Membership

The Summerway Constitution recognises two types of

Membership. Firstly, there are the Playing Members,
the eight to eighteen year olds, around whom the Club
revolves. Secondly, there are the supporting Adults,
mostly parents and past parents. There may also be
a small number of Junior Members aged seven and
under, sanctioned by the Committee, who can get a foot in the door. Both Playing Members and Junior Members pay a joining fee and later an annual subscription, whereas the Adult Members don’t have to pay anything to the Club for the privilege of supporting their youngsters. Adults contribute in kind!

The Coaches consider that a maximum of eighty-five Playing Members can be accommodated on the two courts available, so for most of the Club’s existence that has been the membership limit. In recent years fifteen extra non-coaching places have been made available to reduce the numbers on the waiting list. If these renew early, they will be able to join a group coaching grade the following year. Junior Membership is currently limited to three boys and three girls.

No distinction is made in Club activities between boys and girls. However, it has to be acknowledged that most boys and girls feel uncomfortable if they are the only member of their sex in a group activity. To reduce the possibility of this occurring, the Club has a policy of not allowing the gender imbalance to exceed three to two in both types of playing membership.

Regarding the Waiting List which builds up during the year, prospective families are invited to pay a visit and be introduced to the Summerway ethos. This allows them to be reasonably sure of their wish to join. In the past year, the Committee has approved attendance at Summer Sessions and Winter Sessions on a more or less monthly basis for those on the waiting list, and the success of this needs to be assessed when we see how many have come up to scratch regarding joining.

For the Committee’s thoughts on Junior (7 & under) Membership, click here.