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NETTS CONSTITUTION
1. Name
The club shall be known as North Essex Table Tennis School (hereafter referred to as
The Club or NETTS). NETTS is affiliated to Table Tennis England.
2. Aims and Objectives
a) To offer a programme of Table Tennis to suit all levels of ability.
b) To encourage a friendly, inclusive and enjoyable environment (See Appendix I)
c) To promote The Club locally.
d) To act as a focus and ambassador for Table Tennis within North Essex.
e) To ensure a duty of care to all members of The Club. (See Appendix II).
f) To ensure equity in the provision of services to all members.
3. Membership
Membership of The Club is open to anyone interested in promoting, coaching,
volunteering or participating in Table Tennis, regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity,
nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. Membership shall consist of the
following categories:
a) Junior members (up to 18 years of age).
b) Adult members.
c) Senior members (over 60 years of age).
d) Family members (includes cohabiting couples).
e) Honorary members.
Every member will be provided with the means to view the Club Constitution and Code of
Practice at their leisure. By joining Members will be deemed to have accepted these texts.
Every member will pay fees determined at the AGM (except honorary members) – See
Appendix III. Individuals shall not be eligible to take part in the business of The Club, vote
at general meetings or be considered for selection of any team unless the membership fee
has been paid (except honorary members) and verified by the treasurer.
4. The Committee
The affairs of The Club shall be conducted by a committee, consisting of between six and
twelve members and will include a Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary. Committee
members shall be elected at the AGM.
a) All committee members must be members of The Club.
b) Committee members shall serve for one year and be eligible for re-election.
c) Should any committee post fall vacant after an election, the committee has the
power to fill it until the succeeding AGM.
d) The committee is responsible for reviewing the Constitution, Codes of Practice,
plus any policy which may affect the organisation of The Club.
e) The committee has the power to appoint any advisors to itself to fulfil its
business.
f) Committee meetings will be convened by the Club Secretary and be held no
less than four times annually.
g) The quorum required for business to be agreed at the management committee
meetings shall be five. Where members fill more than one Committee role, they
shall only be able to cast a single vote on any one issue.
h) In the absence of the chair and vice-chair a proxy shall be approved to run the
meeting by those present.
5. Finances
The Club Treasurer is responsible for the finances of The Club.
a) The Club financial year shall run from 1st April to 31st March the following year.
b) All Club monies will be banked in an account held in its name, less any
expenses.
c) A statement of annual accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at the AGM.
d) Any cheques drawn against Club funds must hold the signatures of the
Treasurer and up to one other agreed committee member.
6. Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
General meetings are the main means by which members of The Club exercise their
democratic rights in conducting The Club’s affairs. The Club shall hold the AGM in
September to:
a) Approve the minutes of the previous AGM.
b) Receive reports from the Chairman and Secretary.
c) Receive a report from the Treasurer and approve the annual accounts.
d) Receive a report from those responsible for certifying The Club’s accounts.
e) Elect the officers to the committee.
f) Agree the membership fees for the following year.
g) Consider any proposed changes to The Club’s Constitution and Rules.
h) Deal with other relevant business.
Notice of the AGM will be given by the Club Secretary with at least 28 days notice to all
paid-up members. Nominations for officers must be received by the Secretary 14 days
prior to the AGM.
Proposed changes to the Constitution and rules must be sent in writing to the Secretary
who will circulate them to members not less than 7 days prior to the AGM.
All members have the right to vote at the AGM. The Chairman of The Club shall hold a
deliberative as well as a casting vote at general and committee meetings.
An EGM may be called by an application in writing to the Club Secretary supported by 33%
of the membership. All procedures shall follow those outlined for an AGM.

