Code of Conduct

Shodokan Aikido Sydney Inc (“the Club”) has as its key objectives:

1. Providing instruction in a safe environment in the martial art of Aikido.
2. Developing the mental and physical tools for improving personal safety and security.
3. Promotion of good health and vitality.
4. Development of positive self‐esteem and self‐confidence.
5. Development of a person as a positive role model in the community.
6. Creating expertise in confrontation management.
7. Pro‐active crime prevention through increased awareness and positive attitudes.
8. Developing healthy community attitudes and values.

All students and persons participating in a class or course conducted by the Club must agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct. The Club reserves the right to make amendments or additions to this Code of Conduct at any time.

A1. Participant Understanding

Aikido is a contact martial art, meaning it involves physical contact with one or more other practitioners in ways designed to simulate as closely as possible the self‐defence options available to a practitioner when confronted with physical aggression and/or threatening behaviour. As in any other physically demanding recreational activity, there is always a risk of injury. Any student or person participating in a class conducted by the Club does so with the full understanding that whilst it is the policy of the Club to minimise this risk, the nature of the necessary contact and of the physical activity prevents its total elimination. Students participating in a class conducted by the Club do so of their own volition and at their own risk.

A.2 Instructor Qualifications

1. All unsupervised Instructors must have either a current National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) accreditation or National Martial Arts Instructor Accreditation Scheme (NIAS) accreditation.
2. All unsupervised Instructors are bound by the "Instructors Code of Ethics" of the Martial Arts Industry Association.
3. All unsupervised Instructors must have current Work Cover approved Senior First Aid certification.
4. All unsupervised Instructors must have in place appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
5. All Instructors will be bound by this Code of Conduct and the National Code of Practice for Martial Arts Instructors.

A.3 Safety

1. Students must not practice martial arts or perform any physical exercises in the training area without the presence and supervision of an Instructor in the training area.
2. During any break (such as drink breaks) in any training session, if a student continues to practice martial arts or perform any physical exercises on their own or with other student or person (such as sparring practice), the student and the person(s) do so on their own volition and at their own risk.
3. Instructors and the students are to ensure that the training area is clear of any dangerous and/or sharp objects that may provide a risk of injury.
4. Instructors will have access at all times to a fully equipped first aid kit.
5. All students participating in training must not wear jewelry, watches and other personal ornaments during training.
6. All students participating in training agree to maintain self-control at all times and maintain care in the application of any techniques.
7. Any student who, in training, exhibits behaviour that, in the judgement of the Instructor, is a danger to other participants, shall not be allowed to continue training until the Instructor determines the danger is no longer present.

A.4 Training Area Etiquette

1. Students will bow in the appropriate manner upon entering the training area.
2. Shoes must be taken off before entering the training area.
3. Students must be punctual, preferably early, so that they are ready to train when class commences. If arriving late, a student must wait at the side of the training area until the Instructor indicates that the student may join the class.
4. Students must not chew gum (or any other confectionery or food) whilst training.
5. Food and/or drink (including water) must not be consumed whilst on the training area.
6. Mobile phones must be turned off during training. Mobile phones inadvertently left on during training may not be answered. Any student who is “on‐call” for work may seek approval from the Instructor prior to the commencement of class to leave his or her mobile phone on.

A.5 Uniforms & Training Gear

All students must wear the following approved clothing during all training sessions:

1. Uniform (Gi or Dogi): Approved and proprietary based uniforms (not home made) uniforms designed for Aikido or Judo is permitted.
2. Hakama: No hakama is allowed for training sessions in the Club unless approved by the Instructor. Dan‐graded students may request to wear a hakama, permission of which is at the Instructor’s discretion.
3. Shoes: No shoes whatsoever are to be worn during any training session.
4. All clothing must be free of logos or markings unless authorised by the Club or the logo is that of the Club.

5. Students inappropriately attired will not be allowed to train.
6. Students who recently joined the Club may train in sporting attire as approved by the Instructor for limited time until the students purchase the appropriate training gear.
7. In addition to the general uniform requirements, students must bring a towel and filled water bottle to each training session.

A.6 Sparring requirements

Students participating in sparring activity must purchase and wear approved protective gear, such as eye, head and body guards. The protective gear must be brought to every training session.

A.7 Sickness or Injury

1. Students must not train if they are suffering from the flu or other viral infection that may be passed on to other students.
2. Prior to the commencement of a training session (or in case of late arrival, during the duration of the training session), students must advise the Instructor if they are suffering from any injury or medical condition, either permanent or temporary, which may be adversely affected by certain types of training. Some examples of this may include blood pressure problems and cardiac disorders, neck and back injuries, twisted ankle, joint injuries, bruises, diabetes and asthma.
3. If requested by the Instructor, students with the above or like conditions must show this Code of Conduct to their physician and secure a medical certificate clearly stating that the person is able to participate in classes conducted by the Club and whether there are any restrictions or conditions applicable.

A.8 Other Health Issues

1. Students must not attend training under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
2. Smoking is not allowed in or in the immediate vicinity of the training area.
3. Students must give proper attention to personal hygiene and exhibit clean grooming; and ensure that fingernails and toenails are trimmed and clean. The Instructor may require a student to leave the training area and attend to any grooming issue before they are permitted to rejoin the training session (for example, a student may be asked to leave the training area and cut their nails).
4. Students with a cut or bleeding injury must cease training immediately and receive appropriate first aid. Rejoining the training session will not be allowed until the Instructor has deemed that is safe to do so.
5. Students or persons administering first aid to another student suffering a cut or bleeding injury must wear protective gloves.

A.9 Training Area Ethics

1. Students must always be courteous and helpful to each other.
2. Physical contact between students who are training must be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the skill development of those students.
3. Sexual harassment, defined as being where a person is subjected to unwanted or uninvited sexual behaviour, will not be tolerated.
4. Any form of discrimination based on sex, ethnic origin, language, colour, or other form of differentiation will not be tolerated.

A.10 Grading Conditions

1. Opportunity to grade under the Club’s syllabus occurs only three times per calendar year. A student may only grade at these times subject to the final determination of the instructors panel on the day of the grading (“Panel”).
2. All fees must be up to date and paid at the commencement of the grading.
3. In assessing a student’s readiness to grade, the Instructor (or the Panel) takes into consideration such factors as consistency of attendance, attitude, focus and attention during training sessions, as much as a student’s knowledge of the Club’s syllabus to the point he or she wishes to grade.
4. The Instructor or the Panel reserves the right to grade up or down students at his or their discretion.
5. To secure grading under the Club’s syllabus, a student must be a current financial member of the Club.
6. Membership of the Club requires a student to agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct.
7. The Club reserves the right to revoke the grading of any student who breaches this Code of Conduct or is convicted of any criminal offence.

A.11 Training Session Restrictions

1. Training sessions with the Club are structured as either general training sessions conducted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday or senior only training session on Thursdays (“Senior Class”).
2. Only dan‐graded students or otherwise authorised by at least two Instructors are allowed to participate in the Senior Class. Non‐authorised students must leave the training area before commencement of the Senior Class.

Interpretations

• A ‘calendar year’ means the full twelve-month period beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31.

• An ‘Instructor’ is a designated instructor (duly accredited by the Martial Arts Industry Association) on the day of any training session.

• A ‘student’ means a current financial member of theClub or any person participating in any training session of the Club and includes a guardian.

• A ‘training area’ is a temporary area designated to training and delineated by the martial arts mats laid down on the floor.