Item 2026-08 Date Rules in QSDCA Constitution

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT

There are several articles in the Assocation Rules (aka the "Constitution") which restrict the dates of various association meetings.

These include:

• Delegates Meeting dates (Sep, Dec, Feb) (Article 25)
• Secretary Meeting Date (2nd Monday in August) (Article 25)
• Annual General Meeting Date (3rd Monday in July) (Article 20)
• Season start date (3rd Saturday in September) (Playing Regulation 6.1)

It has become desirable to convert these restricted dates to something more flexible to allow the cricket season to be scheduled differently. We live in times where seasons and dates are loosened.


DISCUSSION

When the Constitution was written (back in the 'olden' days) there was a very rigid concept of the "footy season" and the "cricket season".

In 2026 this is much less defined and less separated. Soccer and Rugby Union have played summer seasons for decades. Winter cricket in Brisbane and northern Australia is normal and accepted. Also QSDCA has introduced several extra competitions which arguably are in violation of Playing Regulation 6.1 since they do not start on the 3rd Saturday of September.

The current fashion (the mood?) is to "play more cricket", not less.

We have to consider this in future so as to cater for less regular weekly time schedules. (FIFO, weekend workers)

A hundred odd years ago the introduction of 44 hour working week (i.e Saturday afternoon off) is the new thing which allowed the original establishment of this Association. Those days have passed.

These Constitutional restrictions must not be allowed to get in the way of Friday nights or off-season or extended season cricket. The Saturday One Day only competition (which is to be offered in 2026/27) does not begin on the 3rd Saturday of September either.

The task here is to adjust the articles of the Constitution which control these dates.

The Draft rewrite will likely allow the association Executive or Management Committee to make a decision about variation of meeting and season start dates in an accountable yet pragmatic manner.

This needs to be approached carefully so as to avoid the possibility that a poorly worded Constitutional amendment which may lead to unanticipated consequences.



The opposing argument might be that the rules (as they are) guard against mismanagement.

However if a "useless" committee failed to organise an AGM, Secretaries or Delegates meeting or organise for the start of a season what would the members of the association actually do?

I guess call a Special General Meeting to install a new committee who in turn would fix things up. The new committee would be doing that *after* the dates specified in the Constitution (in a manner which is actually in violation of what is specifically demanded by the Constitution.) But hey-ho, off you go...
 

Such a thing would be very unusual but these rules are not really *stopping* such a situation that much. Luckily, history suggests it's not really a frequent problem.

Reminder for (forgetful) Secretaries: If this is passed by the AGM then an Association Incorporation Form 8 Application to register an amendment of rules must be lodged with the Office of Fair Trading within 3 months of the AGM.

PROPOSAL

OLD PROVISIONS	What does this mean?/Why does it need change?	PROPOSED NEW WORDING
20 AGENDA FOR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING	(Constitution)	20 AGENDA FOR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
20.1    The Annual General Meeting of the Association, which will be deemed to be the last meeting of the cricket season shall be held on the third Monday in the month of July each year.	This change requires the AGM to be held before 31 July.	20.1    The Annual General Meeting of the Association, which will be deemed to be the last meeting of the cricket season shall be held on the third Monday in during the month of July each year.
25 CLUB SECRETARIES MEETING	(Constitution)
25.1 A meeting of Club Secretaries and/or Club Committee Members will be held on the second Monday of the month of August each year.  At this meeting Clubs will be affiliated for the following year and the Management committee will advise those present of the Association's requirements of the cricket season and assist club committee members in any matter possible.	This change requires the Secretaries Meeting to be held before 31 August.	25.1 A meeting of Club Secretaries and/or Club Committee Members will be held on the second Monday of during the month of August each year.  At this meeting Clubs will be affiliated for the following year and the Management committee will advise those present of the Association's requirements of the cricket season and assist club committee members in any matter possible.
26 DELEGATE'S COMMITTEE MEETING	(Constitution)	26 DELEGATE'S COMMITTEE MEETING
26.1 A meeting of the delegate members of the Association shall be held on the first Monday of September, December and February each year.  A delegate may appoint a proxy from the same club to attend and vote at such a meeting provided that written notice of the appointment is provided to the Chairman of the meeting before the commencement of the meeting.	This change requires Delegates Meetings to be held before 30 Sept, 31 Dec and the end of Feb (28th or 29th).	26.1 A meeting of the delegate members of the Association shall be held on the first Monday of during each of the months of September, December and February each year.  A delegate may appoint a proxy from the same club to attend and vote at such a meeting provided that written notice of the appointment is provided to the Chairman of the meeting before the commencement of the meeting.
6 GRADING OF TEAMS, MATCHES AND GROUNDS Applies to All Competitions	(Playing Regulations)
6.1 The playing season will commence at the discretion of the Management Committee as soon as practicable to the 3rd weekend of September each year.	This does not require changes since the the words "discretion" and "as soon as practicable" allow some useful flexibility.	No changes.

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CLICK to go back to INTRODUCTION             ABM 5-Jul-2026

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