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MEMORANDUM OF
ASSOCIATION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN
AMATEUR FENCING ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION
1. NAME
The name of the Association shall be the
SOUTH AFRICAN AMATEUR FENCING ASSOCIATION
[ hereinafter referred to as the Association
]
The Association is the only national
governing body for fencing in South Africa.
2. DEFINITIONS
The following terms used in this
Constitution shall have the meanings as
ascribed hereunder:
2.1 Except where the
context forbids, words implying male gender
shall include female gender, and words
implying the singular shall include the
plural, and vice versa.
2.2 The term "Executive Committee" shall
mean the group of persons, normally elected
at an Annual General Meeting, entrusted with
executive authority on behalf of the
Association.
2.3 The term "article" shall mean the
singular and/or plural of article, clause,
sub-clause or paragraph of this
Constitution.
2.4 The term "year" when not used in the
context of a financial year, shall mean the
period between consecutive Annual General
Meetings (AGMs).
2.5 The term "General Meeting" shall
mean the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the
Association as provided for in article 13
and/or a Special General Meeting of the
Association as provided for in article 14 of
this Constitution.
3. AIMS and OBJECTIVES
The Association shall be a non-profit making
organisation operating for the benefit of
its Members in accordance with its approved
Constitution and By-laws.
The objectives of the Association are:
3.1 To promote, develop and co-ordinate
the sport of fencing within the Republic of
South Africa regardless of race, colour,
gender or creed.
3.2 To advance, promote and safeguard
the interests of all affiliated members and
individual members of the Association, and
to foster good relationships amongst such
members, without interfering in the internal
and domestic organization of affiliated
Provincial or Regional associations or any
other affiliated bodies, except to ensure
that the activities of these associations do
not in any way infringe on the rules of the
Fédération Internationale d'Escrime or of
the South African Amateur Fencing
Association. However, any rule of censure or
disciplinary action against any registered
fencer by a Provincial, Regional or other
affiliated body shall be reported to and
recorded by the Association.
3.3 To promote a spirit of national and
international friendship and goodwill in the
sport of fencing.
3.4
To uphold the amateur status of fencers in
accordance with the rules of the Fédération
Internationale d'Escrime (FIE).(see Annexure
"B"),
3.5
To participate in the fight against doping
in sport, by actively promoting education
and by complying fully with the anti-doping
regulations laid down by the FIE. (see
Annexure “F”).
3.6
To arrange for the holding of annual
national fencing championships,
international competitions and tournaments,
and tours within the borders of the Republic
of South Africa.
3.7
To arrange, wherever possible, the sending
of individuals or teams to major
international competitions such as the
Olympic Games, World Fencing Championships,
Africa Fencing Championships, Comonwealth
Fencing Championships, other international
fencing competitions and events, and on
tours outside the borders of the Republic of
South Africa.
3.8
To organise participation in national
sporting events such as the South Africa
Games, the Olympic Festival etc. where
fencing is to be represented nationally.
3.9
To draw up:
3.9.1
an annual programme for all national, open
provincial and selected international
competitions;
3.9.2
dates for the Annual General Meeting, and
other General Meetings;
3.9.3
administrative deadlines for payment of
fees, notifications, applications, financial
statements and reports.
3.10
To draw up a formal budget and to allocate
available resources annually within the
parameters laid down by the relevant funding
bodies
3.11
To produce an annual national fencing
ranking list in accordance with an accepted
system.
3.12
To provide for the maintenance of an
official archive to record, in an
appropriate manner, a history of fencing
achievements including results of national
and international championships, awards,
minutes of meetings, financial records,
lists of affiliated members and clubs,
equipment, correspondence and other matters
affecting fencers and fencing in South
Africa.
3.13 To set and maintain standards,
encourage and provide assistance for
coaches, officials and administrators to
improve their skills and qualifications.
3.14
To co-operate and liaise with associations
having aims and objects similar to those of
this Association.
3.15 To affiliate to
the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime, the
Confédération Africaine d’Escrime, the
National Olympic Committee of South Africa
(NOCSA), the National Sports Council (NSC),
and to any other body having similar aims to
those of this Association.
3.16
To control the design, form and award of the
Association's badge, to restrain the
unlawful and unauthorized use thereof and to
take disciplinary or other action in respect
of any such unlawful use thereof. (see
Annexure "E").
3.17 To award National Colours in
accordance with the rules of the National
Colours Board and its code, and to make any
other awards as are deemed suitable.
3.18 To award SAAFA Colours to persons
deserving this honour, and as agreed to at
an Annual General Meeting or Special General
Meeting.
3.19 To award the "BENE MERUIT AWARD" in
accordance with the prescribed conditions.
(see Annex "A").
4. POWERS
The Association shall have the power:
4.1 To acquire assets, engage staff and
enter into commitments for the promotion of
its aims and objectives.
