Constitution

NORTHERN IRELAND FEDERATION OF SEA ANGLERS CONSTITUTION

Revised Date: 19/12/2025

1. TITLE & STATUS

1.1 The title of the organisation shall be known as the “Northern Ireland Federation of Sea Anglers” (NIFSA).

1.2 The registered office shall be located as determined by the Central Committee

1.3 NIFSA is a non-profit, unincorporated association operating in Northern Ireland. Its income and assets shall be used solely to further its objectives and shall not be distributed among members.

1.4 NIFSA shall operate in accordance with recognised UK and Northern Ireland sports-governance principles, promoting transparency, equality, safeguarding, integrity and accountability.

2. OBJECTIVES

NIFSA is established to:

(a) Represent sea angling interests in Northern Ireland and internationally.
(b) Develop, foster and regulate the sport of sea angling in Northern Ireland.
(c) Organise and oversee sea angling competitions and events.
(d) Select and prepare teams to represent Northern Ireland.
(e) Maintain rules, safety standards, conservation practices and codes of conduct.
(f) Promote equality, safeguarding, safety at sea and environmental responsibility.
(g) Operate transparently and in the best interests of members.
(h) Comply with the rules of relevant international governing bodies and with decisions of competent arbitration authorities including the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

3. MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Membership Categories

NIFSA membership shall consist of:

(a) Individual Members – the primary members of NIFSA. Each Individual Member has one vote at General Meetings (subject to Articles 3.3 and 3.6).

(b) Club-Affiliated Members – persons who are members of clubs affiliated to NIFSA and who also hold Individual Membership.

(c) Associate Members – non-voting supporters of NIFSA’s objectives.

Clubs do not hold voting rights. Voting attaches only to Individual Members.

3.2 Subscriptions and Good Standing

(a) Subscriptions shall be set annually at the AGM.
(b) Members whose subscriptions are more than one month in arrears shall be deemed to have resigned.
(c) Only members in good standing (membership approved, fees paid, not suspended, minimum membership duration met) may vote or stand for office.

3.3 Admission, Vetting and Anti-Takeover Protections

(a) All applications for membership shall be assessed by the Central Committee (or a Membership Sub-Committee) against published eligibility criteria approved by the AGM.

(b) The Committee may refuse membership where it reasonably believes that:
(i) the applicant does not meet eligibility criteria; or
(ii) the application forms part of a coordinated or strategic attempt by any individual, club, organisation or external body to influence or take control of NIFSA contrary to its objectives; or
(iii) the applicant has represented another country or international federation within the last four (4) years (see Article 3.4).

(d) Applicants may appeal a refusal under Article 10 (Appeals).

(e) New members shall not vote at any General Meeting until they have completed twelve (12) months of continuous membership.

(f) New applicants may not attend NIFSA competitions until their membership has been formally approved.

(g) Visitors may only participate in NIFSA events where they can demonstrate adequate insurance.

3.4 Previous International Representation

(a) Previous representation of another country or international sea-angling body does not prevent joining NIFSA.

(b) Where an angler has represented another country or international federation within the last four (4) years, they shall only be eligible to represent Northern Ireland once they have:
(i) completed twelve (12) months of continuous NIFSA membership;
(ii) satisfied all participation requirements under Article 3.5;
(iii) confirmed compliance with relevant international federation rules and any CAS determinations.

(c) A member who, while a member of NIFSA, represents another country or federation must resign from NIFSA and may reapply for membership four (4) years from the date of their last representation.

(d) These provisions shall be applied uniformly and shall not discriminate on grounds of nationality, political opinion or any other protected characteristic.

3.5 Participation Requirements for International Eligibility (Apprenticeship Rule)

To be eligible for consideration for any NIFSA national or international team, a member must have:

(a) fished at least 18 shore or 8 boat competitions under NIFSA rules within the preceding three (3) years;
(b) completed twelve (12) months of continuous NIFSA membership;
(c) met any further criteria specified in NIFSA’s Team Selection Policy.

These requirements apply to all members, including former internationals from other bodies.

3.6 Leaving and Rejoining

(a) A member who resigns (or is deemed to have resigned) may reapply after two (2) years.
(b) Upon rejoining, the member must serve:
(i) 12 months before voting;
(ii) 3 years before being eligible for election to the Central Committee.

3.7 Duty of Loyalty

Members must act in good faith in the best interests of NIFSA while participating in its governance. Acting on behalf of another federation or organisation to influence, disrupt or undermine NIFSA decisions constitutes misconduct under Article 10.

4. ADMINISTRATION

NIFSA shall be administered by the Central Committee, which shall implement the decisions of the AGM and EGM, act within the Constitution and uphold recognised governance standards.

5. CENTRAL COMMITTEE (MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE)

5.1 Composition

The Central Committee shall consist of:

Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Recorder
Up to three (3) Ordinary Committee Members

No more than two (2) Committee Members may be from the same club.

The committee shall be elected on a 4 year cycle, officer can be co-opted on should conditions dictate

5.2 Meetings

(a) The Committee shall meet at least three (3) times per year.
(b) Quorum = three Committee Members including at least two of: Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer.
(c) Decisions by simple majority; Chair holds casting vote.

5.3 Conflicts of Interest

(a) Committee Members must declare any actual or potential conflicts, including membership or involvement in any other angling federation.
(b) A Register of Interests shall be maintained and reviewed annually.
(c) Members with a conflict shall withdraw from related discussions and decisions.
(d) Failure to declare a material conflict constitutes misconduct.
(e) Committee Members shall not receive payment other than approved expenses; no PAYG or contingent remuneration is permitted unless approved by AGM.

5.4 Co-option

Vacancies may be filled by co-option until the next AGM.

6. GENERAL MEETINGS

6.1 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

AGM shall be held annually with 21 days’ notice. Business includes:

Reports from Chair, Secretary, Recorder and Treasurer
Examined/audited accounts
Election of Committee
Setting of membership fees
Amendments to Constitution
General business

6.2 Quorum

A General Meeting is quorate when ten (10) vetted voting members in good standing are present.

6.3 Voting

(a) Each Individual Member in good standing has one vote.
(b) Voting is by show of hands unless a secret ballot is requested by the Chair or 25% of members present.

6.4 Constitutional Amendments

(a) Amendments must be submitted at least 30 days before the meeting.
(b) Circulated 21 days prior.
(c) Require 75% majority of votes cast.
(d) Amendments may not be introduced from the floor.

6.5 Extraordinary General Meetings

(a) May be called by the Committee or by ten (10) voting members.
(b) Require 14 days’ notice.
(c) Business limited to the circulated agenda.
(d) Quorum as per Article 6.2.

7. FINANCE

7.1 General

NIFSA is non-profit and may hold reserves consistent with good financial practice.

7.4 Payments (Updated Control Requirement)

Payments may be executed by one signatory, provided written or electronic approval has been obtained from two additional Committee Members (Chair, Secretary, Treasurer or Recorder). Records shall be retained.

8. NATIONAL REGISTER AND DATA PROTECTION

(a) NIFSA shall maintain a register including:
– name
– address
– email address
– membership dates
– lapsed periods
– voting eligibility

(b) NIFSA shall adopt a GDPR Policy describing data collection, retention, purpose and member rights.

9. PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES

Prohibited substances and doping are forbidden as per NIFSA rules and international standards.

10. DISCIPLINE AND APPEALS

Misconduct includes:

Behaviour bringing NIFSA into disrepute
Coordinated membership applications intended to influence or disrupt governance
Acting on behalf of another federation against NIFSA’s interests
Breach of participation or international-representation rules
Failure to declare conflicts of interest
Harassment, discrimination or bullying
Breach of safeguarding or equality policies

Appeals shall be heard by an Appeals Panel including at least one person not serving on the Central Committee.

11. SAFEGUARDING

NIFSA shall adopt and implement safeguarding policies consistent with Sport NI standards. Breaches constitute misconduct.

12. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

NIFSA shall uphold equality and comply with all NI equality legislation. Breaches constitute misconduct.

13. DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution, after debts are settled, any remaining assets shall be transferred to the RNLI or a similar non-profit with aligned objectives.

14. (REMOVED)

The former dual-representation clause is deleted in full.

15. COMPETITION & SELECTION RULES

Selection criteria and competition rules shall be maintained as by-laws and must align with Articles 3.4 and 3.5. Selection decisions shall be documented and subject to appeal under Article 10.