This body shall be known as the Futbol Club Academy, Incorporated.

            1.) Promotion and development of girls and boys soccer players at the highest level.

            2.) Provide a playing and training opportunity for all players.

            3.) Make every effort to bring quality soccer to all levels of the community, including both adult and youth programs.

            4.) Provide an environment where soccer as a sport can expand into a viable choice in sports entertainment.

 

The Futbol Club Academy may include the following divisions:

            1.) Premier First Divisions, Second and Third Divisions.

            2.) Each Division determines their own methods of operation but operate under the bylaws and structure of the Academy.

            3.) Other Soccer Leagues and teams may be formed as separate entities within FCA to accommodate gender, age or competitive differences.

 

The FCA will be affiliated with the Tennessee State Soccer Association, the NSCAA and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).

The official colors of FCA are Gold, Black & White.

The Club Governing Board will be comprised of a representative from each team of the club. The Board will have an open agenda and all teams will be able to submit items for the agenda at all Board Meetings. Meeting minutes will be available to all teams. The Board will also have the power to:

            1.) Prepare the schedule for play-off and championship series.

            2.) Enforce the FCA by-laws, constitution

            3.) Be the final hearings for appeals and protests.

            4.) Exercise disciplinary powers conferred upon them by these Bylaws.

            5.) Shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Club; shall receive all duties, assessments and other revenues paid to the Club. Shall deposit all such revenues in the name of the FCA in such depositories as may be selected. Shall keep an accurate account of all monies of the Club for the payment of accounts, fees and dues and shall make such payments as shall be due by the League. All of which will be public and available upon request.

 

The Club Governing Board will be made up of one representative from each FCA Team. The Club Governing Board has the power to appoint the FCA officers by election at the annual meeting or at any other meeting to fill a vacancy. A majority vote by the Governing Board is required to elect an officer and to ratify a President’s appointment. The Club Governing Board shall comprise the following positions;

            1. President

            2. Vice President

            3. Treasurer

            4. Recording Secretary

            5. Registrar

            6. Marketing & Fundraising Personnel

 

The President will have the power to assign different duties to different Officers.

            1. The officers of the Club may be selected from team representatives or other individuals as the Club Governing Board determines appropriate.

            2. The President will be in charge of calling all meetings and Conference calls, decide meeting agenda's, chair the conference calls and meetings and will be responsible for Club expansion. The President or his or her alternative will represent FCA at meetings outside of the Club. The President or his representative (Vice President) shall rule on all alleged violations of Club rules with the final decision by the Club’s Governing Board.

            3. A Treasurer to produce the Club budget and a once a year detailed financial report, collecting and paying all monies and work with an accounting firm selected by the Club.

            4. A Recording Secretary to take the minutes of all FCA Governing Board meetings

            5. A Registrar to handle team and player registrations.

            6. A Marketing representative to promote the Club.

            7. Other Club officers may be appointed for duties as needed.

 

The Academy Governing Board may appoint or hire a League administrator or staff to perform the operational activities of FCA and all will serve at the pleasure of the academy prior to any decisions or financial spending the academy administrator or staff must have prior FCA approval. These positions may be part-time or on a consulting basis.

Each FCA teams will be responsible for the administration of the activities delegated to the organization by the by-laws and rules of FCA/ TSSA

Other Committees may be established by the President

The President will chair and designate the site and date of Club Meeting(s). FCA Governing Board will meet a minimum of once a year for an annual general membership meeting. FCA will have an open agenda and all teams will be able to submit items for the agenda at all FCA Meetings. Meeting minutes will be available to all teams. All decisions at the AGM and conference calls and board meetings will be by majority vote except rules or Constitutional changes on conference calls will be by 2/3rds roll call vote of all teams in good standing. A quorum will be 1 team more than 50% of the teams in good standing.

The FCA Governing Board will designate the site and date of the Annual Club Meeting typically held in the fall. It will be mandatory for all teams to have a representative at the Annual General Meeting. Every team in good standing will select a representative to serve until the next AGM on the FCA Governing Board of Directors. Election of Academy Officers will take place at this meeting. Teams will get a minimum of 30 days advanced notice of the AGM meeting.

Other academy meetings can be conducted by conference call. All votes will be by majority vote except any rules changes, which will require a 2/3rds roll call vote.

FCA committees will meet at the pleasure of the President. Other Academy meetings can be held if there is going to be a gathering of the majority of the teams at a different time of the year with proper notice.

Membership conditions will be made available at the time of affiliation with the FCA/TSSA in the Membership Agreement, signed by the entering team (s).

Team affiliation and membership may be terminated by violation of any of the conditions set forth by the Membership Agreement and any blatant disregard for FCA Bylaws. Membership is suspended or terminated if a team is not in good financial standing with FCA. All teams and their representatives must adhere to a FCA Code of Conduct as defined in the Academy Constitution or By-laws

Information concerning team specific membership conditions shall be found in the Membership Agreement signed by the League at the time of admission into the League.

                                                                       

All protests and appeals must be submitted in writing to the President or Secretary within 10 days of the incident. Any matter is a valid subject for an appeal. The FCA Governing Board will conduct a hearing, allowing both sides to express their positions. FCA has the right to seek witness and testimony and to interrogate individuals on matters

pertaining to the issue. The hearing process must commence within 30 days of the notification to the FCA Board.

When the deliberations are complete, the FCA Governing Board will render a judgment to the parties in the appeal. The judgment can be in favor of either side or can be to direct the involved parties to reconsider the issue. The President or administrator/secretary will then prepare a written report to be sent for inclusion in the minutes of the next regular meeting.

FCA Governing Board will have the disciplinary power to act on any breach of the By-laws or Laws of the Game or the League’s Code of Conduct. It is the policy of the FCA to not permit the appeal process to hinder the efficient functioning of the Academy and therefore will not entertain trivial or nuisance appeals.

Beyond this appeal, either party may appeal directly to the TSSA according to their rules and regulations. A lawyer shall not represent the person or organization requesting an appeal, and no club, official, team coach, referee, or player (or their representative) may invoke the aid of the courts of any state or of the United States, without first exhausting all available remedies within the appropriate soccer organizations.

Should the Governing Board determine that a hearing is necessary it shall be scheduled within (45) forty-five days of the appeal or protest. The hearing must be held within the geographic area served by the affiliate. The persons involved or affected shall be notified of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing. They may bring to the hearing such witnesses as they feel might be relevant. The hearing may be conducted in any manner deemed reasonable by the hearing chairperson. The involved parties or individuals shall be allowed to present their versions of the events or circumstances. The committee shall first determine whether a violation occurred, and if so, the committee shall then assess such penalties within the guidelines set forth herein, as the committee deems appropriate.

FCA Governing Board will have the power to suspend or expel teams that disregard the organization in anyway deemed unacceptable to the club’s governing body.