Participation Points Policy

1. Purpose

1. The purpose of this policy is to establish consistent and transparent rules for the administration of participation points held on player accounts by StepBridge Australia Bridge Club Inc. (“the Club”).
   –
2. This policy sets out the rules for the purchase, use, refund, transfer, and forfeiture of participation points, including the treatment of unused participation points where a player’s membership has ceased and the balance remains inactive.
   –

2. Scope

1. This policy applies to all players and members of the Club who purchase, hold, or use participation points.
   –
2. This policy applies to participation points purchased prior to and after the effective date, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
   –

3. Definitions

1. Participation Points means prepaid points purchased by a player and held by the Club on the player’s account for use toward eligible Club tournaments and events.
   –
2. Points Balance means the unused participation points remaining on a player’s account.
   –
3. Account Activity / Movement means any change to a participation points account, including purchases, deductions, adjustments, transfers, or refunds.
   –
4. Inactive Balance means a participation points balance meeting the criteria in clause 10.
   –

4. Purchase and Holding of Participation Points

1. Participation points shall be prepaid by players in accordance with Club requirements.
   –
2. Participation points shall be recorded and held on the player’s account as a prepaid credit.
   –

5. Use of Participation Points

1. Participation points shall be deducted when a player participates in a tournament requiring points.
   –

6. Requests for Balance Information

1. A player may request confirmation of their participation points balance.
   –

7. Refunds of Unused Participation Points

1. A player whose membership has ceased may request a refund of unused participation points.
   –
2. Refunds shall be requested in writing and verified against Club records.
   –
3. An administration fee of $10 shall be deducted from any refunded participation points balance.
   –

8. Transfers of Participation Points

1. A player may request that unused participation points held on their account be transferred to another player, subject to approval by the Committee or a delegated officer.
   –
2. All transfer requests must be made in writing and clearly identify the transferring player, the receiving player, and the number of participation points to be transferred.
   –
3. A transfer may only be processed where the Club is satisfied the request is genuine and the transferring player has a sufficient points balance.
   –
4. An administration fee of $10 shall apply to each participation points transfer request and will be deducted from the transferring player’s participation points balance (or otherwise paid as the Club determines).
   –
5. Once processed, participation points transfers are non-reversible except at the discretion of the Committee.
   –

9. Deceased Players

1. Refunds may be made to the estate of a deceased player upon request by an authorised representative.
   –

10. Inactive Balances (Two-Year Rule)

1. A participation points balance shall be deemed inactive where the player is no longer a member and there has been no account activity for two (2) years.
   –

11. Forfeiture of Inactive Balances

1. Inactive balances shall be forfeited and transferred into Club funds.
   –

12. Committee Discretion

1. The Committee may approve exceptions in exceptional circumstances.
   –

13. Records and Review

1. This policy shall be reviewed annually by the Committee.
   –

Dated: 19 January 2026