Individual Member vs Club Member

Linda says:
I think there are some advantages to joining a club rather than as an individual member. If you belong to a club, you will be able to book ice. This means you will be guarenteed that session every week. You will not have to worry about not being able to get on a session. The drawback is that you are financially responsible for that ice. If you know that you want the same session, possibly for lessons, it may be an advantage to book ice.

Another advantage to joining a club is that your child will be able to compete in the interclub competitions. Everyone, club members and individual members, can compete at open competitions but only club members can compete at the interclub competitions. For the beginning competitor, the interclub competitions are less intimidating.

A club will also be able to provide advance notice about upcoming competitions as well as have copies of the applications. It can be difficult to locate competitions, get applications and return them before the deadlines.

A very big advantage to joining a club is the support a club can provide for you and your child. At competitions you can see the support the club members have for each other. Some clubs have jackets that the members wear. Also, the other members will watch and cheer on a fellow club member when they are competing. Many clubs also have activities that promote friendships such as dinners or end of the season parties. Many clubs also put on an end of year show which is generally limited to club members.

There are also responsibilities to joining a club. You will have a membership fee to pay. This fee will be more than the cost of an individual membership but for some clubs the difference will be minimal. Most clubs will ask for volunteer time. These clubs are run by volunteers and some may even have minimum volunteer requirements. Having given the list of advantages to joining a club over being an individual member, the decision is really made by each person. If the advantages to joining a club are important to you and will benefit you and your child then definitely join. If these advantages will not benefit you, then an individual membership may be better. A club membership is not the best route for everyone. Your child will still be able to compete and skate with either type of membership.