Club Rules
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We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all our members. The club believes it is important that members, coaches, administrators 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 any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with Belinda Papathanasiou or Julie Thorpe, our Welfare Officers.
As a member of Spring Gymnastics you are expected to abide by the following club rules:
All members must participate within the rules and respect coaches, judges and their decisions
All members must respect opponents and fellow club members
Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach if they are going to be late
Members must wear suitable attire for training and events as agreed with the coach. Keep all long hair tied back.
Remove all body jewellery
Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly. Failure to do so by the date on the invoice will result in your child not being able to participate in the sessions.
Members must not smoke, consume alcohol or take drugs of any kind whilst representing the club at competitions or other events
Members should treat all equipment with respect
Members must inform the head coach of any injuries or illness they may have before the warm-up begins
Members should not eat or chew gum during a session
Members must not use bad language
Members should remain with coaches or assistants at the end of a session until collected by their parent or guardian
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The essence of good ethical conduct and practice is summarised below. All parents and guardians must:
Encourage your child to learn the rules and participate within them
Discourage challenging / arguing with officials
Publicly accept officials’ judgements
Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
Set a good example by recognising good sportsmanship and applauding the good performances of all
Never force your child to take part in sport
Always ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the activity and has plenty to drink
Keep the club informed if your child is ill or unable to attend sessions
Endeavour to establish good communications with the club, coaches and officials for the benefit of all
Share any concerns or complaints about any aspect of the club through the approved channels
Use correct and proper language at all times
Never punish or belittle a child for poor performance or making mistakes
Always collect your child promptly at the end of a session
Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport
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We believe that gymnastics is a sport for everyone, regardless of race, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or socioeconomic status. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all members and staff feel valued and supported. This document outlines our principles and rules regarding diversity and equality to ensure a safe and respectful space for all.
Commitment to Equality
Equal Opportunities: We provide equal access to all programs and activities. No one will be excluded or disadvantaged based on any characteristic, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or economic background.
Respectful Treatment: All members, coaches, staff, and visitors must treat each other with respect and dignity. Discrimination, harassment, or any form of exclusion will not be tolerated.
Diversity in Representation: We actively encourage diversity within our club. We support the participation of individuals from all backgrounds and will strive to represent a variety of cultures, experiences, and identities in our events, coaching staff, and activities.
Respect for All Identities
Gender Inclusivity: All participants, regardless of gender identity, are welcome. We honour each person’s chosen gender identity and support individuals in expressing themselves freely.
Cultural and Religious Respect: We acknowledge and celebrate the cultural, religious, and spiritual diversity of our members. We are committed to providing a space where everyone feels safe practicing their faith or cultural practices.
Disability Inclusion: Our club provides accommodations and support for athletes with disabilities to ensure full participation. We encourage athletes of all abilities to engage in gymnastics and will provide resources to help achieve their full potential.
Sexual Orientation: Our club supports and respects the sexual orientation of all athletes, coaches, and members. No form of homophobia or discrimination based on sexual preference will be tolerated.
Harassment-Free Environment
Zero Tolerance for Bullying: Any form of bullying—whether verbal, physical, or online—will not be tolerated. This includes bullying based on appearance, ability, race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factor. All incidents of bullying should be reported immediately.
Harassment Policies: Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, will result in immediate disciplinary action. We have a clear procedure for reporting harassment, and all reports will be investigated promptly and confidentially.
Safe Space for All
Welcoming Atmosphere: We strive to foster an environment where every individual feels comfortable and welcomed. We encourage open communication and provide resources for members to discuss any concerns or suggestions they may have.
Confidentiality and Support: All concerns regarding diversity and equality will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Our welfare officers are available via email or in person to discuss any issues with.
Education and Training
Staff and Coach Training: All staff, coaches, and volunteers will receive regular training on diversity, inclusion, and anti-discrimination policies. We will educate our team to recognise and address unconscious bias, and to ensure all interactions are respectful and inclusive.
Reporting and Addressing Violations
Reporting System: Any member who experiences or witnesses discrimination or harassment is encouraged to report the incident to a staff member, coach, or designated equality officer. Reports can be made confidentially and without fear of retaliation.
