Membership

By joining Largs Pickleball Club, you are agreeing to the rules set out in our constitution and our code-of-conduct policy, see below.

As a member you will:

• Have discounted rates for most of our events

• Ability to join member only events

• Participate in members only competitions

• We recommend that you also join Pickleball Scotland for personal indemnity insurance and other benefits, see below.

Our annual membership fee for 1st Oct 2026 through till 30th September 2027 is, £xx

• To join, you need to download the Spond app and use the following code:    https://group.spond.com/POJMW 

• Once you have joined our club on Spond - head to the 'Payments' tab to pay for your membership.

• or sign-up directly here - Click here

The website for Largs Pickleball Club does not collect any data about you.

If you play at a session or become a member, we will require some personal information from you, and the following note will apply.

Data Privacy

Based on your consent, Largs Pickleball Club will use your personal data, including personal sensitive data, only for the purpose of administering the club, membership and coaching, and to send you information related to those purposes by email or SMS. The information will be retained on our database in an electronic format while you are a member. Telephone and email details will be removed automatically if you request removal from our mailing list and database. Names, addresses, date of birth, telephone numbers and emergency contact details will be deleted if you do not renew your membership. The information you provide us with will be kept securely. We will never share your personal data with third parties without your specific consent.

Introduction

Pickleball was founded as a fun, competitive, and highly social sport rooted in respect, fair play, and good sportsmanship. These values remain central to the Largs Pickleball Club (LPC).

Our aim is to provide an environment where every player can enjoy the game, perform to the best of their ability, and, most importantly, have fun.

LPC is committed to maintaining a safe, positive, and welcoming environment across all club activities and events. This Code of Conduct establishes clear expectations for behaviour and outlines potential consequences for breaches.

This Code applies to all members and guests participating in LPC activities, whether as players, officials, volunteers, or spectators. Failure to adhere to this Code may result in disciplinary action by the Club Committee.

1. Respect

• Treat all members, guests, visitors, and staff with courtesy and respect at all times.

• Respect and care for all LPC property and facilities. Report any accidental damage to a Committee member promptly.

• Harassment, bullying, or intimidation of any kind—verbal, physical, or emotional—is strictly prohibited.

• Use appropriate language; inappropriate or offensive remarks are not acceptable.

• Refrain from making derogatory or negative comments about the Club or its members, including on social media.

• Remember that everyone was a beginner once. Players of all abilities should have opportunities to play together. Sharing knowledge and experience enhances skill development and strengthens our club community.

2. Safety

• Warm up properly before play and stretch afterwards to prevent injury.

• Be mindful of your physical condition; play within your limits and avoid overexertion.

• Wear suitable attire and footwear. Clothing should be appropriate and free from offensive imagery or language.

• If your ball rolls onto another court, clearly shout 'Ball!' so all play can safely stop until it is retrieved.

• Avoid any behaviour or style of play that could endanger others.

• Be aware of other activities in shared sports halls and alert others when necessary to maintain safety.

3. Court Etiquette

• Assist in setting up and taking down courts.

• Introduce yourself to unfamiliar players.

• When playing with less experienced players, adjust your style appropriately—focus on placement, control, and sportsmanship.

• Do not target or intimidate weaker players, partners, or opponents.

• In club sessions, play in the spirit of fun and fair competition.

• Offer advice only if requested; when doing so, be constructive and concise.

• Acknowledge good shots by partners and opponents. Accept mistakes graciously and apologise for any inappropriate remarks.

• Always call the score clearly before serving.

• Make sure your opponents are ready to play before serving.

• Exhibit good sportsmanship in all interactions and never encourage unsporting behaviour.

Ball on Court

• Call 'Ball!' immediately when a stray ball enters another court.

• Stop play immediately when you hear 'Ball!' called.

• Do not chase stray balls onto another court while play is ongoing.

• When retrieving a ball, wait until play has stopped, make eye contact with the player it belongs to, and return it safely along the outside of the courts.

• Always return the ball directly to one player and ensure they are ready to receive it.

Line Calls

• Make honest and accurate line calls. When in doubt, call the ball 'in.'

