AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION OF RACE WALKING CLUBS INCORPORATED

BY-LAWS OF THE ASSOCIATION

NOW TO BE KNOWN AS – AUSTRALIA

UPGRADED FROM 2013 CONFERENCE.

1. Introduction

1.1. The Rules of the Australian Federation of Race Walking Clubs Inc (A.F.O.R.W.C.) are designed as the blueprint for the efficient constitution of the Club.

1.2. They will be difficult to modify as they will only change if a General Meeting of the A.F.O.R.W.C. agrees to changes in accordance with Section 31 of the Act.

1.3. The By-Laws of the A.F.O.R.W.C. are the day to day structure for the efficient running of the organisation and may be changed by a majority vote at a General Meeting.

2. Objects

2.1. To promote athletics, and in particular race walking, as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Inc. by establishing and maintaining such facilities and services as are calculated to be appropriate to the practice and competition of athletics.

2.2. To establish and maintain cordial relations with other sporting bodies.

3. Status

3.1. The A.F.O.R.W.C. Inc. is an independent athletics body that works co-operatively with other Australian athletics bodies but which retains its own separate identitiy.

4. Membership

4.1. Shall consist of Race Walking Clubs of the States and Territories of Australia

4.2. Ordinary Members of the Federation as at June 2005 consisted of the Clubs listed below.

4.2.1. A.C.T. Race and Fitness Walking Club Inc.*

4.2.2. N.S.W. Race Walking Club *

4.2.3. Queensland Race Walking Club Inc *

4.2.4. Race Walking Club of Western Australia AAA Inc

4.2.5. Regal Racewalkers Inc.

4.2.6. S.A. Race Walkers Club *

4.2.7. Race Walking Tasmania *

4.2.8. Racewalking Victoria *

4.2.9. W.A. Race Walkers Club (inc) *

4.2.10. * indicates original Club of the State

4.3. Associate Member of the Federation as at June 2005 consisted of the Club listed below

4.3.1. Australian Centurion Walkers Inc.

4.4. To be eligible to join the Federation, Clubs must satisfy all criteria as follows:

4.4.1. The Club must have proof of public liability coverage.

4.4.2. The Club must be properly constituted and affiliated with their respective State Associations.

4.4.3. For membership to the Federation, nominated clubs must gain a 3/4 majority vote from existing member clubs, in a secret ballot held at an Annual General Conference.

4.4.4. A Club applying for membership must submit details of their name and colours for approval by all existing Member Clubs

4.5. A member club may object to the application to join, on, but not limited to, the following grounds:

4.5.1. If the uniform/colours of the joining Club are similar to existing Member Club’s uniform, or if the name of the joining Club is similar to existing Member Clubs.

AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 2 4.6. If any member wishes to change any of the criteria with which they were elected as a Member, then that Club must submit full details of the change to the Federation for approval by its members.

5. Life Members

5.1. Those persons who have been elevated to that distinction by a 7/8 majority in a secret ballot held at an Annual General Conference.

5.2. Any Member Club, not an individual, may propose a member for Life Membership of the Federation and in so doing, must submit a written statement setting out the qualifications both administrative and sporting.

5.2.1. The proposed member must have been a financial member of a Member Club or affiliated club for at least 20 years at the date of submission and be a current member of a member Club.

5.3. The proposed member must be a current Federation Merit Holder.

5.4. The proposed member must have shown exceptional service to the Federation over an extended period of time.

5.5. The application must be submitted to the Honorary Secretary of Federation at least 42 days prior to the date of the Annual Conference.

5.6. The submission will then be passed on to a Special Investigation Committee formed by the existing Life Members of the Federation and the executive of whom 3 shall form a quorum.

5.7. This committee shall consider the application and by 3/4ths majority by secret ballot, either:

5.7.1. Recommend that the nomination go forward for consideration by the Annual General Conference, or

5.7.2. Recommend that the nomination be withdrawn.

5.8. If the Committee’s recommendation is to proceed to the Annual General Conference then notice of this must be contained in the notice calling the meeting.

AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 3 5.9. The vote for election to Life Membership at the Annual General Conference shall be by secret ballot and a 7/8ths majority must be obtained for the recommendation to be effective.

