Southern Counties Hockey Association Constitution approved June 2004

Aims and Objects Area Associate Members
Coaching Committee Competitions Committee Committees
General Meetings Development Committee Disciplinary Measures
Dissolution Emergency Committee Finance
Finance Committee Indemnity of Officers and Officials Management Committee
Membership Officers Special General Meetings
Title The Council Meetings of Council
Vice Presidents Umpiring Committee Youth Committees


1. TITLE The Association shall be called the Southern Counties' Hockey Association (hereinafter referred to as 'the Association') and shall be a full member of England Hockey Ltd (England Hockey)
2. AREA OF JURISDICTION The Association shall be the governing body for all hockey played to the Rules of the Game authorised by the International Hockey Rules Board or to such other Rules as may be approved by England Hockey within the areas of the County Hockey Associations of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Kent (men's and mixed only), Middlesex, Oxfordshire (excluding mixed), Surrey and Sussex hereinafter referred to as ‘Region’ or ‘Regional’ as the context requires.
3. AIMS AND OBJECTS these shall be to:-
3.1. Promote, develop and encourage all hockey for adults, young people and children in clubs (which shall be deemed to include all establishments of full-time education other than schools) and schools.
3.2. Promote, develop and encourage umpires and umpiring for all hockey at all levels.
3.3. Organise coaching and coach education and maintain and improve standards of coaching and playing.
3.4. Arrange leagues and other competitions for all hockey at all age levels.
3.5. Arrange such matches and competitions as may be required by the England Hockey.
3.6. Represent the interests and views of the Association and its members to the England Hockey.
3.7 Act upon any directives received from the England Hockey
3.8 Provide the necessary officials and structure to implement the England Hockey Regulations for the Enforcement of Discipline and of Drug Abuse and any disciplinary matter approved by the Council of the Association
3.9 Comply with Government legislation, Sport England and England Hockey directives and advice on Health and Safely and Child Protection.
3.10. Select and train squads to represent the Association.
3.11. Support England Hockey Regional Staff.
3.12. Co-operate with Sport England Regional Officers and other relevant authorities in the provision of playing and other facilities for the game.
4. OFFICERS These shall be:-
4.1 A Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer. There shall also be a non-executive President who shall not normally serve for more than three consecutive years. The Officers and the President shall be nominated annually, shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting and shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting until the conclusion of the next such meeting.
4.2. NOMINATIONS may be made by the Council, a County Association or by an affiliated club. All nominations, except those made by the Council, shall be seconded.
4.3. VACANCY if a vacancy occurs among the Officers, or the Presidency, the Council shall appoint a replacement to serve until the next following Annual General Meeting. Nominations may be made by the Council or, duly seconded, by a County Association.
5 THE COUNCIL. Subject to the over-riding powers of a General Meeting, the Association shall be governed by a Council. The Council may, however, delegate to the Management Committee and/or any other committee such of its powers as it may think fit.
5.1. The members of the Council shall be:-
5.1.1. The Officers of the Association.
5.1.2 One representative from each County Association.
5.1.3 The Association's representative to the England Hockey Regional Consultative Committee.
5.1.4 The Chairmen or their deputies, of the coaching, competitions, development, umpiring and youth committees.
5.1.5. One representative each of the men's and women's outdoor Regional Leagues and of the London League.
5.2. The Chairman of the Association shall be Chairman of the Council.
5.3. The President may attend Council meetings and shall be entitled to vote.
5.4. The Council shall invite to its meetings members of the England Hockey Regional staff and may invite any other person it may think fit. Such persons shall not be entitled to vote.
5.5. If a nominated representative is unable to attend a meeting the County Association, committee or sub-committee concerned may appoint a deputy who shall be entitled to vote.
5.6. Each member shall have one vote. The Chairman shall also have a casting vote.
5.7. A quorum shall be 50% of members entitled to vote, of whom at least three shall be representatives of County Associations.
5.8. MEETINGS OF COUNCIL
5.8.1. The Council shall meet as necessary and no fewer than three times in each Association Year.* the Association Year shall run from the conclusion of one Annual-General Meeting until the conclusion of the next such meeting.
5.8.2. If neither the Chairman nor the Vice-Chairman of the Association is able to attend a meeting, the members present entitled to vote shall elect one of their number to Chair that meeting.
