Parent & Guardian Policy

Our Commitment

Sapphire Gymnastics Club is committed to providing a safe, positive and inclusive environment where every gymnast is supported to reach their potential and enjoy their gymnastics journey.

Parents, carers and guardians play a vital role in helping us achieve this.

This Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour we expect from all adults supporting gymnasts.

• Protect the wellbeing, dignity and safety of all gymnasts.
• Promote respect and positive relationships between families, coaches, staff and volunteers.
• Support a culture where children and young people can grow in confidence and feel valued.
• Ensure that the behaviour of adults upholds the principles of fair play, inclusion and good sportsmanship.

All parents, carers and guardians are expected to read, understand and follow this Code of Conduct.

Thank you for supporting a culture that puts gymnast welfare first, always.

Our Shared Commitment to Gymnast Welfare

Parents, carers and guardians agree to:

• Prioritise the safety, wellbeing and enjoyment of their child above all else.
• Encourage a healthy and positive attitude toward training, competition and progression.
• Promote confidence and self-esteem by celebrating effort, learning and improvement — not just results.
• Support a balanced approach to training that includes proper rest, recovery, nutrition and education.
• Ensure their child attends sessions fit, healthy and ready to participate.
• Help create a culture where all gymnasts feel respected, included and valued regardless of ability, background or experience.
• Speak positively about their child’s participation and avoid putting pressure on them to achieve goals they do not own.

We recognise that gymnastics should always be a safe, fun and empowering activity for every young person.

By working in partnership with coaches and staff, parents play a key role in nurturing a gymnast’s confidence, mental wellbeing and passion for the sport.

Respectful Relationships with Coaches, Officials & Volunteers

Parents, carers and guardians agree to:

• Treat all coaches, IGA officials, judges, event staff and volunteers with respect, courtesy and patience at all times.
• Support coaches to coach — avoiding giving technical instructions from the sidelines or contradicting coaching guidance.
• Trust the professional judgement of qualified staff and officials regarding safety, progression, scoring, rules and readiness for new skills.
• Use appropriate communication channels for questions, concerns or feedback — not informal or personal messaging platforms.
• Avoid pressuring coaches or officials to fast-track advancement, alter scores or allocate additional training or competition outcomes.
• Recognise that coaches and officials act in the best interests of all gymnasts and must apply rules, safeguarding policies and welfare considerations consistently.
• Show understanding when staff or officials must make safeguarding, welfare-based or rule-based decisions, even if these differ from personal expectations.
• Respect personal boundaries, including not approaching coaches, judges or officials during training sessions or competitions unless necessary for safety or directed by event procedures.
• Follow event protocols when raising queries at competitions, including allowing coaches to act as the appropriate point of contact with officials.

Positive Behaviour as a Spectator & Role Model

Parents, carers and guardians agree to:

• Be positive role models, showing encouragement, calmness and good sportsmanship at all times.
• Celebrate effort, progress and teamwork — not only outcomes or placement.
• Avoid shouting instructions, criticism or negative comments from the viewing area or stands.
• Refrain from distracting gymnasts during training or competition.
• Treat all gymnasts, including those from other clubs, with respect and kindness.
• Never engage in gossip, confrontation or aggression towards officials, gymnasts, staff or other parents.
• Support a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, discrimination or harassment in any form.
• Follow all club and event rules relating to access, viewing areas and behaviour.

Children learn from how we act — our words and behaviour shape their confidence, enjoyment and respect for others.

Supporting Safe Boundaries & Protecting All Children

Parents, carers and guardians agree to:

• Place the physical and emotional safety of all children above any sporting ambition.
• Respect privacy and personal space, including in changing areas and during injury treatment.
• Avoid discussing or commenting on a gymnast’s body shape, weight or appearance.
• Support healthy attitudes toward training, nutrition and rest, and never apply pressure to diet or train excessively.
• Follow the club’s rules on photography, filming and image sharing to protect all gymnasts.
• Use digital and social media responsibly — never posting content that could embarrass, identify or put a child at risk.
• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to the Club Welfare Officer or Safeguarding Lead.
• Never confront or question a child about allegations or concerns — leave this to trained professionals.
• Respect that safeguarding decisions may sometimes be made confidentially for a child’s protection.

