Donaghadee Lawn Tennis Club is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of its members. Every individual in the club should at all times show respect and understanding for their rights, safety and welfare, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the club and the guidelines contained in the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport in Ireland. (See Appendix 1).

1. Membership of the Club will consist of Playing Members, Honorary Members, Social Members, Honorary Vice Presidents, Volunteers/Helpers and Junior Members.

2. All members will receive a copy of the relevant Code of Conduct, a copy of the Club’s Child Protection Policy and a copy of the Constitution. Each member/parent (if member is under 18) will be obliged to sign and return an acknowledgement that they have read and agree to abide by the Code of Conduct, the Constitution and the Child Protection Policy.

1. The club will, if possible, appoint each year two members – one male and one female, who will have a remit for Child Protection. This will include attending relevant training courses, liaising with relevant agencies when necessary and bringing to the attention of the General Committee any incidents or information deemed appropriate. At least one of these Children’s Officers will sit on the General Committee.

Any member who believes the conduct of another member is contrary to the Constitution of the Club, or Governing Body regulations, or whose conduct is likely to bring the Club into disrepute, may inform any member of the General Committee in writing.

A meeting of the General Committee will be held within fourteen days of the complaint being received. All parties involved will be invited to attend individually to speak to the General Committee.

The General Committee will inform in writing both the member who made the complaint and the member(s) who is/are subject to their decision within seven days of a decision being made.

Notification of the complaint will be forwarded to the Governing Body.

The late or non payment of Club and Council court fees before a specified date will automatically lead to a suspension of the member by the General Committee team captains will not select such members for club teams.

Members are referred to the Code of Ethics to govern their on-court behaviour at all times. Any complaints received about members’ behaviour when on the club courts or when fulfilling any league or representative fixtures will be treated as a complaint and the due investigation process will take place.

Where a complaint is deemed of appropriate severity by the General Committee, the General Committee have the right to invoke the Disciplinary Procedure.

The General Committee will have the following options at its disposal under the Disciplinary Procedure:

1. Call any member to a meeting of the General Committee and issue a verbal warning to them concerning their future conduct.

2. Impose a period of suspension for a defined length of time.

3. Terminate the membership of the person as outlined in the Constitution.

During the period of suspension, the member is suspended from all activities at, or on behalf of Donaghadee Lawn Tennis Club and therefore will be ineligible to participate as a member, in the affairs of the Club.

The member will be informed in writing of the reasons for the suspension and the date from which the suspension will commence. The General Committee will inform all the members in writing of the suspension. The member may invoke the Appeals Procedure.

The General Committee has the power to re-instate the suspended member if the appeal finds in favour of the member and, the Honorary Secretary will inform the member in writing of the date when he/she is re-instated.

When participating in representative matches the nominated Team Captain is responsible for the maintenance of good court discipline and adherence to the Code of Ethics by all members of his/her team.

Notification of the disciplinary action taken and the outcome of any appeal will be forwarded to the Governing Body.

A member may appeal a decision to the General Committee in respect of a disciplinary matter or a complaint. The appeal must be made in writing to the Honorary Secretary within fourteen days of the member being notified about the outcome of a complaint or disciplinary procedure. The appeal will be heard by the General Committee at a mutually convenient date not later than fourteen days after the Appeals Procedure being invoked. Notification of the outcome of an appeal will be forwarded to the Governing Body.

The General Committee have the power to terminate the membership of and individual member where it has been demonstrated that a serious breech of the Club Constitution has taken place. The individual member has the right to be heard by the General Committee before the final decision is made. The General Committee will inform the member in writing of any decision to terminate their membership. There will be a right of appeal to the Governing Body, subject to their procedures. Notification of the termination of a membership will be forwarded to the Governing Body.

Guest players at Donaghadee Lawn Tennis Club are entitled to play on a trial basis for two nights free of charge. Following the completion of the two nights the prospective member must pay fees, including the Council Season Ticket, in full before being permitted to play at any Club session in future.

Players who play on the courts during the winter season when the Council Office is closed, and who are not in possession of a valid Season Ticket, are playing strictly at their own risk. Reference will be made to the notice displayed in the Club premises. A club fee may be levied for "off season" membership.

All members are entitled to use Donaghadee Lawn Tennis Club tennis balls each time they play on the club courts. However, these items must not be removed from the premises of the club without permission being sought from the club Chairman.

Donaghadee Lawn Tennis Club

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