5.8.3. Notice of any matter which any member of the Council wishes to be included in the Agenda for any meeting shall be received by the Hon. Secretary at least 21 days before the date of the meeting concerned.
5.8.4. The Agenda shall be sent to members for receipt at least 14 days before the date of the meeting. With the permission of the majority of the Council, business, other than that included in the Agenda, may be discussed.
5.8.5. The Hon. Secretary shall ensure that Agendas and all relevant accompanying papers, including where appropriate details of nominations received, are sent by post or electronic communication in due time to the last known address of the recipient. If, however, the said papers are not received by any member, the proceedings of the meeting shall not thereby be invalidated
5.8.6. Nominations for any elections to be held or appointments to be made by the Council shall be seconded. The consent of the nominee shall have been obtained. Such nominations shall be received by the Hon. Secretary at least 21 days before the meeting concerned. Exceptionally, with the permission of the majority of the Council, and provided that the consent of the nominee has been obtained, nominations may be made at the relevant meeting.
5.8.7. A SPECIAL MEETING of the Council
5.8.7.1. may be called by the Chairman of the Association, or in his/her absence by the Vice-Chairman; or
5.8.7.2 shall be called upon the receipt by the Hon. Secretary of a requisition signed by two Officers from no fewer than:-
5.8.7.2.1. three County Associations: or
5.8.7.2.2. a total of 10 affiliated clubs from at least three County Associations.
5.8.7.3. The Hon. Secretary shall convene the meeting within 21 days of the receipt of the requisition.
5.8.6.3 A quorum for such a meeting shall be as in 5.7. above.
5.9. TERMS OF REFERENCE the Council shall:-
5.9.1. Prescribe the policies of the Association.
5.9.2. Consider and approve the long-term plans and budgets submitted by the Standing Committees.
5.9.3. Elect five members of the Management Committee; elect the Hon. Secretaries of Standing Committees and approve the members of these Committees.
5.9.4. Appoint a Regional Discipline Administrator (IRDA) and a Deputy.
5.9.5. Appoint members from whom the RDA may appoint an Appeal Panel.
5.9.6. Appoint the Association's representative to the England Hockey Regional Consultative Committee.
5.9.7. Make such other appointments as it may think fit.
5.9.8. Make nominations for England Hockey non executive directors, Officers, Officials and committee members,
5.9.9. Appoint the Association's representatives to the England Hockey standing committees.
5.9.10 Consider any matter referred to the Association by the England Hockey.
5.9.11. Receive and consider the minutes of the Management Committee and the Standing Committees.
5.9.12. Approve the Agenda for any General Meeting.
5.9.13. Recommend to the Annual General Meeting the terms of reference of the Officers, officials and the Standing Committees and any other committee.
5.9.14 Approve and if necessary amend, any of the Association's Regulations.
5.9.15. Nominate to the Annual General Meeting persons for election as Hon. Vice -Presidents.
5.9.16. Consider and, where appropriate, approve, applications for Associate Membership of the Association.
5.9.17. Transact any other business.
6. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
6.1. The members of the committee shall be:-
6.1.1. The Officers of the Association.
6.1.2. The Association's representative to the England Hockey Regional Consultative Committee.
6.1.3. Five members elected by the Council.
6.2. The committee shall invite to its meetings the President and may invite any other person it may think fit. Such persons shall not be entitled to vote.
6.3. The Chairman of the Association shall be Chairman of this Committee.
6.4. Each member shall have one vote. In addition, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
6.5. A quorum shall be 50% of members entitled to vote, of whom at least 1 shall be a member elected by the Council.
6.6. MEETINGS
6.6.1. See Clause 5.8.5. as to the duties of the Hon. Secretary.
6.6.2. The committee shall meet as necessary and no fewer than six times during each Association Year (see Clause 5.8.l.).
6.6.3. If neither the Chairman nor the Vice-Chairman of the Association is able to attend a meeting, the members present entitled to vote shall elect one of their number to Chair that meeting.
6.7. EMERGENCY COMMITTEE This shall consist of as many of the Officers as are available at the time. Any decision taken shall be referred to the Management Committee as soon as possible.
6.8. TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Committee shall:-
6.8.1. Make recommendations to the Council regarding policy.
6.8.2. Receive forward budgets and accounts from the Finance Committee.
6.8.3. Be responsible to the Council.
6.8.4. Oversee and, where appropriate, implement the policies approved by the Council and deal with any matter within those policies.
