Membership rules
1. Introduction
1.1. These membership rules apply to Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Limited (GBWR).
1.2. Under GBWR’s Articles of Association (as amended 21 September 2022) (the Articles), the Board has the power to make, vary and revoke Rules relating to membership of GBWR:
• setting out different categories of membership of GBWR,
• setting out rights, privileges, and obligations of the different categories of Member,
• setting the levels of subscriptions or entrance fees to be paid by the different categories of Member, and
• such other rules as the Board thinks fit.
2. Categories of Membership
2.1. There are four categories of membership of GBWR:
• A. Full Membership
• B. Associate Membership
• C. Junior Membership
• D. Affiliated Club Membership
which are defined within these Membership Rules by the following criteria and subcategories:
2.2. A. Full Membership is open to individuals who are aged 18 or over and who are:
• players; and/or
• coaches;
and resident within England, Scotland, or Wales.
2.3. B1. Associate Membership is open to individuals who are aged 18 or over and who are:
• family members of players, coaches and/or officials;
• friends of players, coaches and/or officials;
• volunteers;
• officials;
• classifiers;
• supporters; and/or
• sponsors;
and resident within England, Scotland, or Wales.
2.4. B2. Non-resident Associate Membership is open to individuals who are aged 18 or over and who are:
• players; and/or
• coaches;
and resident outside of England, Scotland, or Wales.
2.5. C1. Junior Membership is open to individuals aged between 12 and 17 years (inclusive) and who are:
• players
• training alongside adult participants and/or competing in the adult league
and resident within England, Scotland, or Wales.
Junior Membership also permits members to train in junior-only sessions and/or compete in junior-only competition.
2.6. C2. Junior Programme Membership is open to individuals aged between 8 and 17 years (inclusive) and who are:
• players
• training in junior-only sessions and/or competing in junior-only competition
and resident within England, Scotland, or Wales.
2.7. C3. Junior Associate Membership is open to individuals who are aged between 14 and 17 years (inclusive) and who are:
• volunteers/officials who are aged between 14 and 17 years (inclusive); and/or
• assistant coaches who are aged 16 to 17 years (inclusive)
and resident within England, Scotland, or Wales.
2.8. D. Affiliated Club Membership is open to wheelchair rugby clubs, and the criteria through which an application may be accepted or declined is defined and set out in separate documentation detailing Club Membership.
3. Voting Entitlement
3.1. Full Members of GBWR are entitled to vote, receive notice of and attend general meetings of GBWR.
3.2. All other member categories are entitled to receive notice of and attend general meetings of GBWR, but are not entitled to vote.
4. Resolutions
4.1. Full Members are entitled to propose resolutions at general meetings providing any such resolution has the support of 5% of the total voting Membership and is of a constitutional nature and made with a proposer and seconder.
4.2. Such resolutions to be made in writing and to be received no later than fourteen days prior to the annual general meeting.
5. Applications for Membership
5.1. Under the Articles an individual may become a Member of GBWR where:
• that person has completed an application for membership in such form as required by the Board, and
• the Board has approved the application.
5.2. GBWR will require certain criteria to be met to authorise all categories of membership types, and these will be made clear during the application process.
5.3. The Board reserves the right to refuse to approve or renew an application for membership (including an application for Junior Membership) if at any time it shall be of the opinion that it is in the interests of safety to do so, or for any other reason at the discretion at the board.
6. Conditions of Membership
6.1. Under the Articles:
• All Members shall be subject to the Rules and Regulations (as defined in the Articles).
• All categories of Membership are required to pay any entrance fees and annual subscription at the relevant level set by the Board.
7. Subscriptions and/or Entrance Fees
7.1. The annual subscription levels for each category of Membership are set by the Board prior to the beginning of each membership period.
7.2. The levels of annual subscription for each category of membership in the current financial year are shown at gbwr.org.uk/membership
7.3. The Board may, at its sole discretion, waive its right to charge an entrance fee and/or subscription for one or more categories of membership from time to time.
8. Membership Period
8.1. The Membership period is 1 April to 31 March annually.
Existing members
8.2. Existing members may renew their membership for the forthcoming membership period at an ‘early bird’ rate between 1 to 31 March.
8.3. Existing members may renew their membership for the current membership period at the full rate from 1 April.
New members
8.4. New members may register their membership for the forthcoming membership period at an ‘early bird’ rate between 1 to 31 March, and this registration will provide membership from the date of payment to the end of the current membership period and the forthcoming membership period.
8.5. New members may register their membership for the current membership period at a reduced rate between 1 April to 30 September.
8.6. New members may register their membership for the current membership period at a further-reduced rate between 1 October and 28/29 February
9. Subscriptions In Arrears and Appeals Process
9.1. Any Member whose subscriptions and/or entrance fee is more than three months in arrears shall be deemed to have resigned their membership of GBWR, unless the Board decides otherwise.
9.2. Under these Membership Rules, the Board will reach any such decision through the appeals process set out in the relevant Policy Regulation.
9.3. All categories of Membership are bound to these Membership Rules and to the Regulations of GBWR.
9.4. GBWR’s current Regulations and Policies are set out in the relevant sections of the Articles and also GBWR’s website relating to governance, safeguarding, equality/diversity, and anti-doping.
V011 approved by the GBWR Board of Trustees by email January 2024.
To be reviewed by the GBWR Board of Trustees by January 2026.
