Here Comes the Sun... Remember Sports Court Rules to Avoid Summer (legal) Heat
Summer is fast approaching, so I thought it pertinent to discuss some rules regarding sports court usage and management.
Most Communities have a common area with some type of sports court -- whether it be for tennis, basketball, volleyball, or something else -- that prove to be a source of value and recreation for its membership. However, these amenities can also lead to problems if ground rules aren't established governing their usage. For instance, members may argue about length of time spent on the court, sharing of privileges with others, or even possible injury by debris or trash left by departing players.
Smart Associations can avoid these potential pitfalls by establishing and publishing a set of sports court rules for the membership to abide by. Post these rules on a sign at the courts and periodically distribute them via the community newsletter.
These sports court rules should accomplish the following:
(1) Require Adult Supervision. You can't ban kids from using the facilities, but you can mandate parental/adult supervision. A good cutoff age for requiring this supervision is 14 (any older and you may have to justify your limit with sound reasoning.) Safety & liability are the focus with this rule.
(2) Members (or their guests) Only! You don't want people unassociated with your Community crowding your sports courts or harassing your members. Nor do you want a guest using the court unless the member or resident is in attendance also. You may also want to look at "usage limits" so that one member or group can't commandeer the court for an entire day at the exclusion of others.
(3) Dress Code Enforced. Members should wear proper athletic attire when using the sports court. This includes a shirt and shoes (the last one more for safety than decorum reasons.) [and besides, no one wants to see that tattoo of Mom displayed on your shoulder in all of its faded glory]
(4) Hours of Operation. Nobody wants to hear you scream in frustration at the crack of dawn as your fifth consecutive forehand slice bounces meekly into the net. OR the thunderous cheers of the crowd (all three of 'em) when you finally hit that improbable three-pointer from the sideline at midnight. This rule is more for neighborly courtesy than anything else.
(5) Set Usage Time Limits. Tailor this rule to fit the sport. For example, volleyball players can be rotated in if they are waiting on the sidelines; tennis matches can be held to 1 hour each; for basketball, you could try a "winner stays" system whereby the winning team gets the privilege of staying on the court to be challenged by the next team up, and so on.
(6) Ban Food & Drinks ON the Courts. Abandoned food can lead to a rodent problem, and empty food and beverage containers can create an injury hazard for other players. Life-sustaining drinks like water or sports drinks can be kept on the sideline & consumed during play as a measure against dehydration.
(7) Misconduct will Not be Tolerated. Some communities include bans on profane language, shouting, roughhousing, shoving, and fighting on their courts.
(8) Ban Skates, Skateboards, Bikes, and Trikes. Wheels from these vehicles/devices can damage the surface of the court, not to mention, that collision is likely if several skate-clad members are recreating on the court, or members are having to dodge their orbits around the court as they play.
Most Communities have a common area with some type of sports court -- whether it be for tennis, basketball, volleyball, or something else -- that prove to be a source of value and recreation for its membership. However, these amenities can also lead to problems if ground rules aren't established governing their usage. For instance, members may argue about length of time spent on the court, sharing of privileges with others, or even possible injury by debris or trash left by departing players.
Smart Associations can avoid these potential pitfalls by establishing and publishing a set of sports court rules for the membership to abide by. Post these rules on a sign at the courts and periodically distribute them via the community newsletter.
These sports court rules should accomplish the following:
(1) Require Adult Supervision. You can't ban kids from using the facilities, but you can mandate parental/adult supervision. A good cutoff age for requiring this supervision is 14 (any older and you may have to justify your limit with sound reasoning.) Safety & liability are the focus with this rule.
(2) Members (or their guests) Only! You don't want people unassociated with your Community crowding your sports courts or harassing your members. Nor do you want a guest using the court unless the member or resident is in attendance also. You may also want to look at "usage limits" so that one member or group can't commandeer the court for an entire day at the exclusion of others.
(3) Dress Code Enforced. Members should wear proper athletic attire when using the sports court. This includes a shirt and shoes (the last one more for safety than decorum reasons.) [and besides, no one wants to see that tattoo of Mom displayed on your shoulder in all of its faded glory]
(4) Hours of Operation. Nobody wants to hear you scream in frustration at the crack of dawn as your fifth consecutive forehand slice bounces meekly into the net. OR the thunderous cheers of the crowd (all three of 'em) when you finally hit that improbable three-pointer from the sideline at midnight. This rule is more for neighborly courtesy than anything else.
(5) Set Usage Time Limits. Tailor this rule to fit the sport. For example, volleyball players can be rotated in if they are waiting on the sidelines; tennis matches can be held to 1 hour each; for basketball, you could try a "winner stays" system whereby the winning team gets the privilege of staying on the court to be challenged by the next team up, and so on.
(6) Ban Food & Drinks ON the Courts. Abandoned food can lead to a rodent problem, and empty food and beverage containers can create an injury hazard for other players. Life-sustaining drinks like water or sports drinks can be kept on the sideline & consumed during play as a measure against dehydration.
(7) Misconduct will Not be Tolerated. Some communities include bans on profane language, shouting, roughhousing, shoving, and fighting on their courts.
(8) Ban Skates, Skateboards, Bikes, and Trikes. Wheels from these vehicles/devices can damage the surface of the court, not to mention, that collision is likely if several skate-clad members are recreating on the court, or members are having to dodge their orbits around the court as they play.
(9) No Pets on the Court. They can stay on the sidelines and watch like everybody else. Pets can be a hazard and/or distraction to others using the court, and could even pose a bite hazard to other members in such a public setting.
(10) Play At Your Own Risk. Members assume the liability for their actions and usage of the sports court. It should be communicated clearly that the Association nor its management company will be responsible for injuries suffered by members during usage of the sports court.
(11) Reserve the Right to Suspend the Usage Privilege. The sport court should be operated as a privilege, and not a right; thus, violators of the sport court's rules will be subject to suspension or even banishment for the summer season if conduct warrants it.
*special thanks to Vendome Group, Insider's Guide to Managing Community Associations
posted by William G. Gammon at 1:26 PM
William G. Gammon
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