Code of Conduct

​Welcome to the Machou Ryu Karate Do Seidokan Dojo Pty Ltd (the “Dojo”).
Please familiarize yourself with these codes as your behavior at the Dojo is subject to the expectations outlined below.

1. Objectives and Dojo Kun

Dojo Kun (statement of principles):

• Courage
• Respect
• Learning
• Integrity
• Self-control

The key objectives of the Dojo are:

• Providing instruction in a safe environment.
• Promotion of good health and vitality.
• Development of positive self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Development of a person as a positive role model in the community.
• Developing healthy community attitudes and values.

All persons participating in an activity conducted by the Dojo must agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct.  The Dojo reserves the right to make amendments or additions to this Code of Conduct at any time.

1. Statement of Participant Understanding

Activities undertaken by the Dojo include a degree of physical contact within the parameters of the specific discipline. The Dojo curriculum includes blocking, kicking and punching in the context of kata, kihon and kumite (the latter two involves working with a training partner).  A graduated system of self-defence is also part of the curriculum involving striking, take-downs, joint-locks and throws.  All these activities will be conducted under strict supervision by the teacher in a controlled environment and appropriate to the level of expertise of the participants.  This may involve contact with other students and teacher in accordance with the need for corrective feedback, the rules of practice or in ways designed to simulate self-defense options available to the student.  As in any other physically demanding recreational activity, there is always a risk of injury.  Any student participating in an activity conducted by the Dojo does so with the full understanding that whilst it is the policy of the Dojo to minimize this risk, the nature of contact physical activity prevents its total elimination.  Students participating in an activity organized by the Dojo do so of their own volition and at their own risk as set out in the Informed Consent and Conditions section of the form entitled “Application to Participate as a Student”.

1. Teacher’s Qualifications

All teachers must:

• Have current WorkCover approved Senior First Aid (or equivalent) certification; and
• Have in place appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

4. Safety
Maintaining a tidy and clean training space is everyone’s responsibility. All participants are expected to contribute to the physical preparation of the training environment and to assist with proper packing away of any items that have been used.  This may include assisting other classes with their set up and pack up if you are not currently actively engaged in your own class.
The teacher will ensure that the training area is clear of any dangerous and/or sharp objects that may provide a risk of injury.
The teacher 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’s sport’s First Aid Kit or equivalent.
Jewellery, watches and other ornaments must be removed prior to training session.  Toe and finger nails shall be kept short. 
All students participating in training agree to maintain self-control at all times and maintain all care in the application of any technique so as not to cause injury to his or her self or their training partner.
Any person who, while training, exhibits behavior that, in the opinion of the teacher, may cause a danger to other participants, shall not be allowed to continue training until the teacher determines the person may return to training.

1. Training Area Etiquette

All persons will observe the appropriate etiquette at all times while in the Dojo.
Shoes must be taken off before walking onto the training area.  Special martial arts footwear pre-approved by the teacher may be considered in certain circumstances.
Students must be punctual, preferably early, so that they are ready to train when class commences.  If arriving late, a student must wait at the side of the training area until the teacher indicates that the student may join the class.
Students must not chew gum whilst training.
Food and/or drink (including water) must not be consumed whilst on the training area.
Mobile phones must be turned off during training.  Mobile phones inadvertently left on during training may not be answered and should be immediately turned off.  Any student who is “on-call” for work or another legitimate reason may seek approval from the teacher prior to the commencement of class to leave his or her mobile phone on.
No audio or visual recordings are to be conducted in the Dojo without the prior consent of the teacher and the participants of the proposed recording.
Visitors or other persons present in the training venue will be subject to the directions of the teacher and/or authorized Dojo senior students.

