Club Rules

Donington Football Club

Constitution and Regulations

Donington Football Club Constitution

1.	GENERAL ITEMS:
	The Club will be known as ‘DONINGTON FOOTBALL CLUB’ and will consist of 'Old Doningtonians' & 'Young Dons' . The object of the Club will be to provide football up to the age of 16 & beyond with equity & without prejudice, discrimination or stereotyping. The club will be affiliated to the Lincolnshire County Football Association . The club will ensure that suitable Public Liability insurance is always in place. The Club’s motto will be ‘Nihil nisi aequum’ meaning ‘Nothing, except that which is fair’. The colour of the Club kit will be: Young dons -yellow & green, or any variance there of agreed by the Committee, Old Doningtonians shall play in blue, or any variance there of agreed by the Committee . Any kit or equipment purchased, whether through sponsorship or otherwise, will belong to the Club at all times. It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure that all kit and equipment is looked after in a responsible manner.All sponsorship must be approved of by the Committeee as well as approaches to potential sponsors. Changing rooms must be cleared after each training session/match. "In the event of Donington Football Club ceasing to exist any residue assets will be split between recognised childrens organisations within Donington & surrounding areas".
2.	COMMITTEE:
	The Committee will consist of the following officers - Chairperson, Treasurer, Young Dons Secretary, Old Doningtonians Secretary,Press Officer and Team Managers, or a representative from each playing team. Only one manager/representative from each team may vote when relevant. The duties of the Committee will be, to be responsible for the running of the Club, however, the Club Secretary will have the authority and full support of the Committee to run the Club on a day-to-day basis. The Chairperson and Treasurer must be re-elected at least every three years. Any person wishing to stand for either of these posts must apply in writing to the Club Secretary at least 28 days before the AGM giving the name and details of a proposer and seconder. The Committee may delegate its matters to a sub-Committee.
3.	MEETINGS AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
	Meetings will be held on the last Sunday of each month, unless agreed otherwise by the Committee at The White Hart public house, Quadring. All meetings will start at 6.15pm prompt and conclude no later than 9.00pm. Any member who cannot attend should forward their apologies to the Club Secretary. All questions must go through the Committee member chairing the meeting and separate meetings will not be allowed. The content, discussions and actions decided at Committee meetings are CONFIDENTIAL and must not, be relayed in part, or whole to any person or persons, other than fellow Committee members who are entitled to participate in the business of the Committee. Minutes of Club meetings will be circulated to Committee members only. The Annual General Meeting will be held on the last Sunday in May and all members will be entitled to attend. All Committee members are expected to attend the AGM. Item(s), for inclusion on a meeting agenda must be given to the Club Secretary at least 7 days before a meeting takes place.
4.	PLAYERS AND SUBSCRIPTION FEES:
	Players who wish to play football for Donington F.C. must agree to abide by the Club’s rules and regulations. When relevant players must produce two current passport photographs and fulfil any other requirements of the team manager, whose duty will be to process that player’s registration. Signing on fees ( currently £5.00 per head), training fees and match day fees will be fixed by the Committee and any player not paying fees due may be asked to leave the Club.
5.	CLUB FINANCE
	The Treasurer will be in charge of the running of the accounts. Members will be advised of the current balance at each committee meeeting which should remain private as per Constitution above. All cheques will be signed by only two of the following - the Club Secretary, Chairperson or Treasurer. No managers have authority to purchase any equipment without the Club Secretary’s consent but may purchase sundry items up to a maximum of £50.00 total. All receipts must be provided and together with monthly account books with details of last month’s subs, etc, be presented at the monthly meeting for the Treasurer to approve of and sign.
6.	MANAGER’S RESPONSIBILITIES:
	Managers are responsible for the collection and accurate recording of all money received from their team players. All money must be brought to each committee meeting unless otherwise agreed with the Treasurer. Managers cannot have involvement in another Club’s team. Managers must read and abide by the Club rules and all rules set out by the FA and those set out by the Club’s County Affiliation and also those rules of any leagues or competitions in which the Club’s teams participate. All correspondence must go through the Club Secretary, unless otherwise agreed with the Club Secretary.
7.	CHANGES TO CLUB RULES AND CONSTITUTION:
	Changes to the Constitution and Club rules can only be made by majority vote on any issue by the Committee. Proposed changes to the above mentioned must be sent in writing to the Club Secretary 14 days prior to the AGM.

