Masters Australian Football

S.A. Division INC.

By - Laws

(December 2001)

  

 

In accordance with Masters Australian Football “Statement of Purposes & Rules” Page 8 of Rules (7) “Expulsion, Suspension or Fining of Members”.  In Particular P10. 7.6 (3) allows Master Australian Football-SA Division to fine members.
 
 
1. DELEGATES ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS
  It is desirable that each club is represented by at least one delegate at each meeting.  Should a club not provide a delegate at any meeting, a note shall be made in the minutes
   
  If no apologies have not been received, a call will be made to that club by either the President or the Secretary to determine the reason for the Non-attendance.
     
 

If the club is unrepresented at two meetings, the Executive will take responsibility to write to the club involved and:

a)      Summarise key points of the meeting (a slightly different emphasis to the minutes)

b)      Warn the club that failure to be represented at the next meeting could result in a fine or financial imposition being levied or other disciplinary action taken.

   

Should the club fail to send a delegate to a total of 3 or more meetings, even with apologies, then disciplinary action, a fine or a financial imposition may be applied at the discretion of the delegates at that meeting.  See Appendix 1 for disciplinary options.
     
2. GAMES  
     
  What constitutes a team?

  

 

The emphasis needs to be on promoting the game of Masters Australian Football, therefore wherever possible games should be played.  If teams are short but can muster 13 a side the n a game should be deemed as playable.  In these circumstances common sense should apply and quarters may be shortened if agreed to by both sides.

  
     
  Umpires  
  Each team should provide an emergency field umpire for their game
   
  Forfeiting of games  
 

Should a delegate be reasonably certain that his/her team will be unable to field a team of at least 13 players, that person should:
 

  • Contact the opposition delegate at least 7 days prior to a scheduled match to determine the likelihood of excess players being provided by that team
 

  • If the other team is unlikely to be able to provide enough excess players, and the game is part of a double or triple header, the host team should be contacted no later than Monday of the week preceding the match to negotiate possible solutions
 

  • Should this be unsuccessful, then a member of the Executive Committee should be contacted no later than Tuesday of the week preceding the match
 

  • Due notice of inability to field a team will require delegates to contact the opposition delegate, host team delegate and the Executive no later than Tuesday of the week preceding the match
 

  • Other participating teams legates should also be contacted in an endeavour to secure extra players
   
 

Failure to fulfill any of the requirements listed above would leave that club open to disciplinary action as per Disciplinary options in Appendix 1.

  
     
 

Further penalties will apply as follows:

1)      The forfeiting team will pay umpires from the forfeited match.

2)      The forfeiting team will need to negotiate with the host team to determine whether compensation for eh loss of a mini-draw sales is required.

  
     
  What constitutes a game?
 

If both commence playing with a minimum of 13 players each and complete at least two quarters then a game has been deemed to have been played.

Should the game end any time after this for reason of:

i)                    Loss of players.

ii)                   Conditions unacceptable to both sides the team, which is leading at the time, will be deemed to be the winner.
     
3. IMPROPER CONDUCT  
Player
  • Should a player engage in conduct which is verbally or physically unacceptable, and this behavior threatens to or does bring the game into disrepute, (remember it’s footy for fun), then that player should be removed from the field.  See Masters Australian Football – SA Division Match Rules 6 Order Off Rule.  This should be done by the umpire(s), but it the situation is beyond their control, the game can be stopped and the respective delegates and coaches can decide on the players fate
  • Should an unacceptable incident occur, a member of the executive should be notified on Sunday night or Monday morning so that the incident can be raised at the next available delegates meeting?  Both sides for presentation to the meeting should prepare a report.  Where possible the offending player or players should be encouraged to attend the delegates meeting
The delegates attending the meeting then would have the authority to:
  • Request the presence of the players involved at a special executive meeting prior to the next match
  • Take disciplinary action against the player(s) as is seen fit at the time ( this could involve anything from suspension to a written warning)
Outcomes should be announced at the next delegates meeting and published in the minutes
Should any player be suspended form any other league or competition, that player shall be ineligible to play in Masters Australian Football, local or stare within that suspension period, plus one more match after than.  It is to be hoped that from each incident, a learning pr modification can be achieved t reduce the likelihood of a repeat of the incident
     
The Club

Should a club fail to meet the expectations of Master Australian Football in any of the following areas:
  • notifying the host team & executives of changes/problems in advance e.g. change of venue
  • Play registered or correctly aged players
  • Playing or behaving in a manner which is keeping with the spirit of ‘footy for fun’
  • Supplying an umpire or facilities as required
  • Payment of fees
Discretionary processes and penalties as in Appendix 1 will apply
   
4. RIGHT OF APPEAL
Any member or Club, which has received a disciplinary action, shall have the right of appeal.  They may, by notice in writing, given or delivered to the Secretary of Masters Australian Football-SA Division.  The appeal shall be heard and determined by a special meeting of the Executive.  The aggrieved member or Club shall be entitled to attend the meeting to put their case.  No other business shall be conducted at this meeting.
APPENDIX 1
Disciplinary options
Disciplinary options available at the discretion of the delegates and enforceable by the Executive
  • Fine of between $25 & $50 possibly on a sliding scale e.g. $25 first offence, increasing by $15 for each subsequent meeting missed.
  • Forfeit of. Or reduction in benefits from combined fundraising activities e.g. loss of subsidy towards insurance premium, or loss of home games.
  • If a club misses two meetings throughout the year (with or without and apology), that club will forfeit 1 home game in the next season.
  • If  a club misses three or more meetings throughout the year (with or without any apology), that club or clubs will in the next season forfeit 2 home games
  • Loss of or reduction in subsidy towards the carnival.
  • Dis-affiliation from Masters Australian Football – SA Division

Ross Wall, Mary Cailotto and Leon  Day November 1998 –December 1999,  Amended by Leon Day – December 2001 and Lou Cailotto January 2006