WTHC MEMBERSHIP & MATCH FEES 2023/24

Every year it is important that club carries out a full review of its Subscription and Match Fee rates to ensure they are both fair and reasonable for members, but equally provide the club with enough income to ensure  continued financial stability.  

As was presented at the WTHC AGM, the WTHC Committee in conjunction with the Joint Club Treasurer have  carried out the review to form its budget for the 2023/24 season.  

It is important to share with members all the factors that have been considered:  

• Subs have not been increased since 2020 and Match Fees have not been increased since 2015.

• Current high rate of UK inflation. 

• Significant rises in Energy prices, meaning the club has incurred an increase in its running costs. 

• Rise in food prices and the knock-on effect of providing match teas to all players.

• Despite the need for the renovation, the club’s pavilion does still provide excellent on-site social facilities, which members have access to, which is not the case for many other clubs who use local  pubs or similar facilities. 

• The construction of the new Astro Turf Pitch, meaning for the first time in many years, the club can provide state of the art facilities for its members. 

• The immediate requirement to start building a sinking fund for the next regeneration of the pitch in  10-15 years’ time. We must be self sufficient and not rely on donations to fund future refurbishments. 

The club has also completed a full benchmarking exercise of other local clubs’ rates to ensure we continue to compare favourably to these. The current ratesthat WTHC charges compare extremely favourably to other  clubs.  

Consideration of the above factors combined with the benchmarking exercise, and subsequent completion  of the Budget for 23/24, the committee have taken the decision to implement the following increases for the  upcoming season: 

• All Subscription rates will be increased by 20%  

• All Match Fee rates will be increased by 10%  

The rates will be as follows:

These increases will help support the club in meeting the challenges ahead of us, in particular the inflationary  pressures on many of our expense lines.  

The club continues to ensure it is providing value for money and the committee believes that the increase  for this year is proportionate, when compared to other local clubs and when considering the improved  facilities, we are now able to provide.  

Subscription payments can again be split into 5 separate monthly payments and any members wishing to use  this option should liaise with Harriet Bateman. 

We are keen to encourage participation in hockey from all sections of our community and we are very  conscious that some individuals and families may not have sufficient financial resources to meet the full cost  of club membership in what are already extremely challenging financial times. As has always been the case,  Matt Esser, as Chairman of the club, along with the Club Welfare Officer, Sharon Empson, will be available for  a confidential discussion should it be needed. 

Match Fees and Subscriptions will be reviewed again ahead of the 2024/25 season.  

Subscriptions for the 2023/24 season will be added to Teamo for payment in August onwards. Any queries should be directed to Harriet Bateman.