Membership

FAQs

NEW MEMBERS

Step-by-step instructions on how to join.

  1. Go to the Cottenham Tennis Club website: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/CottenhamTennisClub
  2. Before joining make sure you read our Terms of Membership and all Club Policies in the link on the Membership page.
  3. Click on "Register" in the black bar at the top right of the page.
  4. Click on the blue bar “LTA” on the right of the screen to register with the LTA.  Please do not sign in using an Email/Password option on the left of the page as this type of sign-in method will soon be obsolete.  It is no longer possible to log in using Microsoft, Google or Facebook.
  5. If you are already a member of the LTA, enter your Username and Password on the left and click the blue “Login” button.  You are likely to be an LTA member from having been a member of another club, having entered the Wimbledon ballot before or having played in local league or other matches.  If you have forgotten your LTA login details please do not create another account. Just follow the prompts on screen.
  6. If you are NOT already a member of the LTA, click on “Explore my options” under Sign up to Advantage.
  7. You are now on the LTA Advantage home page.  Have a look at the different packages on offer.  There are options for juniors age 4-18 and adults over 18.  All fully paid-up club members are entitled to free membership of Advantage Play + or Junior Play + and we recommend you select these packages if you wish to enter the Wimbledon ticket ballot.
  8. Click “Join now” on the Advantage package you require.
  9. Enter your personal details, using the email you want to use for your account, and make sure you read any terms and tick any relevant boxes. Please make sure you enter your postcode in CAPITALS.
  10. Then click “Join now”.
  11. You will now be asked to check and verify your email address by clicking on a link sent in an email to you.
  12. Now you will be sent back to the login screen where you input your login details again.
  13. Once in your account, you will be given a short questionnaire about what your interests are.
  14. You will also be asked to affiliate yourself to a venue ie Cottenham Tennis Club.  If you do not affiliate yourself to a club you will not be able to enter the Wimbledon Ballot.
  15. All members must tick the boxes on their profile to show that they accept the Club Policies, Code of Conduct and Terms of Membership.  Failure to do so will result in a paused membership and you will not be allowed to play.
  16. Please tick the boxes relating to emails about club news and photography and enter an emergency contact name and number.
  17. Now you need to go to the Membership page, select the membership package you require and click on "Join now".
     

PAYMENTS

Q: I don't want to pay by setting up a direct debit but the Clubspark / GoCardless system is asking me to do this.  What can I do?

A: Don't worry, the Clubspark / GoCardless payment is called a direct debit but it is infact a one-off payment. It does not automatically renew.  When next year's membership renewal is due you will need to agree and accept the debit before any further funds are taken from your account.

Q:  Can I pay by debit/credit card or bank transfer?

A:  Unfortunately not, the only way to pay is via GoCardless as above.

CLUB POLICIES, TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP & CODE OF CONDUCT

Q:  Do I have to read and accept these?

A:  Yes, all members, whether junior or adult, must agree to abide by all our terms, codes and policies.  Every member, juniors and students included, must tick the box to show that they have accepted these.  Failure to do so will result in a paused membership and you will not be allowed to play.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Q: Do I have to add an emergency contact?

A: Ideally yes, please ensure you have entered an emergency contact name and phone number for every member of your group.

EMAILS FROM THE CLUB

Q:  Who receives emails from the club?

A:  All adults members receive emails unless they opt not to.  Juniors do not receive emails but their main contact will as long as they tick the box for their junior member.  We would like to include parents of juniors in club events as much as the juniors themselves so please tick the box to keep up to date.

Q:  Can I opt out of these?

A:  Yes, you can,  but it is helpful for the club if you do not opt-out of receiving emails.  Email communications make the club more inclusive and cohesive and help both club and player development.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONSENT

Q:  Can I opt-out of giving consent to photographs or films being taken of me and my family?

