Parent / Guardian Waiver

Parent / Guardian Participation Agreement

Version 1.0 Effective 12 August 2026

Please complete this waiver for any children currently training at Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast.

ICON JIU JITSU BELFAST

Including Acknowledgement of Risk

Version 1.0

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please read this Agreement carefully before signing.

By signing this Agreement, you confirm that you are the parent or legal guardian of the child or children named in this Agreement, that you have read and understood its contents, have had the opportunity to ask questions, and voluntarily agree to the terms set out below on their behalf.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a full-contact martial art involving close physical contact and physical exertion. Although Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast is committed to providing a safe, respectful and professional training environment, participation in any contact sport carries inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated.

This Agreement is intended to protect both your child and the academy. More importantly, it helps ensure that parents, guardians and young participants understand the shared responsibilities involved in creating a safe, respectful and enjoyable training environment for everyone.

If there is anything within this Agreement that you do not understand, please speak to a member of the coaching team before signing.

Welcome

Welcome to Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast.

Our aim is to provide a professional academy where people of all backgrounds, ages and experience levels can learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a welcoming environment built upon respect, humility, discipline and continuous improvement.

We believe Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers significant physical, mental and personal benefits. Alongside those benefits comes a shared responsibility to train safely, look after one another and contribute positively to the culture of the academy.

This Agreement has been created to ensure that every parent or legal guardian understands, on behalf of their child:

The nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The inherent risks involved in participation.
The standards expected of every member.
The responsibilities shared between the academy and its members.

Our intention is not simply to protect the academy. It is to ensure that parents, guardians and children who train at Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast understand how we work together to create the safest possible training environment while enjoying everything that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has to offer.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Agreement:

Academy means Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast.

Child means each child or young person named by the Parent/Guardian in connection with this Agreement. Parent/Guardian means the individual signing this Agreement who confirms that they are the parent or legal guardian of the Child and are authorised to give the acknowledgements and permissions contained in this Agreement on the Child’s behalf.

Coach includes any instructor, assistant instructor or other person authorised by the academy to supervise training or academy activities.

Training includes all age-appropriate activities organised or supervised by the academy for the Child, including classes, drills, sparring or positional training where appropriate, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, grading events and academy social activities where participation forms part of the Child’s experience.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) includes all grappling techniques, takedowns, throws, positional training, submission techniques, sparring, physical conditioning and any associated activities undertaken as part of academy training.

Our Commitment

Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast is committed to providing a professional training environment where children and all other participants are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

We aim to:

Provide high-quality coaching.
Promote safe and responsible training practices.
Encourage technical development over unnecessary aggression.
Maintain suitable equipment and training facilities.
Foster an inclusive and supportive academy culture.
Encourage members to look after one another both on and off the mats.

Every reasonable effort is made to reduce unnecessary risks wherever possible. However, no contact sport can ever be made entirely risk-free. The academy, parents/guardians and participants each have an important role in maintaining a safe training environment.

The Nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a dynamic martial art based upon close physical contact with other participants.

Training may include, but is not limited to:

Technical instruction.
Partner drills.
Positional training.
Live sparring (“rolling”).
Standing grappling.
Wrestling exchanges.
Takedowns.
Throws.
Sweeps.
Guard work.
Escapes.
Submission techniques.
Joint locks.
Choke and strangle techniques.
Strength and conditioning exercises.
Mobility and flexibility work.
Competition-specific training.
Demonstrations.

Training intensity varies between classes, age groups and individual participants.

Some sessions involve controlled technical practice, while others involve higher levels of physical exertion and resistance from training partners.

The Parent/Guardian understands that close physical contact is an essential part of the Child learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and cannot reasonably be avoided.

Understanding the Risks

The Parent/Guardian acknowledges that the Child’s participation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu involves inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated, regardless of the care taken by coaches, staff or fellow participants.

These risks include, but are not limited to:

Bruising.
Cuts and abrasions.
Friction burns.
Muscle strains.
Ligament sprains.
Joint injuries.
Dislocations.
Fractures.
Dental injuries.
Concussion.
Neck injuries.
Back injuries.
Skin infections.
Accidental collisions.
Overexertion.
The aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions.

The Parent/Guardian further understands that, although serious injuries are uncommon, they can occur.

The Parent/Guardian also understands that training with other people means the actions, reactions and movements of training partners cannot always be predicted or controlled.

Accidents may occur despite:

Appropriate supervision.
Qualified coaching.
Compliance with academy rules.
Responsible behaviour by training partners.
Appropriate safety procedures.