4..2 To enter into donor funding
arrangements with individuals or companies
and to solicit and accept fees, donations,
bequests, contributions and subscriptions
for the funds of the Association, provided
that the Association shall ensure that no
donor will derive any monetary advantage
from the moneys paid to or received on
behalf of the Association.
4.3 To take on lease, purchase or
otherwise acquire premises, equipment,
vehicles, furniture and other property
assets, whether movable or immovable that
may be deemed necessary for any of the
purposes of the Association and in order to
provide suitable equipment, accommodation
and facilities.
4.4 To improve, manage, exchange, lease,
mortgage, sell, dispose of, turn to account
and grant options, rights and privileges in
respect of, or otherwise deal with, all or
any part of the property and rights of the
Association.
4.5 To deposit or invest the moneys and
assets of the Association not immediately
required, in such securities and in such
manner as may from time to time be
determined, provided that cash resources and
investments will only be made with Financial
Institutions as defined in Section 1 of the
Financial Institutions (Investment of Funds)
Act of 1984 as amended or substituted from
time to time.
4.6 To borrow or raise money in such a
manner as the Association shall deem fit and
in particular to secure the payment of any
money so borrowed by means of mortgage,
pledge, charge or lien upon the whole or
part of the Association's property or
assets; and also by mortgage, pledge, charge
or lien to secure and guarantee the due
performance by the Association of any
obligation or liability it may undertake.
4.7 To operate a banking account or
accounts and to draw, make, accept, endorse,
sign, discount, execute, and issue cheques,
promissory notes, bills of exchange, bills
of lading, warrants, debentures and other
negotiable documents.
4.8 To make rules, to adopt By-laws
and/or pass resolutions that shall not be
inconsistent with the terms of this
Constitution.
4.9 To inquire into the administration
and/or financial affairs of an Affiliated
Member.
4.10 To appoint such standing committee(s)
and/or special committee(s) upon such terms
as it may consider necessary to give effect
to its powers.
4.11 To act as Court of Appeal and to
decide and rule upon any dispute between
Affiliated Members.
4.12 To perform any such tasks and to do
all such things as are required, incidental
or conducive to the attainment of the aims
and objectives of the Association.
4.13 To carry on any negotiations or
operations for the purpose of directly or
indirectly furthering the interest of
fencing in South Africa and to oppose any
proceedings or agitation that may seem to
the Association likely, directly or
indirectly, to be detrimental to its
interests.
4.14 To reprimand, fine or suspend the
membership of any member for infringing the
Constitution, By-laws, rules, policies,
principles and resolutions of the
Association, or for engaging in acts of
misconduct, improper practices, misdemeanor,
acts of defiance or bringing the Association
into disrepute.
5. AUTHORITY
5.1 The Supreme Authority of the
Association shall be the SAAFA Council as
set out in article 6.3.2 hereof, assembled
in a duly constituted General Meeting.
5.2 The Administrative structure of the
Association shall consist of:
5.2.1 The SAAFA Council as provided for in
article 6.3.2 hereof.
5.2.2 The Executive Committee as provided
for in article 9.1 hereof.
5.2.3 The Management Committee as
provided for in article 9.3 hereof.
5.2.4 Standing and Special committees as
provided for in articles of this
Constitution or in the By-laws as appended.
5.3 In the absence of a specific limit
placed on the powers of the Executive
Committee of the Association by a General
Meeting, the Executive Committee shall have
the full authority to exercise the powers as
set out in article 4 above.
6. MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the Association shall
consist of:
6.1 Affiliated members:
The affiliated members of
the Association shall be the affiliated
Provincial or Regional Fencing Associations
and any other Bodies as may be accepted as
members providing that the affiliated member
shall:
(1) be duly constituted.
(2) consist of at least 5 (five) affiliated
fencing clubs, unless otherwise approved by
an Annual General Meeting of the
Association.
(3) have at least 10 (ten) active and
registered members in each affiliated
fencing club, or any lesser number of
members as approved by an Annual General
Meeting of the Association, and
(4) fulfill its administrative and financial
obligations.
Each Provincial or Regional Fencing
Association and any other affiliated member
shall submit a copy of its latest
constitution and any amendments thereto as
agreed to from time to time.
Any application for affiliation by a newly
constituted Provincial or Regional
Association or by any other Body must be
accompanied by a copy of their approved
Constitution. All such constitutions must be
in accordance with the requirements of the
South Africans Amateur Fencing Association
and of the Fédération Internationale
d'Escrime.
6.2 Individual Members:
Individual Members are fencers who are
registered with SAAFA through their
Provincial or Regional Associations or other
affiliated Bodies. A member is only
registered once his duly completed
application form and registration fee
reaches the SAAFA office.
Provision is made for "foreign" fencers who
reside in areas where there are no
affiliated Provincial or Regional Fencing
Associations or other affiliated Bodies to
register with the Association as Individual
Members. This situation could arise, for
example, in the case of a fencer who lives
in a neighbouring state where no national
fencing association exists.
