About us

History

We were formed in the late 1990’s as South Wales Gay Badminton (SWGB) and after playing for several years at Cardiff Leisure centres, we moved to our current venue at Sophia Gardens in 2017. We changed our club name to Cardiff Red Kites in 2023.

Our main focus is on being a social club, and as our members have a wide range of ability levels, we have a good mix of competitive and social games.

Many people have made long lasting friendships at Red Kites. If you have any questions please get in touch using our contact page.

Committee 2025/26

Lawrence: Club chair & player development officer
Ian: Membership and welfare officer
Rachel: Communications officer & interim treasurer
Ryan: Tournaments officer
Lloyd: Club secretary

Club documents

Constitution

Club Name

1.1 The club name is Cardiff Red Kites.

Aims and Objectives of Cardiff Red Kites

2.1. The aims and objectives of Cardiff Red Kites are as follows:

To promote and enable the play of badminton for players of all abilities within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer + (LGBTQ+) communities.
To work to ensure that all club members are treated equally, fairly and with respect.
To create and maintain a friendly playing atmosphere.
To promote social activities.

Club Committee

3.1. The Committee of Cardiff Red Kites consists of up to a maximum of 10 officers. 3.1.1. The Committee of Cardiff Red Kites consists of both principal and secondary officers in line with the 'Committee Roles and Responsibilities' document, which is reviewed and approved by the authority of the Committee. Further information on these roles are available to all members via this document.3.2. A new Committee will be elected every year.3.2.1. For each year, the elections will take place over July to August and elected members will take up post on 1st September. The term of office will run until 31st August the following year.3.2.2. The annual election will include any Committee posts that are in addition to the principal posts.3.2.3. Any Committee members who are not elected to serve in the term of office following an election are responsible for providing a handover to their replacement. 3.2.4. All elections to the Committee will be by electronic secret ballot. 3.2.5. Where there are two or more candidates for a post, the candidate receiving the most votes is elected. Where there is only one candidate for a post, the ballot form should ask whether the candidate should be elected, or whether nominations should be reopened. 3.2.6. Where there is one candidate for a post and the result is a tie between the candidate and the option of reopening nominations, the election shall proceed to a second round. Additional candidates can stand in the second round, in which case a ballot will be held as set out in paragraph 3.2.4, but if the only candidate for the second round election is the same person as in the first round, then that candidate is automatically elected without a further vote. 3.2.7. Where the result is a tie between two or more candidates, the election shall proceed to a second round. Only those candidates that came equal first in the first round can stand in the second round. If the result of the second round election is a further tie, the existing Committee shall determine the election result, unless candidate(s) withdraw from the election leaving only one candidate, who shall then be declared as being elected. 3.2.8. The Committee in office at the time of Committee elections will run the elections and will determine any rules and procedures relating to the elections that are not covered by this constitution. 3.3. There is no limit to the number of terms of office that Committee members can serve.3.4. If a Committee post becomes vacant before the annual election, there shall be an ad hoc election to fill the vacancy. This should follow the same process as for the annual elections. 3.4.1. Any Committee member elected in an ad hoc election less than six months before the date of the next annual election can continue to serve in the next Committee without needing to stand for re-election at the next annual election, until their 12 month term runs out. 3.5. The Committee will be responsible for the running of Cardiff Red Kites, including arranging court bookings, managing club finances, setting fees for sessions and membership, and managing club members' details to enable communication with members via social media or other methods as appropriate.3.5.1. Any costs incurred outside the normal running of the club (including, but not limited to, court bookings, shuttlecocks and other necessary equipment, Badminton Wales membership fees, bank charges, and website hosting) should ordinarily be funded through voluntary member contributions, external sponsorship, or other non-club funding sources. Where such costs are met from club funds, the Committee shall ensure that the expenditure is disclosed to members.3.5.2. The Committee reserves the right to approve additional expenditure from club funds without prior consultation with members where it considers such expenditure to be necessary, appropriate, and proportionate. Any such expenditure shall represent good value for money, be kept to a reasonable cost, and be communicated to the membership, with the rationale for the expenditure.3.6. Each member of the Committee has one vote in Committee decision-making, except where a decision is tied, in which case the Chair has an additional casting vote. 3.6.1. The Committee should nominate one or two Committee members to be deputy chair or chairs in addition to their elected role. They should support the chair and deputise for the chair in leading the Committee activities.3.6.2. The Committee can set up sub-Committees as necessary to deal with specific issues. Sub-Committees should be established by Committee members but may comprise of Committee members or club members. 3.6.3. Sub-Committees can be Committee-led or member-led. For member-led sub-Committees, there will be at least one Committee member within the sub-Committee to oversee proceedings. Membership of sub-Committees is voluntary and does not require formal election. There is no limit to the size of a sub-Committee.

Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures

4.1. Members must take responsibility in ensuring they are aware of the rules and values applicable to them, as set out in the Constitution, indemnity statement (see Section 10) and separate Safeguarding Policy. Failure to follow these rules and values may result in a grievance.4.2. All grievances and complaints must be raised with a member of the CommitteeIt will be investigated fully within 28 calendar days, to see if there has been a breach of our aims, objectives, rules, values, and/or expected behaviours, and for the best course of action be determined.4.2.1. Members are required to co-operate fully and promptly with any investigation. 4.2.2. The outcome of the investigation, any decision to reject or uphold the complaint, and proposed sanctions will be voted upon by the Committee.4.2.3. Depending on the seriousness of the complaint and its outcome, disciplinary action will range from issuing a written warning or reprimand, suspension or exclusion from club activities (sessions, training, tournaments, socials, meetings etc.), or termination of membership to Cardiff Red Kites.4.3 Any sanctions proposed against a member following a complaint must have the approval of a majority of the membership.4.4. Members have the right to appeal any sanction against them; they must raise their appeal within 7 calendar days of the sanction being issued.Their appeal will be investigated by a Committee member or other appointed person, as necessary, that has not been taken part in the original investigation, within 28 calendar days.4.5. Any decision made by the Committee following the appeal, to overturn or uphold the original outcome, will be final.4.6. The above is aimed to ensure the smooth running of the Cardiff Red Kites as much as possible, and anything deemed outside the remit of the Committee and/or Club can be passed onto the relevant institutions and authorities.

Membership

5.1. Membership is open to all members of the LGBTQ+ community, supporters, allies, and others who are positive in their attitude towards the community. 5.2. Members will be required to submit a membership application form, which will feature a disclaimer against personal injury claims and an adherence to this constitution. The signing of this form will be a requirement of membership.5.3. Membership of Cardiff Red Kites will be effective on submission of the signed membership application form. There will be an annual membership fee set by the Club Committee.5.3.1. Prospective new members do not have to pay the weekly fee when attending their first club session.5.3.2. The Annual Membership year will run from July 1st to June 30th. The fee is non-refundable.5.4. Members will pay a weekly ‘club’ session fee for each club night they attend, via bank transfer to the club account, depending on the number of hours they have played.5.4.1. The Session Fee is only paid on attendance and will be reviewed as and when needed by the Committee based on court and club running costs. 5.4.2. Session fees are to be paid in a timely manner, within 5 calendar days of the session played, and failure to comply will result in internal disciplinary procedures. 5.5. On joining Cardiff Red Kites, members will sign the membership form and agree to the following:5.5.1 To support and abide by the constitution of Cardiff Red Kites, including its Aims, Objectives, Disciplinary Procedures, and Safeguarding Policy;5.5.2. To pay the weekly subs and annual membership fee in line with the terms set out by the Cardiff Red Kites Committee;5.5.3. To not record any images or film any Cardiff Red Kites members without their consent;5.5.4. That their name and contact details will be used by Cardiff Red Kites and shared with other members, or other guest players/prospective members who have provided their contact details to Cardiff Red Kites for the purpose of club communications;5.5.5. To not release any details of Cardiff Red Kites members, guest players, or prospective members, without permission from the Cardiff Red Kites Committee, to any non-club members;5.5.6. That their details will be shared with Badminton Wales for affiliation and coverage by their insurance policy;5.5.7. To understand and accept that Cardiff Red Kites is not liable for any injuries or illnesses resulting from playing badminton or any other activities associated with Cardiff Red Kites, as set out in the Indemnity and Liability Disclaimer (see Section 10);5.5.8. That the Cardiff Red Kites Committee will retain the details provided on the membership form for the duration of membership of the club. These details will not be released outside the club, except with Badminton Wales for affiliation purposes.5.6. Existing members will need to renew their membership at the start of the membership year every July, to retain membership of Cardiff Red Kites social media groups. However, the Cardiff Red Kites Committee reserves the right to retain any individual’s details within social media groups where agreement has been made that individuals who have not been able to return their membership form will do so at the earliest opportunity.

