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CODE OF PRACTISE
All clubs and societies are affiliated to Lancaster University Students Union and are therefore bound by the Union regulations and constitution.
Club/Society: Lancaster Roses Cheerleaders
The Aims of the Club/Society
Develop cheerleading routines; both cheer and dance, to perform at the matches of the University’s sports teams as well as compete at a national level at least once annually. Encourage cheerleaders to develop fully, in the areas of cheering, stunting and teamwork.
The following constitutes the clubs/societies procedures which must be followed by all members so that all activities are carried out safely:
Area of activity: Training
Procedures to follow
o There will be first aid personnel wherever we train. This will be provided by the society if it is not available at the venue. If no first aid cover is available there will be no training at that venue. o Coaches must train spotters at the beginning of the year on how to catch the flyers and break falls, and will only use good spotters in stunts; this is determined by the analysis of a spotters skill on how to catch fliers in stunts. o Stunts will only be done with trained spotters and appropriate mats. o Coaches and the Health and Safety officer will make sure that the thick mats are used for stunts of more than 2m high and the thin mats are used for all stunts less than 2m high. o Coaches will only allow experienced stunters to stunt with appropriate mats and good spotters. Beginners must start off mastering the basics on the thin mats and not be lead into advanced stunts.o The Coaches will make the decision on whether the use of thick mats or thin mats is required for new stunts. The Coaches must decide who is experienced to spot from both members from the previous year and the current year.o When the thick mats are used the thin mats must be placed underneath or the thick mats must be properly taped together so that there can be no gaps between them.o All activity must take place on matting and there must be an extra run off set of thin mats around the edge where no activity takes place, to protect people if they fall over. All mats where activity takes place must be at least 2m from any wall. The Coaches and Safety Officer will check that the mats are set out correctly.o The Coaches and the Health and safety officer will make sure that practices and performances are on dry thin or thick mats and never on bare floor. o The Health and Safety Officer and Coaches must inspect mats for dampness, damage, or anything that can be a hazard to the practice before any usage. If a problem is identified the mat(s) will not be used and will be substituted for safe ones. If there are not enough safe mats the practice will be cancelled. o Dynamic gymnastic moves can only be done in a gymnasium with suitable space and matting (such as at St. Martins).o Instructors must be qualified through the UKCA qualification scheme. The qualifications are checked by the Captain of society. o Check the area for all obstacles and spillages, in the air and at ground level. The Safety officer checks the floors before and during practices and activity will not take place until it is safe. The members will be told at the start of each session to notify the exec or remove any obstacles. o Coaches will make sure that 2 - 4 people, trained by the coaches on lifting techniques, carry a mat between them. Members must not run when carrying equipment and must be cautious if it is windy. Cars will be used if transporting the thick mats and a trolley will be used for transporting the thin mats. The exec will supervise all lifting to ensure all carriers use correct lifting methods.o All flyers must have buns or plats in their hair, they will be told in the first practice of each year. The Coaches and the Health and safety officer will make sure that no stunting is allowed until hair is tied down.o Members must keep their nails short; they will be reminded of this at each practise. Scissors and clippers to be taken into practices by the safety officer and regular inspections will be done. o Before practicing a stunt or pyramid the team must talk through each stage, especially the dismount, before building. Only fit and well members will be allowed to stunt. The Coaches and the Health and safety officer will make sure that the squad only do stunts in the presence of a qualified instructor with knowledge of the stunt and after careful planning and instructions.o The Safety officer and/or Exec in charge will check that performers are not wearing any jewellery and do not have gum in their mouth before the start of the session.o The Safety officer and/or Exec in charge will check that performers are not wearing any jewellery and do not have gum in their mouth before the start of the session.o Coaches ensure all clothing is tightly fitted and secure to the body. Flyers must wear the correct cheer shoes and shorts (or rolled up trousers), this will be checked by the exec before they can stunt. All hoodies must be removed or the hood tucked inside. No stunting will take place if these conditions are not met.
