Terms & Conditions
Welcome to Planet Gymnastics NI.
On behalf of Planet Gymnastics, I would like to welcome you to our club and provide you with some information about our activities. Planet Gymnastics is a privately-run club and provides opportunities for pre-schoolers, primary schoolers; teenagers and adults to receive coaching and development through the progressive pathways in General Gymnastics. All programmes are delivered by qualified British Gymnastics coaches who have been trained and screened for their suitability for working with children and young people.
Parents are asked to maintain the highest standards of conduct when interacting with coaches and club officials and encourage their son/daughter to treat other participants, coaches and parents with respect. Parents and gymnasts should recognise the value and importance of the coaches and how hard they work mentally and physically to provide sporting activities at Planet Gymnastics.
Planet Gymnastics is registered with British Gymnastics and Gymnastics Northern Ireland. Through these Governing Bodies all coaches are encouraged to keep up to date with regular coaching clinics. They must attend Safeguarding courses and go through appropriate Access NI checks also.
Drop Off + Collection:
Arrangements should be made for your child to travel to and from training sessions and events. We appreciate it if children can arrive 5 minutes in advance of their class time and are collected promptly at the end of the session; young gymnasts are not permitted to leave our facility without an adult. If you are going to be late picking your child up, please contact us as soon as possible to let us know.
Club Attire:
Club attire consists of suitable and comfortable exercise attire such as t-shirts, shorts and leggings or a Leotard. Football kits of any sort are not permitted in the gym.
Policies:
In order to comply with child protection rules the Clubs policy is that all coaches and gymnasts follow the Clubs rules, the guidelines have been set out by British Gymnastics. They are as follows:
Gymnast’s Code of Conduct:
1. Be polite and courteous at all times
2. Listen to all coaches and undertake direction and instruction
3. Respect others personal space, and do not touch anyone else’s body, no play flighting
4. Do not leave the group without the permission of the coach
5. Be respectful of equipment, other gymnasts and coaches
6. No bad language
7. Listen to the coach when they are talking
8. No talking when the coach is explaining instructions
9. No chewing gum
10. Wear appropriate clothing for training i.e. suitable exercise attire such as t-shirt; leggings; shorts or a Leotard. (NO denim or football kits)
11. No jewellery of any description even stud earrings must be removed!
12. No mobile phones (we will not be responsible for loss or damage to personal items while in the gym)
13. No eating or drinking inside the gym
14. No eating or drinking during training, only on break times
15. NO BULLYING!! Report any bullying to a coach
Terms and Conditions of Membership
· I agree to abide by the code of conduct for parents and members as stated in this document.
· I give permission for my child to participate in any and all activities at Planet Gymnastics.
· As a gymnast or parent or guardian, it is my option to consult a doctor for assurance of proper health and have been encouraged to do so by Planet Gymnastics.
· I authorise the representatives of Planet Gymnastics to provide any emergency medical services that may be required due to an injury during any gymnastics activity at or for Planet Gymnastics.
· I understand that participation is entirely by my own choice and with the understanding that there are risks and the possibility of accidental injury, paralysis and even death in any activity involving unusual motion or height.
· I declare that I am aware of the element of risk involved and while I accept that the coaches and event personnel will take precautions to prevent accidents, I understand that they may not be held responsible for loss, damage or injury to my child or his/her belongings.
· Planet Gymnastics is not responsible, whatsoever, for anything that happens before or after the child’s designated class, this includes loss or damage to children’s personal belongings.
· Fees are paid monthly, and payments are at the beginning of each month. If payment has not been made BEFORE the second week your child/children will forfeit their place from his/her class.
Parents must give 2 week's notice if they wish to cancel their monthly subscription, If you let us know by the 15th of the month we will endeavour to cancel you rolling payment for the following month.
· Planet Gymnastics reserves the right to cancel any class at any time. We will endeavour to contact you before any class is cancelled. Make up classes may be offered at a time which best suits the organisation for any cancelled classes, refunds will not be issued. If your child missing a class for an unforeseen reason a decision regarding a makeup class will made at management's discretion.
· I will inform a coach if my child should miss 2 weeks or more and understand that failing to do so will result in the loss of my child’s place.
· I understand and accept that no refund will be given for any reason of absence, class cancellation or termination of my child’s membership.
Gymnasts are required to wear suitable sportswear such as leotard or shorts and t-shirt. No jewellery, including earrings. If your child is getting their ears pierced please leave this until a holiday period, as they cannot participate in classes with earrings in.
Code of Conduct for Coaches:
- Always be publicly open when working with children, avoid situations where a coach and an individual child or vulnerable adult cannot be observed.
- Care should be taken when spotting a gymnast. Use recognised coaching techniques. Avoid inappropriate contact.
- Do ensure that children are observed at all times (including breaks etc.)
- Collection point for children – safe area for younger children, ensure that the parent/guardian approaches the coach to take their child from the group.
- Coaches are not permitted in the bathroom to assist gymnasts; children must be able to toilet themselves to participate in classes.
