Parents Code of Conduct

The following code of conduct for Parents/Guardians of Wings Rhythmic Gymnastics Club is for the benefit of all at the club, please do your best to follow these guidelines:

1. It is the responsibility of the club to report any signs of physical, emotional and/ or sexual
abuse or neglect to relevant authorities
. If a child is in immediate danger, we reserve the right to call the gardai.

2. Respect the confidentiality between the participant and their coach. As the legal guardian,
coaches are required to inform you of anything putting the child in danger/ under harm.

However, according to the Children’s Act 2005, we are expected to respect the participant’s privacy on any topics that do not put the individual in any potential danger or harm.

Parent’s are strictly not allowed to intervene in training sessions. Giving feedback while a training session is taking place or challenging the professional opinion of qualified staff is not acceptable within the facilities of the club or during events.
Parent’s aren’t allowed on the Field of Play (FOP) Parents aren’t allowed to cross the boundaries of the parents are and stepping on the training mat, especially with shoes on, is strictly forbidden.
Respect the decision of coaches in relation to the progression of gymnasts. Coaches will
only have the gymnast’s best interest in mind when making decisions about progression based on character and personality, capacity to work under pressure, performance anxiety levels,
physicality, fitness, technique, and other factors. It is important to respect the professional opinion of the staff helping your child excel at whatever level and ability the children choose to engage in.
Physical and verbal abuse or threatening behaviour towards any of our staff, volunteers will not be tolerated and it may lead to suspension and or expulsion.
A group coach’s job is to plan long, medium and short term goals for each group that are progressive and fit for the groups age and ability; deliver coaching sessions that are inclusive, safe and engaging; and spot and give appropriate feedback in line with safe training guidelines and with the current CoP/ legality rules. However, individualised exercises, after hours coaching and feedback, providing training resources is not part of their job. If these are services you are looking for, you may want to look for a local or online private coach.
Access to the gymnast’s changing area is restricted to only gymnasts and staff. Parents
can wait at the waiting area near reception.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion. The club has a zero- tolerance policy of discrimination of any kind. If this policy is breached, measures will be taken such as suspension.

Once the class has ended and the participant has been collected by the parent/guardian, it is
their responsibility to control their child doesn't interfere with the safety and lesson of

anyone present.
Respect the premises. Parents/ guardians are not allowed to open drawers, grab stationery and or equipment that has not been offered or enter offices or reception areas restricted to staff members only. This is important to ensure the GDPR regulations and protect our member's private information. This is also the place of work of WRGC staff, and their private areas should be respected.
For safeguarding reasons, coaches are not able to change or assist children in the bathroom. For these reasons, we ask parents to only register for classes once your child is potty trained. If
your child needs assistance in the bathroom, parents should stay in the designated
parent’s area in case the participant needs to use the bathroom.
Encourage your child to participate by the rules of the CoP/ legality rules, the club’s code of conduct and other relevant rules/ guidelines.
It is the parent’s responsibility to provide their children with everything they need for class and make sure they are ready to train. This includes appropriate clothing that does not jeopardise the safety of the gymnast, making sure long hair is tied up, and that participants have water to stay hydrated during the session.
There is ample parking available at the side of the building, please try to pick up and

drop off from here as to reduce traffic interference in regard to our neighbours, Best Drive
Garage and Central Auto Parts as they require this space to manoeuvre.
Respect our neighbouring businesses and don’t interfere with their commercial activities.
Verbal abuse, parking in front of their shopfronts and disturbing their customers will not be

tolerated.
For the participant’s safety, make sure that they are always supervised while in the parking lot

. The parking spaces are shared with our neighbouring businesses and people with no links to the club might be aware of children being around.

Competitive Squad Programme

1. Mission Statement:

At Wings Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, our competitive rhythmic gymnastics squad is dedicated to cultivating excellence, teamwork, and personal growth. We strive to create an environment where each athlete can develop their skills, unleash their artistic expression, and achieve their highest potential in the sport of rhythmic gymnastics.

Our mission is to foster a culture of dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship among our athletes. We aim to instill in them the values of respect, integrity, fair play and perseverance, both on and off the competition floor.

We are committed to providing top-notch coaching, comprehensive training programs, and opportunities for competitive exposure at regional, national, and international levels. Through a focus on skill refinement, physical conditioning, and artistic development, we aim to empower our athletes to perform with grace, precision, and confidence.

Our goal is to create a nurturing and inspiring environment that fosters passion for the sport as well as respect and understanding of the complexities and the high technical demands of it.

The club operates under the progress over perfection mentality, meaning that it’s participants are expected to progress in all areas despite the external circumstances towards their personal best.