Donington Football Club Rules

1.	Players, Parents and Club Officials will be known as ‘Members of the Club’.
2.	Members will abide by the rules of the League or Competition that they are playing in.
3.	Any member cautioned, dismissed or reported will pay the fine incurred unless the club officials decided otherwise.
4.	Members and spectators must conduct themselves in a professional way and behave when playing or watching their team, in accordance with the Club’s Code of Conduct.
5.	Members waiting to raise matters with the Committee must do so in writing to the Club Secretary seven days prior to the next meeting, which takes place on the last Sunday of each month at The White Hart, Quadring unless otherwise agreed by Committee members.
6.	The Club has adopted the FA ‘Goalpost Safety’ policy and the FA Child Protection Policy. The Club has two designated Child Protection Officers ( see home page).
7.	Any rule not mentioned above will be covered by the The Football Association Rules and Regulations.

Code of Conduct

Players:	Play within the laws of the game. Be punctual and attend training making every effort to develop their abilities. Play for the fun of it, not just to please parents or coach. Behave honestly and sportingly/encourage team mates and set a good example. Accept the decisions of the coach/manager and referee. Respect opponents and referees. No swearing, time wasting, retaliation, fighting, racism, prejudice, discrimination or bullying.

Coach/Manager:	Aim to have minimum qualification of junior team management, including basic First Aid and attend FA Child Protection course. Be prepared to undergo a Police check. Support, encourage and praise players, making it an enjoyable experience. Set a good example, you are a role model. Be impartial when making decisions, acting with equity and involve all the players when possible. Comply with FA League and Club rules. Organise properly and in good time. Accept feedback. Do not attempt to win at all costs or cheat/deceive referees. Do not knowingly play unfit players.

Parents/Supporters:	Support, encourage and praise players. Give feedback to coach/manager, discussing team matters in private. Respect opponents and referees. Accept coach/managers’ decisions. Ensure players adhere to their code of conduct. Ensure subs are paid for training and matches in time. No foul, abusive or threatening behaviour to be used. Do not put undue pressure on players. No violent, racist, prejudicial, discriminatory behaviour. Do not scold children for mistakes. Advise of players unavailability in good time.

Age Qualification

Mini Soccer:
Under 7	The player must have obtained the age of 6 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season but must be under the age of 7 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season.

Under 8	The player must be under the age of 8 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season.

Under 9	The player must be under the age of 9 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season.

Under 10	The player must be under the age of 10 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season. In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player in the above age ranges must not play in a match where any other player is older or younger by 2 years or more.

Youth Football:
Under 11	The player must have obtained the age of 10 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season but must be under the age of 11 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season.

Under 12	The player must be under the age of 12 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season.

Under 13	The player must be ubder the age of 13 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season.

Under 14	Under 14 - The player must be ubder the age of 14 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season.

Under 15	The player must be ubder the age of 15 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season.

Under 16	The player must be ubder the age of 16 as at midnight on 31 August in the playing season. In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player must not play in a match where any other player is older or younger by 2 years or more.

Child Protection Policy

The Club ‘Young Dons’ has adopted the ‘FA Child Protection Policy’ of May 2000, and its subsequent updates. The Club follows the procedures contained in the ‘FA Child Protection Procedures and Practices Handbook’ and subsequent updates. The Club re-affirms its commitment to its Code of Conduct and the FA ‘Goalpost Safety’ policy. The Club has recognised the need for the completion of the ‘FA Personal Disclosure Form’ by all responsible adults prior to Police Criminal Record Bureau checks, and the Club recognises the need for completion of the ‘Parental Consent for Football Activities Form’.

The Club recognises that Managers/Trainers are well placed to notice outward signs of abuse etc and the Club recognise the important role that Managers/Trainers can have in early recognition of such abuse. The Club recognises the need to have in place the appropriate referral procedures.