Internal rules of Mellieha Judo Club

Last update: 2024-03-05

Article 1 – General provisions

These internal rules aim to define the operating rules of the judo club Mellieha Judo Club, hereinafter referred to as "the club." It is applicable to all club members, including licensees, volunteers, and supervisors.

This regulation complies with the Organisation's statutes and the internal regulations of the Malta Judo Federation & Associated Disciplines (MJF).

Membership application with the club implies acceptance of this regulation.

Failure to respect this regulation may be sanctioned by the instructor with a temporary exclusion from the tatami (mats). The excluded judoka will be required to remain available to the instructor in the dojo during the class.

In the event of a repeat offense or an incident considered serious, a final or temporary exclusion from the club may be pronounced by the Bureau. The judoka may appeal to the Executive Committee and finally to the Ordinary General Assembly. If the judoka is a minor, his or her legal representative may present his or her defense to the club's authorities.

In the event of exclusion, it will be pronounced without reimbursement of membership fees and/or license.

This internal regulation may be amended as often as necessary by the Bureau. Cases not provided for in the internal regulations are dealt with by the Bureau within the framework of the regulations in force. The amendments will be submitted for the approval of the members at the General Assembly following their implementation.

Article 2 – Regulatory posting

These internal rules are accessible in the dojo, accessible on the club's website and are given to all members upon registration. It is intended to set out various points for the smooth running of the club.

Article 3 – Moral code

The moral code of Judo is an integral part of the teaching of judo and associated sports and gives it its letters of nobility. The moral values of Judo are the following:

Politeness
Courage
Sincerity
Honor
Modesty
Respect
Self-control
Friendship

These values, which aim at the moral and human formation of judokas, constitute the foundation of the relations between the different members of the club.

Article 4 – License & Membership fee

Participants in the club's activities must be licensed by the Malta Judo Federation & Associated Disciplines.

The Federation license covers members against accidents that may occur during sessions supervised by the club, training courses and all competitions that will be offered by the club.

The club membership fee is decided every year at the General Assembly. This fee is to be paid when applying or renewing a membership, once signed, it is final and non-refundable. The club could accept split payments of membership fees. This is a payment facility that should not jeopardize the financial management of the association.

The seasonal club membership fee includes the cost of the MJF license and a contribution to the club's operating costs.

The license will not be refunded to any person temporarily or permanently excluded.

Article 5 – Executive Committee nomination procedure

The members of the Executive Committee are elected by the general assembly of members for a term of 1 to 2 years. Applications for the Executive Committee must be sent to the club President in writing at least 60 days before the general assembly.

Article 6 – Medical certificate

A medical certificate is mandatory upon registration.

All members must provide the club with a medical certificate of non-contraindication to the practice of Judo Jujitsu and dating back less than 2 weeks. This certificate must be given to the club imperatively at the beginning of the sporting activity.

This certificate must be renewed every year.

Any failure to do so will result in the instructor's decision to prohibit training on and out of the tatami.

Article 7 – Responsibility of parents of minors

Parents are responsible for their children until the instructor arrives and at the end of the training session. The club only takes care of children in the dojo.

To ensure the smooth running of the lessons and not to distract the practitioners, parents are asked not to attend the lessons unless they have the exceptional authorization of the instructor.

However, when the facilities allow it, parents may be present in the stands. They should not be a source of distraction or noise caused by accompanying children. The use of mobile phones is prohibited so as not to disturb the lessons. The instructor should not be interrupted by parents. They should wait until the end of the lesson on the tatami. Only the instructor leads the lesson. He/she makes the decisions he/she deems necessary to maintain discipline without, however, creating tension with the practitioners.

Article 8 – Instructor's Authority

The instructor is the sole authority on the tatami and should not be disturbed during the session, except in case of an emergency.

Article 9: Spectators and Parents

Spectators and parents are not allowed in the dojo during classes (except with the authorization of the instructor, e.g., club event).

Article 10 – Punctuality

Practitioners must arrive on time for their class. Punctuality means arriving early enough to change, settle in and transition from outside activities before the class begins. Any practitioners who arrive late for class and have not had time to warm up may be refused entry. We encourage all practitioners to arrive at least 15-20 minutes before their class.

Any absence from a class must be justified to the instructor. Regular attendance at classes, including arriving on time and prepared, is necessary to allow practitioners to benefit fully from the educational program established by the instructors. Practitioners commit to attending classes regularly until the end of the sports season. If they intend to discontinue their practice, they are requested to inform the instructor.

Parents or legal representatives of children must pick up young practitioners at the end of the class and before the start of the next class.

Article 11 – Attire

Practitioners can only enter the tatami (mats) in a judogi (kimono). However, during judo discovery classes at the beginning of the year, a t-shirt and sweatpants will be tolerated.

