Theale and Tilehurst Cricket Club

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Constitution & Rules

1. TITLE

The Club shall be known as “Theale and Tilehurst Cricket Club”, hereinafter referred to as The Club.

2. OBJECTS

a) To provide the facilities and infrastructure to play cricket and to promote an interest in the game in the wider community so as to secure the long term future of the Club.

b) To be a successful playing Club, playing cricket at the highest level, whilst retaining strong links and relations with the local community.

3. STRUCTURE

    The Club shall comprise: -

    (a) A President;                                           (b) Vice-Presidents;

    (c) Honorary Life Members;                        (d) Senior Playing Members;

    (e) Junior Playing Members (under 18);        (f) Non-Playing Members;

4. MEMBERSHIP

(a)    Membership of the Club shall be open to all irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, creed, colour, social status, marital status and sexuality.

(b)    Any person wishing to join the Club must apply in writing to the Membership Secretary, giving details of previous club(s) and by satisfactory completion of the Club Membership Form, Self Declaration and payment of an appropriate Membership Fee.

(c)    All members will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of conduct that the club has adopted.

(d)    Applications must be considered by the General Committee who have the power to accept or reject any application or to terminate any membership described under Rule 3(d), 3(e) or 3(f).

(e)    Any nominations for Honorary Life Membership must be considered by the Committee before being put to the Annual General Meeting.

(f)    Interested persons may be invited to become Vice-Presidents at the discretion of the Committee.

5. MANAGEMENT

(a)    The Officers shall consist of the President, Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Club Captain.

(b)    The Management of the Club shall be vested in a General Committee consisting of the Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer (who shall be separate persons), Team Captains, Youth Cricket Manager, Fixture Secretary, Membership Secretary, Club Development Officer, Welfare Officer and up to three members.

(c)    The Committee shall meet at least three times each year and seven members will be required to form a quorum.

(d)    Seven days notice of Committee Meetings shall be given.

6. TEAM SELECTION

The Selection Committee shall consist of the Captains of all the Senior XIs and one other member to be decided by the Captains and ratified by the General Committee.  In the event of one of the Captains being unavailable to attend the meeting they can be represented by their Vice-Captain.  The Selection Committee shall be chaired by the Club Captain.

7. EQUITY POLICY

Theale and Tilehurst Cricket Club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:

Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.

The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.

The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.

All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.

8. GENERAL MEETINGS

(a)    The Annual General Meeting shall be held during November each year.  This Meeting shall receive the reports of the Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer and shall elect the Officers and the General Committee, and Honorary Auditor.

(b)    Extraordinary General Meetings may be called by the General Committee or by petition to the Honorary Secretary by not less than six Members.

(c)    Fourteen days notice, with agenda, must be given for all General Meetings.

(d)    At a General Meeting, Senior Playing Members only may vote on matters relating to the playing of cricket.

9. RULES

(a)    No alterations shall be made to these rules except by voting at the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose as provided for in these Rules.

(b)    Proposals for alterations to Club Rules must be in the hands of the Honorary Secretary not less than 21 days before the General Meeting

(c)    Changes to Club Rules must be carried by a ? (two thirds) majority of those voting at the General Meeting.

(d)    Junior Playing Members and Non-Playing Members shall not be entitled to vote.

(e)    The General Committee shall have the power to decide all matters not provided for in these Rules, and to fill vacancies that may occur on the Committees.

(f)    The Club shall ensure a duty of care to all members of the Club by adopting and implementing the ECB "Safe Hands - Welfare of Young People in Cricket" Policy and any future versions of the Policy.

10. FINANCE

(a)    The financial year shall run from 1st November until 31st October.

(b)    Balanced and audited accounts shall be available at the Annual General Meeting.

(c)    A banking account shall be kept for the Club.

(d)    All cheques must be signed by the Treasurer or Secretary and one of the three Trustees appointed for the purpose by the General Committee.

(e)    Membership Fees: Playing Members shall pay an annual subscription and match fee, which will be determined at the Annual General Meeting.

11. DISSOLUTION

(a)    A resolution to dissolve the Club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM and must be carried by a ? (two thirds) majority of those voting at the General Meeting.  In the event of dissolution, any assets of the Club that remain will become the property of Berkshire Cricket Board for use in local cricket.

(b)    If in the event of dissolution there is a deficiency in the Club accounts, every Senior Playing Member at the date of winding up and every Senior Playing Member who ceased to be a member within a year preceding the winding up shall contribute equally to clear the debt.

12. DISCIPLINE AND APPEALS (Code of Conduct)

Players, Officials, Members, Volunteers, Parents, Guardians Supporters and Employees must adhere to the Club code of conduct (Constitution & Rules), which prohibits abusive comments and actions against fellow Players, Officials, Members, Volunteers, Parents, Guardians Supporters, Employees, Opposition and Officials.  Failure to comply with this instruction will result in disciplinary action being taken against the offender(s).

All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary.

The Officers will meet to hear complaints within 30 days of a complaint being lodged. The Officers have the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

The outcome of a disciplinary hearing shall be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 7 days of the hearing.

There will be the right of appeal to the General Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The committee shall consider the appeal within 30 days of the Honorary Secretary receiving notice of the appeal in writing.