Terms and Conditions of Membership — Blackheath Rhinos

Last updated: 18 April 2026

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These Terms and Conditions apply to all players, parents/carers, members and participants joining or attending Blackheath Rhinos Football Club, including training sessions, matches, camps, events and any club activity operated by or on behalf of the club.

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By registering with, attending, or making payment to Blackheath Rhinos Football Club, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions.

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For players under 18, acceptance must be given by a parent or legal guardian unless The FA rules allow otherwise.

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1. About the Club

• 1.1 Blackheath Rhinos Football Club is a grassroots football club committed to providing a safe, inclusive, respectful and enjoyable football environment for children and young people.

• 1.2 The club operates in line with applicable FA Rules, County FA requirements, league rules, safeguarding requirements, Respect standards and any other rules or regulations that apply to grassroots football from time to time. Where these Terms and Conditions conflict with FA, County FA or league rules, those rules shall take precedence.

• 1.3 The club reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time. The latest version published by the club shall apply.

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2. Definitions

• In these Terms and Conditions:

• Club means Blackheath Rhinos Football Club.

• Player means the child or adult registered to participate.

• Parent/Carer means the player’s parent, legal guardian or responsible adult.

• Member means any registered player and, where relevant, their parent/carer.

• Season means the football season or membership period determined by the club.

• Training means all coaching, practice and development sessions.

• Match means any league, cup, friendly or tournament fixture.

• Officials means club staff, volunteers, coaches, managers, committee members and welfare officers.

• The FA means The Football Association.

 

3. Eligibility and Membership

• 3.1 Membership is subject to available space, appropriate age group placement, and completion of all required registration, consent and payment steps.

• 3.2 The club reserves the right to refuse, defer or withdraw membership where:

  • the age group is full,

  • required information or consent has not been provided,

  • fees remain unpaid,

  • the player is not eligible under FA or league registration rules,

  • there are behaviour, safeguarding, welfare or disciplinary concerns,

  • the club reasonably believes membership is not in the best interests of the player, the team or the club.

• 3.3 A place at training does not automatically guarantee a matchday place, a place in a particular squad, or selection for a particular fixture.

• 3.4 Team allocation remains at the club’s discretion. The club may move players between groups, sessions or teams where this is considered appropriate for development, welfare, logistics or squad balance.

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4. Registration and Consent

• 4.1 All players must be properly registered with the club in the manner required by the club, The FA and the relevant league or competition.

• 4.2 No player may take part in club activity unless the club has received all required registration details, emergency contact details, medical information and consent.

• 4.3 For players under 18, a parent/carer must provide accurate and complete information and any required consents. For older youth players, the club may also require self-consent where permitted under FA processes.

• 4.4 The parent/carer confirms that all registration information supplied to the club is true, complete and up to date.

• 4.5 By registering a player, the parent/carer agrees that while participating in club activity the player will be under the supervision of the team manager, coaches, assistants or other adults authorised by the club.

• 4.6 It is the parent/carer’s responsibility to notify the club immediately of any change to:

  • address,

  • telephone number,

  • emergency contact details,

  • medical information,

  • school collection permissions where relevant,

  • court orders or restrictions relevant to the player’s attendance or collection,

  • any safeguarding or welfare issue relevant to the player’s participation.

 

5. Membership Fees, Subscriptions and Payments

• 5.1 Membership, registration, monthly subscriptions, match fees, camp fees, event fees and any other charges must be paid in accordance with the payment terms set by the club.

• 5.2 The club may offer payment in full or by instalments. Where instalments are offered, the total seasonal commitment remains due unless the club agrees otherwise in writing.

• 5.3 Missing a payment, cancelling a direct debit, or failing payment collection does not automatically cancel membership or remove the underlying amount due.

• 5.4 The club reserves the right to suspend participation, withhold registration, remove access to sessions, or decline match selection where fees remain overdue.

• 5.5 Failure to make payment when due may result in the player being suspended from training and/or matches until payment is brought up to date or another agreement is reached with the club.

• 5.6 Any outstanding sums owed to the club at the end of the season will remain payable.

