Melbourne Tennis Club recognises our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children (anyone under 18) and adults at risk. We are committed to ensuring our safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and with LTA standards.

We are committed to prioritising the well-being of children and adults at risk and providing a safe and welcoming environment where they are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children and adults at risk receive effective support and protection.

Concerns should be raised to our Welfare Officer Mair Vater

    email:     mairvater@hotmail.com

    phone:   07932116710

Mair (pictured below) is friendly and approachable.  Please feel free to contact her regarding any welfare issues

In the event that Mair is not available, please contact deputy Welfare Officer Sallie Allen

    email:    sallie.allen@hotmail.co.uk

    phone:  07939 599310

If the Welfare/Deputy Officer are unavailable or a safeguarding concern relates to them, the concerns should be referred directly to the LTA via https://safeguardingconcern.lta.org.uk/.

The purpose of our Rules & Policies is: 

• To protect children and adults at risk (including children of adults who use our services) from harm 
• To provide the necessary information to enable people to meet their safeguarding responsibilities 
• To deliver good practice and high safeguarding standards 
• To outline our commitment to safeguarding children and adults at risk 

Our Rules & Policies apply to any person who plays, coaches, officiates, works, volunteers, or otherwise participates at or visits our venue.  

The Club Constitution and Policies related to safeguarding can be down-loaded using the following links.  You can also view the full Policy documents by selecting the relevant website sub-page

  - Rules & Code of Conduct

   - Safeguarding Policy Statement

   - Safeguarding Policy & Procedures

   - Photography & Filming Policy

   - Online Safety & Communications Policy

   - Anti-Bullying Policy

   - Policy for Safeguarding at events, activities & competitions

    - Constitution

The Club Rules are outlined below. 

Club Rules:

• All courts are available for play from 8.00 a.m. onwards during daylight hours.  The hard courts are available until 9.30 p.m. under floodlights and the artificial grass courts until 8.00 p.m. under floodlights. These hours must be strictly adhered to due to planning permission restraints.  N.B. we do not have exclusive use of the MUGA hard courts and these are at times booked out for netball and other sports.
• Members must book out courts on ClubSparks prior to playing.
• The Committee shall have the power to close the tennis courts, at such times and for such periods, as they consider necessary whether for maintenance or in the interest of safety.
• No member shall play music on the courts.
• Members must wear suitable attire including non-marking trainers which must have a good grip and are clear of mud/debris.
• No member or guest shall play on any court unless suitably attired for tennis.
• In the interest of safety – dogs are not allowed within the court areas and small children must be under adult supervision.
• Aggressive, offensive or abusive language or behaviour is not permitted.
• Racquet or ball abuse should be refrained from.
• Fair and safe play is encouraged.
• Players must wait until for a suitable break in play to enter or leave the courts and must not walk behind players when play is in progress.
• Mobile phones should be switched to silent.
• Members should welcome new members and players to the Club irrespective of their experience of the game and their level of play.
• Players should clear any debris e.g. fallen leaves etc. prior to playing.
• Players should not leave rubbish on the courts but dispose of it in the bin outside the hard court entrance.
• Ball machines are only permitted to be used on the hard courts.
• Members will be expected to look after Club property including nets, fencing, carpet surface etc.
• Should a member find any damage to Club property then this should be reported to the Club Secretary immediately.

HEALTH & SAFETY:

• Should any accident occur on the tennis courts or surrounding area then this must be reported to the Club Secretary and Welfare Officer.

• An Accident Report Form must be completed.  The Accident Book is held behind the Bar in the MSP Building – contact Alex Slater.
• A First Aid Kit is held in the MSP Building and all coaches will have First Aid Kits.
• NOTE: There are two defibrillators on site.  One on the wall of the MSP Building facing the Rugby pitches and one at the Artificial Grass Pitch.

GUESTS:

• Any full member may introduce guests to the Club to play on either the hard or artificial grass courts.
• The member introducing the guest must pay the appropriate guest fee online of £10 p.p. for up to 2 hours of play at any one time. No person may be admitted as a guest on more than four occasions in any Club Membership year.
• Bank details for payment are:    M.T.C.  - Acc. No. 89903935 - Sort Code 60-14-19
• Should a non-member play on up to 4 occasions and then decide to take up membership – the amount paid as a guest may be deducted from the membership fee.
• The Committee shall have the power to bar any person from being invited to the Club as a guest if it believes that it is in the best interests of the Club to do so.

 EXPECTATIONS OF ADULT MEMBERS:

• Prioritise the well-being of all children and adults at risk at all times.
• Treat all children and adults at risk fairly and with respect.
• Be a positive role model. Act with integrity even when no one is looking.
• Help to create a safe and inclusive environment both on and off court.
• Report all allegations of abuse or poor practice to the Club Welfare Officer.
• Value and celebrate diversity and make all reasonable efforts to meet individual needs
• Not smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs of any kind on Club courts or whilst representing the club at competitions or events.
• Not abuse, neglect, harm or discriminate against anyone or act in a way that may be interpreted as such

EXPECTATIONS OF JUNIOR MEMBERS:

• Be friendly, supportive and welcoming to other children and adults.
• Play fairly and honestly.
• Respect club staff, Volunteers and Officials and accept their decisions.
• Behave, respect and listen to your coach.
• Take care of your equipment and Club property.
• Not bully, intimidate or harass anyone - including on social media
• Not smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs of any kind on Club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions or events
• Talk to the club WELFARE OFFICER about any concerns or worries they have about themselves or others.