|
ENGLISH BOWLS COACHING SCHEME
CONSTITUTION AND BYELAWS
- TITLE:
The Scheme shall be called the ENGLISH BOWLS COACHING SCHEME (herein referred to as the EBCS)
- OBJECTS:
The objectives of the EBCS shall be:
a) To promote, foster, and develop bowls coaching in England for all and to encourage the growth of the sport through the instruction of beginners and the coaching of bowlers by:
i) Setting and maintaining standard for bowls coaching and instruction
ii) Establishing, designing, and controlling training methods and assessment criteria for the examination, certification, and licensing of coaches at all levels
iii) Arranging, promoting, and conducting seminars and training courses of all kinds for registered licensed coaches and for the public
iv) Publishing, producing, commissioning, and distributing all kinds of books, pamphlets, and other literature, together with sound or visual recordings relating to coaching and playing games of bowls.
b) To maintain a register of licensed coaches, and to provide such benefits of registration as the National Coaching Committee shall decide
c) To consider and deal with all relevant matters raised by constituent Governing Bodies, Regional Representatives, Regional Coaches, and EBCS Qualified Coaches
d) To do all other such things as in the opinion of the National Coaching Committee are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any one of them.
- NATIONAL EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE:
a) The controlling body for bowls coaching in England shall be the National Coaching Committee of the EBCS (hereinafter called the National Committee). It shall have full executive powers over general policy and financial matters, and shall be responsible for setting coaching policy.
b) The National Coaching Committee shall comprise of:
i) Representatives of each of the National Governing Bodies as follows:
English Bowling Association (EBA) 2 representatives
English Indoor Bowling Association (EIBA 2 Representatives
English Women’s Bowling Association (EWBA) 1 Representative
English Women’s Indoor Bowling Association
(EWIBA) 1 Representative
English Bowling Federation (EBF) 1 Representative
British Crown Green Bowling Association
(BCGBA) 1 Representative
ii) One Representative from each of the Regions named in 8 (b) below who shall be a registered licensed coach
iii) The National Coaching Co-Coordinator
c) A Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting from those serving on the National Committee. The Chairman shall be a representative of a National Governing Body and have a casting vote at all meetings.
d) The National Executive Committee shall meet twice a year or otherwise as often as the business of the EBCS demands. Seven shall form a quorum The National Executive Committee shall establish such other Committees as it deems appropriate, and appoint members of Committee from its own number to carry out work on any specific aspect of the affairs of the EBCS. Each such Committee shall appoint its own Chairman and Secretary, convene its own meetings and conduct its affairs in accordance with the terms of reference delegated to it by the National executive Committee to whom it shall report.
The Committee Secretary shall produce minutes of meetings and undertake such other tasks as the Committee shall determine.
e) The National Executive Committee shall appoint the National Coaching Coordinator annually who shall be an Officer of the Association.
f) The Officers named in 6 (b) shall be empowered as an Emergency Committee to act on behalf of the National Committee when urgent matters require a decision to be taken and to be responsible for the conducting of the ordinary business of the EBCS. All actions taken under this authority shall be reported to the next meeting of the National Committee.
4. MEMBERSHIP:
a) EBCS Membership shall be open to the following on application to the National Executive Committee, and subject to payment of the appropriate annual fee:
i) Bowls National Governing Bodies
ii) EBCS qualified coaches
b) The EBCS shall have power to elect Honorary Life Members for special services. Such members shall not be required to pay any annual fee due by 1 October each year
c) Members, including Honorary Life Members, shall be entitled to attend General Meetings at their own expense and take part in the debate, but shall not have voting rights unless a bona fide appointed Representative of a Region or National Governing Body.
d) Membership may be refused, suspended, or terminated subject to the right of appeal to the national Committee, whose decision shall be final. Such appeal must be lodged and considered within two months of the date of refusal, suspension, or termination. (See Bye Law 2.1 and Discipline Code of Conduct).