Areas of risk assessment covered:Slip, Trip or fall;Falls up to 2 meters.; Falls over 2 meters; Nature and type of flooring; Unsuitable equipment; Supervisors lack formal qualifications; Differing levels of spotters/ and stunt levels; Obstacles/ spillages on practice or sports hall flooring; Carrying the thick mats from porters Cabin to practice area; Long loose hair; Long nails; Stunting; Loose clothing, unsuitable trainers;
Area of activity: Training location specific requirements
Procedures to follow
o When in the George Fox foyer there will be no pyramids of more than 2 people and no throws will be done because there is not sufficient height. There will be no activity done above the height of two people and all activity above the height of one person must be done well inside the centre ceiling ring.o When in the Great Hall the Coaches and Safety Officer will check that there is nothing tied between the balconys before activity begins. Pyramids and throws are possible but there must be sufficient mats and they must be done in the centre of the room. o Only the dance squad can do activity in the Minor Hall and nothing can be done above the height of one person (i.e. no lifts are allowed).o When in the County South Lecture Theatre pyramids and throws are possible but there must be sufficient mats and they must be done in the centre of the room.o When in the Brandrigg room only half height lifting is allowed (i.e. double base). There will be no activity above the height of one and a half people because there is not sufficent ceiling height.
Areas of risk assessment covered:Training locations
Area of activity: The Carleton
Procedures to follow
o There will be first aid personnel wherever we have performances. This will be provided by the society if it is not available at the venue. If no first aid cover is available there will be no performance at that venue. o Coaches will ensure that all clothing is tightly fitted and secure to the body. Flyers must wear the correct cheer shoes and shorts (or rolled up trousers), this will be checked by the exec before they can stunt. All hoodies must be removed or the hood tucked inside. No stunting will take place if these conditions are not met.o All flyers must have buns or plats in their hair, they will be told in the first practice of each year. The Coaches and the Health and safety officer will make sure that no stunting is allowed until hair is tied down.o Check the area for all obstacles and spillages, in the air and at ground level. The Safety officer checks the floors before the performance and activity will not take place until it is safe. The members will be told at the start of each session to notify the exec or immediately remove any obstacles. o The Safety Officer will check before the performance that the ceiling height is sufficient and that there are no venue features that could be hit or cause harm. If the venue does not have a large enough space it will not be used. o Mats from the gym must be used for the performance. The Health and Safety Officer and Coaches must inspect mats for dampness, damage, or anything that can be a hazard to the performance before any usage. If a problem is identified the mat(s) will not be used and will be substituted for safe ones. If there are not enough safe mats the performance will be cancelled.o Coaches will make sure that the squad will cheer well away from members of the public and that the public are kept at a safe distance. Members must ensure they do not leave any equipment behind at the end of the performance. The Coaches responsible must assess and judge the location of the performance and use the appropriate mats.o Coaches and the Health and Safety officer will make sure that the thick mats are used for stunts of more 2m high and the thin mats are used for all stunts less than 2m high. o The Safety officer and/or Exec in charge will check that performers are not wearing any jewellery and do not have gum in their mouth before the start of the performance. They will also make a final check before the performance to ensure the surface is suitable to perform on.
Areas of risk assessment covered:Slip, Trip or fall; Falls up to 2 meters; Falls over 2 meters; Nature and type of flooring; Members of the public or members of sports team; Unsuitable equipment; Obstacles/ spillages on practice or sports hall flooring; Long loose hair; Stunting; Loose clothing, unsuitable trainers; First Aid Cover at places other than the university.