Together, we embrace the journey of continuous improvement, aiming not only for success in competitions but also for personal development, self-discovery, and the joy of rhythmic gymnastics

2. Membership Criteria:

Membership is at the discretion of the head coach. Physical and psychological maturity, physiology, fitness tests, past performances, work ethic, cognitive capacity, behaviour, punctuality and attendance will be taken into consideration. The head coach will invite the participant for a trial and evaluate how they train before making a decision about offering a formal invitation.

Preparing for competition requires more than talent. Gymnasts willing to participate in the competitive programme should:

Train more than 8 hours a week. Training sessions may be increased during competition seasons.

Attend 80% of training sessions unless they have a medical reason or extenuating circumstances.

Purchase their own FIG approved apparatuses and competition gear, as these are the only ones accepted in competition. These should be the correct size.

Go to competitions organised by the club or any other competitions where the gymnast is qualified or appointed to compete.

Have a good work ethic and be able to pay attention during training in order to keep up with the technical skills coached. If the attention and motivation of the gymnast decline, they can always access one of our more fun-based, laid-back programmes such as Development or Recreational.

3. Commitment:

The club funds more than 50% of the competitive squad pro bono. We offer these opportunities for those who are willing to commit to the sport and the club under the guidance of club coaches and support staff. The competitive squad has a limited number of spots and they will be offered to those who are willing to take advantage of the opportunities we offer.

4. Conduct and Sportsmanship: Respect for the Coaches

Both parents and gymnasts are expected to respect the professional decision of all qualified coaches. It is important to understand that our coaches aren’t volunteers, they are highly qualified staff; many of them with relevant third level education and extensive experience in their relevant fields. All coaches in the club have been trained in group and behaviour control. Parents and gymnast are encouraged to bring to the attention of their coaches and safeguarding officer anything to do with the participant’s welfare. However, development matters, choice of skills and elements or session delivery methods that do not affect the welfare of the gymnasts must be respected by all club members.

Fair Play

The club takes fair play very seriously. Members are required to compete with integrity and adhere to the rules and spirit of the sport. This applies to both gymnasts, staff and parents. Avoid any form of cheating, unsportsmanlike conduct, or disrespect toward opponents.

Grace in Victory and Defeat:

Gymnasts are encouraged to congratulate those rivals who excelled at any event the club participates in if the context allows for this.

If the outcome of the performance at an event is not what the gymnasts expected, she/he still has the responsibility to exercise emotional control. While it is important to label and embrace any unwanted feelings in competition, disruptive behaviours such as throwing apparatuses on the floor, distracting other competitors or tantrums will not be tolerated.

Medals and trophies are not a right for the gymnast to receive. Medals and trophies are earned. Gymnasts will need to learn to accept competition results no matter the outcome and take them as feedback for the next event. It is vital for competitive members to take ownership over their own training and set realistic goals for themselves. WRGC coaches will assist the gymnast doing this, but it is ultimately up to the gymnast to play a part in the outcome of the event and accept it with dignity.

Supportive Behaviour:

Offer support and encouragement to teammates during training, competitions, and challenging moments. Create a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and included.

Address conflicts or disagreements with maturity and respect. Engage in open and constructive communication to resolve issues, seeking guidance from coaches when necessary.

Responsibility:

Take responsibility for your actions, decisions, and commitments. Honour training schedules, attendance requirements, and uphold the standards set forth by the club and coaches.

Understand that as a member of the competitive squad, behaviour reflects not only on oneself but also on the club. Represent the club with pride, demonstrating the highest levels of sportsmanship and professionalism.

Continuous Improvement:

Embrace a growth mindset, seeking to continually improve skills, technique, and attitude. Embrace feedback from coaches and strive for personal and collective advancement. WRGC prioritises progress over perfection. Club staff will never expect or demand perfection and will coach under the principle that progression is not linear and everybody will have good and bad days.

However we expect fitness tests, competition results, and behaviour and mental skills evaluations to reflect an overall upwards trajectory.

Coaches will review and make changes when necessary to make this possible. If the motivation, attendance, commitment or training density and volume get in the way of this progress the club will contemplate option of relocating the gymnast in a more suitable programme.

Adherence to Policies:

Follow the club's policies and guidelines, including those related to training, conduct, competition participation, and other team-related activities.

5. Training and Skill Development:

If a gymnast is to reach their full potential, the planning must be specific to their individual needs. There are many individual factors which should be taken into account, some of the most important are: age; gender; physical maturity; skill level; goals; strengths and weaknesses.

Different gymnasts will respond differently to slight changes in the training programme. It is not always suitable for a whole group to have the same programme. Some gymnasts may require more emphasis on strength, while some should spend more time on flexibility or psychological preparation for example. Individual needs, aspirations and abilities will need to be considered and it is good practice to profile your gymnasts to identify their strengths and weaknesses.