5. MEMBERS’ FEES
a) Fees and other sums payable by the National Governing Bodies shall be at such rate as shall be agreed in consultation with the National Committee.
b) Qualified Coaches shall pay an annual licence fee at such rate as shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting on the recommendation of the National Executive Committee. The Licence Fee shall be due and payable on the first registration and annually by 1 October.
Registration with any associated rights, benefits and privileges may be withdrawn or suspended while the licence fee remains unpaid.
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
a) Twenty one days notice shall be given for the Annual General Meeting of the Scheme which shall be held during May.
The notice and agenda shall be sent to the Officers and members of the National Executive Committee, the Chief Executive or Secretary of each constituent National Governing Body, the National Regional, and County Coaches or other designated registered member representative of each of the Counties named in 8 (b).
b) The Annual General Meeting shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Scheme who shall be entitled to vote.
It shall appoint the Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, and Honorary Registrar who shall be entitled to attend all meetings but shall not be entitled to vote.
,
c) The Annual General Meeting shall be responsible for the appointment of Auditor or Independent Examiner.
d) A Special General Meeting may be convened by the National Executive Committee or on the signed requisition of the Representatives of no less than three Regions, or one National Governing Body. The requisition shall state the business for which the meeting is called and no other business matters may be discussed at that meeting.
e) The Honorary Secretary shall give fourteen days notice of any Special General Meeting to those entitles to receive notice of the Annual General Meeting.
7. STAFFING:
a) A National Co-ordinator for Coaching, who shall be an Officer of the Scheme, shall be appointed by the National Committee on such terms and conditions as it shall determine.
b) Regional Coaches shall be appointed by the National Coaching Coordinator and Chairman of the National Committee in consultation with the County Coaches within the Region. Regional Coaches shall hold a minimum qualification at Level 4. They shall be responsible to the National Coaching Co-ordinator for the operation of coaching policy and the promotion of the EBCS objectives within the Region.
c) National Coaches shall hold a minimum qualification at Level 4 and shall be appointed by the National Coaching Coordinator in consultation with the Chairman
8. OPERATIONS:
a) The EBCS shall operate on a Regional basis and embrace all forms and codes of bowls.
b) The composition of the Regions shall be as follows:
NORTHERN REGION: Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, and Yorkshire
MIDLAND REGION: Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, and Warwickshire
EAST ANGLIA REGION: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Huntingdon, Norfolk, and Suffolk
CENTRAL REGION: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, and Wiltshire.
SOUTHERN REGION: Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey, and Sussex
SOUTH WEST REGION: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset.
BCG COACHING SCHEME: All BCGBA affiliated County Associations.
c) The National Executive Committee shall have power to vary the composition of Regions subject to confirmation at the Annual General Meeting.
d) Regional Coaches shall be appointed by the National Coaching Coordinator in consultation with the Chairman of the National Committee and with the County Coaches of the Region. They shall be responsible to the National Coaching Coordinator for the operation of coaching policy and the promotion of EBCS objectives within the Region.
e) Each Region shall hold an Annual Meeting of members in February, organised by the Regional Coach or someone nominated by them, the cost of which shall be met by the EBCS.
All registered licensed coaches of the Region shall be eligible to attend at their own expense and vote at the meeting.
f) Any proposals or matters for debate at the Regional meeting must be received by the Regional Coach for inclusion in the Agenda not later than 1 January.
g) The meeting shall elect a Chairman and a Minute Secretary from those present. It shall
elect one representative to serve on the National Committee and act as their voting delegate at all EBCS General Meetings. A copy of the minutes, with name, address, and telephone number of the elected representative shall be in the hands of the National Committee Secretary by the first day of March each year.
h) All Registered Licensed Coaches shall comply with the Disciplinary Code of the EBCS.
Any complaint made against a Registered Licensed Coach shall be recorded and processed in accordance with the EBCS published Code of Practice.
