no doubt having some basic flying rules makes sense for the safety factor but I have to agree with the majority that knowing the manuevers for a contest is a bit of a burden for entering a club,and flying your plane un assisted.
I can say with confidence most of my landings and flights are mishap free and I can greese most of my landings, but if someone asked me to do a certain turn I wouldnt know what they were talking about even though I have most likely done it many times.
I should add our club has competitive pilots in it some who regularly win contests and if I wanted to learn a particular turn or trick all I would need to do is ask, and many of our members have helped me to improve my skills, it depends on what you want out of your flying conforming to a rigid structure or just having some fun with your plane a safely flying and landing I would take a hard look at a particular club and see if its what you are after in the sport and if it fits your style and personality before commiting to joining it.