Lower Maze Youth Football Club

Lower Maze Youth FC

LMY are a junior soccer team who encourage children from age7 upwards to play soccer.We take part in the Lisburn Junior Invitational League..

Due to our continued devotian to youth football, the club has been awarded one of the most prestigious awards for a youth organisation.

Junior Clubmark is a quality assurance scheme which aims to raise the standards within junior sports clubs across Northern Ireland. There are two awards that your junior club can apply for. Junior Clubmark or Junior Goldclub. Once achieved, parents, junior members, prospective members and the volunteer coaches, helpers and administrators will know that your club is committed to providing safe, quality sporting opportunities for young people.

Clubmark sets a standard by specifying a number of criteria.

· Appropriate time for junior club sessions;
· Child friendly, qualified coaches;
· Appropriate safety and administration procedures in place;
· Links with other clubs and schools;
· The potential for young people to progress as performers administrators and coaches;
· Recognition of all young people for their contribution to the club.

In addition, clubs that can meet additional criteria which highlights their commitment to continuously improving their opportunities for young people will be eligible for Goldclub.These include:

· Opportunities for inter club competition;
· Links with external agencies;
· The development and recognition of volunteers within the club;
· Structured activities with local schools.

Junior clubs are crucial to the development of young people in sport. However, the pressures on volunteers are growing all the time. Why not find out more about the Clubmark Scheme and how it can assist you to raise the quality of your club whilst offering support and recognition to your volunteers.

Lower Maze Youth Committee.

Stephen Beckett.......Chairman

Alexis Beckett............Treasurer.

Committee Members.

Lesa Milliken... CPO

Pamela Cooke CPO

Paul Cooke

Andy Milligan

Tony Portis

Brian Canavan

John Saunders

Stephen Patterson

CONSTITUTION

1            NAME

1.1         The name of the group shall henceforth be known as: - "Lower Maze Youth Football Club" and shall be referred to in this Document as" LMY."

2            AIM

2.1         The aim of "LMY" is to promote the interaction of selected children from across the religious divide through the playing of Association Football in a team format.

2.2         "LMY" shall promote equal opportunity regarding, religion and race as well as fair play and sportsmanship and play the game of Association football in accordance with the general rules laid down in "The Laws Of Association Football."

2.3         Team age groups and playing members of these teams under the name of "LMY" shall be selected by the managers of each team who are in turn selected by "THE COMMITTEE". These teams will then participate in such registered Leagues as "THE COMMITTEE" see fit, taking into account the teams ability and eligibility.

2.4         All players signed for "LMY" shall play for that age group to which their date of birth makes them eligible to play. Should the respective manager of that age group not require the player, then the player may play for any other team that his age makes him eligible to play for.

2.5         The teams shall play in such leagues, tournaments, friendly matches and take part in such training sessions as is arranged and directed by "THE COMMITTEE" (See Rule 3.1 ). This is to promote their awareness of responsibilities required when participating in a team environment, as well as continued promotion of those aims already mentioned in rules 2.1 and 2.2.

2.6         "LMY" shall take part in such national and international tournaments as directed by "THE COMMITTEE" in order to increase the members' awareness of other cultures and religions, and broaden the outlook and experience of the team members, Rules 2.1, 2.2 and 2.5 also apply in relation to promotion of the stated aims.

3            THE COMMITTEE

3.1 The committee shall be elected at A.G.M. and subject to termination of office or otherwise shall remain in office until their successors are appointed at the A.G.M. next following their appointment.

3.2 The Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.) shall be held at the end of each football season on a date fixed by the Management Committee. Additions, deletions or alterations to the Constitution shall only be made at the A.G.M. and Any proposals for such items shall be submitted to the Hon. Secretary at least fourteen days before the A.G.M.

3.3 All nominations shall be in writing and must be signed by the nominee, proposer and seconder. All nominations should reach the Secretary four weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting. The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by the Committee Members at a Meeting following the Annual General Meeting. Candidates for these offices shall be proposed and seconded by the Committee Members.

3.4 The Management Committee shall have the power to appoint such sub-committees as may from time to time be deemed necessary and shall receive reports of such sub-committees at its meetings.
Power to co-opt as deemed appropriate shall be vested in all committees of the Club but such co-opted committee members shall not be entitled to vote. Co-opted members may be non-Club members invited to advise on specialist subjects.

3.5         All affairs relating to and decisions made in the furtherance of the aims of "LMY" shall be determined by a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Managers, Coaches and other suitable persons, henceforth known as "THE COMMITTEE."

