PLAYING AT THE CLUB

Club Rules

The rules that govern how Middleton Tennis Club is run, who can join, and how members are expected to conduct themselves.

Lawn Tennis Club - Rules for an Unincorporated Club

Based on: RULES FOR UNINCORPORATED LAWN TENNIS CLUBS QUALIFYING AS COMMUNITY AMATEUR SPORTS CLUBS - prepared by Farrer & Co for The Lawn Tennis Association, June 2006.

1. Name

The Club, established in 1935, is called Middleton Tennis Club "the Club". Which was formerly Middleton Cricket Club Tennis Section founded in 1919.

2. Definitions

2.1

  • "the Chair" means the person elected to be the chairperson of the Club in accordance with Rule 9;
  • "the CLTA" means Lancashire County Lawn Tennis Association;
  • "the Hon. Secretary" means the person elected to be the Hon. secretary of the Club in accordance with Rule 9;
  • "the Hon. Treasurer" means the person elected to be the Hon. treasurer of the Club in accordance with Rule 9;
  • "the LTA" means The Lawn Tennis Association the governing body of lawn tennis within Great Britain, the Channel Islands & Isle of Man of the Queen's Club, West Kensington, London W14 9EG;
  • "the Officers" means appointed members;
  • "the Committee" means the Committee appointed under Rule 9 to manage the Club;
  • "the Members" means the members of the Club admitted to membership of the Club in accordance with Rule 5;
  • "the President" means the person elected to be the president of the Club in accordance with Rule 9;

2.2 Words denoting the singular number include the plural number & vice versa; words denoting the masculine gender include the feminine gender; & words denoting persons include bodies corporate however incorporated & unincorporated, including unincorporated associations of persons & partnerships.

3. Objects

The objects of the Club are:

  • a) principally to provide facilities for tennis & generally to promote, encourage & facilitate the playing of tennis in the area of Middleton & amongst the community;
  • b) to provide & maintain Club premises at Towncroft Avenue, Middleton, Manchester, M24 5DA & club-owned tennis equipment for the use of its members;
  • c) to provide other ordinary benefits of an amateur sports club as set out in Schedule 18 of the Finance Act 2002 including without limitation provision of suitability qualified coaches, coaching courses, insurance, medical treatment, post-match refreshments;
  • d) to affiliate to the CLTA & by doing so affiliate to the LTA & to comply with & uphold the Rules & Regulations of the CLTA & the LTA as amended & the rules & regulations of any body to which the LTA is affiliated;
  • e) to acquire, establish, own, operate & turn to account in any way for the members' benefit the tennis court facilities of the Club together with buildings & easements, fixtures & fittings & accessories as shall be thought advisable;
  • f) to make rules, regulations, bye-laws & standing orders concerning the operation of the Club including without limitation regulations concerning disciplinary procedures that may be taken against the Members;
  • g) to discipline the Members where permitted by its Rules/Regulations & to refer its Members to be disciplined by the LTA or the CLTA as appropriate where so required by the Rules & Regulations of the LTA or the CLTA as the case may be;
  • h) to make donations or offer support to tennis clubs which are charities or community amateur sports clubs (CASC);
  • i) to do all such other things as the Committee thinks fit to further the interests of the Club or to be incidental or conducive to the attainment of all or any of the objects stated in this Rule 3.

4. Application of Surplus Funds

4.1 The Club is a non-profit making organisation. All surpluses will be used to maintain or improve the Club's facilities & in furtherance of the Club's objects. No surplus will be distributed other than to another CASC club for tennis, to the LTA for use in related tennis initiatives, or to a registered charitable organisation, on winding-up or dissolution of the Club.

4.2 Nothing in Clause 4.1 shall prevent the Club from entering an agreement with a member for the supply by him to the Club of goods or services or for his employment by the Club, provided that such arrangements are approved by the Committee without the member being present & are agreed with the member on an arm's length basis.

4.3 No Member shall be paid a salary, bonus, fee or other remuneration for playing for the Club.

5. Membership

5.1 Eligibility for membership

5.1.1 Persons of either sex are eligible for full membership of the Club provided they are at least 16 years old. No person shall be denied membership of the Club on the grounds of race, ethnic origin, creed, colour, age, disability, sex, occupation, sexual orientation, religion, political or other beliefs.

5.1.2 Persons below the age of 16 may be elected as Junior Members without the right to hold office or vote at general meetings.

5.2 Admission of Members

Any person who wishes to become a Member must complete an application form as the Committee shall decide. Every candidate for membership shall be considered by the Committee, which shall admit that candidate, unless to do so would be contrary to the best interests of the sport or the good conduct & interests of the Club. A person shall be entitled to any privileges of the Club as soon as the membership fee has been paid.

5.3 Classes of Members

5.3.1 There shall be the following classes of members for the Club:

  • Full Member inc League match fees
  • Social Full Member
  • Junior Member
  • Other e.g. Student, Unemployed

5.3.2 Only Full Members shall be entitled to receive notice of, attend & vote at general meetings. The other Members shall be entitled to all the other privileges of membership. All Members shall be subject to these Rules & the Regulations of the club & shall abide by the Rules & Regulations of the LTA & the relevant CLTA, in force.

