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Page 1 of 8 ENGLAND NETBALL NORTH WEST KENT LEAGUE CONSTITUTION MAY 2010/2011 1. NAME The League shall be called the NORTH WEST KENT LEAGUE (hereinafter called the “League”). 2. OBJECTIVES The League is established to: (a) To promote and encourage the game of Netball in the North West Kent area and to assist in the growth of netball generally. (b) To establish opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play Netball. (c) To keep a watching brief on the facilities at the League Centre and to work to improve the facilities for the League and the game of Netball. (d) To employ the funds of the League in the best interests of the game of Netball. 3. MEMBERSHIP At the discretion of the League Committee, membership shall be open to all Netball Clubs, or Netball Sections of Sports clubs or Youth or Community Clubs, Colleges or Universities. Applications to enter the League shall be submitted to the League Secretary in person, together with the appropriate fee at the Annual General each year. Non-attendance at the League General Meeting of existing clubs wishing to maintain their membership may result in their exclusion from the League. (a) All clubs entering the League shall affiliate to the England Netball (hereinafter called “EN”) and the Kent Netball (hereinafter called the “KN”) no later that the first of September of the current affiliation year. Failure to do so will result in the immediate withdrawal from the League. (b) All clubs entering the League shall be bound by this Constitution and any other ruling of the League and by the current rules of the game of Netball. (c) Any team withdrawing from the League shall forfeit all subscription monies paid. 4. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP At the discretion of the League Committee, membership shall be open to past players and others interested in the objects of the League. (a) All associate members shall affiliate to the EN and KN. Page 2 of 8 5. LIFE MEMBERS Life membership shall be offered to a person who has given outstanding service to the League. (a) The League shall pay the appropriate EN and KN fees. 6. MEMBERSHIP FEES Each team shall pay an annual subscription towards the expenses of the League together with the appropriate fees to the EN and KN. (a) The scale and rate shall be fixed annually by the League Committee and approved at the Annual General Meeting, and published in the Bylaws. (b) Membership fees are due, to be paid in person, and in full at the AGM each year. (c) Individuals may be accepted at any time on payment of the annual subscription and EN and KN fees. 7. LEAGUE COMMITTEE The officers of the League shall be: Chairperson Treasurer League Secretary Coaching Secretary Development Officer Lower Divisions Representative Publicity Secretary Umpiring Secretary Tournament Secretary Affiliated League Representative The Officers must be members of the League and shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting, and shall be eligible for re-election and shall hold office until the end of the General Meeting at which the successor is appointed. (a) Nominations must be proposed and seconded by any member entitled to vote at such meeting. (b) Nominations shall be in writing, stating the name of each nominee, together with the name of the proposer and seconder, (the nominee must indicate their willingness to stand) and must reach the Secretary 14 days prior to the meeting. In the event of there being more than one candidate for any of the said Offices, an election shall be held at the Annual General Meeting. (c) In the event of insufficient nominations being received prior to the AGM, nominations may be received from the floor. Each nominee being proposed and seconded shall indicate his or her willingness to stand. (d) The League Committee may invite any person having specialized knowledge to attend any meeting of the League in an advisory capacity, but without power to vote. (e) Five members of the League Committee shall form a quorum. (f) All meetings of the League Committee shall be minuted. (g) Committee members are expected to attend all League Committee Meetings. Page 3 of 8 (h) No member of the Committee who is also a member of a team shall vote on a matter directly concerning that team. 8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The League shall hold a General Meeting in May every calendar year, as its Annual General Meeting. At such time and place as may be determined by the League Committee. (a) A minimum of 21 days notice in writing of every Annual General Meeting, specifying the place, day and hour of the meeting, together with a copy of the Agenda, shall be dispatched to those entitled to receive such notices of the League. The accidental omission to give notice of such a meeting to or non-receipt of such notice shall not invalidate any resolution passed or proceeding held at any meeting. (b) Business to be transacted shall be: i. To receive reports and accounts over the past season ii.To elect the League Committee iii.To consider any proposed resolution submitted in writing 14 days before the date of the meeting, which has been proposed and seconded by two members entitled to vote iv. To appoint a person to examine the accounts of the League v. Any other relevant business. (c) At any Annual General Meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands. (d) In the case of an equality of votes the Chairman of the meeting shall be entitled to the casting vote. (e) Persons eligible to vote at a General Meeting shall be: 1. Teams 1 vote 2. League Committee Members 1 vote 3. Life Members 1 vote Associate Members are not entitled to vote. Members may vote in one capacity only. 9. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened: (a) By order of the League Committee, or (b) Upon written request to the Secretary from one third or more of those entitled to vote at a General Meeting. Each requisition shall state the purpose for which a meeting is required and shall set out any resolution, which it is desired to propose. The meeting shall be held within 28 days of receipt of the requisition by the League Secretary and 14 days notice of the meeting and resolution proposed shall be given to every member entitled to vote. If the meeting has been convened by either the League Committee or by the members the quorum shall be two thirds of the voting members. Page 4 of 8 10. