Community Standards & Code of Conduct

Our Commitment

At Gotham Pickleball, we are committed to providing an inclusive, safe, and enjoyable environment for all.

We believe great communities are founded on a culture of mutual respect, integrity, and sportsmanship. Every individual who walks through Gotham's doors contributes to fostering a welcoming and safe space together—whether you're attending your first open play, competing in a tournament, participating in a clinic, or spending time around the club.

Gotham's Community Standards & Code of Conduct apply to all individuals (including players, staff, instructors, officials, guests, and all other individuals associated with Gotham Pickleball) on and off the court. By participating in programs, events, leagues, tournaments, communication channels, and other club activities hosted by or associated with Gotham, guests and members agree to uphold these standards, as well as comply with Gotham's terms of use and its policies.

Community Expectations

1. Respect & Sportsmanship

Treat everyone with respect, courtesy, and fairness at all times.

• Demonstrate positive sportsmanship and behavior, especially with respect to varying levels of experience, skill, and ability.
• Play responsibly, including understanding, following, and respecting the rules of pickleball with integrity and humility.
• Compete in good faith, calling lines honestly, and resolving disputes calmly and respectfully.

Unsportsmanlike conduct and behavior deemed inappropriate by Gotham staff will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation, or taunting
• Aggressive behavior, including overt displays of anger or hostility
• Reckless or destructive behavior

2. Safety & Well-Being

Prioritize the safety of yourself and others above all other activity on the court.

• Contribute to an environment where all players feel comfortable and safe participating in gameplay, regardless of experience, skill, and ability.
• Take accountability for your actions and behavior.
• Adult participants are responsible for the conduct and supervision of any minors accompanying them.

Aggressive, intimidating, reckless, or destructive behavior directed toward people, equipment, facilities, or property is not permitted.

Smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol misuse, and weapons are prohibited on the premises. Alcohol or substance impairment that affects safety or behavior is grounds for removal.

3. Inclusivity & Community Care

Contribute to welcoming spaces that respect and protect the diversity of Gotham's community.

• Treat others with kindness, respect, and acceptance regardless of backgrounds, identities, ages, experiences, abilities, and skill levels.
• Engage in conduct that supports and encourages learning and development, respectful competition, and connection with one another.
• All individuals are expected to avoid conduct that creates exclusionary, hostile, or unwelcoming environments that discourage participation by others.

Discrimination or harassment of any kind, including race, color, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any protected characteristic will not be tolerated.

Harassment includes unwelcome conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment and may be verbal, physical, visual, written, or digital in nature.

4. Club & Court Etiquette

Demonstrate consideration for fellow players, game flow, and Gotham's facilities.

• Adhere to court reservation rules, time limits, and rotation policies, including yielding courts promptly at the end of your scheduled time.
• Use only approved footwear and equipment, and use all equipment as intended.
• Treat the facility, courts, furniture, equipment, and other property with care.
• Coaching, instruction, or organized play may only occur with Gotham Pickleball approval.

Intentional damage or misuse of property may result in financial liability and suspension of privileges.

5. Reporting & Non-retaliation

If you experience or witness conduct that may violate these standards, please report your concerns to Gotham staff, management, or designated community leadership. You may also submit a report using Gotham's Safety & Incident Reporting Form.

Gotham will review all concerns in a fair, thoughtful, and timely manner. Information will be shared only with those who need to know in order to review and address the concern appropriately.

Gotham encourages good-faith reporting of concerns. Knowingly false, malicious, or intentionally misleading reports may themselves be considered a violation of these standards.

Retaliation against any individual who raises a concern, reports misconduct, participates in an investigation, or assists in resolving a concern is prohibited. Acts of retaliation may result in disciplinary action independent of the original concern.

6. Enforcement & Consequences

Membership and participation at Gotham are privileges, not entitlements. To protect the integrity, safety, and experience of the community, Gotham reserves the right to determine whether conduct aligns with its values, standards, and expectations.

This includes reviewing alleged violations of Gotham's Community Standards & Code of Conduct, as well as other club rules and policies, and determining an appropriate response.

Gotham's Community Standards & Code of Conduct apply to conduct occurring:

• At Gotham facilities
• During Gotham programs and events
• During Gotham-sponsored activities
• Within Gotham-affiliated communication channels, apps, and other platforms
• At external events where individuals are representing Gotham
• In situations occurring outside of Gotham when the conduct materially impacts the safety, wellbeing, operations, reputation, or community experience of Gotham and its members

Violations may result in one or more of the following actions, at Gotham Pickleball's sole discretion:

• Verbal or written warning
• Financial liability for damages
• Removal from a game, session, or event
• Removal from volunteer or ambassador roles or engagements
• Temporary or permanent suspension of playing privileges
• Temporary or permanent revocation of membership or access
• Temporary or permanent exclusion from Gotham facilities, events, programs, or digital spaces
• Involvement of security or law enforcement, if necessary

In evaluating concerns, Gotham may consider patterns of behavior, repeated complaints, prior incidents, and the overall impact of conduct on the community.

No refunds or credits will be issued for removals or suspensions due to violations of Gotham's Community Standards and Code of Conduct, or other rules and policies.

7. Acknowledgment

Participation in Gotham Pickleball activities constitutes acknowledgment of and agreement to comply with Gotham's Community Standards & Code of Conduct, Terms of Use, and other club policies.

Last Updated: 2026-06