6.8.5. Receive the minutes of and consider the work of the Standing Committees.
6.8.6. Consider and formulate proposals to the Council on any other matter.
7. MEMBERSHIP
7.1. CORPORATE MEMBERS
7.1.1. Each County Association within the Region shall be a Member of England Hockey and shall be affiliated to the Association and shall be a Corporate Member.
7.1.2 The Southern Counties Hockey Umpires’ Association shall be a corporate member.
7.1.3. Each club and school within the Region which is a Member of England Hockey shall affiliate to the Association and to the appropriate County Association. Upon payment to the Association of the prescribed affiliation fee, a club or school shall become a Corporate Member.
7.2. Any club or school not a member of England Hockey and/or affiliated to the appropriate County Association shall not be eligible for membership of the Association.
7.3. Corporate Members shall receive a copy of the constitution and any subsequent amendments, Notices of General Meetings and copies of the Annual Report and Accounts
7.4. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
7.4.1. A bona-fide member of a County Association, Umpires' Association, affiliated club or affiliated school shall be deemed, by virtue of that membership, to be an individual member of the Association. Such members shall be eligible for nomination for election as an Officer or as President of the Association and for any appointment or committee within the Association. Such membership shall not, subject to the provisions of Clause 7-6, confer the right to receive the notices and information prescribed in Clause 7.3.
7.4.2. HON. VICE-PRESIDENTS
7.4.2.1. The Council may nominate for election at an Annual General Meeting as an Hon.Vice-President any person who has given outstanding service to the Association.
7.4.2.2. Hon. Vice-Presidents shall be invited to and shall be sent the Agenda and relevant papers for General Meetings and shall be eligible for nomination for election as an Officer or President of the Association and for any appointment or committee within the Association. The Council shall decide any other rights and privileges conferred by such membership.
7.4.3. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Any individual having a bona-fide interest in hockey may apply to the Hon. Secretary for Associate Membership of the Association. Such membership shall be subject to the approval of the Council and to the payment of the prescribed fee.
7.5.1. Serving Officers, the President and members of the Council shall be entitled to vote at General Meetings.
7.5.2. No individual member shall be entitled, in that capacity alone, to vote at General Meetings.
7.6. Individual members shall be entitled, on written request to the Hon, Secretary, to receive copies of any or all the notices and information detailed in 7.3.
7.6. All Corporate and Individual Members shall be bound by this Constitution and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of England Hockey and any Regulations made by the Board of England Hockey.
8. FINANCE
8.1. INCOME AND PROPERTY OF THE ASSOCIATION
8.1.1. The Hon. Treasurer shall deal with the assets of the Association in such manner as the Council or a General Meeting may direct.
8.1.2. The income of the Association shall be derived from affiliation fees and subscriptions and, subject to approval by the Council, from any other appropriate source. Such income shall be used for the furtherance of the Aims and Objects of the Association as defined in Clause 3, and for such other purposes as a General meeting or the Council may decide.
8.2. ANNUAL ACCOUNTS The Income and Expenditure Accounts, Balance Sheet and all subsidiary accounts shall be made up to 31st March each year and shall be examined by an Accounts Scrutineer. The accounts and the Scrutineer's report shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting.
8.3. AFFILIATION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
8.3.1. Affiliation fees and subscriptions shall be determined by an Annual General Meeting and shall be due on 1st September each year. Any fee or subscription which is unpaid by 30th November in that year shall be subject to a levy agreed by the Council.
8.3.2. CLUBS The total fee for affiliation to the relevant County Association and the Association shall be remitted to the County Association concerned who shall forward to the Association that part of the total fee due to it.
8.3.3. SCHOOLS The total fee for affiliation to the relevant County Association, the Association and the England Hockey shall be remitted to the County Association concerned. The County Association shall remit to the Association and to the England Hockey respectively those parts of the composite fee due to each.
8.4. NON-PAYMENT OF AFFILIATION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
8.4.1. Any club or school whose affiliation fee to the Association has not been received by lst January may be removed from membership of the Association. Any club or school which has been removed from membership of the England Hockey will automatically cease to be a member of the Association. 8.4.2. If any club or school is re-admitted to membership of the England Hockey they may re-apply for membership of the Association.
g. GENERAL MEETINGS
9.1. See Clause 5.8.5 as to the distribution of Agendas and other papers by the Hon. Secretary.
9.2. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
9.2.1. The Annual General Meeting shall be held each year between 1st May and 1st July at a venue to be decided by the Council.
