SOCCER OTAGO INC. RULES
1. NAME
The name shall be “Soccer Otago Inc”
2. REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of Soccer Otago Inc, shall be in Dunedin at such a place as the Board of Directors shall decide.
3. OBJECTS
The objects of Soccer Otago Inc shall be to foster and control the game of soccer, in particular in the province of Otago.
4. MEMBERSHIP
Members of duly constituted clubs, under the jurisdiction of Soccer Otago Inc shall be eligible for membership of Soccer Otago Inc together with such persons as Soccer Otago Inc may accept as members, or elect to office in Soccer Otago Inc.
5. Each club shall be free to govern itself in such manner as it thinks fit, subject to these rules, and to charge members an annual subscription for the carrying on of such club.
6. Any person who has not paid the previous years subscription to his/her club shall be declared by his/her
club as unfinancial, and shall cease to be a member of Soccer Otago Inc, and the Board of Directors may for reason of behaviour, misconduct or reputation, by a majority at an ordinary meeting, decide to carry out the expulsion of any member.
7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting for all members shall be held no later than the 30th of November in each year. Fourteen days notice of date and place of holding such meeting to be given by circular to the secretary of each club, or by advertisement in the daily paper circulating in Dunedin.
8. DELEGATES’ APPOINTMENT, VOTING POWERS ETC.
Members constituting each senior club shall be entitled to appoint two delegates to the Annual General Meeting or any Special General Meeting. Members of Soccer Otago Inc being members of the Referees Association, Soccer Otago Youth Committee shall be entitled to appoint one delegate each. Such delegates shall be the only person other than the officers of Soccer Otago Inc and the Board of Directors to vote at the meeting.
9. Delegates shall be appointed in writing by the secretaries of their respective clubs. Such notice of appointment signed by such secretaries to be in the hands of the Executive Officer of Soccer Otago Inc at least three days prior to the date of the meeting at which such delegates are to act.
10. Each delegate shall, except as otherwise provided, retain his/her powers from one Annual General Meeting until the next, unless the Executive Officer of Soccer Otago Inc has been notified by the club which the delegate represents that another delegate has been appointed.
11. Each delegate shall have one vote only.
12. OFFICERS
The officers of Soccer Otago Inc shall consist of, the Patron, President and three Directors, who shall be elected by majority vote to represent the Men’s, Women’s and Youth interest of Otago Soccer, and one Director who shall be nominated by the Otago Referee’s Association. Such officers shall hold office for a period of two years when the two longest serving members shall stand for re-election. In 2002 the two members to stand for re-election shall be chosen by the majority decision of members present and eligible to vote in a ballot.
13. CLUBS IN ARREARS
Clubs whose subscriptions are in arrears shall not be entitled to be represented by a delegate or delegates at the Annual General Meeting, or any Special General Meeting, or take part in any way in the conduct or management of the affairs of Soccer Otago Inc.
14. SUB-COMMITTEES
Soccer Otago Inc shall consist of the following committees.
Finance; Sponsership; SORA; Draw & Cancellations; Youth; Coaching; Masters.
A Board member shall be the convenor of such a committee and be empowered to form his/her own committee. The convenor of such committee shall give a written report on a monthly basis.
15. The names of persons proposed for election to the Board of Directors shall be received in writing from clubs and signed by a delegate entitled to vote at an Annual General Meeting or a member of the Board of Directors and must be in the hands of the Executive Officer of Soccer Otago Inc at least seven days before the date of the Annual General Meeting.
16. EXECUTIVE OFFICER
A paid Executive Officer shall be appointed by the Board from time to time and shall be required to carry out the directions of the Board of Directors and keep all necessary records. His/her services may be dispensed with at a months notice on either side.
17. BUSINESS AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The ordinary business to be transacted at an Annual General Meeting shall be the consideration and adoption of the General Report and Balance Sheet duly audited and the election of Board members for the ensuing year.
18. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
A Special General Meeting may be convened by the Executive Officer (either under direction of the Board of Directors or on receiving a requisition to that effect signed by the secretaries of three clubs who are duly authorised by the Committee of such clubs) by circular, or by advertisement in the daily paper circulating in Dunedin, giving at least seven days notice to each club playing under Soccer Otago Inc and stating the proposed business to be transacted.