• 5.7 Where reasonable efforts to recover unpaid sums have failed, the club reserves the right to pursue outstanding monies through debt recovery procedures or other lawful recovery methods.

• 5.8 Any discounts, sibling rates, funded places, hardship support or promotional offers are granted at the club’s discretion and may be withdrawn if the relevant eligibility criteria are no longer met.

• 5.9 Any registration or membership fee that includes kit, admin, league entry, insurance, affiliation, platform charges or other committed club costs may be wholly or partly non-refundable once processed or ordered.

• 5.10 The club reserves the right to charge reasonable additional sums for optional extras, tournaments, specialist sessions, trips, events, additional kit or replacement kit.

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6. Attendance and Commitment

• 6.1 By joining a team, members commit to regular attendance at training sessions and matches.

• 6.2 The club expects players to attend consistently, be punctual and give proper notice of absence wherever possible.

• 6.3 Players joining a Blackheath Rhinos team are expected to maintain a minimum of 85% attendance across training sessions and Sunday league fixtures during the season.

• 6.4 Attendance may be reviewed periodically throughout the season and may be taken into account when deciding whether a player is guaranteed or offered a place for the following season.

• 6.5 Repeated unexplained absence, poor attendance, persistent lateness or unreliable availability may affect:

  • team planning,

  • squad selection,

  • playing time,

  • continued membership,

  • eligibility for renewal or team placement for the following season.

• 6.6 Parents/carers must notify the relevant coach, manager or club contact as soon as possible if a player cannot attend.

 

7. Behaviour and Respect

• 7.1 All members, players, parents/carers and supporters must behave in a respectful and appropriate way at all times.

• 7.2 The club adopts a zero-tolerance approach to:

  • abuse,

  • bullying,

  • intimidation,

  • harassment,

  • discrimination,

  • threats,

  • violence,

  • aggressive touchline behaviour,

  • offensive, insulting or abusive language,

  • conduct that brings the club, league or game into disrepute.

• 7.3 All players, parents/carers, coaches and supporters must comply with the club’s codes of conduct and The FA Respect expectations.

• 7.4 Parents/carers and spectators must:

  • remain in designated spectator areas where required,

  • not coach from the touchline unless authorised,

  • respect referees and opponents,

  • encourage all players positively,

  • never confront players, coaches, officials, volunteers or match officials in an abusive or aggressive way.

• 7.5 Players must:

  • play fairly,

  • respect officials, team-mates and opponents,

  • listen to coaches,

  • avoid dangerous or reckless behaviour,

  • not use discriminatory or abusive language,

  • not damage property or equipment.

• 7.6 The club may take disciplinary action for any breach of expected standards, whether at training, matches, online, on social media, during travel, at events, or in any setting linked to the club.

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8. Safeguarding and Welfare

• 8.1 The club is committed to safeguarding children and young people and to providing a safe environment for all participants.

• 8.2 The club has a Welfare Officer and welfare reporting arrangements. Concerns about a child’s welfare, safety or wellbeing must be reported immediately through the club’s welfare process or directly to the appropriate authority where necessary.

• 8.3 The club may share information with The FA, the County FA, the league, statutory agencies or other appropriate bodies where this is necessary for safeguarding, welfare, legal or disciplinary reasons.

• 8.4 Any safeguarding concern will always take priority over football matters, selection, attendance or payment disputes.

• 8.5 The club reserves the right to suspend participation with immediate effect while any safeguarding or welfare concern is reviewed.

 

9. Health, Medical and Emergency Treatment

• 9.1 Parents/carers must provide full and accurate details of any medical condition, allergy, injury, additional need, medication requirement or other information relevant to the player’s safe participation.

• 9.2 It is the parent/carer’s responsibility to keep this information up to date.

• 9.3 Players must not attend when unwell, injured, contagious, or otherwise not fit to take part.

• 9.4 The club may refuse participation where it reasonably believes a player is not medically fit to train or play.

• 9.5 In an emergency, the club may seek first aid, medical assistance, ambulance attendance, urgent treatment or hospital care for a player where the parent/carer cannot be contacted immediately.

• 9.6 Parents/carers accept that football is a contact sport and carries a risk of injury, including accidental injury.