By permitting the Child to participate, the Parent/Guardian acknowledges and accepts that some degree of physical risk is an unavoidable part of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Voluntary Participation

The Child’s participation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is voluntary and takes place with the permission of the Parent/Guardian.

The Parent/Guardian understands that the Child may choose not to participate in any activity they believe is beyond their current level of experience, fitness or confidence, and that coaches may also modify or restrict activities where appropriate for age, experience or safety.

Choosing not to participate in a particular exercise, drill or sparring round will not affect the Child’s standing within the academy.

Children and their Parent/Guardian are encouraged to communicate openly with coaches regarding injuries, illness, fatigue or any concern that may affect the Child’s ability to train safely.

Good judgement is an important part of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The academy encourages the Child, Parent/Guardian and coaches to make responsible decisions regarding the Child’s participation.

Personal Responsibility

While Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast is committed to maintaining high coaching standards, the Parent/Guardian agrees to support the Child in contributing to a safe training environment and to reinforce the academy’s safety expectations.

The Parent/Guardian agrees that the Child will be expected to:

Honestly assess their own physical condition before every training session.
Train within their own experience and ability.
Recognise when they are becoming excessively fatigued.
Tap promptly whenever they believe they are caught in a submission.
Immediately respect and release any submission when a training partner taps.
Avoid reckless or unnecessarily forceful behaviour.
Inform a coach if they believe they are unable to continue training safely.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is built upon trust between training partners.

Every participant shares responsibility, appropriate to their age and understanding, for protecting the safety, wellbeing and enjoyment of those around them while helping to maintain the respectful and supportive culture that defines Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast.

Medical Declaration

The Parent/Guardian confirms that, to the best of their knowledge, the Child is medically fit to participate in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other academy activities.

The Parent/Guardian acknowledges that participation in a physical contact sport requires appropriate judgement regarding the Child’s health and wellbeing.

By signing this Agreement, the Parent/Guardian confirms that, to the best of their knowledge:

They are not aware of any medical condition that would make participation unsafe unless that condition has been appropriately managed and, where necessary, advice has been obtained from a suitably qualified medical professional.
They accept responsibility for seeking appropriate medical advice before participating if they have any concerns regarding their physical or mental health.
They will inform the academy of any significant medical condition or injury that could reasonably affect their ability to train safely.
They will not knowingly participate in training while suffering from an illness or condition that may place themselves or others at unnecessary risk.

The academy cannot monitor the ongoing health of individual children. The Parent/Guardian remains responsible for providing relevant information and making appropriate decisions regarding the Child’s fitness to train, while coaches retain discretion to restrict participation where there is a reasonable safety concern.

Injuries and Returning to Training

Despite the care taken by coaches and fellow participants, injuries can occur during any physical activity.

If an injury occurs, the Parent/Guardian agrees, where applicable, to support the Child to:

Inform a coach as soon as reasonably practicable.
Follow any immediate safety instructions given by the coaching team.
Seek appropriate medical advice where necessary.
Avoid returning to training until they reasonably believe it is safe to do so or have been advised that it is appropriate to return.

Where a medical professional has recommended restrictions on the Child’s physical activity, the Parent/Guardian agrees to ensure that those restrictions are followed.

Coaches may recommend or require that the Child does not participate in certain activities where there is a reasonable concern for the Child’s safety or the safety of others.

Any such recommendation is made solely in the interests of maintaining a safe training environment and does not replace professional medical advice.

Member Conduct

Every participant contributes to the culture and reputation of Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast.

Children are expected, in a manner appropriate to their age and understanding, to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the academy’s values of respect, humility, discipline, integrity and teamwork.

The Parent/Guardian agrees that the Child will be expected to:

Treat coaches, staff, visitors and fellow participants with courtesy and respect.
Train with an appropriate level of control for the experience and ability of their training partner.
Follow the instructions of coaches promptly and respectfully.
Respect the academy, its facilities and its equipment.
Help create a welcoming environment for new and existing members.
Avoid behaviour that could intimidate, harass, threaten or deliberately endanger another person.
Behave honestly and with integrity whenever representing Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast.

Children are expected to show equal respect towards every training partner regardless of age, experience, rank, gender or ability.

The academy reserves the right to refuse or restrict the Child’s participation, or terminate membership, where behaviour is considered unsafe, abusive or fundamentally inconsistent with the standards and values of the academy.