5.10. Competitive years with a Member Club alone does not constitute a qualification for Life Membership.

5.10.1. There will be no more than 2 nominations in any one year.

5.10.2. Upon election to Life Membership the member shall be entitled to attend all functions of the Club.

5.10.3. A Life Membership medallion shall be presented to the successful member.

5.10.4. A list of current Life Members shall be kept by the Secretary of the Federation.

6. Merit Awards

6.1. The Merit Awards recognise contribution in one or more of the following categories:

6.1.1. Officiating,

Examples :

A long standing and key organiser in the Canberra Carnival organizing committee A regular official at Federation events (eg regular timekeeper at the Canberra carnival every year) Regular judging at RWA events

6.1.2. Administration, and Examples:

Federation management (RWA Secretary, Treasurer, President, Vice President, Trophy Officer, Sub-Committee membership, etc) A regular club delegate at the RWA AGM A director of AFORWC by way of being a club President

AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 4 6.1.3. Competing.

Example:

Regularly competing at Federation Carnivals over an extended period of time.

6.2. There are 3 Merit Awards, each with its own badge which will be a coloured bar

6.2.1. 15 years – green bar

6.2.2. 25 years – red bar

6.2.3. 40 years – blue bar

6.3. Any person being nominated for a Merit Award must be a current financial member of one of the Member Clubs.

6.3.1. Nominations can only be made by the Executive of one of the Member Clubs.

6.4. The holding of a Federation Merit Award is a prerequisite for any Member proposed for a Life Membership. Life Members remain eligible for further Merit Awards.

6.5. The application must be submitted to the Secretary of the Federation at least 42 days prior to the date of the Annual General Conference and will be forwarded to the Awards Committee for decision.

7. Officers and Office Bearers of the Federation

7.1. Officers will be: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer

7.2. Office Bearers will be: One representative per each ordinary member club may be appointed to the Management Committee

7.3. Management Committee will be: Officers and Office Bearers

8. Quorum for Meetings

8.1. Annual General Conference and all General Meetings: AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 5 8.1.1. Quorum shall be 8: Consisting of at least two (2) Officers and at least six (6) representatives from 3 member clubs from at least two (2) States.

8.2. Management Committee:

8.2.1. Quorum shall be 6: Consisting of at least two (2) Officers and four (4) Office Bearers.

9. Interpretation

9.1. Should any dispute arise, involving the interpretation of these By-Laws or the Rules, the matter should be referred to the Annual General Conference whose decision shall be final and binding on all Members.

10. The Alf Robinson Memorial Race Walking Foundation

10.1. Introduction

10.1.1. When former Racewalking Australia President Alf Robinson died in 1977, a Foundation was set up, seeded by an initial sum of money donated by Mr. Harold and Mrs. Cora Brennan. This Foundation was designated The Alf Robinson Memorial Race Walking Foundation.

10.1.2. It was envisaged that the interest from this Foundation would be used on an ongoing basis to assist Australian race walkers on the international stage. Both Athletics Australia and Racewalking Australia view this Foundation as a developmental fund which should focus on either our most promising junior walkers or those open aged walkers under the age of 25 years who show the potential to achieve internationally.

10.1.3. The funds within the Alf Robinson Memorial Race Walking Foundation are held in trust by Athletics Australia and are administered by a Board of Trustees, made up of representatives of Athletics Australia and Racewalking Australia.

10.2. Principles

10.2.1. The real return from the Fund Investment, i.e. the interest income received less inflation, may be used each year to assist walkers and/or Athletics Australia walking teams to obtain overseas competitive experience to develop their abilities, but not to obtain competition within Australia.

10.2.2. The Athletics Australia Treasurer shall advise the Athletics Australia Competition Manager of the maximum amount available for distribution at

AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 6 1 July each year. The money not used at 30 June in the following year shall be capitalised into the Fund.

10.2.3. The Fund cannot be used to finance walkers to take part in the World Open Track and Field Championships, or the .

10.3. Administration of the Fund

10.3.1. Athletics Australia, in consultation with Racewalking Australia, will announce a yearly cut off date (normally 1 August) for Foundation submissions and will provide a suitably configured Athletics Australia website online panel by which applicants can submit grant applications.

10.3.2. Grant applications are to be made directly to Athletics Australia via the Athletics Australia website.

10.3.3. The application shall state:

10.3.3.1. The overseas competition in which the walker wishes to participate and the planned cost of the tour,

10.3.3.2. His/her three best performances in his/her particular event,

10.3.3.3. Details of his/her last three performances in his/her particular event.

10.3.4. When the submission closure date has passed, the Athletics Australia Competition Manager will ask the Foundation Trustees to review all nominations. The Athletics Australia Treasurer will advise the amount of money available for distribution.