For an outsider looking into the world of rhythmic gymnastics, it may look like a pretty dance with multiple displays of flexibility. However, gymnasts willing to compete will be judged by trained professionals with a deep understanding of the demands of the sport. Rhythmic gymnastics is by nature a sport that requires an outstanding amount of endurance, muscle memory and repetition. Gymnast won’t spend the 10+ hours of training repeating a 1,30 minute routine. They will instead start by working on their muscle activation, stamina and endurance; proceed to work on core stability flexibility mobility and body control and continue to develop technical skills.

WRGC commits to the recommended training and skill development process designed by British Gymnastics and adopted by Gymnastics Ireland and apply this to planning annual, cycle, weekly and daily plans that are tailored to the gymnasts’ level and use all the resources we have available to make sure these are effective. The coaching process will involve the following:

Tactical preparation: Essentially, the tactical preparation aspect of the needs analysis identifies a gymnast’s current level and requires the coach to realistically define key objectives. The technical, physical and artistic preparation factors involves the process of identifying the key areas to develop in order to achieve the objectives.

Technical Preparation: In a sport like gymnastics, technique is central to performance. Consequently, as a coach, it is important to profile the gymnasts’ movements to enable improvement areas to be identified. There are a number of quantitative and qualitative methods that can be employed to assess a gymnast’s technical performance.

Physical Preparation: We are the only rhythmic gymnastics club in Ireland with a personal trainer available to the competitive gymnasts. Physical preparation is key to execute skills properly and avoiding injuries. Gymnasts will have to do a fitness test every cycle so we can spot their strengths and weaknesses and track their progress and efforts through the cycles.

Novice

PAT test: The PAT shows what the demands are for the development of the flexibility and power skills:
• The selection of test exercises is based on experiences over many years and is an extract from training programs for the development of the physical ability prerequisites for performance.

Pre-Espoir, Espoir, Junior and Senior

BQT test: The British Qualification testing is a strength and conditioning testing programme for rhythmic gymnasts that combine different physical components in order to assess the most important muscle groups and movements required in rhythmic gymnastics.

Novice Pre-Espoir, Espoir, Junior and Senior

• The test exercises for flexibility are focused of the level of development of the passive and active flexibility of the hips and shoulders.
• The test exercises of the power skills are based on the determination of the level of development of the explosive power for leaps and jumps, the special endurance, and the level at static and dynamic components of exercises.
• Current knowledge about the level of education in many countries shows that the development of the performance prerequisites of flexibility and power should have more attention.
• Based on their capability, gymnasts have the possibility to obtain a score of 1.0 to 10.0 points per test exercise. Such control procedures offer the possibility to compare one’s personal score with the best score for each test component.

Strength Training Guidelines & Strength Training Principles Sequencing Strength & Order of Training (for all tissues) Power Training

Train for safety – landings, core, proprioception
Large muscle groups first Muscle Balance

Skill specific patterns Maximum force and speed (power)

Specificity Progressive Overload Recovery Reversibility Individualization Variation
Diminishing Returns

Muscular Endurance Speed with low force Muscle hypertrophy Specific strength
Power – strength with low speed

Power – maximum force and speed

Psychological Preparation: It is important to develop the psychological factors associated with peak performance and incorporating them into the gymnasts’ training:

High levels of motivation
Ability to optimise levels of arousal/anxiety High levels of concentration
High levels of self-confidence

High levels of determination

WRGC commits to delivering psychological skills training to your gymnasts for performance enhancement purposes. If a gymnast has great technique and optimal physical conditions but they aren’t equipped to perform under pressure, to concentrate during training, or they are not motivated enough to show up to training in difficult times their performance will suffer.

If a gymnasts is dealing with clinical issues or suspected to be dealing with one, she should be referred to her GP or a clinical psychologist.

There are four predominant strategies used to train the psychological skills associated with peak performance. All of these are included in the cycle plans of the competitive squad. These include:

Goal setting
Imagery and visualisation Self-talk
Relaxation

Artistic preparation: The club is lucky enough to have a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) graduate ballet teacher to assist with choregraphing routines, and helping with artistic components. No other rhythmic club in the Republic of Ireland has fully qualified ballet teacher dedicated to the assistance of artistry requirements. Below are the artistic components that need to be trained and will be evaluated in competition:

Character - The movements have a clearly-defined style emphasizing the gymnast’s unique interpretation of the character of the music; that style or character of movement is developed from the beginning to the end of the exercise. This identifiable character is recognized by the body and the apparatus movements throughout all of the exercise, prioritized in a variety of ways including:
• Preparation movements before the Difficulties
• Transitional movements between Difficulties
• During DB and/or the exit from the DB
• Body waves
• Stylized, connecting steps linking DB, R, DA
• Under the throws/during the flight of the apparatus
• During the catches
• During rotational elements
• Changes of levels
• Connecting apparatus elements emphasizing the rhythm and character

• During DA elements

Dance Steps - A Dance Steps Combination is a specific sequence of movements with the body and apparatus dedicated to expressing the stylistic interpretation of the music: therefore, a Dance Steps Combination must have a defined character in the movement. It is choreographed according to the character, rhythm, tempo and
accents of the music. The stylized movements of the body segments, the tempo and intensity of the movements, and the choice of modalities of travelling should be carefully selected for the specific music on which they are performed.
The construction of movements should aim to include all the body segments, as fitting for the specific music, including the head, shoulders, hands, arms, hips, legs, feet, etc.
Each composition must have a minimum of 2 Dance Steps Combinations of 8 second each.