Club Meetings

6.1. The location and times of club nights will be notified/confirmed to members via the whatsapp group, e-mail and/or social media and any other means deemed appropriate by the Committee.6.2. Playing teams will be informally organised between the members. However, the Committee has the right to use the Peg Board selection criteria system. 6.3. The Committee will determine the rules of the Board and publish them accordingly. A Committee member may also organise playing teams to ensure an appropriate balance between competitive and social games.

Guests

7.1. Any member has the right to bring guest(s) to an event with prior approval from a member of the Committee, unless the guest has been refused membership or the event is for members only.7.2. Guests will pay the same weekly match fee as members.

Intellectual Property

8.1. All rights, property, website, advertising and other material used for the management and promotion of Cardiff Red Kites belongs to the Club.8.2. In the event of a member leaving Cardiff Red Kites they agree to surrender any such material to the club.

Constitutional Changes

9.1. The Constitution can be changed, by agreement of the majority of members who vote.

Indemnity and Liability Disclaimer

10.1. By participating in activities organised by Cardiff Red Kites, including but not limited to badminton games, tournaments, training sessions, social events, and other gatherings which have been arranged by the club (collectively referred to as the "Activities"), members acknowledge and agree to the following:10.1.1. Personal Responsibility: You agree to participate in the Activities at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety and wellbeing during all Activities associated with Cardiff Red Kites, in line with the Cardiff Red Kites Safeguarding Adults Policy.10.1.2. Health and Fitness: You confirm that you are in appropriate physical health to be capable of safely participating in the Activities. It is your responsibility to seek medical advice if you are unsure about your ability to participate or if you have any pre-existing health conditions that may preclude you from playing.10.1.3. Exclusion of Liability: Cardiff Red Kites (as a club and including its members and Committee) shall not be liable for any injury, loss, or damage to any person or property, whether arising from negligence, accident, or otherwise, which occurs during or as a result of your participation in the Activities. This includes, but is not limited to, incidents outside of the scope of organised Activities or that arise from activities or actions not expressly sanctioned by the Club.10.1.4. Indemnification: You agree to indemnify, defend, and not hold Cardiff Red Kites (as a club and including its members and Committee) liable from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or in connection with your participation in the Activities or any breach of this disclaimer.10.1.5. External Activities: Cardiff Red Kites is not responsible for any incidents or actions that occur outside the official remit of the Activities, including but not limited to personal interactions, travel to and from the venue, and participation in any informal or unofficial activities organised outside the purview of the club.10.2. By engaging in any Activities provided by Cardiff Red Kites, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms outlined in this Indemnity and Disclaimer of Liability.

Dissolution of Cardiff Red Kites

11.1. Cardiff Red Kites can be dissolved by agreement of at least two thirds of members who vote. 11.2. In the event of the dissolution of the club, the assets of the club will be distributed equally across the membership at the time of the dissolution.

Version history

Adopted as the South Wales Gay Badminton Club constitution on 1 July 2017Updated: September 2019Updated; May 2023 including club name change to Cardiff Red KitesUpdated: July 2023 to increase the committee to 3 membersUpdated: March 2024 to increase committee to up to a maximum of 10 membersUpdated: January 2026 to reflect new roles and election processUpdated: June 2026 to add grievance section, flexibility of committee roles and wording improvements

Policies

Download a copy of our adult safeguarding policy. If you have any questions, just get in touch.

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