Members, guests and all visitors at the Club are required to follow Club Rules and the TTC Code of Conduct. This page describes the “regular rules” for Tyandaga Tennis Club.
Court Booking Procedures
During Club hours, all members must be registered in the TTC online booking system prior to going on a court.
(a) Every member has access to their account where they can book tennis courts, view payment history and print receipts. To sign up as a member or book a court, visit this link . Only members who are booked in the system have the right to the court they have booked. Members who are booked in the system may bump members who have simply walked on court.
(b) Courts may be booked for different lengths of time: 60 or 90 minutes for singles and 60, 90 or 120 minutes for doubles. Members must wait until their original booking is over before booking a court for a subsequent playing period.
1. Members have to book with 2 names minimum. Guests can be booked for a fee of $15 for each booking.
2. Members not allowed to make consecutive back to back court bookings.
3. Members can only be named on 8 advanced court bookings at any one time.
4. Members are not allowed to book more than 8 days in advance.
5. Booking Cancellation: If you are unable to make your scheduled court time, please cancel as soon as possible so other members can book the same court.
(c) A booked court is held for 15 minutes. If the members do not arrive on court within 15 minutes of their court start time, the booking may be forfeited, and the court becomes available in the booking system to other members. The members who did not arrive on time will be recorded as “no-shows.” Multiple no-shows will result in the suspension of booking and therefore playing privileges.
(d) Web clock, the official computer time, set by Canada’s National Research Council, in EST is the Club’s official clock.
(e) Ball machines may be used but only under the following conditions:
- Between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM
- The adjacent court is not being used at the time of booking.
(f) Miscellaneous equipment
- Baskets of balls can only be brought onto the court if the adjacent court is not being used; otherwise only one can (3 or 4 balls) can be used on the court.
- All balls, cones and other equipment must be removed when the court booking expires.
Tennis Instruction
Only the Tyandaga Tennis Club contracted tennis professional, and his sub-contractors, are allowed to book courts for the purpose of commercial tennis instruction at the club. Members are not allowed to provide tennis lessons for a fee on club facilities simply because they are members.
Tennis instruction can be provided by members under the following conditions:
- Family members can provide instruction to other members of their family.
- Baskets of balls can only be brought onto the court if the adjacent court is not being used; otherwise only one can (3 or 4 balls) can be used on the court.
Etiquette and safety rules
(a) The game of tennis depends on courtesy and fairness. Sportsperson-like, respectful, and courteous behaviour is required at all times on the courts and in and around the Clubhouse.
For clarity: Behaviour such as yelling, profanity, or racquet throwing are not allowed. Cell phones, pagers, beepers must be turned off or on silent mode.
(b) Avoid disrupting other courts: Always enter the courts by the gate or access way closest to your court. Do not access courts 3 or 4 by walking between the bleachers and court 1.
(c) For the safety of all players, wait until there is a break in play to request the return of a ball from another court or to return a ball to another court. Do not cross on to or behind another court to retrieve a ball. Do not return a ball while play is in progress on another court.
(d) A maximum of three balls per court is allowed except if the court has been booked for a lesson with a TTC pro. The practice wall must be booked before being used.
(e) No spectators, strollers, bicycles, dogs, or other non-tennis related items are permitted on the courts at any time, with the exception of parents of very young children taking lessons.
(f) Remove any garbage, food, drinks, clothes, towels, cans or balls from the courts and grounds when you leave to ensure a safe and clean environment.
(g) Players may play only in good weather conditions and on dry courts. In the case of inclement weather, players must exit the courts when directed to do so by the Club Staff or if any thunder is heard or lightning is seen.
Tennis Attire
All players must wear appropriate tennis attire and non-marking tennis shoes. For the protection of players and of the court surface, no jogging, running or other shoes may be worn on the courts.
Public Hours
Public hours are listed at the courts, and on the Club website. Rules for public hours are controlled by the City of Burlington and set in respect of our neighbors.