Such a "foreign" Individual Member shall
cease to be a member from such time as a
fencing association representative of that
area is formed, or if the neighbouring state
is affiliated to the Fédération
Internationale d'Escrime.
Any Individual Member shall be entitled to
retire from membership on giving notice in
writing to the Secretary of the Association
14 days prior to the end of a fencing
calendar year.
It shall be in the power of a General
Meeting, by a vote of two-thirds (2/3)
majority to strike the name of any members
off the roll of the Association.
It shall be in the power of the Executive
Committee to suspend a member or members
until the next General Meeting when such
suspension must be confirmed or withdrawn in
the manner described in the previous
paragraph.
Membership of the Association and of its
affiliated members shall be open to all
persons residing in the Republic of South
Africa, regardless of race, colour, gender
or creed, who are bona fide amateurs as
defined in this Constitution.
6.3 Office bearers
All office bearers in National, Provincial
or Regional fencing associations must be
either registered fencers or honorary
members according to the respective
Constitutions.
6.3.1 The Executive Committee of the
Association shall consist of the:
President.
Vice-President.
Secretary-General /
Treasurer.
6.3.2 The Council shall consist of the
following:
The 3 Members of the
Executive Committee, plus
The chair-persons of
the Affiliated Members, ie. Provinces or
Regions.
6.3.3 At the General
Meetings provision is made for the inclusion
of Additional Members from the Affiliates
(see article 13 below).
6.4 Honorary Officials:
The Association may create such honorary
offices as it deems fit by means of a
majority vote at a General Meeting. The
Association may appoint people to these
offices, on the understanding that any such
appointment shall become final only after it
is approved at an Annual General Meeting of
the Association by a two-thirds (2/3)
majority.
The following honorary officials may be
selected:
* Patrons.
* Honorary Life
Presidents.
* Honorary Vice
Presidents.
* Honorary Life
Members.
* Honorary Members.
Patrons, being honorary Members, shall be
ex-officio members of all committees of
SAAFA.
The Association may, in consideration of
meritorious service to the Association over
a long period of time appoint past or
present officers of the Association as
Honorary Life Presidents or Vice Presidents.
Honorary Life Membership may be conferred by
the Association to persons who have rendered
exceptional service to the Association over
a long period of time.
Such appointments shall entitle those
persons to be present at and to participate
in the deliberations of all meetings of the
Association but shall not entitle them to
vote thereat.
7. AMATEURISM
7.1 Definition of an Amateur.
An amateur is a person who:
(1) in all respects complies with the rules
of amateurism laid down in the Statutes of
the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime for
the time being in force (see Annexure "B");
(2) having forfeited his amateur status is
reinstated as an amateur pursuant to article
7.2 (see below) of this Constitution; or
(3) receives financial remuneration for
practicing sport other than fencing, but who
in all other respects complies with the
rules of amateurism as laid down in the
Statutes of the Fédération Internationale
d'Escrime.
7.2 Reinstatement as an Amateur.
The Executive Committee
shall have the power, in its absolute
discretion, to reinstate any persons who may
have forfeited their amateur status, or who
may have been disqualified, suspended or
otherwise dealt with, within the meaning of
this Constitution.
8. NON-CITIZENSHIP.
Any person in possession of a Permanent
Residence Permit can compete in the
Provincial or Regional championships
immediately after his/her arrival in the
Province or Region of residence, and after
being accepted as a member by that
Provincial or Regional Association.
Should that fencer be eligible according to
the guidelines set out by the Association
for participation in the National Senior or
Junior Fencing championships, then that
person can compete at the National
Championships.
Any person in possession of a Temporary
Work/Residence Permit can compete in
Provincial, Regional or National Fencing
Championships only after being resident in
South Africa for a continuous period of SIX
months prior to a particular event.
A fencer from another country who has
represented that country at an international
competition sponsored by the FIE will only
be eligible to represent South Africa after
an interval of three years from when he
acquired South African citizenship. However,
a fencer who acquires South African
nationality as a result of marriage will be
eligible to fence for South Africa
immediately.
See FIE regulations re Nationality: Annexure
"C" ("FENCERS' NATIONALITY")
9. CONTROL.
9.1 The control of the Association shall
be vested in an Executive Committee
consisting of a President, a Vice President,
and a Secretary-General / Treasurer. The
Executive is advised by and is answerable to
the Council of the SAAFA.
9.2 The President is Chairman of the
Council, and chairs the General Meetings.
His responsibilities concern the broad
national and international aspects of
fencing, including:
liaison with the National Olympic Committee,
the National Sports Council, the African
Fencing Confederation, the Commonwealth
Fencing Federation and the Fédération
Internationale d’Escrime;
co-ordination of contacts with International
Federations with respect to Olympic Games,
World Championships, Regional Championships
and visits by fencers to or from foreign
lands.
