Preface (not forming part of this Constitution)

A detailed review of the structure and working of the

Norfolk Hockey Association shall be completed by the

end of the second year of the Association.

1. Title

The Association will be called the Norfolk Hockey

Association ("the Association"). This will be shortened

to Norfolk Hockey when necessary.

2. Purpose

To manage the game of hockey in the county of Norfolk

("the county"). It will be bound by the constitution of

the EHA and ERHA to abide by the rules of the game

of hockey, as written by the Hockey Rules Board, or

other competition rules as approved by the EHA.

3. Membership of the Association

All clubs, universities (referred to as "clubs") and

schools wishing to play hockey, which affiliate to the

association. Each club will pay an affiliation fee. Each

school will be affiliated to the appropriate youth section.

4. Aims and Objectives

4.1 To represent and promote the interests of all

hockey in the county and to implement policy as laid

down by the EHA and the ERHA.

4.2 To develop plans to ensure the game of hockey

prospers at all levels.

4.3 To develop players, umpires and coaches, so that,

where appropriate, they can achieve representative

status.

4.4 To manage and organise any competitions, as

required.

5. Sports Equity

It shall be the policy of the association to embrace

the principles of Sports Equity (ie "fairness") as defined

by Sport England, and to encourage clubs and schools

to do so.

6. Council

Subject to the over-riding powers of a General Meeting,

the association will be governed by a Council ("the

Council"). The Council may delegate any of its powers

at it thinks fit.

The Council will consist of senior officers all annually

elected or appointed as appropriate.

• President

• Deputy president

• Chairman

• Vice-chairman

• Honorary secretary

• Honorary treasurer

Other members -

• a representative from each of the following

committees:

Clubs, Women's League Management, Schools

and Youth (Boys and Girls),

• East League representative

• Disciplinary Administrator

• Norfolk Hockey Umpires' Association

representative

• Honorary Publicity Officer.

6.1 Council Meetings

At least four meetings will be held in each

association year. The quorum will be half the

members, of which two must be senior officers.

Notice of meetings will be given at least ten days

before the date of the meeting.

6.2 Terms of Reference

The Council will

6.2.1 Prescribe the policies of the association.

6.2.2 Affiliate / disaffiliate to outside bodies,

as appropriate.

6.2.3 Approve the appointments of the secretaries

of the association's other committees.

6.2.4 Approve the appointments of members to

represent the association on any other

committees.

6.2.5 Uphold the disciplinary procedure as laid

down by the EHL.

6.2.6 Take any action which it thinks fit to further

hockey within Norfolk.

7. Council Committees

7.1 Clubs Committee

7.1.1 will consist of

• a chairman

• a secretary

• a representative of each club

• any Council member, as required.

7.1.2 The chairman and secretary will be elected

from the membership at the first meeting.

7.1.3 At least four meetings will be held in each

association year.

7.1.4 The quorum will be half the members,

excluding any additional Council members.

7.2 Terms of Reference

The Clubs Committee will

7.2.1 Be responsible to the Council

7.2.2 Deal with any issue directly relating to the

interests of the clubs

7.2.3 Consider and formulate any proposal to the

Council.

7.2.4 Run any competitions the clubs/association

request.

7.3 Schools and Youth, Boys and Girls

7.3.1 Schools and Youth boys and girls sections

will be responsible to the Council.

7.3.2 Both will consist of

- a chairman

- an honorary secretary

- a competitions secretary

- a coaching secretary

- team managers for the different age groups

- a mini hockey tournament co-ordinator

- area representative where relevant

- Norfolk representative to ERHA coaching and

youth competitions committee.

7.4 Terms of Reference for both

7.4.1 Oversee and monitor matters relating to youth

hockey (being anyone under the age of 21)

7.4.2 Advise and co-operate with the relevant

committees on all youth hockey matters

7.4.3 Run competitions for youth hockey within the

county

7.4.4 Give maximum encouragement to clubs and

schools so that they promote the development

of youth hockey.

