Policies & Codes of Conduct

We have a few basic rules in place that you must read and agree to on joining. We also have a code of conduct for parents and gymnasts and we expect members to understand and act within these codes of behaviour. Below this we have listed the coaches code of conduct what we pledge to you as a club so please read all the way down…
Policies & Codes of Conduct

Club Rules:

You must be a member of the club, with a valid, paid membership to participate in any sessions for pre-school or older ages. For tots you can choose to be a member and take advantage of the preferential prices.
Membership costs £12 on joining Paid in 2 installments of £6 in Jan + July, based on a sliding scale.
All members who attend pre-school or older age classes must also be members of British Gymnastics.
To secure your place, session fees must be paid one week in advance of the block of sessions. This can be done via card, BACS, online via class4kids (this has an additional platform fee) or by a monthly recurring standing order. To keep costs down we prefer not to set up recurring payments via our system (as you can see by the additional cost if you do pay via class4kids). Your child’s place is only secured with the full block payment a week in advance or the setting up of a monthly standing order, which is at no extra cost. If you are having problems with fees then please speak to us.
All children must be dropped off and collected in person by an adult at the premises. However children aged 10 years or over AND are in at least Year 6 at school can walk down to the car park by themselves but only with a written permission letter, signed by their parent/guardian.
Appropriate dress must be worn by gymnasts which includes absolutely no jewellery! Stud earrings are allowed for the 6-week period following an ear piercing (but must be covered with tape when in the gymnasium), then all earrings must be removed, tape is no longer adequate. Hair must be tied up.
Clothing – every participant must wear a leotard or t-shirt + shorts or leggings suitable for gymnastics. Absolutely no skirts or denim shorts to be worn. We go bare feet in the gym but please bring shoes into the gym hall with you for fire safety reasons.
Food & Drink – Every participant must bring their own named water bottle, with a secure lid for each session – water or squash only, please. We will not issue any cups due to safety with regards to spillages and also mistaken cup sharing. No food to be consumed within the gym hall.

Staffing:

The club will recruit suitable coaches and volunteers to provide a maximum ratio of 1:8. This will often be lower.
The club will encourage and support the development of coaching expertise through financial support to attend coaching qualifications and the provision of ongoing mentoring, advice and encouragement.
All staff who require it will have a current DBS and will have attended a safeguarding and child protection course.

Fees and Membership:

Fees are set at the beginning of each academic year. Club membership fee is £12.
Recreational class fees are at a rate of £6.50/hr and are less or more depending on length of class pro rata basis.
Unfortunately as fees are set on club fixed overheads we are unable to offer catch up sessions or refunds for missed sessions.
Selected group fees will be discussed upon selection.
The Club is affiliated Devon and South West Gymnastics and to British Gymnastics. All members of age 3+ must become members of British Gymnastics which is at an annual cost of £14 per year for pre-school and £22 per year for those in full time education.
This is done direct with British gymnastics *British Gymnastic Membership is a requirement and you will not be able to train without it*

Codes of Conduct – Parents, Gymnasts + Coaches

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all members. The club believes that it is important for all gymnasts, coaches and parents associated with the club to show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, we encourage openness at all times and for you to share any thoughts. As a member of Axminster Gymnastics Club you are expected to abide by the following codes of conduct:

Parents:

Set a good example by recognising good sportsmanship and performance.
Support your child’s involvement, encourage them to learn the rules and participate within them
Have good involvement/interest in your child’s gymnastics and skills, come along and watch.
Bring and collect your child promptly to and from each session.
Ensure your child arrives at gymnastics in time for the warm up as this is an essential part of their training.
Children who miss the warm up may not be admitted.
Share any concerns or complaints about any aspect of the club through the Head Coach and/or the Welfare
Officer and Welfare Team (contact details below).
Endeavour to have good communication with the club and coaches (Email, Fb page, text, website). Let us know of any suggestions. Please use correct and proper language at all times.