9. FINANCES:
a) The National Executive Committee shall be responsible for all financial matters, including the approval of the financial accounts and budgets presented by the Honorary Treasurer.
b) The National Executive Committee shall receive details of all EBCS submissions, approved by the National Coaching Coordinator and Chairman of the National Committee of applications to Sport England and other agencies in respect of grants to aid coaching.
c) Copies of the audited or independently examined Income and Expenditure Accounts and Balance Sheet shall be sent to members of the National Committee, Regional and County Coaches, and to the Chief Executive or Secretary of each member National Governing Body seven days before the Annual meeting.
d) Payments such as salaries, honoraria, and allowances shall be determined by the National Committee.
Travel and other costs supported by relevant receipts incurred by Officers shall be reimbursed.
e) The EBCS may reimburse travelling and other costs incurred by National and Regional Coaches and Representatives in connection with its business, and pay such salaries, retainers, honoraria, and allowances as determined by the National Executive Committee. All claims must be supported by relevant receipts and be approved by the National Coaching Coordinator prior to payment.
10. ALTERATIONS OR ADDITIONS
a) Alterations or additions to this Constitution shall only be made at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special Meeting convened for the purpose.
b) Two calendar months written notice shall be given to the Honorary Secretary of the terms of any motion for such alteration or addition.
c) The motion shall be carried and the alteration or addition shall become effective on receipt of a two thirds majority of those present and voting.
11. DISSOLUTION
a) A resolution to dissolve the EBCS shall only be made at a Special General Meeting for which twenty one days notice has been given, and shall be carried by a majority of not less than two third of those present and voting.
b) The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution, and the National Executive Committee shall be responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the EBCS.
c) Any property remaining after the discharge of all debts and liabilities of the EBCS shall be distributed as deemed fit by the National Committee.
12. OTHER MATTERS:
a) The National Executive Committee may establish such Byelaws as it deems necessary for regulating the conduct of registered licensed coaches subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting
b) If any matter shall arise which is not provided for in this Constitution then it may be determined by the National Executive Committee in such way as it deems fit. Such determination shall be binding upon the membership.
13. EQUITY:
The English Bowls Coaching Scheme Registered Licensed Coaches will treat everyone equally regardless of race, creed, age, gender, ability or disability in all aspects of their work.
ENGLISH BOWLS COACHING SCHEME
BYELAWS
1. NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES:
As the initiators and principle funding agencies, ownership and ultimate control of the EBCS shall vest in the National Governing Bodies which shall be represented on the National Executive Committee (see Clause 3b (i)). In the event that such funding is discontinued, ownership and control shall devolve to a committee elected from those individuals registered as licensed coaches.
2. MEMBERSHIP:
2.1 Registration
Application for first registration as a Licensed Coach must be made on the official form following satisfactory completion of the examination of competence at level One. Completed forms shall be forwarded to the County Coach with the appropriate fee for the onward transmission to the EBCS Registrar.
Thereafter the licence registration is due annually by 1 October. The rate of this shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting on the recommendation of the National Executive Committee
2.2 Certificate of Competence
Except when working under the supervision of a coach licensed at a higher level, all registered licensed coaches shall work within the level of competence signified by their certificate.
2.3 Code of Conduct
All licensed coaches shall comply with the UK Sport Code of ethics as published from time to time. Those coaching children, vulnerable adults, and others must follow the Code of Conduct, policy, and guidelines published in the EBCS Manuals and Syllabi.
2.4 Protection of children and vulnerable adults
Licensed coaches working with children and vulnerable adults MUST have attended a recognised Child Protection awareness course, and hold an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate issued by the Criminal Records Bureau. (CRB). Such Certificate shall be deemed valid for a period of three years from the date of issue. CP and EBCS guidelines MUST be followed and written parental consent obtained at all times.
2.5 Coaching Diary
Licensed coaches MUST keep a record of all coaching sessions conducted, and training undertaken at courses or seminars. This record shall form part of the evidence to be offered by those wishing to progress to a higher level of qualification.
