14/10/2026
💙💛 *IPSWICH EAGLES AFC – A MESSAGE FROM YOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE* 💛💙
Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts, ask questions and provide feedback on our recent Be Kind post.
We would like to take this opportunity to clarify a few matters regarding volunteering, membership, voting rights and our upcoming AGM.
**💙 Our Club Is Run by Volunteers 💛**
We want to remind everyone that Ipswich Eagles AFC is run by volunteers. This includes everyone on our Management Committee, our coaches from Under 8s right through to Seniors, and the many people working behind the scenes.
None of our Committee members or coaches receive payment for the countless hours they contribute. They do it because they love football, our Club and our community.
We also want to remind everyone that *you do not need a title to make a difference at our Club.*
We have many amazing volunteers who help in the canteen, organise events, manage merchandise, assist on game days and take on countless other responsibilities without holding an official Committee position.
We have always welcomed volunteers and will continue to welcome anyone who wants to contribute.
*📋 Membership and Committee Nominations**
As a Management Committee, we are required to follow the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 and our Club Constitution.
These are not rules created or changed by the current Committee to suit particular individuals or circumstances.
*Section 21(1)(a) of our Constitution clearly states:*
"any 2 *members* of the association may nominate another *member* (the candidate) to serve as a member of the management committee"
This means that:
- Both people nominating a candidate must be Club members.
- The person being nominated must also be a Club member.
- Candidates must meet the additional eligibility requirements outlined in Section 21.
This is not something the Committee can simply overlook or change at its discretion.
**🗳️ AGM Attendance, Participation and Voting Rights**
*Section 38(1) of our Constitution states:*
"A member may take part and vote in a general meeting in person, by attorney or by using any technology that reasonably allows the member to hear and take part in discussions as they happen."
In accordance with Sections 7, 38 and 39, Club members may participate in AGM discussions, while voting is reserved for members who meet the relevant eligibility requirements.
We welcome members to invite guests to attend as observers. However, non-members cannot participate in formal discussions, raise motions or vote.
This ensures our AGM is conducted fairly, respectfully and in accordance with our Constitution, while keeping our Club community involved.
Section 7 of our Constitution outlines membership categories and their voting entitlements:
- Ordinary members have one vote.
- Playing members aged 18 and over have one vote.
- Parent members have voting rights, subject to the provision that where two or more parents are members through the same junior player, only one parent may vote.
- Life Members have one vote.
- Honorary members do not have voting rights.
- Playing members under 18 are not eligible to vote.
Members who belong to more than one category are not entitled to additional votes.
Section 39 also outlines voting requirements, including that members must be eligible and financial to vote.
*Section 38(1) specifically states that proxy votes are not admissible at an Annual General Meeting.*
These requirements are outlined in our Constitution and are not decisions made at the discretion of the current Committee.
**📝 PlayHQ Registrations and Other Membership Options**
We would also like to thank those who raised questions about becoming a Club member.
These questions have actually prompted our Committee to spend several days reviewing our Constitution and exploring alternative options. So thank you for giving us some extra homework! 😊
Historically, Ipswich Eagles AFC has processed memberships through PlayHQ.
At present, AFL player registrations are closed across South East Queensland, and we have been advised that they are expected to reopen sometime in November. Unfortunately, this is outside the Club's control.
However, after reviewing our Constitution (which is available at ipswicheaglesafl.com.au), we have identified another pathway for people wishing to become ordinary members without registering in PlayHQ.
*Section 9 of our Constitution* outlines that an application for ordinary membership must:
- Be proposed by one existing Club member.
- Be seconded by another existing Club member.
- Be completed in writing on the Club's approved membership application form. (www.ipswicheaglesafl.com.au/club-news)
- Be signed by the applicant, proposer and seconder.
- Be submitted by email to the Club Secretary.
*Section 11* outlines that the Management Committee must consider applications at the next Committee meeting after receiving the application and applicable membership fee.
Our next Management Committee meeting will be held on *20 October 2026*.
To allow sufficient time for applications to be considered before the AGM nomination deadline, completed ordinary membership applications, including any applicable fee, must be received by *19 October 2026* to be considered at this meeting.
This will give applicants whose memberships may be approved on 20 October the opportunity to nominate for any of the five Management Committee positions before nominations close on *24 October 2026*, provided they meet the eligibility requirements outlined in our Constitution.
Applications received after 19 October will still be accepted and considered at the next applicable Management Committee meeting in accordance with Section 11.
Applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome.
Please remember that submitting a membership application does not automatically grant membership, voting rights or eligibility to nominate for a Committee position. The application must first be approved in accordance with the Constitution.
We appreciate the questions that have encouraged us to revisit this process, and we are happy to explore alternative ways for people to become involved while continuing to follow our Club Rules.
**🦅 Upcoming AGM – 8 November 2026**
All five Management Committee positions will be open for election:
- President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Senior Director
- Junior Director
Under Sections 20 and 21 of our Constitution, eligible Club members are welcome to nominate for these positions.
Nominations must be completed in accordance with Section 21, including the required signatures and submission deadline of 14 days before the AGM.
Anyone wishing to apply for ordinary membership with the intention of nominating for a Management Committee position is encouraged to submit their completed membership application by *19 October 2026*, allowing it to be considered before Committee nominations close on *24 October 2026*.
Anyone interested in a nomination form can visit our website www.ipswicheaglesafl.com.au/club-news or email [email protected]
We encourage eligible members who are passionate about the future of our Club to consider putting their hand up.
***💙💛 Moving Forward Together***
Our Club Rules were substantially updated in 2024 to provide clearer governance processes and guidance consistent with the applicable legislation and model rules.
As a Committee, we have a responsibility to apply these rules fairly and consistently, regardless of who is involved.
We genuinely appreciate our members, Life Members, past and present volunteers, families and wider Club community. Your experience, contributions and feedback are important to the future of Ipswich Eagles AFC.
We welcome constructive questions, suggestions and ideas. As demonstrated by the membership questions raised, sometimes these conversations help us identify opportunities to improve.
We may not always agree on everything, but we hope we can continue to communicate respectfully and remember why we are all here.
*At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: a strong, welcoming and successful Ipswich Eagles AFC for our players, families and community.*
Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute, support and volunteer.
***💙💛 An Invitation to Our Community***
Following this clarification, we will be resending our AGM invitation to members.
We strongly encourage everyone who wants to be involved in the future of Ipswich Eagles AFC to explore becoming a Club member and participating in our AGM, in accordance with our Constitution.
We welcome new members, fresh ideas and people willing to contribute to the continued growth of our Club.
Our door remains open to anyone who genuinely wants to be part of the Eagles community. 💙💛
💙💛 *Ipswich Eagles AFC Management Committee* 💛💙