9.3 The Vice President is Chairman of an
appointed Management Committee involved
mainly in the day to day management and
administration of the Association. The Vice
President is responsible for appointing
members to the Committee. These appointments
must be confirmed by the Council as the
Management Committee is ultimately
answerable to the Council. Additional
persons, including professionals, may be
co-opted onto the Management Committee and
may be permitted to vote on matters falling
within their portfolio (e.g. National
Training Scheme and Editor of South African
Fencing).
9.4 ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
9.4.1 The President and the Vice President
of the Association shall be elected by the
Annual General Meeting, and shall assume
office at the start of the new fencing
season (if the AGM takes place at the time
of the Senior National Championships) or
immediately upon election if the AGM is held
at any other time. The President and the
Vice President shall be elected for a period
of two (2) years and shall be eligible for
re-election at the end of their term in
office.
9.4.2 The President may also be elected at
a Special General Meeting called for this
purpose, subject to a two thirds majority
vote of the SAAFA Council.
9.4.3 The President may voluntarily resign
his office at a Special General Meeting
called for this purpose, subject to a two
third majority vote of the SAAFA Council.
9.4.4 The President shall himself appoint,
as he thinks fit, the Secretary-General /
Treasurer subject to the approval of the
voting members of the Council.
9.4.5
The Secretary-General / Treasurer shall also
serve for a two year period and may be
re-appointed at the discretion of the
President.
9.4.6
The position of Secretary-General /
Treasurer may be split between two persons
should this be deemed appropriate by the
Council. Under these circumstances, the
appointment of Treasurer would require
approval of the voting members of the
Council.
The Executive Committee together with the
Chairmen of the Provincial Associations
shall form the Council.
The Executive Committee shall have the right
to appoint, dismiss, fix remuneration and
conditions of employment of any temporary or
permanent employees. This could apply to any
full time officials, a Fencing Coach or
Fencing Master.
The Executive Committee shall be able to
institute and defend any legal proceedings
on behalf of the Association.
10. VOTING.
At General Meetings (whether Annual or
Special), all members of the Council
including the Provincial or Regional
associations as represented by their
respective chairmen or their appointed
proxies, as well as additional voting
members as defined, shall be entitled to
speak on any matter raised.
The President of the Association, the Vice
President, the Secretary-General / Treasurer
and each Provincial Chairman shall be
entitled to ONE (1) vote. Should an
individual Treasurer be appointed, he may be
allowed to vote on matters pertaining to his
portfolio, or as determined by the members
of the Council. In the event of an equality
of votes, the President shall have a casting
vote in addition to his ordinary vote.
A quorum at General Meetings shall consist
of three fifths (3/5) of the voting members.
11. FINANCE.
11.1 The revenue of the Association shall
be derived from:
a) Annual affiliation fees from
Associate Members.
b) Capitation fees paid by the
Provincial or Regional fencing associations
for registration of each of their individual
members. The capitation fees to be
determined at a General Meeting of the
Association.
c) Special contributions and levies as
voted for by a General Meeting.
d) Fees received from Life members of
the Association.
e) Financial assistance and grants
made to the Association by the National
Department of Sport, or any similar body.
f) Financial assistance and grants
made to the Association by the National
Olympic Committee of South Africa, the
National Sports Council, or any similar
body.
g) Funds received by way of
sponsorships, donations, fund raising
schemes, or from any other sources regarded
as being revenue.
11.2. The Association shall operate a
complete set of Books detailing all income
and expenditure.
The annual Balance Sheet and Income and
Expenditure accounts shall be prepared.
These accounts shall be audited by a
Chartered accountant or similarly qualified
person, who shall prepare and submit the
Balance Sheet and report thereon.
All vouchers and other information shall be
retained and be made available to the
auditors.
The audited accounts shall be presented to
the next Annual General Meeting of the
Association for consideration and approval.
The President of the Association and any one
other member of the Executive Committee
shall have signing powers at the Bank,
Building Society or any other approved
Financial Institution.
The Financial year of the Association shall
be from 1st April to 31st March annually.
12. FEES.
12.1 Affiliation Fees:
Each affiliated
member-Provincial Association or other
approved member shall pay an annual
affiliation fee. This affiliation fee shall
be as agreed upon at a General Meeting and
shall be payable on affiliation and annually
thereafter at the start of the Financial
Year. The exact fee shall be determined
from time to time by the Council.
Should the affiliation
fee from Provincial Associations or any
other bodies be unpaid within two (2) months
of the start of the Financial Year, the
member shall be in default, and shall cease
to be entitled to representation or to
exercise any voting or other rights or to
enjoy any privileges in terms of this
constitution until all outstanding amounts
due are paid in full.
12.2 Capitation Fees:
Each Provincial / Regional Association shall
pay a capitation fee for each of it's
registered members.