2.6 Uniform
Licensed Coaches MUST ensure that they are properly dressed at all times and wear the approved badged garments when coaching
3.0 Discipline
3.1 A County or Regional Coach may recommend to the National Coaching Coordinator the refusal, suspension, or cancellation of the licence of any registered coach.
3.2 The National Coaching Coordinator may in consultation with the Chairman, refuse, suspend, or cancel the licence of any registered National or Regional Coach.
All complaints made against a coach shall be recorded and reported to the National Coaching Coordinator for investigation as soon as possible. If the complaint relates to behaviour or work with children, the disabled, or other vulnerable people, the coach shall be suspended, and the recommended Child Protection Procedures followed.
In all cases the EBCS Disciplinary Procedure must be followed.
4.0 Cross Border Coaching.
Coaches may work outside their County or region subject to the agreement of the County and regional Coaches of both areas and the Regional Coach.
5. COUNTY AND REGIONAL MEETINGS
5.1 County Meetings
County Coaches shall hold not less than one General Meeting of registered licensed coaches each year for which twenty one days notice shall be given. The purpose of the meeting shall be to report and discuss coaching matters of common general interest, including national issues, and to elect the County Coach/ County coordinator. A register of those attending and minutes of the meeting shall be kept. A copy of the minutes shall be sent to the Regional Coach.
5.2 Regional Meetings
The Regional Coach or person appointed by them shall give twenty one days notice of the Regional Annual General Meeting in writing to all County Coaches who shall inform his/her registered licensed coaches. The purpose of the meeting is to report and discuss local and national coaching matters of common interest and to appoint a Regional Representative to the National Executive Committee for the ensuing year.
A register of those attending, and minutes of the meeting shall be kept. A copy of the minutes shall be sent to the EBCS Honorary Secretary. Other meetings of registered licensed coaches in the region may be called as necessary.
5.3 Voting Entitlement
Registered licensed coaches in attendance may vote at County and Region Meetings. Advance voting by post or by proxy is not permitted.
At the EBCS Annual General Meeting or Special Meeting, those attending may speak in the debate, but voting is restricted to the elected Representatives who vote on behalf of their Region.
6. TRAINING AND EDUCATION
6.1 Standards;
The training of coaches at each of the five levels shall be in accordance with the syllabus and guidelines set by the National Coaching Co-ordinator and his team and accepted by the National Executive Committee. A high level of achievement is required and it is essential that examination of the candidates is not undertaken by the trainer(s) from Level 2 to Level 5.
4.2. Seminars and Workshops
Training groups of coaches or players should be undertaken through programmed seminars or workshops in conjunction with the Regional Coach or National Coaching Coordinator.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
1. Inquiry
The EBCS Disciplinary Procedures are based upon those set out in the Constitutions of the English Bowling Association and English Indoor Bowling Association.
The National Committee may hold an inquiry, or appoint and delegate to a Committee of three persons power to hold (on behalf of the National Committee) an inquiry into any case of misconduct or alleged misconduct or breach of the UK Code of Ethics by a registered Licensed Coach under the jurisdiction of the EBCS and to impose punishment as the National Committee sees fit, having regard to any recommendation made by a Committee to whom it delegated the power to hold an inquiry.
The members of any such Committee need not necessarily be members of the National Committee. The National Coaching Coordinator shall be the Chairman thereof. The National Committee in making such a delegation may impose any such conditions as it deems fit. Everything undertaken by the delegated Committee shall for all purposes be deemed to be undertaken by the National Committee and have force and effect accordingly.
The Secretary of the EBCS shall be the Secretary for any inquiry.