Safe Training Standards

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu relies upon cooperation and trust between training partners.

To help maintain a safe training environment, the Parent/Guardian understands that the Child will be expected to:

Tap early whenever they believe they are caught in a submission.
Immediately release any submission when their training partner taps verbally or physically.
Apply techniques with appropriate care and control.
Train responsibly with less experienced partners.
Immediately stop any activity if instructed to do so by a coach.
Follow the direction of coaches regarding pairings, sparring intensity and appropriate training methods.
Immediately inform a coach if they become aware that another participant has been injured or has become unwell during training.

No submission, position, round or competitive exchange is ever more important than the safety of a training partner.

Every participant shares responsibility, appropriate to their age and understanding, for maintaining a safe, respectful and enjoyable training environment.

Hygiene and Infection Control

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu involves prolonged close physical contact.

Maintaining good personal hygiene is an important part of protecting the Child and their training partners.

The Parent/Guardian agrees that the Child will be expected to:

Attend training wearing clean Gi or No-Gi clothing.
Maintain an appropriate standard of personal hygiene.
Keep fingernails and toenails clean and properly trimmed.
Remove jewellery before training unless specifically authorised by a coach.
Ensure cuts, abrasions or minor wounds are appropriately covered where practicable.
Avoid training while suffering from an infectious illness.
Avoid training while affected by an infectious skin condition until it is safe to return.

If the Child or Parent/Guardian becomes aware that the Child may have a contagious condition, the Parent/Guardian agrees to act responsibly and avoid placing other participants at unnecessary risk.

Where there is a reasonable concern regarding hygiene, illness or the safety of other participants, the academy may ask the Child not to participate until it is appropriate for them to return.

Any such decision will always be made with the wellbeing of all participants in mind.

Alcohol, Drugs and Medication

The safety of all participants depends upon everyone being capable of training responsibly.

The Parent/Guardian agrees not to knowingly allow the Child to participate in training:

While under the influence of alcohol.
While under the influence of illegal drugs.
While affected by medication that significantly impairs judgement, coordination or reaction time unless they have obtained appropriate medical advice confirming that participation is safe.

If a coach reasonably believes that the Child is impaired or otherwise unable to train safely, the academy reserves the right to refuse the Child’s participation in the session.

Any such decision will always be made solely in the interests of protecting the safety of the Child and others.

Academy Facilities and Equipment

Children are expected to treat the academy, its equipment and the property of others with care and respect.

The Parent/Guardian agrees that the Child will be expected to:

Follow any instructions relating to the safe use of academy equipment.
Report damaged or unsafe equipment to a coach as soon as reasonably practicable.
Respect the personal belongings of other participants.
Avoid behaviour that is likely to damage academy equipment or facilities.

Unless liability cannot legally be excluded, the academy accepts no responsibility for the loss of or damage to personal belongings brought onto the premises.

Parents/Guardians are encouraged not to allow children to bring unnecessary valuables to training.

Competitions, Seminars and External Events

Parents/Guardians may choose to allow their Child to attend competitions, seminars, training camps or other events organised by third parties.

Unless Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast is expressly identified as the organiser of an event, the academy is not responsible for the organisation, supervision, operation or safety procedures of that event.

The Parent/Guardian acknowledges that third-party organisers may require separate registration, participation agreements or waivers. It is the Parent/Guardian’s responsibility to read, understand and comply with those requirements on behalf of the Child.

Where coaches from Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast attend, support or coach children at an external event, their attendance does not mean that the academy is organising or accepting responsibility for that event unless expressly confirmed in writing.

Where Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast organises its own seminars, workshops or academy events, this Agreement will continue to apply unless Parents/Guardians are notified otherwise in advance.

Photography, Video Recording and Social Media

Photography and video recording may form part of life at Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast.

They allow us to celebrate the achievements of our participants, document the growth of the academy, promote Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu within our community and share positive training experiences.

The Parent/Guardian acknowledges that photography and video recording may take place during academy activities involving children.

Photographs and video recordings may be taken during:

Regular classes.
Open mats.
Academy-hosted seminars.
Workshops.
Grading events.
Team photographs.
Academy social events.
Other activities organised by the academy.

Images and recordings may include:

Individual instruction.
Small group coaching.
Team photographs.
General academy activity.
Wide-angle photographs of classes.
Wide-angle video recordings of live training.

The Parent/Guardian understands that the Child may appear in photographs or video recordings alongside other participants during normal academy activities.

