Terms & Conditions

Policy Statement

Flares Gymnastics & Cheer is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all of its members. The welfare of the young people in Flares Gymnastics & Cheer Club is its first priority and the club is committed to providing an environment which will allow participants to perform to the best of their ability, free from bullying and intimidation. Adults interacting with young people in sport should do so with integrity and respect for the child. Verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse of any kind is unacceptable within sport.

Sport for young people should be treated in an equitable and fair manner regardless of age, ability, sex, religion, social and ethnic background or political persuasion. Children with a disability should be involved in sports activities in an integrated way.

Flares Gymnastics & Cheer has a male and a female Children's Officer to assist in the safeguard of young people in sport. Details of Children's Officers are displayed on notice-boards in the gym.

Every individual in Flares Gymnastics & Cheer should at all times show respect and understanding for members' rights, safety and welfare and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the club and the guidelines contained in Flares Gymnastics & Cheer’s Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Sport for Young People. 

Code of Conduct for Young People

Flares Gymnastics & Cheer aims to provide the best possible environment for all young people involved in gymnastics and cheerleading.

PARTICIPANTS ARE ENTITLED TO:

  • Be listened to
  • Be believed
  • Be safe and to feel safe
  • Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect
  • Have a voice in the club / organisation
  • Participate on an equal basis
  • Be happy, have fun and enjoy sport
  • Experience competition at a level at which they feel
  • comfortable
  • Make complaints and have them dealt with
  • Get help against bullies
  • Confidentiality

PARTICIPANTS SHOULD:

  • Treat coaches/helpers with respect
  • Respect team members
  • Respect opponents
  • Abide by the rules set down by the club when travelling to away events
  • Talk to Children’s Officer/Coach or Helpers if they have any problems 
  • Bring all necessary medication with them at all times e.g. Inhaler

PARTICIPANTS WILL NOT:

  • Use inappropriate language in the gym or at any event(s)
  • Show disrespectful or unacceptable behaviour towards Instructors or Team Mates, ie, back talk, rolling of eyes
  • Participate in pettiness, gossiping or cliques, which attempt to exclude or alienate certain members. Bullying will not be tolerated in any form
  • Drink, smoke or use any illegal substances or use violence or physical contact that is not allowed within the rules
  • Shout or argue with coaches or team mates or individuals at organised events
  • Harm team members or their property

Code of Conduct for Parents/Guardians

I will respect the procedures set down in the Flares Gymnastics & Cheer Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Sport for Young People.

  • I will respect my child’s team-mates, leaders (e.g. Manager, Coaches, Officials, Judges), as well as all athletes, parents and coaches. I will encourage my child to treat other participants, coaches, parent helpers with respect
  • I will give encouragement to my child and his/her team mates
  • I will respect my child’s leader(s) and support his/her efforts
  • I will respect the officials and their authority during sessions and events
  • I will never demonstrate threatening or abusive behaviour or use foul language in the Flares Gymnastics & Cheer environment
  • I will make sure my child has appropriate medication (e.g. inhaler) with him/her at all times when attending training sessions or away events
  • I will make my child/children aware that there are uneven surfaces in the gymnasium (e.g. mats on the floor) and to listen to the instruction of the coaches at all times 

Code of Conduct for Coaches/Volunteers

I confirm that I have familiarised myself with the procedures in the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Sport for Young People in Flares Gymnastics & Cheer.