• Respect your opponents’ right to make calls on their side of the court.

• Call your own shots 'out' when necessary.

• Question an opponent’s call only in a respectful manner and accept their decision.

• Correct any incorrect calls made by your partner promptly.

• Resolve any uncertainty in favour of your opponents.

At the end of each game, meet your opponents and partners at the net to acknowledge them positively. In officiated matches, thank the referee for their service.

4. Upholding Club Values

Be a positive, supportive member of Largs Pickleball Club. Your attitude and conduct help shape the club’s reputation and community spirit.

The first point of contact for anyone wishing to raise concerns about a member’s behaviour is the Club Welfare Officer. In many cases, the Welfare Officer can help to address and resolve concerns informally, without the need for disciplinary action.

Constitution of Largs Pickleball Club

1. Name 

The Club shall be called “Largs Pickleball Club” (hereinafter referred to as the Club) and it shall seek affiliation to and be bound by the rules of Pickleball Scotland. 

2. Objectives 

2.1 The objective of the Club is to encourage and foster the game of Pickleball in the Largs area and provide organised playing opportunities for all standards of play and will include: 

● Offering introductory sessions and improvement coaching opportunities ● offering regular organised social and competitive sessions 

● ensuring a duty of care to all members of the Club 

● providing all its services in a way that is fair to everyone 

● ensuring that all present and future members receive fair and equal treatment 

2.2 The Club is committed to encouraging the highest ethical standards. All individuals involved in the Club should conduct themselves with integrity, transparency, accountability and in a fair and equitable manner. 

3. Membership 

3.1 Membership of the club is open to anyone 18 years or over.

3.2 Members in each category shall pay Membership fees as fixed initially by the Executive Committee and then at each Annual General Meeting thereafter. The Club in General Meeting may also require Members to contribute to the funds of the Club by way of a special levy.

3.3 It will be a condition of membership that participating members agree that they may be subject to any external fees levied by the venues where the club holds their events. 

3.4 All members joining the Club shall be deemed to accept the terms of this Constitution and any rules from time to time adopted by the Club, in particular without prejudice to the foregoing generality, the requirement to conduct themselves in accordance with the Club's rules as to discipline set out therein. 

3.5 Any person seeking to join the Club shall submit an application to the Executive Committee. Members shall be admitted by the Executive Committee. Membership is open to all and no application for membership will be refused on other than reasonable grounds. There will be no discrimination on grounds of race, occupation, sex or religious, political or other opinion. 

3.6 The total Club membership may be restricted to a total to be agreed upon by the Executive Committee from time to time. The limitation is based on a number which will ensure members have reasonable opportunities to attend the Club and while attending the Club do not have too long to wait between games. 

If there are no vacancies, a waiting list shall be drawn up and names entered in the order of receipt of request. As vacancies arise they shall be offered in turn to the people on the waiting list. Anyone who does not accept a vacancy when offered, shall be removed from the waiting list. 

3.7 All Members over the age of 18 are eligible to vote at any General Meeting. 

3.8 Any issues regarding the discipline of Members will be dealt with as follows:- 

(a) All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the Secretary. 

(b) The Management Committee will meet to hear complaints within 14 days of a complaint being lodged. This committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership. 

(c) The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 7 days of the hearing. 

(d) There will be the right of appeal to the Management Committee following disciplinary action being announced. This committee should consider the appeal within 21 days of the Secretary receiving the appeal.

3.9 Honorary Life Membership will be awarded to any person deemed to have contributed special service to the Club. This award will provide free lifetime membership of the Club. 

(a) A proposal to bestow Honorary Life Membership may be made by the committee or a member. 

(b) Such proposals must be included in the notice of the AGM. 

(c) All such proposals must be approved by the AGM/EGM. 

4. Management 

4.1 The affairs of the Club shall be conducted by an Executive Committee which shall consist of the Officers of the Club plus up to five ordinary members, all of whom shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. All officers and ordinary members will retire each year but will be eligible for re-appointment. The minimum number of ordinary members shall be one. 

