CHECKMAT JIU-JITSU WATERFORD – TERMS & CONDITIONS

These Terms & Conditions govern the use of services and participation in programs offered by Checkmat Jiu-Jitsu Waterford. By enrolling as a Member, you agree to abide by all policies, procedures, and rules outlined below. These Terms & Conditions are intended to ensure the safety, respect, and well-being of all members and staff.

This document represents the full set of Terms & Conditions and is available to all Members upon request at the reception desk.

Management reserves the right to amend or update these Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice. Continued use of the facilities and services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

1. Membership & Payment:
I. Membership fees are payable via automatic debit using either a debit card or SEPA direct debit; II. A non-refundable joining fee of €15 is required at the time of registration; III. Membership fees are billed monthly and must be paid in advance. Late or failed payments may result in restricted access to classes and facilities, and may incur additional fees; IV. Direct debits are processed based on the member’s active subscription status. It is the member’s responsibility to cancel or pause their subscription prior to the next billing date to avoid unwanted charges; V. Membership remains active on a rolling monthly basis until a cancellation request is submitted in writing, either by email to info@checkmatwaterford.ie or directly at the front desk. A minimum of 15 days’ notice prior to the next billing date is required to avoid additional charges; VI. Missed classes are non-refundable and cannot be carried over or credited; VII. All uniforms and apparel purchases (e.g., gi, rashguards, t-shirts) are final after use and are non-returnable or refundable. Please ensure correct sizing before purchase and use; VIII. Seminars, private lessons, and special events are not included in regular membership fees and may incur additional charges. Advance booking and payment may be required; IX. Membership is strictly personal and non-transferable. It may not be shared, assigned, or used by any other individual.

2. Late Payments & CANCELATION:
I. Membership payments overdue by more than 5 days will incur a €5 late fee and suspend access to classes and events; II. If the membership payment is overdue for more than 28 days, the membership account will be automatically cancelled and a €15 joining fee will be required to rejoin;

3. Membership Freeze & Cancellation Policy

I. Membership Freeze: a) Members may request to freeze their membership for a minimum and maximum period of 1 month. Subsequent freeze requests are not permitted. If the freeze period exceeds one month, the membership will be automatically cancelled. Re-enrolment will be subject to the current membership rates and a €15 joining fee; b) Membership freeze must be requested through the Member Account at www.checkmatwaterford.ie or at the front desk reception; c) The freeze request must be submitted with a minimum of 15 days’ notice prior to the next billing date; d) Promotional Packages (e.g., “2 Months of Membership+ Free Uniform”) are not eligible for freezing and will remain active until the end of the agreed contract term; II. Membership Cancellation: a) Membership cancellation must be requested through the Member Account at www.checkmatwaterford.ie or at the front desk reception with a minimum of 15 days’ notice; b) Cancellations of membership packs (e.g., 2 months of membership + free uniform) must be requested within 7 days of payment. A 35% cancellation fee will apply, and the retail price of the uniform will be deducted from the refund amount; c) Failure to provide the required notice may result in continued charges or no refunds on membership packs; d) The refund will be proportional, covering only the remaining days from the cancellation request to the end of the paid membership period.

4. Academy Rules and Etiquette:
I. All Members and visitors must follow the Checkmat Jiu-Jitsu Waterford Academy Rules & Etiquette; II. Disrespectful, disruptive, or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in suspension or termination of membership, and possibly denial of access to the Academy facilities.

5. Hygiene, Safety & Uniform Policies:
I. Due to the close-contact nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, maintaining good hygiene is mandatory for all participants; II. All Members and visitors must follow the Hygiene, Safety & Uniform Policies; III. Non-compliance with the Hygiene, Safety, and Uniform Policies will result in not being allowed to participate in classes or events.

6. Children & Minors:
I. All Members under the age of 18 must have parental or guardian consent to join; II. Children must be collected from inside the reception area. For safety reasons, no child is permitted to leave the premises unaccompanied; III. Parents are not allowed to remain in the training area during kids’ classes and are strictly prohibited from coaching or instructing their children during class.

7. Use of Images:
I. By joining the Academy and participating in our programs, classes and events, you grant Checkmat Jiu-Jitsu Waterford and its Checkmat BJJ Team affiliates permission to use photos and videos taken during classes or events for marketing and promotional purposes, including on social media platforms.

