The City of Lancaster Gymnastics Club has a small team of full-time coaches supported by a pool of part-time coaches. Marie Gardner is the club manager and Lynne Pearson is the administration manager. All our coaches are CRB checked and trained in safeguarding and protecting children.
The Club Directors are Lynn Jackson, Paul Thompson, Lynne Pearson and Marie Gardner.
Dropping Off And Collecting Your Child
The City of Lancaster Gymnastics Club aims to uphold British Gymnastics’ policy on Safeguarding and Protecting Children. In order to comply with this, it is essential that parents/carers dropping off and collecting children at gymnastics classes come into the sports hall (UOC) sports centre (LLP) itself. It is not acceptable to drop children off outside the Sports Centre or to ask your child/ren to meet you in the foyer (UOC) or the car park (UOC and LLP) after their class.
Our coaches have a legal ‘duty of care’ for your child/ren which begins when you bring them into the hall for their class and only ends when you collect them; we cannot allow children to leave the hall/sports centre, unless your child is 14 years or older and we have your written consent.
If someone other than the usual parent/carer will be collecting your child/ren, please let us know in advance, either in person or by text to 07765 553601 or call 01524843344. Alternatively, you can contact us by email at rec@cityoflancastergymnastics.co.uk or col@cityoflancastergymnastics.co.uk to avoid any embarrassment, as we will not permit them to leave the gymnastics hall unless we hear from you.
If your child is 14 years old or over and you consider it to be safe for them to attend their class and leave it independently, would you please email rec@cityoflancastergymnastics.co.uk or col@cityoflancastergymnastics.co.uk. Alternatively, you can text 07765 553601 or call 01524843344 and we will Parentmail a consent form out to you.
For more information, please contact:
Class Information
Due to health and safety, we need to restrict any disruption to classes as much as possible. As such, parents are not allowed to stand in the Lancaster Leisure Park gym, but the viewing area is available to parents who wish to watch the class. On some occasions at the University of Cumbria site, parents may have the opportunity to sit on the side of the gym to watch their child’s class.
Clothing
Gymnasts generally work in bare feet and should wear appropriate clothing for sessions: a leotard and shorts to train in. (dance style leotards with narrow straps and crop tops are not allowed) Garments with zips, buttons and hoods should be avoided as these present a health and safety risk. The club tracksuit is available to order and we will Parentmail out an order form should you wish to purchase any items. Tracksuits are in stock at the Lancaster Leisure Site should you wish your child to try garments on.
This kit is compulsory for all competitive squad members and includes sweatshirts, polo shirts and joggers. If your child has just joined the club, please let them settle in first to make sure it is what they want to do. Then Christmas and birthdays are always an excellent time to purchase these items!
For more information, please contact:
Child Protection
City of Lancaster Gymnastics Club has adopted the British Gymnastics ‘Safeguarding and Protecting Children’s Policy’ and the Health Safety and Welfare Policy’ (a copy is available on the club/BG website or from your Lead Coach). We hope parents will help us maintain a safe and friendly environment at gymnastics sessions. For example, it may be necessary for a coach to touch a child when supporting them or guiding them through a new skill. If you consider the support to be inappropriate or if your child is uncomfortable about the way they have been supported please let one of the Welfare Officers know – Lynn Jackson, Katrina Kent or Karen Liver. They can be contacted via the club website or by emailing welfare@cityoflancastergymnastics.co.uk.
Occasionally, it may be necessary to speak firmly to groups or individuals in the interests of safety, but this should never be aggressive, shouting nor appear to be bullying. The City of Lancaster Gymnastics Club has always put the safety and welfare of the children above performance so please inform one of the Welfare Officers if you are concerned about any behaviour or activities within the club. In order to meet the requirements of the Safeguarding and Protecting Children’s Policy, we need to have a completed membership form giving an emergency contact number and medical details. This year the form will be sent via Parentmail and should be completed before your child’s first session in September. Each gymnast and parent/guardian must read the club’s “Code of Conducts” and tick both boxes on the membership form to confirm they agree to the written codes. This covers issues such as health and safety during both training and competitions.