4.2 The Officers of the Club who shall be honorary shall be the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary. If the post of any officer or ordinary committee member should fall vacant after such an election, the Executive Committee shall have the power to fill the vacancy until the succeeding Annual General Meeting. The officers of the Club constitute the Management Committee for disciplinary matters. 

4.3 All Executive Committee members must be members of the Club. 

4.4 The Executive Committee shall have full power to deal with all matters relating to the Club not reserved to a General Meeting in terms of this Constitution, including power to make public and enforce such rules as the Committee feels necessary to govern the activities of the Club including rules relating to discipline. 

5. General Meetings 

5.1 Annual General Meeting 

The Club shall hold an Annual General Meeting in the month of September to: • Approve the minutes of the previous year’s AGM. 

• Receive reports from the Chairperson and Honorary Secretary. 

• Receive a report from the Honorary Treasurer and approve the Annual Accounts subject to verification by a suitably qualified independent third party.

• Elect the Executive Committee. 

• Fix the subscription(s) for the ensuing year. 

• Consider changes to the Constitution. 

• Review and consider any Rules. 

• Deal with other relevant business. 

5.2 Extraordinary General Meeting 

An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called by an application in writing to the Secretary supported by at least 10% of the voting members of the Club. The Executive Committee shall also have the power to call an Extraordinary General Meeting by decision of a simple majority of its members. 

5.3 Notices 

At least 14 days’ notice and the Agenda shall be given to all voting members of any General Meeting. No business shall be conducted unless fair notice thereof is contained in the Agenda. 

5.4 Voting 

• With the exception of changes to the Constitution, decisions put to a vote shall be resolved by a simple majority of voting members at General Meetings. 

• The Chairperson of the Club shall hold a deliberative as well as a casting vote at general and committee meetings, in each case at the time the meeting commences its business. 

5.5 Quorum 

The quorum at General Meetings shall be 20% of the voting members and the quorum for Committee Meetings shall be 5/8th of the Executive Committee. 

5.6 All meetings will be minuted. 

5.7 Changes to the Constitution 

• Any change to the Constitution shall require a two thirds’ majority of those present, eligible to vote and voting at a General Meeting. 

• A proposal to change the Constitution must be submitted in writing to the Secretary who shall circulate the proposal to all members and allow seven days for submission of any amendments before calling a meeting in accordance with rule 5.3 above. 

• All proposals for changes to the Constitution shall be signed by two members eligible to vote at a General Meeting.

6. Finance and Accounts 

6.1 The financial year shall run from 1st August to 31st July each year. 

6.2 The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation of Annual Accounts of the Club. 

6.3 The Accounts shall be certified by an appropriate independent person elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. 

6.4 All amounts drawn against the Club’s funds (whether by cheque or electronic transfer) shall be authorised by the Treasurer and one other nominated office-bearer. 

6.5 The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the group and shall make a financial statement at each committee meeting. 

6.6 All members of the Club shall be jointly and severally responsible for the financial liabilities of the Club. 

7. Dissolution 

7.1 The Club is a non-profit making organisation. All profits and surpluses will be used to maintain or improve or develop the Club's facilities or to carry out the objectives of the Association to which it is affiliated. No profit or surplus will be distributed other than to another non-profit making body on a winding-up or dissolution of the Club. 

7.2 If, upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall be transferred to some other organisation or organisations having objectives similar to the objectives of the Club, such organisation or organisations to be determined by the members of the Club by Resolution passed at a General Meeting or in the absence of such a resolution (or to the extent to which it cannot be given effect) to the Association to which the Club is affiliated.

Chairperson Jocelyn Stirrat

Vice-Chairperson Marion McKee

Treasurer Gordon McKinstry

Secretary Linda Nicol

Ordinary member Val Poyser

Ordinary member Gerry Bruce

Ordinary member Ken Macintosh

Ordinary member Sheena Dunlop

Welfare Officer TBC

Adult membership of Pickleball Scotland costs £15. Offers various benefits and a £5M public liability cover. The £15 also supports Pickleball Scotland in developing our sport.

To join:  www.pickleballscotland.org