Club Constitution Template for UK Clubs

Looking for a club constitution template that gives your committee a practical starting point?

Our club constitution template provides a clear framework for setting out how your club is organised, governed and run. It can be adapted to suit sports clubs, community organisations, social clubs and other member-led organisations.

Instead of starting with a blank document, use a structured template covering the key areas commonly included in a club constitution.

[DOWNLOAD THE EDITABLE CLUB CONSTITUTION TEMPLATE]

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This template is provided as a practical starting point and should be adapted to suit your club’s own circumstances.

Different types of UK clubs and organisations can have different legal, regulatory, charitable, funding or governing-body requirements. If your organisation is a registered charity, CIO, company limited by guarantee, CASC or another formally structured organisation, check the requirements that apply to your organisation before adopting a generic club constitution template.

If your club is affiliated to a national governing body or another umbrella organisation, check whether it requires you to use a particular constitution or model rules.

This template is not a substitute for legal or professional advice.

What Is a Club Constitution?

A club constitution is a written set of rules that establishes how a club is structured and how it operates.

For a typical member-run or unincorporated club, the constitution can provide a framework covering:

• The name and objectives of the club
• Membership and membership categories
• Committee and officer roles
• Elections and appointments
• Committee meetings
• General meetings and AGMs
• Voting and decision-making
• Membership subscriptions
• Financial arrangements
• Amendments to the constitution
• Dissolution of the club

A constitution can help members and committee members understand how the organisation is intended to operate and how important decisions should be made.

For organisations with a different legal structure, the appropriate governing document may be different. For example, charitable companies use articles of association, while CIOs have a constitution specifically designed for that structure.

What Is Included in This Club Constitution Template?

The template below provides a suggested framework for a typical UK member-run club.

It covers:

1. Name
2. Objectives
3. Membership
4. Committee and officers
5. Elections and terms of office
6. Committee meetings
7. General meetings
8. Annual General Meeting
9. Voting
10. Subscriptions
11. Finance
12. Discipline and termination of membership
13. Amendments to the constitution
14. Dissolution
15. Interpretation and general provisions

You can adapt the wording, add additional provisions or remove sections that are not relevant to your organisation.

Club Constitution Template

[CLUB NAME]

CONSTITUTION

Adopted on: [DATE]

1. Name

The name of the organisation shall be [FULL CLUB NAME], hereafter referred to as “the Club”.

2. Objectives

The objectives of the Club shall be:

a. To provide opportunities for members to participate in [SPORT / ACTIVITY / PURPOSE].

b. To promote and encourage participation in the Club’s activities.

c. To provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for members.

d. To organise activities, events, training, competitions or other activities consistent with the Club’s objectives.

e. To promote good sportsmanship, fair play, respect and responsible participation.

f. To undertake any other lawful activities that support or further the objectives of the Club.

3. Membership

3.1 Eligibility

Membership shall be open to persons who meet the Club’s membership requirements and agree to comply with this Constitution and any rules or policies adopted by the Club.

3.2 Membership Categories

The Club may establish different categories of membership, including:

• Full members
• Junior members
• Student members
• Social members
• Honorary members
• Other categories determined by the Club

The rights and conditions applying to each membership category shall be determined by the Club.

3.3 Application for Membership

Applications for membership shall be made in the manner determined by the Club.

The Committee may approve or decline an application where permitted by the Club’s rules and applicable law.

3.4 Membership Rights

Members shall have the rights associated with their membership category, subject to this Constitution and any applicable Club rules.

Voting rights shall be determined by the Club’s membership provisions.

3.5 Membership Responsibilities

Members are expected to:

• Comply with this Constitution and Club rules
• Follow relevant Club policies
• Treat other members, volunteers, officials and visitors with respect
• Pay applicable membership fees
• Conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the objectives of the Club

4. Management Committee

4.1 Role of the Committee

The affairs and day-to-day management of the Club shall be overseen by a Management Committee, subject to this Constitution and decisions properly made by the membership.

4.2 Composition

The Committee shall normally include:

• Chairperson
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• [NUMBER] ordinary committee members

The Club may create additional officer or committee positions where required.

