GSFA Constitution

GRAVESHAM SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

1. The Association shall be called the Gravesham Secondary Schools’ Football Association (GSFA) and shall be affiliated to the Kent Schools’ Football Association and the English Schools’ Football Association.

2. The object of the Association shall be the mental, moral and physical development of school children through the medium of Association Football.

3. Membership of this Association shall be open to all schools in the borough of Gravesham.

4. An Executive Committee consisting of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, together with team managers shall control the affairs of the Association.

In order to achieve the objects in rule 2 the Executive Committee shall have power to:

a) obtain, collect and receive money or funds by way of contributions, donations, grants, sponsorship and any other lawful method;

b) to do all such lawful things as will further the objective of the Gravesham Secondary Schools’ Football Association.

5. An Honorary Vice-Presidency of the Association may be conferred on any individual who has rendered meritorious service to the Association.

6. The Officers of the Association shall be a President, a Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a Child Welfare Officer who shall be elected annually at the AGM, together with team managers. Nominations for these Officers and Committee members, which must be in writing and whose consent shall first be obtained, may be named by any Affiliated School or individual committee member to the Secretary not later than May 1st. Nominations for all elected positions at the AGM shall be deemed automatic as far as current post holders are concerned unless notice to the contrary has been given to the Secretary by May 1st.

7. The Annual General Meeting shall be held between June 1st and July 20th each year. The General Secretary shall give 14 clear days notice to all affiliated Schools of the place, day and hour of such meeting and other Special General Meetings. An agenda, specifying the nature of the business to be transacted, shall also be sent. At any Special General Meeting one vote for each School shall be allowed. Members of the Executive Committee will have one vote each. Notice of any business or proposition - other than those proposed by the Executive - shall be submitted to the AGM and given to the Secretary no later than 10 days before the published date of the AGM.

8. The affiliation fee for each affiliated School shall be determined by the Executive, and shall be payable on or before the AGM for the forthcoming season.

9. The Secretary shall convene a Special General Meeting at any time on receiving a requisition stating the objects of the meeting and signed by the representatives of not less than six affiliated Schools. Alternatively, the Secretary shall convene a Special General Meeting should it be deemed necessary and desirable by the Executive Committee. Such meetings shall be held with 28 days of the Secretary receiving the requisition.

10. For the transaction of business at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting four members shall form a quorum. The Executive Committee may appoint such committees or commissions as it may consider necessary and delegate all or any of its powers to such committees or commissions. At an Executive Meeting three members shall form a quorum. The chairman or person presiding at any meeting shall have a second or casting vote if necessary. The Secretary will ensure that minutes are kept of all meetings.

11. The rules of all competitions arranged by the Association shall be published and each competition shall be registered with the ESFA.

12. Affiliated Schools shall compete only in competitions approved by the Executive Committee.

13. No school shall be registered by more than one District Association.

14. Players, officials, spectators and all Schools are required to observe and enforce the rules, regulations and byelaws of the Football Association.

15. Every School is responsible to the Kent Schools’ Football Association for the actions of its players, officials and spectators.

16. All affiliated schools make their players available for District selection and, if possible, their pitches and other facilities available to the GSFA on request.

17. Schools that fail to satisfactorily attend to the business and / or the correspondence of the GSFA shall be dealt with under the discretionary powers of the Executive, which shall include a fine not exceeding £10.

18.    i) The selection of the Association’s Representative Side(s) shall be vested in the elected Management Team

            ii) The Association’s Representative Team (s) shall be selected on merit/ability

            iii) All affiliated schools shall be invited to nominate players to play in representative teams.

19. Players selected to represent the District must abide by the requirements of the GSFA as published in the Players Handbook and approved by the Executive Committee. Players who infringe these requirements may be required to attend a Disciplinary Commission, and will be dealt with at that Commission’s discretion. Players attending schools within the area of the GSFA’s jurisdiction must not participate in more than one full-sided match on any particular day. Any player selected to play for a District representative team must not play for any other team on the day of the match for which he has been selected. Players who are selected for a District match and fail to appear may be required to attend a Disciplinary Commission of the Association and may be dealt with at that Commission’s discretion.

20. Gravesham Schools F.A. shall adopt and fully adhere and conform to all the ESFA/FA Child Welfare Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.

21. The Executive shall have power to deal with all matters not covered in the foregoing.

22. These rules shall not be altered except at a Special General Meeting and then only by resolution carried by a majority of those present and voting. Notice of any proposal or any amendment or alteration in these rules shall be given in writing to the Secretary at least 28 days before the date of the Special General Meeting.

23. The Association may be dissolved by resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose, of which at least 14 days notice shall be given. Such resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of the Association, provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such property shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Association, but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to some or all of the objects of the Association as the Association may determine and if and insofar as effect cannot be given to this provision then to some other charitable purpose.

24. The financial year of the Association shall be from 1st June to 31st May. All monies raised by or on behalf of the GSFA shall be applied to further the object of the association and for no other purpose.

25. Standing Orders at meetings shall be those of the English Schools’ Football Association.

26. The Executive shall be empowered to appoint and employ such professional expertise, as they deem necessary.

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Gravesham Schools' Secondary Football Association is a non-profit making, voluntary organisation which aims to enhance the mental, moral and physical development of school children through football. We provide representative football for secondary age pupils of Gravesham schools. In addition, Gravesham schools have the opportunity to enter inter-school competitions organised for both boys and girls from Years 7 to Year 11.