Reaching the world for Christ through Sport
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Reaching the world for Christ through Sport
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SportsReach Football League Constitution
NAME
The name of the league shall be called the ‘SportsReach Football League’ hereafter referred to as the 'league'. This 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 the SportsReach League.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES and PRACTICAL STEPS FOR LEADERS
The aims of the league will be to reach people for Christ through the avenue of sport. This league is an ' outreach' league, and the executive recommend 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.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 encourage 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 Churches meetings and social activities. 7. The Manager’s Meetings are vital to the running of the league. Managers and Team Leaders are expected to attend every one. If for any reason a manager can’t be there, a representative must be sent. 8. The end of season awards dinner is a very important part of our 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 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 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 with if it occurs. 10. The central importance of this league is not the 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 exist to promote the aims of the league. The executive shall consist of a Chairman-- President-- Secretary--Treasurer-- Referee's Co-ordinator-- and other such officers as are deemed to be necessary. The executive shall meet with all team managers. The executive is accountable to the Trustees of SportsReach.
SportsReach Executive:
President: Graham Stamford Chairman: Mark Curwen Assistant Chairman: n/a Treasurer: John Norcross Referee’s co-ordinator: Richard Sutton Secretary: Robert Tomkins
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 club(s) joining will be included in the league in the following season.
The executive may amend the league structure at the beginning of the season.
MATCHES
Teams should play each other twice in the league in one season (unless the executive change the structure), once at home and one away. If one of the pitches is unplayable, then an alternative pitch should be used. The fixture list will be arranged by the executive committee. Teams, which cannot fulfil fixtures, can re-arrange their games with the consent of the other team, 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, contact the league secretary.
The Home side will be responsible for:
1. Booking a pitch, which must be a suitable standard with full markings, corner flags and good quality nets.2. Providing a match ball and also a spare ball.3. Arranging an epilogue, which will take place at a suitable time during the afternoon and a prayer together before the game. (Every manager must really encourage this!)4. Both teams to provide a competent linesman.5. Informing the Secretary of the result of the match within 2 WORKING DAYS!6. Provide 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.8. Provide a First Aid kit. (See manager’s Pack)9. Submit a filled in Team Sheet to the Referee before the match.
CANCELLATION OF MATCHES Teams are expected to fulfil all their fixtures. If a game is in doubt, Manager’s must contact a member of the executive. Cancellation must occur by Thursday evening of the week of the fixture by informing the Secretary and Referee’s 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 side 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 themselves with a copy of the laws. 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.
Fines – Yellow Card = £5 fine - 3 bookings = 1 match ban Red Card = £10 fine + Automatic 1 match ban
REGISTRATION
Each team will register it's players with the league by means of a registration form. All players must be signed on by their respective clubs. Any club playing an unregistered player or otherwise ineligible player or players shall forfeit any points gained in the match. Transfers into The SportsReach Football League from clubs outside the league will need to be registered for 14 days before they are eligible to play. To register, each player must complete a registration form, and pay a registration fee to the club. ( The amount to be determined at the start of the new season. ) The form must be signed by a member of the executive before kick off to enable them to play. The maximum number of players which can be registered per team is 20. Each team will be expected to charge a signing on fee and subscription, the amount to be determined by each club.
TEAM COLOURS
The team colours are to be agreed at 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 have correct numbers on the back of shirts, and all clubs 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 Management committee. Team colour of strips to be submitted before commencement of season.
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. 6. Fines 7. Deduction of points 8. Protests and complaints must be lodged to the secretary within a week. AMENDMENT 10th Dec 2004 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. To accommodate for the spreading of the Gospel we
have added a proviso to the substitution rules. In an ideal situation we would
only have 14 players, 11 playing and 3 substitutes. You can only make 3 substitutions during the normal run of
play. You can with the other managers consent and approval, before kick off, and
not thereafter, make other substitutions at half time as a bonus, (like England
do in friendlies) but you must inform the referee before you kick off of what
you are doing. |
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Shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of life. Phil 2:15
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