Code of conduct for members

Karate training should be enjoyable for everyone (adults and children). To ensure we all have a good time and train in a safe way we have some simple rules for our Dojo:

• Remember, Karate Do is first and foremost about showing respect.
• Respect for yourself
• Respect for your fellow students
• Respect for your instructor (Sensei)
• Respect for the place you train (Dojo)

All things in martial art training begin with a bow, and end with a bow. Respect is shown through the student’s actions.

Before Class

• Students should arrive 5 minutes before the start of class.
• If you are late you should enter the dojo and wait quietly inside the door for the instructor to ask you to join the class.
• Please bring drinking water to training. Sports/ sparkling drinks, sweets or biscuits are discouraged in the Dojo
• Students must always bow when entering and leaving the Dojo.
• Before class starts no running or horseplay is allowed. This can cause injury so save your energy for training during the class
• Remove all jewellery, rings, watches, earrings, necklaces etc. before training.
• Toenails and fingernails must be kept clean and short to avoid injury to others.
• All shoes and socks must be removed before class. Shoes should be left neatly beside the door.
• If required please go to the bathroom before class.
• If you have an injury, please tell the instructor before class starts.

During Class

• Don’t chat or mess during class. This is disrespectful towards other students and your Sensei
• While in the Dojo the student should call the Instructor “Sensei”.
• Please concentrate and follow the instructions of the Sensei
• Don’t give up ……even if it’s difficult ….just try your personal best to do the exercises in the class.
• If you have a question please raise your hand during class and wait for the instructor to call on you
• Students must be respectful to fellow students and the Sensei at all times.
• If you need to use the bathroom during class please ask the Instructor for permission. Do not just leave the class.
• Parents are welcome and are encouraged to sit in the Dojo as spectators to see the child’s progression in training at any time but are requested not to distract the class.

After Class

• Don’t forget your belongings (coat, water bottle etc).
• Parents – please arrive before the end of class and pick children up from the dojo, not from the car park.
•  Students, remember karate is about respect both inside and outside the Dojo.

Adults and Children should:

• Play fairly, do their best and enjoy
• Shake hands before and after the event, whoever wins – and mean it
• Respect officials and accept their decisions with grace, not a grudge
• Respect fellow team members; give them full support both when they do well and when things go wrong
• Respect opponents
• Give opponents a hand if they are injured or have problems with equipment
• Accept apologies from opponents when they are offered
• Exercise self-control and tolerance for others, even if others do not
• Be modest in victory and be gracious in defeat
• Show appropriate loyalty to their sport and all its participants
• Make high standards of fair play the example others want to follow

Adults and Children should not:

• Cheat
• Use violence, using physical contact only when it is allowed within the rules
• Shout at, or argue with, the referee, officials, team mates or opponents
• Take banned substances to improve performance
• Bully or use bullying tactics to isolate another player
• Use unfair or bullying tactics to gain advantage
• Harm team mates, opponents or their property
• Tell lies about adults or other children
• Spread rumours
• Keep secrets about any person who may have caused them harm

Children in sport are entitled to:

• Be happy, have fun and enjoy taking part and being involved in your sport.
• Be treated fairly by everyone, adults and other athletes.
• Feel safe and secure when you are taking part in your sport.
• Be listened to and allowed to reply.
•  Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect.
• Have a voice in the decisions that affect you within the Club and organisation.
• Say no to something which makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Train and compete at a level that is suitable for your age, development and ability.
• Know that any details that are about you are treated with confidentiality but if you are at risk of harm or we are worried about your safety we may need to pass this information on. • Know who to go to if you feel unsafe.
• Be listened to
• Be believed
• Participate in sporting activities on an equal basis, appropriate to their ability and stage of development

Code of Conduct for Parents/Guardians/Carers

• Become members of the Club and contribute your time and effort in the daily running of the Club; no club can operate successfully and safely without the help of volunteers.
• Understand and ensure your child/children abide by the Code.
• Be available for specified duties if and when required; some duties are mandatory and form part of the procedures for safeguarding your children; some will be at the request of the Club.
• Have an awareness of and respect for Leaders and other adults and their roles within the Club.
• If you wish to raise an issue with a Leader this should be addressed with the Leader in an appropriate manner and not in front of children and young people
• Respect and abide by the decisions made by the Committee and other Leaders, these should be made in the best interests of the children in the Club.
• Understand the complaints process and follow the proper procedure if you feel unjustly treated, with the knowledge that any complaint will be dealt with effectively and confidentially.
• Know your child’s training and/or competitive programme, and accept it is your responsibility for delivering and collecting your child/children. Parents/carers should ensure they do not leave their child/children waiting unsupervised at any time.
• Ensure the environment is safe and enjoyable for your child/children.
• Promote fair play and the positive aspects of sport.
• Be a role model for your children and young people by maintaining the highest standards of personal conduct and respectful behaviour in any activity related to the sports club/organisation.
• Allow your child to focus their efforts and success in terms of their goals rather than winning being the main objective.
• Promote participation for children that is fun, safe and in the spirit of fair play
• Ensure appropriate leaders are informed regarding any absenteeism, medical conditions or other relevant matters concerning your child.
• Arrange an appropriate time and place for discussing any matter with leaders and coaches; communication should not take place whilst leaders and coaches are in a position of supervision or responsible for other young people.
• You should have the opportunity to put forward suggestions and comments.
• Provide the Club with appropriate information in relation to your child to ensure their safe inclusion in the club and with emergency contact information and to be reasonably available in case of emergency.
• Abide by these procedures and policies especially with regard to the use of smart phones, any type of camera and videoing equipment.
• Be aware and abide by the Club Safeguarding Policy, the rules and constitution of the organisation and the rules and constitution of the Club; the Club constitution is available for viewing in the Club.

Code of conduct for Volunteers

• In line with our National Governing Body, The Irish Martial Arts Commission, all volunteers in direct contact with young/vulnerable persons must sign up to our codes of conduct, complete garda vetting and safeguarding training.
• Be aware and abide by the Club Safeguarding Policy, the rules and constitution of the organisation and the rules and constitution of the Club; the Club constitution is available for viewing in the Club.