WHAM is an adult club for players aged 18 and over. Membership is subject to space, playing suitability and committee approval. The club has a maximum of 25 members, which the committee may review.

Subscriptions are payable quarterly. If payment remains outstanding two weeks after the due date and no arrangement has been agreed, membership may lapse. Contact the Treasurer or Club Secretary promptly if you have difficulty paying.

Visitors are welcome subject to space, safety and playing suitability. The visitor fee is £7.00 per evening session, payable on entrance. Visitors must follow the same playing and conduct rules as members.

WHAM mainly plays doubles. Mix in with other players, take turns, follow any court rota and avoid monopolising courts or excluding others.

Singles are permitted only when attendance is low, courts are available and nobody is unfairly left waiting. When players are waiting, games must be doubles unless the committee or session organiser agrees otherwise.

The club uses Yonex Mavis 2000 shuttles. Replace damaged shuttles when necessary and avoid unnecessary waste.

Everyone should be treated fairly and with dignity and respect. Bullying, harassment, intimidation and discrimination are not tolerated, whether in person, at social events or through club communications.

Membership and visitor access are managed fairly, taking account of capacity, safety, playing proficiency and conduct. The club will consider reasonable adjustments where practical. Raise requests or concerns with the Club Secretary or another committee member.

Everyone has the right to feel safe. WHAM is an adult badminton club, and safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Report concerns promptly to a committee member. Record facts clearly, do not promise secrecy and handle information sensitively. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

Play fairly, follow the rules of badminton and respect members, visitors, committee members, venue staff and other leisure centre users.

Share court time, communicate with your doubles partner and resolve disagreements calmly. Do not bully, harass, intimidate, discriminate or behave recklessly. Use WhatsApp respectfully.

Unsafe, disrespectful or repeated poor behaviour may be handled under the disciplinary regulations.

Wear suitable indoor court footwear, keep bags and bottles clear of playing areas and emergency exits, and follow the leisure centre’s instructions.

Do not play if injured, unwell or unable to play safely. Stop play if someone is hurt, a person or shuttle enters the court, or there is a wet floor or another hazard. Report unsafe conditions, accidents and near misses.

WHAM relies on Better Eastern Leisure Centre’s first aid provisions and first aiders. Seek venue staff assistance and call 999 in an emergency.

Download Accident & Incident Report Form (PDF)

Blank form • 6 pages. Complete and return privately to a committee member.

Badminton involves normal sporting risks, including slips, falls, collisions, racket or shuttle impacts and injuries from sudden movement. Take reasonable care of yourself and others, communicate during doubles and stop play when conditions are unsafe.

Assumption of risk

All members and visitors take part in badminton voluntarily and accept the ordinary risks inherent in the sport, including the possibility of injury. Each player is responsible for deciding whether they are fit to play, playing within their ability, following club and venue safety rules, and taking reasonable care of themselves and others. Players must stop if they become injured, unwell or unable to continue safely.

Nothing in this statement excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited. Participation does not remove the club’s or any other person’s legal duties.

The handbook states that WHAM holds insurance through Badminton Wales. Insurance documents can be requested from the committee.

Download Risk Assessment (PDF)

Printer-friendly PDF • 6 pages • Full risk-assessment chapter and hazard table from the WHAM Members Handbook.

Report accidents, injuries, near misses, safeguarding concerns and serious conduct issues promptly to a committee member. Immediate safety and first aid come first.

Record the facts accurately, rather than gossip or opinion. Incident records must be kept securely. Serious or repeated issues may require further committee action or referral outside the club.

Minor issues should normally be resolved informally. Serious or repeated matters may lead to formal disciplinary action. The person concerned should be told the concern and given an opportunity to respond.

Possible sanctions include warnings, suspension, removal of WhatsApp access, refusal of visitor attendance or termination of membership. Matters should be handled fairly, privately and proportionately.

Members can usually appeal a formal sanction within 14 days. Safeguarding or criminal matters may need referral outside the club. Ask the Club Secretary for the full procedure.

WHAM keeps personal information needed to run the club, including contact details, membership and payment records, and relevant incident records. Emergency contact information may be provided voluntarily.

The Club Secretary manages club communications and the Treasurer manages payment records. Keep your details up to date. Personal information should be secure and shared only for a proper reason; the club will not sell it.

Use WhatsApp for appropriate club communication. Do not discuss sensitive personal, safeguarding or disciplinary matters in the group. Members and visitors can ask the club about the information it holds about them.

Games at WHAM are normally played to 21 points.

Scoring review — January 2027 AGM: Members will consider whether to adopt games to 15 points or retain games to 21 points for WHAM club play, following the introduction of the BWF’s new 3 × 15 scoring system from 4 January 2027. WHAM will continue to play to 21 points unless the club agrees a change.

A shuttle landing on the line is in. Serve diagonally into the correct service court; in doubles only the correct receiver may return the serve.

For WHAM’s simplified club guidance, serves should be controlled, below waist height and struck base/cork first. Follow the full handbook for serving and scoring detail.

WHAM venue rule: if the shuttle touches the roof, speakers, lights, beams or another roof structure, it is out and the player or pair who hit it loses the rally.

Do not touch the net, hit the shuttle twice or deliberately distract an opponent. Stop for safety hazards. Make honest line calls and, where there is genuine doubt, normally replay the point.

The handbook supports the club constitution. Where they overlap, the constitution should normally take priority. The committee keeps club policies under review and the Club Secretary normally keeps the master copy.

Members should be told about important changes. Ask the Club Secretary for the current handbook, constitution or the full policy relevant to your enquiry.