• 9.7 The club expects parents/carers to collect an injured or unwell child promptly where requested.

 

10. Concussion and Head Injuries

10.1 Any player suspected of concussion or head injury will be removed from activity immediately.

10.2 A player removed with a suspected concussion must not return to play or training that day.

10.3 The player may only return in line with appropriate medical advice and any applicable FA concussion guidance.

10.4 The club’s decision on immediate removal from participation for welfare or medical reasons is final on the day.

 

11. Safety, Risk and Participation

• 11.1 Players, parents/carers and members must follow all safety instructions given by club officials.

• 11.2 The club reserves the right to modify, shorten, postpone, relocate or cancel activity where this is necessary due to weather, pitch conditions, venue restrictions, staffing, safety, welfare, force majeure or other operational reasons.

• 11.3 Parents/carers accept that football sessions may involve:

  • physical exertion,

  • contact,

  • slips, trips and falls,

  • outdoor weather exposure,

  • uneven ground,

  • collision or impact injuries.

• 11.4 The club will take reasonable steps to manage risks but cannot eliminate all risk inherent in sport.

 

12. Weather, Pitch Closures and Session Cancellations

• 12.1 Training and matches may be cancelled, moved or amended due to weather, unsafe pitch conditions, frozen ground, waterlogging, heat, lightning, venue instruction, or any other health and safety or operational reason.

• 12.2 The club will aim to communicate cancellations as early as reasonably possible, but late cancellations may be unavoidable.

• 12.3 Up to three cancelled sessions for each training day, namely Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, may occur during a season due to weather, poor pitch conditions, venue issues or other safety-related reasons without refund.

• 12.4 No refund will be given for cancellations falling within this stated cancellation allowance.

• 12.5 Where reasonably possible, the club will aim to reschedule cancelled sessions to another suitable day.

• 12.6 Where additional sessions are affected beyond the permitted cancellation allowance, the club may extend the season or make other reasonable arrangements at its discretion.

• 12.7 The club is not liable for any indirect costs arising from cancellation, including travel, accommodation, time off work or other personal expense.

• 12.8 Where the club offers make-up sessions, credits, extensions or alternative arrangements, this is at the club’s discretion unless otherwise stated in writing.

• 12.9 The club may publish a separate cancellation policy, seasonal weather policy or training guarantee policy. Where published, that policy forms part of these Terms and Conditions.

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13. Matches, Selection and Playing Time

• 13.1 The club will always aim to act fairly and in the best interests of player development, team welfare and the club ethos.

• 13.2 Match selection is at the discretion of the team manager or coach, subject to:

  • availability,

  • attendance,

  • effort and attitude,

  • player welfare,

  • fitness and injury,

  • discipline,

  • league and competition rules,

  • squad balance,

  • opposition and match circumstances.

• 13.3 Joining the club does not guarantee selection for every match, every tournament, every starting place or every playing position.

• 13.4 Where a team operates on a development and inclusion model, the club will aim to provide fair opportunities across the season, but this does not amount to a legal guarantee of equal minutes in every single fixture.

• 13.5 Cup competitions, representative fixtures, finals and certain higher-level fixtures may involve selection decisions based on competition demands, welfare and eligibility.

 

14. Equipment and Kit

• 14.1 Players must attend with suitable clothing, shin pads, footwear, weather-appropriate kit and sufficient water.

• 14.2 Shin pads are mandatory for football activity unless the club expressly states otherwise for a specific session.

• 14.3 Players may be refused participation if they do not have suitable kit or if their equipment is considered unsafe.

• 14.4 Club kit supplied as part of registration or purchased separately remains subject to availability, supplier lead times and replacement cost.

• 14.5 Lost or damaged kit may need to be replaced at the parent/carer’s expense.

• 14.6 The club is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal belongings.

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15. Drop-off, Collection and Supervision

• 15.1 Parents/carers remain responsible for players until they have been safely handed over to the appropriate club official at the start of a session, and again from the end time of the session unless the club has expressly agreed another arrangement in writing. Parents/carers must not leave a child unattended or assume supervision arrangements are in place unless clearly agreed by the club.

