The Club

Aims

The Oxford Blues Skater Hockey Club exists for the benefit of its players and the game of Skater Hockey.
It is non profit making and run by the parents of players. We organise training , friendly and league matches and generally provide the facilities (like this website) of an amateur sports club.

The club provides opportunities for all ages and abilities to play skater Hockey. From minnows toddling around the pitch, to ice-hockey players wanting off-ice training, to Veterans and keen Dads - who should know better !

The aim is to have fun. If its enjoyable, then doing it better comes naturally. If its not enjoyable, then all the expensive equipment and dedication from players and parents become wasted.

The aim is to have fun, get better at the game, encourage teamwork and sportsmanship and then, maybe - just maybe, win a few games....

The Oxford Blues club grew from a council run public session in the city of Oxford. These sessions were coached by local ice hockey player – Trevor Joseph who worked on the principle of Fun First, Results a bonus.As the number increased, more parents became interested and at a meeting on the 9th of March 1997, in the squash courts, attended by several parents, the setting up of a club was first proposed.

The first committee meeting was on May 13th 1997, with 6 adults present. This voted on and drew up the club’s constitution.The first game as a club was on 26th April 1997 against Thame.Though this was the first full game for all the boys and mixed abilities and ages the boys were elated on the their win.

In an effort to gain experience we arranged as many "friendlies" as possible with neighbouring teams such as Ash Avalanche and Abingdon. Playing roller hockey teams in Banbury and Farnham the boys had great fun in swapping equipment and trying the others sport.

In August 1997 the Pee-Wees attended their first tournament in Milton Keynes and being placed third won their first trophy. A great achievement and morale booster coming just before the start of the league that year.

That was 1997. Since then, the club has grown with the addition of Minnow, Youth, Junior, Senior, ladies and Veteran teams, representing all age groups, and supporting all abilities.

The club considers friendlies vitally important and continues to arrange matches regularly - not only is this invaluable for the development of the club members (giving the players valuable experience) and the sport, but it maintains contacts and good relations with other clubs.

Working with Oxford city Sports Development team, 5 street sports sites have been built around the city, where street hockey and other sports can be safely practised under expert guidance. These sites are fertile ground for more potential players to catch the skater hockey bug.

Oxford Blues encourages new and begginer players, as long as they are keen to learn and have a positive attitude. It is the younger players (and their parents) who are the future of the club.

The Oxford Blues have 10 teams, named after blasts of fresh air. Currently with about 70 playing members.

The Oxford Blues belong to the British Inline Skater Hockey Association (BiSHA) and to the Southern Association of Skater Hockey (SASH).

BiSHA is the national governing body. It sets the rules and regulations, and organises National and international championships.

SASH (Southern Area Skater Hockey) is the local body responsible for organising league matches between other SASH members. At the end of the season, one or more teams in each age group are selected from our southern area to compete in the national league. Once a year we select a regional squad to represent the SASH region to compete in the 'regionals'. SASH currently includes teams from as far apart as London and Cardiff, but generally .covers the central southern area of England.

Fees

Annual fees are payable both to the club and its governing body, BiSHA. Fees to BiSHA cover individual insurance and third party liabilities. This is essential to be able to play in league matches. See http://www.BiSHA.uk.com.

Year 2007 BiSHA membership classification and costs.

Oxford Blues club membership. Normally runs from 1 Feb to January 31st.

The fees to the club pay for training costs, league matches and incidentals. Additional fees are chargable to members for other items such as Nationals/regionals entry fee, Friendlies, additional training sessions, etc. Wherever possible, these charges are kept to a minimum.

Each year the club works out the costs of all training sessions and league match fees. The club then takes the likely membership and devides that into the costs. This yearly fee is charged each club members by monthly standing order.

For year 2007 this charge is 12 payments of £20 per month.

Important: This fee is payable wether or not you use the training and matches that it pays for.

The sport and our club has little external income and is funded by its members from joining fees. Sports councils, special awards bodies and business have supported our club. The support of these alternative incomes have balanced our finances, up till now. We are always looking at other sponsors, donations and awards to reduce the burden on the players and their parents. See sponsorship Link

Bisha, and Club Forms are available from Bales or Elsie. Standing Order forms are available from Elsie or your team manager. Please hand them in as soon as possible. If you have lost a form, please supply:

Full Name:
Address:
Date of birth:
Team:
Existing Membership Number:
Fee: £7.50 or £20.00.
Cheques made payable to Oxford Blues SHC. 

*** Take a look at the INSURANCE polices and cover ***

 CODE OF CONDUCT

The following is a code of conduct that all club members should have read and understood. A signed copy of this document should be returned to your team manager.