7. Disciplinary Infringements
Expected levels of behaviour are outlined in the Club’s code of practice; see appendix 1.
The Committee is responsible for the disciplinary hearings of members who are alleged to
have infringed its Constitution or rules. The procedure is as follows;
a) All complaints about the behaviour of members must be presented to, and
submitted in writing to, the Secretary in the first instance.
b) The Secretary will organise an appropriate panel to deal with the complaint, if
possible within 7 days.
c) The panel will consist of three committee members and will normally be led by
the chairman or Vice-Chairman.
d) Should a committee member be the subject of the complaint he/she will not
be permitted to participate in either the panel or the committee’s subsequent
decision making process.
e) The member chairing the Panel will contact all parties concerned and arrange a
hearing on the first available date convenient to all parties concerned.
f) The panel will hear the complaint with written and/or oral evidence from the
interested parties.
g) The panel will make recommendations to the full committee within 48 hours.
The panel has the power to recommend appropriate disciplinary action
including termination of Club membership.
h) The committee will meet within 7 days to consider these. A simple majority of
committee members will be sufficient to endorse a panel’s recommendations.
i) Within 48 hours of the end of the committee’s 7 day period for voting, the
chairman or secretary will notify in writing the decision of the committee to
the complainant and any club member who was the subject of the complaint.
j) A right of appeal to the management committee shall be allowed. This must be
made in writing and be sent to the Club Secretary within 7 days of the
communication of the original decision and must include all evidence in
support of the appeal.
k) The appeal will be considered by the same panel which dealt with the original
complaint within 7 days of receipt of the appeal.
l) The appeal will be limited to written representations only and will be
considered by the panel within 7 days of receipt of the appeal.
m) The panel will pass its recommendations to the full committee within 48 hours.
The committee will have 7 days in which to reply, confirming whether it
accepts the panel’s recommendation or not, with a simple majority required
for any course of action determined.
n) The committee’s decision will then be communicated by the Club Secretary, in
writing, to the complainant and anyone who is the subject of the complaint
within 48 hours of the end of the 7 day period for committee members to reply
to the to the panels recommendations.
o) If either of the interested parties are not satisfied with the decision of the
committee they may seek to appeal the matter further to Essex Table Tennis
Association within 7 days of the date of communication of the appeal.
8. Dissolution of The Club
A resolution to dissolve The Club may only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a
majority vote of those present at the meeting. In this event debts will be cleared from
within existing Club funds. Any remaining assets will be lodged with Braintree & District
Table Tennis League for two years. Should The Club not restart within two years, these
assets will accrue to the holding organisation.

APPENDIX I – CODE OF PRACTICE
FOR MEMBERS
NETTS is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all of its members. The
Club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with
The Club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others.
Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times, and to share any concerns or complaints
that they may have about any aspect of The Club with its welfare officer, currently Fred Evans.
As a members of NETTS you are expected to abide by the following Code of Practice:
 All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.
 All members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age,
gender, ability, race, cultural background, religious beliefs or sexual identity.
 Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or
team manager if they are going to be late.
 Members must wear suitable kit for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach /
team manager.
 Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.
 Members are not allowed to smoke on Club premises or whilst representing The Club at
competitions.
 Members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on The Club premises or
whilst representing The Club.
 The Club will deal with any incidents of discriminatory behaviour seriously according to The
Club’s disciplinary procedures.
 Use of NETTS equipment outside sessions sanctioned by The Committee will not be agreed to
if they are not seen to be in the wider interests of The Club.
FOR PARENTS / CARERS
 Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.
 Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.
 Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
 Never force your child to take part in sport.
 Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding good performances of all.
 Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
 Publicly accept officials’ judgments.
 Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.
 Use correct and proper language at all times.
 Encourage and guide performers to accept responsibility for their own performance and
behaviour.
APPENDIX II – CHILD AND VULNERABLE MEMBERS’ WELFARE
All concerns, allegations or reports of poor practice / abuse relating to the welfare of children and
young people must be recorded and responded to swiftly and appropriately in accordance with The
Club’s Code of Practice / Membership guidelines. The Club Welfare Officer is the lead contact for all
members in the event of all protection concerns.

The Club Welfare Officer: Fred Evans. 01787 223979 / 07737 224480. Fred7213evans@gmail.com

APPENDIX III – NETTS FEES STRUCTURE 2022-2023 SEASON
Membership
Six visits to NETTS are allowed within in a twelve month period before one of two membership
options are enacted;

Option 1: Pay Annual Membership of NETTS.
This incorporates annual membership of Earls Colne Recreation Club. NETTS membership runs
from 1st November to 31st October every season. Should you join mid-season, payment is on a
pro-rata basis. Please note that NETTS membership is free for existing full members of ECRC. If
you / your child are already members of ECRC through another sport or for general use of other
facilities then please continue to renew direct with ECRC or through the appropriate club.
Options Junior (U18) Senior Family
Full Season (from Nov 1st) £22.00 £32.00 £57.00

Option 2: Day Membership
Pay £2 per visit (Cash only) Day Membership, on top of the NETTS session Fee, for each session,
payable to the session leader. This additional payment will then be passed on to ECRC.

Session Fees
Bat & Chat £3
Club Night £3
Beginners Coaching £3
League Match Fees £3
Booking Tables Outside of Club Sessions
Some club members are keen to have extra practice over and above the existing / proposed club
sessions. NETTS members have two options at ECRC:
Option A: Book direct with ECRC and pay ECRC Direct as follows;
Squash Court = £9 Peak / £7.50 off Peak (per 40 minutes)
Half Main Hall = £10 Peak / £8.40 off Peak (per 60 minutes)
Note: Use of NETTS Club equipment (Tables, Barriers, Nets etc.) is not authorised in this instance.
Option B: Book direct with ECRC and then ask for this session to be invoiced to NETTS. The above
fee should be paid direct to the NETTS club account and allows use of its equipment, and
therefore includes a small contribution to the club for hire, wear and tear. An email should then
be sent to the bookings secretary Paul Davison, as the person responsible for NETTS bookings.
Squash Court = £10 Peak / £8.50 off Peak (per 40 minutes)
Half Main Hall = £11 / £9.40 off Peak (per 60 minutes)