Code of Conduct
Tyandaga Tennis Club (TTC) is a not-for-profit community tennis Club managed by volunteers for the benefit of its members and guests. The Club pays an annual fee to the City of Burlington, which owns the facilities, to operate the Club, during Club hours during the outdoor season. Membership fees pay for the upgrade and maintenance of the court surface, Clubhouse, nets, windscreens and lights.
Objective of this Code
The TTC Code of Conduct has been put in place to foster a safe, and welcoming environment, free from discrimination, harassment, abuse and violence, at the Club. Its goal is to encourage a community in which individuals – including members and their guests, non-members who have paid to play, staff, contractors and visitors – are treated with respect, dignity and fairness.
This Code of Conduct also provides guidance regarding how to report behaviour which contravenes the Code, or other Club rules, by laying out the Club’s investigative and discipline processes.
The Code is consistent with and expressly incorporates the Club’s purpose, promoting the playing and enjoyment of tennis, as well as the Club’s By‐Laws, Policies, Rules, each as may be amended by the Board from time to time.
Members are reminded that they are responsible for the conduct of their guests who are also expected to abide by our Code of Conduct and Club rules.
These rules are modelled after the Ontario Tennis Association’s “Abuse and Harassment” policies whose objective is to provide a work environment that fosters mutual respect and working relationships free of abuse.
Where any rule or policy in this document is missing or unclear, the OTA’s policy applies.
Definitions
When used in this Code, the following terms will be defined as follows:
Club Monitor is anyone on the TTC Board of Directors or on the TTC Executive.
“Abuse” includes but is not limited to:
a) speaking in an offensive way and a way that ought reasonably be known to be offensive to or about someone; or
b) treating a person with cruelty or violence.
“Discrimination” includes but is not limited to treating anyone on the basis of any prohibited ground under human rights legislation, or City of Burlington Human Rights Policy (HRAP), such as race, ancestry, place or origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability.
“Emergency” is a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment which requires urgent intervention to prevent a worsening of the situation.
“Harassment” includes but is not limited to engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against another person that is known or ought to reasonably be known to be unwelcome.
“Sexual Harassment” includes but is not limited to:
a) engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct with respect to or against another person because of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, where the course of comment or conduct is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome; or
b) making a sexual solicitation or advance where the person making the solicitation or advance is in a position to confer, grant or deny a benefit or advancement to another person or employee and the person knows or ought reasonably to know that the solicitation or advance is unwelcome.
“Violence” includes but is not limited to:
a) the exercise of physical force by a person against another person, that causes or could cause physical injury to the other person;
b) an attempt to exercise physical force against another person, that could cause physical injury to the other person: or
c) a statement or behavior that is reasonable for another person to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against them, that could cause physical injury to them.
Member Responsibilities
By accepting or continuing membership in the Club, every Member is deemed to agree to the following:
- The privileges and rights of each Member are governed by the Club’s By‐Law, Club Policies, and Rules, including this Code of Conduct, each as may be amended from time to time;
- The conduct of each Member is subject to the Club’s By‐Laws, Club Policies, and Rules, including this Code of Conduct, each as may be amended from time to time; and
- Each Member is responsible for compliance by his/her guests with the Club’s By‐Law, Club Policies, and Rules, including this Code of Conduct, each as may be amended from time.
Member Conduct
All Members and their guests shall:
- Conduct themselves in a sportsperson‐like manner when using Club facilities, property and during any Club activity or competition;
- Respect the rights of other Members, their guests, non-members who have paid to play for the day, Club Pros and Staff;
- Respect the Club’s property, facilities and equipment;
- Respect the privacy and personal data of other Members, their guests and Club Staff;
- Refrain from collecting bulk member contact information (e.g. emails, phone numbers etc.) for solicitation, commercial, marketing or political use;
- Abide by all local, provincial and national laws and regulations and orders that apply to Club operations;
- Abide by the Ontario Tennis Association’s Code of Conduct for tennis play and the OTA Anti-Harrassment Policy; and
- Be an ambassador for the Club in the community and as a guest at other Tennis Clubs including but not limited to, play as guests, league play, and community events. Members are expected to conduct/comport themselves with the same respect and dignity for others as if at their home Club.