Area of activity: At Games
Procedures to follow
o There will be first aid personnel wherever we have performances. This will be provided by the society if it is not available at the performance location. If no first aid cover is available there will be no performance at that location o Coaches will ensure that all clothing is tightly fitted and secure to the body. Flyers must wear the correct cheer shoes and shorts (or rolled up trousers), this will be checked by the exec before they can stunt. All hoodies must be removed or the hood tucked inside. No stunting will take place if these conditions are not met.o All flyers must have buns or plats in their hair, they will be told in the first practice of each year. The Coaches and the Health and safety officer will make sure that no stunting is allowed until hair is tied down.o Check the area for all obstacles and spillages, in the air and at ground level. The Safety officer checks the floors before the performance and activity will not take place until it is safe. The members will be told at the start of each session to notify the exec or immediately remove any obstacles. o Members must wear suitable clothing when outdoors and drink and eat warm food. Warm drinks will be provided by the coaches, and squads are encouraged to bring some warm clothing. For cheering at games, the coaches will email squads in advance about what to wear and/or will supply members with the right kit.o If access to the area is difficult on foot, or the path is wet then either cars must be used or an alternative route to the Astroturf must be used. The Coach will inform the squad if and when the use cars or any other mode of transport is required. o The Coach will ensure the squad cheers well away from members of the public or the game itself. Members must make sure their poms are not on the pitch and no equipment is left behind when they leave. The Coaches responsible must assess and judge the safety of the location of the performance and use appropriate mats when necessary. o For outdoor surfaces such as fields, stunting will not be allowed on wet grass or any unsuitable surfaces. Practice must be done on clear areas and no jewellery or chewing gum is to be left on the practice or performance surface. o The Safety officer and/or Exec in charge will check that performers are not wearing any jewellery and do not have gum in their mouth before the start of the performance. They will also make a final check before the performance to ensure the surface is suitable to perform on.o The Coaches will make the decision whether to use the thin mats and whether to use spotters (ones which have been certified as good spotters).
Areas of risk assessment covered:Slip, Trip or fall; Nature and type of flooring; Members of the public or members of sports team; Access to pitches unsuitable; Cold temperatures; Obstacles/ spillages on practice or sports hall flooring; Long loose hair; Loose clothing, unsuitable trainers; First Aid Cover at places other than the university.
Area of activity: Competition
Procedures to follow
o There will be first aid personnel wherever we have performances. This will be provided by the society if it is not available at the performance location. If no first aid cover is available there will be no performance at that locationo Before arriving at the competition the Coaches and captain will tell all squad members to stick together or in pairs. They will also tell members to inform the exec of where they are going to be, if not with everyone else. A register will be taken by the Captain or Coaches when leaving the venue and at every rest stop to ensure no-one is left behind. o Coaches as well as competition officials will make sure that the squad cheers well away from members of the public and that the public are kept at a safe distance. Members must make sure no equipment is left at the competition when leaving. The Coaches responsible must assess and judge the safety of the location of the performance and use appropriate mats.o Stunts can only take place with spotters(our own) and mats (provided the competition officials). There must be a warm up before practicing and the Coaches must be present at the warm up and practices.o All flyers must have buns or plats in their hair, they will be told in the first practice of each year. The Coaches and the Health and safety officer will make sure that no stunting is allowed until hair is tied down.o All members of the squad must follow the competition rules. Captains and coaches are to enforce these rules were needed.o Coaches will ensure that all clothing is tightly fitted and secure to the body. Flyers must wear the correct cheer shoes and shorts (or rolled up trousers), this will be checked by the exec before they can stunt. All hoodies must be removed or the hood tucked inside. No stunting will take place if these conditions are not met.o The Safety officer and/or Exec in charge will check that performers are not wearing any jewellery and do not have gum in their mouth before the start of the performance.
Areas of risk assessment covered:Long loose hair; Travelling to competition; Loose clothing, unsuitable trainers; First Aid Cover at places other than the university.
Area of activity: Socials
Procedures to follow
o There will be at least two sober exec members who will supervise the group and watch out for all members as well as any hazards. The Social Secs will make sure that two exec members are sober at all socials.o No members are allowed to take alcohol or smoke while wearing cheerleading kit; the Coaches and captains will enforce this rule.
Areas of risk assessment covered:Injuries and unexpected events at socials
Duty of Care
Please note that on top of the above procedures, all individual members of the society owe a Duty of Care to fellow members of the society and other societies, and where appropriate the public. Any society member who acts in such a way as to deliberately cause harm or injury to a fellow member and/or who displays open and persistent disregard for the societies Code of Practice will be disciplined by the society executive committee and may face expulsion from the society.