3.6        All decisions taken by "THE COMMITTEE" shall be by majority vote, with the Chairperson having the casting vote. Where necessary, the parents of the team members will be consulted by "THE COMMITTEE" in relation to their views on decisions which will be made by "THE COMMITTEE". The final decision will be made by "THE COMMITTEE" by the afore mentioned majority vote. All decisions taken by "THE COMMITTEE" will be made in the best interests of the furtherance of the aims of "LMY."

3.7        "THE COMMITTEE" shall provide to any sponsor, fund raising body or other interested person details, if required, of all current Committee members, and details of Club Accounts (as outlined in Rule 4.7).

3.8        Any member of "THE COMMITTEE" not acting in the best interests of "LMY" either in their behaviour towards, or in the presence of team members. Actions in relation to their duties within "THE COMMITTEE" or failure to promote the aims of "LMY" may by majority vote from the remainder of "THE COMMITTEE" be removed from it with immediate effect.

3.9   If any Member of the Committee shall be absent from three consecutive Meetings without reasonable cause, he/she shall be deemed to have resigned from the committee.

3.10   Complaints by members will not be considered by the committee unless made in writing to the secretary giving full particulars of the complaint and signed by the complainant.

3.11   If at any time during the course of discussions within a Management Committee Meeting a member becomes disgruntled and leaves they will be considered to have resigned. (This in order to preserve a reasonable level of decorum.)

4            FUNDING + FINANCIAL RULES

4.1         "LMY" is a Voluntary, non profit making body, with all funds raised, and moneys received being used in the furtherance of the aims and activities of "LMY."

4.2         "THE COMMITTEE" shall approach any suitable fund raising bodies in either the Corporate or Voluntary Sector with a view to the grant or award of donations to "LMY" to further the aims as per Rule 2 of this Constitution.

4.3         Any shortfall in funds required towards activities being undertaken by "LMY." shall where possible, be taken from "THE ACCOUNT" (see rule 4.4) to conclude the afore mentioned Activity.

4.4         All moneys received by "THE COMMITTEE" on behalf of "LMY" shall be properly recorded by the Treasurer and lodged in a Building Society or Bank Account opened in the name of  "LMY." This shall henceforth be referred to as "THE ACCOUNT."

4.5         A minimum of two signatories from "THE COMMITTEE" shall be required to access any funds from "THE ACCOUNT."

4.6         All withdrawals and deposits to "THE ACCOUNT" must be properly recorded by the treasurer.

4.7         "THE COMMITTEE", through the Treasurer, shall make available to any properly interested party for inspection, at any time, details of Club Accounts relating to "LMY."

4.8 Notwithstanding Rule 4.7 every year, "THE COMMITTEE", through the Treasurer, will produce a statement of account, detailing income and expenditure of "LMY." for the previous twelve Months.The Club's financial year shall run from 1st June to 31st May each year. This Statement of Account shall be signed by every member of "THE COMMITTEE" as correct, and shall be made available as per Rule 4.7

5            DISCIPLINE

5.1         All team members selected for "LMY" are expected to display a High standard of behaviour both off and on the field whilst involved in activities concerned with "LMY." This applies not only to the Laws of Association Football, but also to the aims of "LMY" in relation to religious awareness. Tolerance and understanding of other religious and cultural differences of other team members and opposition teams.

5.2        Any team member breaking any club rule or exhibiting any bad behaviour towards any Committee member, Coach, Youth Leader or any other adult present at any "LMY." activity shall on the first occasion be verbally warned, and may be dealt with within the individual team environment. "The Committee" should however be informed of any such breaches.. A second breach may result in the team member being suspended from the remainder of that activity and his parents informed. A third incident should result in him being expelled from "LMY", with the loss of all money's collected through sponsorship and dues etc.

5.3        "THE COMMITTEE" will immediately expel without warning any team member guilty of verbally abusing any person in a religious manner, with a similar financial loss as mentioned in Rule 5 2.

5.4         Any player expelled from "LMY" under rules 5.2 and 5.3 shall never be eligible to play again for "LMY"

6 CHILD PROTECTION

6.1 The safety of the child is paramount.

6.2 LMY have developed and fully support a list of policies and procedures which include a Child Protection Policy.

6.3 All parents/carers will receive a copy of these on registration or otherwise on request.

7 ADDITIONAL RULES

7.1 "THE COMMITTEE" have the power to deal with any matter relating to "LMY" which may not be provided for in these rules.

S Beckett (Chairman).