Code of Conduct

Self Defence Queensland
Code of Conduct

A.1 Objectives
Self Defence Queensland ("SDQ") has as its key objectives:
1. Providing instruction in a safe environment in the martial art of SDQ.
2. Developing the mental and physical tools for improving personal safety and security.
3. Promotion of good health and vitality.
4. Development of positive self-esteem and self-confidence.
5. Development of a person as a positive role model in the community.
6. Creating expertise in confrontation management.
7. Pro-active crime prevention through increased awareness and positive attitudes.
8. Developing healthy community attitudes and values.

All persons participating in a class or course conducted by SDQ must agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct. Self Defence Queensland may, at any time and without reason, expel any student or instructor for failing to abide by this code of conduct. SDQ reserves the right to make amendments or additions to this Code of Conduct at any time.

A.2 Participant Understanding
SDQ 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 SDQ does so with the full understanding that whilst it is the policy of SDQ to minimise this risk, the nature of contact physical activity prevents its total elimination. Persons participating in a class conducted by SDQ do so of their own volition and at their own risk.

A.3 Instructor Qualifications
1. All unsupervised Instructors must have qualifications to teach:- such as a current National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) accreditation or National Martial Arts Instructor Accreditation Scheme (NIAS) accreditation.
2. All unsupervised Instructors are bound by the "Instructors Code of Ethics" of the Martial Arts Industry Association.
3. All unsupervised Instructors must have current Work-Cover approved 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 National Code of Practise for Martial Arts Instructors

A.4 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 Johns Industrial First Aid Kit or equivalent.
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 person who, in training, exhibits 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.

A.5 Training Area Etiquette
1. Persons will bow in the appropriate manner to instructors, each other and upon entering the Training Area.
2. Shoes must be taken off before entering the training area for sparring, but worn during general training-the shoes should be special martial arts footwear approved by the Instructor (see "Clothing" below).
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. Persons must not chew gum whilst training.
5. Food and/or drink (including water) must not be consumed whilst on the training area.
6. 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.

A.6 Uniforms & Training Gear
All Persons must wear the following approved clothing during all training sessions:
SDQ uniform to be worn during training. Student uniform Green & Gold, white top & black pants or all white, Black Belt uniform family colours or all black.
1. Pants: Plain black kung fu pants with or without elasticised ankles. Other types of long black pants may be acceptable only if approved by the instructor.
2. Tops: Plain top, t-shirt, singlet or muscle top. Each student must bring two tops to class should the first top become too wet from perspiration.
3. Shoes: Joggers/special martial arts training footwear which has been approved by the instructor.
4. Sashes/Belts: Graded students must wear their sash/belt as relevant to their rank.
5. All clothing must be free of all logos or markings unless the logo is that of SDQ.
6. Persons inappropriately attired will not be allowed to train, full uniform is expected from Green Belt onwards.
7. In addition to the general uniform requirements, persons must bring a towel and filled water bottle to each training session & a jacket / vest / top for after class when cooling down.

A.7 Sparring requirements
1. Persons participating in sparring activity must purchase and wear an approved mouth guard and bring this mouth guard to every training session.
2. As boxing drills are a regular conditioning activity, persons are encouraged to purchase their own set of sparring mitts of an approved tournament standard.

3. In addition to their personal mouth guards, persons participating in sparring must wear full protective clothing (mouth guard, gloves/mitts, groin/breast guards, shin/instep protectors...etc.), or as supplied by SDQ, comprising body guards & head guards.

A.8 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. 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 Self Defence Queensland and whether there are any restrictions or conditions applicable.

A.9 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. Persons training must give proper attention to personal hygiene and exhibit clean grooming; and ensure 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 that is safe to do so.
5. Persons administering first aid to a person suffering a cut or bleeding injury must wear protective gloves.

A.10 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.

A.11 Grading Conditions
1. Opportunity to grade under the SDQ syllabus occurs regularly at the discretion of the head instructor. A person may only grade at these times subject to the final determination of the instructor.
2. Each six-month interval between grading is divided into two three-month terms: the Post-Grading Term and the Pre-Grading Term.
3. Grading fees must be paid prior to the commencement of the 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 SDQ syllabus to the point he or she wishes to grade.
5. To secure grading under the SDQ syllabus a person must be a current financial member of SDQ, have the grading fee paid prior the event & have all class fees up to date paid.
6. Membership of SDQ requires a person to agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct & includes Government recommended insurance.
7. SDQ reserves the right to revoke the grading of any person who breaches this Code of Conduct.