Our expectations of our players

Southsea Badminton Club is built on mutual respect and player safety. This page outlines the mandatory safety rules, equipment requirements, and behavioral standards expected of everyone attending our sessions.

Our expectations of you

Our players are fantastic community members, who happily mix and socialise with others, and make SBC a welcoming place to play for all to develop their game.

If you attend our club night, you are expected to mix as instructed, and to treat others with respect in accordance with the Badminton England player Code of Conduct that you signed up to upon registering at SBC.

Feedback and requests

As organisers we welcome feedback and requests for particular types of game. We’ll try to accommodate requests within reason. For example, you might request more mixed doubles games if you have a match coming up and would like some practice.

However a mixed social club night is not the environment to provide games customised to an individual – we would advise you organise your own private session if you only wish to play with specific players.

Zero tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour

We have a zero tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at club nights. This includes inappropriate behaviour towards organisers, such as:

Not engaging with games you don’t like – club organisers and coaches are more objectively able to judge your ability than you are, so please respect them and other players
Pressuring organisers on club nights – we try to ensure all our players at the session have the best experience possible, so are balancing the needs and wishes of everyone in attendance
Not following instructions – club nights are organised by our committee volunteers – do not invite yourself or others on court or rearrange games, equipment, lighting etc unless you’re asked to do so
Only wanting to play with certain players or friends – if you wish to only play with specific players please instead organise your own private session, rather than attending a social club night

Or towards any other players:

Aggressive or intimidating play – while we welcome competitiveness, SBC aspires to a safe and friendly club atmosphere
Discrimination of any kind - the club will not tolerate any discriminatory comments or behaviours

We are volunteers giving up our time for free to put on sociable, competitive, and low cost badminton for others. We may ask you to leave if you do not co-operate with instructions or display anti-social behaviour towards organisers or other players at the club.

If you have any concerns or believe a player may have breached the code of conduct please contact our welfare officer.

Safety at club sessions

We ask players to observe some simple safety measures for the enjoyment of all players at our sessions.

Before playing

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for badminton, i.e. indoor court shoes and sports clothes.
Bring your own bottle of water.
Do not attend if you’re feeling unwell.
Inform organisers of an pre-existing health conditions when signing up

While playing

Be aware of where your partner is and call shots that go between you to avoid collisions.
Refrain from smashing directly at opponents who are at the net.
Don’t look behind you if a shuttle has passed you to avoid being hit in the face, and be aware of your partner when passing the shuttle to the server.

Off court

Don’t step onto or near another court while a point is in play – if you need to retrieve a shuttle wait until the point is over.
Don’t cross courts while moving about the hall.
Keep bags and other belongings out of the way, i.e. not blocking walkways or near courts.
Inform the organiser of any health and safety issues like drinks spillages, issues with equipment, or if you begin to feel unwell.