1 MEMBERSHIP

1.1 Membership is open to all age groups, gender, religions, ethnicities etc.

1.2 Membership is obtained by paying the appropriate annual fee, which is displayed in the club house. Various categories and cost of membership are offered.

1.3 Payment of the membership fee indicates an acceptance of all Hawarden Community Tennis Club Rules.

1.4 Membership of Hawarden Community Tennis Club is for recreational purposes only.

1.5 Membership is renewable annually from 1st April each year. All existing members should renew their subscriptions to the membership secretary within 3 weeks of this date to remain eligible for use of the courts.

1.6 New members can join at any time of the year subject to paying the appropriate fee.

1.7 Every member has the opportunity to represent the club in competitive tennis, but they must offer themselves for selection to the club competitions organiser, whose decision on team selection is final.

1.8 Every new member has the responsibility of making themselves aware of club policies by reading the documents, which are available in the clubhouse.

2 USE OF TENNIS CLUB FACILITIES 

2.1 Members must leave no litter on court or the surrounding area and are empowered to challenge any person flouting this rule.

2.2 In order to gain entry to the courts members can only use the access gate. A numerically coded lock secures this. The code is issued by the membership secretary and routinely changed during the season. Any member found passing on this code to a non-member would be subject to an explanation to the Tennis Club Committee  if this explanation is inadequate, expulsion by the club may follow with no refund on fees paid.

2.3 Any person found gaining access to the courts by a means other than the official access gate, will be subject to expulsion and in extreme circumstances criminal prosecution.

2.4 The courts and clubhouse must be locked up at the end of each playing session, by the last member on court.

2.5 Members must take care of the courts, nets, fencing and clubhouse facilities. Any damage should be reported to a committee member promptly.

2.6 Appropriate tennis footwear must be worn to protect the playing surface  shoes, sandals, non-tennis boots etc. are not allowed on the courts and failure to wear appropriate footwear will result in some form of sanction to be determined by the committee.

2.7 Only articles connected with playing tennis are allowed on court any person bringing bicycles, skateboards or other extraneous items can be immediately expelled by any member.

3 CLUB HUT AND COURT USE 

3.1 The website shows the times when courts are specifically in use for competitions and coaching sessions. Provision is also made via the website for members to pre-book courts, if they wish to, using the court booking system. Outside these allocations members can use the courts on a first come, first served basis. Members who have pre-booked a court via the website have precedence for court use over members who have not pre-booked for that particular time slot. If all courts are in use with none competition singles matches and other members are waiting then playing members are encouraged to offer a change to doubles matches at a convenient opportunity (end of set etc.).

3.2 Members under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

3.3 Prospective members are allowed to use the facilities on a trial basis provided a fully paid adult member accompanies them. A maximum of three free trial sessions are allowed before joining the club is required.

4 PLAYING ETIQUETTE 

4.1 Hawarden Community Tennis Club has full LTA affiliation and therefore plays by normal LTA rules.

4.2 Members must make all possible efforts to avoid disruption to adjacent matches (retrieval of loose tennis balls, unnecessary shouting, lack of care when changing ends, walking on and off court etc.)

4.3 All matches junior or adult are of equal standing. Private matches defer only to coaching or competition requirement but when appropriate should fit in with rule 3.1 of Court use.

4.4 Racket holders, ball containers and drinks should be stored neatly by the side netting – they should not be strewn around the end of the nets where they present a tripping hazard.

4.5 When there is no third party arbiter present any disputed line call should be resolved by replaying the point.

5 VISITORS 

5.1 Providing they are accompanied by a paid up member, visitors either playing or non playing are encouraged to attend the club facilities.

5.2 Playing visitors must wear appropriate footwear and abide by all Hawarden Community Tennis Club rules.

5.3 Visitors are allowed but will be charged a guest fee, which will be payable online.

5.4 Junior members can only bring non-members if accompanied by an adult, with the same limitations as adult guest visitors of three sessions unless attending bona fide club coaching sessions.

6 COACHING 

6.1 Coaching via the club LTA coach and assistants is available to all members and non-members (see limitations above). These are available as group or individual sessions.

6.2 Information on the club coach including Qualifications is on displayed online.

7 WELFARE OFFICER AND COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE 

7.1 The Club Welfare Officers details are displayed on the noticeboard at all times.

7.2 If any member has a disagreement with how the club or another member / committee member has acted then a formal complaints procedure exists. The Welfare Officer operates this complaints procedure and their decision is final.

7.3 Failure to use the formal complaints procedure, having first had insufficient resolution by the committee, invalidates the complaint.

8 SOCIAL EVENTS/CLUB PROMOTION 

8.1 The club will, from time to time, organise social events and social tournaments. All members and prospective members are encouraged to attend and help with the organisation.

8.2 Any arrangement for sponsorship, promotion, advertising etc. Should be agreed via the tennis club committee rather than on an individual basis.