Expression - A gymnast transforms a structured routine into an artistic performance based on her expressivity. Body expression is a union of strength and power with beauty and elegance in the movements. Beauty and finesse can be expressed by the ample participation of the different body segments (head, shoulders, trunk, rib cage, hands, arms, legs, as well as the face) in the following ways:

• supple, plastic, and/or subtle movements which convey character
• facial expression which communicates an emotional response to the music
• emphasis of the accents
• intensity of the character of movements
Regardless of the physical size or height of the gymnast, movements of the body segments are performed with maximum range, breadth and extension.

Dynamic Changes - The speed and intensity of the gymnast’s movements, as well as the movement of her apparatus, should reflect changes in the tempo and dynamism of the music.
Compositions with less than 2 Dynamic Changes will be penalized

Special Effects - The union of specific elements with specific accents creates an effect that is recognizable by the viewers; the purpose of such effects is to contribute to the original relationship between specific music and specific movements developed by the gymnast. DB, R, and DA are placed on specific musical accents which are strong, clear and can best match the energy and intensity of the Difficulty.

Use of the Floor Area

Travelling is wide and comprehensive through the floor area, so that the entire floor area is covered by the movement of gymnast, who must travel to all parts of the floor area (although not necessarily touching the physical four corners).

The directions in which a gymnast travels should be varied across the floor and not a repetitive back-and-forth in the same pathway.

Unity

One or several severe technical fault(s), which breaks the unity of the composition by forcing the gymnast to halt the performance of the composition or to stop portraying an artistic image for several seconds, is penalized one time as an overall penalty at the end of the exercise.

Connections

All movements must have a logical, intentional relationship between them so that one movement/element passes into the next for an identifiable reason. Elements are joined smoothly and logically without prolonged preparations or unnecessary stops which do not support the character of the composition or which do not create an effect. Elements which are arranged together without a clear purpose become a series of unrelated actions, which prohibit both the full development of the story as well as the unique identity of the composition. Such connections are defined as:

• Difficulties linked together without a clear relationship
• Transitions from one movement or Difficulty to another that are abrupt, illogical or prolonged.

Rhythm

The movements of the body as well as the apparatus must correlate precisely with the musical accents and the musical phrases; both the body and apparatus movements should emphasize the tempo/pace of the music.

Movements which are performed separately from the accents or disconnected from the tempo established by the music are penalized 0.10 each time, up to 2.00 points. Examples:
• When movements are visibly emphasized before or after the accents • When a clear accent in the music is “passed through” and not emphasized by movement

• When movements are unintentionally behind the musical phrase
• When the tempo changes and the gymnast is in the middle of slower movements and cannot reflect the change in speed (off the rhythm)

6. Competition Participation:

Club competitions will be open to all gymnasts. WRGC is in the developmental stages of event organising and self-regulation. Previously, when being more involved in GI competitions, there were three main competitions available for our club:

Open age Competition Grading Competition National Series

For 2024, we are planning on organising three club competitions to make up for these:

St. Patrick’s day Competition Wings Cup
Christmas Cup

In addition, there will be international events, controls and display opportunities.

Events will get more official, effective and attractive progressively through the year. We ask for patience while we develop and fund better opportunities for our gymnasts.

Competitive gymnast are required to participate in all club competitions unless they have a doctor’s note or proof of extenuating circumstances. If the gymnasts and their support system cannot prove they are committed to attend local events, they are not eligible to attend any more challenging and official events.

About International Events:

Unlike in most countries, Ireland doesn’t have county or regional championships and there is no vetting to the competitive scene. The number of participants in Ireland is exceptionally low as it is still in early development stages. This affects the perception of performance, especially in young gymnasts.

The club believes that going abroad will give members a more realistic expectation of where they are in their journey and a more informed decision of where they want to be. In most tournaments and cups there are two full panels of judges with a lot more experience, which means that their scores will be more accurate, more fair and informative. In addition, a more diverse pool of competitors will provide a better learning experience.

Please note that not all international events will be suited for all gymnasts. Some international Cups are very demanding in terms of performance and not suitable for beginners. Therefore, depending on the cup, the club may select only the gymnasts that are better suited to participate.

Another point to be aware of is that depending on the country and their level progression and standards, the competition entry may be under different levels. For example, level 2 gymnast may compete in the recreational competition section in competitions in certain countries.

