DYNAMACRO GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

ACRO SQUAD I & BEGINNERS CLASS — CODE OF CONDUCT & OPERATIONAL POLICY

Applicable Classes: Acro Squad I · Beginners Class Policy Year: 2026–2027 | Last Updated: March 2026 | Review Date: September 2026

1. Overview & Legal Framework

This policy governs the conduct, training obligations, competition participation, and operational procedures for all Acro Squad I and Beginners Class members of DynamAcro Gymnastics Academy (“DGA”, “the Club”). It applies to all gymnasts and, where the gymnast is a minor, to their parent or legal guardian (referred to collectively as “the member”).

This policy is governed by the laws of Ireland and is consistent with the following legislation and frameworks:

• Children First Act 2015 and Children First National Guidance 2017
• Child and Family Agency Act 2013
• Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005
• Consumer Rights Act 2022
• Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR (EU) 2016/679
• Equal Status Acts 2000–2018
• Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 (relevant to safeguarding obligations)
• Sport Ireland Code of Ethics & Good Practice for Children’s Sport (2021)
• Gymnastics Ireland Codes of Conduct and Safeguarding Policies

This policy/class rules forms part of DGA’s wider policy/class rules framework, which includes the Club’s Codes of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, and Athlete Development Policy.

2. Gymnast Code of Conduct — During Class

All gymnasts are required to adhere to the following standards during every training session:

• Treat coaches, fellow gymnasts, and all Club staff with respect and courtesy at all times.
• Do not approach or speak to parents during a training session unless in an emergency and with the explicit permission of the class coach. This applies to all parents present on the premises.
• Listen to and follow all instructions given by the coach. Be attentive, polite, and engaged throughout the session.
• Be aware of others in the training space at all times and act with consideration for fellow gymnasts.
• Seek the coach’s permission before attempting any new gymnastic skill.
• Trampoline rule: Only one person on the trampoline at any time. A spotter must always be present.
• Return all equipment to its correct and safe position after use.
• Gymnasts must seek permission from the class coach before leaving the gym premises for any reason.
• Photography & Recording: Gymnasts are strictly prohibited from taking photographs or recording video on personal devices during training sessions or anywhere on Club premises.
• Sharing of Images: Gymnasts are strictly prohibited from sharing any photographs, videos, or recordings of the gym, coaches, or fellow class members on any public platform, social media channel, or messaging group. This obligation is consistent with the Club’s duties under GDPR and the Children First Act 2015, and applies whether content was recorded on Club premises or elsewhere.

Safeguarding Note: The prohibition on photography and the sharing of images is a safeguarding measure to protect all members, particularly minors. Any breach of this rule will be treated as a serious matter and addressed through the Club’s Breach of Rules Process (Section 13).

3. Gymnast Dress Code

It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure gymnasts attend class appropriately dressed. Under the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005, coaches have the right to exclude a gymnast from participating where their attire presents a risk to themselves or others.

3.1 Required Attire

3.2 Clothing Not Permitted

The following items are not permitted during training:

• Strapless tops
• Hoodies
• Jeans or casual trousers
• School uniform
• Dresses or skirts
• Clothing with studs, ribbons, buttons, zips, or any protruding adornments
• Baggy or loose-fitting clothing of any kind

4. Gymnast Expectations & Standards

All Acro Squad I and Beginners Class gymnasts are expected to:

• Attend training regularly and notify the Performance & Technical Director (PTD) or their assigned coach in advance when unable to attend.
• Demonstrate a disciplined and respectful attitude at all times — during training, at events, and in any Club-related setting.
• Follow all instructions from their assigned coach and the PTD, including assigned training programmes and skill development plans.
• Conduct themselves with respect toward coaches, fellow gymnasts, officials, and all Club staff.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

In the interests of safety and respect for all gymnasts — particularly within partnerships — failure to meet the standards set out in this policy may result in:

• The gymnast being assigned to a different partnership
• A change of training days or hours
• Removal from the Acro Squad I class
• Suspension or withdrawal of Club membership

Any such action will be taken in accordance with the Club’s Breach of Rules Process (Section 13) and, where a minor is involved, in a manner consistent with the Children First Act 2015.

5. Training Obligations

5.1 General Obligations

• All Acro Squad I gymnasts must complete the advisory training hours and sessions set by the Club in the interest of safety and partnership integrity.
• Where a temporary change of training times or days is necessary, gymnasts are still required to fulfil their advisory hours for that period.
• Where a gymnast participates in other activities outside of DGA, parents must ensure those activities do not conflict with regular training sessions, competition trials, or competitions for which the gymnast has been selected.

5.2 Absence Notification

• If a gymnast cannot attend training for any reason, the parent or guardian must notify the Club in advance (unless the gymnast is aged 18 or over, in which case they may notify the Club directly).
• Competition period: Time off requests during a competition or trial preparation period must be submitted in writing to the Club. The cut-off for requesting time off is six (6) weeks before the competition date. Requests received inside this window cannot be considered.
• General time off: A minimum of two (2) weeks’ notice is required at any other point during the year to allow training arrangements to be adjusted.

