Norwich Union

Rugby Football Club

Constitution

Amended August 2021

1. TITLE AND YEAR ESTABLISHED

1a The title of the club shall be Norwich Union Rugby Football Club and will be known as NURFC or the club throughout this document.

1b The club was established in 1931.

2. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of NURFC shall be:

a) To provide facilities for and promote participation in the sport of rugby union within the local community.

b) To compete in the Rugby Union Leagues and to seek regular weekly fixtures for our members to participate in.

c) To encourage participation amongst local people and to strive to increase our membership and playing strength.

d) To initiate a youth policy and to formulate a youth team sub-committee.

e) To work in conjunction with and to support other local sporting clubs.

f) To introduce and structure a community development officer.

3. MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the club shall consist of honorary life members, full members playing, non-playing social members and junior members.

3.1 Membership of the club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport on application, regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs, except as a necessary consequence of the requirements of Rugby Union.

The club may have different classes of membership and subscription on a non-discriminatory and fair basis. The club will keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating.

The club 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

3.2 The number of members is not limited.

3.3 All members shall be subject to the NURFC’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the Club and respect the rules of the game of Rugby Union as set by the World Rugby Board (http://www.worldrugby.org/).

3.4 The position of Honorary Life Member shall be awarded to members that have made a significant contribution to the club over a number of years. Nominations for new Honorary Life Members may be made only at the time of the Annual General Meeting (AGM). 

3.5 Those Members who were previously either Honorary Life Members or Vice Presidents of Norwich Union RFC at the time of the 2008 Annual General Meeting shall be Honorary Life Members of the Club. These are: -

4. SUBSCRIPTIONS

The annual subscription for each type of member shall be determined from time to time by the committee.

4.1 The Members shall pay any annual subscription fees set by the Committee either yearly, monthly or on a game to game basis.

4.2 No member shall be entitled to the privileges of membership until he has paid his annual or set up a standing order to pay the subscription.

5. ELECTED OFFICERS

The following Club Officer and roles shall be elected annually at the club’s AGM:- Hon Chairman, President Elect, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Business Development Officer, Communications Officer, Social Secretary, Fixture Secretary, Norfolk Representative, International Ticket Contact, Disciplinary Secretary, Safeguarding Officer, Club Captain, Facilities Manager, 1^st Team Captain, 2^nd Team Captain and 3^rd Team Captain, Rule 8 of this constitution defines the elected officer positions which sit on and vote at the Club’s Management Committee.

In addition, the following RFU Defined “Golden Roles” not included in the club officers will be elected: - Rugby Safe Lead, Volunteer Coordinator Club Contact, Coaching Coordinator, Club Contact, Referee Coordinator Club Contact, Data Officer, Adult Male Contact (19+)

The General Committee shall appoint a Head Coach on an annual basis.

5.1 A minimum Club Management Committee, of four people must be elected at the AGM in order that committee meetings can be held with a quorum.

5.2 It is possible for a committee member to stand and be elected for more than one committee role if the electing members believe this to be in the interests of the club.

5.3 Every effort shall be made at the AGM to ensure that the positions of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer are filled, and where not possible, the committee must make all reasonable efforts to fill them by co-option at the next committee meeting or by calling another General Meeting if need be for the purpose of doing this.

5.4 If any elected officer positions remain unelected at an AGM, it is acceptable for another elected officer to agree to take on the vacant position if agreed at a meeting of the Club Management Committee.

5.5 Any elected officer positions remaining vacant after a General Meeting, which are not filled in accordance with 5.4 may be filled by co-option of another suitable candidate at the committee’s discretion.

5.6 In the interests of good governance, the positions of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall not be held by fewer than 3 distinct (different) people.

6. DRESS OF THE CLUB

The dress of the Club will be dark green/black and white jerseys, green socks and black shorts for all teams. Blur shirts and club ties are to be worn following all games and on club social outings, except the annual dinner where black tie and suits are expected.

7. MEETINGS

a) An Annual General Meeting of Norwich Union Rugby Football Club shall be held between April and August of each year, chaired by the club President, in order to:

Receive reports of the work carried out by NURFC and its management committee in the previous year.

Receive a duly prepared financial statement for the preceding financial year.

iii. Elect Honorary officers of NURFC.

Elect members to serve on management committee.

Review membership and receive a list of members.

b) Special General Meetings of NURFC shall be called as required.

c) Fourteen (14) days notice of all General Meetings must be given by the Secretary and a notice of the proposed business be sent out Seven (7) days before the meeting. The Secretary is to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the notice reaches all members.

d) The quorum of a General Meeting of NURFC shall be 10 or one fifth of the membership, whichever is the lesser (in either case attending in person).

e) Where a quorum is present, the Secretary may accept votes cast by proxy according to procedures, previously agreed by the Management Committee, which have been clearly set out and distributed with the notice of the business proposed.

f) Where there is only one candidate for election to any post on the NURFC Management Committee, a vote should still be taken in the normal manner. To be elected, the candidate should receive 50% or greater of the votes cast (including proxy and/or email votes where these are allowed). Where the candidate fails to achieve this level of support, the post remains unfilled and should subsequently be filled by another member co-opted at the discretion of the Management Committee and without recourse to a General Meeting, except in exceptional circumstances where the Chairman (or Secretary, where there is no Chairman) decides that the post should be filled by due election at a General Meeting (or AGM)

g) The voting for the positions of Club Captain and Team Captain is restricted to people who are eligible to play for the team concerned. To this effect only paid up full (playing) members are permitted to vote for Club Captain or Team Captain and only in the section for which they are eligible to play. No social member is permitted to vote in the election of a Club Captain or Team Captain.

