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Danelaw Sparring Group
Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver
Important Notice
Martial arts training carries inherent risks, including physical exertion, contact with others, and the possibility of injury.
This document outlines these risks and ensures that you, as a participant, acknowledge and accept them before engaging in any training activities at Danelaw Sparring Group.
2. Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk
I wish to participate in martial arts training at Danelaw Sparring Group, which includes training in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), along with other self-defence and combat techniques.
I acknowledge that martial arts training involves rigorous physical exertion, close contact with other participants, and potential impact with training equipment, surfaces, and the ground.
These activities present inherent risks, including but not limited to:
- Bruises, strains, sprains, fractures, and dislocations.
- Concussions, head trauma, and other impact-related injuries.
- Joint injuries, muscle tears, or soft tissue damage.
- Falls, slips, or accidental collisions with other participants.
- Rare but serious injuries, including paralysis or death.
- Rare risk of piercing or stabbing wounds in the event of weapon or protective equipment failure.
- Rare risk of lacerations or cuts caused by poorly maintained or damaged equipment.
- Overheating when full jackets, armour, or protective equipment are used in hot or humid conditions.
- Emotional or psychological distress related to high-intensity training.
- Exposure to communicable diseases due to close-contact training.
I understand that while Danelaw Sparring Group and its instructors take every reasonable precaution to promote safety and teach injury-prevention methods, it is not possible to eliminate all risks associated with martial arts training.
I voluntarily accept full responsibility for my participation, with full knowledge of these risks.
By signing this document, I expressly accept and assume all risks associated with participating in martial arts training at Danelaw Sparring Group. This assumption includes risks arising from the negligence of the club, its instructors, owners, employees, volunteers, or other participants, as well as risks related to equipment or premises.
3. Fitness to Participate and Medical Disclosure
I confirm that:
- I am physically and mentally fit to participate in martial arts training.
- I do not have any pre-existing medical conditions that would place me at undue risk while participating.
- If I have any medical conditions, such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, or joint problems, I have disclosed them to Danelaw Sparring Group and understand that participation is at my own risk.
- I take full responsibility for managing my own health and any existing medical conditions during training.
If you have any medical conditions that the club should be aware of, please provide a brief description of them in the following form.
Your instructor will follow up regarding any necessary adaptations where these are reasonably practicable.
4. Code of Conduct and Safety Responsibilities
As a participant at Danelaw Sparring Group, I understand that I have a duty to train responsibly and follow all safety guidelines, including:
- Listening to and following instructions from instructors and staff.
- Maintaining control and discipline in all training activities.
- Wearing appropriate protective equipment where required.
- Respecting training partners and avoiding reckless behaviour.
- Informing an instructor immediately if I feel unwell or sustain an injury.
- Not participating in training while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other substance that may impair my judgement.
Failure to adhere to these responsibilities may result in my exclusion from training at Danelaw Sparring Group.
5. Release of Liability
In consideration of being permitted to participate in martial arts activities at Danelaw Sparring Group, I, on behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, and assigns, hereby release, waive, and discharge Danelaw Sparring Group, its owners, directors, instructors, employees, agents, and representatives from any and all liability for injuries, accidents, illnesses, including death, property loss, or other claims resulting from my participation in martial arts activities.
This waiver includes, but is not limited to, claims arising from:
- Negligence on the part of Danelaw Sparring Group or its instructors.
- Injury due to defective or inadequate equipment.
- Accidents occurring on the premises or during club-sanctioned activities.
- Legal action taken against me due to the carrying of offensive weapons in public.
- Acts or omissions of other participants.
Important: This waiver does not exclude liability for injury or loss caused by proven negligence or breach of duty under UK law.
6. Acknowledgement of Understanding
I confirm that:
- I have read and fully understood this Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver.
- I am signing this document freely and voluntarily.
- I understand that this agreement limits my legal rights and that I am waiving claims against Danelaw Sparring Group for injuries or losses sustained during training, subject to applicable UK law.
- If I choose to spar in HEMA without supervision, I understand that I do so at my own risk.
- If I attend another HEMA group for sparring or teaching, I will ensure that I check the appropriate insurance arrangements are in place before participating.
If you have any questions regarding this form or the risks associated with martial arts training, please speak to an instructor before submitting the form below.
Danelaw Sparring Group
Club Rules & Code of Conduct
Danelaw Sparring Group is committed to maintaining a respectful, safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all members.
These rules set out the standards of behaviour expected from everyone attending or representing the club. They are intended to help ensure that training remains safe, productive, enjoyable, and respectful for all.
1. General Conduct
- All members must conduct themselves with respect, integrity, and courtesy at all times.
- Bullying, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any kind, whether verbal, physical, or online, will not be tolerated.
- Respect must be shown to fellow students, instructors, visitors, parents, guardians, and venue staff.
- Members must follow reasonable instructions given by instructors and senior club officials.
- Aggressive, abusive, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate behaviour may result in disciplinary action.
2. Training Etiquette
- Members should arrive on time for classes wherever reasonably possible. If arriving late, please wait for the instructor's permission before joining the session.
- Training clothing and equipment should be clean, suitable for the activity, and free from significant damage that could create a safety risk.
- Jewellery and other items that could cause injury should be removed before training.
- Members are expected to maintain good personal hygiene, including clean hands and feet and appropriately trimmed nails.
- Members should treat training partners and instructors respectfully before, during, and after exercises and drills.
- All techniques must be practised with appropriate control and discipline. Excessive force, dangerous behaviour, or recklessness will not be tolerated.