A:  Yes, this is your choice.  However please be aware that photography and filming help the club promote all its activities and therefore grow and become more rewarding.  They are often required by funders as evidence of projects or equipment that they have put money into.

How do I change my consent preferences:

1. Go to https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/CottenhamTennisClub

2. Sign in (top right corner), make sure you use your LTA login details.  If you can't remember them, we won't know them either, sorry.

3. Click on your name (top right corner).

4. Click on your first name from the drop-down menu under CHANGE THE USER (if more users appear).

5. Click on the blue button "Edit Profile" in the wide grey bar with your name on it.

6. Verify/update all "Your details" ensuring you enter an emergency contact name and number.

7. Click on "Your privacy and consents".

8. Click on all the boxes you wish to opt-out of.

9. Click on "UPDATE MY PREFERENCES" at the bottom of the page to save all your changes.

10.  Please note that you need to repeat the emergency contact, email and consent opt-outs for each member of your group by clicking on their name from the drop-down menu mentioned in point 4 and then following all points to 9.

11. You're done!  Here is a handy guide to help you.

Q: WHAT IS  PARENT MEMBERSHIP?

A: Full-year Parent Membership entitles you to play with your own child, who MUST hold Junior Membership concurrently.  This is to encourage adults and their children to play when juniors are too young to arrange to play with other junior friends independently.

You can play with your child during club hours for free, excluding Saturdays 2-4pm, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6pm.  Outside of club hours you will pay the full non-member rate of £7.

You cannot attend coaching yourself (unless doing so for the first time for a 6 week session or unless taking part in Tennis Xpress or Cardio Tennis).

You are welcome to attend social events with your child.

To take part in family tournaments, family club sessions and the Wimbledon ballot you will need to become a full member.

None of the other benefits of Adult Membership are included in the Parent Membership.  The benefits of FULL Adult or Family Membership are listed on the main membership page.

Q:  DO I NEED TO BOOK A COURT DURING CLUB HOURS?

A:  You don't have to book during club hours.  You must book outside club hours.  All bookings are made in person at the Sports Centre or via their online booking system www.cottenhamsportscentre.co.uk.   Out of club hours you can book at the £2.50 club rate.

Please bear in mind that during club hours some courts are taken up with coaching, club night and matches, which all take priority over social play.

UPDATING EMAIL AND PHONE CONTACTS

Q: Please can you update my email and phone number in ClubSpark?

A: Sorry, no we can't.  All members are responsible for updating their own contact details. You can do this as follows:

1. Go to https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/CottenhamTennisClub

2. Sign in (top right corner), make sure you use your sign-in details that you registered with. If you can't remember them, we won't know them either, sorry.

3. Click on your name (top right corner).

4. Click on your first name from the drop-down menu under CHANGE THE USER (if more users appear).

5. Click on the blue button "Edit Profile" in the wide grey bar with your name on it.

6. Verify/update all "Your details".  Make sure you do this for everyone in your group by selecting their name from the drop-down menu and repeating this process.

7.  Click on  "UPDATE MY PREFERENCES" to save your changes.

8.  Here is a handy guide to help you.

Q:  CAN MY CHILD HELP THE COACH AT JUNIOR COACHING SESSIONS?

A:  If any young people are interested in helping the coach at coaching sessions they must be a member of the club and be age 12 or over.  If they are volunteering as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award they do not need to be a member.  Please contact the club initially if your child is interested in helping out.

Q:  DOES THE CLUB SUPPORT MEMBERS TAKING LTA COACHING QUALIFICATIONS?

A:  Yes.  Anyone age 16 or over can take their Level 1 LTA coaching qualification.   Applications are made via the LTA.  Please speak to the Club Secretary if you need help with the costs as the committee may decide they can help.  There are other ways of covering the costs, e.g. helping Cambs LTA by volunteering at their coaching sessions in return.  Our coaching company will be able to help when you have to do your practical hours of coaching between the day courses.  For more information see the LTA website Coaching Qualification Page here.