Enrolment Policies

Parents agree that by enrolling in our program they are allowing their children to participate at their own risk.

In agreeing to attend a Hills Athletic Fencing program I:

Release and forever discharge Hills Athletic Fencing Club from all claims that I may have or may have had arising from, or in connection with, my child and a Hills Athletic Fencing program; and Indemnify, will keep indemnified and hold harmless Hills Athletic Fencing Club, to the extent permitted by law in respect of any claim as a result of or in connection with a Hills Athletic Fencing program.

I warrant that my child has not at any time suffered blackout, seizure, convulsion, fainting, dizzy spells or any other medical condition and is not presently receiving treatment for any illness, disorder or injury which would render it unsafe for my child to take part in a Hills Athletic Fencing program. I have read and I consent for my child to participate in a Hills Athletic Fencing program and understand the risk involved and further agree to be bound by the Hills Athletic Fencing Club Code of Conduct and operating rules.

I acknowledge that Hills Athletic Fencing Club uses its best endeavours to ensure that the equipment and sporting facilities used in the program are safe and fit for purpose and acknowledge that all sports are inherently dangerous. I have voluntarily read and accept the inherent associated risks. "Hills Athletic Fencing Club" means all directors personally and in their capacity as a director, partners of directors, agents, and any representatives of Hills Athletic Fencing Club. "Hills Athletic Fencing Program" include all programs and activities that you or your child participate in during our courses and classes. This includes but is not limited to any organised sport, training, facilities and activities provided by Hills Athletic Fencing Club.

As a condition of enrolment and for your child to be able to participate in any fencing activities at Hills Athletic Fencing Club, we require parents to fill out our online liability waiver form below. If you do not complete this form, your child will not be permitted to participate in our program or any fencing related activities at our club.

TIMETABLE CHANGES
All classes are subject to change. While Hills Athletic Fencing Club uses its best efforts to operate classes as per the timetable published on this website, in some instances changes are required due to fluctuations in demand. No guarantee is made that classes will run per the timetable. Any changes required will be updated on this website and communicated to those affected.

TRIAL CLASSES

We offer one PAID TRIAL CLASS for new members so you get the opportunity to experience the program before you commit to enrolling for the term. Our paid trial classes are $35 per child and is payable prior to the commencement of your booked trial class. Please contact our Club Administrator directly or email hillsfencingclub@gmail.com to inquire about booking a paid trial class.

CANCELLATION POLICY
By enrolling in our classes, you are committing to a service contract for a complete term. We do not offer refunds or credits if there is an issue with the service that is outside of our control. i.e. - a change of mind. We offer a PAID TRIAL CLASS to ensure that our customers are satisfied with our program prior to enrolling. Therefore, no refunds are available.

MAKE-UP CLASS POLICY
If your child is unable to attend a class (group), a make-up class may be available. We cannot guarantee there will be availability in all classes. A maximum of two (2) make-up classes per term are available, subject to availability. If you require more than 2 make-up classes, it will be at the discretion of our Club Administrator. Make-up classes do not carry over to the next term and no credit is available for classes missed. Make-up classes can only be booked up to 7 days in advance (subject to availability). To book a make-up class, please contact our Club Administrator on 0402 760 395 or email hillsfencingclub@gmail.com

In regards to make-up lessons for private individual lessons, the following will also apply;

A maximum of one (1) make-up lesson (private) per term are available. These will have to be completed during the term or during the school holiday break, subject to coach's availability.
24 HOUR'S notice of cancellation is to be made to the coach in order for a make-up to be valid. Otherwise, the private lesson will be invalid and neither a make-up or refund is owed to the student.
If the coach is unable to attend individual lessons due to reasons beyond their control, the student will be entitled to a make-up lesson or the Club will issue a full refund for the individual lesson if a make-up lesson could not be arranged in the first instance.