I also understand that I should:

  • Be positive during sessions, praise and encourage effort as well as results
  • Plan and prepare appropriately
  • Encourage fair play, treat participants equally
  • Recognize developmental needs
  • Be qualified and up-to-date with knowledge and skill
  • of sport and gymnastics for young people
  • Involve parents where possible and inform parents
  • when problems arise
  • Keep record of attendance at training
  • Keep a brief record of injury(s) and action taken
  • Keep a brief record of problem/action/outcomes, if
  • behavioural problems arise

I understand that I should not:

  • Use any form of physical force on a child
  • Engage in rough physical games, sexually
  • provocative games, or allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any kind, and/or make sexually suggestive comments about, or to, a child 

Class Arrival/Departure and Spectating

Class Arrival/Departure

It is the responsibility of the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) to ensure children are taken to and collected promptly from the classes to which they have been enrolled. Children should not be dropped off by more than five minutes before their class time as Flares Gymnastics & Cheer can accept no responsibility for children outside of the class times to which they have been enrolled. Flares Gymnastics & Cheer requests that Parent(s)/Guardian(s) escort their child/children to and from the facility.

Children should be collected at the end of the scheduled class time; Flares Gymnastics & Cheer can accept no responsibility for children outside of the class times to which they have been enrolled.

Spectating

Spectating is optional, however, if your child/children has difficulty focussing or following direction or if your child is in need of assistance to use the bathroom, Flares Gymnastics & Cheer require that Parent(s)/Guardian(s) stay for the duration of the class.

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) who choose to remain as a spectator for the duration of the class are welcome to do so in a designated area providing they and/or any accompanying child/ren do not disrupt the class in which circumstance they will be requested to leave.

Use of electronic devices, ie: mobile phones/cameras/video etc, is strictly forbidden during gymnastics sessions. 

Recruitment Policy

Flares Gymnastics & Cheer undertakes to take all reasonable steps to ensure that leaders are suitable and appropriately qualified whether remunerated or working voluntarily. The club undertakes to follow an application process which includes interview and reference.

Any individual who wishes to participate in coaching support work with young people must complete the Garda Vetting process and provide Flares Gymnastics & Cheer with the vetting disclosure documentation. Participants must take personal responsibility for the safety and health of themselves and others, to observe safe standards of behaviour and dress code and to familiarise themselves with the safety requirements of Flares Gymnastics & Cheer, its venues and its Code of Ethics. Coaching education will be provided by Flares Gymnastics & Cheer and additional coaching education in the form of courses and awards can be organised by Flares Gymnastics & Cheer at their discretion. 

Anti-Bullying Policy

Bullying is defined as repeated aggression in verbal, psychological or physical form to include cyber bullying which is conducted by an individual or group against others intended to aggravate and intimidate.

Bullying will not be tolerated.

The Flares Gymnastics & Cheer Code of Conduct supports the rights and dignity of the individual as a preventative measure against such behaviour. Flares Gymnastics & Cheer will adopt the Irish Sports Council No-Blame Approach to bullying if appropriate which outlines a number of steps towards resolution:

Step 1 – Interview with the victim/s

Step 2 – Meet with all involved

Step 3 – Explanation of the problem

Step 4 – Share the responsibility

Step 5 – Ask the group for input if appropriate

Step 6 – Identification of problem and solution

Step 7 – Meet again

Policy on Photography and Filming

Parent/s or guardian/s wishing to record an event or practice session should seek advice from the Sports Leader or Children’s Officer prior to the event.

Professional bodies of photographers/film-makers and members of the press will be informed of the club’s Code of Conduct in relation to child protection.

Anyone concerned about photography taking place at events or training sessions should address the club coach or Children’s Officer/Designated Person.

Photos taken during the year may be used for promotional purposes in the media

Please NOTIFY CLUB OFFICIALS if you DO NOT WISH your child TO BE INCLUDED 

Online/Social Media Guidelines

Gymnastics is a spectacular sport and gymnasts are passionate about their achievements and aspirations. In this digital age, open, honest communication in the digital environment by participation in blogs, wiki, online social networks (such as Facebook) or any other form of online publishing or discussion has become a form of modern expression. However, new responsibilities for athletes, parents and family have emerged with the profound changes in communication as these new forms have altered the way in which we talk to each other and even how we navigate with our fellow athletes, competitors, target audiences of new athletes and partner gyms and cheer organizations. In order to avoid any problems or misunderstandings, Flares Gymnastics & Cheer, as an identified ‘brand’ in the gymnastics world, has come up with guidelines to provide helpful and practical advice for you regarding online behaviour.

