Terms & Conditions

Astrea Gymnastics - Members Handbook

Published April 2021; Last edited April 2021

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to Astrea Gymnastics, we are very excited to have you as a member and hope you enjoy your sessions with us. Astrea Gymnastics CIC is a not-for-profit company managed by the Director & Head coach, Emily Broadbent.

The club policies are displayed on the notice board along with the Registration Certificate to the National Governing Body of Gymnastics. The club has adopted the BG policies for Child Protection, Codes of Conduct and all officials, coaches, members and parents must adhere to these policies. Copies of these are contained within this handbook.

Astrea Gymnastics provide a child centred, coach led programme and endeavour to support your child to develop towards their optimum level of performance. Our coaches are all British Gymnastics qualified at an appropriate level and have up-to-date DBS and child protection certification, where applicable. A Welfare Officer has been appointed by the club to deal with any safety issues, a picture and name of the present Welfare Officer is displayed on the club noticeboard, along with their contact details.

The aim of the club is to provide a safe, effective and child friendly environment in which the members can participate in gymnastics activities under the guidance of appropriately qualified coaches. We are dedicated to the enjoyment and excellence of our sport and use gymnastics to help our member grow and develop as both athletes and for life.

We operate an open philosophy and welcome the support of parents or guardians. Where possible, we will enable you to regularly observe training sessions providing that it does not contravene our Health & Safety regulations. These viewing sessions will be advertised in advance.

Participants are required to be appropriately dressed in gymnastics attire (e.g. shorts & t-shirt, leotard). We would appreciate your child arriving on time for training and being collected promptly at the end of the session. Annual club and BG membership will need to be completed and paid for, along with the completion of any relevant consent/information forms. 

The members of the club are organised into groups according to their age, gender, ability, experience and individual needs. Should you wish to discuss the training programmes please contact the Head coach, Emily Broadbent, who will be happy to discuss it with you. Sessions are booked via our partner ClassForKids at https://astrea-gymnastics.class4kids.co.uk. All details of fees are listed on the site but if you have any questions please contact the Head coach directly.

Yours sincerely,

Emily Broadbent

Director & Head Coach, Astrea Gymnastics

Membership Information

1.   Gymnastics sessions

a.   Online classes: These 30 minute classes follow British Gymnastics guidance on home training and are geared towards either GymFun or competitive physical preparation supplementary training. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that there is adequate space and matting around the gymnasts to perform any exercises safely. Options for easier and harder adaptations of exercises will be provided and it is the parents/guardians responsibility to ensure that the gymnast chooses the most appropriate version for their ability. You agree to keep the camera turned on and directed at the gymnast throughout the session. The participating child’s name must also be visible. The sessions are not filmed and no photographic material of the gymnasts is stored, this is purely to be able to correct shapes and offer advice.

b.   Outdoor classes: These 55 minute classes are conditioning and fitness based and designed to support the training programme of competitive level gymnasts. Parents are required to follow current government guidelines on spectating and social distancing.

c.    General Gym classes: General Gym sessions are open to any children with or without previous gymnastics experience. They are grouped based on age. These groups work towards a ‘Reward Scheme’ and will have the opportunity to take part in club competitions and displays.

d.   Competitive supplementary classes: Competitive level gymnasts from other club may attend these session as an addition to their normal training programme to enhance their fitness and improve their basics. They must have the agreement of their current club.

2.   Booking & Payments

Bookings are made via our ClassForKids online system. This can be accessed from the booking buttons on our online media pages or via the details below.                                         

https://astrea-gymnastics.class4kids.co.uk

Class payments can be made online via our ClassForKids system or by bank transfer using ‘class type*child’s name’ as the reference. Payment must be made prior to the session and receipt of payment confirms the booking. There are no refunds for sessions missed by a gymnast.

Club and British Gymnastics membership run annually from October-September. Payment for club membership is direct to the club whereas British Gymnastics membership must be completed and paid for online. These payments are non-refundable and there are no discounts for joining part way through a membership period. Information about how to complete this will be in your membership pack. 

Policies and Procedures

1.   Policy Statement

Astrea Gymnastics is committed to exemplary standards of conduct through the principles of equity and good moral and ethical frameworks. The club encourages individuals from all communities to become involved at all levels of participation, coaching and management. The club will ensure that all members and staff adhere to the following equity principles.