Respect for the Gymnast’s Journey & Personal Development

Parents, carers and guardians agree to:

• Recognise that each gymnast develops at their own pace and avoid comparisons with others.
• Allow children to own their goals and celebrate achievements that matter to them.
• Encourage enjoyment, curiosity and confidence — not perfection.
• Support the gymnast’s right to express feelings honestly without fear of disappointing others.
• Avoid placing pressure to win, progress quickly or achieve specific scores or levels.
• Trust coaches to make progression decisions based on readiness, safety and wellbeing.
• Encourage resilience and learning from setbacks — mistakes are part of the journey.
• Promote a balanced life that allows time for school, friendships, family and rest.
• Respect a gymnast’s right to privacy about personal matters, injuries or challenges.

Success in gymnastics is more than skills — it’s confidence, wellbeing, friendship and fun.

Communication & Working Together with the Club

Parents, carers and guardians agree to:

• Communicate openly, calmly and respectfully with coaches and staff.
• Raise concerns privately through the correct channels — not in public areas or group chats.
• Request meetings at suitable times, understanding that coaches cannot pause training for discussions.
• Keep personal contact information up to date and check club communications regularly.
• Inform the club of any medical, wellbeing or personal circumstances that may affect participation.
• Follow the club’s procedures for reporting safeguarding or welfare concerns.
• Work collaboratively with the club to resolve issues, giving time for actions to be followed up.
• Avoid spreading rumours, assumptions or confidential information about other gymnasts or families.
• Approach disagreements with a solution-focused mindset, recognising that everyone wants the best for each gymnast.

Commitment to Club Rules & Responsibilities

Parents, carers and guardians agree to:

• Ensure their child attends training and events on time with the correct kit and equipment.
• Encourage good preparation habits — hydration, nutrition, sleep and punctuality.
• Notify the club promptly of any absences, injuries or illness affecting participation.
• Follow all club rules relating to health and safety, safeguarding, venue access and supervision.
• Respect decisions made regarding training groups, rotations and competition entries.
• Support staff when a gymnast must step back, recover or modify training for safety or wellbeing reasons.
• Complete all required permissions, medical information and safeguarding documentation in full.
• Refrain from using private or unauthorised areas of the venue.
• Ensure younger siblings or children in their care are supervised at all times within the facility.
• Adhere to any travel, transport or event-specific safety guidance.
• Ensure their child is safely dressed for the session, including activity-safe clothing and stud earrings only.

By supporting club policies consistently, we help create a structured, safe and positive training environment for every child.

Responsible Use of Social Media & Digital Communication

Parents, carers and guardians agree to:

• Use social media in a positive and respectful manner when discussing gymnastics.
• Never post content that could identify or embarrass a child, including other people’s children, without appropriate consent.
• Follow all club policies regarding photography, filming and image sharing, especially at training and events.
• Avoid sharing information about training incidents, injuries, disciplinary matters or safeguarding concerns online.
• Refrain from commenting publicly on routines, selection decisions, scores or judging outcomes.
• Never engage in online harassment, arguments or negative discussion involving coaches, gymnasts, officials or other parents.
• Not set up unofficial pages, groups or forums representing the club, and not share confidential information in parent group chats.
• Use only approved club communication channels to message staff — no direct messaging to coaches’ personal accounts unless explicitly permitted.
• Report any inappropriate online behaviour to the club safeguarding lead immediately.

Your Rights as Parents, Carers & Guardians

As a valued partner in your child’s gymnastics journey, you have the right to:

Breaches of the Code

We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and supportive environment for all gymnasts, families and staff.

Where behaviour does not meet the expectations set out in this Code of Conduct, Sapphire Gymnastics Club may take appropriate action regarding the parent, carer or guardian involved.