10.3.5. The Foundation Trustees will consider the applications and advise the Athletics Australia Competition Manager of their recommendations.

10.3.6. The Athletics Australia Competition Manager will confirm the decision or not as he sees fit.

10.4. The costs of administering the Fund may be taken from the Fund income. The amount of the administration fee may be determined by the Board from time to time, but not to exceed 10% of the grants allocated in any one year.

10.5. The Board to have the authority to use income from the Fund to promote the Fund in an endeavour to obtain further donations to add to the Fund.

10.6. Limitations on Applications

10.6.1. As the Australian Federation of Race Walking Clubs Limited has been charged with the responsibility of developing, promoting and increasing the Fund, athletes applying for assistance should be members of the Walking AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 7 Clubs who are members of the Australian Federation of Race Walking Clubs Limited.

10.6.2. Members receiving assistance shall have been full financial members of a Member Club for at least two years immediately prior to selection by the Selectors and shall have competed during that period in approximately 50% of Club race fixtures for which they are eligible, or by dispensation from the Annual General Conference of the Federation.

10.6.3. It is open to an Australian walker to make application for assistance from the Fund if he/she is at the time temporarily residing out of Australia.

10.6.4. Only one grant shall be made to an athlete in a financial year.

11. Peter Waddell Trust Fund

11.1. When former Racewalking Australia President Peter Waddell died in 2002, many members of the Federation felt that his memory should be honoured in some concrete way. A motion was subsequently unanimously passed, at the 2006 Racewalking Australia AGM, to establish a Trust Fund. The fund was designated The Peter Waddell Trust Fund.

11.2. The funds within the Peter Waddell Trust Fund are held in trust by Racewalking Australia ad are administered by a Board of three Trustees, namely the Federation Secretary, the Federation Patron and one other Federation member who is elected at the AGM.

11.3. Principles

11.3.1. The real return from the Peter Waddell Trust Fund, i.e. the interest income received, may be used each year to help grow the sport of Racewalking in Australia.

11.3.2. The Racewalking Australia Treasurer shall advise the Trustees of the maximum amount available for distribution at 01 April each year. Any of this money not used by 01 April in the following year shall be capitalised into the fund. 11.3.3 Member clubs will be invited to submit funding applications for initiatives that target and seek to advance the sport of Racewalking in Australia. Written applications are to be forwarded to the Federation Secretary. 11.3.4. After the specified closing date, the Trustees will review the funding applications and decide on the distribution of available funds. 11.3.5. Funding shall be for, but not restricted to, activities that enrich the sport of Racewalking, such as: § Training Camps run by Federation member clubs, AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 8 § Race walk judging Seminars, § Race walk Coaching seminars, § Initiatives targeting Racewalking junior development, and § Contributing to shared concept events like the Oceania Race Walking Trophy or the Australian Race Walking Series.

12. Australian Centurions

12.1. The Federation officially recognises Australian track best on record performances for the following Ultra Distances for both men and women:

12.1.1. 50 miles, 100km, 100 miles, 200 km, 500 km.

12.1.2. 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 5 days

12.2. These best on record performances will be maintained by the Australian Centurions Secretary and a suitable plaque or certificate will be made up to officially recognize these performances.

13. Competition Rules

13.1. The Federation shall conduct the following competitions:

13.1.1. Schedule #1

Category Distance Perpetual Trophies Open 20 Miles Individual (Peter Waddell Trophy) and Teams (Campbell Shield) Open 20 Miles Handicap (Nigel Crew Trophy) Masters 20 Miles Teams (Duncan Knox Trophy) Masters Men 10 Miles Individual (Unnamed) Open Men 10 Miles Individual(Unnamed) and Teams (Unnamed)

AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 9 U20 Men 10 km Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Robinson Shield) U18 Boys 5 km Individual (Unnamed) and Teams ( Trophy) U16 Boys 3 km Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Robin Whyte Trophy) U14 Boys 2 km Individual (Bill Starr Trophy) and Teams(Willi SawallTrophy) U12 Boys 2 km Individual(Unnamed) and Teams (Tim Erickson Trophy) U10 Boys 1 km Individual(Unnamed) and Teams (Unnamed) Open Women 20 Miles Individual (Unnamed) Open Women 10 Miles Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Kerry SaxbyJunnaTrophy) Masters Women 10 Miles Individual (Unnamed) Open Women 5 km Individual(Lake Burley Griffin Trophy) andTeams(Unnamed) Masters Women 5 km Teams (The Vecellio Trophy) U18 Girls 5 km Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (The Mitchell Trophy) U16 Girls 3 km Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (The Huxley Trophy) U14 Girls 2 km Individual (Bob Cruise Trophy) and Teams (Unnamed) U12 Girls 2 km Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Unnamed) U10 Girls 1 km Individual (Unnamed) and Teams (Unnamed)