Investigation and Action: All reported incidents will be taken seriously, and the club will investigate any allegations of discrimination or harassment thoroughly and fairly. If the allegations are substantiated, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken, which may include suspension or expulsion from the club.
Promoting Inclusivity
Inclusive Events and Competitions: Our club will strive to make all events, training sessions, and competitions accessible to all participants. We will ensure that our activities are inclusive, adapting to the needs of different members.
Continuous Improvement
Feedback and Growth: We encourage ongoing feedback from our members and their families to continuously improve our diversity and equality policies. We are committed to regularly reviewing our practices to ensure they meet the needs of our diverse community.
Commitment to Change: We understand that diversity and inclusion are ongoing efforts. Our club will continue to evolve and adapt to create the best environment for all members.
We are dedicated to fostering a culture of equality and inclusion for all of our members. By adhering to these principles we create a supportive and welcoming space where every individual, including staff and members, has the opportunity to thrive. We are proud of our diverse community and committed to upholding these values in every aspect of our gymnastics programs.
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Parkour (Freestyle Gymnastics) is no different from all sports in that there are risks involved. Our coaches have a duty of care to participants with regards to the both the Safeguarding policy (laid out by sport U.K.). It is also the responsibility of the parkour members to adhere to Spring Parkour’s Code of Conduct when attending a session. This is in line with ADAPT, the sanctioned coaching benchmark set by Parkour UK
At Spring Gymnastics, participants in Parkour must adhere to the following rules:
No eating in the gym. Drink breaks may be taken in the designated area.
Be on time for your session. Enter the gym and wait, seated, in the designated area.
Appropriate dress code. No zips, metal buttons or dangling cords (hoodies)
No jewellery.
No shoes or socks to be worn in the gym area.
Listen to the coach’s instructions at all times.
Do not try to perform any movements on equipment in the gym until it has been checked by a coach.
Do not undertake any Free G/Parkour in the gym without the supervision of a coach.
Do not climb, run on, or traverse on any equipment or station unless under the supervision / instruction of your coach. This could lead to unwanted accidents and injury.
Do not try moves in the gym that you have not been taught or instructed to undertake by a coach.
Do not use inappropriate language.
Treat all your fellow parkour members with respect. We are all different but share a common goal.
Do not push in, or obstruct fellow parkour members whilst in a session.
Be vigilant of other activities going on in the gym.
Do challenge yourself.
Do have a positive ‘can do’ attitude.
Strive to succeed, but accept failure happens and learn from it.
Do learn the history of Parkour and what the sport is.
Understand the spirit of parkour and its community ethos.
Be humble.
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The essence of good ethical conduct and practice is summarised below. All Club Coaches, Officials and Volunteers must:
Consider the well-being and safety of participants before the development of performance
Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers based on mutual trust and respect
Hold the appropriate, valid qualifications and insurance cover
Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part and ensure all participants are suitably prepared physically and mentally when learning new skills
Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance, dressing suitably and not using inappropriate language at any time whilst involved with club activities
Never consume alcohol immediately before or during training or events
Do not transport gymnasts in your own vehicle unless expressly permitted to do so either by the parent/guardian and/or at the discretion of the Head Coach
Never have performers stay overnight at your home
Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward
Always report any incidents, referrals or disclosures immediately, following the appropriate guidelines set out in the BG Child Protection policy 2004
Never condone rule violations or use of prohibited substances
Make sure that confidential information is not divulged unless with the express approval of the individual concerned
Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play)
Encourage performers to value their performances and not just results
Follow all guidelines laid down by British Gymnastics and Spring Gymnastics
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We have a dedicated social media manager who is in charge of monitoring our club social media accounts. This includes vetting and reviewing the people that are following and engaging with our channels. This is a priority for us, and is continually monitored and addressed.
We ensure that any gymnast posted on these channels has photo consent. If you wish to amend your child’s photo consent, please contact the club and let us know. If you wish to have a photo of your child removed, this can be done without hesitation. Please contact sienna@spring-gymnastics.co.uk
The online safety of our members is paramount. If you are concerned or worried about anything relating to social media, or would like to discuss any queries - please contact sienna@spring-gymnastics.co.uk or our club welfare officers Natasha and Julie.
Additional information can be found within British Gymnastics social media policy linked below:
