RULES OF THE ATHY RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
NOTE. For the avoidance of doubt, the Rules of the Athy Rugby Football Club and the Constitution of the club are the same document.
RULE 1: NAME OF CLUB
The name of the Club is "the Athy Rugby Football Club".
RULE 2: MAIN OBJECTS OF CLUB
The main objects of the Club will be to play and promote the game of Rugby Football and the Club shall play according to the Rules of the Irish Rugby Football Union.
RULE 3; CLUB COLOURS
The Colours of the Club are blue and white hoops with white shorts for male teams and navy shorts for female teams.
RULE 4: OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Club shall be managed by an Executive Committee which shall consist of a President, Vice President, Outgoing President, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, the Captains of the Senior First Teams, the Director of Rugby, the coordinator of the Youths Section, the coordinator of the Minis’ Section and four other members of the Club.
RULE 5: ELECTION OF COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS
The Officers and Executive Committee shall be elected by ballot at the Annual General Meeting. They shall retire annually and shall be eligible for re-election. The positions open for election are President, Vice President, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary and four other members of the Club. All Candidates should be proposed and seconded.
RULE 5A: ELIGIBLE MEMBERS
Only Eligible Members shall be allowed to vote at an AGM or to be nominated for election. Eligible Members are over 18 years of age and currently paid-up members in the following categories: Full Senior Members, Adult Playing Members, Adult Student Members, & one Adult Member from each Family Membership.
RULE 5b: AUTOMATICALLY CO-OPTING MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE
The individuals holding the position of Outgoing President, the Captains of the Senior First Teams, the Director of Rugby, the coordinator of the Youths Section, and the coordinator of the Minis’ Section shall be automatically co-opted into the Committee at the first meeting after the AGM.
RULE 5C: CO-OPTING ADDITIONAL MEMBERS FOR THE COMMITTEE
The committee are allowed to co-opt additional members if there are insufficient nominations at the AGM and also for specific roles that need to be filled.
RULE 5D: ELECTION FOR CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE
The committee, when elected at the AGM, must elect a chairperson. If a chairperson cannot be found among the elected members, then the wider committee including co-opted members must elect a chairperson.
RULE 5E: COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Seven committee members shall form a quorum. In the event of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall be entitled to a second or casting vote. If the Chair is not available for a meeting, an interim chair should be elected for that meeting by the members present.
RULE 6: SUB-COMMITTEES
The Executive Committee must appoint the following Sub-Committees:-
a) Senior Selection Sub-Committee (7 members-quorum 3)
b) Junior Selection Sub-Committee (7 members- quorum 3)
c) Grounds Sub-Committee (6 members- quorum 3)
d) Social and Finance Sub-Committee (9 members-quorum 5)
The Executive Committee must appoint a Chairman on each of the above Sub-Committees. It is the duty of the Chairman to organise the activities of a Sub-Committee. The Chairmen of the above Sub-committee’s must be members of the Executive Committee. The Sub-Committees must elect a Vice- Chairman to act in the absence of the Chairman. The Executive Committee has power to alter decisions of the Grounds Sub-Committee and the Social Sub-Committee.
RULE 7: COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP CONDITIONS
To become a member of any of the above Committees a member must have played rugby football with the Athy Rugby Football Club or any other Rugby Union Football Club. Exceptions to this Rule can only be made by the Executive Committee.
RULE 8: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the last day of May in each year on the date to be fixed by the Executive Committee. If exceptional circumstances prevent the holding of the AGM at the normal time, then the meeting shall be convened at the earliest practicable date as decided by the Executive Committee. An AGM can be convened via a digital platform if circumstances dictate (e.g. Pandemic).
Each eligible member must receive fourteen days’ notice in writing (email is acceptable) of the Annual General Meeting.
At the AGM, all Officers and the Executive Committee shall be elected by ballot of all eligible members present. Fifteen members shall form a quorum at an Annual General Meeting. These rules also apply to an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
RULE 9: EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called by the Hon. Secretary when so requested by the Executive Committee or upon a requisition (in writing) setting out the reasons why such a meeting is required signed at least by ten members of the Club. At least seven days’ Notice in writing shall be given by the Hon. Secretary to each member setting out the business of such meeting at which twenty members shall form a quorum.
RULE 10: SUBSCRIPTIONS
All subscriptions shall be payable on or before the 31st of October of each season. Any person whose subscription is in arrears on the 31st of March in each season will automatically cease to be a member of the Club.
The amount and type of subscriptions shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee may not reduce any subscription without the approval of a 75% majority of the entire Executive Committee.
RULE 11: ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
The Executive Committee shall have the final say on the admission of members to the club, subject to appeal at an AGM or EGM.
