The archaic rule that DENIES women from joining posh Australian sporting club: 'if your husband joins, then you can play'
The archaic rule that DENIES women from joining posh Australian sporting club: 'if your husband joins, then you can play'
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A swanky Australian sporting club is denying women membership and access to its facilities unless they are married to a male member. The Sandringham Club occupies a huge block of prime real estate in the bayside suburb, featuring tennis courts, a cricket pitch, lawn bowls facilities, snooker tables, bars and more.
![[Only men are permitted to become members of Sandringham Club, angering local women]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/03/94546751-14328331-image-a-15_1737949679983.jpg)
But the club also has bad news for any women that want to use their facilities - only men can become members. One local woman found out the hard way that her membership request had been denied, telling News Corp that she was advised that membership was restricted to men only.
![[The club states that women need to have a husband that is a member to be able to enjoy the club's facilities]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/03/94546755-14328331-image-a-16_1737949684278.jpg)
'They told me, 'if your husband joins, then you can play',' she said. 'They said he would then need to be there when we played and that we wouldn't be allowed on court without a male presence basically. An aerial shot shows the swanky facilities available at Sandringham Club in Melbourne.
![[The on-site tennis courts are one of the main attractions at the bayside club in Melbourne]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/03/94546747-14328331-image-a-17_1737949705850.jpg)
Only men are permitted to become members of Sandringham Club, angering local women. The club states that women need to have a husband that is a member to be able to enjoy the club's facilities. 'My husband doesn't even play tennis. 'I think it's ridiculous that someone who doesn't even play the sport would be allowed to join, just based on sex, but the person who actually does play, couldn't join.'.
![[There are also indoor facilities, including squash courts and snooker tables for members]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/03/94546749-14328331-image-a-18_1737949709075.jpg)
The Sandringham Club's website paints a more inclusive image. The membership page does not mention gender at all, instead spruiking full, restricted, country, junior, life and honorary [sic] membership packages. The 'About' section clarifies who can become a member, though.
![[The classic old bar is also only available to men, unless women are with their paid up husband]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/03/94546757-14328331-image-a-19_1737949714300.jpg)
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