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Men's Hockey Code of Practice


Section A: Constitution
Aims & Objectives:
In 2009/10 the club/society aims to:

  • To improve the standards of the club as a whole in regards to performance, and reputation.
  • To gain promotion for both teams this season.
  • To build on club membership and heighten awareness of the club to potential future members.

Governance
The club/society shall be an integral part of Chester Students' Union, whose executive Committee shall have full authority, as trustees, to ensure the proper and lawful use of club/society resources. The club/society committee shall act on the Executive Committee's behalf to run the club/society on a day to day basis.

Membership
Membership shall be open to all members of Chester Students' Union with payment of the appropriate subscription charge. Membership of the club/society will run from September to September each year. Life members may not participate in any BUCS or equivalent competition.

Committee
The following committee positions will be elected annually:

  • Club captain/chairperson: Tom Fairbairn
  • Vice-Club captain/chairperson: Luke Hawkins
  • Communications Officer: Stuart Cox
  • 1st Team Captain: Andrew Dixon
  • 2nd Team Captain: Karl Price

To make decisions on behalf of or relating to the club/society, the committee meeting will be quorate. A quorum shall consist of 50% + 1. This is the minimum number of voting members who must be present in order for a motion to be passed.

The officers will seek to ensure that the club/society is conducted in accordance with Chester Students' Union's Constitution and Policies as well as the aims and objectives noted above. Outgoing committee members are responsible for providing the incoming committee members with an appropriate handover.

All committee members shall be current students at University of Chester. No member of the Union Executive Committee may be a club/society committee member.

Elections
Elections will be held during the club/society AGM, for positions beginning on July 1st of that year. All full members are eligible to stand for election. A list of the committee will be submitted to the Student Activities Administrator by the date prescribed annually.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the sovereign body of the club/society, subject to Chester Students' Union's constitution. An AGM will be held before May each year with 7 days notice being given to all members.

The chair shall be the Club Captain/Chairperson, unless deemed inappropriate by CSU. In this case, the chair will be taken by the most appropriate CSU officer or staff member. Minutes from the meeting will be taken by the club/society secretary and submitted to the Sports and Leisure Officer and Deputy General Manager - Non Commercial Services. Quorum is 5 people or 10% of the membership, whichever is greater.

A member of Chester Students' Union will be asked to attend the AGM.

The AGM will: [i] Receive the minutes of the last AGM
[ii] Receive a report from its Committee
[iii] Elect a Committee for the following academic year
[iv] Agree the grant request form for the following academic year

Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
Extraordinary General Meetings can be called by any committee member or Executive Committee Officer if urgent club/society matters arise. A minimum of 7 days notice will be given. Committee members will endeavour to contact all members to inform them of the meeting.

The chair shall be the Club Captain/Chairperson unless deemed inappropriate by CSU. In this case, the chair will be taken by the most appropriate CSU officer or staff member. Minutes from the meeting will be taken by the club/society secretary and submitted to the Sports and Leisure Officer and Deputy General Manager - Non Commercial Services. Quorum is 5 people or 10% of the membership, whichever is greater.

A member of Chester Students' Union will be asked to attend the AGM if necessary.

CSU General Meetings
At least one representative of the club/society committee will attend the following meetings:

  • Club Captain/Chairperson Training
  • Club Captain/Chairperson Meetings
  • Student Activities Sub Committee (Quarterly)
  • CSU AGM
  • CSU EGM (as appropriate)

Financial Procedures

Each club/society shall have a grant account and a social (fundraising) account. Application for grant funding shall be made to the Finance Committee through the Deputy General Manager - Non Commercial Services. Grant applications will not be considered without an approved constitution.

All clubs/societies must abide by the CSU Financial Policies and Procedures. No financial transaction may be agreed to without the authorisation of the Deputy General Manager - Non Commercial Services, acting on behalf of the Executive Committee. Individuals who do not seek authorisation will be personally liable for the cost.

All grant and social account banking will be through CSU. No monies shall be lodged in any other account. All monies must be collected by CSU Sabbatical or Staff members. Committee members shall not collect any money from their members.

National Governing Body
The club/society will adhere to all of the regulations laid down by the National Governing Body (or equivalent) of the club/society, where an NGB exists. However, the University and Union policies and procedures will always supersede these procedures where appropriate.