6. Partnerships

6.1 Partnership Assignment

• Partnerships are determined by the PTD in conjunction with the Performance Panel and are not fixed or guaranteed.
• Partnerships may be changed at any stage at the sole discretion of the PTD and Performance Panel, regardless of the duration or success of the existing partnership.
• Partnership assignment decisions are operational decisions made in the best interests of athlete safety and development. They do not constitute a contractual entitlement on the part of any member.

6.2 Partnership Requirements

• Partnerships training or competing at NDP and Aspire levels within the Acro Squad I class must complete the Club’s advisory training hours per week and per competition season to progress safely and successfully.
• Partnerships may be nominated by the Club’s Performance Panel to attend a minimum of one National Competition per year.

7. Replacements & Reserves

• The Selection Panel may select both AS1 members and non-AS1 members as reserves for Acro Squad I in the event of a deselection or withdrawal.
• All named reserves are subject to the same eligibility criteria and standards as selected team members.
• Reserves are required to disclose any relevant fitness or training information to the Selection Panel promptly.
• Where a selected member withdraws or is deselected, the Selection Panel will determine replacements based on partnership needs. Replacements will generally be drawn from the pool of nominated gymnasts, though this is not mandatory.
• Replacement decisions are final. In the interests of fairness and operational certainty, replacement decisions are not subject to member appeal, without prejudice to any statutory rights members may hold under Irish law.

8. Competition Selection

8.1 General Principles

• Membership of the Acro Squad I class does not guarantee competition selection. Selection is determined by performance at trial scoring events.

8.2 Selection Criteria

To maintain and secure competition selection, gymnasts must attend all of the following:

1. Trial Event 1
2. Team Training Day

Partnerships may also be subject to a random pre-judging trial event at the discretion of the Performance Panel and PTD. Scores from such events may be submitted for selection consideration. These decisions are made by the Performance Panel and PTD and are not subject to appeal.

8.3 Non-Fulfilment of Criteria

Where a gymnast does not fulfil the selection criteria above, the DGA Selection Panel reserves the right to withdraw the partnership from the trial process or to seek a replacement gymnast.

8.4 Competition Approval

As a member of the AS1 class, gymnasts are not permitted to enter any National Competition without the prior written approval of the PTD in conjunction with the Senior Coaching Panel.

Partnerships trialling for National Competitions must fulfil all scheduled training times and days out of respect to their partners. Failure to do so may result in the partnership being withdrawn from the competition, even where selection has already been confirmed.

9. Performance & Coaching Responsibilities

9.1 PTD & Senior Coach Responsibilities

The PTD, in conjunction with the Senior Coaches, has sole responsibility for:

• Partnership selection and formation
• The six-month partnership review process
• Partnership level selection
• Training schedules, days, and times
• Competition selection
• Training camp selection

9.2 Communication of Training & Competition Information

Senior Coaches are responsible for obtaining and communicating all relevant training and competition schedule information to members, including training plans, performance schedules, and competition viewing times.

9.3 Competition Tactical Decisions

While at National Competition events, all tactical partnership and performance decisions are made solely by the Senior Coaches in collaboration with the PTD. Parents and guardians are not in a position to make competition tactical determinations and must not seek to intervene in such decisions at events.

10. Pre-Performance Routines (PPRs)

10.1 Purpose

Pre-performance routines (PPRs) are structured sequences of thoughts and actions that help gymnasts prepare optimally for high-pressure competition situations. A well-designed PPR reduces anxiety, increases focus, and creates consistency — helping athletes remain calm and confident when it matters most.

10.2 PPR Obligations

• All gymnasts selected to represent DGA at a National Competition must complete their final competition preparation training in full before the event.
• DGA implements a mandatory four (4) week PPR programme for all selected athletes ahead of each National Competition. Where parents can commit to a six (6) week PPR, this is strongly encouraged.
• The minimum training commitment during a PPR period for AS1 gymnasts is 4 hours per week.
• The PPR programme must be completed without any breaks from the training schedule. Failure to adhere to the programme places the gymnast at risk of underperformance and may affect future competition confidence and selection consideration.

11. Sibling Policy

DGA follows the consensus guidance of sports psychologists and athletic directors that each child’s gymnastics journey should be treated as an independent path.

• If one sibling qualifies for a national event and another does not, the non-qualifying sibling should be encouraged to support their sibling as a teammate.
• If both siblings qualify but one subsequently withdraws for any reason, parents should ensure the remaining sibling attends the event regardless.
• Parents are asked to make every effort not to allow one child’s decision or circumstances to affect another child’s competition participation.

12. Competition Leotards & Outfits

All gymnasts who are members of the Acro Squad I class and who have been selected to represent DGA through the trialling process are required to have an appropriate competition leotard (girls) or competition outfit (boys).

