Membership policies

Membership fees

Membership period

The membership period extends from 1 September one year to 31 August of the next.

Becoming a club member

Membership at Kilbirnie Tennis Club is open to anyone who completes the membership registration (refer to Memberships here) and pays the membership fee in full (with payment instructions available at the conclusion of the registration process).

Returning members

Members of the club will have their memberships automatically renewed for a full year on 1 September annually. Around this time, the club will issue renewal notices. If the renewal fee is not settled by 31 October, the membership will lapse. However, payment of the full membership fee at a later date will restore membership status. To prevent unnecessary follow-ups, members not intending to renew should inform the Treasurer.

New Members

To encourage joining, new club members who join after 30 November receive a pro-rata discount, not including the fixed Tennis New Zealand Affiliation Fee. Membership is valid from the month in which the membership fee is paid through to 31 August. 

A new member is any person who has not been a member of the club for a year or more. 

Short-term membership

The club offers no short-term memberships except for "pro-rata" memberships to new members joining part way through the year. Casual rates are available for non-members/casual players wishing to use the club's facilities— see Information for Non-Members/Casual Players.

Refund of Membership Fees

The club does not issue refunds for membership fees if events such as injury, illness, holidays, unexpected work commitments, unexpected travel, or relocation prevent the use of membership as intended. This policy helps keep membership fees low for everyone. However, the Management Committee may review refund requests in exceptional situations; such requests must be submitted in writing to the Treasurer.

Membership transfers

Membership rights cannot be transferred to another individual.


Interclub fees

Interclub fees must be paid before the commencement of the interclub seasons, which include summer and winter. Players will be informed by the club when their interclub fees are due. These fees cover the expenses the club incurs for interclub players, such as team registration and ball costs. The fees are set to allow the club's interclub expenses and income to balance out. Team captains will endeavor to distribute the number of games evenly among all team members throughout the season.

The club cannot waive or refund interclub fees for events that hinder players from participating in interclub competitions as planned, including injury, illness, holidays, unexpected work commitments, unexpected travel, or relocation. This policy helps the club keep interclub fees lower for everyone.


Non-members/Casual players

Casual players may use the TigerTurf courts on a pay-per-session basis when they are available.  See Information for Non-Members/Casual Players for costs, how to pay, and terms and conditions. 


Guests and casual fees

The casual rate is applicable for guests who come with KTC club members, except in certain situations:

  • If the guest belongs to a different tennis club in New Zealand and the KTC member can play at the guest's club without any fee, the guest won't have to pay the casual rate. This facilitates friends from various clubs to compete at each other's venues, provided they rotate between the clubs.
  • Should a guest be invited for the first time to encourage their membership at the club, the the casuals fees are not required.
  • If a guest is the parent of a junior club member and serves as an occasional practice partner for the junior, the club is lenient concerning the casual fee.
  • Guests, up to six, may freely join KTC club members in the clubrooms. Likewise, friends and family wishing to watch as spectators are welcome to do so at no cost.


Coaching

One Community Tennis has been contracted to provide coaching services at Kilbirnie Tennis Club under an exclusive agreement. Other paid coaches are prohibited from coaching at Kilbirnie Tennis Club without written consent from both Kilbirnie Tennis Club and One Community Tennis.

One Community Tennis pays a licence fee quarterly to Kilbirnie Tennis Club, which permits their clients to receive coaching at the club without incurring casual fees. However, casual fees apply if the clients are not club members and wish to use the club facilities outside of their coaching sessions.


Other policies

It is important for all members to become acquainted with and adhere to the club's Health and Safety policies.

Every member is expected to uphold the club's objectives and refrain from any actions that could damage the club's interests or reputation.