• The person has a right to appeal. Any person wishing to exercise their right of appeal must give written notice to the Club Secretary within 7 days after receipt of the written notice of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee. Any such appeal will be considered by the Office Bearers of the Club within 14 days after receipt of such notice. The appeal will be conducted by way of written submissions, and the decision of the Office Bearers will be notified to the person appealing within 7 days. On appeal, the Office Bearers may approve the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, and approve or vary (either increasing or decreasing in severity) any penalty imposed by the Disciplinary Committee.
  • Subject to said right of appeal, the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee will be final.
  • All decisions of the Disciplinary Committee must be reported to the club’s Management Committee at an appropriate meeting.
  • Any decision of the Disciplinary Committee relating to a Child Protection matter which results in a person being removed from a child care position must be reported to the Scottish Ministers.
  • Any matter that the Disciplinary Committee feels could be a criminal offence should be reported to the police.

Penalties

The Disciplinary Committee, or the Club Committee on appeal, can impose any penalty that it considers appropriate including a recommendation to the club’s Management Committee that the member be expelled from the club. Such penalties may include:

  • Verbal warning (formal or informal)
  • Written warning
  • Suspension from playing, travelling, supporting, umpiring, coaching
  • Suspension from membership of the club for a defined period
  • Recommendation to the club’s Management Committee of expulsion from the club.
  • No further action.

Child Protection Matters

Any person added to the “Disqualified from Working with Children List”, held by Scottish Ministers, must inform the club immediately. The person will then be removed from any position involving access to children. This can include playing, coaching or in an administrative role.

September 2011

CONSTITUTION

(as adopted at AGM on 4 June 2010)

NAMEThe name of the club will be Highland Hockey Club (“the Club”).

ADDRESSThe address of the Club shall be the address of the Secretary of the Club or such other address as the Management Committee may decide.

OBJECTSThe objects of the Club will be to promote, foster, develop, and organise the sport of amateur hockey in the Highland area and to encourage community participation in the same.

MEMBERSHIPMembership of the Club is open to all individuals with an interest in pursuing the objects of the Club provided they comply with this constitution, bylaws and codes of conduct as adopted by the Club.

No person shall be refused membership on the grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religious or other beliefs.

Members will pay such subscriptions as may be determined by the Club in general meeting. The Club will keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating.

The Management Committee may refuse membership, or remove it, only for good cause such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or sport into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the members.

OFFICE BEARERSThe Office Bearers of the Club will be:

(a)the President;

(b)the Vice President

(c)the Treasurer; and

(d)the Secretary.

The President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be the ex-officio Trustees for the Club. The Office Bearers will be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Any vacancy arising prior to an Annual General Meeting may be filled by the Management Committee from one of their number.

MANAGEMENT

COMMITTEEThe management, control of property, funds and affairs of the Club will be vested in the Management Committee which will be elected at the Annual General Meeting and

  • On field Discipline (including yellow and red cards)
  • Off field Discipline (Pre / Post games, Training)
  • Any other time when representing, or seen to be representing, the club
  • Child Protection issues
  • Any criminal investigations that could affect the club

The Disciplinary Committee will comprise of the club’sPresident (who will act as Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee), the team captain (or vice-captain if appropriate) and another member of the club’s Management Committee other than one of the Office Bearers of the club. To ensure consistency in dealing with members discipline the club will follow set procedures, as detailed below:

Any discipline matter should be reported in writing to the Chairperson of the club’s Discipline Committee. It is the responsibility of the team captains to inform the Chairperson of yellow and red cards issued during a match, and should be aware that they are responsible for the discipline of their team. The award of a red card or three yellow cards (or two yellow cards for dissent) in a season will require a player to appear before the Disciplinary Committee.

The protection of children is paramount and therefore any allegations involving child protection should be reported to the Chairperson of the club’s Discipline Committee as quickly as possible. Any such allegation shall result in immediate suspension of the subject of the allegation from any involvement with children until the matter has been investigated. This is not a form of discipline but occurs to ensure that any children are protected from any chance of harm.

