From Playful Beginnings to Powerful Performances

CODES OF CONDUCT

The staff works together to create a safe place for children to enjoy sport and strive to leave each participant better than when they were upon arrival. Part of the RG1's mission is to make the children learn as much as possible in the time available. Any action that might disturb the children's learning process is considered disrespecting the club policy and should be avoided.

STAFF

  • Any unnecessary audience, other than for marketing purposes for potential new members, are advised to leave for the duration of the class.
  • Any unauthorised spectators on the premises will be reported to the authorities of the location.
  • Any filming/picture taking, other than for the club's marketing purposes with the consent of a parent/legal guardian, is unauthorised.
  • Conform to the BG recommended class size of 16 gymnasts per coach to ensure required attentiveness to prevent potential hazards.
  • Clear the space from any unnecessary, potentially harmful equipment or items that might cause accidents.
  • Make sure the children and parents consent to the code of conduct (e.g. insurance, gear) and sign before attending the classes.
  • Prevent any unsupervised activity among the children.
  • Give adequate instructions and ensure a response from the students that the instructions have been understood.
  • Sufficient breaks for drinking water to ensure staying hydrated.
  • Reporting any concerns to the Welfare Officer who is trained to deal with them discretely and according to governing body best practices.
  • The coaching may include instructive correction of the movement or posture by touching the gymnast with the sole purpose of their safety, for them to be able to perform the exercise correctly and in a non-harmful way for themselves or other participants.
  • The coaching may also include touching only in order to support a gymnast with the movements e.g. acrobatics where their physics do not yet allow to perform the movement safely on their own.
  • To remove the child quickly from harm and danger touching may be necessary to prevent and minimise damage (e.g. pull away due to imprecise trajectory of an apparatus).
  • Ballistic Stretching is to be given by coaching level 3 or above. Any other than self-directed method of Ballistic stretching is not recognised by the British Gymnastics
  • Coach may use mobile phone/camera in the training to help assessing the gymnast's technique together with them. This recording is used only to enhance the quality of the performance by showing the gymnast where the technique can be improved.
  • Make sure that the child leaves with the correct adult.
  • There will be no weighing of the gymnasts. If a gymnast considers themselves over- or underweight parents are the primary responsible for helping the gymnasts to reach their ideal weight, whatever weight the gymnast personally considers their ideal weight to be. If the gymnast asks for help with weight control the club can contribute towards reaching that goal with constructive feedback but only when asked and in a supporting manner.
  • Coach will do their best to give equal attention to every attending gymnast. The level of attention may somewhat vary from class to another if aiming at getting a point across to a gymnast how they can gain a certain skill.

PARENTS

Parents and carers play a vital role in encouraging, enabling, and supporting children's safe participation at every level.

  • Under no circumstances is a parent of a child allowed to take the role of a coach, especially to assist a child (whether their own or somebody else's) in any way, regardless of them possibly being a coach themselves. They are not insured by the club to carry out any activities in relation to the coaching role. Rhythmic gymnastics is a high-risk sport that requires proper knowledge. The parent may not be aware of the condition another child has and are therefore to refrain from undertaking any supporting role during the class. When noticed this will be stopped immediately.
  • Complying to British Gymnastics policy, do not carry out any assisted stretching or stretching with weights to your child or another member of the club outside the classes even if the gymnasts themselves ask to do so.
  • RG1 does not take responsibility of any material recorded by a parent of another person's child. Therefore, all recording, except at the club special events (without disturbing the performance) is forbidden. A separate policy will be given for such events.
  • After the class, the parent/legal guardian may take pictures and/or record video of their own child while making sure not to include any other children, unless with a clear consent from the child's, who is not theirs, parent/legal guardian.
  • Any posting to social media including other children than your own is unauthorised and RG1 cannot be held liable in such cases.
  • Inform about any health conditions your child may have.
  • Give correct contact details and update any changes so that the club officials will be able to reach the right person in case of an emergency.
  • Do not leave your child to wait on their own before and/or after the classes. The staff members cannot be held liable to wait unreasonable times if the parent fails to collect the child on time (unless in a case of an emergency in the family). Continuous delays will be discussed with the club Welfare Officer.
  • Inform in advance if another member of the family or a friend collects the child.
  • Do not bring your child to the practice when they are unwell. If the child has visible symptoms that might cause other participants to be affected or cause more injury to themselves, the coach maintains the right to prevent the child from participating that instance among regular classes.
  • Parents are required to stay outside of the hall where the class is being held for the duration of the practice (if your child has special needs please let the staff know in advance). Parents are not allowed to comment the performance of their or other children in the class as this might have an unwanted impact on their performance and/or motivation and distract their focus from the technique being taught.
  • By registering your child as a member of the RG1 Rhythmic Gymnastics you accept to respect and act according to all the club's policies, codes of conduct, safeguarding principles, rules and regulations.
  • All children are required to register as a member of British Gymnastics which will give them an insurance cover.
  • Harassments towards the club staff or other gymnasts/their parents will not be tolerated and may lead to suspending the club membership and attendance to classes as of immediate effect without refunding remaining classes.
  • The main communication channels of the club are email and Spond app. Mobile, WhatsApp and Facebook messenger are secondary but may be used in a case of emergency if required.
  • The usual club response time is within 72h. However, this might not be always be met e.g. due to unexpected life circumstances.
  • The enquiries will be dealt in the order of priority and then on first in, first served basis.

