To: The Executive Committee of Robertsham Callies FC

To: The Executive Committee of Robertsham Callies FC

Subject: Request for Special General Meeting to Address Governance and Operational Concerns

We, the undersigned members of Robertsham Callies FC, hereby request the convening of a Special General Meeting (SGM) to address the following critical issues concerning the governance and management of the club:

I would like to bring to your attention the following disputes regarding NPO 309-341 Robertsham Callies Football Club.

In contravention of the relevant acts and regulations, we as stakeholders have requested the AGM minutes and financials for the 2023/2024 financial year. Our requests were denied, and as a result, we were removed from the club membership. This action constitutes victimization, as we are entitled to this information under the law. We have also requested a Special General Meeting (SGM) as per the petition, which required 15 members, and we have provided the necessary names. However, we have not received any feedback from the NPO.

Legal Framework and Stakeholders' Rights

The legal framework governing Non-Profit Companies (NPCs) in South Africa, as applied to soccer clubs operating as Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs), is primarily derived from the Companies Act 71 of 2008, the King IV Report on Corporate Governance, and various statutory and regulatory provisions. Below is a breakdown of the relevant acts and regulations, including stakeholders' rights to financial transparency and the accountability structures that should be in place.

Stakeholders’ Right to Financial Transparency

Under South African corporate and NPO laws, stakeholders such as members, donors, beneficiaries, and communities have certain rights to financial transparency. These rights include:

• Access to Annual Financial Statements: NPCs must prepare financial statements (Companies Act, Section 30). If the NPC has a public benefit status, it must publish audited financials. Stakeholders can request these statements, and refusal to disclose them may be challenged through regulatory authorities.

Governance Issues:

• No Annual General Meetings (AGMs) were held in 2023 and 2024.
• Clarification on how the constitution was formed without AGMs in 2023 and 2024.
• Refusal to provide financial statements and bylaws to members upon request.
• Members are forced to attend a meeting without an Agenda and is threaten with an ultimatum for no attendance. (Victimization and intermediation)

Conflict of Interest:

• Vice Chair Daryl Lotter is serving as an Executive member while drawing a salary as Head Coach, presenting a conflict of interest.
• Executive member Jonathan Lotter has no child representing the club, nor is he a Coach or Manager.
• Daryl Lotter was coaching at Alberton Football Club in 2023/2024 while serving as an Executive member at Robertsham Callies FC, presenting another conflict of interest.

Financial and Operational Concerns:

• Hollywood Bets' purchase of status was not presented at an AGM or to members for notification.
• Coaches were not reimbursed for completing their D license as promised by the executive committee.
• Players leaving the club are required to pay clearance fees ranging from R500 to R3000.

Safety and Security:

• No background checks are conducted on new coaches, compromising the safety and security of the children.
• No access control enforced.
• The 2024 U8 team had no coach available to train the kids. No onboarding process provided for new coaches.

Operational Concerns:

• Parent and Coaches concerns raised but no consideration taken by the executive committee.
• No annual event calendar provided to members.
• No Coaching Framework provided to coaches.
• Coaches a spoken to disrespectfully (condescending).
• Lack of equipment.
• Lack of funding for equipment.
• Parents and kids assist with moving the goal post – risk for children.

Resolution: ·       

• A vote of no confidence in the current Executive Committee

We believe these issues are critical to the proper functioning and integrity of Robertsham Callies FC and must be addressed urgently. We request that the SGM be scheduled at the earliest convenience to discuss and resolve these matters.        

Members of Robertsham Callies FC    Contact the author of the petition