Code of Conduct & Kit Guidelines

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Gymnastics programmes operating Whitehall Gymnastics Club and Ready to Compete Events

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Recreational Gymnastics
Operated by Ready to Compete Events

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Competitive Squad Gymnastics
Operated by Whitehall Gymnastics Club

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The following guidelines are in place to help provide a safe, positive and enjoyable environment for all gymnasts, parents, coaches and visitors.

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Recreational Gymnastics

Operated by Ready to Compete Events

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Recreational Gymnastics – Code of Conduct

Parents, guardians and gymnasts are asked to follow the guidelines below:

• If your child will be unable to attend their regular gymnastics class for 3 weeks or more, please notify the recreational team.

• Jewellery is not permitted during gymnastics sessions. Please follow the applicable British Gymnastics jewellery guidance.

• Gymnasts arriving more than 10 minutes late may be unable to participate. Warm-up is an important part of the session and helps prepare gymnasts safely for physical activity.

• Children must be brought into the designated drop-off area and must not be left unattended in the car park.

• Parents or guardians remain responsible for their child until they have been safely handed over and registered for their session.

• Please collect children promptly from the designated collection area at the end of their class.

• Parents must keep Ready to Compete Events updated with any changes to contact details, medical information, emergency contacts or other information relevant to safe participation.

• Where a gymnast is unable to participate for a prolonged period due to illness or injury, any refund or credit will be considered in accordance with the recreational programme's current refund policy. Supporting medical evidence may be requested.

• Where a refund is provided for an extended absence, the child's existing class place may not be able to remain reserved.

• If a gymnast wishes to leave the recreational programme, 30 days' written notice is required.

• Fees falling due during the applicable notice period remain payable.

• Fees already paid are subject to the applicable cancellation and refund policy.

• Gymnasts are expected to listen to coaches, follow safety instructions and treat other gymnasts, coaches and staff respectfully.

• Bullying, deliberately unsafe behaviour or persistent disruptive behaviour will not be accepted.

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Recreational Gymnastics – Clothing Guidelines

Gymnasts should wear suitable gymnastics clothing that allows coaches to see body positions clearly and allows the gymnast to move safely.

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Girls

• Gymnastics leotard

• Plain black gymnastics shorts may be worn where appropriate

• Skirted leotards are not suitable for regular gymnastics sessions

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Boys

• Suitable gymnastics leotard or fitted gymnastics top

• Gymnastics shorts

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General Clothing Requirements

• Long hair must be tied back securely.

• Jewellery must be removed in accordance with applicable safety requirements.

• Gymnasts train barefoot unless otherwise instructed.

• Loose clothing, unsuitable zips, buckles or accessories that could create a safety risk should not be worn.

• Leotards and suitable gymnastics clothing may be available to purchase from the facility.

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Competitive Squad Gymnastics

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Competitive Squad – Code of Conduct

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Competitive gymnasts and their parents or guardians are expected to:

• Attend all scheduled training sessions wherever reasonably possible.

• Notify coaches or management of absences and planned holidays in advance.

• Arrive on time and participate fully in the warm-up.

• Follow all jewellery and clothing safety requirements.

• Inform coaches of any injury, illness or medical issue that could affect training.

• Where appropriate, injured gymnasts may still be asked to attend training for modified work, rehabilitation or conditioning. Any injury arrangements should be discussed with the coaching team.

• Treat teammates, coaches, officials, volunteers and other competitors with respect.

• Never criticise or make inappropriate comments about other gymnasts, coaches or officials.

• Use social media responsibly. Gymnastics-related content should be respectful and should not negatively affect teammates, coaches, officials or Whitehall Gymnastics Club.

• Never leave the gym during a training session without permission from a coach.

• Report bullying, inappropriate behaviour or concerns to a coach or appropriate member of staff.

• Listen to and follow coaching instructions.

• Do not attempt new or advanced skills without appropriate coach supervision and approval.

• Attend competitions for which they have been appropriately selected and entered.