5.4 Subscriptions

5.4.1 The annual subscription for each type of Member shall be determined by the Committee provided that the Committee shall use its best endeavours to ensure that the fees set by it do not preclude membership of the Club.

5.4.2 The Members shall pay any annual subscription fees set by the Committee.

5.4.3 Any Member whose subscription is not paid by such date as the Committee shall decide each year more than three months in arrears shall be deemed to have resigned his membership of the Club.

6. Resignation

A Member may withdraw from membership of the Club on one month clear notice to the Club. Membership shall not be transferable in any event & shall cease immediately on death or dissolution or on the failure of the Member to comply or to continue to comply with any condition of membership set out in these Rules.

7. Expulsion

7.1 The Committee shall have power to expel a Member when, in its opinion, it would not be in the interests of the sport or of the Club for him to remain a Member.

7.2 A Member shall not be expelled unless he is given 14 days' written notice of the meeting of the Committee at which his expulsion shall be considered & written details of the complaint made against him. The Committee may exclude the Member from the Club's premises until the meeting considering his expulsion has been held.

7.3 The Member shall be given an opportunity to make written representations &/or to appear before the Committee & at any such meeting to be accompanied by a representative or friend, who may answer complaints made against the member & to cross-examine any witnesses on behalf of the member. The member must not be expelled unless at least two-thirds of the Committee then present vote in favour of his expulsion.

8. Effect of Resignation or Expulsion

Any person ceasing to be a Member forfeits all right to & claim upon the Club, its property & its funds & he has no right to the return of any part of his subscription. The Committee may refund an appropriate part of a resigning Member's subscription if it considers it appropriate taking account of all the circumstances.

9. The Committee

9.1 The Club shall be managed by a Committee consisting of:

  • a) the President;
  • b) the Chair;
  • c) the Hon. Secretary;
  • d) the Hon. Treasurer;
  • e) Captains of the league teams

The Committee shall decide in its discretion how Members may be nominated to be members of the Committee & shall notify the Members accordingly. The Committee shall decide once elected who shall fill the officer posts. Any person nominated as a member of the Committee must be a Full Member of not less than 2 years standing.

9.3 If there is only one candidate nominated to fill any particular vacancy, that candidate shall be declared elected unopposed for that particular vacancy at the next AGM. If there is more than one candidate for any particular vacancy there shall be an election at the AGM for that position. In the event of a tie, the candidate to be elected shall unless the candidates otherwise agree be determined by lot.

9.4 Retiring members of the Committee may be re-elected.

9.5 A member of the Committee shall be deemed to have vacated office if:

  • a) he becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally; or
  • b) he is, or may be, suffering from mental disorder; or
  • c) he resigns his office by notice to the Club; or
  • d) he is suspended from holding office or from taking part in any activity relating to the administration or management of the Club by a decision of the CLTA or the LTA.

10. Proceedings of the Committee

10.1 Committee meetings shall be held as often as the Committee sees fit each year. The quorum for such meetings shall be at least 3 voting members shown at 9.1 above. The Chair & the Hon. Secretary shall have discretion to call emergency meetings of the Committee if they consider it to be in the interests of the Club. The Hon. Secretary shall give all the members of the Committee not less than 7 days' notice of a meeting.

10.2 The Chair shall be the Chair of the Committee. Unless he is unwilling to do so, the Chair shall preside at every meeting at which he is present. If the Chair is unwilling to preside or is not present within five minutes after the time appointed for the meeting, the members of the Committee present may appoint one of their number to be Chair of the meeting.

10.3 Decisions of the Committee shall be made by a simple majority & in the event of an equality of votes the Chair or the acting Chair of that meeting shall have a casting or additional vote.

10.4 The Committee may appoint from among its number such sub-committees as necessary & may delegate to them such powers & duties of the Committee, as the Committee may determine. All sub-committees shall periodically report their proceedings to the Committee & shall conduct their business in accordance with the directions of the Committee.

11. Annual General Meeting (AGM)

11.1 The AGM of the Club shall be held prior to the start of the season to transact the following business:

  • a) to receive the Chair's report of the activities of the Club during the previous year;
  • b) to receive & consider the accounts of the Club for the previous year, the auditor's report on the accounts & the Hon. Treasurer's report as to the financial position of the Club;
  • c) to receive the Hon. Secretary's report;
  • d) to elect/re-elect the Officers & other members of the Committee;
  • e) to decide on any resolution which may be duly submitted in accordance with Rule 11.2 below;
  • f) to deal with any other matters which the Committee desires to bring before the membership.

11.2 Notice of any resolution proposed to be moved at the AGM shall be given in writing to the Hon. Secretary not less than 28 days before the meeting.

11.3 No period greater than fifteen months shall elapse between one AGM & the next.

12. Extraordinary General Meetings

An extraordinary general meeting may be called at any time by the Committee & shall be called within 21 days of receipt by the Hon. Secretary of a requisition in writing signed by not less than 5 members stating the purposes for which the meeting is required & the resolutions proposed.