8. Training Station Equipments Policy:
I. Members with access to the training station equipments are required to wipe down all items after use, including plate weights, dumbbells, and larger machines, using the antibacterial spray and blue roll provided; II. All equipments must be returned to its original place after use. This is essential to maintain cleanliness, safety, and respect for other members; III. Checkmat Jiu-Jitsu Waterford will make every reasonable effort to ensure that all facilities, equipment, and apparatus are maintained in good working condition. However, the academy accepts no responsibility for any failure or malfunction of equipment, regardless of the cause; IV. Consistent failure to follow this policy may result in termination of membership; V. The academy reserves the right to temporarily close or restrict access to parts of the facility to carry out maintenance or improvements, without prior notice.

9. Code of Conduct & Membership Termination:
Membership may be terminated at the discretion of management for violating Academy rules or for behavior considered harmful to the welfare, order, or reputation of Checkmat Jiu-Jitsu Waterford and its Members. All Members are expected to treat staff and fellow members with respect at all times. Abusive, threatening, or violent conduct will not be tolerated. Any individual exhibiting such behavior will be asked to leave the premises immediately. In cases involving threats or violence, staff are instructed to contact local authorities.

10. Changes to Terms:
Terms and fees are subject to change with prior notice.

ACADEMY RULES & ETIQUETTE

The following rules apply to all members, visitors, and spectators.

1. Be respectful to everyone, instructors, members, visitors and guests;
2. No foul language or inappropriate speech;
3. No politics or discrimination;
4. Leave your ego at the door, be humble and train safety;
5. During class, maintain good posture and pay attention to instructions;
6. Maintain personal hygiene, trim nails, and ensure your uniform is clean;
7. No shoes on the mat and training area. Leave shoes in the designated area;
8. Wear flip-flops off the mat, especially in the toilet;
9. Do not attend class if you are sick or have a contagious illness;
10. Remove all jewellery before training;
11. Arrive punctually for class. If you arrive late, wait for the instructor’s permission before entering the mat;
12. Parents and spectators are not allowed in the training area during the kids class;
13. Absolutely do not coaching your children or other students during class;
14. Only students and female instructors are allowed to remain in the training area during women’s classes;
15. Do not leave the mat during class without the instructor’s permission;
16. Students are responsible for their belongings. The academy is not liable for lost or misplaced items;
17. Everyone inside the academy must be appropriately dressed at all times. Use the changing rooms if you need to change clothes;
18. Shoes, food, drinks, and electronic devices are strictly prohibited on the mat;
19. Everyone in the academy including staff, members, visitors, and spectators must keep the gym clean and organized at all times;
20. No photography or video recording is allowed in the training area without prior permission;
21. Respect the tap — safety comes first;
22. Believe and achieve.

HYGIENE, SAFETY & UNIFORM POLICY

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu involves close physical contact; therefore, hygiene is essential for the health and safety of all students and instructors. Students who fail to comply with this policy will not be permitted to attend class.

1. Personal hygiene is mandatory — uniforms must be clean, nails trimmed, and both hands and feet must be washed before training;

2. Only clean white BJJ Gi or approved No-Gi uniforms are allowed. Dirty, stained, or smelly uniforms will not be tolerated;

3. Rashguards are mandatory under the Gi and in all No-Gi classes;

4. No-Gi uniform is mandatory in the No Gi classes — all students must wear a clean ‘No-Gi’ rashguard and shorts (without zippers, pockets or sharp accessories); patches from other schools, academies, teams or affiliations are not allowed;

5. White BJJ Gi is mandatory in BJJ Gi classes — all students must wear a clean white BJJ Gi with no patches from other schools, academies, teams or affiliations during Gi classes;

6. Training is at your own risk; sparring is optional and must be done safely and respectfully;

7. All jewellery, piercings, and watches must be removed before stepping onto the mat;

8. Students must wear sandals or off the mat, especially when using the toilet. Shoes are not permitted on the mat or training area;

9. Everyone is expected to help keep the academy clean and organized at all times;

10. If you are ill or have a contagious skin condition, please inform us and do not attend class until you are fully recovered, to ensure the safety of others;

11. No chewing gum is allowed during training.

By joining Checkmat Jiu-Jitsu Waterford you fully agree to the Terms & Conditions, the Academy Rules & Etiquette and Hygiene, Safety & Uniform Policy.