9.2.2. Notice of the Annual General meeting, a list of nominations for Officers, and the President, a copy of the Agenda and of the annual accounts shall be sent to each member entitled to receive notices pursuant to Clauses 7.3.,7.4.2. and 7.6., and to the Scrutineer of the Accounts at least 21 days before the date of such meeting.
9.2.3. Business to be transacted
9.2.3.1. The presentation of the Annual Report and other reports
9.2.3.2. The presentation of the Annual Accounts.
9.2.3.3. The election of Officers and the President.
9.2.3.4. The appointment of a Scrutineer of the Accounts.
9.2.3.5. Setting of affiliation fees and subscriptions for the ensuing season.
9.2.3.6. Consideration of any proposed amendments to the constitution.
9.2.3.7. Any other business by permission of the Chairman.
9.2.4. No clause of the constitution shall be amended, nor shall any resolution passed at a previous General Meeting be rescinded, save by a resolution, notice of which shall be given on the Agenda, carried by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of those present entitled to vote and voting.
9.2.5. Written notice of any proposed amendment to the constitution and any other motion to be submitted to the Annual General Meeting, shall be received by the Hon. Secretary no later than 28 days prior to the meeting and shall be accompanied by the names of the proposers) and seconders). Proposals from the Council shall not require a seconder.
9.2.6. The Chair shall be taken throughout the meeting by the President or, in that person's absence, by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman. In the absence of all those Officers, the meeting shall elect a member of the Council to Chair the meeting.
9.2.7. The following shall be entitled to attend a General Meeting and to vote:-
9.2.7.1. The President, the Officers, and other voting members of the Council and the following affiliated members:-
9.2.7.2. Each County Association - 1 vote
9.2.7.3. Each Club (including clubs playing mixed hockey only) - 1 vote
9.2.7.4. Schools - Each County - 1 vote.
9.2.8. No member shall cast more than one vote, other than the Chairman who shall have a casting vote.
9.2.9. No proxy voting shall be permitted.
9.2.10. 25 members present and entitled to vote shall form a quorum.
9.2.11. Any other member of the Association may attend an Annual General Meeting, but shall not be entitled to vote.
9.3. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
9.3.1. The Hon. Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting at any time:-
9.3.1.1. By order of the Council; or
9.3.1.2. Upon the receipt of a requisition signed by two Officers of no fewer than.-
9.3.1.2.1. three County Associations: or
9.3.1.2.2. A total of 10 affiliated clubs from at least three County Associations.
9.3.2. Every requisition shall state clearly the business to be discussed.
9.3.3. A meeting called under 9.3.1.2. shall be held as soon as possible and, in any event, within 6 weeks of the receipt of the requisition.
9.3.4. At least 14 days notice of a Special General Meeting and of all resolutions to be proposed thereat, shall be given to each member entitled to receive notices pursuant to Clauses 7.3, 7.4.2..and 7.6. No other business shall be conducted
9.3.5. Provisions 9.2.6.-9.2.11. of this Clause shall apply to a Special General Meeting.
10 DISSOLUTION
10.1. A resolution to dissolve the Association shall be put to a General Meeting and shall be passed only by the affirmative vote of at least 75 % of those entitled to vote and voting. The Council shall have power to order a postal ballot to be completed on a prescribed date prior to the General Meeting.
10.1.1. A minimum of 21 days written notice of such a resolution shall be sent to each member entitled to receive notices pursuant to Clauses 7.3,7.4.2 and 7.6, and to the England Hockey.
10.2. If the resolution is carried, none of the net assets shall be paid or distributed to members of the Association but shall be paid to any association or body having similar aims and objects and approved by a General Meeting.
11. COMMITTEES
11.1. The Standing Committees shall be the Coaching, Competitions, Development, Finance, Umpiring and Youth Committees. These committees shall have power to appoint such sub-committees or groups as they may deem necessary.
11.2. The Council shall elect annually at their first meeting after the Annual General Meeting, five members of the Management Committee and the Hon. Secretaries of Standing Committees and shall approve members of the Standing Committees. It, or the Management Committee, may appoint any other Committee it may think fit.
