CONSTITUTION of THE CONNACHT BRANCH of THE IRISH
HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (As amended at a General Meeting of the Branch on Monday 20 April
th
2015)
1. TITLE
The governing body for hockey in Connacht shall be called the Connacht Branch (hereinafter
referred to as the "Branch") of the Irish Hockey Association. The constitution of the Branch
shall be in accordance with the Constitution and Rules of the Irish Hockey Association
2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Branch shall be:
a) to encourage, promote, develop, manage and control all hockey in Connacht;
b) to administer the funds of the Branch;
c) to appoint employee(s) and/or contractors for the efficient administration of the
objectives of the Branch;
d) to make, maintain and publish rules and regulations for the proper running of the
Branch;
e) to do all such other things as may be necessary or conducive for the attainment of the
above objectives.
3. MEMBERSHIP
a) (i) Membership of the Branch shall be open to any club or school or third level
college situated in Connacht wishing to participate in the game of hockey and any such
club or school or third level college shall agree to be bound by the Constitution of the
Branch.
(ii) The decision to grant membership shall be taken at the Annual General Meeting on
the recommendation of The Management Committee. Notice of such recommendation
for membership shall appear on the agenda of that AGM for approval. A club or school
or third level college wishing to become a member of the Branch must complete the
formal application to The Management Committee who can approve membership
subject to ratification at the following AGM.
b) Membership shall be by affiliation as explained in Article 5.
4. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Honorary Life Membership of the Branch may be conferred on a person whose services to
the Branch are such that entitle that person to that distinction. Nominations shall be
proposed at the Management Committee meeting immediately prior to the Annual General
Meeting (AGM) and notice of such nominations shall appear on the agenda of that AGM for
ratification.
5. AFFILIATION FEES
a) Each club or school or third level college shall pay annually to the Branch such Branch
affiliation fees as may be determined at the AGM.
b) The Branch shall, on behalf of the Irish Hockey Association, collect IHA affiliation fees
from each club or school or third level college as determined by the IHA.
c) The amount of all such affiliation fees shall be forwarded to the Honorary Treasurer not
later than one month after being billed by the Branch.
d) The Management Committee shall have the power to discipline and/or fine any club or
school or third level college for late payment.
6. TRUSTEES
a) The Branch shall have no more than three (3) Trustees. The Trustees shall be deemed to
be Trustees within the meaning of the Trustees Acts 1893 as amended.
b) The Trustees, on nomination by the Management Committee, shall be appointed by
resolution on notice and supported by not less than two thirds of those present, entitled
to vote and voting at a general meeting.
c) Trustees will be appointed annually at the AGM.
d) The property of the Branch shall be vested in the Trustees who shall deal with the
property and assets of the Branch as directed by resolution of the Annual General
Meeting. The Trustees, in carrying out such duties, will not be held personally liable.
e) The Trustees, with the sanction of the Management Committee, shall have the right to
sell, lease, or otherwise acquire land, buildings or other real or personal property or
interest therein, in trust for the Branch and to borrow or raise money on the security on
any land, buildings or property so acquired provided always that such decisions shall be
passed by a two thirds majority at a general meeting. The Trustees, in carrying out such
duties,. will not be held personally liable.
f)
A Trustee, on giving notice to the Honorary Secretary of the Branch, shall be entitled to
attend and speak at any meeting of the Management Committee only in relation to
his/her responsibilities as a Trustee but in such capacity shall not be entitled to vote.
Trustees shall be entitled to receive all agenda, notices and minutes of the Management
Committee meetings.
g) The Branch shall have power by resolution on notice, and supported by not less than
two thirds of those present, entitled to vote and voting at a general meeting, to remove
from such office any Trustee if the Management Committee, in its absolute discretion
shall consider it either necessary or desirable in the interest of the Branch to so do.
h) If a vacancy shall occur in the number of Trustees by removal, resignation or death the
number of Trustees shall be restored to three (3) at the next General Meeting.
i)
The surviving or continuing Trustees shall have power to act notwithstanding any casual
vacancy or vacancies in the number of Trustees.