Any event that requires overnight stays need to comply with the WRGC Travel Policy.

7. Communication and Feedback:

The main channel of communication is through email. For general queries, safeguarding and fee information please contact

secretary@wingsrhythmicgymnastics.com

For technical information and questions about competitive squad matters please contact

headcoach@wingsrhythmicgymnastics.com

There are also drop-in times to discuss issues or ask queries that are too complicated to deal with on email and/or messages. These include progression, performance, motivation problems, group change, behaviour, injuries, event, attendance, training agreement and safeguarding.

Tuesday Wednesday Friday

4:00- 5:00 pm 4:00- 5:00 pm 4:00-5:00 pm
Parents need to communicate any absence or tardiness in advance of the session in order for the coaches to plan appropriately. This communication needs to be through email.

Communication Disclaimers

1. As a legal guardian, coaches are required to inform you of anything putting your child in danger or under harm. However, according to the Children's Act 2005, we are expected to respect the participant's privacy in any topics that do not put the child in any danger or harm.

2. The professional decisions of staff are not subject to debate and it won't be disclosed prematurely for approval to anyone that is not employed by the club.
3. Same goes for judges or any role fulfilled by staff external to the club.

4. WRGC does not take responsibility for information of events external to the club. If parents are looking for clarification on already delivered information or further communication on matters that are out of the club's hands, they should contact the responsible party directly. The contact information for organisers of events or other partnerships will be delivered in advance from now on and it will be the parent's responsibility to save access to this contact information since the club cannot confirm this information will be re-sent on request during busy work periods.

5. The club cannot deliver personalised communications in line with each parent's preference. Email is the main way of communication. The parent is responsible to check their inbox in a timely manner and make sure that mass emails aren't marked as spam. This applies to communications about payments too.

8. Financial Responsibilities:

Although the club funds the majority of the squad’s costs, being part of a competitive squad in such a demanding sport doesn’t come without costs. This costs include but they are not limited to the following:

Competition attire that is compliant with FIG rules Insurance costs
Competition entry fees
Event travel costs

FIG approved apparatuses

Extra training costs

Squad members may also need to financially invest on the following depending on the circumstances:
- If the gymnast experiences pains/ aches that need to be consulted by a professional, visits to the physiotherapist may be required. WRGC reserves the right to refuse to coach a child that that challenges the club’s safety policy.
- If the parents of a gymnast believe their child would benefit from extra training, extra feedback outside training hours or additional exercises that will add session planning or administrative time outside of their working hours, they should be prepared to cover the costs of a private lesson inside or outside the club. Online private coaching has become increasingly popular in recent years and parents should be aware this is an option too.
9. Code of Conduct and Discipline:

There are specific codes of conducts for parents, coaches and gymnasts that can be found on our website and that have already been circulated. Members are expected to be familiar and comply with these.

10. Review and Amendments:

There will be a mandatory extensive review made every two years where all staff involved in the squad and gymnasts will be involved in the process. Changes will be made when needed and circulated to parents at the start of every second year.

The club reserves the right to review and change the policy as needed at any time. Any random changes will try to be avoided so there isn’t constant changes that are hard to keep up with. However, if necessary, the club has the ability to make changes at any given time if this helps running the competitive squad appropriately.

11. Acknowledgment:

All squad members and their guardians to acknowledge receipt and understanding of the policy, signifying their commitment to adhere to it.

If these terms and conditions are not met, their coach will give a warning to the gymnasts and parents. If these are still not met after the warning, WRGC will redirect the member to a more suitable programme and no longer be in the Competition Squad.

I, parent/guardian of
agree with the Terms and Conditions of the Competition Programme and we are willing to comply with these.

Appendix 1: Competitive Squad Compatibility Checklist

Is the participant mentally ready for the demands of this programme?

Is the participant able to keep up with the attendance requirements while having enough time for school, homework and studying?

Is the participant committed enough for this programme?
Is the participant ready for increased technical, physical and artistic demands?
Does this programme and policy align with the parent’s and participants philosophy?

Is the support system of the gymnast (parents, carers, extended family...) have the resources to transport them to the gym and back for every training?

Are other extra curricular activities going to allow for time to commit to this programme?

Is the household ready for the financial commitment of this programme?

Does the participants and their parents trust and the coaches enough to respect their decisions in regards to performance and progression in the sport?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, you may want to reconsider this joining programme. There are other programmes within the club that may suit the participants’ needs better such as the Development Squad and Recreational Programme.
Refund Policy

We at WRGC strive to provide exceptional experiences for our participants. However, we understand that circumstances may arise which require a refund for event registrations. Please review our refund policy outlined below:

Refunds will be processed only if requested at least 14 days prior to the commencement of the event.

Requests for refunds made within the 14-day period before the event start date will not be eligible for a refund.

