These guidelines have been prepared and adopted by the Management Committee to advise Club members, players and volunteers on the procedures and practises of the club & how the Club expects its members to behave whilst representing the Yankalilla Football Club.
This document is for reference purposes and is a live document that can be amended as deemed necessary to benefit the Club at any time.
The Purpose of the Club:
The purpose of the Club is to promote and encourage sport, in particular Australian Rules Football.
To assist in the educational advancement of the community by means of fair play and a love of sport, in particular the game of Australian Rules Football.
To encourage, advance and assist in the development of physical fitness in all members of the community both individually and collectively.
Mission Statement:
Our Club is a valuable asset within our community
We are committed to setting an example of good sportsmanship and a sense of fair play for our community.
We do this by recognising the need for courage, character, respect, honesty, maturity, care and responsibility as invaluable attributes to produce leaders to compliment the present and deliver us to the future.
We carry ourselves in this manner not only in the sporting arena in a team environment but as individuals representing our Club and ourselves.
Club Trademark
The Yankalilla Club developed a trademark that best describes our Club and certain behaviours that players and members should display when representing our Club on and off the field.
The attributes and behaviours are how our members and players of our Club wish to be perceived by members of the community and by opposing teams.
These words reflect our Clubs trademark with the relevant actions and behaviours required to achieve the Clubs vision;
Respect:
• Respect team mates, volunteers, umpires and opposition.
• Gain respect by being approachable, thoughtful, encouraging and honest.
Honesty:
• In character and in effort.
Courage:
• To act if a player or member is displaying a positive or negative behaviour for our team or Club.
• To accept positive & negative feedback.
• Fearless approach during a game.
Discipline:
• Be Punctual.
• Be thoroughly prepared.
• Be team orientated.
• Strive for the same goal.
Development
• To develop youth who display our trademark behaviours.
• To promote a social and family environment around the Club.
Commitment:
• Professional Attitude.
• Committed to adhering to these trademark behaviours.
Successful:
• To have done the very best at every contest.
• Social & approachable off the field.
Community:
To provide a friendly, family orientated, social Club that is appealing to the wider community.
Sponsorship:
The club values those people and businesses that sponsor the club. The Club members and players will make every effort to use the services of the Club sponsors where possible.
Conduct of Meetings:
The Club will hold its monthly meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month starting at 7.00pm at the Club. The meetings will be held on this date irrespective of who is able to attend, subject to a quorum being present. This meeting is held to discuss the day to day running of the Club and to discuss and vote on any issues arising that involve the Club. A quorum for a committee is four members in accordance with the Clubs constitution.
Working Groups/Subcommittees:
Special purpose working groups are created to concentrate on certain critical aspects of the Club. These groups will operate under the guidance of the Committee in accordance with the Club constitution and will be covered under the Club’s insurance policy.
The following working groups will be formed:
• Junior Football Committee
• Football Operations Group
• Sponsorship Group
• Social Events and Fundraising Group.
Committee members as elected at the Annual General Meeting will be delegated responsibility to manage the working groups and shall report back to the Club Committee on their proceedings.
The working groups have the ability to manage the day to day running of their respective duties however significant issues that require Committee endorsement need to be referred to the Committee for ratification.
The Junior Football Committee will run their own independent bank accounts to effectively manage their affairs with account balances reported at the Club’s monthly meeting.
Code of Conduct for Meetings:
Meetings start on time and finish on time.
All attending members are encouraged to participate and contribute - everyone is given opportunity to voice their opinions.
We use the meeting to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
We actively listen to what others have to say, seeking first to understand, then to be understood and discuss only the relevant item at hand.
We follow-up on the actions we are assigned responsibility for and complete them on time.
We give and receive open and honest feedback in a constructive manner.
We strive to continually improve our meetings and make decisions to benefit the Yankalilla Football Club and its members.
Life Membership:
The Yankalilla Football Club shall recognise long & meritorious service by issuing Life Membership of the club.
A member shall qualify for Life Membership by ;
(a) Playing 200 A Grade games of Football,
(b) Playing 250 senior games of Football
(c) In the opinion of the committee has provided distinguished service (either in a playing capacity or any other capacity) to the Club over a period of 10 years.
Club Insurance:
All affiliated Clubs within the Great Southern Football League are required to be insured by Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Ltd. The Club holds an upgraded Gold Insurance cover which covers players of all grades up to 90% of all non Medicare related expenses, such as Ambulance cover, Dentist, Physiotherapy and Chiropractic.
Members are asked to visit www.jltsport.com.au/afl to see what is covered under this policy. This does not include income protection insurance. The Club strongly recommends all players maintain Private Medical Insurance including extras. The Club takes no responsibility for uninsured medical and/or gap expenses.
Club Clothing:
All players are encouraged to wear Club clothing on game day and where possible to Club social events.
The Club will stock a selection of clothing and merchandise to be purchased. Goods will not be exchanged until full payment is received.
Committee Members and Coaches are encouraged /required to wear Club clothing on game day and where possible to Club social events.
Club socks and shorts:
Players are responsible for their own socks and shorts. The Club will stock a number of socks and shorts available to be purchased. Goods will not be exchanged until full payment is received.
