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Terms and Conditions for Membership at
Melbourne Fencing Centre
1. Introduction
1.1. These terms and conditions (these Terms) form part of and apply to the membership agreement between us and you.
1.2. When you submit your membership application form, you are bound by and agree to comply with these Terms.
1.3. If upon reading these Terms, you no longer wish to become a member of Melbourne Fencing Club, you may withdraw your membership application.
1.4. You are entitled to commence using your membership benefits from the date stated on your membership application form.
2. Responsibility for members under 18 years of age
2.1. If you are under 18 years of age you cannot enter into a membership agreement with us without the full consent of your parent or guardian, who must also take full financial responsibility for your membership. Your parent or guardian is required to sign your membership application and enter into this membership agreement on your behalf.
2.2. By entering into this membership agreement on your behalf your parent or guardian:
Takes responsibility for ensuring that while you are under 18 years of age you exercise safely and otherwise comply with these Terms;
2.3. Once a member reaches the age of 18 years, all communication with their parents/legal guardians will cease and communication will continue directly with the member.
2.3.1. If this is the case, a new membership agreement must be entered between the adult fencer and Melbourne Fencing Centre.
2.4. It is the responsibility of the adult member or their legal guardian (if under the age of 18) to keep their current contact details up-to-date, including emergency contacts and inform Melbourne Fencing Centre of any changes to their circumstances.
3. Safety at Melbourne Fencing Centre
The health and safety of members is important to us. This clause sets out some of the things we require of you to help achieve that objective.
If you use our facility and services you promise that you are in good physical condition and you do not know of any reason why you may not be able to fence or exercise safely.
3.1. Proper use of equipment
You will ensure that you take care when using the facilities and make sure that you use the facility and services including equipment appropriately and safely. If you are ever not sure how to use fencing equipment, please ask a coach or manager.
3.2. We can refuse you entry to the facilities and services or cancel your membership immediately if you or one of your family members behave in a way that is seriously risky or inappropriate, such as if you or one of your family members threatens or harasses others, deliberately or recklessly damage equipment or our facility or if you or one of your family members use or distribute illegal or performance enhancing drugs. Please contact Victoria Police or Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) if you require clarification on illegal or performance enhancing drugs.
3.4 You agree to follow any reasonable directions of a person of authority in our club relating to fencing, fitness, health and safety or any other matter.
4. Digital Technologies
The safety and well-being of our members is our key priority. By working in partnership with our members we can use digital technologies wisely and safely and for the value of all.
4.1. We agree that all publications made by us are solely for the purposes of promoting the sport of Fencing, celebrating Individual’s or group achievements as well as advocating the services and teaching philosophies of the Melbourne Fencing Centre.
4.2. We agree to acquire parental/guardian consent if the member is under the age of 18.
4.3. You agree that by taking out this membership you are providing us with consent to permit images, photographs and videos of yourself to be published in MFC publications, promotional activities, website, social media sites and others, which can be viewed by anyone and if consent were withheld, this posting or publication would not occur.
4.4. This consent applies to individual images and videos, group photographs and videos, participations in filming to promote the sport of Fencing or Individual/group achievements and/or the Melbourne Fencing Centre
4.5. You agree that your consent may be withdrawn by you at any time upon written notice. In the event your consent is withdrawn and you are providing us with written notice, the information (image, photo, video, other) about you will be removed from MFC website or printed material within 24 hours and no further postings on MFC’s social media will occur.
5. Etiquette
In signing your membership agreement, you agree to abide by Melbourne Fencing Centre’s Club Etiquette which is outlined here:
5.1 Your Health – Injuries or Risk of Harm
a) Members must conduct themselves in a manner which will not cause harm or discomfort to themselves or other members. Members must advise the Coach or Instructor if they are injured or there is any change to their health that may impact their ability to continue their fencing or exercise program or use our club facilities.
5.2 Appropriate Behaviour
a) Members and persons of authority must conduct themselves with appropriate decorum in the club and treat others with respect at all times.
b) Foul language and inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.
c) Members are asked to respect the privacy of other members at all times and are not permitted to use the camera/video camera on their mobile phones or any recording devices in bathrooms/toilets/changerooms or for any other inappropriate reason.
5.3 Dress-code during Fencing Activity:
Members are asked to dress appropriately for their fencing workouts.
5.4 Facility and Equipment
a) Members must not leave items on the floor. All bags must be stored in the dedicated areas. No overnight storage of fencing bags or fencing items is allowed.
b) Members must immediately report any breakages or damage of equipment to the club manager. Members are asked to treat equipment and facility with care.
5.5 Lost Property
Lost property will be kept for two weeks, after which, if unclaimed and the owner cannot be determined will be donated to charity.
5.6 Group Sessions and Private Lessons
Members attending group sessions (e.g. footwork classes) or private lessons are encouraged to arrive at least twenty minutes prior to the scheduled commencement time of the class/session to ensure that they have time to access their equipment and allow for own warm up/stretching routine prior to start.
6. Personal Information about you
You agree that we may handle your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You acknowledge and agree that we may use video monitoring and video teaching in our facility for health, safety, security reasons as well as a learning and teaching tool. If you have any queries in relation to the use of monitors or videoing in and around our facility and during classes and sessions, please contact us.
7. Membership Term and Renewal
7.1 The period of your membership is set out in your membership application: Our memberships are ongoing for a fixed 6-month or 12-month period. Prior to end of membership you will receive an invoice for membership renewal. Payment is required within 10 business days. Upon payment of membership fees you agree and comply with our Policies, Club Rules, Club Etiquette, and Code of Conducts.