All refund requests must be made in writing and sent to

secretary@wingsrhythmicgymnastics.com

Refunds will be issued in the original form of payment used during registration.

Processing time for refunds may vary and typically takes up to 7 business days from the date of approval.

In the event of cancellation or changes to the event schedule from the side of the Gymnastics Club, registered participants will be entitled to a full refund regardless of the time frame.

Please note that any administrative fees or processing charges associated with the original registration may not be refundable.

Refunds will not be provided for participants who fail to attend or participate in the event for any reason, including but not limited to personal scheduling conflicts, transportation issues, or change of mind.

WRGC reserves the right to amend or update this refund policy at any time without prior notice. Any changes made will be effective immediately upon posting the updated policy on our website or through other official communication channels.

By registering for our events, participants agree to abide by this refund policy.
For any further inquiries or assistance regarding refunds, please contact our customer service at secretary@wingsrhythmicgymnastics.com

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Safety and Injury Management Policy- Training and Competition

The Wings Rhythmic Gymnastics Club (WRGC) safety and injury management policy aims to ensure safety during gymnastics sessions by assessing and eliminating risks, teaching techniques correctly, and prioritizing physical and mental preparation. It emphasizes the responsibility of coaches to provide a safe environment, the importance of proper clothing and disclosure of medical history, and the most common injuries in gymnastics. The document also provides guidelines for responding to injuries and illnesses, and outlines the steps for returning from an injury. It concludes with considerations for allowing injured gymnasts to compete.

This policy is made by head-coach Enya Tierney and with the collaboration of coach and Sports Physiotherapist Autana Arias.

Gymnast safety during the session

Risk Assessment

Ensuring safety during a session is one of the key ‘how to coach’ skills and should take precedence over all other concerns. Initially coaches must ensure that the coaching environment (facility and equipment) is free from hazards and risks. This is normally achieved by completing a risk assessment form which would identify the impact of the risk in terms of a low, medium or high rating. The rating relates to the likelihood of the risk leading to an injury and how frequently you believe this could occur. Coaches are required to make a decision in relation to the intended action in terms of eliminating it, or accepting the risk and implementing an approach to safeguard all gymnasts. Reinforcing safety issues with gymnasts and conveying the code of behaviour will support all stakeholders in ensuring safe and effective practice.

Hazard - A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause any harm. Examples of these are dangerous substances, equipment, manual handling and uneven floor surfaces to mention a few.

Risk - A risk is defined as an uncertain event or condition that, if occurs, it has an effect on at least one person or object. Risk assessments are a process that identifies potential hazards, assesses the level of risk based on the severity or likelihood of an outcome and then puts in place controls to manage the risk.

Control - A control is something that is put in place to provide protection against a hazard and either eliminate the risk or minimize the likelihood of it to occur. For instance, assign a warm-up area for gymnasts far away from the equipment or putting a water station for gymnasts to stay hydrated.

The following are the steps WRGC takes to carry out an appropriate risk assessment:

1. Identify the hazards
2. Identify who might get harmed and how
3. Evaluate the risks and identify controls
4. Record findings
5. Review and revise

Worst Case Outcome
No Injury 1 Minor Injury 2 Lost time injury 3 Severe injury 4 Fatality 5

Likelihood
Low 1 Remote 2 Unlikely 3 Likely 4 Very likely 5
Worst Case Outcome
Risk Rating

High 15-25 Medium 5-14 Low 1-4

Responsibility of the Coaches

All those involved in the provision of coaching activities have a general duty of care to participants
to exercise reasonable care for their safety both in training and competition and should ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable that:

• Gymnastics activity, training or coaching takes place in a safe environment, and the equipment
and facilities used are suitable, safe and well-maintained.
• Coaches have the required qualifications, competence and experience for the role they are undertaking.
• Coaches carry out coaching duties with reasonable skill and care and in a reasonable, prudent
and professional manner in accordance with the Sport Ireland Standards, Cheer Sport Ireland guidelines of Ethics and Conduct.
• Coaches employ best coaching practices are employed at all times and are meticulous in their
physical and mental preparation of the participant appropriate to the level of participation.

Coaches should carry out safety checks with all gymnasts in terms of their readiness to participate:

• Any current or previous injuries or illness
• Awareness of asthmatics and where they keep their inhaler • Removal or taping of jewellery and long hair tied back
• Appropriate clothing and footwear
• Fluids available to maintain hydration
• Activities and progressions appropriate for the group

• Reinforcement of rules and safe practice of techniques

One of the primary safety issues within gymnastics is ensuring that techniques are taught correctly and that gymnasts are ready to learn. There are some key factors that you can implement in order to provide a safe learning environment at all times, in order to safeguard gymnasts, minimise injury and reduce risk.