Subject to applicable safeguarding, privacy and data protection requirements, images and recordings may be used by Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast for legitimate academy purposes, including:

The academy website.
Official social media accounts.
Printed promotional material.
Displays within the academy.
Educational content.
News articles.
Competition reports.
Marketing and promotional activities undertaken by the academy.

The academy is committed to using photographs and recordings professionally, respectfully and in a manner consistent with the values of Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast.

The academy will not knowingly use images or recordings in a manner intended to embarrass, ridicule or deliberately misrepresent a Child.

The Parent/Guardian understands that group photographs and wide-angle recordings may form part of academy life and that it may not always be reasonably possible to exclude an individual Child from incidental inclusion in such images.

If the Parent/Guardian has personal circumstances or safeguarding concerns regarding photography or video recording of the Child, they should discuss those concerns directly with the academy.

The academy will always consider such requests carefully and, where reasonably practicable, seek to make appropriate accommodations. However, the Parent/Guardian acknowledges that complete exclusion from incidental inclusion in group photographs or wide-angle recordings cannot always be guaranteed.

Parents/Guardians and children are also expected to act respectfully regarding photography or video recording and must always follow any instructions given by coaches regarding photography or filming within the academy.

First Aid and Emergency Assistance

The safety and wellbeing of every Child is a priority.

Coaches and authorised representatives of the academy may provide basic first aid where appropriate and within the limits of their training and experience.

If a coach or authorised representative reasonably believes that the Child requires urgent medical attention, the Parent/Guardian authorises them to:

Contact the emergency services.
Contact the Member’s nominated emergency contact where reasonably practicable.
Take any reasonable steps considered necessary to protect the Member’s immediate health or safety until appropriate medical assistance becomes available.

This authority exists solely to protect the Child’s welfare during an emergency and does not create an obligation upon the academy, its coaches or representatives to provide medical treatment beyond reasonable first aid or emergency assistance.

Changes to this Agreement

From time to time, Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast may update this Agreement to reflect changes in legislation, health and safety guidance or the operation of the academy.

Where a revised version is introduced, Parents/Guardians may be asked to review and sign the updated Agreement on behalf of their Child before the Child continues to participate in academy activities.

Each version of this Agreement will be clearly identified by its version number and effective date.

Questions About this Agreement

Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast believes that every Parent/Guardian should understand the agreement they are signing.

If there is anything within this Agreement that you do not understand, or if you would like clarification about any section, please speak to a member of the coaching team before signing.

We will always make reasonable efforts to answer your questions and explain the purpose of this Agreement.

We would much rather answer your questions before you sign than have you remain uncertain about any aspect of this Agreement.

General Provisions

This Agreement is intended to promote the safe participation of children while helping to protect both the Child and Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast.

If any provision of this Agreement is found by a court or other competent authority to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severable and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Nothing contained within this Agreement is intended to exclude or limit any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

This Agreement applies throughout the Child’s participation in activities organised by Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast unless it is replaced by a later version accepted by the Parent/Guardian.

Parent / Guardian Declaration

By signing this Agreement, I confirm that:

I have read this Agreement in full.
I have had the opportunity to ask questions about any part of this Agreement that I did not understand.
I understand that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a full-contact martial art involving inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated.
I voluntarily choose to participate in training and academy activities organised by Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast.
I believe I am medically fit to participate or have sought appropriate medical advice before doing so.
I agree to follow the instructions of coaches and to train responsibly at all times.
I understand my responsibilities towards the safety and wellbeing of my training partners.
I agree to maintain appropriate standards of conduct, hygiene and respect while participating in academy activities.
I understand that photography and video recording form part of normal academy life as described within this Agreement.
I understand that, where I have exceptional personal or safeguarding concerns regarding photography or video recording, I should discuss these directly with the academy before participating.
I confirm that the information I have provided to the academy is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
I understand that my electronic signature is intended to have the same legal effect as my handwritten signature.

By signing below, I confirm that I am the parent or legal guardian of the child or children named by me, that I am authorised to give the acknowledgements and permissions contained in this Agreement on their behalf, and that I freely and voluntarily accept the terms of this Parent / Guardian Participation Agreement.

Parent / Guardian and Child Details

Parent / Guardian Full Legal Name

Signature

Date

Child / Children Full Legal Name(s)

Emergency Contact Name

Emergency Contact Telephone Number

Document Title

Icon Jiu Jitsu Belfast – Parent / Guardian Participation Agreement

Version

1.0

Effective Date

12/08/26.