Question: If I already paid a membership fee to a sporting club, but the season was suspended due to COVID-19, in what situation would I be entitled to a refund?

Answer passage (source: Australia):
page_title: COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
section_headers: Local sporting clubs or associations 
What if the season resumes, but is shortened?
section_content: 
If your sporting club or association announces that the 2020 season will be resuming, but will be shortened or altered, you may still be entitled to a remedy such as a partial refund, credit note or voucher where the value of the service has been reduced.
However, whether you are entitled to a remedy will depend on the particular circumstances of the revised season, any applicable terms and conditions of your membership, and what you receive in exchange for your membership fees. For example, funds paid toward uniform, equipment or insurance costs may be non-refundable given they cover the duration of the season or registration, irrespective of the season length.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Describes how sporting club cancellations due to coronavirus should be handled.
The answer addresses the issue of sport club refunds but links to consumer agencies would also be helpful.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Could be Improved

Answer passage (source: Australia):
page_title: COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
section_headers: Local sporting clubs or associations 
What if the season is cancelled?
section_content: 
If your sporting club or association’s season has been cancelled, the ACCC expects that you will receive a refund or other remedy, such as a credit note or voucher for a future season, in most circumstances.
If the season is cancelled due to government restrictions, this impacts your rights under the consumer guarantees. However, you may also have other remedies outside of the Australian Consumer Law.
You should check for a cancellation policy under your membership terms and conditions, and contact the state or national body directly to see if you are entitled to full or partial refund, credit note or voucher.
If you had a right to a refund under these terms and conditions at the time you purchased your membership, the state or national body is not permitted to change the terms at a later time to deny you a refund.
You may also have rights under contract law where the contract can no longer be performed.
You should contact your club directly if you believe you are entitled to a refund or other remedy, such as a credit voucher to use in a future season. Given the exceptional circumstances, the ACCC encourages the state and national bodies, and clubs and associations, to treat consumers fairly and consider appropriate mechanisms to provide refunds or credit notes to consumers.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Gives detailed guidance on how sporting clubs specifically should handle cancellations.
The answer addresses the question of refunds of sport clubs but a few links to consumer bureaus might be helpful also.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable

Answer passage (source: Australia):
page_title: COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
section_headers: Local sporting clubs or associations 
I have paid a registration or membership fee up front but the season has been suspended. Am I entitled to a refund?
section_content: 
Your rights to a refund under the consumer guarantees may not apply if the activity has stopped due to government restrictions.
You should check for a cancellation policy under your membership terms and conditions, and contact the state or national body directly to see if you are entitled to a full or partial refund, credit note or voucher.
The ACCC expects that you will be offered a refund or a credit note or voucher for the period that the season is suspended. If you receive a credit note or voucher, this should be applied when the 2020 season recommences, or a future season if the 2020 season remains cancelled.
The ACCC encourages state and national bodies, and clubs and associations, to treat consumers fairly in these circumstances and to consider appropriate mechanisms to provide refunds or other remedies such as credit notes or vouchers to consumers.
Consumers should also be mindful that the impact of COVID-19 is significant for smaller clubs and associations.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Covers the topic of the question well but a few more links to consumer protection agencies would be helpful.
Discusses how memberships cancellations should be handled in general during the coronavirus pandemic.

Reviewer ratings:
Acceptable
Excellent