13.1.2. Schedule # 2

Event Category Distance Type of Events/Teams Perpetual Trophies Open Men 20 km Individual and Teams (Glover Shield) Open Women 10 km Individual and Teams (Carrington Trophy) U20 Men 10 km Individual and Teams (Troy Sundstrom Trophy) U20 Women 10 km Individual and Teams (Jane Saville Trophy) U18 Boys 10 km Individual and Teams (Nathan Deakes Trophy) U18 Girls 5 km Individual and Teams (Jacobson Trophy) U16 Boys 5 km Individual and Teams (Goble Trophy) U16 Girls 5 km Individual and Teams (Knight Trophy) U14 Boys 3 km Individual and Teams (Ron Crawford Trophy) U14 Girls 3 km Individual and Teams (Deanna Rahill Trophy) U12 Boys 2 km Individual and Teams (Unnamed) U12 Girls 2 km Individual and Teams (Unnamed)

13.2. Age for all competitions will be “Age on the Day” unless the carnival is held jointly with Athletics Australia. In this case, age as on 31 December of the current year may be enforced.

13.3. Any new member of the Federation wishing to compete for a Federation Club in a Federation Team event must have been resident in Australia for at least 6 weeks and must have been a member of that Federation Club for at least 4 weeks

13.4. A 50km for Open Women may also be conducted during the year in conjunction with another 50km event.

AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 10 13.5. Racewalking Australia will hold 100 km track championships for men and women each year, in conjunction with the Australian Centurions 24 Hour walking carnival.

13.6. Racewalking Australia will hold a postal match during the winter. See para. 46.

13.7. The Schedule # 1 will be held each year in the Australian Capital Territory as part of the Lake Burley Griffin Race Walking Carnival on the Queen’s birthday weekend in June. (Events listed are the only Federation events on the programme).

13.8. Schedule # 2 will be held in either July, August or September each year. The host club for this schedule will be confirmed at the Annual General Conference in the year prior to the competition.

13.9. Every Member Club who nominates to conduct a Federation Carnival must show proof of certificate of currency of Insurance cover. The amount to be that set out as an amount usually covered by bodies in their State/Territory

13.10. Team events in Federation races. The first three (3) competitors of each Member Club to finish without disqualification will constitute Team 1. The next three (3) to finish, Team 2, and so on. The only exception is for the Open 20 miles and the Womens 10 miles in Schedule #1 which is covered in para 35.5.

13.11. Any new member of the Federation wishing to compete for a Federation Club in a Federation Team Event must have been resident in Australia for at least 6 weeks and must have been a member of that Federation Club for at least 4 weeks.

13.12. Any number of competitors may be entered.

13.13. Entries for all Federation events will close 14 days prior to the date of competition on official entry forms – i.e. Federation forms only. If competitors wish to compete in Australian Championships as well as Federation events, separate entries must be lodged with the appropriate body along with the required fee.

13.14. Entries must be in writing from the Club Secretary and must nominate all competitors and a handicap for the particular distance. A base time will be given for each event, which will be the scratch marker, and the handicapper of each Club sends a relevant handicap for each athlete working out the athlete’s performance against the base time. (The difference between the base time and the athlete’s performance for that event will be their handicap). Entries received without handicap details will be ineligible for the handicap section of the competition.

AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 11 13.15. Late entries will be accepted at a race fee to be determined by the Host Club. Late entrants will NOT be eligible for either team or handicap awards, but will be eligible for outright placing awards.

13.16. The Host Club will provide the minimum number of Federation medals for all events as follows:

13.16.1. Gold, Silver and Bronze for first, second and third placed individuals

13.16.2. Gold, Silver and Bronze for first, second and third placed team members

13.17. Medals will be awarded to team members who score points by successfully completing the event.

13.18. Individual competitors will be eligible for trophies in the sealed handicap competition.

13.19. Less than three (3) walkers from the same Member Club at the start line do not constitute a team. However, in Schedule # 1, the Open 20 miles and the 10 miles for Women will be scored differently in that two (2) finishers can make a team, providing that there are three (3) or more starters.

