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Club Policies

Gymnast Policy

The Gymnast Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour and conduct expected of all gymnasts representing Sapphire Gymnastics Club.

General Principles

  • Abide by the rules, policies and procedures of Sapphire Gymnastics Club and British Gymnastics/Home Countries.
  • Try your best! Remember that honest effort is just as important as winning.
  • Enjoy yourself. Gymnastics is always meant to be fun!

Expectations

  • Anticipate and be responsible for your own needs, including being organised and having the appropriate equipment ready for each of your sessions.
  • Arrive on time for every session. If you're running late, let the club know.
  • Do not enter the gymnastics area unless a coach, instructor or staff member permits you to do so.
  • Ensure you are appropriately dressed for class in line with our Clothing Guidelines.
  • Look after our gym and equipment as if it were your own.
  • Actively support all efforts to create a child-safe culture and report any form of misconduct or inappropriate behaviour or treatment to the coaches.
  • Report any accidents or injuries to the coach/instructor and appropriate staff and parents to ensure appropriate action can be taken.

Behaviour

  • You recognise that, as a gymnast within the Sapphire Gymnastics Club programme, your conduct and behaviour will reflect on the club, the sport and our partners. Accordingly, you agree to always conduct yourself in a proper manner, including respecting the age of other peer groups in your training environment.
  • Keep yourself safe by listening to your coach or instructor, behaving responsibly and speaking out when something isn't right.
  • Do not touch or use other individuals' property at Sapphire Gymnastics Club or at any gymnastics events without permission.
  • Co-operate with coaches, instructors, team managers, doctors, physiotherapists and sport scientists, and communicate necessary information to the sport governing body.
  • Never encourage or condone fellow gymnasts to violate the rules of the sport and report any violations appropriately.
  • No alcohol is to be brought to or consumed at trip accommodation, external competition venues or team activities.
  • Abstain from the use of alcohol, illegal substances and performance-enhancing drugs and abide by the British Gymnastics Anti-Doping Policy.
  • Develop an appropriate working relationship with coaches, instructors, officials and staff members based on mutual trust and respect.

Respect & Sportsmanship

  • Treat all members fairly within our club, regardless of gender, race, place of origin, athletic potential, colour, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, socio-economic status or other conditions.
  • Treat all coaches, instructors, officials and staff members with respect and dignity. Value their worth and treat everyone equally, recognising their needs, abilities and contribution to the team.
  • Ensure good sportsmanship is continuously displayed in all situations and towards all individuals.
  • Respect decisions made by management, coaches, instructors, officials and judges, both internally and externally.
  • Do not criticise judges or officials. Express any concerns to your coach or instructor.
  • Accept all scores and decisions with good grace and good sportsmanship.

Online Activity

  • Agree to abide by the club's Social Media Policy.
  • Ensure any photographs or videos taken are for personal and family use only and are not placed in the public domain. This includes publication on the internet, for example on YouTube or social networking sites such as Facebook, unless in access-restricted areas.
  • Do not send abusive or threatening emails, texts, voicemails or other written communications, including social media, to anyone within or associated with the club.
  • Do not use defamatory, offensive or derogatory comments regarding Sapphire Gymnastics Club or any athletes, parents, coaches, instructors or staff on Facebook or other social media sites.
  • Do not engage in any filming, recording, photography or use of mobile phones in changing rooms at Sapphire Gymnastics Club or at any gymnastics event where permission has not been granted.

Remember: Your conduct as a gymnast represents both Sapphire Gymnastics Club and the wider sport of gymnastics.