1) Only a small nominated number of people of the club are considered Official Spokesperson or representative for Flares Gymnastics & Cheer (refer to Head Coach for details). Therefore when writing or posting an opinion or statement regarding Flares Gymnastics & Cheer you must make it clear that you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of the club.

2) You are personally and legally responsible for the content you publish on social media, blogs, message boards or any other form of user-generated media. Please remember that everything you publish will be visible to the world indefinitely regardless of whether you “delete” it (commonly referred to as a “Digital Footprint”). The club therefore strongly recommends that athletes and parents AL W A YS EXERCISE THE UTMOST CAUTION when participating in any form of social media or online communication.

3) Flares Gymnastics & Cheer reserves the right to ask athletes, parents, family members to delete, remove or make “private” any content published in a public forum meant to embarrass, threaten, harass, bully, degrade or make forcibly uncomfortable any team, coach, athlete, parent, group of individuals or any other special interest regardless of gym or affiliation.

4) All videos, photos, audio recordings that have been labelled “sensitive” or “private” such as new music, team practice, uniform designs or concepts and other “intellectual capital” will not be shared nor discussed in social media or via text messaging or electronic dissemination at any time. Any Athlete who shares or posts without permission any private or discretionary details about the gym will face possible removal from team/gym and will not be entitled to any refund or restitution of any kind.

5) In addition, it is not permitted to use the Scorchers/Flares Gymnastics & Cheer name/logo or any variation of the club’s name/logo in your email address or social media/message board username. If you already do so, it must be changed.

Remember that you represent Flares Gymnastics & Cheer even when not in the gym or competition venue. Be thoughtful of your behaviour when you have on a Club T- shirt, backpack, or bear any other club related item. Those same rules apply when you are online as a member of Flares Gymnastics & Cheer. 

Child Welfare and Protection Plan

Flares Gymnastics & Cheer accepts that organisations, which include young people among its members, are vulnerable to the occurrence of child abuse. Child welfare and the protection of young people are the concern of all adults at all times. Grounds for concern include a specific indication from a child, a statement from a person who witnessed abuse or an illness, injury or behaviour consistent with abuse.

A report may be made by any member in the club but should be passed on to the Children’s Officer who may in turn have to pass the concern to the local Statutory Authorities. 

Allegations against Sports Leaders

Flares Gymnastics & Cheer has agreed procedures to be followed in cases of alleged child abuse against Sports Leaders: a reporting procedure and a procedure for dealing with the Sports Leader.

If appropriate, the matter will be reported via the Children’s Officer to the local health board/social services if there are reasonable grounds for concern.

The safety of the child making the allegation and any other children who may be at risk will be considered in line with confidentiality.

The Leader will be treated with respect and fairness. 

Mobile Phones and Valuables in Training and Away

Flares Gymnastics & Cheer does not encourage the use of mobile phones during class. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) wishing to make contact with their children during sessions can also do so through the coaches.

It is advisable not to bring valuable items to training sessions or away events. Flares Gymnastics & Cheer will not be held liable or responsible for any lost/damaged/stolen items. 

Emergency Safety Plan

Flares Gymnastics & Cheer has in place an Emergency Action Plan in the event of emergency. The club conducts and records appropriate drills in accordance with safety regulations and in compliance with existing procedures in the premises utilised by the club. An Emergency Action Plan is displayed during coaching sessions

  •  Sounding Alarm
  •  Evacuation to designated Assembly Points including
  • special provisions for persons requiring assistance
  •  Staff responsibilities
  •  Documentation including access to Emergency Contact
  • Numbers (as below) and Registers
  • CONTACT NUMBERS
  • Emergency (Ambulance/Fire/Garda Siochana) 112/999
  • Flares Emergency Officer
  • Daniel Farkas 087-0531527

Registration, Cancellations and Refunds

Registration

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are required to complete requisite documentation for registration of their child/ren in Flares Gymnastics & Cheer and to read and acknowledge by signature their acceptance of the Club's Code of Ethics & Good Practice for Sport for Young People. It is the responsibility of the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) to notify club officials in writing of any changes in personal details which may affect the safety of their child/ren, ie, emergency contact numbers.