Physical preparation:

• Appropriate general and specific physical preparation prior to attempting to teach new or more advanced gymnastic elements
• In the early stages of learning, physical preparation should comprise 70% of the total training time with the other 30% dedicated to technical aspects

Mental preparation:

• Introduce a new skill through a live demonstration, video or diagram to allow the athlete to develop a visual image and understanding
• Key points of the technique should be identified by you

Pre-requisite skills:

• The majority of gymnastic skills are developed from basic core movement skills. Therefore, you should ensure that pre-requisite skills are identified and fully learned prior to progression

Progressive skill learning:

• Teach core skills first and when they are consistently and correctly performed they can be added together to develop full elements
• You should expect a fall in performance when adding together movements in a sequence

• Once a skill, combination or sequence has been learned, provide the gymnast with time to consolidate that stage of learning before progressing

Responsibility of the parents Clothing:

The Code of Dress for gymnastics activities is designed to safeguard the participants and coaches.
The following points should be adhered to during training and events:
• Ensure that the gymnasts wear appropriate clothing, which does not impede the freedom of movement required by the activity and is not too loose as to constitute a hazard.

• The wearing of clothing with buckles or clasps are dangerous and are prohibited.
• Raised adornments on gymnastics clothing are dangerous and are prohibited.
• Long hair may become a hazard and it should be tied back to avoid accidents.
• Participants should work in bare feet, socks or toe shoes.

• Gymnasts and parents should be aware of the risks associated with wearing spectacles and minimise the risks by wearing flexible frames, an elastic sports band or contact lenses to ensure safety.
• The use of kneepads for the entire sessions is strongly encouraged.

Disclosure of medical history

In order to keep the participant safe and have all their needs met, parents are required to be honest and transparent when completing the registration form and disclose any allergies, medical conditions, medication, history of injuries and or existence of disabilities (cognitive, sensory and physical) or learning difficulties (ASD, Dyslexia, ADHD, etc...)

This information will be dealt with the utmost care and in line with GDPR guidelines to ensure the participant’s privacy.

As stated in the Equal Status Acts 2000 - 2012, we are required by law to make ‘reasonable accommodation’ for people with a disability who may be athletes, employees or volunteers (For more information read our Inclusion policy) and the club will welcome anyone that is medically approved to participate in rhythmic gymnastics and/or cheerleading. However, our staff needs to be aware of adjustments to make or key factors to consider when planning and delivering the session so every can be safe, healthy and pain free.

Most common injuries/accidents

What is an overuse injury? An overuse injury is a term used to describe an injury that occurs from tissue damage resulting from repetitive demand over a period of time rather than an acute injury such as a shoulder dislocation or an ankle sprain. Experts sometimes describe it as ‘the repetitive submaximal loading of the musculoskeletal system when rest is not adequate to allow for structural adaptation to take place’.

The repeated extreme hyperflexion and hyperextension required for RG is associated with most of the overuse injuries.

Lower back pain:

Usually unilateral due to overuse. It is common in training to prioritise one side of the back to develop certain technical skills because it is more flexible and stronger. However, overusing one side of any side of the body can lead to the injury of itself. Therefore, as a prevention it would be important to work on both sides of the body to avoid this injury. If the gymnast does have back pain some guidelines to recover would be: local heat for 15 minutes, relaxing of the tight muscles, core training to support the fatigued muscles that no longer work correctly due to overuse, training adjustment to work on the body as a whole s best as possible and reduce load until pain eases, and stabilisation work of the lumbopelvic area.

Ankle/knee sprain:

It is a very common injury due to the work that gymnasts do on relevé (where the support of the whole body lays on the metatarsal, feet phalanges and the joints involved) which can be very unstable. Sometimes when the unstable support if compromised a movement and incorrect action of muscles on the side of the foot for example can lead to the involuntary elongation of a ligament that tries to avoid further structural damage. That ligament elongation can cause severe pain, inflammation and poor functionality. The immediate response is to apply ice to help reduce pain and inflammation, followed by compression via bandage and elevation. Afterwards, it is recommended to do an X-ray to eliminate the possibility of a fracture. If there is no fracture the sprain should be recovered in maximum 3 weeks through pain and inflammation management, recovery of range of movement, and progressive load and strength management to be able to participate in the sport normally.

Achilles tendinopathy:

It is usually caused by overuse from training on relevé or half point, incorrect loads/incorrect landing from jumps. The main goal with this injury is a progressive load management so that the tendon can recover and slowly adapt to load increase. Also to remind the gymnast the correct way to land jumps to avoid the injury coming back. Ankle and calf strength is also important.

Dislocation:

Usually from shoulder, knee patella or elbows. It occurs due to the joint being unstable due to anatomical structure of the gymnast who can have a higher tendency to this injury. In this case the main goal is to work on shoulder/elbow/knee stabilisation in different movements and in a static position so that the gymnast can learn to control the placement of her joints during gymnastics movements to avoid dislocation, since once it happens it increases the possibility of happening again, thus elevating tissue damage.

