Guardian Defence

All persons participating in a class or course conducted by Guardian Defence must agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct, and acknowledge that any failure to abide this code may result in their expulsion and/or cancellation of their Guardian Defence membership. Guardian Defence reserves the right to make amendments or additions to this Code of Conduct at any time.

Participant Understanding

Guardian Defence 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 person participating in a class conducted by Guardian Defence does so with the full understanding that whilst it is the policy of Guardian Defence to minimise this risk, the nature of contact physical activity prevents its total elimination. Persons participating in a class conducted by Guardian Defence do so of their own volition and at their own risk.

Participants are in no way qualified or authorized to teach techniques as taught by Guardian Defence, publicly or privately in any way whatsoever for personal, monetary or any form of gain whatsoever unless with the written authorisation of Adori Kearns.

No participant will solicit business for personal financial gain from any other participant for any purpose. This includes, but is not limited to, personal training, yoga training or self-defence instruction.

Instructor Qualifications

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

Safety

1. Instructors will ensure that the training area is clear of any dangerous and/or sharp objects that may provide a risk of injury.
2. Instructors will have access at all times to a fully equipped first aid kit. The kit will be of the minimum standard of a St John Industrial First Aid Kit or equivalent.
3. Persons must not wear jewellery or watches during training. If jewellery can not be removed it should be taped and then permission sought from the instructor as to the
4. All persons participating in training agree to maintain self-control at all times and maintain all care in the application of any technique.
5. Any person, who exhibits behaviour during training that, in the judgment 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.

Training Area Etiquette

1. Persons will bow in the appropriate manner at the start and finish of each class.
2. Membership cards are to be presented prior to each class to Guardian Defence staff. Guardian Defence reserve the right to ask you to leave if this is not adhered to.
3. No guests or visitors are allowed into the training centre unless they have permission from a staff member. Casual visitors to the centre must complete an application form on their first visit and pay the casual visit fee each time they train. Guardians are always welcome to observe classes in which their ward is training.
4. Participants training at the centre are required to carry and use a towel to wipe any perspiration from the equipment during and after use. If personal protective equipment is borrowed from the club, it is the responsibility of the participant to wipe it down after use with the disinfectant supplied. Personal hygiene requirements include the wearing of deodorant.
5. Persons must be punctual, preferably early, so that they are ready to train when class commences. If arriving late, a person must wait at the side of the Training Area until the Instructor indicates that a person may join the class.
6. Bags are not to be left in walkways or thoroughfares. Please place your bags in shelves provided. Guardian Defence will not accept any responsibility for any property stolen or lost whilst training.
7. Persons must not chew gum whilst training.
8. Food and/or drink (including water) must not be consumed whilst on the training area.
9. Mobile phones must be turned off during training. Mobile phones inadvertently left on during training may not be answered. Any person 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.
10. All training equipment should be treated correctly and replaced in the correct storage location after use.

Training Area Ethics

1. Persons must always be courteous and helpful to each other.
2. Physical contact between persons who are training must be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the skill development of those persons.
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 or harassment based on sex, ethnic origin, language, colour, religion or other form of differentiation will not be tolerated.
5. Exhibiting behaviour that may cause injury or is considered offensive or threatening by other participants or Guardian Defence staff will result in the immediate eviction of that person and/or withdrawal of membership.

Uniforms & Clothing Requirements

All persons must adhere to the following clothing guidelines during all training sessions:
1. Pants: Tracksuit pants, sport shorts, MMA shorts, combat trousers, loose fitting or martial arts pants only, will be allowed. Jeans and trousers with loose or hard objects attached are not permitted.
2. Tops: Guardian Defence t-shirts or singlets displaying rank are compulsory for all graded students. Rash vests may be worn underneath these garments. Upgraded students are permitted to wear other t-shirts or singlets. Each student must bring a spare top to class and change into this if the first becomes wet from perspiration. Students wearing singlets, must also bring a t-shirt with sleeves, and wear this if techniques require close contact (including holds and ground work) with fellow students.
3. Shoes: Clean, “gym only” soft soled footwear or special martial arts footwear approved by the Instructor must be worn when entering the training area.
4. Persons inappropriately attired will not be allowed to train.
5. In addition to the general uniform requirements, persons must bring a towel and filled water bottle to each training session.

Protective Equipment Requirements

1. All persons are expected to acquire the below equipment and bring it to each training session:
• Compulsory - Immediately
Groin Guard, Mouth Guard
• Compulsory - before grading to Unit 2.
Guards for: Head (with Face Grill), Shin/Instep, Forearm, Chest - Hard Shell (women only) and 16oz Gloves
• Highly Recommended Items
Fingerless Gloves, Knee and Elbow Guards

2. Persons participating in sparring must wear full protective clothing, comprising body guards, head guards, groin guards, shin guards and 16oz gloves.

Sickness or Injury

1. Persons must not train if they are suffering from the flu or other viral infection that may be passed on to other persons.
2. Persons must advise the Instructor if 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, diabetes and asthma.
3. If requested by the Instructor, persons 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 Guardian Defence and whether there are any restrictions or conditions applicable.
4. A Health Declaration is required to be completed by all new participants, or previous participants who have not trained for more than 12 months. It is the responsibility of each applicant to provide Guardian Defence staff with any relevant medical history or restrictions they have in respect to physical activity. You are required to inform Guardian Defence of any changes in your medical condition. All applicants and prospective applicants are encouraged to obtain medical confirmation that the exercises and activities to be undertaken will not cause any physical harm. In particular, men aged 41 years or over, women aged 51 years or over, and women who are pregnant must provide a medical clearance form (completed by a General Practitioner) prior to their health screening.

Other Health Issues

1. Persons must not attend training under the influence of alcohol or any drug (legal or illegal) which impairs depth perception or reaction time.
2. Smoking is not allowed in the Training Area.
3. Persons training must give proper attention to personal hygiene and exhibit clean grooming; ensuring that fingernails and toenails are trimmed and clean.
4. Persons 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 it safe to do so.
5. Persons administering first aid to a person suffering a cut or bleeding injury must wear gloves.

Grading Conditions

1. Opportunity to grade occurs only at scheduled times per calendar year. A person may only grade at these times subject to the final determination of the instructor.
2. Guardian Defence rank stripes are to be displayed on Guardian Defence t-shirts and singlets only. Information regarding correct placement can be found in the student area of www.guardiandefence.com. Only the highest consecutive rank achieved may be displayed.
3. Grading fees must be paid before grading.
4. In assessing a person’s readiness to grade, the Instructor takes into consideration such factors as consistency of attendance, attitude, focus and attention during training sessions, as much as a person’s knowledge of the syllabus.
5. Persons wishing to grade must be current financial members of Guardian Defence.
6. Membership of Guardian Defence requires a person to agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct.
7. Guardian Defence reserves the right to revoke the grade of any person who breaches this Code of Conduct.

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