This capitation fee shall be as agreed upon
at a General Meeting. Capitations to be sent
to the Association six weeks prior to the
Annual General Meeting, together with forms
detailing each member's surname, first
names, sex, full postal address, telephone
number, fax number, fencing club, and
Province / Region. If the member is under 20
years of age then the date of birth must be
included.
The annual affiliation fee or the capitation
fees payable by the various categories of
membership may be altered from time to time.
Changes must be confirmed at the Annual
General Meeting.
Any alteration - of which due notice has
been given in writing - shall become
effective as from the start of the Financial
Year following the date of the General
Meeting where it was agreed to.
No unregistered fencer shall be allowed to
compete in any fencing competition arranged
under the auspices of any Regional or
Provincial Fencing Association or by the
National Association.
No registered fencer shall take part in any
fencing competition knowing that an
unregistered fencer is also competing.
A Regional or Provincial Fencing
Associations shall confine the registration
of its members to those fencers who are
resident within the Regional or Provincial
borders of that particular Regional or
Provincial Association, unless for practical
reasons the SAAFA has ruled otherwise.
13. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS.
An Annual General Meeting of the Association
shall be held once during each calendar
year, preferably at the time of the Senior
National Fencing Championships.
All members of the Council of the
Association shall attend the Annual General
Meeting if possible. At the discretion of
the Council, additional persons may be
invited to attend the Annual General
Meeting. Such persons may be invited to
address the Meeting on a particular subject,
but they shall not have a vote.
Registered members of the various Provincial
associations may attend the Annual General
Meeting but they may not enter into a
discussion nor may they vote on any matters.
Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall
be sent to the members of the Council at
least 60 days prior to the date of the
Annual General Meeting. An agenda for the
Meeting shall be enclosed with the Notice.
All notices of motions to be dealt with at
the Annual General Meeting shall reach the
Secretary-General of the Association in
writing not less than thirty (30) days prior
to the Meeting, and the Secretary-General
shall notify all members of the Council of
any proposals so received, at least 15 days
before the date of the Annual General
Meeting. The Annual General Meeting shall
receive applications from member provinces
as to their willingness to organise the next
Junior/Cadet National Fencing Championships
and Senior National Fencing Championships.
A quorum at the Annual General Meeting shall
be at least two thirds (2/3) of the voting
members.
The Annual General Meeting shall appoint
auditors for the ensuing year.
14. GENERAL MEETINGS.
A Special General Meeting of the Council may
be called at the request of two or more of
the voting members.
A proposal to call a Special General Meeting
must be received by the Secretary-General,
in writing, and must be signed by the
member/s proposing the meeting.
The proposal must reach the Secretary at
least thirty (30) days prior to the date of
the proposed meeting.
The attendance and voting powers at a
Special General Meeting shall be the same as
that of an Annual General Meeting. Only
business for which the Special Meeting has
been convened shall be dealt with at the
meeting.
A quorum for the Special Meeting shall
consist of two thirds (2/3) of the voting
members or their proxies. The names of the
proxies must be received in writing by the
Secretary-General prior to the commencement
of the meeting.
If at any Special General Meeting there is
no quorum, then the meeting shall stand
adjourned for a period of seven (7) days,
and then those members present shall
constitute a quorum. They may transact the
business for which the Special General
Meeting was called.
15. COUNCIL MEETINGS.
In addition to the Annual General Meeting
and any Special General Meetings, at least
one other Council Meeting should be held
each year. If it is not possible to meet
physically, an arrangement should be made to
meet, for example, by telephone or E-Mail
conference.
16.
DOPING
Doping, as defined in the International
Olympic Committee Medical Code, is expressly
prohibited. The Association agrees to comply
with all anti-doping rules and regulations
laid down by the Fédération Internationale
d’Escrime. (see Annexure “F”).
17. DISCIPLINARY CONTROL.
a) The Council of
the Association shall have the right to
exercise disciplinary measures against any
affiliated body, registered fencer or any
Honorary member, life member or any officer
or official of the Association deemed to be
guilty of any conduct, action or statement
which in the opinion of the Executive
Committee or of any disciplinary committee
appointed for the purpose, is considered to
be prejudicial to the interests of, or to
bring into disrepute the Association or any
individual Provincial Fencing Association or
to be defamatory of any person or body
associated with the Association.
b) Any person,
registered member, club, or association
against whom disciplinary action has been
taken shall have the right of appeal against
such action. The appeal must be received in
writing by the Executive Committee within
one month of the disciplinary decision.
18. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
No part of the Constitution shall be
amended, altered or rescinded except at an
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING or at a SPECIAL
GENERAL MEETING called for that purpose and
passed by a majority of not less than two
thirds (2/3) of those members present and
entitled to vote.
Notice of any proposed alteration to the
Constitution shall be furnished in writing
to the General Secretary of the Association
not later than sixty (60) days prior to the
Annual General Meeting or thirty (30) days
prior to a Special General Meeting to be
convened for the specific purpose of
considering any such proposals.
15. DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION.
If upon the winding up or dissolution of the
Association there remain after the
satisfaction of all its debts and
liabilities, any assets whatsoever, the same
may be paid to, or distributed amongst any
bodies having similar objects to those of
this Association.
This Constitution was approved by the
Council of the South African Amateur Fencing
Association at the 49th Annual General
Meeting held in Johannesburg on the 8th
November 1998.
..................................….
Secretary-General.
……..…..................................................
President.
Ewan
Sellers
George Ruijsch van Dugteren
ANNEXURE " A "
THE BENE MERUIT AWARD.
PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE
SOUTH AFRICAN AMATEUR FENCING ASSOCIATION on
7th APRIL 1959.
Proposed:
1.
That an Award of Honour be instituted and
named THE BENE MERUIT AWARD.
1.
That this Award shall take the form of a
medal inscribed with the name of the Award,
the Year of presentation and the name of the
recipient.
2.
That there shall be three classes of the
Award namely:
a) GOLD, for which shall be eligible those
persons who have rendered conspicuous
service to Fencing over a considerable
number of years.
b) SILVER, for which shall be eligible
those persons who have rendered conspicuous
service to Fencing.
c) BRONZE, for which shall be eligible
those persons who have rendered a service to
Fencing of importance during the current
year, or a past year.
3.
That not more than ONE Gold and ONE Silver
medal shall be awarded in any one year and
not necessarily every year and that the Gold
medal particularly shall be sparingly
awarded.
4.
That the award shall be by a resolution
passed at a General Meeting of the South
African Amateur Fencing Association voting
on a proposal by the President of the
Association or by one of the member
provinces.
5.
That the resolution by the South African
Amateur Fencing Association Committee must
be confirmed at an Annual General Meeting.
(Proposed by Mr. D.P.Lehmann and seconded by
Mr. G.J.McCaul (Senior), and passed
unanimously.)
ANNEXURE " B "
AMATEURISM
[Extract from FIE Statutes, 1993]
1. GENERAL RULES
92.
An amateur is a fencer who fences only for
his pleasure, relaxation or health, without
ever gaining profit from it.
2. APPLICATIONS
93.
Rules set by the International Olympic
Committee for administration at the Olympic
Games, at all competitions of the FIE and at
all international and national competitions
are:
1) To be allowed to participate in any
of the above competitions, a fencer must:
a) observe and respect the I.O.C.
Rules as well as the Statutes and Rules of
the FIE as approved by the I.O.C. even when
the FIE Rules are more strict than those of
the I.O.C. (These Rules are listed below
under paragraph 3.);
b) have received no financial
advantage or material gain from the practice
of the sport, except as authorized in
paragraph 2. b,c,d,e below. This paragraph
deals mainly with the principle that a
fencer must neither endanger his health, nor
suffer any material social disadvantage due
to his preparation for, and participation in
national and international competitions and
the Olympic Games, and that the FIE must
protect and help the fencers.
2) Hence, a fencer may:
a) be a physical education teacher
giving basic instruction;
b) accept, through the intermediary of
or under the control of his National Olympic
Committee or National Federation, some
financial assistance during the periods of
training and of the competitions themselves
to cover the costs of food, accommodation,
transport, pocket money for small expenses,
insurance against accidents, illness,
disability or covering personal belongings;
for the purchase of sports clothes and
personal equipment, for medical costs,
physiotherapy and for the fees of authorized
coaches.
In case of need, a fencer may also accept
compensation authorized by his National
Olympic Committee or National Federation to
cover lost earnings due to his absence from
his work or the inability to practise his
profession because of his preparation for or
participation in the Olympic Games and
international competitions. The sums paid
out in these circumstances may never exceed
the amount which the fencer would have
earned from his work in the same period of
time. The sum representing this
compensation will be paid with the agreement
of the National Federations or National
Olympic Organisations and as they see fit.
c) accept prizes in kind awarded
during the competitions within the limits
set by the FIE (see 3.m);
d) accept scholarships for academic or
technical education bursaries;
e) enter into a contract with a firm
or institution capable of assisting him,
including financially, in his preparation;
this being done only with the express
written agreement of his Federation. The
latter alone is entitled to receive the
relevant amounts and pay them, totally or in
part, to the fencer. The penalty for not
observing this rule is the fencer's
suspension at the demand of the Federation
concerned for as long as this agreement has
not been given.
3) A fencer may not:
a) be or have been a professional
athlete or a professional coach in any
sport;
b) have signed a contract as an
athlete or professional coach in any sport
before the official closure of the Olympic
Games or of an official competition of the
FIE
c) have allowed his name, his picture
or his sporting performances to be exploited
for publicity purposes, unless the FIE, his
National Olympic Committee, his National
Federation or his Club with his National
Federation's permission, have signed a
contract of sponsorship or of equipment, or
if his National Federation has provided him
with specific written authority because of a
proposed contract (see article 2.e above and
the Publicity Code, chapter 3).