7. OFFICERS
a) The Officers of the Branch shall be the President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary,
Honorary Treasurer, Honorory Fixtures Secretary and a Public Relations Officer.
b) The President and Vice President, shall each be elected for one year at the Annual
General Meeting and each shall be eligible for re election up to a maximum of two
consecutive years, after which the person shall not fill that office for a minimum period
of eleven months.
c) Other Officers shall be elected for one year at the AGM and shall be eligible for reelection for further one year periods.
d) The President shall represent the Branch and in his/her absence the Vice President shall
represent the Branch. In the absence of both the President and the Vice President the
President shall nominate a representative from the other officers of the Branch.
e) Any vacancy arising amongst the Officers of the Branch shall be filled as soon as may be
practical by an appointment by the Management Committee and the person so
appointed shall hold office until the next AGM.
f)
The Branch shall indemnify each of its Officers, officials and employees, when acting in
good faith, against claims by third parties for liabilities arising out of their official duties
for, or on behalf of, the Branch.
8. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Branch shall be governed by the Management Committee. The Management
Committee shall consist of six (6) members as follows:






President (Chairperson),
Vice President,
Past President, (No voting rights)
Honorary Secretary,
Honorary Treasurer,
Honorary Fixtures Secretary
9. MEETINGS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
a) The Management Committee shall hold at least six (6) meetings in each year.
b) The President shall chair the Management Committee Meetings and in his/her absence
the Vice-President shall chair the Meetings. In the absence of both, a chairperson shall
be elected from those present and entitled to vote.
c) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy arising on the
Management Committee during the year.
I.
A special Meeting of the Management Committee shall be held when a
request is made in writing to the Honorary Secretary by a majority of the Officers
of the Branch outlining the purpose of the proposed meeting. The meeting must
be held within seven (7) days of the making of the request, with at least three
days notice given to all entitled to receive same.
II.
A special Meeting of the Management Committee shall also be held when a
request is made in writing to the Honorary Secretary by any two affiliated clubs,
schools or third level colleges or a combination of same. Any such request by the
latter, shall express the purpose of the proposed meeting and, upon receipt of
the request plus a fee of one hundred Euros (€ 100), the Honorary Secretary shall
immediately call a Special Meeting of the Management Committee. The meeting
has to take place within seven (7) days of the making of the request, with at least
seven days notice given to all entitled to receive same.
III.
In the notice of any special meeting of the Management Committee, the
Honorary Secretary shall specify the date, time and place of the meeting and the
agenda for the meeting.
d) The quorum for meetings of the Management Committee shall be a fifty percent (50%)
plus one of the members entitled to vote.
e) Every resolution validly proposed and seconded at Management Committee meetings
shall be decided by a simple majority of votes of those present, entitled to vote and
voting. Except as provided in (f) below, no person shall cast more than one vote.
f)
In the case of equality of votes, the Chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or
casting vote.
10. EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
a) There shall be a committee of the Branch known as the Emergency Committee which
shall consist of the President of the Management Committee, Hon. Secretary, Honorary
Treasurer.
b) The Emergency Committee shall meet formally and shall have the power to transact
urgent business on behalf of the Branch Management Committee between meetings but
shall not have any greater powers than those vested in the Branch Management
Committee.
c) The Management Committee may, by a two-thirds majority vote, decide to vary or
rescind decisions by the Emergency Committee.
d) Notice required for a meeting of the Emergency Committee shall be at least 24 hours
and the quorum shall be three.
11. ADJOURNMENT OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Chairperson of a meeting may with the consent of a simple majority of those present,
entitled to vote and actually voting, adjourn such meeting from time to time and from place
to place.
12. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
a) Subject to the overall authority of a General Meeting, the Management Committee shall
be the executive authority of the Branch in all matters The role shall include, but shall
not be limited to:I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
Defining policy and development plans and ensuring they are carried out;
Keeping the financial position of the Branch under constant review and approving
and monitoring budgets as submitted by the Treasurer;
Appointing or nominating members to represent the Branch at Irish Hockey
Association Meetings and also on relevant outside bodies;
Filling vacancies in, and removing members from, Interpro Teams:
Nominating Trustees for appointment by General Meetings;
Appointing staff as required and managing the employees of the Branch, including
the provision of day to day guidance;
Nominating Honorary Life Members as provided for in Section 4;
Appointing sub committees and other working groups as appropriate;
Deciding upon matters not specifically covered in these Rules and Constitution;
Appointing such Disciplinary and Appeals Tribunals as may be required;
Framing, amending or interpreting the Branch Competition Rules.
b) The Connacht Hockey Umpires Association is responsible and subject to the overall
authority of the Management Committee of the Branch.
13. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Branch shall hold an AGM each year at a time and
place to be fixed by Management Committee before the date of the AGM of the IHA. At this
Meeting the following business shall be transacted:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Apologies;
Confirmation of the Minutes of the previous AGM;
Matters arising;
Honorary Secretary's Report (to include the Reports from the Schools,
Fixtures Secretaries, Umpires.);
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
Honorary Treasurer's Report with Accounts prepared by the Treasurer and reviewed
by the Management Committee;
Proposals;
Election of Officers, consent must be received from all nominees before they can be
nominated. All nominees must be proposed and seconded by a bona fide member of
an affiliated club;
·
President
·
Vice President
·
Honorary Secretary
·
Honorary Treasurer
Honorary Fixtures Secretary
·
Public Relations Officer;
Ratification of Chairperson of Connacht Hockey Umpires Association;
Election of Provincial Coaches, Assistants and Managers;
Election of Selection Committees:
·
Senior (Men and Women)
·
Under 21 (Men and Women)
·
Junior (Men and Women)
·
Under 18 (Boys and Girls)
·
Under 16 (Boys and Girls);
Confirmation of Three Branch Representatives to the Annual General Meeting of
the IHA;
Proposals for fixing of annual affiliation fees, and penalties;
General Business.
14. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
a) A Special General Meeting may be convened at any time by the Management
Committee. A Special General Meeting shall also be held when a request is made in
writing to the Honorary Secretary by any three (3) affiliated clubs, schools or third level
colleges or a combination of same, and is accompanied by a cheque for one hundred
Euro (€100).
b) Each request shall include full written details of all business to be transacted at the
proposed meeting. Upon receipt of the request the Honorary Secretary shall proceed to
call a Special General Meeting within fourteen (14) days giving at least seven (7) days
notice of the meeting, specifying the date, time and place.
c) No business shall be transacted at a Special General Meeting other than that which is
specified in the notice calling for the meeting circulated beforehand.
15. ANNUAL AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
a) The Honorary Secretary shall give at least twenty-eight (28) days initial notice of the
date and time of the AGM to all entitled to receive same, and seven (7) days notice in
writing of the AGM specifying the date, time and place of the Meeting and including the
agenda, details of any resolution(s) being proposed.
b) The notice shall be sent to the Officers, Honorary Life Members, members of the
Management Committee, the Trustees, the Honorary Secretaries of each Club and of
third level colleges. It shall also be sent to the Chairpersons of the Umpires Association.
The notice shall be sent to the Branch Schools Representative who shall send a copy of
the notice to schools affiliated to the Branch.
c) The President shall chair Annual and Special General Meetings. In his/her absence, the
Vice-President shall chair the Meetings. In the absence of both, the President shall
nominate a chair from the Management Committee. d) Ten (10) people present and
entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum. e) Voting shall be by show of hands and
there shall be no proxy voting.
f)
Every resolution at Annual and Special General Meetings shall be decided by a simple
majority of votes of those present, entitled to vote and voting except for resolutions
concerning amendments to the Constitution. Except as provided in (g) below, no person
shall cast more than one vote.
g) In the case of equality of votes, the Chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or
casting vote.
h) No amendments to the Constitution shall be made except by a resolution validly
proposed and seconded at an Annual or a Special General Meeting supported by not less
than two thirds of those present, entitled to vote and voting. Such changes shall come
into force immediately unless the Meeting shall decide otherwise.
i) The accidental ommission to give notice of a meeting, or the non-receipt of such notie,
to any person or body entitled to reeceive notice thereof shall not invalidate any
resolution passed at any meeting.
16. PROPOSALS TO ANNUAL AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
Any proposal for a resolution for consideration, and voting thereupon, at any General
Meeting shall be submitted in full, in writing, to the Honorary Secretary so as to arrive with
him/her not less than 14 days prior to the meeting at which the proposal is to be considered
and voted upon. Proposals may be submitted by members of the Branch, the Trustees, the
Branch Officers, and may include proposed changes to the Constitution of the Branch,
resolutions, and nominations for positions.