• 15.2 Parents/carers must collect players promptly at the end of sessions and matches.

• 15.3 The club does not provide childcare unless expressly stated.

• 15.4 Players must not be left unsupervised before or after sessions outside the times agreed by the club.

• 15.5 Where the club operates camps, extra sessions or holiday provision, separate collection, supervision and late-collection terms may also apply.

 

16. Travel, Away Matches and Trips

• 16.1 Parents/carers are responsible for arranging transport to and from training, matches and events unless the club expressly agrees otherwise.

• 16.2 The club does not accept responsibility for private transport arrangements made between parents/carers.

• 16.3 Separate written consent may be required for tournaments, trips, overnight stays or special events.

• 16.4 Parents/carers must ensure the club has current emergency contact information for any event away from the usual venue.

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17. Photography, Video and Media

• 17.1 The club may take or receive photographs or video for legitimate club purposes, including coaching, safeguarding review, celebration, club promotion and social media, subject to the club’s consent settings and safeguarding procedures.

• 17.2 Parents/carers must state clearly at registration if they do not consent to their child being photographed or filmed for publicity or promotional use.

• 17.3 Parents/carers and spectators must not photograph or film children in a way that is inappropriate, intrusive, unsafe, or contrary to club rules.

• 17.4 The club reserves the right to restrict or prohibit photography or filming at any event for safeguarding or welfare reasons.

• 17.5 Members must not post online any image, video or comment that could place a child, member, official or the club at risk, breach privacy, or amount to bullying, harassment, abuse or defamation.

• 17.6 Where consent is given, photographs and/or video of players or parents/carers may be used for club purposes including the club website, social media, printed materials and local media, in line with the club’s photography guidance and safeguarding requirements.

 

18. Social Media and Online Conduct

• 18.1 All members and parents/carers must behave responsibly online in any way connected to the club.

• 18.2 The following are prohibited:

  • abusive or threatening messages,

  • posts targeting children, parents, coaches or volunteers,

  • publishing private or confidential club matters,

  • discriminatory remarks,

  • posting footage intended to shame, ridicule or inflame conflict,

  • false or misleading statements about the club or its members.

• 18.3 The club may take disciplinary action in relation to online behaviour where it affects the welfare, reputation, safety or operation of the club.

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19. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• 19.1 The club is committed to providing an inclusive environment and does not tolerate discrimination on grounds protected by law.

• 19.2 The club will take reasonable steps to support participation by players with additional needs, disabilities or medical considerations where it is safe and practical to do so.

• 19.3 Parents/carers must tell the club about any support needs that may affect safe participation.

 

20. Communication

• 20.1 Parents/carers are responsible for checking club communications and keeping up to date with fixtures, training times, venue changes, payment notices and club announcements.

• 20.2 The club may communicate by email, text, phone, app, website, WhatsApp or other digital platforms.

• 20.3 It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to ensure the club has the correct contact details and to read communications sent.

• 20.4 Messages in group chats, team apps or similar channels must remain respectful and relevant.

 

21. Complaints

21.1 The club aims to resolve concerns fairly and promptly.

21.2 Complaints should first be raised through the appropriate club channel and in a calm, respectful and constructive way.

21.3 Complaints involving safeguarding, welfare, discrimination, serious misconduct, abuse or criminal allegations must be reported immediately through welfare or the appropriate authority.

21.4 The club may decline to deal with complaints that are abusive, anonymous without sufficient basis, malicious, repetitive or already determined.

21.5 A complaint does not suspend the obligation to pay fees already due, unless the club agrees otherwise in writing.

 

22. Discipline and Sanctions

• 22.1 The club may investigate any alleged breach of these Terms and Conditions, any club code of conduct, or any FA, County FA or league rule.

• 22.2 Pending investigation, the club may impose temporary measures including:

  • warning,

  • removal from a session,

  • touchline restriction,

  • suspension,

  • deselection,

  • communication restriction,

  • welfare review,

  • termination of membership.

• 22.3 Serious or repeated breaches may result in permanent removal from the club.

• 22.4 The club reserves the right to report conduct to The FA, County FA, league, referee body, venue provider, police, local authority or safeguarding agency where appropriate.

