Cherwell Strollers Walking Football Club
Constitution
1. Aim of the Club
1.1. The aim of the Club shall be to provide facilities, promote the game of Association Football, to arrange training, matches and social activities for its members and community participation in the same.
2. Organisation and Membership
2.1 The name Cherwell Strollers Walking Football Club (hereinafter called ‘CSWFC or the Club’) has been adopted to encompass all participants of organised walking football sessions (Club Sessions) at The Dewey Centre, Barley Close, Bloxham, Banbury OX15 4NL (or other locations where the club plays) whether they attend regularly, or only occasionally.
2.2 Club sessions are open to anyone participating in walking football age 50+, regardless of sex, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. Players aged 48+ may take part at the discretion of the Club Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Committee).
2.3 There will be a fee payable for all training sessions currently of £3 and match fees of £6. Formal club membership also requires an annual fee of £30 each calendar year (reducing for part years), commencing January 2024. Club members will enjoy eligibility to be selected for competitions and receive invites to all CSWFC functions. These fees will be reviewed annually and may be increased by the Committee if felt necessary.
2.4 All members will be subject to the regulations laid out in the constitution and any codes of practice that the Club may adopt and also pay any club fees as determined by the Club Committee.
2.5 The Club is affiliated to Oxfordshire Football Association and is has obtained FA Accreditation. The Committee will use their best endeavours to ensure that all members conduct themselves so that the business and affairs of the Club are carried out in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of Oxfordshire Football Association.
3. Objectives
3.1 To arrange, agree and run regular club sessions for the enjoyment of all participants.
3.2 To encourage people, over 50 years of age without upper age limit, to improve their physical and mental well-being by training and exercise in order to play regular games of walking football and enjoy the social aspects of the Club’s activities.
3.3 To ensure a duty of care to all members and provide services in a way that is fair to all.
3.4 The club in all its activities will not discriminate or any way, treat anyone less favourably on grounds of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, or disability.
3.5 The club will not tolerate unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of an individual whether physical or verbal. The club will take positive action to eradicate such behaviour and impose sanctions where appropriate. Any such instances should be reported to the Club Secretary.
3.6 On and off the field members will be expected to respect their fellow players, play to the rules and respect any officials. Offensive, insulting or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. Where players are red carded during matches the player will be expected to pay the FA fine unless there are exceptional circumstances in which case the club may contribute following consideration by the Secretary and two members of the Committee.
4. Powers
4.1 To draw up any rules, policies or standing orders for the effective running of the Club.
4.2 Non-Profit making. To raise funds and to invite and receive contributions, provided that in raising funds the Club shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities.
4.3 To acquire any necessary equipment to enable organised games to take place.
4.4 To operate a number of teams based on the specific criteria for any particular league, tournament, festival or friendly matches in the United Kingdom or abroad, arranged by other similar clubs, associations or other organisations.
4.5 To acquire contact details of organisers/co-ordinators of other clubs or organisations and to exchange details with each other with the aim of broadening possible links and associations.
4.6 To provide hospitality for opponents in home friendly or competitive matches.
4.7 To consider arranging an annual walking football tour to parts of the United Kingdom or Europe that may warrant organised transport and overnight accommodation. Touring members will be required to pay towards the cost of any tour.
4.8 To do all other such lawful things as are necessary to achieve our aims and objectives.
5. General Administration
5.1 The affairs of the Club shall be administered by the Club Committee and managed in accordance with this Constitution.
5.2 The Membership will appoint the Committee and they will appoint (from within) the three ‘Officials’ of the Club namely the Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer (can be the Chairperson or Secretary). Where the Secretary and Treasurer are the same person another member of the Committee shall be nominated as an official to ensure that there are a minimum of two officials should one become incapacitated in any way. All the Committee members will have the right to vote at Committee meetings and all votes will carry equal weight, where a matter is tied and cannot be resolved after further discussion the Chairperson will make the final decision on behalf of the Committee.
5.3 The Committee will appoint to various roles as required and may also co-opt members to fulfil other duties as deemed necessary.
5.4 The Fixtures Secretary shall arrange friendly matches against other walking football clubs and to process the entry into competitions, tournaments and festivals arranged by other walking football clubs, associations or other organisations.
5.5 The Communications and Marketing Secretary together with the Officials will keep all members informed and updated of forthcoming fixtures, events and other items of interest by means of the Cherwell Strollers Walking Football Facebook Group, Website, email Bulletins, newsletter, and at Club Sessions.
