Club Rules

These rules may be amended from time to time at the discretion of the Committee. All changes will be publicised to members. Serious disregard or breaches of these rules reported to the Committee, may result in the offending member being expelled from the Club.

General

Members agree not to bring the Club into disrepute

Members agree upon and have signed a Code of Conduct

Members must abide by the rules and articles of British Triathlon

Members must understand the risks involved in participating in races and training sessions run by or in conjunction with the Aylesbury Vale Triathlon Club, and hereby agree to train and race entirely at their own risk.

Members must agree, to the extent permitted by law, that they shall not hold any coach, the Aylesbury Vale Triathlon Club, or any member of the club responsible for any injury, loss or illness incurred to their person or property during or as a result of participation in races and training sessions run by or in conjunction with the Aylesbury Vale Triathlon Club howsoever caused whether by negligence or otherwise.

 

Training (Club organised activities)

Swimming

The local swimming pool rules must be adhered to.

Members must not enter water until coaches and/or lifeguards are in place for all swim sessions

In open water members must make themselves aware of all specific dangers relating to the chosen location. Members must take their own appropriate safety precautions, and ensure reasonable safety cover is in place

Members must not swim in prohibited areas

Cycling

Helmets must be worn.

Bikes must be a good condition. (Brakes, tyres, gears, basic maintenance) is all checked prior to ride.

Cyclists must obey the Highway Code.

Cyclists must be courteous to other road users.

Cyclists must bring their own spares.

Cyclists must not litter.

Cyclists must ensure that they are at the right level of fitness to complete the rides advertised for that session.

Running

Members must have due regard for pedestrians and other legitimate users of foot paths, roads, trails and bridleways.

Runners must not litter.

Runners must have correct clothing and footway suitable to the environment and weather conditions.

Competition

Members must obey all rules relating to the event they are competing in and compete in a sportsman-like manner.

Club members are encourages to compete in club colours/kit

Club Events

Members are expected to make every effort to help with events organised by the Club.

Equity Policy

This club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity: Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.

The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.

The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.

All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures

Code of Conduct

Aylesbury Vale Triathlon club is a club committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of behaviour and conduct at all Triathlon, Duathlon and related sport events and training.

This ‘Code of Conduct’ summarises the essence of ethical conduct and practice within Triathlon. This applies not only to members’ general conduct, but also to Club Officials and any members who are involved in the organisation of events or training on behalf of the club.

All individuals have a responsibility to act with integrity, in accordance with the standards set by British Triathlon. Any discriminatory, offensive or violent behaviour is unacceptable and complaints will be acted upon in accordance with the club disciplinary policy.

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person, within the context of the sport.

Treat everyone equally and sensitively, without discrimination on the grounds of age, gender, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

Encourage members to be aware of British Triathlon rules and compete within them.

Publicly accept officials’ judgments and abide by their instructions, providing they do not contradict the spirit of this code.

Use correct and proper language and behave with respect and courtesy to other club members, opponents and outside parties at all times. This includes personal contact and that online or via any other form of communication

Recognise the value and importance of volunteers, coaches, race officials and event organisers, it is their time and dedication that keeps the sport alive.

Play within the rules and respect race officials and their decisions

Respect opponents.

Wear and use suitable kit and equipment – for training and events

Pay any fees for training or events promptly.

Conduct of Members whilst operating in a Race Official or Volunteering capacity

All members must:

Treat everyone equally and sensitively regardless of their age, gender, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religion or political affiliation.

Accept the special role that you have to play in the establishment of standards by setting a good example of behaviour and conduct at all times.

Refrain from manipulating the rules in order to benefit yourself personally or your club and from attempting to influence the result of a competition by any actions that are not strictly within the rules of the sport.

Encourage participants and instructors/coaches to abide by the rules and spirit of the sport.

Refrain from using foul, sexist or racist language.

Use your official position to take action against spectators who harass abuse or use foul, sexist or racist language towards participants, officials, instructors/coaches.

Ensure that proper supervision is provided with suitably qualified instructors/coaches and officials who are capable of promoting good sporting behaviour and technical skills.

Ensure all equipment and facilities meet safety standards.

Respect the rights of other clubs.