• 22.5 Club disciplinary decisions are final unless the club chooses to offer an internal appeal process.

 

23. Suspension or Termination of Membership

• 23.1 The club may suspend or terminate membership with immediate effect where there is:

  • non-payment,

  • repeated poor attendance,

  • abusive or disruptive conduct,

  • safeguarding or welfare concerns,

  • breach of code of conduct,

  • false or misleading information provided on registration,

  • action likely to damage the club’s reputation or safe operation.

• 23.2 Where membership is terminated due to breach, misconduct or safeguarding concerns, the club is not obliged to refund fees.

• 23.3 The club may also remove a member where continued membership is no longer reasonably workable.

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24. Cancellation by the Parent/Carer or Member

• 24.1 If a parent/carer wishes to withdraw a player, written notice must be given to the club.

• 24.2 Where a player is paying by subscription or instalment plan, a one month notice period will apply unless the club agrees otherwise in writing.

• 24.3 This means that where notice is given during a particular month, the following month’s payment will still be due.

• 24.4 Withdrawal does not automatically remove any outstanding balance already committed for the season, instalment plan, kit order, league registration, tournament entry or other committed cost.

• 24.5 Any refund is entirely at the club’s discretion unless required by law or expressly stated in a written club refund policy.

• 24.6 The club may deduct non-recoverable costs already incurred, including kit, registration, admin, league fees, affiliation charges, payment processing fees and any sessions already delivered.

 

25. Camps, Events and Additional Services

• 25.1 Where the club offers camps, parties, events, school clubs, extra coaching or venue-based activities, separate booking terms may apply in addition to these Terms and Conditions.

• 25.2 If separate terms apply to a specific programme, those terms will take precedence for that programme only.

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26. Data Protection and Privacy

• 26.1 The club will collect, store and use personal data only as reasonably necessary for club administration, registration, safeguarding, welfare, communication, participation management, emergency response, compliance and related legitimate purposes.

• 26.2 Personal data may be shared where necessary with The FA, County FA, leagues, competitions, insurers, medical professionals, safeguarding authorities, venue operators or statutory agencies.

• 26.3 Parents/carers confirm that the data they provide is accurate and that they have authority to provide it.

• 26.4 The club will publish and maintain a separate Privacy Policy explaining how personal data is handled.

 

27. Liability

• 27.1 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes liability where it cannot lawfully be excluded.

• 27.2 Subject to clause 27.1, the club shall not be liable for:

  • loss of personal property,

  • indirect or consequential loss,

  • cancellations or changes caused by weather, venue closure or events outside the club’s control,

  • losses arising from failure by a parent/carer to read club communications or provide accurate information.

• 27.3 Parents/carers accept the ordinary risks of participation in football and related activities.

• 27.4 While the club takes reasonable steps to provide a safe and enjoyable environment, football is a physical activity and participation is at the player’s own risk.

• 27.5 The club maintains public liability cover, but this does not automatically provide personal accident or injury insurance for players. Parents/carers wishing to arrange such cover must do so themselves.

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28. Force Majeure

• 28.1 The club shall not be in breach of these Terms and Conditions where performance is prevented, delayed or affected by circumstances outside its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, flood, fire, disease outbreak, strike, venue loss, power failure, travel disruption, government restriction or emergency incident.

 

29. Severability

• 29.1 If any part of these Terms and Conditions is found to be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue to apply.

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30. Governing Law

• 30.1 These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the law of England and Wales.

• 30.2 Any dispute shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, save where FA, County FA or league rules require a matter to be dealt with under football regulatory processes.

 

31. Acceptance

• 31.1 By registering, paying, attending or continuing membership with Blackheath Rhinos Football Club, the member and parent/carer confirm that they:

  • have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions,

  • will comply with club rules, policies, codes of conduct and guidelines,

  • will provide accurate and up-to-date information,

  • understand that football participation is subject to rules, safety decisions and club discretion,

  • understand that safeguarding and welfare take priority,

  • accept that the player will be under the supervision of authorised club adults during club activity,

  • accept the club’s payment, attendance, cancellation and conduct requirements.