5.6 Should the Chairperson be temporarily unable to administer the Club due to long-term illness or injury, the Secretary will be appointed to fulfil the role until such a time that the Chairperson is able to resume. The Secretary may appoint another person to assist with this responsibility.
5.7 Committee meetings will be held quarterly where required with the main meeting in November/December to prepare for the AGM in December. Brief notes of actions and decisions minutes of each committee meeting will be produced by the Secretary and made available to all members on request.
5.8 The Committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, codes of practice and rules that affect the organisation of the club.
5.9 The Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe club rules/regulations/constitution and also for imposing any sanctions against members following such hearings. Sanctions may include temporary suspension from the club or where extremely serious permanent expulsion from the club. Other sanctions may include completing relevant FA online courses. An appeal against any such sanction may be made to the Chairperson who will consider the facts and either vary the sanction or uphold it. The Chairpersons decision will be final.
6. Finance and Accounts
6.1 All monies raised by, or on behalf of, the Club shall be applied to furthering the aims and objectives of the Club.
6.2 The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping proper records of all finance and accounts and preparing the annual financial report.
6.3 The Accounts shall be reviewed once a year by the Committee prior to the AGM.
6.4 The Club funds, including all donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into the Club Bank Account.
6.5 All members of the Club shall be jointly and severally responsible for the financial liabilities of the Club; however the Committee will ensure that Club assets always exceed liabilities.
7. Club Sessions
7.1 The Dewey Sports Centre general conditions of participation apply at Club Sessions.
7.2 The ethos of walking football is to play the game without running and given that the sessions comprise of players aged between 50 years and 80 plus years with various medical conditions, every effort must be made to ensure players safety and wellbeing at all times. The wellbeing, safety and enjoyment of each player should be paramount, and all activities should be suited for the players’ ability and age.
7.3 Players who appear to be running or making overly physical challenges at Club Sessions should be actively encouraged by all not to do so.
7.4 Persistent aggressive or dangerous play will be referred to the Committee and may result in a temporary suspension or permanent expulsion from the Club.
7.5 The appropriate fee for each playing session must be paid by all members in advance or prior to the next session.
8. Cherwell Strollers WF Team(s)
8.1 Selection of players for Cherwell Strollers WF Team for friendly games and competitions shall be made from members of the club by the Player Manager/Team Captain/Coach as applicable. Other members may be invited to join in the sessions held as required by the Player Manager/Team Captain/Coach.
8.2 Cherwell Strollers WF Team (s) will play with regard to the ethos of walking football (see Section 6.2) and with respect to referees and opponents. They will project the image of Cherwell Strollers as a friendly, hospitable and sporting team.
8.3 Friendly matches shall be played in accordance with F.A. Walking Football rules (Small Sided), subject to the agreement of their opponents.
8.4 Competitions, tournaments and festivals shall be played in accordance with the rules as drawn up by their organisers.
8.5 Players shall pay a match subscription for any friendly games and squad sessions towards the cost of the hire of the venue, referees’ fees and other match expenses. The level of subscription shall be set by the Committee in liaison with the Treasurer.
8.6 Additional representative teams may be selected on an ad-hoc basis if deemed appropriate by the Committee. Organisers of such teams should inform the Secretary of their intended activities so that any assistance necessary can be provided. These teams may adopt different names if desired.
9. Formal Administration and/or Dissolution
9.1 Members wishing to raise any relevant issues should do so in writing to any Committee member. These will be brought to the attention of the Committee at an appropriate time and reported back on in a timely manner.
9.2 An Annual General Meeting of Members (AGM) will be held every December to receive reports from the officers on the committee.
9.3 Brief minutes of all formal meetings will be emailed to all members. Paper copies will be available on request from the Secretary for four weeks after the meeting date.
9.4 Any member wishing to propose an amendment to the Constitution must submit their proposal in writing to the Secretary, seconded in writing by two other members. The Secretary shall then circulate amendments to all known members who should submit their vote in writing within an agreed voting deadline date (generally within a week of receipt). If two-thirds of the members who respond are in agreement with the proposal, the constitution shall be amended and new copies made available to all known members.
9.5 Should the Dewey Sports Centre be unavailable or become unsuitable as a venue, the Club shall look to find alternative premises either temporarily or permanently.
Adopted by the Cherwell Strollers Club Committee on 5 December 2023
Signed:
Chairperson/Treasurer:
Mr Stan Horlock
Secretary:
Mr Peter Dubber