CLUB FENCING UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT POLICY
For NEW enrolments only, Hills Athletic Fencing Club will provide 10 weeks free use of Club fencing uniform and equipment. During this time, the Club highly recommends members to seriously consider sourcing their own personal set of fencing uniform and equipment. If you are unsure of what is required or would like the Club to help source the fencing uniform and equipment, then please speak to the Club Administrator for assistance.

The use of Club uniform and equipment past the ten (10) week free period will incur a charge of $10 per day per student.

FEE PAYMENT
We only take bookings for an entire term and our fees are structured this way. Unfortunately, we cannot take casual bookings or pro-rata weeks you may be away (this includes time taken away on holidays). Please refer to our make-up class policy for missed classes. All fees must be paid before the commencement of each term. If fees are not paid by this time your child may not attend any class.

A 10% sibling discount applies to all enrolments after your first child. The discount will be calculated and applies on the class of the lesser value. To be entitled to the discount, all siblings must be booked in a single transaction for the same term. Please speak to the Club Administrator for the sibling discount to be applied.

PHOTOGRAPHY
From time to time your child may be photographed or video'd whilst undertaking a Hills Athletic Fencing class. Such media might be used for promotional purposes, including but not limited to reproduction on the Hills Athletic Fencing Club social media platform. By enrolling in the Hills Athletic Fencing program you agree to such use by Hills Athletic Fencing Club. Parents are not to take videos or photographs that include other children in the class without the permission of that parent/guardian.

FOOD AND DRINK
It is prohibited for food to be consumed during any Hills Athletic Fencing class. A majority of the facilities in which we operate our classes also ban food from being consumed on the court or playing arena. Any child found to be consuming food during a class will be asked to leave the court immediately.

Our classes are structured to include a drink break and we request that all children bring a drink bottle with them to each class.

ILLNESS POLICY

We advise members that they should NOT ATTEND Hills Athletic Fencing classes if they:

have a confirmed case of COVID-19. You cannot attend Hills Athletic Fencing classes until you are medically cleared to return.
have close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. You cannot attend Hills Athletic Fencing classes for 7 days since last contact with the confirmed case.
are unwell or have flu like symptoms including: a cough, high temperature, running nose or sore throat. If you or your child present with any of these symptoms, you will be asked to leave the class.
Additional make-up classes can be issued to members for extended absences due to illness at the discretion of the Club Administrator with a submission of a valid Doctor's Certificate.

SAFETY RULES

At HAFC, the safety and health of our students are our first priority. Fencing is one of the safest sports; we intend to create a safe and organised environment for all of our members.

Students should:

Always follow the coach's or club staff's instructions.
No fencing without a mask or pointing a weapon at a non-masked person.
When fencing, students must wear the necessary equipment and do so correctly.
When not fencing, students should always point their weapon down towards the ground.
The student should not swing the sword around uncontrollably or with malice intent.
Students should disconnect their weapon before removing their mask and vise-versa; they should on the mask before handling or connecting their weapon.
Students should always go around the bouts or lesson at the end of the strip and not cross directly through the piste when in use.
Students may be asked to leave a class, be suspended from the club, and have their membership cancelled if they engage in violent or dangerous fencing and/or behaviour.
Student must promptly stop fencing when the word "HALT" is called out.
Students who consistently breach safety rule will be required to sit out of classes and may be asked to leave the club if there is a pattern of disobedience.

CONDUCT POLICY

The Swing Academy Pty Ltd (T/A Hills Athletic Fencing Club), reserves the right to cancel membership/enrolments due to continual inappropriate and/or serious behaviour by any member or member’s parents towards other members/parents/staff members. This includes and not limited to; abusive and offensive language and/or behaviour, physical or aggressive behaviour, regardless whether resulting in physical personal injury or not, defamatory online posts on social media platforms, online chat groups or by verbally. In addition, serious offences may be reported to the appropriate authorities and may lead to criminal or civil prosecution under state law.