Finance Policy
Scope
This policy sets out how Basingstoke Bluefins is financed and how fees and payments are collected. It sets out the responsibilities of the Club and of members with respect to finance.
How the Club in financed
Bluefins is financed through a number of different mechanisms:
- Fees for swimming lessons
- Joining fee
- Training fees
- Direct payment for other activities
Each year, Bluefins establishes a budget. In general the objective is to break even, although losses or profits in previous years must also be taken into account.
Swimming lessons and training are jointly expected to break even. As in the majority of clubs, a surplus from lessons is used to subsidise training for competitive swimmers. All other activities, such as competitions, social events are each expected to break even.
How fees are set
Fees for swimming lessons up to ASA level 8 are based on a fee per lesson, set at a level comparable to other providers of swimming lessons in the area. The annual fee is based on the provision of 40 lessons in the period September to July each year.
Training fees are set as follows:
- The fixed costs of running the club are shared equally by all members of training squads. (This includes permanent staff, office costs etc.)
- The variable costs of the running the club are allocated roughly in proportion to the amount of swimming time available to each squad. The club has a policy of supporting competitive swimming at the highest level, by capping the maximum training fee payable.
How fees are paid
Basingstoke Bluefins
Basingstoke Gazette
Club of the Year 2006
Fees for both lessons and training squads are collected monthly by direct
debit. The annual fee is apportioned equally across all 12 months to avoid the
costs and administration associated with stopping and starting payments in the
summer.
Other forms of payment may be accepted, but only in exceptional circumstances
and there is a �2 surcharge for each fee payment made other than by direct
debit.
It is not acceptable to cancel the Direct Debit in the summer because there
is only limited swimming. In this case, a rejoining fee of �50 will be payable.
Joining Basingstoke Bluefins
Whether you join through the lessons programme or by direct entry to a
training squad, you will be asked to complete a Direct Debit form and to make
your first payment by cheque. There is a one-time joining fee of �25, which is
waived for swimmers entering the club via the lessons programme.
Leaving Basingstoke Bluefins
It is important to recognise that membership in Bluefins at any level is a
joint commitment.
For members on lessons, this commitment is to a designated block of lessons.
Only in exceptional circumstances can lessons be cancelled part way through a
block of lessons.
All members are required to give a full calendar month's notice of
termination in writing (either by letter or by e-mail). Your direct debit should
not be cancelled until after the termination date.
What happens if there is a problem?
If you believe that Bluefins has made a mistake, please contact us as soon as
possible.
Occasionally Direct Debit payments do go astray. If this happens you will
receive a letter from Alison Osmond, the Club Administrator letting you know
that this has occurred.
- When a Direct Debit fails for the first time in a 12 month period, you
will be asked to send a cheque made payable to the club and to contact your
bank to make sure that this does not happen again.
- When a Direct Debit fails for the second time in a 12 month period,
there will be an additional charge of �5 to cover the costs of
administration.
- Where a Direct Debit fails three or more times, membership of the club
will be considered to be cancelled. A rejoining fee of �50 will be payable
to enable continued swimming.
What if I am unable to train because of illness or injury?
In the event that a swimmer is unable to train for one or more complete
calendar months, the club is prepared to refund training fees, on application to
the club office. Evidence of illness or injury (normally a doctor's note) should
be submitted with any application for a refund of fees.
What other fees are there?
Lesson fees and training fees cover all activities that take place during
scheduled training sessions. There are no additional charges for competitions,
time trials etc. that are organised within normal training sessions.
Additional charges are levied for any activity that involves the club in
additional costs, including but not necessarily limited to:
- Individual entry into external competitions (Open Meets, Championships
etc.)
- Transport by bus to away team events
- Entry to Internal Galas, Club Championships
- Social events
- Club logo's items (Hats, bags etc.)
Contacts
Lessons programme payments
[email protected]
Training fees
[email protected]
Club office
Basingstoke Bluefins Swimming Club, The Aquadrome, Basingstoke
Leisure Park,
Worting Road, Basingstoke RG22 6PG
Basingstoke Bluefins
Basingstoke Gazette
Club of the Year 2006
Fees for both lessons and training squads are collected monthly by direct debit. The annual fee is apportioned equally across all 12 months to avoid the costs and administration associated with stopping and starting payments in the summer.
Other forms of payment may be accepted, but only in exceptional circumstances and there is a �2 surcharge for each fee payment made other than by direct debit.
It is not acceptable to cancel the Direct Debit in the summer because there is only limited swimming. In this case, a rejoining fee of �50 will be payable.
Joining Basingstoke Bluefins
Whether you join through the lessons programme or by direct entry to a training squad, you will be asked to complete a Direct Debit form and to make your first payment by cheque. There is a one-time joining fee of �25, which is waived for swimmers entering the club via the lessons programme.
Leaving Basingstoke Bluefins
It is important to recognise that membership in Bluefins at any level is a joint commitment.
For members on lessons, this commitment is to a designated block of lessons. Only in exceptional circumstances can lessons be cancelled part way through a block of lessons.
All members are required to give a full calendar month's notice of termination in writing (either by letter or by e-mail). Your direct debit should not be cancelled until after the termination date.
What happens if there is a problem?
If you believe that Bluefins has made a mistake, please contact us as soon as possible.
Occasionally Direct Debit payments do go astray. If this happens you will receive a letter from Alison Osmond, the Club Administrator letting you know that this has occurred.
- When a Direct Debit fails for the first time in a 12 month period, you will be asked to send a cheque made payable to the club and to contact your bank to make sure that this does not happen again.
- When a Direct Debit fails for the second time in a 12 month period, there will be an additional charge of �5 to cover the costs of administration.
- Where a Direct Debit fails three or more times, membership of the club will be considered to be cancelled. A rejoining fee of �50 will be payable to enable continued swimming.
What if I am unable to train because of illness or injury?
In the event that a swimmer is unable to train for one or more complete calendar months, the club is prepared to refund training fees, on application to the club office. Evidence of illness or injury (normally a doctor's note) should be submitted with any application for a refund of fees.
What other fees are there?
Lesson fees and training fees cover all activities that take place during scheduled training sessions. There are no additional charges for competitions, time trials etc. that are organised within normal training sessions.
Additional charges are levied for any activity that involves the club in additional costs, including but not necessarily limited to:
- Individual entry into external competitions (Open Meets, Championships etc.)
- Transport by bus to away team events
- Entry to Internal Galas, Club Championships
- Social events
- Club logo's items (Hats, bags etc.)
Contacts
| Lessons programme payments | [email protected] |
| Training fees | [email protected] |
| Club office | Basingstoke Bluefins Swimming Club, The Aquadrome, Basingstoke
Leisure Park, Worting Road, Basingstoke RG22 6PG |