Code of Conduct

In accordance with our Core Values, these are the minimum requirements for personal conduct and membership at CAIA.

 

1. Personal Conduct and Character 

1. Always be respectful to others, your instructors, your teammates, equipment and Dojo, both inside and outside of training.
2. When you enter the dojo, greet all students starting with the Instructors.
3. Bow to the centre of the mat when you enter or exit the dojo.
4. CAIA regularly conducts kids' classes. When kids are present please ensure you use appropriate language.
5. We are happy to provide members with cups for the water cooler, but we do ask that you dispose of them appropriately at the end of class. Don’t just leave them on the floor.
6. Take your belongings home with you after class; this includes drink bottles, clothes, bags, towels, etc. Equipment that is left behind will be kept for a period of one month, after which, if it hasn’t been claimed, will be donated to charity or thrown out.
7. If you need to get changed, use the change room.
8. When waiting for your class to start, be considerate of other classes that may currently be running and keep noise to a minimum. This includes not warming up in the same area as a class that is currently running.
9. If you must walk across the mats while a class is running, do so safely and respectfully. Ensure there is sufficient space between you and people currently training and do not interupt or disrupt the class.
10. Refer to your instructors by name. If you wish to refer to your instructor as ‘sensei’, ‘maestro’, ‘coach’, etc., that is fine, but is not necessary. Respect is shown through acts, not just words!
    Exception – in the traditional classes, such as Kyokushin and Jujutsu, refer to your instructor by their appropriate title such as Sensei, Shihan, etc.
11. Mobile phones must be switched to silent during class times. In cases of urgency, please leave the mat to answer the phone and advise your instructor.
12. CAIA is a drug and alcohol free environment. Training under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol will result in immediate termination of membership or employment.
13. CAIA does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. Failure to follow this will result in disciplinary action that may include termination of membership or employment.

2. Class Conduct and Etiquette 

1. All students must wear the appropriate uniform for class. This includes your rank for that class as represented by your belt, and a CAIA T-shirt where appropriate.
2. Singlets are only permitted in purely striking-based classes (kickboxing and boxing) and are not permitted in any grappling-based class, including BJJ, Jujutsu, Krav Maga, MMA or Wrestling.
3. Before every class you must sign in on the tablets.
4. Classes begin and end with a formal bow. The Instructor stands in front, with students lining up in descending grade order, with advanced students to the front and beginners towards the back.
5. While we invite senior students to contribute and questions are always welcome, please do not stop a drill to coach other students during class unless you are asked to do so by the instructors. If you are unsure about something, ask your instructor.
6. Stick to the drills your instructor is showing. Even though you may know more advanced variations, be respectful and follow instructions. This is not only to do with respect for your instructor, but also a safety issue.
7. If you are late to class, you must ask permission before stepping on to the mat.
8. Students must arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of their chosen class to sign in, warm up and prepare for class.
9. All participating students must check in to the class electronically before the start of class, no exceptions.
10. Students that are more than 10 minutes late, without receiving prior approval via direct communication with the instructor, are not allowed to participate in that class, no exceptions. Once electronic sign-in has for the class has been locked, you may no longer join that class, and you can not ask someone to sign in for you in advance. This is not only a respectful conduct issue, but also a safety issue.
11. Repeated lateness to class will result in your not being allowed to join the class unless you are on time regularly. 
12. Bow to your partner before and after practice.
13. During class, when the instructor is demonstrating techniques, every student must sit or stand with good posture without talking or interfering.
14. Talking should be kept to a minimum and should relate to the class subject, otherwise wait until before or after class.
15. If two groups come too close during sparring, those of lower rank should stop and move. Please show respect to your seniors.
16. We acknowledge that you may have prior experience or might be training at another dojo as well as at CAIA, however please do not wear other schools uniforms or gear to training.
17. Mobile phones must be switched to silent during class times. In cases of urgency, please leave the mat to answer the phone and advise your instructor.
18. During class do not leave equipment on the main mat area. This includes pads, ropes, gloves, etc. This poses a tripping hazard.
19. When you are finished using equipment such as ropes or pads, return the equipment to its rightful place neatly. 

3. Memberships, Signing In and Cancellations

1. Everyone must be signed in to attend a class, workshop, seminar or training session at CAIA. NO EXCEPTIONS.
2. Classes must be booked in advance on the CAIA app or booking website, and everyone must check in at the CAIA Kiosk before the start of each class, workshop, or training session. 
3. Failure to attend a class that has been booked could result in future unavailability for that class in your membership.
4. There is a 28 day notice required for cancellation of membership for administrative purposes. Members MUST email our admin address at least 28 days prior to any cancellation of membership, and membership will continue until the end of the 28 day period. No other method of cancellation is valid.
5. Make up classes will automatically be added to your membership if you are unable to attend your allotted classes during a particular week. Make up classes expire after two weeks, have no monetary value and are not transferable.
6. Memberships are valid until they expire.

4. Hygiene, Cleanliness and Equipment

1. Do not train if you are sick. You will be asked to leave the class if you are sick in order to maintain a safe and healthy training area.
2. In case of bleeding you must inform the instructor and step off the mat immediately. You may not return to the mat until the bleeding has been stopped and covered and the affected mat area cleaned in accordance with CAIA Blood policy and best WH&S standards and practices.
3. Do not train in case of bacterial skin infection; treat it before your return to training.
4. No shoes on the mat at any time. The only exceptions are wrestling and boxing shoes that are only used in the dojo, or other sports shoes that are ONLY used indoors and are approved by your instructors.
5. No dirty feet on the mat. You must NOT walk barefoot from the street and then walk on to the mats. The same applies for wrestling or boxing shoes. They must only be worn inside, not on the street or in the bathroom.
6. If you need to go to the bathroom or step outside of the dojo for any reason, put your shoes back on and then take them off again before going on the mats.
7. No food or drink on the mat, no exceptions. When you are given a drink break, drink off the mats and keep bottles and cups off the mats.
8. Keep fingernails and toenails short for hygiene and safety reasons.
9. Keep your uniform clean at all times.
10. Maintain good hygiene standards. This includes using deodorant before class, washing your uniform or training attire and using a towel. No one wants to train with someone who smells bad!
11. Remove all metal objects, jewellery, piercings and necklaces before training.
12. Do not leave your equipment, shoes or drink where they may obstruct the doorways or passageways.
13. Attendance is conditional on you having all of the necessary equipment for class, no exceptions. If you are unsure of what equipment is required, please ask your instructor. 
14. No mouthguard – no sparring of any kind. No exceptions to that rule. You may also be required to wear additional protective gear as per section 2.2 above.

Failure to adhere to the code of conduct will be met with disciplinary action including suspension and / or termination of membership. 

The CAIA code of conduct is subject to updates without notice.