Concussions, bruises, scratches, burns (from carpet):

these all are common accidents that can happen during training. In regards to concussions caused by apparatus falling there is a protocol established to avoid hitting a gymnast though the protection of her/his head by shouting: “HEADS!”

Use of “HEADS!” - Training with apparatus presents risk to all other gymnasts/persons in the vicinity should the user lose control of the apparatus during throws. When the user of the apparatus loses control of their apparatus, they must shout “HEADS!” as loud as they can as there will likely be other distractions/noises in the gym and this shout must take precedence over everything else.

Upon hearing the phrase “HEADS!” everyone in the gym must quickly bring both arms over their head, protecting the head with the forearms. Once given the all clear by coaches, resume normal activity.

Also bruises are common due to the technical movements that are repeated many times to do it correctly. In those cases ice or a cold pack will help with swelling and pain. Sometimes scratches and carpet burns can happen but less frequently, which can be attended quickly by our team.

Responding to injury and illness

What to do in the event of an accident:

• Stop the session and direct other gymnasts away from the incident
• Check the injured gymnast is conscious by talking to them and if not, check that the breathing rate is stable
• If the gymnast is conscious then ascertain how the accident happened and if there is any pain
• In the event of a suspected spinal injury check to see that there are feelings to touch in the arms and legs.

IF IN DOUBT DO NOT MOVE THE INJURED GYMNAST

• Look for any signs of obvious deformity of the limbs or joints or abnormalities in the motion of a limb
• Keep the gymnast warm and at ease
• If there is any uncertainty seek qualified medical assistance

• Only after ruling out serious injury should the gymnast be moved
• Contact the injured gymnast’s parent/next of kin to inform them of the incident
• If the injured gymnast’s parent/next of kin is not available and they need to be transported to a hospital, ensure they are accompanied by a responsible and trustworthy adult and one other person known to the injured gymnast
• Inform the centre management and complete the accident report form
• Inform insurer of any incident where the injured gymnast has been taken to hospital

• Have the child sit out, kept warm, supervised and call the parents/ guardians if required

• Wear protective gloves
• Sit gymnast forward so blood drains away
• Ask the gymnast to breathe through their mouth, and pinch nose just below the bridge
• Tell the gymnast not to speak, swallow, cough, spit or sniff
• Provide clean cloth/tissue
• Release pressure to check blood flow; reapply if bleeding persists

Remember: If there is any doubt about the severity of an injury then that gymnast should receive medical attention.

Situation Advice

Poorly children:
• Have the child sit out, kept warm, supervised and call the parents/ guardians if required

Injuries to the skin:
• Wear protective gloves
• Blisters, abrasions and cuts should be cleaned with water and then covered with a clean dressing
• Ask if the gymnast is allergic to plasters

Nosebleed (Conscious with fresh bright blood streaming from the nose which started suddenly):

• Wear protective gloves
• Sit gymnast forward so blood drains away
• Ask the gymnast to breathe through their mouth, and pinch nose just below the bridge
• Tell the gymnast not to speak, swallow, cough, spit or sniff
• Provide clean cloth/tissue
• Release pressure to check blood flow; reapply if bleeding persists

• If bleeding persists for longer than 30 minutes, take or send the gymnast to hospital
• Keep your gymnast leaning forward when bleeding has stopped, while you clean around the nose and mouth gently with lukewarm water

• Advise the gymnast to rest for a few hours witho

Bangs and knocks:

• Apply ice (not directly to the skin) to reduce swelling
• If the accident involves a blow to the head, medical attention is advocated

Cramps or winded:

• Reassure the gymnast
• Sit them upright and advise them to breathe slowly, in through the nose and out through the mouth
• Keep them calm until normality returns

Soft tissue injuries:

• Slightly pulled muscles and tendons or sprains can normally be treated with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
• Apply ice without delay for between 10 and 20 minutes every two hours (ice not directly onto the skin)

• A compression bandage should be applied

Suspected serious injury:

• Seek medical help immediately
• Provide support for injured area, immobilise and if suspected spinal injury do not move
• Do not allow the injured gymnast to eat or drink
• Keep them calm and reassured until medical help arrives

Shock:
• Calm the gymnast by talking and reassuring them • Avoid them looking at the injury

Returning from an injury

Returning from an injury is a crucial time for a gymnast; these are the following steps the club takes to ensure the safety and well-being of that gymnast

No more pain/swelling without movement.

Full range of movement

Stabilisation of the joint

Enough strength in the affected area

Progressive load management: go to a higher level of movement once the previous one does not produce pain or inflammation post exercise.

Injuries and Competition
There may be times when a gymnast is carrying an injury but still wants to compete. These are the factors the club would need to consider when deciding whether to allow this:

Severity of the injury
Mental state of the gymnast
Injury management pre, during and post competition
Importance of competition

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