Cancelled Classes

On occasion, Flares Gymnastics & Cheer may have to cancel a class/classes for reasons beyond their control, ie: staff sickness. In these circumstances, a refund will not be issued but a make-up class will be re-scheduled. However, in the event Flares Gymnastics & Cheer are forced to cancel a gymnastics/cheerleading class/classes because of circumstances beyond their control, ie, venue closures due to adverse weather conditions, no refund will be issued.

Refunds

Children allocated a place in Flares Gymnastics & Cheer are required to pay fees per term in advance. No refund will be made if, for whatever reason/s, parent/s/guardian/s decide to remove child/ren from the club during the term. 

Data Protection Policy

By registering with Flares Gymnastics & Cheer I understand that the personal data on the registration form will be used by the club for the contractual purpose of registering and maintaining annual registration with the club. I understand that without supplying requisite personal data it is not possible to register with the club. I understand personal data will be used for administrative purposes, ie, competition entry, injury reports, contacting parent/guardian. I consent to the sharing of medical data as given in the registration for the purpose of safe participation in gymnastics and/or cheerleading and administering of medical assistance if required. I understand that I can resign the applicant’s membership in writing to the club and personal data will be erased.

Privacy Notice Re: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018

In accordance with the EU GDPR May 2018, the information above provides specifics about the use and storage of personal information. We only use personal information for the reasons above. We keep and use your personal information for as long as you have a relationship with us. We hold it after this only where are required to for complaints handling or for as long as is needed under any other regulation. 

Acknowledgment of Risks and Disclaimer

The sports of gymnastics and cheerleading carry an element of risk which may result in bodily injury to the participant. Gymnastics also requires the coach to perform some manual spotting which involves direct physical contact designed to assist the participant in the safe execution of skills.

Coaches are not responsible for athletes before and after class; you should therefore ensure your child is dropped off and collected on time.

Flares Gymnastics & Cheer will not be held responsible for lost or stolen property.

Activities

  • It is understood that gymnastics, cheerleading and dance can be hazardous and that injuries can result from these activities
  • It is understood that the use of Flares Gymnastics & Cheer facilities and equipment, if not used in accordance with the instructions of the coach, may be hazardous and lead to injury
  • It is understood that whilst in the gymnasium with a coach no spectating party is permitted on the gymnastic equipment
  • It is understood that no athlete is allowed inside the gymnasium without a Flares Gymnastics & Cheer head coach 

Declarations

It is acknowledged that athletes attending any of Flares Gymnastics & Cheer activities:

  • Are physically fit and able to withstand the exertion of participation in gymnastics and cheerleading activities
  • Have notified head coach of any past injuries which may affect the athlete’s participation in gymnastics and cheerleading activities
  • Have acknowledged that by following any of our physical activities or any of our videos, in any form, carries an element of risk of injury
  • Understand that Flares Gymnastics & Cheer and its venues cannot accept responsibility for any injuries incurred in the normal and certified practice of gymnastics and cheerleading instruction
  • Disclaimer of Liability
  • Flares Gymnastics & Cheer is not liable under the above conditions, that is, in the proper use of facility and equipment, except in respect of personal injury (or death) caused by negligence of Flares Gymnastics & Cheer.
  • It is understood and agreed that this disclaimer of liability is applied each time an athlete participates in any of Flares Gymnastics & Cheer activities. 

Revised: 21st of August 2022

Daniel Farkas

headcoach