Last updated: Aug 12, 2025
Club name and affiliation
Academy Badminton Club (Academy, Academy BC) is a long-established grassroots community badminton club based in Knowle, Bristol. It is affiliated to Avon Badminton Association and Badminton England and has a number of teams playing in the Avon Badminton League.
Aims and objectives
The aims and objectives of the club are to:
- Promote the enjoyment and love of badminton
- Ensure the rules of the sport are taught and upheld
- Provide a safe and inspiring space to play and enjoy badminton in, offering a range of play from casual and friendly through to advanced and competitive
- To encourage a wider range of people to participate in, and progress in the local league and identify pathways for players to progress in other competitive badminton opportunities where appropriate
- Offer more structured training sessions and competition opportunities to all club members
- Build a community around the badminton club with regular off-court activities and regular socials and meetups for all members
- Provide a duty of care and protection to all club members
- Make sure all club members are treated equitably and have their badminton needs met
Membership
We currently offer one category of membership.
Membership is paid every half year, and covers access to the weekly 3 hour club night on Wednesdays, as well as individual membership to Badminton England and insurance covering our players.
Membership also provides access to additional training sessions and league entry on an optional basis.
Sport Equity
We want everyone to enjoy their time playing at our club.
We pay attention to the needs and balance of our membership at the club and actively reach out for new members on an ongoing basis, ensuring we are broadening our target audience to be inclusive and fair.
We are working with Badminton England and Sport England for support and guidance on this front.
Committee
The committee is elected at each AGM and is formed of current members of Academy Badminton Club.
The roles outlined below should be reviewed periodically to ensure every role is clear of what their responsibilities are, as well as assigning new requirements to the right person (some of which may change from year to year)
Ultimately it is the responsibility of all committee members and captains to act as role models of Academy Badminton Club, advocating for the Code of Conduct and acting in the best interests of its members whilst at club nights and at organised social occasions.
Below is an outline of the current committee and captain positions, their current holders, and their responsibilities in their roles.
Chair
Current holder: Jake op den Brouw
- Organise and facilitate the AGM.
- Ensure the accountability of other committee members.
- Manage any general disputes or issues which come up in the club.
- Act as a figurehead of the club: ensure its smooth running, support its members and take the initiative to make any improvements where possible.
Treasurer
Current holder: Stefan Nardini
- Organise club finances by keeping a record of inflows and outflows and making sure the club account reconciles.
- Check invoices/costs to the club are correct and pay them in a timely manner.
- Set the term fees each year to cover all costs while providing the best value for club members.
- Ensure all term and match fees are collected and paid in full.
Secretary
Current holder: Mike Paton
- Record the minutes for club meetings and make them available to all club members.
- Register the club and its members with Badminton England and keep an up to date record of BE registration numbers, which is accessible to all members.
- Ensure the club remains compliant by providing risk assessments, H&S and insurance documents where necessary.
- Engage with Avon Badminton Association and Badminton England as required, cascading relevant information to members and ensuring the club is appropriately represented.
Welfare Officer
Current holder: Sanjay Mata
- Lead safeguarding for the club in line with Badminton England policies and procedures.
- Be the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns; handle confidentially and refer to the County/Badminton England Lead Officer when needed.
- Implement and review the club’s safeguarding plan; keep guidance visible and up to date.
- Maintain a register of DBS checks and safeguarding training; chase renewals (typically every 3 years).
- Make safeguarding a standing agenda item at committee meetings; promote relevant training (e.g. Safeguarding & Protecting Children, Time to Listen).
- Sit on disciplinary panels when a safeguarding element exists; otherwise remain independent.
Social Secretaries
Current holders: Richard Evans & Aoife Currid
- Organise a range of social events throughout the year for club members.
- Plan and arrange the Academy Christmas meal.
Web Admin
Current holder: Jake op den Brouw & Richard Evans
- Manage the club’s online presence by maintaining and updating the club website.
- Manage communication received via the website or social media, either by responding directly, using an automated process or by ensuring it is forwarded on to the club mailbox for further action.
Fixtures Secretary
Current holder: Jo Richards
- Attend and represent the club at the annual fixtures meeting, usually held in September at the BAWA Healthcare & Leisure Club in Filton. Distribute the minutes and any key developments from this meeting to the club.
- Organise league fixtures with other clubs. Once agreed, publish the fixtures schedule to the club.
- Liaise with our home venues and book all home fixtures.
- Accommodate reschedule requests where possible and when given in good time.
- Ensure captains are updated with any changes to their fixtures schedule.