- Food, chewing gum, and drinks other than water should not be taken onto the main training floor. Food and other drinks may be kept in a suitable area outside the main training space or on a designated table where available.
3. Safeguarding & Welfare
The welfare and safety of everyone attending Danelaw Sparring Group is extremely important.
- Any concern relating to safety, welfare, or safeguarding should be reported to the Club Safeguarding Officer or an appropriate instructor as soon as possible.
- Children under 18 must be dropped off and collected in accordance with the club's safeguarding arrangements.
- Parents and guardians are welcome to observe training sessions where appropriate, but should avoid interrupting instruction or coaching from the sidelines.
- Inappropriate, unsafe, abusive, or otherwise concerning behaviour should be reported promptly.
If a safeguarding concern is not taken seriously, or a complaint cannot be satisfactorily resolved through the club, concerns may also be escalated to BMABA's Safeguarding Team.
BMABA Safeguarding Team:
Telephone: 01798 306546
Email:
safeguarding@bmaba.org.uk
4. Health & Safety
- Members must provide any medical information reasonably required by the club before participating in training.
- Members should inform an instructor if they are injured, unwell, or believe that a medical condition may affect their ability to train safely.
- Appropriate protective equipment must be worn whenever required by the instructor or by the activity being undertaken.
- Protective equipment must be in a condition suitable for safe use.
- Members must follow the instructor's directions regarding sparring, contact levels, weapons training, protective equipment, and restricted exercises.
- Emergency contact and relevant medical information provided to the club should be kept up to date.
5. Sparring & Contact Training
- Sparring and contact exercises must be undertaken responsibly and with consideration for the experience, ability, and safety of training partners.
- Participants must respect agreed levels of contact and immediately reduce intensity if requested by a training partner or instructor.
- Members must stop immediately when instructed to do so.
- Any damaged, unsafe, or questionable equipment should be brought to an instructor's attention before it is used.
- Reckless, uncontrolled, or deliberately dangerous conduct may result in immediate removal from the activity or training session.
6. Competition & Representation
- Members representing Danelaw Sparring Group at competitions, events, demonstrations, or other activities are expected to maintain a high standard of conduct and sportsmanship.
- Members should consult the club's lead instructor before formally representing Danelaw Sparring Group in competition.
- Respect must be shown towards referees, event organisers, officials, opponents, coaches, and other competitors.
- Behaviour that seriously damages the reputation of the club may be considered a disciplinary matter.
7. Club Membership & Fees
- Membership fees and other agreed training fees should be paid by the applicable due date.
- Repeated or unresolved missed payments may result in suspension of membership or training privileges.
- Refunds for missed sessions are not normally provided unless otherwise agreed due to exceptional circumstances.
- Members should inform the club of relevant changes to their contact details, emergency contact information, or other membership information.
8. Parents & Guardians
- Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that children arrive and are collected in accordance with the club's arrangements.
- Parents and guardians are encouraged to support participants positively, but should not attempt to coach or direct students during a class.
- Questions or concerns should be raised with an instructor at an appropriate time, preferably before or after the training session rather than during active instruction.
- Parents and guardians attending the venue are also expected to behave respectfully towards instructors, members, other parents, and venue staff.
9. Social Media & Online Conduct
- Members are expected to behave appropriately when referring to Danelaw Sparring Group, its instructors, or other members online.
- Harassment, threats, bullying, discriminatory comments, or the deliberate targeting of other club members online will not be tolerated.
- Members should not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements about the club, its instructors, or other members.
- Photographs, videos, or personal information relating to other members should not be shared inappropriately or without suitable permission.
- Serious online conduct that affects the safety, welfare, or reputation of the club or its members may result in disciplinary action.
10. Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment
- Members must not participate in training while under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs.
- Members must not participate where medication, illness, fatigue, or another condition significantly impairs their judgement, coordination, or ability to train safely.
- An instructor may prevent a member from participating if they reasonably believe that the person is not fit to train safely.
11. Disciplinary Procedures
Failure to comply with these rules may result in disciplinary action. Depending on the circumstances and severity of the issue, this may include:
- An informal discussion or reminder of club expectations.
- A formal warning.
- Temporary removal from an activity or training session.
- Temporary suspension from the club.
- Permanent exclusion from Danelaw Sparring Group.
Serious breaches involving violence, safeguarding concerns, harassment, deliberate dangerous conduct, or other significant misconduct may result in immediate suspension while the matter is investigated.
Disciplinary matters will be dealt with as fairly and proportionately as reasonably possible and in accordance with applicable club policies.
12. Amendments & Review
These Club Rules and Code of Conduct may be reviewed or updated periodically to reflect changes in club activities, safety requirements, BMABA guidance, venue requirements, or applicable legislation.
Where significant changes are made, members may be asked to review and acknowledge the updated rules.
13. Acknowledgement & Agreement
By submitting the form below, you confirm that you have read and understood the Danelaw Sparring Group Club Rules & Code of Conduct and agree to abide by them while attending, participating in, or representing the club.
You also acknowledge that failure to comply with these rules may result in disciplinary action, suspension, or exclusion from Danelaw Sparring Group where appropriate.
Where the participant is under 18, submission of the form by a parent or guardian confirms that they have read and understood these rules and agree to support the participant in complying with them.
Beginners Course sign-up form
After submitting this form, your instructor will be in touch with a confirmation.
If you've chosen to pay online, you are welcome to pay via this payment link
If you've chosen a cash payment, simply bring this with you to your first session, or you're free to drop-in to any of our other thursday sessions.
Thanks again, and we look forward to making a warrior out of you!