4.3 Duties of Officers

The Chairperson shall normally:

• Chair Committee and general meetings
• Help ensure that meetings are conducted effectively
• Provide leadership to the Committee
• Support the Club in achieving its objectives

The Secretary shall normally:

• Maintain Club records
• Arrange meetings and issue notices
• Prepare or coordinate agendas
• Record and maintain minutes
• Handle correspondence on behalf of the Club

The Treasurer shall normally:

• Maintain appropriate financial records
• Monitor Club income and expenditure
• Prepare financial reports for the Committee
• Present financial information to members as required
• Support the preparation of annual accounts

The Committee may define additional responsibilities for individual officers.

4.4 Committee Responsibilities

The Committee shall manage the affairs of the Club in accordance with:

• This Constitution
• Decisions made by the membership
• Applicable law
• Relevant governing-body requirements
• The Club’s adopted policies and rules

5. Election and Term of Office

5.1 Election of Officers

Officers and committee members shall be elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting, unless otherwise provided for in this Constitution.

5.2 Nominations

Candidates for election shall be nominated and seconded in accordance with the procedure determined by the Club.

Nominations should normally be submitted before the AGM in accordance with the notice and nomination requirements set by the Club.

5.3 Term of Office

Committee members shall normally serve for [ONE / TWO / THREE] YEAR(S), after which they shall be eligible for re-election unless otherwise provided by this Constitution.

5.4 Casual Vacancies

If a vacancy occurs between Annual General Meetings, the Committee may appoint a suitable member to fill the position until the next AGM, subject to any restrictions in this Constitution.

6. Committee Meetings

6.1 Frequency

The Committee shall meet as often as necessary to conduct the affairs of the Club effectively.

6.2 Notice

Reasonable notice of Committee meetings shall be given to Committee members.

6.3 Quorum

The quorum for a Committee meeting shall be [NUMBER] Committee members or [PERCENTAGE] of the Committee, whichever is appropriate.

6.4 Decisions

Committee decisions shall normally be made by a majority of those present and entitled to vote.

Where votes are equal, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote if permitted by the Club’s rules.

6.5 Minutes

Minutes of Committee meetings shall be recorded and retained as part of the Club’s official records.

7. General Meetings

7.1 General Meetings

The Club may hold General Meetings to allow members to consider matters affecting the organisation.

7.2 Notice

Members shall be given reasonable notice of a General Meeting, including details of the date, time, location and matters to be considered.

7.3 Quorum

The quorum for a General Meeting shall be [NUMBER / PERCENTAGE] eligible voting members.

7.4 Chairing the Meeting

The Chairperson shall normally chair General Meetings. If the Chairperson is unavailable, the members present may appoint another person to chair the meeting.

8. Annual General Meeting

8.1 Annual General Meeting

The Club shall hold an Annual General Meeting once each year.

8.2 Business of the AGM

The business of the AGM may include:

• Approval of the previous AGM minutes
• Matters arising
• Chairperson’s report
• Secretary’s report
• Treasurer’s report and financial statements
• Election of officers and Committee members
• Appointment of an independent examiner or other financial reviewer where appropriate
• Consideration of proposed constitutional amendments
• Consideration of motions properly submitted
• Any other business included in the meeting notice

8.3 Notice of AGM

Members shall receive notice of the AGM in accordance with the Club’s rules.

The notice should include the date, time, location and main business to be considered.

8.4 Nominations

Nominations for officers and Committee positions shall be submitted in accordance with the Club’s nomination procedure.

8.5 Motions

Members wishing to propose a motion should submit it in accordance with the Club’s rules and within any required deadline.

9. Voting

9.1 Voting Rights

Members entitled to vote may vote at General Meetings in accordance with their membership category and this Constitution.

9.2 Method of Voting

Voting may take place by:

• Show of hands
• Secret ballot
• Poll
• Another method agreed in accordance with the Club’s rules

9.3 Ordinary Decisions

Unless a different threshold is required by this Constitution or applicable law, decisions shall normally be determined by a simple majority of votes cast.

9.4 Casting Vote

Where votes are equal, the Chairperson may have a casting vote where permitted by the Club’s rules.

10. Membership Subscriptions

10.1 Membership Fees

Membership subscriptions and other fees shall be determined by the Club in accordance with the procedure established by the Committee or membership.

10.2 Payment

Members shall pay applicable subscriptions within the timescales determined by the Club.

10.3 Changes to Fees

The Club may review membership fees periodically to reflect its operating costs and activities.

