Code of Conduct

KUMATAKA DOJOS INC

Including affiliated dojos:

Epping Budo and Bujutsu Inc
Hurstville Dojo Incorporated
Bayswater Budo and Bujutsu Inc

All participants, members & instructors agree to abide by the following:

A.1     Objectives

Kumataka Dojos has as its key objectives:

  1. Providing instruction in a safe environment in the martial arts of Kodokan Judo, Sosuishi-ryu Jujutsu, Shorin-ryu Karate and Matayoshi Kobudo.
  2. Developing the mental and physical tools for improving personal safety and security.
  3. Promotion of good health and vitality.
  4. Development of positive self-esteem and self-confidence.
  5. Development of a person as a positive role model in the community.
  6. Creating expertise in confrontation management.
  7. Pro-active crime prevention through increased awareness and positive attitudes.
  8. Developing healthy community attitudes and values.

All persons participating in a class or course conducted by Kumataka Dojos must agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct. Kumataka Dojos reserves the right to make amendments or additions to this Code of Conduct at any time.

A.2     Participant Understanding

Kodokan Judo, Sosuishi-ryu Jujutsu and Seibukan Shorin-ryu Karate and Matayoshi Kobudo are contact martial arts, meaning they involve physical contact with one or more other practitioners in ways designed to simulate as closely as possible the self-defence options available to a practitioner when confronted with physical aggression and/or threatening behaviour. As in any other physically demanding recreational activity, there is always a risk of injury. Any person participating in a class conducted by Kumataka Dojos does so with the full understanding that whilst it is the policy of Kumataka Dojos to minimise this risk, the nature of contact physical activity prevents its total elimination. Persons participating in a class conducted by Kumataka Dojos do so of their own volition and at their own risk.

A.3     Instructor Qualifications

  1. All unsupervised Instructors must have a current National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) accreditation, or a Coaching Accreditation Framework (CAF) Coach Judo Level 2 or above, or similar.
  2. All Instructors must have a current nationally recognised WorkCover approved Senior First Aid certification.
  3. All Instructors must have a current Working with Children (WWC) check, relevant to their state of location.
  4. All Instructors must have in place appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
  5. All Instructors will be bound by this Code of Conduct.

A.4     Safety

  1. Instructors will ensure that the training area is clear of any dangerous and/or sharp objects that may provide a risk of injury.
  2. Instructors will have access at all times to a fully equipped first aid kit. The kit will be of the minimum standard of a St Johns Industrial First Aid Kit or equivalent.
  3. Persons must not wear jewellery or watches during training.
  4. All persons participating in training agree to maintain self-control at all times and maintain all care in the application of any technique.
  5. Any person who, in training, exhibits behaviour that, in the judgement of the Instructor, is a danger to other participants, shall not be allowed to continue training until the Instructor determines the danger is no longer present.

A.5 Fees

  1. Persons agree to pay all relevant fees. These typically include:
  • Training fees – payable by the quarter/school term (or casually in some dojos).
  • Membership fees – payable upon enrolment and thereafter annually each following year (these cover insurance costs and registration fees).
  • Association fees – payable directly to Judo NSW or Judo WA (for judo practitioners wanting nationally recognised grades and membership)
  • Equipment costs – payable when placing an order.
  1. Fees may be paid by cash or online deposit to your home dojo – please speak to your dojo Instructor for account transfer/payment details. When paying online, include your name and a description of what the fee covers (e.g. Jane Smith membership). Please email a receipt of payment to your Instructor. All fees are to be paid promptly when they fall due. Please ensure that fee payment does not interfere with class times.

A.6 Training Area Etiquette

  1. Persons will bow in the appropriate manner (as advised by your Instructor) upon entering the Training Area.
  2. Shoes must be taken off before entering the Training Area.
  3. Persons must be punctual and should arrive early, so that they can assist with preparing the Training Area and are ready to train when class commences. If arriving late, a person must wait at the side of the Training Area until the Instructor indicates that a person may join the class.
  4. Persons must not chew gum whilst training.
  5. Food and/or drink (including water) must not be consumed whilst on the Training Area.
  6. Mobile phones must be placed on silent or turned off during training. Mobile phones that ring during training may only be answered at the Instructor’s discretion.