13.20. Team points for Federation events are scored as follows:

13.20.1. The winner of the race receives points equal to three (3) times the number of teams competing plus one (1) point, second place finisher receives two (2) fewer points than the winner, third receives three (3) fewer points, etc. To be allocated team points a team must have three (3) starters, i.e. if there are less than three (3) starters, no team points are allocated. Retired and disqualified walkers do not receive any points.

13.20.2. Team points are added up and the total scored by teams with 3 finishers be placed first, then the teams with 2 finishers be allocated their points but placed behind the teams of 3.

13.21. The Brennen Shield is contested by the number one (1) team from each member Club in each event.

13.22. To allocate Brennen points a team must have three (3) finishers. Total points for each race are determined as follows:

13.22.1. Three (3) points for each financial Member Club of the A.F.O.R.W.C., plus one (1) point will be calculated. The winner of the race

AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 12 receives the total points, second receives two (2) fewer points than the winner, third receives three (3) fewer points, etc.

13.22.2. In the event of a tie, the team finishing its three (3) competitors first shall be deemed the winner.

13.22.3. Individual entries, irrespective of performance, shall not be allocated a team place.

13.26. All repairs and replacement of Federation Perpetual Trophies be paid for by the Federation.

13.23. A Country Association or Walking Club from outside Australia may enter Federation events. Any country may be invited to participate as honorary members. They may enter as individuals and in team events. They will be eligible for medals. However, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will also be awarded to the top three (3) A.F.O.R.W.C. individuals and teams to complete the event.

13.24. Only competitors who have entered Federation events through their Club Secretary will be counted in the scoring of Federation events (even though they may have entered an Australian championship, they would not automatically be entered in the Federation event). The two events will be scored separately, despite the fact they may be held concurrently.

13.25. The Host Club shall within 14 days of the completion of the competition, send to all Club Secretaries and the Federation Secretary, a complete list of all results including a summary of the judges’ sheets (without names).

13.26. All competitors must wear the uniform of their Walking Club unless they are also competing for their State in an Australian Championship, in which case the State uniform is to be worn. An Institute badge may be worn.

13.27. Judging procedure will be the same as laid down by Athletics Australia governing Australian Championships, Commonwealth and Olympic Trials.

13.28. Protests against any result must be in writing and submitted to the Manager of the Meeting within thirty (30) minutes of such result being officially announced.

13.29. Athletes can only nominate and compete for one club per calendar year.

13.30. All events are to be held on suitable courses.

AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 13

13.31. Racewalking Australia State Challenge is governed by the following ruleset

13.31.1. The Racewalking Australia State Challenge event is a RWA club- versus-club postal match with points being awarded within each race to the top finisher for each club.

13.31.2. The event will be scheduled on the second weekend in July but clubs may opt to schedule the Challenge on the weekend before or the weekend after if needed.

13.31.3. Walkers may compete in more than one event on the day provided the events are held at different times. A walker cannot walk in two different age groups in a concurrent race.

13.31.4. Points are allocated as follows: 1 pt for first overall, 2 pts for 2nd, 3 pts for 3rd, 4 pts for 4th and then all others clubs will be awarded 5 pts whether they have entered a competitor in that event or not.

13.31.5. Once the scores for the individual races has been determined, the overall score for clubs of 40 members or less will be divided by 1.6, the overall score for clubs with 80 members or less will be divided by 1.3 and the overall score of clubs with over 80 members will be divided by 1. Club numbers are based on membership numbers as submitted at the previous RWA AGM.

13.31.6. The club with the smallest total will be declared the winner of the State Challenge.

13.31.7. Racewalking Australia State Challenge events are:

10km Open Men 10km Masters Men (40+) 10km Open Women (35+) 10km Masters Women 10km Under 20 Men 10km Under 20 Women 8km Under 18 Men 8km Under 18 Women 5km Under 16 Boys 5km Under 16 Girls 3km Under 14 Boys 3km Under 13 Girls 2km Under 12 Boys 2km Under 12 Girls 1.5km Under 10 Boys 1.5km Under 10 Girls

13.32. Alterations to these competition rules can only be made by a majority vote at a General Meeting. AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 14

AFORWC ByLaws – Last updated 07th January 2014 15