11. Finance

11.1 Club Funds

All funds raised or received by the Club shall be used to further its objectives and meet its legitimate operating costs.

11.2 Bank Account

The Club shall maintain a bank or other appropriate account in the Club’s name where practicable.

11.3 Payments

Payments from Club funds shall be authorised in accordance with procedures approved by the Committee.

The Club should normally maintain appropriate controls over financial transactions, including suitable arrangements for authorising payments.

11.4 Financial Records

The Club shall maintain appropriate records of income, expenditure, assets and liabilities.

11.5 Financial Year

The Club’s financial year shall end on [DATE] each year.

11.6 Annual Accounts

The Treasurer shall prepare or arrange for the preparation of annual financial statements or reports as appropriate to the Club’s circumstances.

12. Discipline and Termination of Membership

12.1 Conduct

Members are expected to comply with this Constitution, Club rules and relevant policies.

12.2 Disciplinary Action

Where a member is alleged to have seriously breached the Club’s rules or behaved in a way that is detrimental to the Club, the Committee may take appropriate action in accordance with the Club’s disciplinary procedures.

12.3 Termination of Membership

Membership may be terminated where:

• A member resigns
• Membership expires or fees remain unpaid
• A member no longer meets the eligibility requirements
• Membership is terminated following an appropriate disciplinary process

Where disciplinary action may result in termination of membership, the Club should follow a fair and appropriate process and give the member a reasonable opportunity to respond.

13. Amendments to the Constitution

This Constitution may be amended by a resolution approved by the required majority of members at a General Meeting or AGM, subject to any additional requirements imposed by this Constitution, applicable law or an external governing organisation.

Proposed amendments should be communicated to members in advance of the meeting in accordance with the Club’s rules.

Where the Club is a charity or has another regulated legal structure, additional requirements or approvals may apply to constitutional changes.

14. Dissolution

The Club may be dissolved by a resolution passed in accordance with the requirements of this Constitution and applicable law.

After all outstanding liabilities have been settled, any remaining assets shall be dealt with in accordance with the Club’s legal structure and any applicable requirements.

Where the Club has charitable or CASC status, specific rules may apply to the distribution of remaining assets and should be followed.

15. Interpretation and General Provisions

If any question arises concerning the interpretation of this Constitution, the Committee may provide an interpretation subject to any decision that may properly be made by the membership.

Where a provision of this Constitution conflicts with applicable law or a mandatory requirement applying to the organisation, the applicable law or requirement shall take precedence.

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Adopting the Constitution

Once the constitution has been reviewed and agreed, the Club should formally adopt it using the procedure applicable to its existing rules and legal structure.

Date adopted: ______________________________

Chairperson: ______________________________

Secretary: _________________________________

Treasurer: _________________________________

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What Is Included in This Club Constitution Template?

This template provides a starting framework for the fundamental areas most clubs need to consider, including:

• Club name and objectives
• Membership
• Committee structure
• Officer responsibilities
• Elections
• Committee meetings
• General meetings
• AGMs
• Voting
• Membership fees
• Finance
• Discipline
• Constitutional amendments
• Dissolution

It is deliberately designed to be adaptable rather than one-size-fits-all.

Your club may need additional provisions depending on its activities, membership, legal structure, governing body, funding arrangements or regulatory requirements.

Who Can Use This Club Constitution Template?

This template may be useful as a starting point for:

• Sports clubs
• Community sports clubs
• Social clubs
• Recreational clubs
• Hobby and interest clubs
• Community organisations
• Volunteer-led organisations
• Membership organisations
• Local clubs and associations

If your club is incorporated, registered as a charity, registered as a CASC or subject to the rules of a national governing body, check the requirements that apply to your organisation before adopting this template.

For example, GOV.UK states that a CASC must have a formal constitution or other governing document meeting its eligibility requirements, including provisions dealing with the club’s purpose and what happens to assets when the club closes.

How to Use the Club Constitution Template

Creating a constitution doesn’t have to mean writing everything from scratch.

Step 1: Download the Editable Template

Use the editable version as your working document.

Step 2: Add Your Club’s Details

Replace the bracketed sections and adapt the wording to reflect your club.

Step 3: Review Every Clause

Consider whether each provision accurately reflects how your club operates.

Don’t simply retain a clause because it appears in a template.