The current price of your membership is displayed on our website and is applicable at the time of membership renewal.
We reserve the right to change our opening hours and our club location/ address may change to provide our members with an improved facility and added benefits to their membership. We will provide you with reasonable notice of any changes.
7.2 Covid-19 safety concerns
If you decide you no longer wish to participate in club activities due to concerns about Covid-19, this may be seen as 'change of mind', however, if you have a health condition that means you are at a heightened risk of infection (a licensed physician must confirm this in writing), you may be able to receive pro-rata refund. All requests must be received in writing.
7.3 General health conditions/injury
If you have a temporary health condition or injury, we will offer you a voucher for the unused portion of your membership to use at a later stage (a licensed physician must confirm this in writing). You must contact the club in writing.
7.4 Covid-19 restrictions
Your rights to a refund may not apply if activities have stopped due to government restrictions.
However, if the club suspends training due to Covid-19 safety concerns, the unused portion of your membership will be re-applied once club training recommences.
7.5 Government Directives - Covid-19
It is a condition of membership that all Government Directives in regards to Covid-19 are followed and adhered to.
8. Membership cancellation
You may be able to cancel and receive a pro-rata refund (with written notice being given) if -
8.1 You let us know within the cooling off period (10 days)
8.2 There is loss of life
8.3 You become permanently sick or physically incapacitated
(a licensed physician must confirm this in writing)
9. Member Concerns or Complaints
9.1. If you wish to raise any concern or complaints regarding our services or facilities, you should first address it with the Club Manager or Head Coach. Please send an email to info@melbournefencingclub.com.au. We will acknowledge receipt of your concern within 5 business days and we will work with you to find solution for your concern or complaint.
10. Breach of this membership agreement
10.1. You may cancel your membership if we are in fundamental breach of this Membership Agreement. Examples are:
a) When we have been unable to provide you with services paid for,
b) When we have materially breached this membership agreement and you have provided us with notice in writing of that breach and we have not taken reasonable steps within 14 days of receiving that notice to remedy the breach or provide fair compensation such as deferring payments.
10.2. We may terminate your membership by written notice to you if you:
a) Fail to act in accordance with any obligation under this membership agreement and, if the failure is capable of remedy you do not remedy the failure within 14 days of giving you written notice requiring you to do so;
b) Verbally or physically abuse other members, their families or our coaching staff
c) Behave in a way that we consider, acting unreasonably, brings us into disrepute. This includes but is not limited to:
Inappropriate use of public websites/chat sites:
intending to (or possibly) causing insult, offence, intimidation or humiliation, defamation or anything that could adversely affect the image, reputation, viability or profitability of MFC and its members and any sensitive and confidential information about MFC or its members
d) Conduct of illegal activities in our club including theft and prohibited drug use or performance enhancing drug use.
11. Personal Coaching
11.1. Fencing coaches at MFC are considered volunteers of MFC and are directly reporting to the Head Coach.
11.2. Fencing coaches of MFC hold relevant coaching qualification, Work with Children Check or National Police Check as required.
11.3. In order to be eligible for private coaching lessons at MFC you must be an ongoing member with MFC, and you must be on a 12-month membership plan, and you must be a fully paid up member with no amounts owing to us.
11.4. As part of your membership you may book private lessons: It is up to the discretion of the Head Coach to allocate the most suitable coach to you.
11.5. Private coaching sessions are dependent on available coaching slots. If no slot is available, you will be put on a waiting list.
11.6. You will be given a 30-min. time-slot (15 min. time-slots for young children) with one of our coaches and are expected to be at the club 20 min. prior to start of your coaching session in order to undertake your own warm-up, stretching and exercises so that your coaching session can commence on time.
11.7. If you cannot attend your personal coaching session, a 24 h notice of cancellation is required. You may cancel in writing, follow this link: https://www.melbournefencingclub.com.au/contact
11.8. If a student is under the age of 18 the parent or legal guardian must be in direct communication with MFC. Minors are not permitted to exchange phone numbers, email addresses, social media accounts or other personal details directly with a fencing coach.
11.9. In case of departure of a fencing coach, you agree that MFC’s Head Coach is entitled to recommend and assign another suitable fencing coach to you so to warrant your skills and athletic development and to accomplish your fencing goals.
11.10. Fees for personal coaching sessions are in addition to your regular membership fees and vary from coach to coach. Fees are a reflection of coaches’ education, experience and individual levels of achievement.
11.11. Coaching fees will be paid directly to the club and are payable prior to start of each term (school term). Once a coach has accepted you, you will receive an invoice outlining fees.
11.12. If a coach is temporary unavailable for private sessions (due to travel, competition or other reasons) this will be clearly communicated to you or your parent/legal guardian.
11.13. If you do not attend 3 consecutive sessions without proper communication, with MFC, your spot will be allocated to another member.
11.14. Any grievances or complaints in regard to your personal fencing coach to be discussed in confidence directly with our Head Coach.
12. Intellectual property
No rights in relation to Melbourne Fencing Centre’s logo, trademarks or any other intellectual property rights associated with its business, techniques, courses and sessions, exercise programs, classes, lessons, fencing development and teaching blueprints are granted to you under this membership agreement, except that any fencing programs personally tailored for you may be used while you are a member of Melbourne Fencing Centre for the purposes of your exercise activities and fencing development.
13. Severability and waiver
If a court finds that any part of any term of this membership agreement (including these Terms) is or becomes illegal, void or unenforceable, that part is deleted and this does not invalidate the rest of this membership agreement. If we do not enforce our rights under this membership agreement at any time, it does not mean that we may not do so on future occasions.