Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the more frequently asked questions...
What standard of player do you accept?
Teachers' is not really a club for beginners as we have players ranging in standard from Club/League to County standard; however it is ideal for those who have reached a good standard, and want to progress further. We will be honest with you regarding whether your current standard will allow you to compete on level terms within the club; to do otherwise would not benefit you and be unfair. Our philosophy is... 'come and see whether we suit you' ...but if we don't fit your expectations we'll do our best to help you find a club that does.
You use feather shuttles. Are these different to plastic shuttles?
Yes. A feather shuttle has different flight characteristics and this alters the timing of shots. Making the transition to feather shuttles can be very frustrating.
Can I come as a visitor?
Yes, but only for a limited time, insurance rules require this restriction.
How many times, and how much does it cost?
4 sessions at £5 per session. However if you subsequently decide to join the club any money paid to that date will be 'credited' towards the membership fee.
How much does it cost to join?
£100 (18+ in full employment)
£70 (Students, voluntary workers etc.)
The cost of each class has risen by £5 this season, but is the first increase in the last 5 years.
Does all the money go to the club?
No. A proportion (approximately 15%) goes in affiliation fees to the national and county governing bodies.
What happens to that affiliation fee?
It helps maintain the national and county governing bodies. More importantly it provides you with insurance in the event of being injured, or inflicting injury on another player.
So how much does each club night cost me if I join?
Usually there are 30 club nights in the season so £3.25 if paying the higher rate, £2.25 if paying the lower rate. For three hours of badminton, including shuttles, this makes for a cheap night out!
You mentioned League standard players. What teams do you have in the League?
Ladies: Two teams, one in Division 1 and one in Division 2
Mixed: Three teams, one in Division 1 and two in Division 3
Mens: Three teams, one in Division 1, one in Division 2 and one in Division 4
Does this mean that there aren't many ladies in the club?
Of 40+ registered members approximately one quarter are female, however we would like to see more ladies as they are such a civilising influence!
If I play for a Teachers League team, do I have to pay a match fee?
Yes. This is to defray the extra hall hire and shuttle costs. Currently the match fee is set at £4.00 per match, and you must be a member of the club as with such a healthy membership it would be unfair to allow non-members a place in a team.