Objectives

Wellbeing Martial Arts has as its key objectives:

  1. Deliver wellbeing through the responsible teaching of martial arts

  2. Ensure a safety first approach in all our activities

  3. Develop student’s self-esteem, self-confidence 

  4. Improve student’s personal safety and security

  5. Promote healthy community attitudes and values

  6. Encourage the development of a strong and resilient spirit

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

Participant Understanding

 Karate and Internal Kung Fu are contact martial arts, meaning they involve 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 Wellbeing Martial Arts does so with the full understanding that whilst it is the policy of Wellbeing Martial Arts to minimise this risk, the nature of contact physical activity prevents its total elimination.

 Persons participating in a class conducted by Wellbeing Martial Arts do so of their own volition and at their own risk.

Instructor Qualifications

  1. All instructors must have either a current National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) accreditation or, accreditation under the Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA) Instructor Accreditation Scheme;

  2. All instructors are bound by the "Instructors Code of Ethics" of the Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA);

  3. All instructors must have current HLTAID003 - Provide First Aid certification;

  4. All 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 Practise 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.

  3. Persons must not wear jewellery or watches during training;

  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 persons, who while training, exhibit 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.

Training Area Etiquette

  1. Persons will bow in the appropriate manner upon entering the Training Area;

  2. Shoes must be taken off before entering the training area unless the shoes are special martial arts footwear approved by the Instructor;

  3. 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;

  4. Food and/or drink (including water) must not be consumed whilst on the training area. Water should be kept close by however for quick access;

  5. Students shall address Black Belt karate instructors as “Sensei” and Kung Fu Instructors as “Lao Shir”.

Uniforms & Training Gear

  1. Students are expected to wear a Wellbeing Martial Arts uniform relevant to the type of session they attend, Karate or Internal Kung Fu;

  2. Students must purchase the required uniform and protective gear for the type of training they undertake; protective gear is typically only required for karate.

  3. Only special martial arts training footwear which has been approved by the instructor may be worn for karate and suitable flat shoes for internal kung fu;

  4. For Karate, protective gear including, mouthguards, breast protectors (females), groin guards (males), mitts, forearm protectors and shin/instep protectors must be brought to each training session. Failing to bring protective gear will result in exclusion from some activities.

  5. Uniforms must fit the student correctly or must be altered so that sleeves rest between the elbow and the wrist and pants legs come to between the shin and ankle. Cuffs are to be sewn on the inside.

  6. Graded students are expected to wear the belt or sash relevant to their grade or level ineach training session;

  7. All clothing must be free of all logos or markings unless the logo is that of Wellbeing Martial Arts;

  8. Persons inappropriately attired will not be allowed to train;

  9. Students must bring a filled water bottle to each training session.

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;

  3. Some examples of this may include blood pressure problems and cardiac disorders, neck and back injuries, diabetes and asthma;

  4. 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 Wellbeing Martial Arts and whether there are any restrictions or conditions applicable.

Other Health Issues 

  1. Persons must not attend training under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs;

  2. Smoking is not allowed in the Training Area;

  3. No jewellery may be worn during training sessions unless it is safely covered by tape;

  4. Persons training must give proper attention to personal hygiene and exhibit clean grooming; and ensure that fingernails and toenails are trimmed and clean;

  5. Persons with a cut or bleeding injury must cease training immediately and receive appropriate first aid. Re-joining the training session will not be allowed until the instructor has deemed that is safe to do so;

  6. Persons administering first aid to a person suffering a cut or bleeding injury must wear protective gloves.

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 based on sex, ethnic origin, language, colour, or other form of differentiation will not be tolerated.

Grading Conditions 

  1. Opportunity to grade under the Wellbeing Martial Arts syllabus occurs as students are deemed competent by their instructor in accordance with the established syllabus;

  2. Grading fees must be paid prior to grading being undertaken;

  3. 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 Wellbeing Martial Arts syllabus to the point he or she wishes to grade;

  4. To secure grading under the Wellbeing Martial Arts syllabus a person must be a current financial member of Wellbeing Martial Arts;

  5. Membership of Wellbeing Martial Arts requires a person to agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct;

  6. Wellbeing Martial Arts reserves the right to revoke the grading of any person who breaches this Code of Conduct or is convicted of any criminal offence.