11.3. If any elected member does not complete the year for which he/she has been elected, the Council shall fill the vacancy for the remainder of that year.
11.4.1. The Hon Treasurer shall be Chairman of the Finance Committee.
11.4.2. Each other Standing Committee shall elect annually its own Chairman from nominations made by members of that committee. Such nominees need not necessarily be members of that Standing Committee.
11.5. The Officers shall be ex-officio members of all committees; in that capacity they shall not be entitled to vote. An Officer elected as the Chairman or as a member of a committee shall be entitled to vote.
11.6. Each Standing Committee shall invite to its meetings the appropriate England Hockey Regional staff and may invite such other persons as it may think fit. None of these persons shall be entitled to vote.
11.7. The Hon. Secretaries of Standing Committees shall act in accordance with Clause 5.8.5.
11.8. Each Standing Committee shall:-
11.8.1. Act on terms of reference prescribed by the Council.
11.8.2. Deal with or make recommendations on any matter referred to it by the Council or the Management Committee.
11.8.3. Consider the views of County Associations, clubs and/or schools on any matter within its remit, and, where appropriate, make recommendations to the Council or the relevant England Hockey committee.
11.8.4. Be responsible to the Council.
11.8.5. Submit to the Hon Secretary of the Association:-
11.8.5.1. the minutes of each of its meetings as they occur; and
11.8.5.2. annually a report of its activities for inclusion in the Annual Report.
11.8.6. Make nominations to the Council for the appointment of the Association's representatives to the appropriate England Hockey Committees.
11.8.7. Remain in office until a new committee is appointed.
11.9. EACH SUB-COMMITTEE OR GROUP shall be responsible to the committee which appointed it and shall report to that committee immediately after each of its meetings.
12. NOMINATIONS FOR APPOINTMENTS AND COMMITTEES
12.1. Only a member of the Association as defined in Clause 7.4.1 and 7.4.2 shall be eligible to be nominated and to serve:-
12.1.1. As an Officer or the President of the Association.
12.1.2. On the Council of the Association.
12.1.3. On any Standing Committee of the Association.
12.1.4. As Chairman of any Standing Committee of the Association.
12.2. NOMINATIONS for the President and Officers, Hon. Secretaries of Standing Committees, three members of the Management Committee and 2 members of the Finance Committee may be made by the Council, County Associations and clubs. All nominations, except those made by the Council shall be seconded.
13. FINANCE COMMITTEE
13.1. The members of the committee shall be:-
13.1.1. The Hon. Treasurer, who shall be Chairman
13.1.2. An Hon. Secretary.
13.1.3. Two members appointed by the Council.
13.1.4. The representative each from the Coaching, Competitions, Development and Umpiring committees and the Boys' and Girls' Youth committees.
13.2. If the Chairman is unable to attend a meeting, the committee shall appoint one of its number to Chair the meeting.
13.3. Each member shall have one vote. In addition, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
13.4. A quorum shall be 50% of members entitled to vote.
13.5. TERMS OF REFERENCE the committee shall:-
13.5.1. Be subject to the provisions of Clause 11.
13.5.2. Have overall responsibility for the finances of the Association.
13.5.3. Consider by March each year budgets submitted by committees.
13.5.4. Consider annual accounts submitted by committees.
13.5.5. Produce accounts and a forward budget for the Management Committee and Council.
13.5.6. Investigate sources of financial assistance, including grant aid.
14. COACHING COMMITTEE
14.1. The members of the committee shall be:-
14.1.1 A Chairman.
14.1.2 An Hon. Secretary.
14.1.3 One representative from each County Association
14.2 Each member shall have one vote. In addition, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
14.3. 50% of members entitled to vote shall form a quorum.
14.4. TERMS OF REFERENCE The Committee shall:-
14.4.1. Be subject to the provisions of Clause 11.
14.4.2. Have responsibility, working with England Hockey staff and external agencies, for the development of coaches, tutors, assessors and mentors within the Region.
14.4.3. Advise on and implement England Hockey coaching policies and respond to proposals made by the England Hockey.
14.4.4. Submit annually to the Development Committee a forward budget and accounts for its development work.
14.4.5. Submit annually to the Finance Committee a forward budget and accounts for other expenditure on coaching.
14.4.6. Contribute to the work of the England Hockey coaching committee through Regional representation and liaise with other regional association representatives on relevant coaching matters.
