Rules

Club Rules

Introduction

Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club (NPLTC) was founded in 1889 and is one of the oldest tennis clubs in Britain.

The members are proud to combine the club heritage with their ethos of being a welcoming, informal and friendly club for tennis players of all levels and their families.

NPLTC is incorporated as a private company and is limited by guarantee.

The governing documents for the club are the Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association dated 5 July 2011 and filed with Companies House (Registered company number 7693533).

In accordance with article 16 of the Articles of Association, the Board of Directors of the club have approved the following rules for the day to day running of the club and which all members of the club agree to abide by.

In addition to these rules, all members agree to abide by the Lawn Tennis Association Rules (LTA) and Disciplinary Code. This can be found at www.lta.org.uk

The Directors may terminate the membership of any person, or impose any other sanction they determine to be appropriate, in connection with the breach of any condition of membership set out in these rules or the rules of the LTA.

Membership

  1. All new members must complete the on-line ClubSpark application form.
  2. New members who are over 18 and who have paid their subs become members of the company. We encourage all members to attend the AGM and to help participate in the running of the club.
  3. In the event that the club/company is wound up, the liability of members is limited to £10.
  4. All new members must familiarise themselves with the following procedures which can be found in the clubhouse or on the club website:
  • Safeguarding Policy for children and adults
  • Diversity and Inclusion Policy
  • Use of Changing Rooms Policy
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Accident and Emergency Guidance
  • Accident Report Form
  • Photographing and Filming of Children Policy
  • Hard courts and floodlights policy

 

Safe Play

  1. All members and visitors must adhere to current LTA guidelines on safe play. This can be found at www.lta.org.uk and in the regular emails that are sent to members.

Hours of Play

  1. The courts may be used between the hours of 8am and 10pm.

Court Bookings

  1. All courts are bookable except during regular Club training sessions and the hours of Social Tennis. All bookings must be made using the ClubSpark booking system. There is no charge for court bookings.
  2. We recommend that children under the age of 13 are supervised by their parent/carer whilst at the club and outside of any organised sessions, such as coaching lessons or tennis camps.

On-Court Rules

  1. Tennis or non-marking shoes must be worn. Any member wearing inappropriate footwear will be asked to leave the court.
  2. Sports clothing must be worn. Tops must be worn at all times.
  3. Four (4) players per court is the maximum allowable and spectators must be outside the fencing.
  4. Chewing gum must not be deposited on the court surface, nor the nets, net posts or fencing.
  5. Nets must not be over tensioned and must be wound down at the conclusion of play.
  6. Never lean on, or attempt to jump the net.
  7. No animals are allowed on the courts.
  8. Un-sportsmanship, noisy behaviour and foul language will not be tolerated. Any infringement of this rule will result in the player concerned being asked to leave the court.
  9. Do not place heavy objects on the court surface. Sharp toys, roller skates, in-line skates, bicycles and scooters etc. are not permitted on the courts.
  10. All litter must be removed from the court and placed in the litter bin.
  11. No smoking is allowed within the courts enclosure, and cigarette ends are to be placed in the litter-bin provided.
  12. Gates to the courts should be kept closed at all times.

Floodlights

  1. Floodlights may be used when necessary. Please note that the floodlights should be allowed to cool for 20 minutes between use. Please see the Hard Court and Floodlights Policy for more details.

Tennis Etiquette

  1. It is required that all players take turns in supplying tennis balls for social tennis sessions.
  2. Team players are required to pay a match fee for both home and away matches. The fee is used to offset the cost of providing tennis balls for these fixtures.
  3. In the Club Tournament draw, the player or players on the top line of the draw is/are required to supply tennis balls for the match.
  4. Whilst players are rallying on court, members passing along the back of the court or the pathway behind the court should remain still until the rally has ended, so as not to distract members who are playing.

Club Sessions

  1. Club sessions are designed for members of all ages and abilities to play together. Whenever possible games should be mixed doubles. No game will last longer than one set unless there are no members waiting to play. If the session is busy this may be reduced to 4 games. If a Board member is present then they will organise the order of play at Club Sessions.

The Club House

  1. The Club House is available to members when a Board member is present at the club and when the club house is not hired out for an event. The Club House is sub-let during school hours and may not be used at this time. An outside toilet is available for members.

The Bar

  1. Alcohol may be sold by the Club for consumption on the premises to bona fide members of the Club, visitors, and any other Club whose team is playing on the Club’s premises.  Alcohol cannot be sold to anyone who is under the age of eighteen years.
  2. Only Club Board members are allowed to serve alcohol in the bar. Please see the notice board for a list of the current Board members.

Smoking

  1. No smoking is allowed in the Club House or on the courts. The area to the side of the club house and adjacent to the car park is a designated smoking area.

Dogs

  1. Dogs are welcome but are not allowed on the courts. Dogs may not enter the food preparation area or behind the bar in the Club House.
  2. Dogs must be supervised by their owners at all times and any mess must be picked up immediately. Any member has to the right to request that a dog is placed on a lead.

Visitors

  1. Every member shall be allowed to introduce visitors who can use the Courts upon payment of an hourly fee. The member is responsible for the prompt payment of the fee and also must write the particulars of the visitor in the Visitor’s book, which should then be signed by the visitor. No visitor residing within fifteen miles of the Club shall use the courts on more than four occasions in any season.

Health and Safety

  1. Accidents or injury must be recorded by email to clubsec@norburyparkltc.co.uk . A first aid kit is located in the outside bar and in the clubhouse.