17. VOTING ENTITLEMENT AT MANAGEMENT, ANNUAL AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
a) Those entitled to vote at Management, Annual and Special General Meetings shall be:
1. The Officers;
2. Two (2) delegates from each affiliated Senior Club or third level college
3. One (1) delegate from the Connacht Hockey Umpires Association.
b) Such delegates shall be nominated by their respective Club, Committee or Association
and notified to the Honorary Secretary seven days (7) prior to the Special or AGM. No
prior notice is required for Management meetings.
c) If any nominated delegate(s) in (b) or (c) above cannot attend, they may be substituted,
provided the name(s) of the substitute(s) are sent in writing to the Honorary Secretary
not later than 4.00 p.m. on the evening prior to the day of the scheduled Meeting.
18. CLUB COLOURS
Each club shall have distinguishing colours which shall be worn by players during
matches. No club shall adopt the colours of a club already affiliated. The colours of each
club shall be presented to the Branch for ratification at each AGM. No club shall be
entitled to change their uniforms without the consent of the branch. Proper playing
uniform consisting of shirt, skirt(ladies)/shorts(men) and knee length socks must be
worn for all branch matches. Tracksuit legs are not permitted as part of playing uniform,
however underarmour(long sleeved shirts or tights) that are black or club colours are
permitted. For Senior matchs all shirts must be numbered.
19. FINANCE
a) The financial year of the Branch shall end on the last day of April in each year.
b) A Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account shall be prepared in respect of
each financial year as soon as possible after the end of that financial year.
c) A copy of the accounts for the previous financial year shall be presented to those
present at the AGM.
d) The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for the current accounts, deposit accounts
or other accounts as may be authorised from time to time in the name of the Branch.
Cheques shall be signed by the Hon. Treasurer. All cheques over two hundred Euro
(€200) and other documents relating to such accounts shall be signed by the Hon.
Treasurer and one (1) of the specified authorised signatories to the Accounts.
e) Payments in excess of five thousand Euro (€5000) shall require prior approval by
Management Committee.
20. Fixture Rules.
Any changes to be made to the Fixture Rules must be made at a General Meeting. Notice of
proposals to make repeal or revise Rules together with the names of the proposer and
seconder shall be sent to the Honorary Secretary fourteen days before the General Meeting
and the Honorary Secretary shall give at least seven days notice of every such proposal to
each club, to the School’s Representative and the Branch Honorary officers. Amendments to
proposals shall be allowed at the General Meeting and shall be taken first.
21. COMPETITIONS FOR CUPS AND LEAGUES.
All competitions for Cups, Badges and Leagues shall be graded in accordance with Branch
and IHA rules.
22. CONNACHT INTERPROVINCIAL TEAMS
Expenses incurred by players at Interprovincial level be subsidised by clubs and fundraising.
Where the Interprovincial competition is at U16 and U18 schools are also required to
contribute towards the cost.
23. DISCIPLINE
a) In the event of any affiliated club, school, third level college, Association, official, player,
coach, umpire or member of an affiliated club, school third level college, Association on
being reported to the Hon. Secretary for an alleged breach of the Rules and Constitution,
or misconduct which is alleged to have brought the game into disrepute, the
Management Committee shall appoint a Disciplinary Committee of not less than three
persons to enquire into the alleged offence
b) If after fully investigating the alleged breach of misconduct and if the allegation is
proven the Disciplinary Committee shall have the authority to expel a team or player
from a competion, suspend or impose a fine on the offending club, school, third level
college, official, player, coach, umpire or club member or to deal with the matter in such
manner as the Committee considers fit. The decision of the Disciplinary Committee shall
be conveyed in writing by the Honorary Secretary to the offending club, school, third
level college, player, coach, umpire or club member within seven (7) days of the hearing.
c) Any club, school, third level college, official, player, coach, umpire or club member
found guilty by the Disciplinary Committee shall have the right to appeal to an Appeal
Tribunal appointed by the Management Committee against any decision or punishment
imposed by the Disciplinary Committee but such appeal must be lodged in writing with
the Honorary Secretary within seven (7) days of the notification of the decision or
punishment. The appellant(s) shall have the right to be accompanied at the appeal
hearing by a person or persons of their choice but the names and details of such person
or persons must be included in the letter of appeal The decision of the Appeal Tribunal
shall be final. The appeal must be heard within seven (7) days of its receipt by the
Honorary Secretary.