Show respect to officials, instructors/coaches, participants and others involved in the sport.

Downplay the importance of winning; remember sport is enjoyed for its own sake.

Have regard to the best interest of the sport, including where publicly expressing an opinion on the competition or any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the competition.

Resist illegal or unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.

Promote ethical principles.

Accept the decisions of the officials without protest.

Avoid using words or actions which may mislead an official.

Club Constitution

The aims and objectives of the club will be:

• To offer coaching, training and competitive multisport opportunities in triathlon and other sports.
• To promote the club within the wider local community and the sport of triathlon.
• To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club.
• To provide all its services in a way that is fair and inclusive to all club members.
• To ensure that all present and future members receive fair and equal treatment.

 

1. Name

The club will be called Aylesbury Vale Triathlon Club (AVTri) and will be affiliated to Triathlon England.

2. Aims and objectives:

To create a compassionate, caring, friendly and welcoming physically active community.

3. Membership

Membership should consist of officers and members of the club.

All members will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of conduct that the club has adopted.

Members will be enrolled in one of the following categories:

 

• Full member
• Social Member
• Associate Member
• Life member

 

Membership tiers will be decided by the management committee or at the Annual General Meeting.

 

4. Membership fees

Membership fees will be set annually and agreed by the Management Committee or determined at the Annual General Meeting.

Fees will be paid: Monthly by standing order

 

5. Officers of the club

The officers of the club will be:

• Chair – Chair meetings and represent the club
• Secretary – to minute meetings and deal with issues in running the club day to day including up to date details of club members
• Treasurer – to ensure the financial stability of the club
• Welfare Officer (compulsory for a junior club)
• Commercial Officer – dealing with club website, social media and new membership enquiries
• Social Officer – to organise social events and create a competition calendar for club members
• Coaching Officer – responsible for coaching matters and training of members/new coaches

Officers will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

All officers will retire each year but will be eligible for re-election.

6. Committee

The club will be managed through the Management Committee consisting of:

Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Welfare Officer, Commercial Officer, Social Officer, coaching Officer.

Only these posts will have the right to vote at meetings of the Management Committee.

The Management Committee will be convened by the Secretary of the club and held no less than 2 times per year.

The quorum required for business to be agreed at Management Committee meetings will be: 4 (50% +)

The Management Committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, codes of conduct and rules that affect the organisation of the club.

The Management Committee will have powers to appoint sub-committees as necessary and appoint advisers to the Management Committee as necessary to fulfil its business.

The Management Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules/regulations/ constitution. The Management Committee will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings.

7. Finance

All club monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the club.

The Club Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the club.

The financial year of the club will end on: 31st October

A non-audited statement of annual accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.

Any cheques drawn against club funds should hold the signatures of the Treasurer plus up to one other officer.

8. Annual General Meetings

Notice of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be given by the Club Secretary. Not less than 21 clear days’ notice to be given to all members.

The AGM will receive a report from officers of the Management Committee and a statement of the audited accounts.

Nominations for officers of the Management Committee will be sent to the Secretary prior to the AGM.

Election of officers is to take place at the AGM.

All members have the right to vote at the AGM.

The quorum for AGMs will be 25% of membership.

The Management Committee has the right to call Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) outside the AGM. Procedures for EGMs will be the same as for the AGM.

9. Discipline and appeals

All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be submitted in writing to the Secretary.

The Management Committee will meet to hear complaints within 10 days of a complaint being lodged. The committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 5 days of the hearing.

There will be the right of appeal to the Management Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The committee should consider the appeal within 5 days of the Secretary receiving the appeal.

10. Dissolution

A resolution to dissolve the club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of the membership.

In the event of dissolution, any assets of the club that remain will become the property of England Triathlon.

11. Amendments to the constitution

The constitution will only be changed through agreement by majority vote at an AGM or EGM.

12. Declaration

Stoke Mandeville Triathlon Club (SMTri)/Aylesbury Vale Triathlon Club hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.

 

Signed:  A Cockell                            Date: 31st October 2021

 

Name: Adrian Cockell

Club Chair

 

Signed:    M Rush               Date: 31st October 2021

 

Name: Matthew Rush

Club Secretary