1. Uniforms & Training Gear

After a reasonable initial introductory period wherein a student may wear appropriate comfortable clothing, all students who train must wear a dogi (traditional white training uniform).  If a person comes inappropriately attired, the teacher at their discretion can ask that person to refrain from training in that session.
Students who continue to train in the Dojo are expected to obtain appropriate training and safety protection gear.
Training is done in bare feet.  Students must ensure their feet are clean before entering the dojo.  Special martial arts training footwear may only be worn if approved by the teacher prior to training.
In addition to the general uniform requirements, persons should bring foot ware that can be easily put on or removed, a towel and filled water bottle to each training session which should be stored off the training area.
All clothing must be free of all affiliation logos or markings relating to other dojo unless otherwise approved by the teacher.
Students must be clothed appropriately so as to ensure decorum and reduce the potential discomfort of other participants.

1. Kumite

Students participating in kumite activity must purchase and wear an approved mouth guard and bring this mouth guard to every training session.
In addition to their personal mouth guards, students participating in kumite must wear full protective clothing as specified by the teacher based on the rules and regulations of the World Karate Federation.  This may include gloves, shin guards, body guards/chest protectors, head guards and groin guards as periodically updated according to World Karate Federation rules.
All equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained in good order and repair.

1. Training Session Restrictions

Students will initially be required to practice more basic forms of training until such time as their skill level and familiarity warrants involvement in more advanced techniques.
A student’s participation in training sessions will depend upon the teacher’s assessment of their competence.  Beginner students may be asked to practice only part of an advanced technique or, at times, to sit-aside and watch more advanced techniques, until such time as the teacher determines their competence warrants their involvement in the full activity.
Students should not undertake any techniques unless authorized by the teacher.

1. Sickness or Injury

Students must not train if they are suffering from a transmissible infection that may be passed on to other persons.  Exercise caution before returning to training to ensure that you will not increase your recovery time or inadvertently spread illness.
Students must advise the teacher 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 (but are not limited to) blood pressure problems and cardiac disorders, neck and back injuries, diabetes and asthma.
While teachers take all care, ultimate responsibility for sickness and injury rests with the affected individual.
If requested by the teacher, students with the above or like conditions must show this “Code of Conduct” document to their physician and secure a medical certificate clearly stating that the person is able to participate in classes conducted by the Dojo and whether there are any restrictions or conditions applicable.

1. Other Health Issues

Persons must not attend training under the influence of substances that may affect their alertness, judgement and/or reaction time including prescribed medications, alcohol and illegal drugs.
Smoking is not allowed in the training area or its vicinity.
Proper attention must be given to personal hygiene and clean grooming.  Students in breach of this will not be permitted to train.
Students with a cut or bleeding injury must cease training immediately and receive appropriate first aid.  An injured student will not be allowed to re-join the training session until the teacher has deemed that the bleed has been attended to.
Persons administering first aid to a person suffering a cut or bleeding injury must wear protective gloves.

1. Interpersonal Ethics

Persons participating in Dojo activities (eg. teachers, students and visitors) must always be courteous and helpful to each other.
Physical contact between students who are training must be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the skill development of those students.
Sexual harassment, defined as being where a person is subjected to unwanted or uninvited sexual behavior, will not be tolerated.
Any form of harmful discrimination based on age, sex, ethnic origin, language, belief, gender preference or other form of unnecessary differentiation will not be tolerated.

1. Grading Conditions

In assessing a student’s readiness to grade, the teacher takes into consideration such factors as consistency of attendance, attitude, focus and attention during training sessions, as much as a student’s knowledge of the appropriate syllabus to the point he or she wishes to grade.
To attempt a grading, a student must not be in financial arrears with the Dojo.

1. Conclusion

The powers and responsibilities of the Dojo and its students are set out under the Dojo’s Code of Conduct.
Ongoing participation at the Dojo requires a student to agree to be bound by the Code of Conduct.
The Dojo reserves the right to refuse the ongoing participation of any student who breaches any of the Code of Conduct.
The Dojo reserves the right to revoke the ongoing participation of a student at any time and ask any person/s invited by him/ her who may be involved in unacceptable or inappropriate behavior to leave the premises.  No refund of monies paid will be given to any student or guests who are asked to leave the premises.
The Dojo reserves the right to decline engaging an applicant on the basis of a known history of disruptive and/or malicious behavior.