SportsReach Football League Constitution 2011/12

NAME

The name of the league shall be called the ‘SportsReach Football League’ hereafter referred to as “the league”. The league comes under the authority of ‘SportsReach’ overall ministry.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to all Churches or Organisations whose message is Evangelical and who believe in the Scriptures as the inspired, infallible word of God. All the teams must be managed by committed Christians, and will abide by the laws of Association Football.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES and PRACTICAL STEPS FOR LEADERS

The overriding purpose of the league is to reach people for Christ through the avenue of football. This league is an ‘outreach’ league, and the Executive recommends that all team Managers, and spiritual leaders should try to have at least 4 or 5 non-Christians in their respective teams. Managers are responsible for making sure these guidelines are kept. Any team, individual or player or official whose conduct is deemed to be contrary to these objectives will be subject to disciplinary action to be determined by the Executive. Therefore, the aims of the league are:

1.      To maintain that The Lord Jesus Christ is first and foremost in our league.

2.      To advance the Gospel of God to all, in the best way we can.

3.      In every match, there should be a presentation of the Christian message, which all players are encouraged to attend as well as spectators. It is the responsibility of the home manager to prepare / delegate this biblical presentation well in advance.

4.      Managers and Team Leaders are encouraged to take a pastoral role within their respective teams. This involves caring for the welfare of each individual by various means e.g. Caring for the sick and injured, comforting the bereaved, and giving help wherever needed.

5.      Prayer is a vital part of Christian Ministry and the Executive encourages Managers and Team Leaders to meet for prayer.

6.      Football is a great way of communicating the Christian message – One to one friendships can be built with players, and invitations should be encouraged to Church meetings and social activities.

7.      The Managers’ Meetings are vital to the running of the league. Managers are expected to attend every one. If for any reason a Manager cannot be there, the Manager should inform the Chairman prior to the meeting and a representative must be sent (authorised by the Chairman prior to the meeting). If a team is not represented during the season on three occasions, a fine of £20 shall be levied.

8.      The end of season awards dinner is a very important part of the league. The Executive expects all Managers and players to attend.

9.       The league seeks to set a good example of sportsmanship, and because of its Christian nature all Managers, Team Leaders and players are expected to maintain a high standard of behaviour on and off the field, and travelling within their respective teams. The Managers and Team Leaders are expected to support the referee at all times. Foul and abusive language both on and off the field is not tolerated in the league and will be firmly disciplined if it occurs.

10.  The central importance of the league is not winning but to portray the love of Jesus to all. People from varied backgrounds throughout the community are to be encouraged to play and enjoy, with a view of seeing and believing the Christian faith.

Managers should read these 10 aims out before the start of each season and to any new players signing on thereafter.

EXECUTIVE

There shall be an Executive committee of the league, which exists to promote the aims of the league. The Executive shall consist of the Director of SportsReach, Chairman, Secretary, Referee’s Co-ordinator, and other such officers as are deemed to be necessary. The Executive shall meet with all Managers. The Executive is accountable to the Trustees of SportsReach.

SportsReach Executive:

Director: Will Marsden, Chairman: Richard Sloman,

Secretary: Rob Tomkins, Referee’s Co-ordinator: Richard Sutton

LEAGUE STRUCTURE

The league shall consist of a number of teams, which will be decided at the beginning of the season. Teams will not be permitted to join the league mid-season. Teams wishing to join the league should approach the Executive of the league and apply in writing indicating their willingness to abide by the rules of the league. Such nominations should be discussed by the Executive, and if they are in favour, the team(s) joining will be included in the league in the following season.

MATCHES

Teams should play each other twice in the league in one season (unless the Executive changes the structure), once at home and once away. If one of the pitches is unplayable, then an alternative pitch should be used.

The fixture list will be arranged by the Executive. Teams which cannot fulfil fixtures can re-arrange their games with the consent of the League Secretary and other team/s, but not on the date of another fixture. All changes should be informed to the Secretary and Referee’s Co-ordinator as soon as possible. If no suitable date can be arranged, the League Secretary should be contacted.

