COMMITMENT EXPECTED OF ALL SQUASH SECTION SPORTS PREFERRED MEMBERS (SPMs)
Commitment when joining HKFC as a Senior Sports Preferred Member through the Squash Section
This memorandum confirms that you are aware that you have been accepted to join the HKFC under the Sports Preferred (SP members) scheme, and you are taking on a Commitment for a period of four years.
This Commitment recognizes that you have joined one of Asia’s premier sports and social clubs on advantageous terms and without the need to spend a considerable amount of time waiting for a membership. There is also a significant cost benefit.
SPM membership involves considerable commitment from players. This is not restricted to playing matches and joining social events (which are primarily to the benefit of the SPM) but includes active and pro-active support of the Section throughout the Season. All SPM’s are expected to be fully engaged and involved in the Section.
Before agreeing to take-up SPM, you should give careful consideration to whether you will be available to satisfy the commitments.
Your successful application to join the HKFC as an SPM through the Squash Section comes with the support of section, by vote from the Committee of the day. The Committee has undertaken that you will meet, and exceed, the required commitments as an active member of the Section. The Committee may withdraw support at its sole discretion at any time, particularly should your commitments be missed.
The purpose of this communication is to:
(a) Remind and re-emphasize the need for that commitment.
(b) Clarify what we mean by commitment.
(c) Ensure that there is no ambiguity or misunderstanding.
The Squash Section of the Club is your “Sponsor” and every year we seek to attract and allocate places for new members based upon a variety of factors.
However, demand for places is high and we adopt a rigorous selection process to ensure that we bring in players with a range of skills and willingness to participate in the life of the section.
The key phrase here is “life of the section” which means that it is expected that members will participate not just in playing competitive league but also supporting the many activities that are arranged throughout the year.
Commitment means, in addition to the regular fees and obligations of membership, the section will automatically withdraw support (and propose termination of membership) in the event of failure to meet the following obligations:
(1) A minimum monthly spend on Food & Beverage of at least the same amount as the monthly subscription. For Sports Preferred Members (28+) the minimum spend ($1,950 per month) will be charged every month and any actual spend in that month credited against that sum.
This is a mandatory condition imposed by the Club and is monitored by the Accounts Department.
Please note that spending relates to F&B in the various outlets; including takeaway F&B items from the G/F deli and coffee shop. It does not include things such as items bought from the pro shop, home deliveries, training, payments for tours, squash social events, etc.
If you are unsure exactly what this means then please ask.
(2) Playing in a minimum of 50% and being available* (see below) to play for at least 75% of the main Winter League matches.
In this regard, when your team convener emails you each week to ask for availability, it is your obligation to reply promptly. Please don’t expect the convener to have to keep chasing up. If you don’t reply, then you are not available, and it will be recorded as such.
Also, it is your responsibility to make sure that your email address and telephone numbers are correct. If you are not hearing anything then get in touch with your convener to find out why.
Additionally, we would expect those who are not chosen to play, or injured, to make an effort to turn up at home matches to support their team, and this would include remaining back after the match to entertain the opposing team.
If you are unable to play due to injury or sickness** (see below), you will need to inform your team convenor and Captain immediately.
Please note that participation in the Masters League does not count, being a social league.
* AVAILABILITY FOR SPM:
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“Availability” for home league match will not stand unless you attend the match and support the team, regardless of being selected to play; and
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“Availability” for away league matches will not stand unless you are on standby and available until 7pm the day before the match. If you are not selected by 7pm the day before the match, you are not expected to attend the match and your availability record will not be affected; and
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If you are asked by a Convenor in a higher division to “draw up” under the HK Squash policy, it will be considered toward your availability and playing record and calculated toward your commitment. This is relevant only in the League for which you are an SPM i.e. Ladies League or Main League.
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** INURY POLICY FOR SPM:
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Injury is unfortunate and the priority of the Club is to ensure you focus on your health and recovery. Any SPM who is injured for a period that will impact their availability and playing commitments, can expect to add another season to their commitment period in line with meeting the Club expectations of four years playing commitment. Your non-playing commitment is expected to be upheld.
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(3) Participation in:
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at least 4 functions per annum.
“Functions” refers to formally arranged social events, tours, tournaments, and ad hoc matches/events. It does not include turning up for Club Nights (but see paragraph 5 below); and
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at least one major social event.
The Start of Season party, the Christmas Party, or the End of Season party; and
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the Annual Club Championships.
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(4) Attendance at the Squash Section AGM.
This is a mandatory requirement, all Sports Preferred members aged 21 or over must attend the Annual Squash Section Annual General meeting.
(5) Being seen around the section.
This is very subjective, but what we are getting at here is that in addition to being involved in formal activities it is expected that you make active use of the facilities for social games, training, box leagues and socializing.
Coming along to Club Nights falls into this category.
Certain people are “familiar faces” around the courts and others are conspicuous by their absence.
(6) Volunteering
For those Sports Preferred Members (SPMs) who volunteer on a regular basis, this will be considered as part of meeting your commitments under “Being Seen around the Section”. It may also be considered as an alternative to participating in 1 or 2 functions for those more actively involved. Volunteering can be helping out in the juniors’ program, tournaments, events, matches and other Section activities.
(7) Attendance at Hong Kong Squash Awards dinner
If your team is to receive any awards at the end of the season, you would be expected to attend the annual Hong Kong Squash awards dinner.
Club Management requires us to closely monitor commitment, and a review and report of all SPMs during their commitment is undertaken every 6 to 12 months.
The outcome of these reports is discussed by the Squash Committee and a decision taken as to what action (if any) is necessary.
SPMs have made a commitment to the Club and the Section at the outset, and the Club takes the view that you are obligated to meet that commitment. If you fail to meet your Commitment during any year of your SPM period, the Section has the right to withdraw support of your membership and recommend to the Club that your membership be terminated.
Any payments made to this point are non-refundable.
We want to emphasize that there is no intention to adopt a heavy-handed approach, and every opportunity is taken to encourage all members (SPM or otherwise) to be active participants. However, if your workload, injury status, or social life means that you cannot honour the commitment you can expect to add another season to their commitment period in line with meeting the Club expectations of four years playing commitment and Section involvement.
The point here is that you cannot make the commitment to the Section, join on advantageous terms, and then not turn up because of other commitments elsewhere. This is a choice that you would need to make.