  • The Chairperson will convene the Disciplinary Committee.
  • The Chairperson will maintain accurate records of all Disciplinary matters.
  • The Chairperson will ensure no member of the Disciplinary Committee, including himself or herself, has a conflict of interest with the matter at hand.
  • In the event that the Chairperson is not available or eligible to sit on the Disciplinary Committee the members of the Disciplinary Committee will elect a chairperson from their number.
  • The Chairperson will inform the person, in writing, against whom the report or complaint has been made within seven days of its receipt by the Chairperson, and invite a reply or submission within 7 days thereafter.
  • The Disciplinary Committee need not meet to make a decision but can communicate via phone or email.
  • The Disciplinary Committee should within 21 days after receipt of a report proceed to investigate the matter to their satisfaction.
  • If a hearing is required, both the person and the Disciplinary Committee may call witnesses, who can be cross-examined by either party.
  • The hearing may be adjourned to enable a decision to be reached, including any decision as to any penalty to be imposed, and the person notified verbally.
  • The person will be notified of all decisions including any penalty imposed, in writing, within 7 days, giving reasons and informing them of their right to appeal.

Highland Hockey Club

Club Discipline Policy and Procedures

Highland Hockey Club expects all members to behave in an appropriate manner whilst associated with the club. This includes on the pitch, off the pitch and in any other situations that relate to the club. The club will take concerns about members’ behaviour seriously. Members who behave in an inappropriate manner will be subject to the procedures and sanctions detailed below.

Highland Hockey Club has a good discipline record. This is due to the hard work of the club and the individuals who make up the club. The club is committed to maintaining and improving this record.
This Policy and associated Procedures cover all activity associated with the club and external activity that could affect the club. This includes on pitch discipline and other times when representing the club. It also applies to external situations that impact on, or that have the potential to have an impact on, the club.
Principles

This policy is the based on the principles of

  • Obeying the rules of hockey
  • Developing Skill, Teamwork and self respect in players and volunteers
  • Fair play between all
  • Mutual respect for opposition players, umpires and all other people involved
  • Fostering a team and family sprit within the club
Code of Conduct

Highland Hockey Club expects all those involved in the club to uphold the principles above. The club has adopted Codes of Conduct to guide members’ behaviour. These codes exist for:

  • Child Protection – As set out in the Child Protection Policy
  • Coaches – As set out through the SHU Coaches code of conduct
  • Players – As set out in the club’s code of conduct
  • Non-players – As set out in the club’s code of conduct

These Codes of Conduct are available on the club web site, in the members welcome pack and from the club’s Secretary.

Discipline and Disciplinary Committee

Highland Hockey Club has established a good disciplinary record and the club is committed to maintaining that record. This Disciplinary code provides formal action to be taken for a failure to meet the standards expected in respect of etiquette, behaviour and conduct. This applies to (but not limited to):

comprise the Office Bearers, the captains of each playing team of the Club, together with at least one and no more than three other members of the Club. The Management Committee will meet whenever necessary. The quorum for a meeting of the Management Committee will be four, The Chairperson will be the President or, in the absence of the President, such other member of the Management Committee as may be decided by the members attending the meeting. Each member of the Management Committee will have full voting rights at all meetings and in the event of there being an equal number of votes cast for and against a motion the Chairperson will have a casting vote.

The Management Committee shall be empowered to:

(a)delegate such authority as considered necessary to any member or members of the Management Committee;

(b)co-opt any member of the Club to be a member of the Management Committee;

(c)set up working parties or sub-committees for whatever purpose as is deemed necessary; and

(d)co-opt persons to and remove co-opted persons from any working party or sub-committee.

FINANCEThe Club shall be non profit distributing. All surplus income or profits shall be re-invested in the Club. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members or third parties.

One or more bank accounts will be opened at the Bank of Scotland or such other bank or banks as the Management Committee may decide and all cheques and withdrawals are to be signed by such members of the Management Committee as they shall determine.

The financial year of the Club will run from 1st April in each year to 31st March in the following year, both dates inclusive. The accounts will be balanced at 31st March each year and submitted after independent examination to the next Annual General Meeting.

POLICIES &
PROCEDURES(a)The Club will maintain policies and procedures in respect of Discipline, Codes of Conduct and Appeals.
(b)The Club will adopt the Child Protection Policy of The Highland Council or such other child protection policy as may be approved by the Highland Council.
ANNUAL GENERAL

MEETINGThe Annual General Meeting will be held within ninety days of the end of each financial year on a date to be fixed by the Management Committee for the purpose of:

(a)approving the minutes of the previous year’s Annual General Meeting;

(b)receiving the annual reports of the President and the Secretary;

(c)receiving the financial report and approving the annual accounts;

(d)making any alterations to this Constitution;

(e)electing the Office Bearers and members of the Management Committee; and

(f)transacting any other competent business.

