Collingtree Tennis Club

Founded 1922

 

History and Constitution

1.  History of the Club

 

Collingtree has the distinction of being one of the oldest village tennis clubs in the county. In 1922, a club was proposed for Collingtree and Courteenhall residents but they had no court until one was created in Mr Douglas’s orchard in 1923. There were 36 members with the Rev Frend as the Chairman and Miss Robins as Secretary. For the next few years, open tournaments were held which were so popular that players from Northampton would come to take part in them, also using a court belonging to Mrs Sears.

 

World War II saw the Club discontinue play but this was restarted under the leadership of Stanley Newman on a court on land provided by John Sears in the Slade.  This was never entirely successful until a new hard-court was provided in Grass-Lets by permission of Mrs Sears. This was opened in 1950 and later in that year a grass court was also created.  In 1953, the President of the Club was the Rev. Timberlake and the Secretary was Mrs John Warwick. In 1955, the field where the courts were, became a recreation ground under the terms of a Deed of Gift by John Sears and the Club was incorporated in the Trust terms as members of the Management Committee.

The Club continues in this situation to the present day but now there are two courts, both hard-surfaced along with an excellent lighting system that was installed in 2009.

 

2. Constitution

 

Aims and Objectives

The objectives of the Club are to promote interest and proficiency in the game of tennis and to provide facilities and enable coaching for players to enjoy and develop their game.

The Club is fully inclusive and is committed to providing a positive tennis experience that is fair for everyone.

The Club aims to ensure a duty of care to all members of the club.

The Club has a safeguarding policy in place to protect children and vulnerable adults from any form of harm or abuse.

 

Club Membership

Membership of the Club is open to all. Membership consists of officers and members of the club.

All members will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of conduct that the club has adopted and the policies and rules of Collingtree Tennis Club

 Advantages of membership include:

  i.       Free use of the courts.

  ii.      Free Club sessions and social events.

  iii.     Eligibility to play in local leagues.

  iv.     Being allowed to invite a guest at a reduced rate.

 

Members will be enrolled in one of the following categories:

 

• adult member
• junior member
• family member
• social member

 

 

 

 

Membership Fees

Membership fees will be set annually, determined by the committee and announced at the Annual General Meeting.

Fees will be paid by annual subscription. Subscriptions run from 1st April to 31st March but part year subscriptions are available at the discretion of the Committee.

The Collingtree Tennis Club App can be used to make all bookings. Non-members – may use the booking App to Pay and Play.

                                                                                                                       

Committee

 

The club will be managed through the Management Committee. The Committee shall not exceed ten in number and shall specifically appoint a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

The officers of the club will be

 

• Chair
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Fixtures Secretary
• Maintenance Officer
• Club Welfare Officer

 

 

Officers will be up for re-election every 3 years. Starting with the Chair in 2026, the Treasurer in 2027 and the Secretary in 2028 and so on.  All other posts will be re-elected annually.

A quorum comprises three committee members.

 

The Committee must hold at least 3 Committee Meetings each year.

 

The Committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, codes of conduct and rules that affect the organisation of the club. Also, they will set the playing fees, organise events, and maintain the courts.

The Committee will have powers to appoint sub-committees as necessary and appoint advisers to the Committee as necessary to fulfil its business.

The Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules/regulations/constitution. The Committee will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings.

Finance

All club monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the club.

The Club Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the club.

The financial year of the club will end on: March 31st

A monthly summary of the bank statement is sent to the Chair and presented at committee meetings. A statement of annual accounts and the bank statements will be presented by the Treasurer at the AGM

All surplus income is ploughed back into the Club in the form of maintenance and improvements.

 

Annual General Meetings

 

An Annual General Meeting is to be held at the end of March or in April each year and members shall elect a Committee for the coming year. 

 

Notice of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be given with not less than 14 days’ notice to all members.

The AGM will receive a report from officers of the Committee and a statement of the accounts, which will be signed by the Chair and Treasurer.

Nominations for officers of the Management Committee will be sent to the Secretary prior to the AGM. Elections of officers are to take place at the AGM.

All members have the right to vote at the AGM.

The quorum for AGM’s will be 20% of the membership.

The Management Committee has the right to call Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) outside the AGM. Procedures for EGMs will be the same as for the AGM.

Discipline and Appeals

 

All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be submitted in writing to the Secretary.

The Management Committee will meet to hear complaints within 14 days of a complaint being lodged. The committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within14 days of the hearing.

There will be the right of appeal to the Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The committee should consider the appeal within 14 days of the Secretary receiving the appeal.

Dissolution

A resolution to dissolve the club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM and shall be carried by at least three-quarters of the members present.

The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution and the members of the Club Committee shall be responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Club. Any unspent grants are to be returned to the grant donor.

Upon dissolution of the club any remaining assets shall be given or transferred to another Community Amateur Tennis Club, a registered charity or the sport’s governing body for use by them in related community sports.

 

 

 

Amendment to the Constitution

The constitution will only be changed through agreement by majority vote at an AGM or EGM.

 

Declaration

Collingtree Tennis Club hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.