DISTRICT COMPETITIONS
COMMITTEE CHARTER
Amended 19 September 2012
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1. Role of the District Competitions Committee
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To operate in accordance with the Objects of Basketball SA and in the best interests of the South
Australian basketball community.
To develop strategic recommendations for the ongoing improvement of Basketball SA
competitions and related programs.
To promote and provide advice in relation to the conduct of the District Competition, State
Championships, CABL and any other activity deemed appropriate by the Commission.
To coordinate competitions, as directed by the Commission, and to ensure that competitions
are conducted in accordance with the Constitution, By Laws and rules of Basketball SA.
To ensure that every opportunity is provided for players, coaches, officials and administrators to
participate in the highest level of amateur basketball in the state.
To strive to provide a program of events, competitions, tournaments and other relevant
basketball activities that drives improvement in South Australian basketball.
To do all things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of Basketball SA objectives.
2. Responsibilities of the District Competitions Committee
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To make recommendations on the structure of Basketball SA competitions, and the criteria for
participating in these competitions.
To monitor, interpret, review and recommend competition by-laws.
To grade teams into appropriate divisions.
To assist with competition presentation ceremonies.
To advise and recommend the allocation of Australian Championships to appropriate bodies
within South Australia.
Maintain and conduct a basketball tribunal system in accordance with the Basketball SA
Constitution and by-laws.
To assist with the management of the SA Junior Championships.
To recommend the seeding criteria for national tournaments such as the Under 14 Australian
Club Championships, the National Schools Basketball Tournament and the Melbourne Classic.
To communicate regularly with competition participants and stakeholders.
To do all other activities as deemed necessary by the Basketball SA Commission.
In discharging these responsibilities, each Committee member is bound by the Incorporations Act, the
Constitution and all charters, policies and codes of conduct in force from time to time.
The Committee’s responsibilities are collegiate and, once decisions are made, Committee members
must not publicly advocate policies contrary to established Committee decisions.
3. Competition Committee Membership
The Competition Committee shall consist of the following:
 A Commission Member with the District Competitions portfolio
 Seven other members , and
 The Competitions Manager (ex-officio)
 The Committee Members shall be elected from a nomination process conducted annually.
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Committee members will serve for two years
Committee members may re-nominate at the end of their term
In each even year three Committee Members will be appointed and in each odd numbered year four
Committee Members may be appointed
At the end of each term Committee members will vacate their seat, but are able to re-stand for a
further term. No Committee Member shall serve for more than three consecutive terms.
Should any adjustment to the term of a Committee Member be necessary to ensure rotational
terms, this will be determined by the Commission.
The Chairman of the Committee shall be selected by the Commission on an annual basis.
4. Competitions Manager
The Competitions Manager (CM) is the employed Basketball SA staff member responsible for the
Competitions Department. The CM reports directly to the Basketball SA CEO in relation to the affairs of
the competitions department, but importantly liaises closely with the Chairman of the Competition
Committee.
The CM is an ex-officio member of the Committee, but it is expected that the CM shall provide the
Committee with guidance and proposals (as required) for consideration by the Committee in respect of
operational matters.
The duties and responsibilities of the CM are contained in a job description, which shall be set by the
CEO and may be amended from time to time
5. Code of Conduct
Basketball SA is committed to delivering excellent programs and services to members and to fostering
an ethical and transparent culture. To this end, Basketball SA has established a Code of Conduct for the
Commission and sub-committees, which is designed to ensure that high standards of corporate and
individual behaviour are observed by the Commission and all sub-committees.
The Code of Conduct requires that Basketball SA Commissioners and Committee members will:
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Be honest
Allow others to speak their views
Always act appropriately
Be open to new ideas
Maintain solidarity and confidentiality
Act with integrity
Actively participate
Act in the best interests of Basketball SA
Avoid conflicts of interest between their personal interests and those of Basketball SA and its
members.
Not take advantage of opportunities arising from their position for personal gain or in competition
with Basketball SA.
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The Code of Conduct requires Commissioners, Committee members and employees to report any actual
or potential breach of the law, the Code of Conduct or other Basketball SA policies. Basketball SA
promotes and encourages ethical behaviour and provides protection for those who report violations.
6. Role of the Committee Chair
The responsibilities of the Chair are principally to:
a. Liaise with the Competitions Manager to see that new Committee members are appropriately
briefed and have access to information on aspects of Basketball SA´s operations;
b. Establish the agenda for Committee meetings, in consultation with the Competition’s Manager
c. Be the main point of contact and communication between the Committee and the Competition’s
Manager, ensuring that the Committee´s views are communicated clearly and accurately;
d. Lead the review of the Committee´s performance and
e. Preside over District Competition Committee Meetings. He/she has the task of making sure the
Committee is well informed and effective; that the members, individually and as a group, have the
opportunity to air differences, explore ideas and generate the collective views and wisdom
necessary for the proper operation of the Committee and Basketball SA;
f. Set a standard for Committee members in terms of attendance at meetings and prior familiarity
with Committee Papers distributed and issues to be raised;
g. Ensure that the meetings are conducted competently, ethically and in an open fashion consistent
with a transparent culture; he/she is expected to provide effective leadership in formulating the
strategic direction for the Group; and
7. Expectations
a. A Committee member must devote such time as is necessary to carry out the duties of the
Committee.
 This normally entails attendance at a monthly meeting,
 Participation in tribunals and presentations
 Active involvement in email correspondence
 Early preparation for all meetings
b. The Committee must, at all times, endeavour to apply best practice governance, which includes, but
is not limited to the constitution, structures, delegations, charters, terms of reference,
communications and meetings.