Tour Secretary
Current holder: Charlie Durigan
- Organise a banging badminton tour to a lovely destination outside of Bristol (e.g. vs Cardigan Badminton Club and staying at Y Clinc and having an evening meal at Mannucci’s)
Social Media Team
Current holder: Alankrit & Hannah
- Establish and maintain social media presence
- Make regular updates to social media sites to attract new members and raise the profile of the club
- Respond to any enquiries that come in through social media sites
Team Captains
Current holders: Alankrit (Singles), Charlie (Mixed 1), Matt R (Open 1), Mike P (Open 2), Tarun (Open 3) & Hannah (Womens)
- Select a team to play in your chosen league. As a rule of thumb, a doubles team should only be entered into the league if it has at least 4 committed players and 2 reserves (half that for a singles team). Higher division teams take the first pick of players.
- Ensure all team members are informed of the time and location of their matches well in advance.
- Submit any reschedule requests with as much notice as possible, preferably at the start of the season. This helps avoid point deductions from late reschedules/cancellations and the challenges of rearranging fixtures.
- Fulfil each fixture with a full team, using reserves if necessary.
- Bring and complete scorecards to home matches. Take a photo of scorecards at away matches to keep as evidence.
- Send completed home match scorecards to the League Committee (bristol.fixtures@gmail.com) as soon as possible after a match is played. Late scorecards incur penalties.
- Bring 2 full tubes of shuttles to home matches if playing at St. Paul’s/not at The Park.
- (At your discretion) Bring snacks to home games for the opposition. It’s a league tradition but not every club does it.
- Collect match fees from players and send these to the club account at the end of the season (usually April).
League Rules for Team Selection
- Players can play as a reserve for a team in a higher division twice before they are tied to that team.
- You can only play for one club per league. You can however play for different clubs in different leagues. For example, you could play for Academy in the Open league and Broadlands in the Mixed, but you could not play for both Academy and Broadlands in the Mixed. There are four leagues: Open, Mixed, Women’s and Singles.
Finances
Finances are managed responsibly by our Treasurer.
We keep a float of over £2000 in the bank to ensure there are contingency funds for any outstanding circumstances.
Membership pricing is updated yearly to reflect any increases in cost, whilst being mindful of affordability for members, and sustainability of the club.
AGMs and EGMs
The Academy AGM is held in the summer each year and is open to all members. It reviews the running of the club, including elections for committee roles and captains, membership numbers, finances, and key events such as tournaments, tours, and development.
An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) can be called by the Committee or by a written request from at least 25% of paid-up members. At least 14 days’ notice and an agenda must be issued, and business is limited to the stated items.
A quorum for AGMs and EGMs is 20% of paid-up members. Decisions are made by simple majority of those present and eligible to vote; the Chair has a casting vote.
Meetings may be held in person or online, and minutes are circulated to all members.
Amendments to the constitution
In addition to the AGM, regular meetings will be held for the committee to discuss any amendments to the constitution.
A vote will be passed and the amendment made or shelved.
Discipline and appeals
All members are expected to adhere to our Code of Conduct, promoting respectful behaviour towards fellow players, officials, and club facilities. Our Code of Conduct can be found on our website at academybadmintonclub.co.uk/code-of-conduct
Reporting Concerns
Any member concerned about inappropriate behaviour should report it to the Welfare Officer (TBC), Chair (Jake op den Brouw) or Secretary (Mike Paton) in confidence.
Disciplinary Process
The Committee will investigate all reported concerns. The process may involve:
- Informal discussion with those involved.
- A formal written warning.
- Temporary suspension of club privileges.
- In serious cases, permanent expulsion from the club.
The club may liaise with external bodies (e.g. Avon Badminton Association, Badminton England, or safeguarding authorities) in serious cases, especially those involving safeguarding or criminal conduct.
Appeals
Members subject to disciplinary action have the right to appeal to the Committee in writing within 14 days of receiving notification of the decision. The Committee will review the case and provide a final written response. If the issue cannot be resolved internally, the Avon Badminton Association may be consulted for mediation.
Dissolution
Should the Academy Badminton Club be dissolved:
- The decision must be made at an AGM or EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) with a minimum of two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
- All debts and liabilities will be cleared using the club’s available funds.
- Any remaining assets or funds will be donated to a registered charity supporting badminton or grassroots sports, preferably Badminton England, or an alternative agreed by the majority of the remaining membership.
No individual member shall benefit financially from the dissolution of the club.
Declaration
Academy Badminton Club hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.