19. BUSINESS OTHER THAN ORDINARY BUSINESS AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
Notice of any business proposed to be transacted at any Annual General Meeting, (other than ordinary business, or at a Special General Meeting, except as is provided for with the names of proposer and seconder) ten days before such meeting to the Executive Officer of Soccer Otago Inc, who shall notify each club by circular at least four days before the date of holding such meeting.
ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
20. RULES AS TO VOTING AND CONTROL OF
All voting at Annual General Meetings or Special General Meetings or at a meeting of the Board of Directors or Sub-Committee shall be by show of hands, which shall be conclusive on the declaration of the Chairman. Anyone entitled to vote may claim a ballot.
21. Any General Meeting may be adjourned at such other time as a majority of those present entitled to vote may decide.
22. The Chairman at any meeting, whether of Soccer Otago Inc or of the Board of Directors or Sub-Committee, shall have in the event of equal voting a casting vote in addition to his/her ordinary vote.
23. Any member of Soccer Otago Inc shall be entitled to attend any Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting but only officers of Soccer Otago Inc, Life Members, delegates and members of the Board of Directors or Sub-Committee shall be entitled to vote thereat.
24. A quorum at an Annual General Meeting shall consist of fifteen members entitled to vote.
25. LIFE MEMBERS
Life members may be elected by three-fourths majority at an Annual General Meeting. Not more than two Life Members may be elected annually, such membership to be awarded to those who have rendered special services to Soccer Otago Inc or in the game of soccer. Life members shall be entitled to vote at Annual and Special General Meetings.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
26. RULES AS TO THE CONTROL OF BUSINESS
The Executive Officer shall have the power to call an Emergency Meeting when necessary. The Board of Directors shall elect a Chairman for the year at the first meeting after the Annual General Meeting.
27. Any member of the Board of Directors or Sub-Committee absenting himself/herself from three consecutive meetings of such committee shall, unless leave of absence has been granted, cease to be a member of the Board of Directors or Sub-committee.
28. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fill any vacancies that may arise on the Board of Directors or Sub-committee. Such members have to be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting.
29. Any member to move a motion which affects the financial policy of the Board of Directors, or one that involves an expenditure that exceeds the sum of $40.00, shall give notice of such motion at a meeting of the Board. The subject matters of the motion shall then be referred to the Finance Committee for their consideration and subsequent report.
30. SOCCER OTAGO INC’S POWER TO HOLD LAND ETC.
Soccer Otago Inc shall have power to hold, purchase, lease, sell, exchange or mortgage land, and in addition advance moneys on approved security.
31. FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS OF SOCCER OTAGO INC.
All funds of Soccer Otago Inc shall be paid into the bank to the credit of Soccer Otago Inc, and accounts shall be passed by the Board of Directors and cheques shall be signed by the Executive Officer and any one to two members of the Finance Committee, or the Board of Directors.
32. Each years accounts shall close on the 1st day of October and shall be audited by an auditor appointed annually at the Annual General Meeting, such an auditor is not to hold any other office in Soccer Otago Inc.
33. COMMON SEAL
The Common Seal of Soccer Otago Inc shall be in the custody of the Executive Officer and shall be applied by him/her to any document or writing only with the sanction of a resolution of the Board of Directors and in the presence of two members of the Board of Directors.
34. WINDING UP
Soccer Otago Inc may be wound up in any manner provided by “The Incorporated Act 199...” and the regulation thereunder, any act passed or regulations made in substitution thereof. Upon such winding up, any surplus assets remaining after the payment of all costs, debts and liabilities shall be applied as Soccer Otago Inc in General Meeting may decide.
35. ALTERATIONS ETC TO RULES
Alterations, amendments, additions and rescissions of these rules can be made only by a majority vote of two thirds of those present entitled to vote at an Annual General Meeting or Special Meeting. A circular specifying the nature of the proposed alteration and the date and place of the meeting must be addressed to the secretary of each club at least seven days before the date of holding such meeting , or a notification of the date of the meeting and the nature of the proposed alteration must be advertised in the daily newspaper circulating in Dunedin at least seven days before the date of holding such meeting.