2. Misconduct Defined
Misconduct shall include, but no necessarily be restricted to, situations where an individual shall:
a) Be guilty of any breach of the UK Code of Ethics.
b) Be guilty of any conduct which is prejudicial to the interests of the EBCS or the game of bowls.
c) Be guilty of using profane, indecent, or improper language, or insulting behaviour in carrying out any function or duty under the Laws of the games of bowls or the rules of the EBCS.
d) Be guilty of drug abuse in breach of the NGB Doping Policy regulations and the WADA Code.
e) Be guilty of disregarding or refusing compliance with or acting in contravention of any decision of the National Committee
3. Drug Abuse
Any Registered Licensed Coach participating in any session will, if requested, submit to a Drugs test. Anyone found to have taken a prohibitive substance will be suspended from all aspects of bowls for a period, subject to the disciplinary procedures.
4 Child Protection
Any act, statement, or other matter which causes, poses, or indicates a risk of harm to a child or other vulnerable person is deemed to constitute unacceptable improper behaviour by a Registered Licensed Coach and may be referred to the National Committee.
5. Expulsion, Suspension
a) Expulsion: Unless the terms of the expulsion decision in any particular case so provides, no member who has been expelled by the EBCS shall be permitted to coach at any Club, County, Regional, or other events except with the express consent of the National Committee.
b) Suspension: Unless the terms of the suspension decision in any particular case so provides, no member who has been suspended by the EBCS shall be permitted to coach at any Club, County, Regional, or other event except with the express consent of the National Committee during the period of suspension. During the period of suspension, a Registered Licensed Coach shall forfeit their rights and privileges under the rules of the Constitution.
The Secretary of the EBCS shall notify in writing any individual suspended and all other relevant bodies.
Any expulsion or suspension of a Registered Licensed Coach shall, unless there is an appeal, be immediately reported to the Club, and the County, and Regional Coaches by the Secretary of the EBCS.
6. Process
All matters relating to misconduct, drug abuse, child protection issues, or other relevant matters shall be forwarded to the Secretary of the EBCS immediately in writing.
The Secretary of the EBCS will immediately acknowledge the receipt of the information and shall immediately notify both the Chairman of the National Committee and the National Coaching Coordinator.
The Secretary of the EBCS shall notify the individual that they are subject to a complaint/investigation.
The Chairman in consultation with the Vice Chairman and National Coaching Co-ordinator shall have the power to suspend the individual from all aspects of bowls for such a period and on such terms as they shall decide according to whether
a) A child or vulnerable adult is at risk
b) The matters are of a serious nature
c) The order is necessary or desirable to allow an investigation to proceed.
Written notice of any such order made shall be provided to the person concerned, their Club(s), and the County and Regional Coaches concerned by the Secretary of the EBCS as soon as reasonably practical.
There shall be the right of appeal against a decision to an independent Appeals Panel.
7. Appeals: Any Registered Licensed Coach expelled or suspended or otherwise penalised may appeal the decision to the Secretary of the EBCS. Any such appeal must be made within 14 days of the decision being appealed against being advised to the individual in writing.
The Secretary of the EBCS shall arrange for an independent Appeals Panel to be held within 28 days of the receipt of the appeal. The appellant may appear and call evidence in support of the appeal if they so desire.
The grounds for the appeal shall be fully stated in writing to the secretary of the EBCS and the appeal shall be accompanied by a deposit of £50.00 which may be forfeited to the EBCS should the appeal be dismissed but which otherwise shall be returned to the appellant.
Any expulsion or suspension or other penalty shall not be operative until the final adjudication thereof.
If an appeal is abandoned within 48 hours of a scheduled hearing either after a hearing or on the papers provided, the EBCS may, if it thinks appropriate, make an award of costs and expenses against the appellant in such sum as the National Committee considers appropriate. Until such time as the costs and expenses are paid, the appellant shall forfeit all rights entitlements and recognition as a Registered Licensed Coach of the EBCS and shall be deemed suspended in terms of 5 above.
This Constitution was agreed at the Annual General Meeting held on
SUNDAY 20 MAY 2007
Signed:
CHAIRMAN SECRETARY
Date: 20 May 2007.
|
