1. ATHLETE HANDBOOK.
As an athlete of the Gold Coast Academy of Sport I have received, read and agree to the policies outlined by the Academy. The clauses contained within the Individual Participation Agreement are a summary of the policies. I agree to abide by the policies as summarised herein.
2. CODE OF CONDUCT
As an athlete of the Gold Coast Academy of Sport (GCAS) I shall act in accordance with the following principles:
a) Respect the rights, dignity, and worth of all fellow athletes, coaches, officials and spectators regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
b) Care and respect the equipment provided to me as part of the program scholarship.
c) Conduct myself in a professional manner demonstrating appropriate
language, dress, punctuality and performance.
d) Understand that as an athlete of the GCAS I am prohibited from engaging in any behaviour deemed inappropriate from the perspective of the GCAS.
e) Adhere to the responsibility of behaving with dignity and good sportsmanship during practice and competition.
f) Cooperate with coaches and GCAS staff in the development of programs to adequately prepare me for competition at the highest level.
3. INJURIES AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
I agree to comply with all the rules and directions made or given by GCAS in connection with the activity. I understand that if I fail to comply with the rules or instructions, I increase the likelihood or being injured or injuring someone else.
I understand that I will not be permitted to continue the activity, and understand that no refund of registration fees, or part thereof, will be given.
I agree to report to GCAS all accidents, injuries, loss or damage sustained. If I suffer any injury or illness. I agree that the business may provide or arrange evacuation, first aid and medical treatment at my expense.
4. ILLNESS PROTOCAL
Athletes must not attend any Academy activity if unwell, experiencing symptoms (e.g. fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, persistent cough, sore throat, unusual fatigue), within an isolation period, or medically unfit to train. Athletes may return once symptom-free for 24 hours and physically capable of participation, with modified training if required. Parents/guardians must notify the Academy of illness-related absences. All athletes are expected to follow appropriate hygiene practices and not share personal items to minimise illness transmission.
5. ACADEMY DRESS AND UNIFORM POLICY
a) I understand that only Academy issued training uniforms shall be worn / utilised at training. I understand that clothing with conflicting advertising or Sponsorship will not be permitted at any Academy training session. Footwear is an exception to this regulation.
b) I understand that at Official Academy Functions and Core Unit sessions that my squad is identified by a unique polo shirt and that I am required to wear this shirt at all times. I understand that I am required to wear navy blue or black slacks/trousers and navy or black shoes. I understand that sneakers and trainers are not acceptable at these functions.
c) I understand that personal hygiene is of high importance to the GCAS. This involves hair being combed, boys cleanly shaven (if applicable).
d) Statements a-b do not apply to those participating in holiday clinics such as the sprint clinics. Information on what to wear at these clinics are provided in the acceptance information letter sent out.
6. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES
Athletes are expected to participate in all Academy activities with integrity, sportsmanship and respect for fellow athletes, coaches and officials. All participants must comply with the rules and regulations set by the coach/instructor and the GCAS for all training sessions, educational units, events and official functions. This includes adherence to all written and verbal instructions. Failure to meet behavioural, attendance or participation standards may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or removal from the program at the discretion of GCAS.
In the event an athlete withdraws, is removed from, or does not complete the program for any reason (including illness or injury), financial outcomes will be managed strictly in accordance with the Academy’s Refund Policy. This includes all conditions relating to written notification, eligibility for refunds or credits, administration fees, deposit payments and required supporting documentation where applicable.
Where appropriate, GCAS may explore reasonable options for an athlete to remain engaged in educational components of the program; however, any refund or credit will be determined solely in line with the approved Refund Policy.
7. ATTENDANCE POLICY
I understand attendance at squad training sessions and Core Units is compulsory. I understand that to be granted approval to miss a session I must contact the squad coach/manager as early as possible prior to the session. I understand acceptable circumstances for missing a session include illness or injury, compulsory school activities, representative sporting honours and family commitments. I understand that in the event of wet weather on a scheduled outdoors session, I am responsible for contacting my squad coach/manager to establish if training is on. I understand that only one written warning will be given for consistent failure to attend program activities.
8. SUSPENSIONS/MISCONDUCT
I agree to make known to the GCAS of any suspension or ban imposed by any sport in which I am involved with. I understand my position may be refused or cancelled by the GCAS due to any existing suspension or ban. Participants currently banned for misconduct in a particular sport are not permitted to participate in that GCAS squad program. Participants currently banned for misconduct may, however, participate in a sport different to the sport in which the infringement occurred.
9. TEAM APP / INTERNET POLICY
I understand that the TeamApp communication portal is accessible from the internet and is the main method of communication between myself, my coach and the GCAS for all academy programs longer than 1 week. I understand that the information provided on the portal and the corresponding passwords and usernames are my personal property and on no account should I give these details to other people. I understand that it is my responsibility to check my sports locker on a regular basis to ensure I am up to date with the latest information for my sporting program.
10. PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
I hereby give the GCAS the unconditional right to use, at its sole discretion, photographic and/or video images of me and personal information about me in any form of media (TV, Print, Paper, Website, Magazine etc), art, advertising, trade, visual documentary, promotional material, and merchandise or film coverage without any compensation or approval required by me.
11. SPORTS AND PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE
I acknowledge that the GCAS recommends that I should obtain private medical, sports, personal injury, personal public liability and/or personal accident insurance (including coverage for death, permanent incapacity and income protection) and property insurance in connection with their participation in the sports program.
12. PRIVACY POLICY
All information obtained by the GCAS is a requirement of the programming sports. The forms are not meant to be in any way an invasion of your privacy, nor will it be given to any other person unless specifically given permission to do so. The GCAS takes its obligations under the Privacy Act seriously and will take all reasonable steps in order to comply with the Act to protect the privacy of the personal information that it holds. The only people who will have access to the supplied information will be the GCAS Administration Staff, GCAS Board of Directors, GCAS coaching staff and relevant medical authorities.
13. INDEMNITY
I hereby agree, to indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless the GCAS, its directors, members, volunteers, employees, agents, sponsors, stakeholders, any sport, other participants and other supporters involved with the Academy and each of them from and against any and all liabilities or claims, losses or expenses (including medical costs and legal fees) as a result of any of my actions or participation in the Sports Program.
14. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
a.) I acknowledge that I have read and understood the terms of the application
and participation as set forth in the agreement and will be bound by such terms.
b.) I acknowledge and understand that participation in athletic events exposes an athlete to risks that include the potential for death; serious injury including but not limited to paralysis, spinal injury, brain damage, damage to internal organs; and serious injuries to bones, ligaments, joints and tendons, condition of athletes, facilities, temperature, weather, equipment, vehicular traffic, and actions of other people including, but not limited to, participants, volunteers,
spectators, coaches, event officials, and event monitors, and/or producers of the event.
c.) I have read the information above, recognise the risks associated with participation in the sports program, and willingly and knowingly assume all such risks.
15. VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION AND AGREEMENT
I certify and acknowledge that I have voluntarily entered into this Agreement and have carefully read all of the provisions of this Agreement and understand and acknowledge the terms set forth herein including all warnings, exclusions
of liability, releases, and indemnities and will fully and faithfully comply with such provisions.
15. SURVIVAL OF OBLIGATIONS
This Agreement shall survive the length of the program.
17. INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT:
The Individual Participation Agreement is a summary of the policies contained within the Athlete Handbook, as such the individual participation agreement between the GCAS and me includes the policies of the Athlete Handbook and those enclosed here in.
The Full Athlete Handbook can be found on our website through the follownig link: https://goldsport.com.au/resources/