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Competition Expectations

Squad gymnasts are generally expected to participate in a minimum of two competitions per year, although some gymnasts may be offered or required to participate in additional competitions depending on their programme.

Competition selection may take into account:

• Age

• Ability

• Competition level

• Experience

• Training attendance

• Readiness

• Safety

• Competition requirements

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Competition and team-selection decisions remain the responsibility of the appropriate coaching team.

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Floor Routines

Where an individual floor routine is required for a gymnast's competitive programme, a separate 1-to-1 routine session may be required.

Current routine-session charges will be communicated before booking.

Competitions, Trials & Events

At competitions, trials, displays and other events, gymnasts and parents are expected to behave respectfully and represent Whitehall Gymnastics Club positively.

Parents and guardians should not coach gymnasts from the spectator area or interfere with official coaching decisions.

Persistent inappropriate conduct may affect future participation in club competitions or events.

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Competitive Squad – Clothing Guidelines

Training

• Suitable gymnastics leotards should be worn.

• Leotards must be secure and appropriate for safe gymnastics participation.

• Plain black gymnastics shorts may be worn where permitted.

• Hair must be tied securely away from the face.

• Jewellery must comply with applicable gymnastics safety requirements.

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Competition Kit

Where required, squad gymnasts must wear the designated:

• Competition leotard

• Club tracksuit

• Any other required competition apparel

Required squad competition kit will be communicated by Whitehall Gymnastics Club.

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Consistent competition clothing helps create a professional team appearance and ensures gymnasts are appropriately dressed for competition.

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Valuables & Lost Property

Personal belongings brought into the facility remain the responsibility of the owner.

Whitehall Gymnastics Club and Ready to Compete Events cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal belongings except where liability cannot legally be excluded.

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Valuable items should not be brought to gymnastics sessions wherever possible.

Lost property that is found will be kept in the designated lost-property area at Reception.

All unclaimed lost property will be donated to charity at the end of each month.

Parents and gymnasts are encouraged to check for missing belongings promptly, as items left shortly before the end of the month may still be donated at month-end.

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Dropping Off & Collecting Your Child

Parents and guardians remain responsible for their child until the child has been safely handed over to the appropriate coach or registered for their session.

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Children must not be left unattended before their session begins.

Please do not leave children unattended in the car park.

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Parents and guardians are expected to collect children promptly at the end of their session.

If you know you are going to be late collecting your child, please contact the appropriate programme as soon as possible.

Where a parent is more than 15 minutes late, a £10 late collection charge may apply unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Repeated late collection may result in a meeting with the relevant programme management and, where the issue continues, may affect the child's ability to retain their class place.

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Car Parking

Please park responsibly and respectfully.

Our facility forms part of a shared business area, and inappropriate parking can negatively affect neighbouring businesses and other facility users.

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Please:

• Park only in appropriate spaces.

• Avoid blocking entrances, exits or neighbouring businesses.

• Supervise children carefully around moving vehicles.

• Follow any parking instructions displayed at the facility.

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Supervision of Children

Children who are not participating in a gymnastics session remain the sole responsibility of their parent or guardian.

Parents and guardians must supervise accompanying children at all times in public and waiting areas.

Children must not use gymnastics equipment unless they are participating in an authorised and appropriately supervised session.

Neither programme accepts responsibility for incidents caused by children being inadequately supervised in public areas, except where responsibility cannot legally be excluded.

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Who Should I Contact?

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Recreational Gymnastics

Ready to Compete Events

Please contact Ready to Compete Events regarding:

• Recreational class attendance

• Recreational payments

• Recreational waiting lists

• Recreational class changes

• Recreational cancellations

• Recreational trials

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Competitive Squad Gymnastics

Whitehall Gymnastics Club

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Please contact Whitehall Gymnastics Club regarding:

• Squad training

• Competition entries

• Squad attendance

• Squad fees

• Competition kit

• Squad progression

• Competitive programme changes

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Both programmes operate from the same shared gymnastics facility but are separately managed and operated.