Interaction with Club Directors, Volunteers, and Staff
Members must understand that:
- Club Directors, volunteers, staff, vendors, contractors and all others providing service to the Club are to be treated with respect, dignity and fairness consistent with the mission and values of the Club community;
- Members are required to follow the directions of the Club staff, including Club Monitors, who may require them to not play or stop playing for safety or other reasons, depending on court conditions;
- Club Monitors are required to fill out an Incident Report and submit it to the Club Board in the event that members or their guests refuse to follow their request that they follow this Code of Conduct and/or other Club Rules.
- Members shall not instruct Club Monitors on their duties or job performance, nor attempt to discipline staff; the Club’s Board of Directors, is solely responsible for instructing Club Monitors in performance of their duties;
- Members may comment or make suggestions to Club’s Board of Directors regarding concerns about the performance by Club Staff, vendors, contractors, partners etc. of their duties or the operation of the Club, for the betterment of the Club, and
- If a Member or guest is viewed as being unfit to play, (for example, unsteady on their feet or otherwise unwell), the Member or guest will be refused access to the courts for safety reasons.
Reporting
Violation of this Code of Conduct by a Member, or guest, may be considered conduct which is improper or injurious to the interests and/or operations of the Club.
Any violation observed by a Member shall be brought to the attention of a Board Member, preferably in writing, at the earliest opportunity. Guidelines for reporting incidents are found below.
Any violation observed by a Club Monitor shall be brought to the attention of a Board Member, by submitting an Incident Report, at the earliest opportunity.
Any violation observed by a Board Member or a member of the TTC teaching staff, shall be brought to the attention of a Board Member, preferably in writing, at the earliest opportunity. Guidelines for reporting incidents are found below
Board members shall report to the matter to members of the Board’s Members’ Relations Committee, a subcommittee of the board.
Directors can be reached via the Contact Us page of the Club website.
Incident Reporting Guidelines
A report about a violation of this Code or of Club Rules should be made as soon as possible after the incident, and should include the following information:
- Name, phone number, email address of the member making the report
- Date and time of incident
- Names of any witnesses
- Name of alleged offender(s)
- Full details of the incident including what led up to the incident, who was involved, and what happened
- Date incident report is being submitted
Violations and Process
The Club’s Members’ Relations Committee will investigate reports of conduct that is improper or injurious to the interests or operations of the Club or which wilfully violates or neglects the observance of the Club’s By‐Laws, Policies, or Rules, including this Code of Conduct.
The Committee may ask for reports from witnesses. If any member of the committee or board was party to the incident under investigation that member will offer a written report and then recuse themselves from any vote regarding what should be done regarding that member.
If the event the initial investigation concludes that discipline of a Member is appropriate, the Members’ Relations Committee shall give the Member an opportunity to explain the conduct. The Committee shall email the member, using the email on file in the member’s account, to indicate that a violation has been reported, when that violation occurred, what parts of the Codes or which Club Rules are said to have been breached or broken, and to ask if the Members has anything to say in regards to the report. The Member will be asked to respond within 7 days of the email.
In the case of serious breach of this Code , including where the violation involves the use or threat of violence or other actions that jeopardize health and safety, any member of the Members Relations Committee, or any Director of the Club, may forthwith suspend the member’s or guest’s privileges to use the facility for a period not exceeding 10 days, pending review by the Members Relation Committee. The Member will receive an email from the Club to which the Member may then respond.
During this process the President may communicate to the membership that a disciplinary matter is being investigated. Recognizing the potential for detrimental impact on the Club and the enjoyment of members, such investigations shall be undertaken at the earliest possible time.
After giving the member an opportunity to address the report, the Members’ Relations Committee will report to the entire Board with its report and with its recommendation. The Board will then consider the recommendation of the Committee and implement appropriate discipline.
Discipline
Discipline may include suspension of rights and privileges, or suspension or termination of membership.
Updated March 2021.