RULE 12: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
The Hon. Treasurer's Financial Accounts shall be made up to the 30th of April of each year. The financial accounts shall be checked by the executive committee before being presented to the members at the Annual General Meeting each year
RULE 13: TRUSTEES
i. There shall be Five Trustees in whom the property of the Club shall be vested and who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for the purpose. The Trustees shall remain in office until death or resignation. Any vacancy occurring in the Trusteeship shall be filled by ballot of the ordinary members at an Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose. The Trustees, provided that they carry out the direction of the Executive Committee, shall not be held responsible for any financial liabilities of the Club and shall be indemnified against all liability and expenses incurred by them by reason of their position as Trustees and in so far as the assets of the Club may be deficient by the members of the time being of the Club unless the liability occurs because of the Trustees own fault or dishonesty. The Trustee shall be “ex-officio” members of the Executive Committee.
ii. The Trustees with the sanction of a Resolution of the Executive Committee duly passed may act on behalf of and find the Club and any deed, document, matter, act or thing signed, executed done by the Trustees on behalf of the Club, shall be binding on the Club, if authorized or confirmed by a Resolution of the Executive Committee, duly passed. Provided always that the Trustees may only do all or any of the following acts, or things, that is to say invest the funds of the Club, and vary or transpose investments or acquire by purchase or otherwise lands for the Club or otherwise dispose of or deal with any property of the Club (where at the sale be real or personal) for the time being vested in the Trustees with the authority of a Resolution of the Committee passed by a simple majority of those entitled to vote, whether present or not, voting in favour thereof. A certificate signed by the Chairman at which any Resolution referred to in this Rule has been passed shall be conclusive evidence of the passing of such Resolution in the manner provided for by this Rule and the terms of the Resolution.
iii. The Trustees;
a. shall deal with the property of the Club as directed by Resolution of the Executive Committee of which an entry in the Minute Book signed by the Chairman shall be conclusive evidence.
b. for the time being of the Club are hereby authorized:
i. To open and operate accounts in their own names as Trustees on behalf of the Club with any bank or banks or other financial institutions.
ii. To borrow in their own names on behalf of the Club such sums of money to an extent not exceeding such as amount as may be authorised from time to time by Resolution of the Executive Committee.
iii. To give security for the aforementioned Trustee Borrowings by issuing Guarantees and/or Indemnities and/or by Mortgaging or charging all or any of the property or assets of the Club to whatever extent and in whatever manner as may be authorised by a Resolution of the Executive Committee.
RULE 14: RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS
Any member wishing to resign from the Club shall inform the Hon. Secretary of his intention to do so in writing on or before the 1st October, of any year.
RULE 15: LIABILITY OF MEMBERS
The liability of the members shall be limited to the amount of the subscription.
RULE 16: EXPULSION
The Executive Committee shall have power to expel any member whose conduct they consider to be detrimental to the interests of the Club.
RULE 17: ALTERATION TO RULES
These rules shall not be altered an any way except at an Annual General Meeting or at a General Meeting convened for the purpose and then by two-thirds majority vote of the members present and entitled to vote. A Notice convening such Meeting shall set out details of the proposed additions or amendments to the Rules of the Athy Rugby Football Club. The Executive Committee however may alter or add to the Rules for the purpose of complying with the provisions of the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 1962 or of any Act which may be passed amending the same. Notice of Amendment or alteration of any of these Rules or any proposal touching the general management of the Club shall be sent to the Hon. Secretary at least fourteen days before the General Meeting at which such amendment alterations or proposal is intended to be brought forward.
RULE 18: DUTY OF PLAYING MEMBERS
Any member selected to play in a Club Match who is unable to do so must as far as possible endeavour to give the Hon. Team Secretary at least three days’ notice so that he may be able to appoint a substitute.
RULE19: Registration of Clubs Acts 1904-2003 and the Licensing Acts 1833 – 2003
1. Subject to the exceptions specified in sub-sections (2) and (3) of Section 56 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1927 as substituted by Section 26 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1998 and amended by Section 5 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1995 and Section 7 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 and Section 10 of the Intoxicating Act 2003, no excisable liquor shall be supplied for consumption on the Club premises to any person (other than a member of the Club lodging in the Club premises) or be consumed on these premises by any person (other than such a member):-
a. At any time on Christmas Day or Good Friday or
b. On any other day, as specified hereunder, outside the times so specified in respect of it:-
c. Saint Patrick’s Day between 12.30pm and 12.30am on the following day
d. The 23rd December if it falls on a Sunday between 10.30am and 11.30pm
e. Christmas Eve and the eve of Good Friday between 10.30am and 11.30pm
f. The eve of any public holiday (other than Christmas Eve)
g. If the eve falls on a weekday, between 10.30pm and 12.30am on the following day, or
h. If it falls on a Sunday, between 12.30pm and 12.30 am on the following day
i. Any other Sunday (except Saint Patrick’s Day which falls on a Sunday) between 12.30am and 11.00pm
j. Any other Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 10.30am and 11.30 pm and any other Friday or Saturday between 10.30am and 12.30am on the following day.