Club Guernseys:
The Club will supply and maintain Guernseys with a numbers range from 1 to 55 in a variety of sizes. Guernsey numbers will be allocated at the commencement of each year and regular players will retain the same number for the entire year unless an amicable exchange is agreed to by all effected players and respective team managers. Players from previous years have first right of renewal.
Player Membership:
All players (including paid players) are required to pay yearly subscriptions prior to the Thursday commencing round four.
The Club will allow payment of subs over a period of time to assist players meet this financial commitment. Players wishing to pay their subs this way need to make arrangements with the Club Treasurer
Players that are non-financial will not receive best player awards or win incentives. All players who have not paid their yearly subscription prior to round 5 will not be considered for game selection.
Player Incentive Awards:
The best five (5) “A grade” players and best three (3) “Reserves grade” players adjudged best players will receive incentive awards in recognition of their outstanding effort.
Incentive awards are held at the Club if played at home or at a venue to be determined if playing away. Home game presentation of awards will commence at 6.30pm. Players judged as best players who fail to attend home game presentations will not receive their award unless a valid excuse in given. All players are encouraged to attend the presentation to support the Club.
Players Change Room Roster:
The Football Club wishes to ensure that the club and visitors change rooms are kept in a clean, presentable manner The leadership group, at the commencement of the season, will draw up a roster showing when it is their responsibility to clean the change rooms.
Every effort will be made to distribute this responsibility evenly throughout the senior players and members of the leadership group.
Player Attendance at Club Events:
Players are strongly encouraged to attend as many social events as possible to support the Club throughout the year. The Club will hold some significant events that will require compulsory attendance by all players, with players given advance warning to ensure attendance.
Players are required to wear Club clothing to all events.
Player’s failing to attend compulsory events without a suitable explanation given to the Senior Coach will be referred to the leadership group for disciplinary action.
Club Best and Fairest Awards:
The umpire’s votes awarded for the best and fairest player for the home & away matches will not be considered when determining the best and fairest awards for the Club.
A panel including the Coach, Assistant Coach and generally one other will allocate points out of 5 to the best five players in that game.
The highest point scorer for that season will be awarded the Best & Fairest Award.
Team Captains:
At the commencement of the season the Football Operation Group will select A and Reserve Grade Captains and Vice Captains. The Committee will endorse the selections on the recommendation of the Football Operations Group.
Leadership Group:
At the commencement of the season the Coaches of all grades have the discretion to establish leadership groups from within the playing members to assist the coach with player management.
The Committee will endorse the leadership groups on the recommendation of the Coaches.
Coaching Positions:
It is the Clubs policy that all Coaching positions are advertised every year.
Advertisements will be placed in The Advertiser and on the club website and any other forum that the club determines.
Selection Committee:
At the commencement of the season the Senior Coach will assemble a committee to assist him in the selection of the weekly team. The selection committee would normally comprise of the Senior Coach, Reserves Grade Coach and other members determined by the Senior Coach.
All grades team sheets will be placed on the window of the Yankalilla Bakery on Friday.
Disciplinary Action - Minor incident involving players:
In the event of a minor incident involving a player which brings the Club or a player of the Club into disrepute, the leadership group is encouraged to remedy the situation and to liaise with the individual or individuals in question.
Disciplinary Action - Major incident involving players:
In the event of a major incident involving a player which brings the Club or a player of the Club into disrepute, the committee will meet to discuss the situation and to liaise with the individual or individuals in question. In this instance the committee may seek guidance from the leadership group.
In the worst case scenario the committee has the powers under the constitution to expel a member.
Disciplinary Action - Incident involving non players:
In the event of an incident involving a non player which brings the Club or a member of the Club into disrepute, the committee will meet to discuss the situation and to liaise with the individual or individuals in question.
In the worst case scenario the committee has the powers under the constitution to expel a member.
Wearing Black Arm Bands:
The wearing of a black arm band on your left arm reflects mourning for the passing of a friend or family member. Individual players are encouraged to wear a black arm bands as a mark of respect to the deceased. Team members may also choose to wear a black arm band as a mark of respect to their fellow player if they wish.
The entire Club will wear a black arm band upon the death of a current player, current member, Club Life Member or another person at the discretion of the President.
Trainers:
The service that the club trainers provide is recognised as an integral part of the clubs operation. Trainers will be provided with a meal voucher for them and their partner at each home game and their services will be formally recognised at the Club presentation dinner.
The head trainer is responsible to organise a roster to ensure at least one trainer is always in attendance at every match and training session. The Head Trainer is also responsible to ensure there is adequate equipment deemed necessary for the treatment of existing injuries or to render emergency medical treatment. The Head Trainer has the authority to order necessary items on behalf of the Club.
Team Managers:
Coaches are generally required to find a suitable team manager to assist them with administrational tasks required by the league.
Team manager’s duties include:
o Accurate completion of team sheet.
o Distribution of Guernseys to players as per team sheet.
o Game ball to and from umpires.
o Allocation and collation of best player slips.
o Seek suitable people to perform duties such as:
o Timekeeper
o Goal Umpires
o Water boys
o Interchange steward
o Scoreboard Official
Gameday Volunteers:
Game day volunteers are very important to every Club and are generally very hard to find. All game day volunteers such as Goal Umpires, Trainers and Waterpersons are to wear appropriate clothing for their specific duties. Goal Umpires are especially required to wear white jackets at all times. The Team manager for each grade is required to ensure volunteers are wearing the appropriate clothing.