1.All players registered with the Club must attend regular training sessions. If you do not attend training you may be disqualified to play games. This will be at the discretion of the coaches and managers.

2 Any player who incurs a serious breach of discipline such as fighting, bullying, etc. will be liable to suspension by the Club. Repeated breaches of discipline could lead to dismissal from the Club. This applies whenever players are under the jurisdiction of the club, eg. on buses, in changing rooms etc.

3 Serious on-pitch offences will be dealt with by the club of BSHA officials. These could lead to players being suspended by the club or BSHA.

4 Players who feel that they have been disciplined unfairly by the Club will be entitled to a hearing by the committee in the presence of parents/guardians.

5 In the interests of the Club and sports venues it is essential that the amenities of the sports centres are respected at all times. Skates must not be worn going in and out of sports facilities at any time.

6 All monies such as subscriptions and game fees must be paid when required, preferable in advance.

7 The Club cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to individual players’ equipment or possessions.

8 All players must wear adequate protective kit to prevent injury. The club coaches and the BSHA take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance with safety standards. It is the individual players’ responsibility to ensure that kit is in a good state of repair. Coaches and BSHA officials have the authority of the club to suspend any player from training or games whose kit is in any way inadequate. Any breaches of this may invalidate registered players insurance.

9 Stealing of equipment, valuables etc. will be treated as a very serious offence and could mean instant dismissal.

10 Treat team members, other club members and Club officials with respect.

11 Any misconduct at training or games may lead to disciplinary action such as being benched for a game or games and there will be no refund of training fees.

I agree to abide by the rules set out in the code of conduct.

Player's signature

Parent or guardian's signature.

2.1 To become the top skater hockey club in the West/East/Great Britain and Europe.

2.2 To promote, encourage and foster the growth of skater hockey.

2.3 To operate successful skater hockey teams in all BISHA recognised age groups.

2.4 To organise and participate in skater hockey matches in leagues and competitions at all levels.

3. MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Membership is open to all persons wishing to play for or support the Club’s objectives, irrespective of political belief, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age or colour.

3.2 All players must be registered members of the British Skater Hockey Association and shall annually renew this membership when it falls due (please check with your regional association if regional membership is also required under its constitution).

3.3 An annual membership fee may be decided upon by the club committee, which must be paid by all club members, unless specific exceptions have been approved by the committee.

3.4 Membership may be refused or rescinded at the discretion of the club committee.

4. MANAGEMENT

4.1 The club committee shall comprise of the following officers who shall be elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting.

Chairman/General Manager

Secretary/Membership Secretary

Treasurer

Development Officer

Sponsorship/Fundraising Officer

Club Liaison/Publicity Officer

Players Representative

4.2 The committee may co-opt other club members to fulfil roles other than those of the elected officials. Such co-options to be taken on the basis of a simple majority of those officers present at a meeting.

4.3 Decisions affecting the club shall be taken on the basis of a simple majority vote of those officers at a meeting

4.4 Club meetings should be held at least four times per year.

4.5 All meetings of the club shall be open meetings whereby any member is free to attend and voice their opinion. However, only those officials of the club listed in 4.1 may vote on any decisions affecting the club. Decisions will be made on the basis of a simple majority of those present and eligible to vote.

4.6 A quorum for a meeting shall be at least six with at least four committee members needing to be present.

5. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

5.1 The club shall hold an Annual General Meeting at an interval of not greater than twelve months in the month of November.

5.2 All fully paid up members over the age of 16 shall receive one vote on matters discussed at the Annual General Meeting. Any member under the age of 16 years will receive one vote to be made via a parent of guardian.

5.3 A fully paid up member is one who has paid the yearly subscription (if any applies).

5.4 Notification of an Annual General Meeting shall be given by the secretary at least twenty-eight days in advance.

5.5 Items for the Agenda must be submitted to the Club Secretary no later than fourteen days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

6 FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS

6.1 The financial year shall run from 1 April to 31 March.

6.2 The treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation of the Annual Accounts of the club, which will be subject to examination by other members of the committee and shall be audited.

6.3 The accounts shall be available to all members upon request.

6.4 All cheques drawn against the club’s bank account shall be signed by at least two of the three signatories who shall be elected by the committee.

6.5 The club is a non-profit making organisation. All income received shall be applied solely to the promotion of the objectives of the club. No member shall receive any payment from the club other than the reimbursement of reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in the furtherance of the club’s objectives. The committee may agree to pay coaching fees to either members or non-members of the club.

7 DISCIPLINE

7.1 If, in the opinion of the committee, any member is detrimental to the objectives of the club then the committee should have the power to request that such a person faces disciplinary action. The composition of the disciplinary committee shall be decided upon by the club committee. Any person facing disciplinary action has the right to appeal against any decision made.