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION & BYE LAWS Proposals to alter the League Constitution and Bye Laws at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted in writing to the League Secretary not later than 14 days before the Annual General Meeting, either by the League Committee or proposed and seconded by two members entitled to vote at the General Meeting. 11. INDEMNITY Any League Committee Member shall be indemnified by the League against all costs and losses he/she may incur or sustain in relation to the execution for or with the authority of the League Committee. 12. DISCIPLINARY POWERS, PROCEDURES, AND APPEALS Any member shall be liable to disciplinary action in any of the following circumstances: (a) Any failure to abide by the terms of the League Constitution. (b) If any member has been guilty of misconduct considered by an Investigation committee at its discretion, to bring discredit, or be prejudicial to the interests of the League or the game of Netball. The League Committee shall have the power to appoint: (c) An Investigation Committee of three members of the League, including at least one person who is not a member of the League Committee nor normally attends League Committee Meetings (d) A Disciplinary Committee composed of persons who have no direct association with the League. A member who has been the subject of disciplinary action by the League has the right to appeal. The League Committee shall have the power to appoint: (e) An Appeal Committee consisting of three persons who have no direct association with the League and who have not served on the Disciplinary Committee concerned with the subject of the appeal. Such an Appeal Committee may affirm, vary or rescind any action decided by the Disciplinary Committee and substitute any other decision, as it, in its absolute discretion, considers appropriate. Any member or team suspended or excluded from the League shall forfeit any subscription monies paid. 13. LIABILITY The League accepts no responsibility for injury to any member, any loss, or damage of equipment or property belonging to its members. Members must arrange their own insurance at their own discretion. 14. INSURANCE Members holding trophies owned by the League shall arrange to include the full value of such trophies in their own household insurance, to cover loss or damage by fire, burglary, or accident. Should any trophy be lost or damaged the Club or individual holding such trophy shall be responsible for replacement at full value. Page 5 of 8 NORTH WEST KENT LEAGUE BYE LAWS 1. SUBSCRIPTIONS The membership fees shall be paid in full at teh AGM. (a) Each team shall pay the appropriate EN and KN fees. 2. REGISTRATION All clubs/players must carry a photo id, which must be produced on demand by a League Committee member or opposition captain. Failure to produce such identification will result in that player being unable to take part in that particular League Match. (a) All players must register in their appropriate teams no later than the first League Match. (b) No player may play for more than one Club for League games during the season. (c) On written application to the League, a player may leave her club and re-register for another Club within the League, no later than the third League date of the season. The appropriate EN and KN fees must be paid. (d) On written notification to the League Committee of the disbanding of a team, the players of that team shall be eligible to re-register for any other team in the League. The appropriate EN and KN fees must be paid. (e) A player shall be register for one team only. Where a Club has more than one team: (f) A club may play one or more players from one of the Club’s teams in any one match providing that the player(s) is from a lower team. (g) If a player plays on three occasions for a team in a higher division than that for which she is registered, she is deemed to be a member of the team in which she plays the third game, and is registered accordingly. This includes a substitute player no matter how long she plays. (h) A player playing for a team in her Club other than the one for which she is registered, must be declared on the result card, stating for which team she is registered. (i) Any additions to a team squad must be registered with the Committee in writing, together with the appropriate fee. (j) After serious illness or injury resulting in a long lay off from playing, a player may apply to the Committee in writing to be re-registered in a lower team in her Club. (k) Individual player(s) registered as a Premiership or Regional player in the current season may no lower than division 3. page 6 of 8 3. FORMATION OF LEAGUE DIVISIONS (a) Formation of the League Divisions shall be at the discretion of the League Committee, such decisions being final. (b) Should a vacancy occur in a Division, other than the normal “two up/two down” promotion/relegation, then the vacancy shall be filled at the discretion of the League Committee. (c) A new team entering the League shall enter the lowest division, or may be placed in a vacancy at the discretion of the League Committee. 