Teams may cancel one game a season due to lack of players; any further cancellation for this reason will result in a 3-0 win being awarded to the non-offending team. (The Executive retains the right to consider special circumstances e.g. Funerals, but would expect to receive at least 4 weeks prior notice of a pre-arranged social occasion).

If a team withdraws part way through a season, all results against that team will be nullified.

The Executive may amend the league structure at the beginning of the season.

The Home Manager will be responsible for:

1.      Booking a pitch, which must be of a suitable standard with full markings, full size corner flags and good quality nets.

2.      Providing an official league match ball (Mitre Monde), and also a spare ball (Mitre Monde).

3.      Arranging prayer time between the Managers and the Referee before the match. (Every Manager must really encourage this!)

4.      Arranging an epilogue, which will take place at a suitable time during the afternoon.

5.      Informing the Secretary of the result of the match by 6pm on that Saturday.

6.      Providing the Referee with expenses (£20 per match).

7.      Pitch inspection prior to each game (if there is any doubt of the match not being played due to conditions, please inform the Referee’s co-ordinator by the Thursday evening of that week if possible.)

Each Manager will be responsible for:

1.      Providing a competent linesman

2.      Providing a First Aid Kit (see Manager’s pack)

3.      Filling in a team sheet and keeping a record for one season.

CANCELLATION OF MATCHES

Teams are expected to fulfil all their fixtures. If a game is in doubt, Managers must contact the Secretary. Cancellation must occur by Thursday evening of the week of the fixture by informing the Secretary, the referee of the game and the Referee Co-ordinator. Teams must play if they have a minimum of 10 players. Failure to cancel a game before the deadline could result in the cancelling team forfeiting the points.

POINTS

A win will receive 3 points, a draw 1 point.

RULES

The rules of the game will be the laws of Association Football. Each team should provide for itself a copy of the laws. Referees should preferably be registered with the LFA. On points of fact connected with play, the referee’s decision is final. Teams should appreciate the difficulties facing referees and endeavour to assist them by displaying good conduct and encouragement. The football rules within SportsReach are the same as the F.A rules, although we do have a different motivation to consider (Constitution aims & objectives points 1 & 2). We are playing football to sow the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ to the players.

A team can only make 3 substitutions during the normal run of play. A team can make two other substitutions at half time to make a total of 5 Substitutions. The Manager must inform the referee and other Manager before kick off of what he is intending to do.

REGISTRATION

Each team will register its players with the league by means of a registration form. All players must be signed on by their respective teams before they can play any part in the league. The player must also not be signed on*/play for any other Saturday football team within the fixture period of the SportsReach League. Any team playing an unregistered player or otherwise ineligible player or players shall forfeit any points/goals gained in the match.

The registration fee for each team to join the league shall be £175.

* A player may be signed on for another Saturday team but be on loan to the team in the SportsReach League. However, this must be a loan agreed in writing between the two teams for a period of one whole season. If the player breaks the agreement, he is no longer allowed to play in the league for that season unless he follows the league rules relating to transfers.

TRANSFERS

Transfers into the SportsReach League from teams inside or outside the league that play on a Saturday, will need to be registered for 14 clear days before the player is eligible to play in the league. To register, each player must complete a registration form, and pay a registration fee to the team. The form must be signed by the Manager of the team before the player is eligible to play. There is no maximum number of players for each team. Each team will be expected to charge a signing on fee and subscription, the amount to be determined by each team at the start of the season.

TEAM COLOURS

The team colours are to be agreed before the beginning of the season. In the case of clashes, the away team will ensure that their strip is changed, or agree a suitable change with the home team in advance. All kits must be complete ie: shorts & socks and have correct numbers on the back of shirts. All teams must not have publicity of bad taste, or be disrespectful to the Christian faith in any way. Sponsorship on kits will have to be approved by the Executive.

DUTIES & POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for:

1.      Investigating all complaints made by teams concerning the eligibility of players.

2.      Interpreting rules of the league.

3.      As appropriate, dealing with league matters pertaining to the running of the league.

4.      Dispensing justice fairly and without regard to self interest.

5.      The power available to the Executive Committee shall include the following actions against players and teams:

a)      Fines

b)      Suspensions

c)      Deduction of points

Protests and complaints must be lodged to the Chairman (Richard Sloman) within a week of the alleged incident.