7.4.5 Encourage and assist with provision of coaching

opportunities for boys and girls at all levels and

abilities.

7.4.6 Organise a planned programme for development

of county youth squads and provide the widest

opportunity for assessment, selection, training

and participation.

7.4.7 Promote the development of young umpires.

7.5 Women's League Management

Committee will be responsible to the Council

and will consist of:

• Honorary league secretary

• Divisional secretaries, as elected at the

League Annual General Meeting

• Honorary results co-ordinator

• NHUA representative.

7.6 The Committee will

7.10.1 Be responsible for the running and development

of Women's League Hockey played under the

aegis of the association.

7.10.2 Refer any appeals to the Council.

7.7 Disciplinary Committee

7.7.1 A committee of the Council, convened as and

when necessary, consisting of the Disciplinary

Administrator and four senior Council officers

nominated by the President on an ad hoc basis.

7.7.2 It will abide by and adhere to the Discipline

Code as laid down by the EHL.

7.7.3 All matters deserve a hearing and all decisions

are subject to appeal.

7.7.4 All appeals will be considered by the Council

and be subject to a fee.

7.8 All Committees

7.8.1 Each member will have a vote.

7.8.2 The Chairman will have the casting vote.

7.8.3 The Chairman / Honorary Secretary may invite

to any meeting anyone they think fit. These

people may not vote.

7.8.4 If the Chairman is absent, the meeting will elect

a Chairman.

7.8.5 The appointment of their Secretary is subject

to ratification by the Council.

7.8.6 Can make appointments, as appropriate, to its

own sub-committees and representatives to

other committees.

8. Umpires' Administration

This role will be delegated to the Norfolk Hockey

Umpires' Association ("NUHA") who undertake:

8.1 To organise umpires for league matches, as

appropriate.

8.2 To foster the coaching and development of

individual umpires within the county.

8.3 Develop, implement and monitor plans for

recruitment, education and assessment of

umpires and umpire coaches.

8.4 Formulate and implement a policy for the selection

and appointment of umpires to matches within

the county and for the county pool.

9. Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held in May of each year, on a

day and at a venue set by Council.

9.1 Notice of the AGM, a list of nominations for officers

and a copy of the agenda will be circulated to

clubs at least 21 days before the date of the

meeting.

9.2 Business to be dealt with

• the election of officers, as appropriate

• the appointment of an auditor

• the presentation and adoption of accounts

• the approval of amendments to the Constitution

• NHA / ERHA / EHL business

• agree date of the next AGM

• any other agreed business on the agenda

9.3 Any proposals must be notified to the Honorary

Secretary at least 28 days before the date of the

meeting. In respect of any proposals to change

the Constitution, a two thirds majority of those

present and voting is needed to pass a proposal.

9.4 Any other vote will be carried by a simple majority.

9.5 The President will chair the meeting or in his/her

absence the Chairman. If both are absent the

meeting will elect a chair.

9.6 Club representatives will be entitled to vote on the

following basis:

• 2 votes for a mixed sex club (1 representative of

each section must attend)

• 1 vote for a single sex club

• 1 vote for a club playing only mixed hockey.

9.7 All Council members (as listed in paragraph 6)

shall be entitled to vote. There will be no postal or

proxy voting.

9.8 15 members present and entitled to vote will form

a quorum.

9.9 Anyone associated with the game is entitled to

attend the meeting but cannot vote and can only

speak if invited to do so by the Chairman.

10. Special / Extraordinary Meetings

The Honorary Secretary will call a S/EGM at any time

by order of the Council or upon receipt of a request

signed by one of the following Chairman, Club Captain,

Honorary Secretary of at least eight affiliated clubs.

10.1 The request will state exactly why an S/EGM

should be called. The meeting will be called within

six weeks of the request.

10.2 At least 28 days notice of an S/EGM will be given

to voting members of the association.

10.3 Provisions applying to an AGM will apply to an

S/EGM.

10.4 The association year will be from 1st June to 31st

May. The financial year will be from 1st April to

31st March.