- If a child is ill and needs to be taken to the toilet there must be another adult present.
- If a child has a disability, then prior written consent from the child’s parent/guardian is needed with regards to toilet duties etc.
- On trips away, when the groups are mixed then a male and a female coach needs to accompany the gymnasts.
- On trips away gymnasts will be picked up and collected from a designated pick-up point.
- Keep up to date with qualifications
- NEVER coach beyond your qualification
- Recognise the physical & psychological development of gymnasts.
- Never engage in horseplay or fooling around
- Never use inappropriate touching
- Never use bad or sexually explicit language
- Remember you are a role model as a coach
- Never ‘add’, befriend or chat with gymnasts on social networking sites
- Always record any allegations/accidents/incidents & report them to the Coach
- Obtain written permission from parents/guardians for transport on certain trips, competition entries etc.
- Ratios: Stipulated by the Head Coach in accordance with BG guidelines and classes will operate on an approx. 1:12 coach to gymnast ratio. Under review and subject to change as advised.
Parent’s Code of Conduct
1. Positively reinforce their child/young person and show an interest in their chosen activity. Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport
2. Do not place the young person under pressure to push them into activities they do not want to do. There is a fine line between encouragement and force.
3. Ensure you have registered and paid for your child’s annual British Gymnastics Insurance linked to Planet Gymnastics NI https://www.british-gymnastics.org/memberships
4. Deliver and collect their child punctually to and from the coaching sessions
5. Ensure their child is properly and adequately attired for the activity
6. Detail any health concerns pertaining to the child when registering your child on class4kids. Any changes in the state of the child’s health should be reported to the coach prior to coaching sessions
7. To inform the coach prior to departure from the gym if child is to be collected early from a coaching session
8. Encourage their child to play by the rules and teach them that they can only do their best. Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
9. Set a good example by recognising fair play and applaud good performances of all
10. Behave responsibly in the gym; do not embarrass your child.
11. Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes
12. Use correct and proper language at all times
13. Encourage and guide performers to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour
14. Show appreciation and support the coach
15. Ensure their child is punctual
16. Be realistic and supportive
17. Provide their child with proper clothing and equipment
18. Ensure their child’s hygiene and nutritional needs are met
19. Accept the officials judgment
20. Acknowledge the importance and role of the club coaches who (some of) provide their time free to ensure children’s participation in the club
21. Promote their child’s participation in playing sport for fun.
22. Respect visiting clubs and coaches in our facility and the rules and regulations of those we may visit
British Gymnastics Insurance:
N.B. You will be required to purchase British Gymnastics Insurance annually for your child. British Gymnastics membership year runs from 1st October-30th September each year and costs £24 for recreational gymnastics and £18 for preschool gymnastics.
If you are purchasing membership closer to the end of the membership year e.g. June-September, prices are discounted, Please note you will need to renew by October 1st .
You can purchase this online at https://www.british-gymnastics.org/renewal-options or by calling 03451297129. Please ensure you let British Gymnastics know that the club you are registered with is Planet Gymnastics NI.
N.B. This is separate to class fees and Planet Gymnastics’ Annual Membership fee of £10 payable in September each year.
PLEASE NOTE: ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR, EITHER VERBAL OR PHYSICAL WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT PLANET GYMNASTICS. ANYONE FOUND TO BE ABUSIVE TO STAFF WILL BE REMOVED, MEMBERSHIP WITHDRAWN AND REPORTED TO THE POLICE IF NECESSARY.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
1. Know their child is safe
2. Be informed of problems or concerns relating to their child
3. Be informed if their child is injured
4. Have their consent sought for issues such as trips
5. Complain if they have concerns about the standard of coaching.
Any misdemeanours and breach of this Code of Conduct will be dealt with immediately by a Planet Gymnastics Club official. Persistent concerns or breaches will result in the parent/guardian being asked not to enter the gym if their attendance is detrimental to the child’s welfare.
The ultimate action should a parent/guardian continue to breach the code of conduct may mean Planet Gymnastics Club officials regrettably terminating the child’s membership from the club.
If you would like to discuss this information further, or your child’s involvement with the club, please speak to the Manger (Louise Blackwood)
PHOTGRAPHS OR VIDEOS
(PARENTS AND CHILDREN)
Planet Gymnastics recognises the need to ensure the welfare and safety of all young people in sport. In accordance with our Child Protection/Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, we will not permit photographs, videos or other images of young people to be taken without the consent of the parents/carers and children.
The Club will take all steps to ensure these images are used solely for the purposes they are intended. If you become aware that these images are being used inappropriately, you should inform the Head Coach of Planet Gymnastics immediately.
All photographs will be taken in accordance with British Gymnastics and Gymnastics Northern Ireland Child Protection/ Safeguarding Children and Young People Policies
Marketing & Communication
To keep in touch with parents we use Class4Kids and email. Please read our Privacy Notice for more information about how we use your personal information and your individual rights.