A.7 Uniforms

Persons must wear the following approved clothing during all training sessions:

  1. Uniforms: The correct gi (with correct crest) pertaining to each art is required for training in that art – a judogi for judo and jujutsu, and a karategi for karate.
  2. Shoes: All training is done without the use of shoes.
  3. Belts: Graded students must wear their correct belts.
  4. All clothing must be free of logos or markings unless these relate to Kumataka Dojos or are approved by the Instructor. Crests pertaining to each art or the Kumataka Dojos crest or kanji is to be worn on the left of the gi top (over the heart).
  5. Persons inappropriately attired will not be allowed to train.
  6. Dojo specific change areas, equipment storage and footwear will be specified by the Instructor
  7. 8 Equipment requirements
  8. Persons must bring a towel and filled water bottle to each training session.
  9. Persons must purchase and bring to each training session personal protective equipment appropriate to the art practiced and ensure the equipment is in good working condition.
  10. Persons may not participate in some activities if they do not have the appropriate protective equipment.
  11. Persons participating in sparring activities must wear an approved mouth guard, a groin guard, shin-instep protectors, and gloves or hand mits while sparring. Persons may also wear head guards and body guards at their own (or parents’ own, for children) and the Instructor’s discretion.
  12. Persons participating in free practice activities (e.g. randori or newaza) must wear a groin guard and may wear a mouth guard if they choose.

A.9 Weaponry requirements

  1. Persons participating in any training with replica weapons must purchase and bring to each training session said replica weapons as deemed appropriate by the Instructor.
  2. Replica weapons are to be used in a controlled way in the manner taught by the Instructor. They are only to be used inside the defined Training Area and only during class time.

A.10 Sickness or Injury

  1. Persons must not train if they are suffering from influenza or any other viral infection that may be passed on to other persons.
  2. Persons must advise the Instructor if suffering from any injury or medical condition, either permanent or temporary, which may be adversely affected by certain types of training. Some examples of this may include blood pressure problems and cardiac disorders, neck and back injuries, diabetes and asthma.
  3. If requested by the Instructor, persons with the above or like conditions must show this Code of Conduct to their physician and secure a medical certificate clearly stating that the person is able to participate in classes conducted by Kumataka Dojos and whether there are any restrictions or conditions applicable.

A.11 Other Health Issues

  1. Persons must not attend training under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
  2. Smoking is not allowed in the Training Area.
  3. Persons training must give proper attention to personal hygiene and exhibit clean grooming; ensure their uniforms and protective equipment are clean; and ensure that fingernails and toenails are trimmed and clean.
  4. Persons with a cut or bleeding injury must cease training immediately and receive appropriate first aid. Rejoining the training session will not be allowed until the instructor has deemed that is safe to do so, including ensuring that the Training Area is clean of all blood or other bodily fluids.
  5. Persons administering first aid to a person suffering a cut or bleeding injury must wear protective gloves.

A.12 Training Area Ethics

  1. Persons must always be courteous and helpful to each other.
  2. Physical contact between persons who are training must be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the skill development of those persons.
  3. Sexual harassment, defined as being where a person is subjected to unwanted or uninvited sexual behaviour, will not be tolerated.
  4. Any form of discrimination based on sex, ethnic origin, language, colour, or other form of differentiation will not be tolerated.

A.13 Grading Conditions

  1. Opportunity to grade under the Kumataka Dojos syllabi occurs when the Instructor deems that the student is reasonably capable of demonstrating the syllabus requirements relevant to each art.
  2. Grading fees must be paid when indicated by the Instructor.
  3. In assessing a person’s readiness to grade, the Instructor takes into consideration such factors as consistency of attendance, attitude, focus and attention during training sessions, as much as a person’s knowledge of the relevant Kumataka Dojos syllabus
  4. To secure grading under the Kumataka Dojos syllabus, a person must be a current financial member of Kumataka Dojos (training fees and membership fees paid) as well as the relevant governing body that oversees the specific related art.
  5. Membership of Kumataka Dojos requires a person to agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct.
  6. Kumataka Dojos reserves the right to revoke the grading of any person who breaches this Code of Conduct.

Updated March 2024