Student Activity Safety Policy
The club/society will adhere to all of the regulations laid down in Chester Students' Union's Student Activity Safety Policy.

Transport
The club/society will adhere to all of the regulations laid down in Chester Students' Union's Transport Policy.

Sponsorship
The club/society will adhere to all of the regulations laid down in Chester Students' Union's Sponsorship Policy.

Honorary President
Each club may vote in an Honorary President to act as an advisor to the club. The Honorary President must be a member of University of Chester staff. They must be elected in/re-elected at each AGM. The Honorary President may never make decisions on behalf of the Club/Society.

Dissolution
The Executive Committee may suspend or dissolve the club/society that breaches any of CSU or University of Chester Constitution or Policies, or is deemed to not be able to safely continue. In the event of the club/society failing to submit minutes from an AGM by the end of an academic year, the club/society shall be deemed to have been dissolved.

In the event of dissolution, all club/society assets will revert to the general funds of Chester Students' Union. All outstanding liabilities shall be the responsibility of the club/society committee jointly.

Equal Opportunities
The club/society will abide by the CSU Equal Opportunities Policy. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

Section B: Code of Conduct


SAFETY
The Men's Hockey Club will operate under the guidelines set out by its National Governing Body and Chester Students' Union. All participants in hockey activities will be made aware of the contents of this code during the induction period.

FACILITIES

  • The club and/or team captain must check the hockey goals and all weather pitch prior to training and matches for stability and signs of wear, ensuring that they are in good repair and that the pitch will not create any hazards to play.
  • The all weather pitch must be cleared of loose equipment or debris before play starts.
  • The netting on the hockey goals should not have any holes in it that have been caused by wear and tear.
  • Any concerns about the safety and maintenance of the all weather pitch must be highlighted in a Risk Assessment Form (see section on Risk Assessment policy), and verbalised to the membership and the student safety officer as soon as possible.
  • No food or drink may be taken onto the all weather pitch.
  • The activity leader must carry out a risk assessment immediately prior to the commencement of an activity.

EQUIPMENT

  • No studs, blades or moulds may be worn on the Astroturf.
  • Footwear must have a good grip and may be trainers of a lightweight material.
  • Players must wear the University strip for matches.
  • Jewellery MUST NOT be worn.
  • Bibs provided by the club must be checked by the club/team captain and be in a good state of repair.
  • All balls used must not be in good condition with no marks or indentations beyond those caused by normal use.
  • Gum shields and shin-pads should be worn at all times with members of the club made aware of the reasons when they join the club.

TRAINING

  • Training will take place every Sunday from 5-6:30pm and Monday 8-9:30pm during term time on the all weather pitch.
  • If no qualified coach is available, training may be supervised by an experienced and competent member of the club with the agreement of the club captain and committee.
  • Rough play, personal fouls and physical contact must be dealt with strictly by the coach or team captain.

FIRST AID
A first aid kit must be available at every training session and match. This will be the responsibility of the club captain or a club officer appointed by him. In the event of injury, assistance must be sought from the sports hall manager or from the Porters Lodge. Any player requiring immediate hospital treatment must be accompanied to the hospital.

DUTY OF CARE CARDS (membership cards)
Every student participating in hockey training sessions/matches or any student activity organised by the CSU men's hockey club must possess a valid Duty of Care card (must include photo), and carry this with them to all of the above named activities. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PARTAKE IF THEY DO NOT HAVE THEIR DOC CARD WITH THEM.

DISCIPLINE
Any member who's behaviour on or off the court puts others at risk or brings the men's hockey club into disrepute will receive a verbal warning from the club captain. If deemed necessary, it will be reported to the student activities staff and from there will be dealt through disciplinary procedures. All members will have the right to appeal against any decision taken by the club and/or SU disciplinary procedures.

Any breach of health and safety procedures will receive a warning and if necessary suspension. Suspensions may range from 1 month to the remaining season, and decision lies solely with CSU.

EVERY MEMBER OF THE MEN'S HOCKEY CLUB MUST SIGN THIS CODE OF CONDUCT TO SAY THAT THEY ABIDE BY IT. ANY BREACH OF THIS CODE WILL LEAD TO SERIOUS DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES.