Proposal to Merge Kaiapoi and Rangiora Football Clubs To Create a single entity North Canterbury United Football Club
Goal Provide the best possible opportunities for all players in North Canterbury to grow and develop in football by building on the foundation Kaiapoi and Rangiora Clubs have started with the development of North Canterbury football through to its next logical, evolutionary step.
Objectives To respect the history and achievements of the Kaiapoi Town AFC and Rangiora FC by building on this achievement in the future direction of football in North Canterbury To provide the best opportunity for all players to develop to their potential To grow football as a sport in North Canterbury To run an efficient and effective sports club administration
Background 1965 Rangiora AFC formed, 1974 Kaiapoi AFC formed both Clubs worked hard to create and develop football in their respective areas with numerous successes. 2002 set up North Canterbury United joint venture between Kaiapoi & Rangiora. Goal of providing a pathway for our best players in each age group (now from 10 th grade) for both boys and girls through to seniors. Also provided vehicle for managing North Canterbury representative teams to South Island competitions. In 2006 took on responsibility for organising the 7 th 10 th grade competition. Now has 57 teams taking part. In 2007 became an Incorporated Club, but without members which limits sponsorship and funding bids In 2008 has grown from 4 teams to 11 teams and has been highly successful. Also Both Clubs have continued to grow, retain their separate identities while supporting the joint venture. Provides opportunity for Amberley and Oxford based players NCU is very highly thought of across Canterbury and by Mainland Football
Issues ISSUE DISCUSSION OUTCOME Club Identity potential loss of history and recognised names Coaching, training and home games Development opportunities for players from 11 th grade up NCU is part of and a natural growth of the two Clubs this is an evolution to a new entity which takes the best parts of both and creates an opportunity for something better Potential for confusion about where teams will train if they have both Kaiapoi and Rangiora players and which ground would be home Some opportunities for forming stronger, better balanced teams are being lost because the Clubs separately have not got the strength in depth required That the new NCU brand clearly shows the link to Kaiapoi and Rangiora and that the histories of the two clubs provides the history of NCU going forward An issue in particular for Mainland grades we will need to consult with coaches to ensure training meets the needs of players and parents. We will advise Mainland Football where home games should be played (alternate if necessary) The new Club provides a greater opportunity to build stronger teams and to provide a greater player depth in each age group
Issues cont. ISSUE DISCUSSION OUTCOME Taking sides or the new Club being dominated by one faction How will the cost of change for example new strips be funded, and when Confusion amongst members if changes are not communicated well History of mergers between Clubs suggests that one Club can tend to dominate in fact a take-over rather than a merger. New strips cost money and neither Club is rich enough to fund this outright. It is desirable to reinforce the new Club brand by trying to ensure players are in the right strip. Communications at the moment are challenging as we have 3 Clubs carrying them out not easy to get 1 message out. We already have an operating NC committee and respect each other for the history and tradition of each Club. This is not a take-over by any one faction. Some grant funding has been held back for new strips this will help to move this issue forward. Practically speaking it would be reasonable to expect that it may take 2 to 3 years before all NC teams were in NC colours. Well thought out communications will be critical but potentially easier as only 1 body doing the communication.
Issues cont. ISSUE DISCUSSION OUTCOME The new Club would be too big and would lose touch with its members Impact on sponsorship Financial issues Personal contacts are important in creating a great club atmosphere and the country club is part of the brand of both clubs RFC and KTAFC currently do well with sponsors, these may drop off under a NC brand RFC and KTAFC currently do well with grants. KTAFC have a specific fund for Kendall Park development Having 1 large committee covering all the activity of the Club will support personal contacts. Lots of other clubs are highly successful with larger memberships than NC would have. NC size should create greater opportunity for businesses who operate across the region. Still aiming to provide opportunity for local area sponsorship of juniors. NC should do at least as well with grant applications given the greater size. KTAFC fund will be designated for specific use.
Club Structure Standard club structure with in first year Committee being formed from the existing Kaiapoi and Rangiora committees. No Executive Committee really critical that we have a large strong committee with as many people as possible involved. Key role of new committee is to build on the strengths of each club and carry on the great work, practices and processes to build a new club based on these Typically roles and responsibilities of club to include: President strategy, overview, direction, key relationships Vice-President back up to President, leadership of development and other issues Treasurer budgets, cash management, funding bids, merchandising, shop Administrator meetings, correspondence, registrations Senior Club Captain all senior teams Junior Club Captain North Canterbury 4 th 10 th grade, draw, results Junior Club Captain - NCU 11 th 19 th grades, Mainland Football meetings Assets, Grounds & Facilities Custodian Kendall Park, Maria Andrews, training areas, gear Communications & Marketing sponsors, fund-raising, web site and newsletters Club Coach development of coaching capabilities Each of these roles would require further supporting committee roles, For example: Under 4 th -10 th Junior Club Captain; a Club Captain responsible for each junior section (Midgets, 7 th /8 th, 9 th /10 th) for both Kaiapoi and Rangiora. Under Administration; Registration Officer, Meetings Secretary etc., Under Marketing and Communications; Website Administrator, Sponsorship Officer, Events Manager, Fundraising Manager and supporting committee. Under Assets Grounds and Facilities; Gear Custodian and grounds committee for each park.
Process This presentation discussed with each committee in early November Late November Kaiapoi AFC Annual General Meeting and Rangiora FC Special General Meeting with remit from committees recommending merger to form North Canterbury United Football Club. Mid-December North Canterbury United FC Annual General Meeting to form new fully merged Club Recognise that it will take 12 months to fully integrate and merge the Clubs the decision at AGM is just the start.
Remit submitted for consideration at AGM on 24/11/2008 That the Rangiora Football Club and the Kaiapoi Town Association Football Club, agree to merge to form the North Canterbury United Football Club Inc. This Club to be responsible for all liabilities, assets and members of the two Clubs.