PDPA Respect Your Opponent Campaign

The PDPA Code of Conduct

Obligation to the game

A player should:

• Make every effort to develop in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina to achieve to his/her best sporting ability
• Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance when playing
• Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters
• Avoid all forms of gamesmanship
• Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion on the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game
• Not use inappropriate language.

Obligations towards the game

A player should:

• Make every effort, consistent with fair play and the Rules of the sport as issued by the DRA, to win his own game or to help his team win
• Resist any influence which might, or might be seen to, bring into question his commitment to either himself or the team winning.

Respect for the Rules of the Game and Competition Rules

A player should:

• Know and abide by the Law, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules
• Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally
• Abide by the Anti-Doping Rules of the Darts Regulation Authority.

Respect towards Opponents

A player should:

• Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the match
• Avoid confrontation during and post match.

Respect towards the Match Officials

A player should:

• Accept the decisions of the Match Official as final
• Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official
• Show due respect towards Match Officials
• Voice disputes through the correct channels as determined by DRA rules.

The PDPA Constitution

1. Purpose of the PDPA

• To represent all of our members whenever possible
• To afford members an opportunity for the interchange of views on any matters affecting the game
• To provide a strong, influential, unified voice on matters that affect our members and our sport
• To promote and develop the sport
• To represent our members in discussions with other related bodies, institutions, associations and organisations
• To take steps to ensure the PDPA finances remain in good standing and keep in hand a minimum of 18 months expenditure to run the Association: Not Including the 3% levy or membership income
• To work in partnership alongside the PDC & the DRA in representing our members
• To give our members the opportunity to voice their opinions on the present Board, the running of the association and other darts related matters.

2. Criteria for Membership

• Players must be aged 16 or over to be a member of the Professional Dart Players Association
• Players aged over 16, and under the age of 18 will be accepted for membership with the understanding that they are aware of the current licensing laws. The PDPA accept no responsibility should any member not adhere to current licensing laws
• Members declaration of acceptance of the PDPA Constitution and Code of Conduct and an agreement to adhere to the PDC and DRA’s Rules
• Members must operate in a bona fide and ethical manner.

3. Admission of Members

• Application for membership of the Professional Dart Players Association shall be submitted on an application or Membership form as prescribed by the Association
• All members are responsible for keeping the PDPA informed of any changes to personal details
• All personal details will remain confidential and in line with the Data Protection Act; information will only be shared with the PDC, DRA and respective partners where wholly required
• The PDPA Board will consider all applications
• The PDPA Board reserve the right to reject any application or revoke membership without giving a reason
• An annual fee is required to be a member of the PDPA which will be decided annually by the Board, this does not include Honorary or free membership
• Associate Membership is currently £250 annually (via Q-School), with full membership £500 annually. Day membership to be determined and taken upon entry to relevant events
• Membership fees will be paid in full to the PDPA either through a prize money deduction, qualifying school entry, day membership or any other third party authorised by the PDPA
• You are required to be a PDPA member to play on the PDC Tour.

4. Honorary Membership

Any player, whether past or present, who, by virtue of their service to darts, has been awarded an Honorary or Lifetime Membership providing exemption from payment of the annual subscription can participate in PDPA/PDC events only if they have signed the current PDC players contract. An Honorary or Lifetime Member who has not signed such a contract will be ineligible to enter such events and will be classified as a non-playing member. Non-playing members automatically relinquish all PDPA voting rights.

5. Levies

A condition of membership is agreement by the member to the deduction of a 3% levy, the percentage being that previously set by the PDPA Board, from all tournament prize money. This 3% levy will be taken automatically by the PDC from prize monies won (as agreed between the PDPA/PDC) and passed over to the PDPA in full.

6. Duration of Membership

Membership to the PDPA is for a full season i.e. 1^st January – 31^st December of that year, The PDPA will not authorise terminated memberships during the season without a valid reason i.e. Illness or injury, nor offer a termination letter.