36. SOCCER OTAGO INC TO HAVE SUPPLIED LISTS OF CLUB MEMBERS
Each club must forward a list of all players registered no later than April 21st. Failure to do so will result in the offending club appearing before the Board of Directors, where action may be taken.
BY-LAWS AS TO THE CONDUCT OF THE GAME OF SOCCER
IN THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO
37. COLOURS
The colours of Soccer Otago Inc shall be blue shirts with gold trim. Each club shall register its colour with the Executive Officer of Soccer Otago Inc, and the right to play in any particular colour shall be a matter for the Board of Directors. Goalkeepers must play in a distinctive colour.
38. AFFILIATION AND REGISTRATION FEES
Affiliation fee of $15.00 shall be charged in each year. Registration fees excepting school teams shall be assessed in accordance with Soccer New Zealand and Federation 7 charges and shall be paid in three equal instalments. First to be paid by 21st April, second by 21st May, third by 21st June in each year.
39. Any club or Sub-Association in arrears is hereinbefore provided with payment of money due to Soccer Otago Inc under rules shall be debarred from taking part in any competition until such fees are paid.
40. POWER TO MAKE LEVIES
The Finance Committee shall have power at any time and from time to time to make levies for general purposes on all clubs under its control. These levies always to be endorsed by the Board of Directors.
41. EFFECT OF NON-AFFILIATION
No club, nor any member of such club, shall play with another club not affiliated with Soccer Otago Inc without the consent of the Board of Directors.
42. INTER-PROVINCIAL FIXTURES
The Coaching Committee shall arrange all inter-provincial and such other matches as it thinks desirable, and no person shall be played in any such matches unless he/she is a playing member of one of the clubs affiliated to Soccer Otago Inc, or unless permission is expressed or implied in the rules drawn up by Soccer New Zealand and Federation 7 for the control of any inter-provincial matches under its jurisdiction.
43. APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF THE GAME
All matches played under the jurisdiction of Soccer Otago Inc shall be governed by the laws of the game and the official decisions of the International Board of Control from time to time promulgated by Soccer New Zealand.
44. SOCCER OTAGO’S RIGHTS TO INSPECT CLUBS MINUTES ETC
All clubs shall keep a minutes book showing dates of elections of members and they shall also keep an Accounts Book showing Income and Expenditures, with dates when members subscriptions are paid: such Minutes Book and Accounts Book together with the clubs Annual Balance Sheet and Statement of Assets and Liabilities must be produced for inspection on application by the Board of Directors.
45. APPLICATION FOR CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Any club members desiring to form a new club must apply in writing to Soccer Otago Inc for permission to do so. Such application shall be considered at a meeting of the Board of Directors and must be proposed and seconded by two members of the Board and must be carried by two thirds majority. The names and addresses of the members who propose to form a new club must be received by the Executive Officer of Soccer Otago Inc at least seven days prior to the date of the meeting at which the application is to be considered. No group of members shall be allowed to form a new club unless such group consists of at least fifteen players.
46. a) The Executive Officer of Soccer Otago Inc shall, within a fortnight after election of any new club, inform it by letters of its election, and send it a copy of Rules and By-laws of Soccer Otago Inc. After election and before being entitled to appoint delegates in accordance with these rules, the club must have paid an annual affiliation fee.
b) Clubs having their own home grounds must be responsible for the upkeep of all goal posts.
47. SUSPENSION AND PUNISHMENT OF CLUBS AND PLAYERS
In accordance with rules laid down by Soccer New Zealand
48. DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
a) The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of three, being one member of the Board of Directors, one member of the Referees Committee who does not hold office on any sub-committee of Soccer Otago Inc and one independent appointment by Soccer Otago Inc who shall not hold any office within the member clubs of Soccer Otago Inc. At a disciplinary hearing, the Referee’s report shall be taken as fact insofar as the Rules and Laws of the game, but in the event of doubt and at the uncontrolled discretion of the Board shall be empowered to ask the referee for further evidence. The written reports of evidence shall be maintained by the Board of Directors and shall be the only evidence considered in the event of an appeal.
b) In the event of an appeal, the matter will be heard by the Board of Directors of Soccer Otago Inc.