Step 4: Check External Requirements

If your club is affiliated to a governing body, league or umbrella organisation, check whether it has specific constitutional requirements.

If your organisation is a charity, CIO, company or CASC, check the requirements that apply to your legal structure.

Step 5: Approve the Constitution

Follow the appropriate process for formally adopting or amending the constitution.

Step 6: Keep the Approved Version

Keep a final copy of the adopted constitution with your Club’s official records.

Step 7: Review When Circumstances Change

A constitution should continue to reflect how the organisation operates.

Consider reviewing it when there are significant changes to the Club’s activities, membership, committee structure, legal status or governance arrangements.

What Should a Club Constitution Include?

There is no single constitution that is automatically suitable for every UK club.

However, a typical member-run club constitution will often address:

Section	What it covers
Name	The official name of the club
Objectives	What the club exists to achieve
Membership	Who can join and membership rights
Committee	How the club is managed
Officers	Key roles and responsibilities
Elections	How officers and committee members are chosen
Meetings	Committee and general meeting arrangements
AGM	Annual general meeting procedures
Voting	How decisions are made
Finance	Management of club funds
Discipline	Member conduct and disciplinary procedures
Amendments	How the constitution can be changed
Dissolution	What happens if the club closes

For charities, the appropriate governing document and required provisions depend on the charity’s structure. The Charity Commission identifies constitutions, CIO constitutions, articles of association and trust deeds as different types of governing document.

Does Every UK Club Need a Constitution?

Not every organisation uses exactly the same type of governing document.

A typical unincorporated association may have a constitution or set of rules. A CIO has a constitution, while a charitable company uses articles of association.

If you’re unsure which governing document is appropriate for your organisation, establish its legal structure before adopting a template.

Can a Club Change Its Constitution?

A club can generally include an amendment procedure within its constitution, but the process that must be followed depends on the existing constitution and the organisation’s legal structure.

Before making a change, check:

1. What the existing constitution says about amendments
2. Who can propose changes
3. What notice members must receive
4. What voting threshold applies
5. Whether an external organisation must approve the change
6. Whether any statutory or regulatory approval is required

For example, the Charity Commission’s current guidance explains that different rules apply to changing governing documents for unincorporated associations, CIOs, charitable companies and trusts.

Read our guide: How to Change a Club Constitution →

Club Constitution Template FAQs

What is a club constitution?

A club constitution is a written set of rules explaining the purpose, structure and operating arrangements of a club. It can cover membership, committee roles, meetings, voting, finances, amendments and dissolution.

Can I use this template for a sports club?

Yes. It can provide a useful starting point for a sports club, but you should check any requirements imposed by your national governing body, league, funder or other organisation.

Can I edit the club constitution template?

Yes. The template is intended to be adapted to reflect your club’s own name, objectives, membership arrangements, committee structure and operating procedures.

Is a club constitution legally binding?

A constitution can form an important part of the rules governing an organisation, but its legal effect depends on the organisation’s structure and circumstances. It should not be assumed that every clause in a generic template is appropriate for every organisation.

What is the difference between a club constitution and club rules?

A constitution generally sets out the organisation’s fundamental structure and governing arrangements. Club rules may deal with more detailed operational matters. The distinction can vary between organisations.

How often should a club constitution be reviewed?

There is no universal review period that applies to every club. It is sensible to review the constitution when the organisation undergoes a significant change to its activities, membership, structure or governance arrangements.

Does a club constitution need to be approved at an AGM?

Not necessarily. The correct procedure depends on the existing governing document and legal structure. If the constitution requires adoption or amendments to be approved at a general meeting or AGM, that procedure should be followed.

What should a sports club constitution include?

A sports club constitution will commonly cover the club’s objectives, membership, committee structure, officer roles, elections, meetings, voting, finances, disciplinary arrangements, constitutional amendments and dissolution. Additional provisions may be required by the club’s governing body, league, funder or legal structure.

Download the Club Constitution Template

Creating a constitution from scratch can be a daunting job for a volunteer committee.

This template gives you a structured starting point covering the key areas involved in running a member-led club.

Download the editable Club Constitution Template and adapt it for your organisation.

[DOWNLOAD THE EDITABLE CLUB CONSTITUTION TEMPLATE]

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Important: This template is intended as a practical starting point and does not constitute legal advice. Before adopting it, make sure it is appropriate for your club’s legal structure, activities and circumstances.