Rules of the South of the Thames Cross Country Association

Constitution

1. That the Association shall be called THE SOUTH OF THE THAMES CROSS-COUNTRY ASSOCIATION and that it be open to clubs, elected at the discretion of the Committee, having headquarters on the south side of the Thames.
2. That the object of the Association be to arrange and carry out a Cross-Country Championship among clubs on the south side of the Thames and any other races for such clubs as the committee think fit.
3. That the Annual General Meeting of the Association be held not later than the month of September to which each affiliated club may send two Delegates: one vote only to be allowed. 28 days notice to be given of the A.G.M. and Items for inclusion on the Agenda must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the meeting.
4. That the management be vested in a President, the Past Presidents, three Vice-Presidents, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Assistant Hon. Secretaries, each of whom shall have a vote at all meetings, and a Committee of seven representatives from Clubs forming the Association, five to form a quorum. All the above shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Life members may also be elected, and may attend and vote at all meetings.
5. That all clubs joining the Association must be strictly amateur as defined by the laws of  U.K. Athletics and shall subscribe a fee to be determined by a General Meeting. Membership is continuous and can only be terminated by notice in writing. The financial year of the Association shall be from the 1st May in each year and the annual subscription shall be due and payable on that date. Any club whose current subscription or other liability to the Association shall remain unpaid on 1st October, shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting, and should the subscription remain unpaid for more than one month after that date, such club shall not be entitled to compete in the championship. The Committee shall have the power to expel any club whose subscription is unpaid on 1st November, provided that same shall have been applied for by the Hon. Treasurer, by registered letter, or recorded delivery.
6. That two auditors, who shall be members of clubs affiliated to the Association, be appointed to examine and report upon the accounts of the Association for each financial year, such report to be presented at the annual general meeting.
7. That a Special General Meeting of the Association shall be called at the discretion of the Executive Committee, or by the Hon. Secretary within 14 days of the receipt by him of a written requisition signed by five representatives of different affiliated clubs, stating the reason for which such meeting shall be called, and only the business for which the meeting is called may be dealt with at such meeting.
8. That no rule shall be made altered or rescinded except at an Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting, called for that purpose. Notice of all proposed alterations must be sent to the Hon. Secretary at least 14 clear days before the date of meeting.
9. That any club infringing these rules shall be liable to expulsion from the association.
10. That the affiliated clubs forming the Association shall be responsible for the liabilities of the Association.
11. Any matter not provided for in these Rules shall be dealt with by the Committee, whose decision shall be final.

Competition Rules

1. Races will be organised under E.C.C.A. and U.K. Athletics Rules.
2. Competitors must be first claim members of the Club which they represent.
3. Entries shall be made on the official entry form and must be accompanied by the entry fee. Such list shall give the full names and addresses of the team with the date of their election to the club, and in the cases of service units, also the rank and initials. No-one whose name is not contained therein shall be allowed to compete.
4. Every club intending to compete must forward with their entry a description of their badge and colours and the name of a club recorder for insertion in the programme. Competitors should wear club colours.
5. After the entries close a Special General Meeting consisting of one representative of each affiliated club, shall meet to consider the entries, and it shall have the absolute power to reject the entry of any club or of any individual. Any objections unable to be dealt with at such meeting shall be referred to the Committee, whose decision shall be final.

The Championship

1. The Championship race shall be organised each Cross Country season over a distance of not less than 10,000 metres.
2. Clubs may enter as many athletes as they wish. The first six finishers from a club will be deemed to be the team for the Dewar Shield and the first twelve finishers will be deemed to be the team for the Coleman Cup.
3. The first three teams and first three individuals shall receive awards. At the Committee's discretion awards shall be made to the first unplaced club which has not been placed in the previous ten championships or has not won the special awards in the previous five championships. Awards will also be given to the first man over 40, the first man over 50 and the first man over 60 - the qualifying date being the day of the race.
4. Entry fees to be as determined by the Committee.

Barring Clauses for the Championship Race

It was agreed at the Annual General Meeting of 10th September 2004 that there will not be any Barring Clauses.

Women’s Individual Race

This will be held within the Championship race. Awards will be given to the first three individuals and the first woman over 35, the first woman over 45 and the first woman over 55 - the qualifying date being the day of the race. Entry fees to be determined by the Committee.

Five Miles Team Race (previously called “Junior” Team Race)

1. The race shall be approximately 8,000 metres.
2. Clubs may enter as many athletes as they wish. The first four finishers from a club will be deemed to be the “A” team, the second four the "B" team and so on. The first eight finishers from a club will be deemed to be the team for the Brent Shield.
3. Awards for the first three teams and first three individuals. The first team will receive the Lister Western Munroe Shield. Awards for the first club of each County which has no club in the first three positions, provided that a minimum of three clubs have entered from that county. Medals will also be awarded to the first three athletes who are under 20 years of age on the day of the race.
4. Entry fees to be determined by the Committee.

Barring Clauses for the Five Miles Team Race

It was agreed at the Annual General Meeting of 10th September 2004 that there will not be any Barring Clauses.

Five Miles Team Race (Women)

Rules 1, 2 and 4 as above.
3. Awards for the first three teams and first three individuals. The first team will receive the Norah Heathfield Shield.