Club Operations

Parents who sign up their children for junior membership do not need to pay for a separate club membership themselves. However, they are considered members under the club’s systemwide membership for safety and protection.

When a parent registers their child via ClubSpark, their contact details are linked to the child’s profile. By accepting the terms and conditions during registration, the parent agrees to both:

• Their child becoming a junior member, and
• Themselves being recognised as a parent member (in a legal and policy sense, not a subscription or fee-paying sense).

This ensures that:

• The club’s safety and conduct policies apply to parents who attend or interact with the club.
• Legal protections are in place, since children under 18 cannot enter enforceable contracts on their own.

Parents will appear in the club’s ClubSpark system for visibility and accountability but will not be counted as members for reporting purposes (e.g. annual returns).

This will provide cover for the club’s “Management Personnel”, i.e. the club’s Committee members and officers (including administrative/management personnel) and trusted personnel and staff in relation to:

• Club funds mismanaged by Management Personnel and/or any trusted person; 
• Allegations against Committee members (i.e. the board) and Management Personnel for breaches of privacy;
• Defence costs in relation to allegations made by members for a breach of duty by the Committee and Management Personnel;
• The organisation providing an indemnity to Management Personnel in accordance with the club’s constitution and rules;
• Defence costs in relation to allegations of defamation against the club’s Management Personnel; and/or
• Allegations of wrongful advice to Members and/or poor decision making by the Management Personnel. 

We’re pleased to share some positive changes to the insurance options available to tennis clubs through Howden Insurance:

Premium Reductions

• Lower Rates: Howden has reduced insurance premiums by 10–15% for tennis clubs, making comprehensive cover more affordable for everyone.
• Natural Disaster Cover: The rating structure has been updated, so Howden can offer many clubs, with buildings constructed between 1964 and 1984, a reduction in their premiums.Improved Artificial Turf (Court) Cover
• Extended Replacement Age: Clubs can now claim for the full replacement of artificial turf courts up to 10 years old (previously only up to 5 years). This means better protection for your investment in quality playing surfaces

Other Key Benefits

• Comprehensive Liability Cover: Protection for club members, volunteers, and visitors.
• Property & Contents Insurance: Flexible cover for clubhouses and equipment, with improved rates for older buildings.
• Personal Accident & Event Cover: Financial protection for injuries and event disruptions.
• Risk Management Support: Access to legal and risk management advice.

If you have any questions or want to review your club’s insurance, please get in touch with Sue Dillon, Howden.