Last updated: Aug 12, 2025
Purpose & scope
This code sets out how club nights run and how everyone is expected to behave. It applies to all members, visitors, captains, and committee at every club session and related activity in the venue.
Key Codes
- Be kind and respectful — zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, discrimination, or abuse.
- Play fair — respect line calls, apologise for net cords, and accept results without drama.
- Keep clear of live courts — never cross a court during a rally; wait for a natural pause.
- Look after the venue — no food on courts, keep bags off court-side alleys, leave the hall tidy.
- Back the community — include others, especially new and returning players.
- Feather shuttles are expensive — treat them with care on and off the court.
Session flow & pegboard rules
These rules should be followed when not using a digital or automatic pegboard system.
- Queue: Waiting players line up left-to-right on the lower peg section. Visitors use a clearly marked visitor peg.
- Picker: The left-most member (visitors don’t pick) selects the next game.
- Who can be picked: Choose three other players from the next 7 pegs (bounded by the red tape).
- Mix it up: Prioritise (1) variety of partners/opponents, (2) balance of ability, (3) inclusion.
- Training games: Allowed only when the session isn’t busy and must not dominate.
- Repeat players: A new game should include no more than two players from the game just finished.
- Re-pegging after play: After a match, add the four pegs to the back of the queue — winners first, then runners-up.
- Adjustments: Only the duty committee member may temporarily tweak the “next 7” rule to manage bottlenecks or to correct obvious imbalance. The red-tape window must remain visible and in use.
When a digital or automatic pegboard system is in use, the matchups selected by the system should be adhered to, paying close attention to the pairings on each side, and ensuring every match score is entered correctly at the end of play.
Any adjustments to the selections made by the system must only be made by a committee member for the purposes of keeping matches fair and balanced.
Court etiquette & safety
Respect calls — if unsure, play a let.
Keep score clearly — call out scores every rally.
No coaching from sidelines unless it’s a designated training slot and the court agrees.
Thank your opponents — quick handshake/fist tap and move pegs or enter scores promptly to keep things flowing.
Crossing courts — Don’t. Wait until the rally ends.
Stray shuttles — Call “Let” and toss or tap underarm back to the nearest player; never smash or lob shuttles across live courts.
Warm-ups — Keep to a minute or two when busy; be ready to start scoring promptly.
Rackets & language — No racket throwing, no swearing at people. One warning; repeat and you sit the next game.
Injuries — Stop play, clear space, and seek first aid. Report incidents to a committee member.
Picking games – pick games based on ability; not gender
Formation for mixed games— assume all games are played as ‘levels’ (rather than mixed formation) regardless of gender unless otherwise agreed
Being selected — when the peg board system is in use, it is the sole discretion of the picker to choose who plays in the next game. All players will respect their decision.
Shuttles policy
Feathers are expensive — use them smartly.
Pick sensibly: Start with a lightly used but true shuttle when possible; only open new if the used options aren’t match-worthy.
Mid-game swaps: Replace only when flight or shape is clearly gone.
Sorting system (between courts):
- NEW – sealed tubes for matches that truly need them.
- MATCH-READY – lightly used shuttles placed cork up on the base of the net post.
- WARM-UP – heavily used shuttles (recycling tub).
- BIN – broken/deformed (multiple feathers missing, split cork).
End-of-night: Committee and captains lead the tidy-up: return pegs; sort shuttles into the correct containers; bin the rest.
Welcoming visitors
Greet & brief: Committee members welcome visitors, explain the pegboard and confirm the visitor peg.
Payments: Take details and payment (cash or SumUp) before they play if applicable.
Matchmaking: Share visitor ability with the picker so games stay balanced.
Safeguarding: Visitors agree to this code while on court; concerns go to the Welfare Officer.
Disputes, sanctions & reporting
On-the-night fixes — Minor issues are sorted by the duty committee member.
If it escalates — Repeated or serious breaches may result in a warning, game sit-out, removal from the session, or referral under the club’s Discipline and Appeals process in the constitution.
How to raise an issue — Speak to the Club Welfare Officer, a duty committee member, or the Chair with details (who, what, when, witnesses).
By attending, you agree to this Code of Conduct
Turning up to club night means agreeing to this code.
Don’t be that person who slows the flow or kills the vibe — play fair, include others, and help keep the night running smoothly.
Declaration
Academy Badminton Club hereby adopts and accepts this Code of Conduct as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.