49. POWERS OF DISQUALIFICATION
The Board of Directors shall have power to disqualify any competing club, player or players who may prove guilty of any breach of the Rules of Soccer Otago Inc or of the Laws of the Game, or who may fail to fulfil any obligations imposed upon any such club, player or players.
50. AS TO DISPUTES
Should any disputes arise between any clubs engaged in the competition of Soccer Otago Inc, the Board of Directors shall, upon request by either club, call upon the Referees report, and, after discussing such report, the Board shall have power to settle the point in dispute. In all such enquiries the referee’s decision as to any question relating to the Laws of the Game shall be accepted by Soccer Otago Inc as final, e.g. as to whether a player was off-side or whether he/she was guilty of a back charge. In all cases where the matter is one of pure fact, and does not turn on any law of the game, then the Board of Directors shall hear and weigh evidence on the matter.
51. APPEALS
An appeal from the decision of the Board of Directors or other bodies may be made to Federation 7, such appeal to be forwarded through the Executive Officer of Soccer Otago Inc within seven days, to be accompanied by the amount as is set out in the Rules and Regulations of Soccer New Zealand governing appeals.
52. Any club considering itself adversely affected by any decision given against it, or otherwise adversely affected in the cup competition, may appeal to the Board of Directors by forwarding a written statement of its complaint, setting out the nature thereof: the law, rule or order infringed, and the name of the club, player or players (if any) complained against.
53. An intention to appeal should be formally intimated to the referee and to the captain of the opposing team by the captain of the team protesting as soon as may be after the ground of appeal arises or is ascertained. The appeal should be lodged in writing by the protesting club with the Board of Directors of Soccer Otago Inc no later than 5.00pm on the Monday following the match. A deposit of $10.00 shall accompany each appeal, and shall be forfeited if, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, the grounds of appeal be deemed trivial.
54. No unfinancial player from a previous season shall be registered until he/she has become financial. At the beginning of each season, clubs shall notify the Executive Officer of the unfinancial members and these members shall be suspended until subscriptions are paid.
55. Among other results for breach of foregoing rules as to registration of players, the Draw Sub-Committee shall have power to award the match to the side against which a team has played in breach of these rules in respect of registration.
56. No previously registered player (excepting players leaving or joining a secondary school or secondary college) may play for another club of Soccer Otago Inc without a transfer. Applications for transfers from one to another must be accompanied by the acceptance of the application registration by his/her late club. If such clearance be refused, he/she shall have the right to appeal to the Board of Directors. Transfer fee shall be $5.00. This fee must be paid when the transfer is lodged with the Executive Officer of Soccer Otago Inc. If in the opinion of the Board of Directors, the case is a bona fide case of change of residence, the transfer fee may be refunded.
57. TRANSFERS AND RE-GRADE OF PLAYERS
a) Regrade of a player shall not be required in any grade when the team the player normally plays for is playing that day.
b) Regrades must be applied for no later than 5pm the day prior to the match for which the regrade is sought.
c) No player can play in more than one grade or competition on the same day. Unless the second game is in higher competition, any abuse of this rule may require Soccer Otago Inc to take action as in Rule 57(d).
d) Any clubs failure to comply with provisions of this rule or players playing under false names, shall forfeit all points gained in that game, such points shall be awarded to the opposing team and the offending club shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $50.00 for each offence under this rule.
58. Regrades of any player will not be granted where there are only three playing days to be played to complete the competition in any grade, and the grade you normally play for is finished
59. No transfer shall be allowed for any player from one club to another, irrespective of its status in National, Regional or Local Associations Football between 30th June and 31st October in any season. The only time when an application to transfer after that date can be considered, shall be when a player can show that because of circumstances beyond his/her control, he/she is obliged to change his/her place of residence, thereby coming under the jurisdiction of another Association.
60. STATE OF PLAYING AREAS ETC.
In the event of the captains failing to agree about the state of the ground, goal posts, or appurtenances of the game, the referee shall decide whether the game shall be played or not, his/her decision shall be final.