In this last case, all payment must be made
to the FIE, the International Olympic
Committee, the National Federation or the
Club in question and not to the fencer.
d) wear on his clothing or his person
advertising other than the manufacturer's
markings of the aforementioned equipment as
permitted by the I.O.C. and the FIE, except
in conditions such as provided for by the
Publicity Code ( chapter 4.c )
e) accept, without the knowledge of
the FIE his National Federation, or his
National Olympic Committee, some material or
financial benefits for his preparation or
his participation in a sporting event;
f) have obviously contravened
according to the I.O.C. or the FIE the rules
of "Fair Play" when practising the sport.
(especially by the use of drugs, violence or
incorrect behaviour towards his opponents or
the judges.);
g) contravene the medical rules as
listed in section 4;
h) take bets on official competitions
in which he takes part;
i) take part in a competition under a
false name (pseudonym) without permission
from his National Federation;
j) accept remuneration in exchange
for affiliation to a club or fencing "salle"
or in order to remain their member unless
authorized in writing by their Federation.
k) accept remuneration for using
articles from a specialized manufacturer
except under conditions provided for under
section 2e.
l) enter a competition organised only
by a professional body, but he may take part
in mixed competitions (with or against
professionals) as long this is authorized by
his National Group.
m) accept prize money in competitions.
The full amount of prize money which may be
won by a fencer in mixed competitions will
be handed over by the organizing committee
to the fencer's national group; a fencer who
accepts a prize directly will be
disqualified (cf. Article 85). The national
group in question is responsible for
ensuring that prizes in the form of "objets
d'arts" or objects of practical use to the
total value of the sums won be handed over
to the fencers.
ANNEXURE " C "
FENCERS' NATIONALITY
[extract from FIE Statutes 1993]
A) Fencers belonging to a federation other
than that of their country
109.
When a question of nationality is raised in
the application of the Statutes and Rules
(fencers, granting licences, floor judges
and courts of appeal, etc.), a fencer
residing in a country other than his own
must be considered as belonging to both
countries.
B) Nationality of team members in
international matches for stateless fencers
110
.a) At the Olympic Games a competitor's
nationality is set by rules of the I.O.C. to
which the FIE must conform.
111.
b) For the World Championships, the under 20
World Championships, the Cadet World
Championships and international competitions
sponsored by the FIE, competitors must be
strictly of the nationality of the country
which they are representing:
The fencer who enjoys multiple nationality
must choose which country he wishes to
represent. The fact that he has fenced for
one of the countries implies that he has
made a choice.
If he wishes to represent another country of
which he enjoys nationality, he must so
advise the Office of the FIE and he may only
represent this other country after an
interval of three years from when he advised
the Office of the FIE.
A fencer who has already represented a
country and acquires a new nationality (from
being stateless or by naturalisation) can
only represent his new country after an
interval of three years from when he
acquired his new nationality.
The fencer who acquires a new nationality as
a result of marriage may fence for that new
country immediately, without waiting three
years.
The Executive Committee of the FIE, with the
agreement of the national federations
concerned, and only for just reasons, may
reduce or dispense with the interval of
three years.
The fencer who has never participated in an
Olympic Games, a World Championships,
whether Senior, Junior or Cadet, or in a
Regional Championships, is not constrained
by these limitations concerning change of
nationality and may fence for his new
country immediately.
Any change in country which a fencer
represents is definitive; no further change
can be authorised.
In cases of dispute the Executive Committee
of the FIE will make a ruling without
appeal.
112.
c) In the case of other international
competitions, the FIE, although still in
favour of the same ruling, is more tolerant
in the matter of countries represented as
long as foreigners have actually been
residing for five consecutive years in the
country which they are invited to represent,
and have not represented their own country
for five years.
113.
For the same competitions as mentioned above
fencers who are legally stateless may
compete as long as they are registered by
the national group of the country in which
they live.
114.
d) Where international team competitions
between fencing clubs are concerned, the
nationality regulation may only be
transgressed for one member of the team,
provided that he has been an active member
of the fencing club for at least six months,
that he is actually a resident of the
country of his fencing club and has a
licence from that club.
115.
e) On the other hand, for the competitions
where the rules for nationality are strictly
applied, the FIE may not stop a fencer from
fencing for his country, even though he may
be actually living outside his country; the
FIE encourages the affiliated groups to
accept that a foreigner residing in their
country may be allowed, without prejudice,
to fence in a team of his nationality even
against a team representing their own
country.
ANNEXURE " D "
FENCER'S FUND
SAAFA may establish, control and administer
a "FENCER'S FUND" whereby financial benefits
accruing to individual fencers by way of
prize money, appearance payments and other
permitted sources can be invested by the
Association for the benefit and use of the
respective fencers so as not to infringe on
their amateur status. The Fund may be
applied for the provision of assistance to
the fencers in compliance with the rules of
the Association and of the FIE.