Parental contribution

  • Thanks to your input the child is more likely to have chances to try new things, stay in sport, and reach their potential.
  • Child will have more fun when they can share it with the parents/legal guardian.
  • Children have someone to talk to if they face challenges or disappointments.
  • You can help your child to have a safe experience by guiding them to understand the importance of the codes of conduct.
  • You are the best person to help us to understand your child better.
  • Help to reinforce the lessons and ideas taught in class also at home.
  • Raise concerns early and calmly so that we can act on them.
  • Further information Positive parental involvement in sport

GYMNASTS

  • Ultimately the child should not seek for the coach' approval when carrying out a movement. They will given support in improving their technique but gymnasts, in respect to their age, need to gradually build an understanding towards working for their on progress and benefit not to get a validation from the coach. The gymnasts are entitled someone to mirror what degree they have learnt a skill but coach' recognition should not be the only rewarding element in their training.
  • Treat others as you would like to be treated, and do not do anything to others you wouldn't like to be done to yourself.
  • Participate in promoting inclusivity in all activities. RG1 has zero tolerance for any type of discrimination or bullying among its members.
  • Be respectful and kind in your communication (80% is how we say it, 20% what we say).
  • Be tolerant and understanding towards each other's differences (ethnicity, gender, religion).
  • Solely carry out any peer assisted activities upon the coach' request, not as initiated by the gymnast themselves or peer.
  • Listen and obey the instructions of the coach and other members of the trained staff at all times, to ensure safe environment for the practice and minimise risks.
  • The gymnasts may not take possession of any apparatuses and or equipment either provided by the location or RG1 other than under the instructions of a coach.
  • The gymnasts are not allowed to "coach" or perform any supporting movements/postures for acrobatics on each other.
  • When the coach speaks, listen. Stop exercising (ball bounce) so everybody can hear.
  • Not to practice movements from other gymnastics/sports during the classes. The coaches are not responsible for supporting/overseeing if the gymnasts carry out other types of movements e.g. tumbling/martial arts.
  • Not to handle the apparatus in a manner trying to break it (there is a charge for malicious attempts trying to break the apparatus on purpose or after being told several times) or any other way that is not related to Rhythmic Gymnastics e.g. kicking the ball like in football.
  • Swearing or demeaning remarks are not tolerated.
  • Talking back to coach may result in being asked to sit aside to stop disrespectful behaviour and giving bad example to other gymnasts. 
  • Putting down other gymnasts e.g. criticising or belittling behaviour (checking out other gymnasts) or communication (e.g. laughing at peer's skill level, gossiping behind peers' back) may result in disciplinary action such being asked to sit aside or conditioning/skill training a number of times.
  • No jewellery (when caught/entangled it may cause permanent injury). If the gymnast has cultural/religious jewellery, the minimum requirement is that these items will be made safe (e.g. earrings covered with cohesive bandage tape). RG1 is not liable for any injuries caused by these items as the primary recommendation is to remove them entirely for the duration of the practice.
  • Hair needs to be tied up properly to hold for the duration of the class. Full visibility is essential in all of the gymnastic movements and elements, and with apparatus handling. Untied hair may cause unnecessary risks. If the gymnasts refuses to tie up their hair the club is not responsible in any way in the cases of injury due to the lack of visibility e.g. catching apparatus or hindering balance in rotational movements.
  • Clothing fit to the size of the gymnasts, preferably leotard but a tight t-shirt and leggings are suitable. Loose apparel may be entangled and/or break.
  • The gymnast may not leave the hall without asking for a permission and giving a reason to the coach/other staff member on duty (e.g. refilling a water bottle, toilet break, family circumstance).
  • Stay in the hall and not access any unnecessary areas (e.g. equipment storage room).
  • Not spend time excessively in the changing rooms before or after the training.
  • If a child fails to respond to the rules and instructions during the class (e.g. throwing the apparatus around in a harmful manner regardless of being told to stop), they may be asked to sit aside as a disciplinary action to contemplate why their behaviour is a risk to themselves and other participants in the class.
  • Do not bring to the practice any unnecessary items. Only pack the minimum for the class. RG1 is not responsible for any items left behind.
  • No heavy meals at least 2h before the exercise. The practice includes a lot of rotational movements and jumping which should not be done with a full belly as this may cause the child to be nauseous and not be able to participate with the required intensity to learn the movements safely.
  • No eating during the exercise (unless diabetic conditions or similar so require in a case of an emergency. Please inform the staff of any medical conditions in advance).
  • No engagement with the mobile phones during the entire practice unless authorised by the coach for the sake of e.g. recording progress. If there is a situation in the family where updates on the condition of a family member are critical, the coach needs to be advised in advance.
  • Not touch staff's phones/speaker unless asked to do so (e.g. bring the speaker/phone back at the end of the class). These devices are used to play music during the training, not for gymnasts' entertainment.
  • Do not bring friends or family to watch the practice. They can attend the club event at the end of the season or book to a trial class.
  • Good level of personal hygiene to be pleasant to be around for the other participants in group exercises.
  • Use the toilet before the class starts.
  • Practice inclusivity in any activities, be supportive towards your peers, especially newcomers.
  • Don't be shy, make friends and have fun.

The codes of conduct concerning staff, children and parents aim to cover most scenarios but is not exhaustive. RG1 maintains the right to apply common sense in any new cases as they may arise and will update the code of contact as often as necessary.