7. Meetings
a. Frequency
The Committee shall hold monthly meetings and the Chairman or Competitions Manager may call
any other such meetings as may be required to conduct the affairs of the Committee.
b. Meeting Day and Time
The day and time for meetings shall be set by the Chairman. The time and place to be set on the
agenda.
c. Attendance
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The Competitions Committee and Competitions Manager (or other Basketball SA representative)
shall attend the meetings. The CEO and Basketball SA Chairman are also able to attend the
meetings. From time to time, meetings may also be attended by other persons (e.g. Referee
Development Manager, STOP, Stats, etc) by invitation from the Chairman, however they shall have
no voting rights
d. Agenda
The agenda for each meeting will be distributed to the Committee members by the CM by email no
less than 5 days prior to each scheduled meeting. Any member wishing to add business to the
agenda must inform the Competitions Manager in due time. Other business can be raised at the
meeting, but it will be at the discretion of the Chairman whether it shall be discussed or passed over
to the next meeting.
e. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting shall be recorded by the Competitions Manager or a Committee
member appointed by the Chairman (if the Competitions Manager is not in attendance). The
minutes of the meeting shall be distributed to the Committee members within one week of the date
of the meeting.
f. Confirmation by the Commission
The minutes shall be confirmed as a correct record (subject to alteration) at the next Competition
Committee meeting and shall be formally adopted thereafter by the Commission.
g. Action
No action outside of delegated authorities will be taken by the Committee or management until the
Committee minutes and the appropriate recommendations have been adopted by the Commission.
The Commission will outline to the Competition Committee and/or it’s working group’s the powers
and authority to act, in which case further reference to the Commission will not be required.
8. Appointment of Working Groups
The Competitions Committee shall have the right to appoint working groups to perform such duties
and tasks as are deemed desirable provided those groups are working towards the objectives of the
Competition Committee and Basketball SA. The appointment and alteration of all working groups
will be under the control of the Chairman, subject to ratification by the Commission. These
appointments and alterations are to be recorded in the minutes of the respective Competition
Committee meeting.
9. Confidentiality
The members of the Competition Committee in accepting their role agree to abide by the terms and
conditions of the Basketball SA Confidentiality policy, which is attached as an addendum.
10.Communication and Consultancy
It is recognised that an important aspect of the Committee making decision on behalf of the
members is that it has provided strong opportunity to provide and receive feedback from member
representatives. Therefore, to provide the Committee and Clubs with a communication and
consultancy tool, a meeting with club delegates shall occur every 4 – 6 months.
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Club Delegates
Each Club competing in the district competition shall be asked to put forward a delegate
to represent the club in a regular communication and consultancy forum with the
Competitions Committee. Clubs should ensure that their delegate is empowered and
trusted with the responsibility to speak on behalf of the club at these meetings.
Delegates are also to be informed that the meetings are aimed at progressing the sport,
therefore a positive approach toward consultancy and feedback is recommended.
Forum
The forum shall be held in line with a specific agenda that is sent at least two weeks in
advance to allow clubs and their delegates to discuss key topics. The forum is not a
decision making body, therefore no matters will be raised seeking approval, although
the Committee will be trying to gauge club positions in relation to topics raised.
11.Dispute Resolution
An allegation that a Committee member has breached the Charter (complaint) may only be made by a
Committee member, Commissioner, the Chief Executive Officer or an employee of Basketball SA who
ordinarily reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (each a complainant).
A complaint shall be dealt with in accordance with the procedures set out below:
A complaint must:
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Be in writing;
(ii) Specify which section of the Charter is alleged to have been breached and contain particulars of
the alleged breach; and
(iii) Include any available supporting material.
Such complaint shall be referred to the Commission for review, excluding the complainant (if from
within the Commission) and the alleged Committee member. The Commission shall then take the
following actions:
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Notify the Relevant Committee member of the complaint and forward a copy of the complaint
to the Relevant Committee member with that notice;
Allow the Relevant Committee member not less than 5 Business Days after the date of the
notice to comment on the complaint; and
May request the Relevant Committee member to provide a written response in relation to the
complaint not later than 5 Business Days after the date of the notice or such later date as is
specified in such notice.
The Commission will:
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Give consideration to the serious consequences of a finding that there has been a breach of this
Code by the Relevant Committee member; and
Make a finding (by majority) that in their opinion a breach of this Code has occurred on the basis
of the balance of probabilities. There is no specific protection against liability for defamation in
respect of complaints.
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The Commission should consider how serious a contravention of the Code is and may then impose such
sanctions as they consider (by majority) appropriate where they make a finding (by majority) that in
their opinion a breach of this Code has occurred on the basis of the balance of probabilities. The
sanctions which may be imposed include (but are not limited to) one or more of the following:
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Suspension of the Relevant Committee member from membership of any Committee of the
Commission;
Suspension or curtailment of some or all of the activities permitted to be undertaken by a
Committee member;
Giving notice of intention to remove the relevant Committee member from his or her office as a
Committee member of Basketball SA.
12.Review of Performance
The Committee will conduct, annually, a comprehensive review of its performance as a Committee.
The method of conducting each review, and the extent of that review, is for the Commission to
determine from time to time.
The review of the Chairman´s performance is conducted in accordance with the Commission’s
guidelines.
13.Review Charter
The Commission will regularly review this charter to ensure they remain consistent with the
Commissions objectives and responsibilities, and relevant standards of corporate governance.
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