This section provides a more formal statement of the Club's aims and rules, for reference purposes.

Aims

The Club exists to provide players of intermediate standard with Badminton coaching, practice and informal play in sociable circumstances.

Membership Criteria

The Club is open to anyone over 14 subject only to capacity (approx 25 max)

Membership Obligations

Playing Standard

Within a fairly short time, new members would need to be able to reach a standard of play which would allow them to play a reasonable part in informal games with most of the existing members.  This is not a demanding standard, and there will be some absolute beginners who can reach this stage very quickly.  Others, however, would need to follow an introductory course elsewhere before joining.  If in doubt, you are welcome to try out the game with us for a couple of sessions (without charge).  Our coach will be able to give advice if needed.

Administration

Ultimately, all decisions are subject to a vote of the membership, with every member having an equal vote.  In practice, however, day-to-day matters are delegated to the Secretary ( tel: 020 8521 9157), who runs things like a Byzantine despot.

Funding

The Club is self-funding and members share financial responsibility.  Accounts are held by the Secretary and may be inspected by any member at any reasonable time.  The Club will not incur net indebtedness.

Subscriptions

Membership of the club is only available on a monthly basis, irrespective of attendance.

Members undertake to pay subscriptions monthly, and a clear month in advance by cheque or bank transfer.  (New members will need to "catch up" with this arrangement.)  Cheques are due for collection of the first Tuesday of each month. Fines for late payment may be imposed under a uniform policy set from time to time by the Secretary.

Absences

Monthly subscriptions will be waived for any calendar month in which a member attends no sessions.

Members recovering after illness or injury may "try-out" for up to an hour during one or more sessions without this counting as an "attendance" for subscription purposes.

Discounts

Discounts on subscriptions are only available in specific circumstances and are necessarily limited by the financial circumstances of the Club.

1. New members who are in full-time education or are registered unemployed qualify for a 22% discount (approx).  Established members (regular players for 6 months or more) in these categories, and school students, qualify for a total  discount of 44% (approx).
2. Established members whose employment regularly requires attendance at specific times which conflict with the Club sessions may apply for a negotiated pro-rata discount reflecting attendance.
3. Members who have uncommonly restrictive caring responsibilities may apply for a negotiated pro-rata discount reflecting attendance.
4. When an established member moves so far away that 100% attendance becomes unrealistic, "Country Membership" exists to allow them to play "occasionally." The member will agree with the Secretary how many sessions are reasonably feasible over an entire term, and those will be paid for in advance. New members may request this facility if they live more than 7 miles from the club venue as the crow flies. (The club's crow will be used for all distance measurement.)

If you think you may qualify for any of these discounts, you are warmly encouraged to contact the Secretary.

Visitors

Visitors are welcome, and may play with us for two sessions without charge, subject to any waiting list that may be in operation.  After that, they will be asked to make a decision whether to join the Club.  On joining, they will be asked to pay for any remaining sessions in the current month, and to deposit a cheque in advance for the next month.

Safety

All members share responsibility for safety in the Club.  Any reckless conduct will lead to immediate suspension.  All physical sports carry some risk of injury.  Members and visitors may wish to consider appropriate insurance against personal injury and against loss or damage to property as the Club cannot accept responsibility for these risks.

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