4. RULES OF PLAY All League matches shall be played under the rules of the EN and shall be played at the League Centre. All matches shall consist of four quarters of 15 minutes each with an interval of 3 minutes between the firstsecond, and third-fourth quarters, and an interval of 5 minutes at half time. Dates and times of fixtures may not be altered, with the exception of the following: (a) Due to severe weather conditions no fewer than two League Committee members must decide on the fitness of the ground and whether the extreme weather conditions prohibit play. (b) If matches are cancelled the League Committee will decide the date(s) matches will be played (c) A team may apply to the Committee, in writing, to request to rearrange a League fixture due to their involvement in an E.N. recognised Netballing Event falling simultaneously with a League fixture date. Such rearrangement, should it be authorised by the Committee, will be at no cost to the League or opposing team, all associated court costs must be borne by the requesting team, and, the fixture must be played prior to the affected League fixture date. It is then the responsibility of the team making the request to, contact the opposition and inform the Committee, in writing prior to the rearranged fixture, of the agreed date and time. In the event of a failure to reach an agreed date for fulfilling the League fixture with the opposing team, the Committee reserves the right to decide a date by which the match must be played. (d)Each team must provide a ball and both teams shall wear identification bibs, and all teams shall have a first aid kit at all matches. (e)Both teams shall submit a separate result card, duly completed with names of players clearly printed, on the day of the match. Failure to correctly complete a scorecard will result in one (1) point penalty deduction for every incomplete card (f)All matches must begin on time; the onus is on the teams to comply. Failure to do so will result in either or both teams forfeiting the points, depending on which is late. The Umpires and Captains must certify this on the result card, prior to any friendly match being played. (g)Any team withdrawing from the League must notify the League Secretary and all the teams in their Division. At the discretion of the League Committee any team not completing their fixtures, without adequate reason, may be withdrawn from the League. All goals scored by the team withdrawing from the League during the season will be deleted from the records. page 7 of 8 (h)Points will be awarded as follows: 5 points Win 4 points Draw 3 points Losing by 1 goal 2 points Losing team who gain MORE than 50% of the winner’s goals 1 point Losing team who gain 50% of the winner’s goals (i)Any team not fulfilling the official League Fixture, due to their cancellation of the match, will be penalized by the deduction of two (2) points. A team arriving with sufficient players (minimum 5 – see EN Rules Book) intending to play an official League Fixture, but do not play, will not be deemed to have cancelled the fixture. Those teams who cancel a game must inform the opposition and League Secretary, or other Committee Member, in good time, before noon on the Thursday prior to the appropriate match. Failure to do so will result in a penalty deduction of five (5) points. (j) Where a team cancels a fixture, they will be penalized by the appropriate deduction of points. If the Committee then has cause to invoke Rule 4(a) due to inclement weather and/or for the safety and duty of care to players, officials and spectators, for a specific court(s), the said fixture is still deemed to be cancelled and the original deduction of points for the cancellation will stand. (k)Any dispute concerning teams or individual players must be submitted within 48 hours of the incident. It shall be the duty of the League Secretary to lay any complaint before an Investigation Committee. (l)A player may not play a League Match after the 12th week of pregnancy. 5. UMPIRES (a) All umpires must be affiliated to EN by 1st September of the current affiliation year. (b)Umpires holding the EN/International Federation of Netball Associations (hereinafter called IFNA) qualifications, along with the appropriate League recognised assessment, will be required: Division 1& 2 Current “B” award or “B” award reassessment and above Remaining Divisions Current “C” award or Reassessed “C” award (c)Both teams shall provide an umpire with the minimum qualification as detailed above. (d)'C' Award Umpires: Umpires officiating in Divisions 3 and below, must hold a current 'C' award or above qualification. For the purpose of “current” the League recognises 'C' award umpires holding the qualification for a maximum of five years. The League requires 'C' award qualifications obtained after five years to be reassessed by an official EN Tester and at five yearly intervals thereafter. This reassessment will be valid for a maximum of five years. However during this period, 'C' award Umpires will agree to be monitored, from time to time, by official EN Testers or Committee members. The Committee reserves the right to pursue further reassessment should any 'C' Umpire fall below the recognised C standard, as directed by EN, within this time. (e)'B' Award Umpires: Umpires officiating in Divisions 1 and 2, must hold a current 'B' award or above qualification. For the purpose of “current” the League recognises 'B' award umpires holding the qualification for a maximum of four years. The League requires 'B' award qualifications obtained after four years to be reassessed by an official EN 'B' tester and at four yearly intervals thereafter. This reassessment will be valid for a maximum of four years. However during this period'B' award umpires will agree to be Page 8 of 8 monitored, from time to time, by official EN 'B' testers or Committee members. The Committee reserves the right to pursue further reassessment should any 'B' Umpire fall below the recognised 'B' standard, as directed by EN, within this time. (f)No game shall be counted as a League game unless two umpires with the stipulated qualification are present. If necessary a player holding this qualification shall drop out of that team to umpire. The team not able to field an appropriately qualified umpire will be deemed to have forfeited the game. Full points will be awarded to the non-defaulting team and a friendly may be played. (g)An umpire must complete the whole match except in the event of injury or illness resulting in an umpire being unable to continue. If not, then the game should be abandoned. The umpire may take no further part in the match. No team should be forced to drop a player to umpire under these circumstances. (h)An umpire may not umpire a League Match after the 20th week of pregnancy. |
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