The arrangement, purchase, or rental of competition attire is the sole responsibility of the gymnast and/or their parent or guardian. Coaches and Club staff are not responsible for organising or managing competition leotards for this squad.

13. Holiday & Absence Planning — Competition Season

Gymnasts who are members of a pair or group partnership and who have commenced the training process for National Competitions should, where reasonably possible, coordinate holiday dates with their partnership to minimise disruption to the joint training plan.

The Club’s general holiday season runs from 1 September to 31 July of each calendar year. Parents should be aware that some competitions may fall within this period and are asked to take this into account when booking holidays.

Failure to give reasonable consideration to partnership training obligations when planning holidays may result in:

• The gymnast being assigned to a different partnership
• A change of training days, hours, or AS1 class placement

14. Internal Complaint Process

DGA is committed to dealing with all concerns and complaints fairly, promptly, and in accordance with the Children First Act 2015 and Sport Ireland’s safeguarding guidelines.

Where a complaint involves a child welfare or safeguarding concern, it will be referred to Tusla — Child and Family Agency and/or An Garda Síochána in accordance with the Club’s mandatory reporting obligations under the Children First Act 2015. The Club’s designated liaison for mandatory reporting is the Club Children’s Officer.

15. Breach of Rules Process

All breach of rules procedures involving a minor will be conducted in a manner that is fair, proportionate, and consistent with the Club’s safeguarding obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and Sport Ireland’s Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport. Parents and guardians will be kept informed at each stage.

16. Parents — Rules Before & During Class Sessions

All parents and guardians must observe the following at all times:

• Parents must not remain inside the gym during class time unless specifically requested by a coach on duty. Children consistently respond better in a coaching environment when parents are not present.

• If you need to collect your child early or speak with a coach, you must notify the coach in advance by email, phone, or in person before the session begins. Arriving unannounced during a session to remove a child early causes disruption to the class and is not acceptable.
• Parents are strictly forbidden from entering the main training hall. This area is for gymnasts and authorised staff only.
• Coaches are not available for discussion during class time. If you wish to speak with a coach, please schedule an appointment outside of designated class hours by contacting the Club office.
• Once a session has commenced, parents must not approach or speak to their child inside the training area.
• Parents must at all times conduct themselves with respect toward coaches, gymnasts, and all Club staff. Approaching a coach or Club official in an aggressive or intimidatory manner — particularly in the presence of children — is unacceptable and may constitute an offence under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
• Parents must comply with all Club policies, codes of conduct, and guidelines applicable to parents and guardians as issued by DGA from time to time.

Please Note: In the interests of safety and respect for all gymnasts — particularly within partnerships — failure by a parent or guardian to adhere to these rules may result in:

• The gymnast being asked to change partnerships
• A change of training days, hours, or AS1 class placement
• Suspension or withdrawal of the gymnast’s Club membership

17. Background — Early Specialisation in Gymnastics

Gymnastics is recognised internationally as an early specialisation sport, meaning gymnasts reach peak performance earlier in their athletic careers than in many other disciplines. To reach their potential safely and successfully, gymnasts must train consistently and with focus from a young age.

DGA fully supports children participating in a range of sports and activities, as this contributes positively to overall physical development and can benefit acrobatic skills. However, at Acro Squad I level, the physical demands of acrobatic gymnastics — and the time required to develop and perfect skills safely — mean that a degree of specialisation is necessary.

Achieving the gymnast’s full potential requires attention to all aspects of athlete wellbeing, including:

• Adequate and consistent sleep
• A healthy, balanced diet
• Injury prevention and management
• Consistent attendance and commitment to training

National-level success requires sustained effort from gymnasts, coaches, and parents working together. DGA’s coaches are committed to providing every gymnast with the best possible opportunity to reach their potential in a safe, supportive, and high-performance environment.

18. Data Protection

DGA collects and processes personal data relating to gymnasts and their parents or guardians — including registration details, attendance records, and where relevant, medical or injury information — in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act 2018.

• Personal data is collected and used solely for the purposes of Club administration, safeguarding, coaching, and communication.
• Medical or injury information is treated as special category data under GDPR and is handled with the highest level of care and confidentiality.
• Members have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of their personal data by contacting the Club in writing.
• Full details of how DGA processes personal data are set out in the Club’s Privacy Policy, available from the Club office on request.

19. Policy Governance & Statutory Rights

This policy is approved by the Club’s Performance & Technical Director and is reviewed annually. It is consistent with DGA’s obligations under Irish law and does not limit or exclude any statutory rights held by members under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, the Children First Act 2015, or any other applicable Irish legislation.

Where any provision of this policy conflicts with Irish law, the relevant statutory provision shall take precedence.

Approved by: Performance & Technical Director, DynamAcro Gymnastics Academy Policy Updated: March 2026 Next Review: September 2026

DynamAcro Gymnastics Academy reserves the right to amend this policy. Members will be given reasonable written notice of any material changes. Amendments will not apply retrospectively.