No member of the Disciplinary Committee shall be a member of the Appeal Tribunal.
24. APPEALS
In the event of an appeal in a matter, other than a disciplinary matter, any affiliate, club,
school,, official, player, coach, umpire or a member of any affiliated club or school, wishing
to appeal shall do so in writing to the Honorary Secretary of the Association. The Honorary
Secretary who must receive the appeal within fourteen (14) days of the date of the notice of
the original decision shall then convene an Appeal Commission.
The Appeal Commission shall consist of three (3) officers of the Management Committee
who may be accompanied by advisors where necessary but it shall not include any person
who has had a prior involvement in the matter being appealed. In the event of there not
being three (3) officers eligible or available to form the Appeal Commission, the Chair of the
Management Committee shall have the power to select an appropriate person or persons to
complete the Appeal Commission. The Appeal Commission shall meet within fourteen (14)
days of the date of the receipt of the notice of the appeal.
The letter of appeal shall state the reason or reasons for the appeal and shall be supported
by an appeal fee of €200. The appellant(s) shall have the right to be accompanied at the
appeal hearing by a person or persons of their choice but the names and details of such
person or persons must be included in the letter of appeal.
Both parties to the Appeal shall have the right to be accompanied at the appeal hearing by a
person or persons of their choice but the names and details of such person or persons shall
be notified in advance of the hearing to the Appeal Commission. Each party to the Appeal
shall not exceed three (3) in number and shall have a nominated spokesperson.
The Procedure for the Appeal Hearing shall be as follows:
·
An Appeal Hearing must be held once the procedures outlined above have been
complied with.
·
The Appeal Commission give both parties four (4) days notice of the Appeal Hearing
and in addition will notify both parties the names of all those who will be attending.
·
The Appeal Commission shall hear in the presence of both parties unless otherwise
agreed by all parties the case presented by each party in the following sequence:
1. The appellant
2. The original decision maker (s)
·
Both parties will have the right to respond to each others' case
·
The Appeal Commission will then discuss the Appeal in the absence of both parties,
·
The Appeal Commission may if they wish recall each or both parties individually or
jointly for further clarification should they wish,
·
The relevant parties shall be notified of the decision in writing by the Honorary
Secretary within seven (7) days of the hearing.
3. The Appeal Commission may decide to either (a) uphold the original decision of the
Disciplinary Committee or (b) decide on a more severe penalty or (c) decide on a lesser
penalty (d) replace the original penalty with an alternate penalty (e) overturn the
decision of the Disciplinary Committee.
In the event of the appeal being unsuccessful the appeal fee shall be forfeited to the funds
of the Association unless the Appeal Commission decides otherwise. The decision of the
Appeal Commission shall be final.
The original decision of the Disciplinary Committee shall stand until it is either confirmed or
replaced by the Appeals Commission.
25. DOPING CONTROL
The Branch accepts and adheres to The Anti - Doping Rules of the Irish Hockey Association
which are the Irish Anti - Doping Rules as amended from time to time.
26. CODE OF ETHICS AND GOOD PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN'S SPORT IN IRELAND
The Branch is bound by the Code of Ethics for Children's Sport in Ireland as set out by the
Irish Sports Council.
27. NOTICES
All notices required to be given pursuant to this Constitution must be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been received if either: (a) delivered personally; or (b) sent by ordinary prepaid post or (c) sent by e-mail. Confirmation of receipt of such notices should be sent by the
Honorory Secretary or where this is not possible by the receiving officer.
28. DISSOLUTION
No resolution for the dissolution of the Branch shall be passed except at an Annual or
Special General Meeting and supported by not less than two-thirds of those present,
entitled to vote and voting. In the event of such a resolution being passed, the Trustees shall
realise the property of the Branch and shall make provision for its liabilities. The remaining
assets at the date of dissolution shall be distributed in such a manner as shall be determined
by an Annual or Special General Meeting, or if such a meeting so decides, by the
Management Committee.