Gymnasts:

Participate within the rules and treat all coaches and other gymnasts with respect and fairness.
We have a zero tolerance on bullying – any discriminatory language or behaviour will not be accepted.
Wear suitable attire for gymnastics; a leotard or t-shirt and shorts or leggings. Absolutely no skirts or denim shorts to be worn and no jewellery is permitted. Please ensure hair is tied back as this can affect safety in the gym. We go bare feet in the gym but please bring shoes into the gym hall with you, for fire safety reasons.
Bring a drink of water or squash with you to your session – no fizzy drinks allowed. No food is to be brought into the gym hall.
Treat all equipment with respect and do not go on equipment until a coach is present.
No bad language.
Participate, try your best and be ready to learn, for every session.
Be supportive and encouraging to your fellow gymnasts and applaud their achievements.
If you are entering a competition, please treat the gymnasts at other clubs with equal respect.

Coaches:

Consider the safety and wellbeing of all gymnasts before they perform.
Work with a positive attitude, eager and ready to teach every session.
Display high standards of behaviour and appearance at all times.
Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part.
Always report any incidences, referrals or disclosures immediately, following the appropriate safeguarding guidelines.
Promote positive aspects of the sport and encourage gymnasts to value all performance.
Follow all guidelines laid down in your coach’s roles and responsibilities booklet.

Club Pledge – What We Pledge To You

As a club we believe in providing the best environment we can for you to learn gymnastics and to grow as a person. We pledge to do the following:

To provide suitably trained staff in the technical skills of gymnastics for the level of your child.
To provide enough staff for the ratios to be at a maximum of 1:8 (1 coach to 8 children).
To ensure the staff are trained in other areas, including safeguarding, first aid, positive behaviour management, nutrition, injury rehab and various others. The training will vary from member to member according to their skills and experience.
To regularly update our facilities and equipment as required, where reasonably possible, to improve the experience of all members.
To provide the opportunity for achievement in a number of ways; in weekly classes and in optional events, which may be internal and external over an annual period.
To provide the opportunity for regular feedback and the ability to talk with your child’s coach at suitable times.
To provide the opportunity for progression for boys and girls of all ages into competitive gymnastics if they have the attributes and the physical skills required.
To run the club as a not-for-profit company, as it is legally registered, meaning all profits, after costs, go back into the development of the club.

Updated on 2 November 2021

Grievance Procedure + Welfare Officer

As per British Gymnastic and good club guidelines we ask that if you have any queries, concerns or complaints about any aspect of Axminster Gymnastics that you contact us directly by speaking to one of the following people:

Head Coach: Emma Rowe

Email: info@axminstergymnastics.co.uk.

Phone: 07717 310198

Welfare Officers: Andy McHugh / Tori Durrant

Email: WelfareAGC@outlook.com

Phone: 07717 310198

We will endeavor to answer your question as fully as possible within 3 working days. If your grievance is not able to be resolved informally we can arrange a formal meeting to discuss the matter which will take place at a time agreed to be suitable to both parties. If you feel you cannot speak to either of the above named persons here are some other points of contact you could try:

Another member of the senior club team = Becky Stone, Rachael Moore & Emma James

British Gymnastics Regional Welfare Officer = Michelle Routley southwest.rwo@british-gymnastics.org

Disciplinary Procedures

Any employee, volunteer or member can be subject to disciplinary procedures for breaking any aspect of the policies relating to the following:

Health + Safety, Safeguarding + Welfare, Social Media, Travel + Transport, Codes of Conduct, Job Roles and Responsibilities.

The procedure for offences will be as follows:

1st Offence – A verbal discussion with Head Coach and help or training on the correct practice.
2nd Offence of the same subject or a Serious Disciplinary matter- A written warning and further help or training on the correct practice.
3rd Offence of the same subject, 2nd Offence of a Serious Disciplinary matter or an act of Gross Misconduct – Dismissal from the workplace or from membership to the club