Nothing in the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2003 or contained by virtue only of the operation of sub-section (1) of Section 56 of the Intoxication Liquor Acts 1927 as substituted by Section 26 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1988 and amended by Section 5 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1995 and Section 7 of the Intoxication Liquor Act 2000, in the Rules of the Club shall operate to prohibit the supplying for consumption on the Club premises of excisable liquor to any person or the consumption of excisable liquor on these premises by any person:-
a. On Christmas Day between 12.00 midday and 10pm or
b. on any other day, for one hour after the expiration of any period in respect of that day during which it is lawful for the Club, by virtue of sub-Section (1)(b), to supply any excisable liquor for consumption on the Club premises.
If in each case the excisable liquor is:
Ordered by or on behalf of that person at the same time as a substantial meal in ordered, and Consumed by that person during the meal or after the meal has ended (3) the provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor Acts 1988, 2000, and 2003, but, in particular, Sections 26 (as amended by Section 5 of the Intoxication Liquor Act 2000) and 42 of the Intoxication Liquor Act 1988, Section 5 (as amended by Section 7 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 200) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1995, Sections 7 (as amended by Section 10 of Intoxication Liquor Act 2003) 16, 28. 29, 30 and 31 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 and Sections 10, 13, 14, and 15 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 shall apply to the Club and it’s members.
2. No excisable liquor shall be sold or supplied for consumption outside the premises of the Club, except to members of the Club, between the hours of 8 o’clock in the morning and 10 o’clock at night
3. No excisable liquor shall be sold or supplied to any person under eighteen years of age.
4. No person under the age of eighteen shall be admitted as a member of the Club unless the Club is one primarily devoted to some athletic purpose
5. A visitor shall be supplied with excisable liquor in the Club premises unless on the invitation and in the company of a member, and that member shall, upon admission of such visitor to the Club premises, or immediately upon his being supplied with liquor, enter his own name and the name and address of the visitor in a book which shall be kept for the purpose and which shall show the date of each visit.
RULE 20: TEMPORARY MEMBERS
Persons whose ordinary place of residence is not less than 25 miles from the town of Athy may on being introduced by two members of the Club and after discussion with the Executive Committee be elected as temporary member of the Club for a period not exceeding one month at a time three times a year separately or consecutively. The subscription to be paid by temporary members shall be fixed from time to time by the Executive Committee and shall be payable in advance. Members and Officers of Visiting Teams who play matches against the Club and Referees shall be deemed to be temporary members of the Club for the duration of their visit without payment of subscription.
RULE 21:
Save as provided by the Rules no persons shall be allowed to become Vice President or temporary members of the Club or be relieved of the payment of the regular subscription.
RULE 22:
These Rules shall be available to view at the Club Website or by request to the Executive Committee. All members shall be bound by these rules.
RULE 23:
No applicant shall be refused membership on the grounds of race, creed, sex, class or political orientation.
RULE 24: APPROVED SPORTS BODY STATUS
The Executive Committee shall have the Power to Register the Club as an approved sports body and to apply to the Revenue Commissioners for Sports Relief Status for the benefit of the Club and community if so deemed.
RULE 25: CODE OF ETHICS
The Executive Committee, Members and Associate Members shall be bound by the Code of Ethics as adopted by Special Resolution at the AGM dated the 9th day of May 2014 and shall be read in conjunction with the Constitution of Athy Rugby Football Club. Any subsequent revisions, or incarnations, of the Code of Ethics Document, approved by the Executive Committee, shall replace the 2014 document and have the same status as the original.
RULE 26: Income and Property
The income and property of the Club shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its main object(s) as set forth in these Rules. No portion of the Club’s income and property shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the members of the Club. No Officer shall be appointed to any office of the Club paid by salary or fees, or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or money's worth from the Club. However, nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by the Club of:
a) reasonable and proper remuneration to any member, officer or servant of the Club (not being an officer) for any services rendered to the Club;
b) interest at a rate not exceeding 1% above the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR) per annum on money lent by Officers or other members of the Club to the Club;
c) reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by any member of the Club (including any Officer) to the Club;
d) reasonable and proper out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Officer in connection with their attendance to any matter affecting the Club;
e) fees, remuneration or other benefit in money or money's worth to any Company of which an Officer may be a member holding not more than one hundredth part of the issued capital of such Company.
RULE 27: Winding-Up
If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, it shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Club. Instead, such property shall be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions having main objects similar to the main objects of the Club. The institution or institutions to which the property is to be given or transferred shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Club under or by virtue of RULE 28 (Income & Property clause) hereof. Members of the Club shall select the relevant institution or institutions at or before the time of dissolution, and if and so far as effect cannot be given to such provisions, then the property shall be given or transferred to some charitable object.
RULE 28: Additions, Alterations or Amendments
No addition, alteration or amendment shall be made to the provisions of the main object clause, the income and property clause, the winding up clause, the keeping of accounts clause or this clause of these Rules for the time being in force unless the same shall have been previously approved in writing by the Revenue Commissioners.
RULE 29: Keeping of Accounts
Annual accounts shall be kept and made available to the Revenue Commissioners on request