14.4.7. Keep the Council and Development Committee informed of all coaching policy.
14.4.8. Appoint annually a representative to the Development Committee.
14.4.9. Assist the constituent County Associations, clubs and schools to pursue good practice in coaching and coach education through effective organisation and dissemination of information.
14.4.10. Assist with the identification of coaches suitable to work at all levels of the game, including Regional representative squads, junior development programmes and elsewhere as appropriate.
14.4.11. Support all qualified coaches in the Region through appropriate coach education programmes and by disseminating information about these and England Hockey courses, seminars and other relevant information
14.4.12. . Maintain a Register of active coaches, tutors, assessors and mentors within the Region
15. COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE
15.1. The members of the Committee shall be:-
15.1.1. A Chairman.
15.1.2. An Hon. Secretary.
15.1.3. One representative each of men’s, women’s and mixed Regional competitions.
15.1.4. One representative from the Umpiring Committee.
15.1.5. One representative each from the Boys' and Girls' Youth committees.
15.1.6. One representative each from the men's and women's Regional outdoor leagues and from the London League.
15.2. Each member shall have one vote. In addition, the Chairman shall have
· casting vote.
15.3. 50% of members entitled to vote shall form a quorum.
15.4. TERMS OF REFERENCE The Committee shall:-
15.4.1. Be subject to Clause 1 1.
15.4.2. Prepare an annual programme of events in the Region (men's, women's and mixed) and distribute information to relevant parties in the Association and elsewhere.
15.4.3. Ensure the organisation and running of the Regional rounds of England Hockey competitions, Regional County and club championships and competitions (including outdoor and indoor leagues), and England Hockey events when the Region is the host. 15.4.4. Submit annually to the Finance Committee a forward budget and accounts.
15.4.5. Consider and respond as appropriate to any England Hockey or Association proposals relating to the annual programme and the running of any England Hockey competition and/or Regional competitions.
15.4.6. Ensure that procedures are in place to provide relevant information to the media and any results service for all competitions run by, or the responsibility of, the Association.
16. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
16.1. The members of the Committee shall be:-
16.1.1. A Chairman.
16.1.2. An Hon. Secretary.
16.1.3. One representative each from the Boys' and Girls' Youth committees.
16.1.4. One representative each from the Coaching and Umpiring Committees.
16.2. Each member shall have one vote. In addition, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
16.3. 50% of members entitled to vote shall form a quorum
16.4. TERMS OF REFERENCE The Committee shall:-
16.4.1. Be subject to the terms of Clause 11.
16.4.2. Subject to the approval of the Council, decide the overall policy for player, coach and umpire development and ensure that this is kept constantly under review and is in accordance with England Hockey policy.
16.4.3. Provide a forum for the co-ordination of the Association's policy between the Coaching, Umpiring and Youth committees, the England Hockey Regional staff and other Agencies as and when required and to make proposals to the England Hockey as appropriate.
16.4.4. Consider and respond to proposals from England Hockey..
16.4.5. Liaise and co-operate with comparable committees in other regional associations on issues relating to youth, coaching and umpiring.
16.4.6. Monitor and, where appropriate advise on, the competitive structure for youth within the Region.
16.4.7.1. Collate and consider annually forward budgets and accounts submitted by the coaching, umpiring and youth committees.
16.4.7.2 Submit annually to the Finance Committee co-ordinated forward budgets and accounts for player, coach, umpire and youth development.
17. UMPIRING COMMITTEE
17.1. The members of the Committee shall be:-
17.1.1. A Chairman.
17.1.2. An Hon. Secretary.
17.1.3 Two representatives appointed by the Registered women umpires.
17.1.4. Two representatives appointed by the Registered men umpires.
17.1.5. One representative from each County Umpires' Association.
17.2. Each member shall have one vote. In addition, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
17.3. 50% of members entitled to vote, at least 2 of whom shall be County representatives, shall form a quorum.
17.4. TERMS OF REFERENCE The Committee shall:-
17.4.1. Be subject to Clause 1 1.
17.4.2. Develop, monitor and implement plans for the recruitment, education and assessment of umpires and umpire coaches.
17.4.3.1. Submit annually to the Development Committee a forward budget and annual accounts for the development of umpires.