·        All persons must repect the rights, dignity and worth of every other person

·        All individuals must be treated fairly and equally regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, religion, disability or political persuasion

·        An equal professional service will be provided for all participants and any form of discrimination will not be tolerated

·        Sexual and/or racial harassment and discrimination is prohibited

2.   Child Protection Policy

Astrea Gymnastics is committed to ensuring that those working with children and vulnerable adults adopt the best practice to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the participants and staff. The club will endeavour to promote the highest standards of care for all members, staff and officials by:

·        Adopting BG Health, Safety and Welfare guidelines

·        Adopting BG guidelines for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults

·        Appointing a Welfare Officer to whom grievances or complaints can be made confidentially

·        Ensuring that staff are suitably trained in Child Protection and Health, Safety & Welfare issues

·        Screening all coaches and officials to confirm their suitability to work with children. This may include a DBS check, where appropriate

·        Following best coaching practice guidelines at all times

·        Ensuring grievances or complaints are dealt with promptly and in accordance with the grievance procedure

·        Ensuring that a minimum of two responsible adults are present at all training sessions or events

·        Adopting a zero-tolerance approach to poor practice, bullying or any potential form of discrimination or abuse

·        Ensuring participants and parents are aware of the purpose of any filming or photography during training or events

3.   Health & Safety Policy

Astrea Gymnastics recognises the duties it has under the health and safety acts and regulations to ensure the safety, health and well being of gymnasts, coaches, officials and volunteers when they are involved in club activities. In particular it recognises its responsibilities to:

·        Provide a safe environment for gymnasts and coaches through assessing the risks associated with participation and controlling them to ensure they are minimised

·        Ensure adequate arrangements are in place in the event of an accident, fire or other incident

·        Ensure that coaches and helpers have the appropriate coaching training to undertake their duties

·        Keep all arrangements under review and introduce additional measures considered necessary in relation to the operation of the club business

4.   Complaints and Grievance Procedure

·        As a club affiliated to British Gymnastics, Astrea Gymnastics is required to follow the BG procedures for complaints, disciplinary issues and membership suspensions and expulsions

·        The club places the welfare and safety of its members as the highest priority

·        All complaints, grievances and suspicions of poor practice should be reported to the designated club Health, Safety & Welfare Officer. Matters will be dealt with confidentially and only those who need to know will be informed

·        If an issue cannot be suitably addressed at club level, BG procedures will be implemented

·        A copy of the complaint’s procedure can be obtained from the BG website

5.   Accident, Emergency and Safety Procedure

·        In the event of hearing a fire alarm, gymnasts must stop all activity and follow the instructions of their coach to evacuate the building swiftly, leaving any personal belongings. If parents are present in the building at the time of an emergency, they are responsible for getting themselves to the nearest exit and evacuating the building promptly. Gymnasts are the responsibility of the coaches and will follow the evacuation procedures set out by the venue. No one must re-enter the building until told that it is safe to do so

·        Parents/guardians must inform Astrea Gymnastics of any medical condition, or disability, which may be relevant to the child booked on to a gymnastics session, via our ClassForKids system and must notify Astrea Gymnastics of any changes or deterioration of any such medical conditions or disabilities. This information will be kept confidential and handled with discretion

·        It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to keep any emergency contact information up to date via our ClassForKids system

·        Qualified first aiders are present at all sessions to deal with any accidents

·        A fully stocked First Aid Kit is located on the desk

·        In the event of an accident/incident, the accident/incident book must be completed. This book is located with the First Aid Kit on the desk

·        In the event of a serious accident, the emergency services will be called and medical help sought. Parents/guardians will be contacted

·        All coaches, helpers and participants must adhere to the accepted standards of good practice at all times and only coach to the level of their qualification

Code of Conduct

1.   Gymnasts

Astrea Gymanstics are fully commited to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all our members. The club believes it is important that all members, coaches, officials and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times and share concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with the Welfare Officer. As a member of Astrea Gymnasts you are expected to abide by the following club rules:

·        Respect the decisions made by coaches and other officials

·        Respect fellow club members and opponents

·        Be punctual for sessions and events and inform the coach if they will be late or absent

·        Wear suitable attire for training (e.g. T-shirt, leotard, shorts, leggings or tracksuit bottoms)

·        Long hair must be tied up

·        No jewellery to be worn in sessions. New piercings, within the previous 6 weeks, should be covered with tape or a plaster until they can be removed

·        Pay any fees promptly

·        Treat all equipment with respect

·        No eating or chewing gum during sessions

·        Bring a non-fizzy drink to each session. Please use a sports bottle or similar to avoid spillages

·        Refrain from using bad language

·        Whilst representing the club, they must not smoke, consume alcohol, take drugs or partake in any other activity that may bring the club into disrepute

·        Inform coaches of any injury or illness before the session begins

·        During a session, gymnasts must not leave the training area without the consent of their coach

·        Gymnasts must not leave the premises without their parent / guardian. The lead coach must be informed if a different adult will be collecting the gymnast

2.   Parents / Guardians

·        Encourage your child to learn and follow the rules

·        Discourage arguing with coaches’ or officials’ decisions

·        Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results

·        Set a good example by demonstrating good sportsmanship and recognising good performance of all club members and competitiors

·        Ensure your child is dressed appropriately for session and has plenty to drink

·        Keep the club informed if your child is ill or unable to attend a session

·        Share any concerns or complaints about any aspect of the club through the approved channels

·        Use polite language at all times

·        Never punish or belittle a child for a poor performance or mistake

·        Always collect your child promptly at the end of a session

·        Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport

·        Inform the club of any changes to contact details via ClassForKids

·        Familiarise yourself with information on the noticeboard and respond to any information passed on as quickly as possible

·        If you would like to become involved in the club as a Volunteer please inform the Head coach