61. SPECTATORS – CONTROL OF
When it can be proved that spectators conduct themselves in such a manner as to interfere with the players or impede or stop the game, the Draw Sub-Committee shall have the power to order the match to be replayed.
62. DEFAULT
Any team failing to keep its engagement may, unless it has given notice by noon on the Friday proceeding the match to the Executive Officer of Soccer Otago Inc of its inability to keep such engagement, be fined up to $50.00 such fee to be paid to Soccer Otago Inc. The Referees’ Association shall also be notified of a pending default in order that the referee can be advised. In the advent of a referee or opposing team having travelling expenses needlessly incurred, the cost shall be paid by the infringing club.
63. UNIFORM OF PLAYERS
Players in all matches shall appear in proper uniform as registered with Soccer Otago Inc, and the referee at his/her discretion, may refuse to let a player improperly dressed take part in the game.
64. EFFECTS OF BREACH OF COMPETITION RULES
Except were otherwise provided or decided by the Draw Sub-Committee, any violation of the Rules shall be forfeiture of the match by the club responsible for the violation.
65. RESULTS OF THE GAME TO BE NOTIFIED
The official match card containing the names of both clubs and signed by the winning captain/captains in the case of a draw, must be in the hands of Soccer Otago Inc no later than 5.00pm on the Tuesday following the date of the match, the offending club shall be advised that if the card is still not received by Thursday 5.00pm, no points shall be awarded. For any subsequent offence, the above action will be taken and a fine not exceeding $50.00 will be charged for each offence. No substitute card will be accepted unless signed by both clubs.
66. SUPPLY OF BALLS
In all matches, each competing team shall supply a match ball, provided always that in each senior match, the recognised home team shall supply two match balls. A game prematurely stopped on account of failure of one of the teams to comply with this rule, shall be awarded to the non-offending side by default.
67. Each club playing under the jurisdiction of Soccer Otago Inc shall be responsible for the safe custody of any cup or trophy belonging to Soccer Otago Inc, and in the meantime held by it as winner thereof. If any such cup or trophy is lost or defaced, such club shall be liable to make good to Soccer Otago Inc loss in that respect.
68. NOTICE OF PROPOSED AMENMENT OF COMPETITION REGULATIONS
Notice of any amendment or alteration in the Competition Regulations must be given in writing, along with the names of the proposer and seconder if any such alterations or amendments, to the Executive Officer Of Soccer Otago Inc at least fourteen days before the Annual or Special General Meeting at which such alteration or amendment is intended to be proposed.
69. ALTERATION OR AMENDMENT OF REGULATIONS
Any of the competition regulations may, after the necessary notice has been given, be altered or added to by consent of the majority of those entitled to vote present at the Annual or Special General Meeting. Notice of any proposed alteration or amendment shall be given by the Executive Officer to the secretaries of the various affiliated clubs at least seven days before such meeting by advertisement or circular.
70. CHATHAM CUP
Clubs entering the above competition will be governed by the competition regulations in the Soccer New Zealand Handbook.
COMPETITION REGULATIONS
71. CUPS AND TROPHIES – OWNERSHIP
The cups and trophies played for in these competitions are and at all times remain, the property of Soccer Otago Inc.
72. NATURE OF ANNUAL COMPETITIONS
The competitions for these cups and trophies shall be annual, and shall be open to affiliated clubs, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, as the Draws Sub-Committee may from time to time create.
73. DIVISION COMPETITIONS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE BOARD
The various division competitions shall be conducted in accordance with the instructions of the Draw Sub-Committee, whose decision in all matters relating to the conduct of the competition shall be final. The scoring shall be three points for a win and one point for a draw. The team having the highest number of points when the particular competition in which it is playing is closed by the Draw Sub-Committee shall be declared the winning team. In the event of teams finishing level on points when the Draw Sub-Committee closes the competition, the team with the best goal difference shall be declared the winning team.
74. The Referees’ Association shall be asked to supply the names of referees available for all matches, and shall be asked to nominate referees for each match played under the jurisdiction of Soccer Otago Inc.