Membership may be terminated by the PDPA if a member no longer fulfils the criteria for membership or fails to make the appropriate subscription payment, or is in breach of any rules by the PDPA or the DRA. A member will, however, be liable for membership subscriptions and other dues for the year concerned.

All Memberships, including Full Membership and Associate Membership (Including Q-School) will be paid either directly or via a third party in full to the PDPA.

7. Other Darts Associations

The PDPA and its members do not recognise any other Darts Association other than the PDC and the DRA.

Any player who has signed The PDPA Constitution and Code of Conduct must have the authorisation of The PDPA to join any other Association whether they are still a playing member or not

All PDC playing members must be a member of the PDPA to play in any PDC events.

8. Subscriptions

The PDPA Board shall determine the annual subscription, of the Full Membership and the Associate Membership including Q-School. No refunds will be offered once a membership has been processed.

9. Alteration of Constitution

The Board may revoke, alter or add to any part of this Constitution by ordinary resolution at a Board Meeting. Members will be notified accordingly.

10.  Annual General Meeting

The PDPA shall hold an Annual General Meeting each year.

11. General Meetings

The Board shall convene General Meetings, to which all members shall be invited, as thought necessary. The Chairman shall convene a General Meeting of members on the request of 10% of playing members aged over 18 so long as the request is received in writing at the registered office and is signed by all members requesting the meeting. Twenty-one day’s notice shall be given of a General Meeting

All items discussed at meetings, minutes and other papers circulated in connection with meetings, are private and confidential and it is a condition of membership that these matters are not divulged to non-members.

12. Voting

At any Annual General Meeting each playing member aged over 16, with two years consecutive membership, shall have one vote

Nominations for office holders must be received by the Company Secretary on the appropriate forms on or before the due date notified.

13. Proxy Voting

Any playing member aged over 16, with two years consecutive membership, may appoint a proxy (who must also be a member) to attend and vote on his behalf at an Annual General Meeting. Proxy nominations must be received in writing by the Company Secretary seven days before the AGM.

14. Quorum

A quorum at a General Meeting shall consist of 7 members aged over 16. If at any meeting a quorum is not present those present shall dissolve the meeting and reconvene in 7 days. If at the subsequent meeting there is still not a quorum of 7 then the meeting shall be convened by those members present who shall constitute a quorum

15. Committees

The Association in General Meeting or Board shall have the power to appoint committees charged with such duties as the Association may decide.

16. Board

There shall be a permanent Board of up to six, including the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive. The members of the Board shall be elected for two years at the Annual General Meeting and may serve two or more successive periods of office if re-elected. The Board shall have power to co-opt additional members. A quorum at all Board meetings shall consist of three.

17. Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

The Board shall nominate and elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman, from among the elected members of the Board, who shall carry out the duties prescribed. Their term of office shall be two years. At the end of the period of office, they may offer themselves for re-election.

18. Duties of Chairman

The Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Association and shall have the right to vote. In the event of a tied vote the Chairman shall have a casting vote. He shall do all in his power to promote the well being of the Association and shall perform such duties in his capacity as Chairman as directed by the Board

The Chairman of the Association shall act as the association’s representative whenever the occasion requires and when representing its opinion in any subject it shall be his duty to do so in a fair and balanced manner.

19. Duties of Vice Chairman

In the absence of the Chairman the Vice Chairman shall act as Chairman. In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman the members present at the meeting shall have the power to elect a temporary chairman to conduct the business of the meeting.

20. Chairman and Vice Chairman: Removal from Office

The Chairman or the Vice Chairman maybe removed from office by resolution of any Board Meeting of the Association.

21. Election of Chief Executive

The Board shall employ and elect a Chief Executive, who can also be among the elected members of the Board, who shall carry out duties as prescribed in their contract.

22. Code of Conduct

The Association adopts a Code of Conduct, adherence to which will be a condition of membership.

23. Validity of the Constitution

The constitution remains valid on an annual rolling basis until determined by the PDPA.