If monies in the Fund are paid out to a
fencer or disbursed at his request except as
stated above, the fencer concerned shall
automatically cease to be eligible for
membership of SAAFA or any affiliated body.
No reinstatement will be permitted.
ANNEXURE “ E ”
NATIONAL COLOURS
The “Badge of the Association" is based on
that originally adopted at the formation of
the Association in 1949.
This consists of a map of the continent of
Africa, with the borders of the Republic of
South Africa outlined. Crossed swords are
superimposed upon the map of Africa. A King
Protea is positioned between the upper
limits of the two sword blades. (Since 1997
the protea has replaced the leaping
springbok). This badge shall be registered
with the South African department of
Heraldry.
SAAFA Colours shall incorporate the Badge of
the Association, together with appropriate
text, applied to suitable items of clothing
(track-suit, blazer, or tie).
ANNEXURE “ F ”
ANNEXURE “ F”
DOPING CONTROL
FEDERATION
INTERNATIONALE D’ESCRIME
ANTI-DOPING CODE
(FIE Congress, Havana, Cuba, December 2001)
Article t.129 in the FIE Rules for
Competitions.
(a) Doping is the use by an athlete of a
prohibited substance or the use of a
prohibited method or technique as defined in
the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code.
(b) Doping is forbidden by the FIE. Any
breaking of this rule will incur
disciplinary action.
(c) The FIE reserves the right to conduct
Doping Control during any competitions under
its control, as well as out-of-competition.
(d) The FIE agrees to adhere to the Olympic
Movement Anti-Doping Code, and adopts in
full the “Prohibited Classes of Substances
and Prohibited Methods" annexed to the Code.
In addition, the FIE has determined that
both Alcohol and Cannabis shall be
prohibited in competition.
(e) The International Licences issued by the
FIE shall contain a clause stipulating that
licence holders undertake not to use
prohibited substances or prohibited methods,
and agree to submit to Doping Control when
requested, whether in- or
out-of-competition.
(f) The organisers of any official FIE
competition must make provision for doping
control in their regulations to ensure
correct procedures are adhered to during the
competition. This includes ensuring fencers
are escorted from when they receive the
doping control notification until they
arrive at the doping control station.
The costs of doping control are the
responsibility of the Federation organising
the competition.
(g) At World Championships - Open, Junior
and Cadet - the method of selection for
doping control is determined by the
delegates of the FIE Medical Commission in
agreement with the President of the FIE or
his representative. At A-grade
competitions, the selection is determined by
the organisers in agreement with the FIE
Observer.
In individual competitions doping control
will in principle be carried out on three
fencers: those placed first and second in
the final, plus one more chosen by drawing
lots among the remaining six finalists, in
the case of a final of 8 fencers, and among
the remaining two finalists, in the case of
a final of 4 fencers.
In team events, one fencer will be drawn by
lots from among each of the first four
teams.
(h) Before leaving the competition venue,
every fencer liable for doping control (cf.
t.129/g) must obtain confirmation from the
President of the Directoire Technique that
he has not been selected for testing. If a
fencer does not do so and he is selected for
doping control, he will be considered to
have refused to take part in the control.
(i) In addition to the foregoing, the
persons responsible for doping control have
the right for legitimate reasons to submit
any fencer to doping control. But this
decision can only be taken by members of the
FIE Medical Commission, of whom at least two
must be present, and only after they have
notified the President of the FIE (or his
representative) or the FIE observer, as well
as the President of the Directoire
Technique.
(j) The competition organisers may, at any
stage of the competition, conduct
'unannounced' doping control on one or more
fencers. They must respect the following
conditions:
1. They must draw lots in the presence of
the President of the FIE (or his
representative) or the FIE observer or the
President of the Directoire Technique.
2. They must hand the notification form to
the fencer in person as soon as he is
eliminated.
3. The doping control must be started within
an hour of the fencer receiving the
notification.
4. The organisers may only carry out this
unannounced test if they can guarantee the
presence of one or more doping control
experts.
(k) Fencers found to have contravened this
anti-doping code will be subject to the
Disciplinary Code of the FIE (Statutes
chapter 7).
The publication of test results and
decisions relating to application of
penalties will be announced by the Central
Office of the FIE which alone has the right
to bring them to the notice of all member
Federations.
(l) Doping offences committed and penalised
in one of the member countries of the FIE
will be taken into account and the penalties
will be applied by all member countries of
the FIE.
(m) Penalties:
The penalties are based on those provided
for in the Olympic Movement Anti-doping
Code, and are clearly defined in the FIE
‘List of Penalties for Doping’ (Annexure 1.)
Optional additional monetary fines may be
applied, as allowed for by the Olympic
Movement Anti-Doping Code, at the discretion
of the FIE.
= = = = =
Any updates to the FIE Rules and Regulations
pertaining to Doping will be appended to the
SAAFA Constitution whenever they become
available.
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