8. MANAGEMENT

8.1 The management of the Club shall be conducted by the members of the Club Management Committee, which is made of the following elected Club Officers:

President, Hon Chairman, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Business Development Officer, Communications Officer, Social Secretary, Fixture Secretary, Norfolk Representative, International Ticket Contact, Disciplinary Secretary, Safeguarding Officer, Club Captain, Facilities Manager, 1^st Team Captain, 2^nd Team Captain and 3^rd Team Captain

8.1a The Club Management Committee may delegate authority to subcommittees. 8.1b The Club Management Committee has the right to veto or amend the decision made by any subcommittee.

8.1c. Any main Club Management Committee member has the right to attend and vote at any subcommittee meeting. This is intended to prevent CMC meeting time being consumed in overturning decisions made by subcommittees.

8.1d Any Club Management Committee member or subcommittee member holding more than one position shall only have one vote at committee or subcommittee meetings.

8.2 Where any elected officer fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings of the NURFC Management Committee, without reasonable excuse (as determined by the Management Committee), the said officer shall be replaced by another representative co-opted at the discretion of the Management Committee and without recourse to a General Meeting.

8.2b Where any elected officer fails, in the opinion of a majority of the other elected officers present at a duly convened Club Management Committee Meeting, to fulfil the duties of his post to a reasonable standard, or is deemed to be causing unnecessary delay or impediment to the general work of the Committee, the Secretary (or the Chairman if the Secretary is the officer in question) should serve a notice of intent to that person, clearly indicating that a vote to dismiss the official under this rule will be taken, after due discussion, at the following Committee meeting (not less than 21 days from the date of the notice). Where an officer is dismissed after a vote under this rule, the said officer shall be replaced by another representative co-opted at the discretion of the Management Committee and without recourse to a General Meeting. No more than 2 officers may be dismissed under this rule in any period between General Meetings.

8.2c Where any elected officer resigns his/her post on the NURFC Management Committee, the said officer shall be replaced by another representative co-opted at the discretion of the Management Committee and without recourse to a General Meeting, except in exceptional circumstances where the Chairman (or Secretary, where there is no Chairman) decides that the post should be filled by due election at a General Meeting or AGM. No more than 2 officers may be co-opted under this rule in any period between General Meetings.

8.3 The Management Committee shall meet not less than 6 times during the season and once during the month of August. It shall conduct the general business of NURFC and shall have power to undertake any proposal it deems fit to benefit and enhance the standing of NURFC.

8.4 A quorum of a meeting of the Management Committee shall be no less than four (4). No business shall be conducted unless a quorum is present.

9. FINANCE

All members shall be required to pay an annual membership fee.  (see above subscriptions)

All surplus income or profits are to be reinvested in the club. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members or third parties.

The Treasurer shall control the finance of NURFC and present a financial statement at each meeting of the Management Committee and at the Annual General Meeting.

The financial year shall run from 1st July until 30th June following.

10. DISCIPLINE

NURFC shall adopt the rules and regulations as set by the Rugby Football Union regarding players’ conduct, which are freely available from the club.

Any member wishing to be considered as a player shall be deemed to have read and agreed to abide by the said rules.

All fines, suspensions and punishments will be set according to Rugby Football Union guidelines.

11. EXPULSION

11.1 The Committee shall have power to expel a Member when, in its opinion, it would not be in the interests of the sport or of the Club for a person to remain a Member.

11.2 A Member shall not be expelled unless they are given 14 days' written notice of the meeting of the Committee at which their expulsion shall be considered, and written details of the complaint made against them.

11.3 The Member shall be given an opportunity to make written representations and/or to appear before the Committee and at any such meeting to be accompanied by a representative or friend, who may answer complaints made against the Member and to cross-examine any witnesses on behalf of the Member.  The Member must not be expelled unless at least two-thirds of the Committee then present vote in favour of his expulsion.

11.4 The Committee may exclude the Member from the Club's premises until the meeting considering their expulsion has been held.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Member shall be entitled to attend that meeting for the purpose of making their representations

12. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

NURFC is committed to equality of opportunity.

All members are welcomed purely on their interest to become involved with the sport of rugby union and no restriction on membership shall be made on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, sex/age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religion or be disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

13. Child Protection

The Club is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children in its care. It recognises the responsibility to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation. Staff and volunteers will work together to embrace difference and diversity and respect the rights of children and young people. A safeguarding officer is in place and Disclosure Barring (DBS’s) will be required by all volunteers who have contact with children, whilst on the clubs premises.

14. SERVICE DELIVERY

NURFC is committed to carrying out its activities in accordance with the principles of its equal opportunities policy and the objectives of this constitution. Every attempt will be made to ensure that no-one is excluded, either intentionally or unintentionally, from participating in or benefiting from its activities.

15. ALTERATIONS TO CONSTITUTION

This constitution may not be altered without a resolution properly proposed, seconded, and approved by a vote of a General Meeting of NURFC.

A resolution to alter the constitution must be received by the Hon Secretary at least 7 days prior to the meeting at which the resolution is brought forward.

10 days notice of such a meeting must be given by the Secretary to the members and must include notice of the alterations proposal.

16. DISSOLUTION OF NURFC

In the event of NURFC being dissolved any property or monies remaining after its debts and liabilities have been settled shall be paid to a registered charitable organisation to be used in the furtherance of sport in the local area.