Business not on the Agenda will be transacted only with the consent of two thirds of the members present and entitled to vote.

EXTRA-ORDINARY

GENERAL MEETING An extraordinary general meeting of the Club may be convened at any time on the authority of the Management Committee or within 28 days of a written request signed by 10 members. Any such request must specify the purpose of the meeting in the form of resolutions to be proposed to the meeting.

PROCEDURES AT

GENERAL MEETINGNot less than 14 days prior written notice of all general meetings must be given to all members of the Club specifying the date, time, venue and agenda for the meeting.

At a general meeting:

(a)every member will be entitled to attend and be heard and be entitled to vote;

(b)the quorum will be ten members;

(c)if a quorum is not present the meeting cannot take place and must be reconvened within 28 days;

(d)in the event of there not being a quorum at the reconvened meeting the Management Committee is empowered to take any appropriate actions and decisions in accordance with the Constitution;

(e)all resolutions except those changing the Constitution or any part thereof will be decided by a simple majority of the members present and voting at the meeting. In the event of an equal decision of votes cast the person taking the Chair at the Meeting will have the casting vote; and

(f)resolutions changing the Constitution of the Club will be decided by a two thirds majority of the members present and voting at the meeting.

Training:

  • Serious contenders for places in any team are expected to attend training regularly. We go to training to get fit, to develop team spirit and to practice set pieces. It follows that, if you are not training regularly, you can’t be as fit as you could be and are not contributing to the team effort as well as you could be.
  • Regularly attend and work hard during training sessions “a player who fails to train is training to fail”. If you can’t attend training let your captain or coach know.

Communication:

  • If you do not attend training, ring your captain/coach to find out whether you are playing and meeting instructions at the weekend. It is far less hassle for many to make one phone call than for one to make many! Keep captains informed of your availability.
  • If you have a point to make to your captain, coach or a committee member, about team selection or other matters, that is your right, but please don’t rant at them in a crowded bar or on the touchline. Ring them or see them at training, or talk to them in the bar.

General:

  • If you think there’s a lot of responsibility spread around a small number of people, you’re right! If anyone would like to volunteer for any job within the club, your offer would be gratefully received.
  • Please make new members feel welcome.
  • Hockey is a social sport to be enjoyed by all so please use your common sense.

And finally, people play hockey for a variety of reasons and have different views, aims and ambitions – please respect these. Enjoy yourself - that’s why we play. We want to win - but we also want to win fairly.

  • The penalty for a red card will be at least the cost of the clubs administrative fees, as well the actions taken as detailed in the disciplinary procedures. The clubs disciplinary committee will review what additional action should be taken. Fines for yellow cards are set by the team captain, additional penalties may be considered by the clubs disciplinary committee if the number of yellow cards reaches three (two if they are for dissent, foul language or other unacceptable behaviour).
  • Abuse or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated by the club. Cases of abuse or discrimination on the grounds of gender, disability, race and ethnicity, religion or beliefs and sexual orientation by any club member will be investigated by the clubs disciplinary committee. Unprovoked aggression, intimidation and verbal abuse are not acceptable at this club.
  • If any member feels that they have been abused in any of the above ways by another club member or a player or official from another club or organisation then they encouraged to contact a club captain or a member of the committee as soon as possible.

Spectators:

  • Parents, ex-players, friends and others are always welcome to attend matches. It is recommended that ALL spectators stay at the opposite side of the ground from the team areas.
  • Show respect for your team’s opponents and the umpires - without them there would be no game.
  • Positively support your own team and remember nobody makes a mistake on purpose. Positive encouraging comments can be motivational but negative criticism is unlikely to have that effect.

Post-Game

  • Warm down and stay together as a team regardless of the result. It helps with any following matches if you do this off the playing area.
  • Do not approach the umpires and opponents on the pitch immediately after the game in an aggressive or abusive manner.
  • At the end of the game always thank the umpires and shake hands with your opponents.
  • Weekly match fees should be paid to the team captain or nominees without them having to come looking for the money. You can catch them either before the game, or after in the changing room or club house. It is your responsibility to seek them out and pay, not for them to chase you; it should not be considered a ‘game’ to avoid payment.
  • Try to get back to the club or pub for refreshments and encourage the opposition to come back also. This is the best time to seek clarification with umpires as mentioned earlier. Try speaking to members of the other team; you make good friends that way.

ATTENDANCE