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.
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.
‘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
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.’
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.
‘Sandringham Club is a private men’s sporting club, boasting on site tennis, squash, bowling and snooker facilities,’ it reads.
‘The Club also offers access to some of Victoria’s best golf courses. The partners and families of members are welcome at the Club.
‘Members can use the sporting facilities with their partners and families whenever they are available.’
Another local told News Corp that the public living around the sporting facilities were largely oblivious to the fact that women were locked out of becoming members.
‘I honestly couldn’t believe it when I saw it online, on their website, I was so taken aback,’ she said.
‘I think if the broader Bayside community knew about this, there would be an uproar.’
The on-site tennis courts are one of the main attractions at the bayside club in Melbourne
There are also indoor facilities, including squash courts and snooker tables for members
The classic old bar is also only available to men, unless women are with their paid up husband
Shockingly, the club uses a legal loophole to get around Australian discrimination legislation.
Private clubs in Victoria are permanently exempt from the Equal Opportunity Act which means that they are not required to justify their discriminatory practices.
Sandringham Club president Dr Ian Irvine defended the club’s practices and said they had a community focus.
‘The Sandringham Club has a long history as a men-only members’ sporting club, established in 1912 with a strong focus on tennis and squash,’ he said.
‘While this tradition has been a defining feature of the club for over a century, we are committed to evolving to better serve the broader community.’
Dr Irvine said the club had evolved in recent years to make its facilities more accessible.
‘For instance, women are welcome to use the club’s facilities by booking sports courts and spaces for meetings / functions with the manager,’ he said.
‘Additionally, we are running inclusive programs such as tennis and squash coaching for anyone interested.
‘While we remain respectful of our heritage, we recognise the importance of fostering a more inclusive environment and are excited about the opportunities these changes bring for the future of the club and the community it serves.’
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins said men’s only organisations like Sandringham Club were a ‘relic of the past’ and ‘from a time when women were confined to the home and excluded from participating fully in society’.
‘In 2025 this is a world that should stay in the past,’ she said.
‘Victoria is leading the nation in gender equality investment and reform, because we know that when women have a seat at the table, we see better outcomes for everyone.’
