules and Constitution (Version August 2024) Click here to download a copy
1. Name The Association will be called: Gosport & Fareham Netball Association (GFNA) Here after referred to as the league. It will be affiliated to England Netball.
2. Aims and objectives
The aims and objectives of the league will be: To offer competitive opportunities in Netball. To promote the league within the local community. To ensure a duty of care to all members of the league. To provide all its services in a way that is fair to everyone. Adopt the rules and regulations laid down by England Netball
3. Membership
Membership should consist of officers and members of the league. All members will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the league will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of practice that the league has adopted. Membership of the league shall be open, and not unreasonably restricted on the grounds of sex, race or of political, religious, or other opinions to any person in the area prepared to accept and support the objectives of the league. No league member, participant, volunteer or official will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, marital status, social class, colour, race, ethnic origin, creed or disability, or will be disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be relevant to their participation in the league. 4. EN Membership fees
Membership fees are set annually by England Netball. All members of the league shall subscribe to league membership fees for the season as agreed by the Committee or determined at the AGM. Membership Fees will be paid prior to the start of the league. UMPIRES: All umpires will be affiliated to England Netball. 5. Officers of the League
The officers of the league will be: Chairperson Vice Chairperson Treasurer Minutes Secretary Umpire Secretary League Secretary Registration Secretaries Tournament Secretary Website Secretary Welfare Officer Covid H & S Officer Development Secretary Complaints & Disciplinary Secretary
Officers will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. All officers will retire each year but will be eligible for re-appointment. 6. Committee
The league will be managed through the Committee consisting of offices as listed above The quorum required for business to be agreed at Committee meetings will be 4 plus the Chairperson. The Committee shall meet whenever summoned by the Chairperson or on a requisition signed by one half of the committee. The Committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, codes of practice and rules that affect the organisation of the league. The Committee will have powers to appoint new positions and subcommittees as necessary and appoint advisers to the Committee as necessary to fulfil its business. The Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the league rules/regulations /constitution. The Committee will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings. Every decision at a meeting of the Committee shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present and every voting member having one vote. In the event of an equality of votes the Chair of the meeting shall have a casting vote. The Committee shall be responsible for considering any application for membership and shall decide if this application should be accepted. The decision shall be in accordance with a non-discriminatory policy. The Committee may make changes to rules to help the general running of the rules. 7. Finance
All league monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the Association. The League Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the league. A full statement of annual accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at the AGM. Any cheques drawn or transfers against league funds should hold the signatures of the Treasurer and a second member of the committee. 8. Captains Meetings & Annual General Meetings
Captains Meetings: Captains meeting shall be held at the beginning of each season, chaired by the Chairperson and attended by the Committee. The captain or one member from each team shall attend meetings. Failure to attend a meeting will result in a fine in accordance to Leagues General Rules. One member from each team will be able to vote at a captains meeting. A simple majority will carry any vote. AGM: Notice of Annual General Meetings (AGM) will be given by the League Secretary. Not less than 21 days’ notice to be given to all members. The AGM will receive a report from officers of the Committee and a statement of the accounts. Nominations for officers of the Committee and any proposals will be sent to the Secretary, not less than 14 days prior to the AGM Elections of officers are to take place at the AGM. Two members per team must attend and have equal voting rights at the AGM. Decide any special resolutions. EGM: The Committee has the right to call Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) outside the AGM. Procedures for EGMs will be the same as for the AGM. 9. Discipline and appeals
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 club’s child protection policy and procedures. The league Welfare Officer is the lead contact for all members in the event of any child protection concerns. All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the Secretary. The Committee will meet to hear complaints within 14 days of a complaint being lodged. The committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership. The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 30 days of the hearing. There will be the right of appeal to the Management Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The committee should consider the appeal within 14 days of the Secretary receiving the appeal.
10. Equity Policy Statement
The group will: • Endeavour to ensure that its members represent a cross section of the community in which it operates and be open to for all sectors of the community irrelevant of age, gender, marital status, employment status, social class, colour, race, ethnic or national origin, religious belief or disability • Recognises that its members are all individuals with a diverse range of needs. • Will respect diversity and will operate in a non-discriminatory way towards its members. • Will provide equality of opportunity to participate in all activities so far as is legally permitted and practicable. • Will monitor and review its policy at the AGM. • The group will also adopt and abide to the England Netball “Equality and Diversity Policy” 11. Safeguarding & Vulnerable Adults Policy
The group recognise the need to have systems in place that will ensure that children, young people, and vulnerable adults can work and learn with members of the group in a safe and fun environment. The group will adopt and follow the procedures laid out by England Netball in the Safeguarding & Protecting Young Children in Netball Policy” (A copy of which is available from England Netball) to ensure that they are not putting members in an ‘At Risk’ position. All members who will work on a 1-2-1 situation with vulnerable adults will be required to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau check and follow a recruitment and induction process.
12. Dissolution
A resolution to dissolve the league can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of the membership. In the event of dissolution, any assets of the league that remain will be given to a women’s charity or a sports charity. 13. Review of the constitution
The constitution shall be reviewed on a yearly basis. The constitution will only be changed through agreement by majority vote at an AGM or EGM. Additions to, or alterations of the constitution shall be submitted to the Secretary not less than 14 days before the date of the AGM or EGM, or with a request for a special meeting of League members. No resolution involving an amendment to the constitution may be proposed or amended from the floor of a meeting. In the event of a proposal for amending the constitution being submitted, the Secretary shall inform the membership of the proposed motion not less than 14 days before the AGM. 14. Declaration
The Netball League hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.