17.4.3.2. Submit annually to the Finance Committee a forward budget and accounts for any other expenditure on umpiring.
17.4.4. Make arrangements for the nomination and /or assessment of candidates for the Level Two Umpire Award and for the nomination of candidates for the Level Three Umpire Award.
17.4.5. Make arrangements for the nomination and/or assessment of all candidates for the Umpire Coach Award.
17.4.6. Appoint Umpire Appointment Panels.
17.4.7. Appoint, or make arrangements for the appointment of, umpires as requested by the Competitions and the Boys' and Girls' Youth committees, the men's and women's Regional Leagues and the London League.
17.4.8. Appoint a representative to the Development committee.
18. YOUTH COMMITTEES
18.1. There shall be two Youth committees responsible respectively for girls' and boys' activities.
18.2. The members of each committee shall be:-
18.2.1. A Chairman.
18.2.2. An Hon. Secretary.
18.2.3. One representative from each County Association.
18.2.4. The Regional Youth squad managers.
18.3 One of the above members of each committee shall be responsible for budgeting and accounting for the committee concerned.
18.4. Each member shall have one vote. In addition, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
18.5. For each committee a quorum shall be 50% of members entitled to vote.
18.6. TERMS OF REFERENCE Each committee shall:-
18.6.1. Be subject to the provisions of Clause 11.
18.6.2. Have responsibility for:-
18.6.2.1. Junior assessments, selection and preparation of junior squads up to and including the age of 18.
18.6.2.2. The organisation of all Regional Junior inter-County competitions and relevant rounds for all junior age-groups including mini-hockey and indoor hockey, and of any junior leagues which may be arranged.
18.6.2.3. Providing the Competitions and Development Committees with the dates and venues of all events in the Junior programmes.
18.6.2.4. Submitting to the Development Committee annually a forward budget and accounts for junior development.
18.6.2.5. Submitting annually to the Finance Committee a forward budget and accounts for any other expenditure on youth.
18.6.2.6. Working in accordance with the development policies prescribed by the England Hockey and the Development Committee.
18.6.2.7. Responding, consulting and liaising, as appropriate with England Hockey coaches, assessors and Performance Directors.
19. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
19.1. Subject to the powers of the England Hockey, the Association shall have overall responsibility for discipline and its enforcement within the Region. It shall have power to take any disciplinary action and impose such penalties as it may think fit on any County Association, affiliated club, affiliated school or individual member within the Association whom it considers guilty of any conduct which is prejudicial to the Association or which brings it or the game into disrepute.
19.2. Subject to the retention by the Association of overall responsibility, each County Association shall have the same powers in respect of its members.
19.3. Offences committed in breach of the England Hockey Regulations for the Enforcement of Discipline shall be dealt with by the Association, County Associations and affiliated clubs and schools in accordance with the powers prescribed in those Regulations.
19.4. APPEALS
19.4.1. Any offender penalised by a County Association under 19.2. above, shall have the right of appeal to the Association's Appeal Panel.
19.4.2. Any offender penalised by the Association under 19.3. above shall have the right of appeal to the England Hockey Discipline Panel.
19.4.3. In either case, the decision of the relevant panel shall be final.
19.5. APPEAL PANEL
19.5.1. Unless he/she has previously been involved in the case, the RDA shall be Chairman of the Appeal Panel. The Deputy RDA shall Chair any hearing, meeting or discussion in which the RDA is ineligible to take part.
19.5.2. The Council shall appoint annually members from whom the Chairman or Deputy Chairman shall invite three to form an Appeal Panel
19.5.3. No person who has previously been involved in adjudicating upon the appellant or the matter under appeal shall be a member of the appeal panel.
19.6. PROCEDURES
19.6.1. The procedures to be followed in any case arising from 19.3. are specified in the England Hockey Regulations for the Enforcement of Discipline.
19.6.2. Similar procedures, including the rights of appellants, shall be followed in any other case to be considered by an Appeal Panel.
20. INDEMNITY OF OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS
20.1. The Association shall indemnify each of its Officers and officials against any claim which may arise from any action taken with the authority of the Association.
20.2. For the purpose of this Clause, an 'official' shall be deemed to be:-
20.2.1 Any person serving on any committee or sub-committee of the Association.
20.2.2. Any person appointed by or acting on behalf of the Association.