13. Procedures at the Annual & Extraordinary General Meetings

13.1 The Hon. Secretary shall send to each Member notice of the date of the general meeting together with the resolutions to be proposed at least 21 days before the meeting.

13.2 The quorum for such meetings shall at least 3 voting members shown at 9.1 above.

13.3 The Chair shall preside at all Club meetings, but if he is not present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting or has signified his inability to be present at the meeting, the Members present & entitled to vote may choose one of the other members of the Committee present to preside & if no other member of the Committee is present or willing to preside the Members present & entitled to vote may choose one of their number to be Chair of the meeting.

13.4 Each Full Member, Social Member, Other Member present shall have one vote & resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority of those Members present & voting. In the event of an equality of votes the Chair of the meeting shall have a casting or additional vote.

13.5 The Hon. Secretary, or in his absence a member of the Committee, shall take minutes at annual & extraordinary general meetings.

13.6 There shall be no right for a Member to vote by proxy. No person may represent more than one Member.

14. Guests

14.1 Any Member may introduce guests to the Club, & any player, coach, who is not a Member shall be a guest of the Committee, provided that no one whose application for membership has been declined or who has been expelled from the Club may be introduced as a guest.

15. Opening of Club Premises & Acceptable Behaviour

15.1 The Club is open during daylight hours each day or at such other times or for such other periods as the Committee shall decide. The Club's facilities shall be available to the Member without discrimination.

15.2 Junior members (Under 16's) may not use the courts without adult supervision.

15.3 The rules of play shall be those determined by the LTA.

  • a) Before anyone can enter courts for play it is mandatory that shoes worn on courts be designed for tennis.
  • b) Tennis clothes will be worn by Club members.

15.4.1 When the courts are left vacant, all external gates are to be left locked.

15.4.2 When club buildings are left vacant, lights & switches are to be put off & the building locked.

15.4.3 Cars shall be parked tidily & with consideration for others.

15.4.4 Litter must be put in the receptacles provided.

15.4.5 Members shall be considerate of local residents & passers-by. No foul language will be tolerated.

15.4.6 A complaint by anyone against a member will be dealt with in accordance with the Code of Conduct by the Welfare Officer.

15.4.7 In the event of a complaint being lodged in respect of a member of the Public, that individual may be required to leave the courts immediately without refund of any fees paid, & if the offence is sufficiently serious, banned from play in the future.

15.4.8 Members & Club officials must show tolerance, courtesy, good manners, fairness, honesty & integrity in their dealings with Club members, officials, Club members' guests, playing & social visitors.

15.4.9 Members have a responsibility to make everyone feel welcome & to ensure that membership of the club is a positive experience.

15.4.10 Members will act responsibly & look to protect & ensure the safety of everyone at the Club at all times & particularly to consider the well-being & care of junior players & visitors.

15.4.11 Members should endeavour to protect & further the Club's good reputation at all times. When representing the Club, all members will observe the principles in this Code of Conduct.

16. Alteration of the Rules

These Rules may be altered by resolution at an annual or extraordinary general meeting provided that the resolution shall not be passed unless carried by a majority of at least two-thirds of the Members present & voting at the general meeting, the notice of which contains particulars of the proposed alteration or addition.

17. Regulations & Standing Orders

The Committee shall have power to make, repeal & amend such regulations & standing orders as it may consider necessary for the wellbeing of the Club. Such regulations & standing orders & any repeals or amendments to them shall have effect until set aside by the Committee.

18. Finance

18.1 All moneys payable to the Club shall be received by the Hon. Treasurer & shall be deposited in a bank account in the name of the Club. No sum shall be drawn from that account except by cheque signed by the Hon. Secretary. Any monies not required for immediate use may be invested as the Committee in its discretion thinks fit.

18.2 The income & property of the Club shall be applied only in furtherance of the objects of the Club & no part thereof shall be paid by way of bonus, dividend or profit to any Member.

18.3 The Committee shall have power to authorise the payment of remuneration/expenses to any officer, member of the Committee, Member or employee of the Club & to any other person or persons for services rendered to the Club.

18.4 The financial transactions of the Club shall be recorded in such manner as the Committee thinks fit by the Hon. Treasurer.

18.5 Full accounts of the financial affairs of the Club shall be prepared each year. The accounts must be made available to every Member when notice concerning the AGM is given.

19. Property

19.1 The property of the Club, other than cash at the bank, shall be vested in the committee. & entry made in the minute book shall be conclusive evidence of such a resolution.

19.2 The committee shall be entitled to an indemnity out of the property of the Club for all expenses & other liabilities properly incurred by them in the discharge of their duties.

20. Dissolution

20.1 A resolution to dissolve the Club shall be proposed only at an extraordinary general meeting & shall be passed only if carried by a majority of at least three-quarters of the Members present & voting. The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution & the members of the Committee shall be responsible for the winding-up of all assets & liabilities.

20.2 Any property remaining on a winding up or dissolution of the Club after the discharge of the debts & liabilities of the Club shall be paid to or distributed to the LTA for use in community related tennis initiatives, another community amateur sports club for tennis or to a registered charitable organisation.

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