To avoid disrupting the flow of classes, practitioners are asked to change in the locker rooms.

Practitioners must be perfectly clean: clean feet and hands, short nails, long hair tied up (barrettes are forbidden), and a clean kimono.

All jewelry is prohibited on the tatamis (watches, bracelets, earrings, piercings, rings, etc.). The club cannot be held responsible for any loss or theft.

Makeup should be avoided.

Practitioners must move around the dojo or its immediate surroundings in slippers (flip-flops, sandals, etc.) specifically reserved for this purpose.

Forgotten belongings are often recovered and available at the office; please come and claim them.

11.1 - Respecting the kimono

The kimono (judogi) is not only a training uniform but also a symbol of respect and discipline within our dojo. To maintain its significance and hygiene, wearing the gi outside the dojo is strictly prohibited. This includes wearing it to or from class, while running errands, or engaging in other activities outside the dojo premises.

Students who are found wearing the gi outside the dojo will be required to change into appropriate clothing before entering the dojo. In repeated cases, refused entry to class or disciplinary action will be taken.

Exception of special events or demonstrations: With prior permission from the instructor or senior members, students may wear their judogi for judo-related events or demonstrations outside the dojo.

11.2 – Addition for female practice attire

Female practitioners must wear a white short sleeved non-transparent T-shirt, tucked into the pants of the judogi. The bra must not have any hard pieces. Long hair has to be bound in order that it does not come loose during practice.

Article 12 – Behavior

Respect for people and equipment is expected from all practitioners. The attitude of the practitioners during training reflects their respect towards the instructor. Consequently, everyone is required to adopt a dignified posture during training sessions. It is only possible to leave the tatami (mats) during classes with the instructor's agreement.

Practitioners must behave in accordance with sportsmanship and the moral code of judo.

When participating in a sporting event, the judoka acts to enhance the club's reputation and notoriety. During participation in competitions, training courses, mass training sessions and friendly tournaments, only duly mandated representatives of the club will be the interlocutors with the organizing authorities.

Anyone who is noticed for bad behavior or incorrect language during training, courses or trips may be temporarily or permanently excluded by decision of the board.

Article 13 – Registration file

The registration file consists of:

A registration form
Authorizations and parental attestations for minor children
A medical certificate less than two weeks old
An authorization to take and publish images
Club membership fee
MJF membership fee
1 identity photo for new licensees or every 3 years

The information sheet must be duly completed and signed by the practitioner or their legal representative if the practitioner is a minor. For foreign residents, it must be accompanied by proof of identity (identity card, passport or other). The signature implies full acceptance of these regulations.

The membership fee is seasonal and must be paid at registration.

Membership in Mellieha Judo Club can only be considered valid after the COMPLETE registration file has been submitted. Any incomplete file will be refused and consequently the practitioner's access to the tatamis will be refused.

Article 14 – Absence from classes or competitions

Absence from courses or sessions does not exempt you from paying the membership fee.

Any absence from class must be justified to the instructor.

When competitors commit to participate in a competition, they must do their best to be present on the day of the competition. Organizing clubs or federations establish regulations for each competition that participating clubs must comply with. These regulations stipulate the administrative and financial conditions of engagement. If the competitor or their parents have not informed the coaching staff of their absence 8 days before the competition, the registration costs will be borne by the competitor. If this registration is not regularized, the competitor will not be able to be selected for the following competitions.

The club may request the Bureau to temporarily or permanently exclude the offending practitioner. This sanction may also be applied to a student whose absence is too frequent and unjustified, and therefore contrary to the spirit of the club.

Article 15 – Security

Access to the tatamis is forbidden to non-practitioners and upon authorisation from an instructor only.

It is recommended not to let children travel alone to the dojo, the club cannot be held responsible for any problems that occur on the way.

Parents must ensure the presence of the instructor before the start of the course. Indeed, it is possible that for reasons beyond our control, courses may be canceled at the last minute. The club cannot be held responsible if an incident occurs on this occasion.

The club's responsibility only applies in the case where one of the instructors designated by Mellieha Judo Club is present on the tatami.

Access to wheeled means of movement is prohibited inside the dojo, their owner must carry them and deposit them inside the sports facilities, making sure not to hinder the movement of people.

In case of an accident, first aid, parents and a member of the Board of Directors will be notified.

It is forbidden to consume chewing gum, candy and other foodstuffs or drinks on the tatamis.

It is recommended not to leave personal belongings in the changing rooms, the club declines any responsibility in case of loss or theft.

The access and emergency exits will not be obstructed in any way and must imperatively remain accessible and usable at all times.

Fire extinguishers will only be used in case of fire. They must not be handled, moved or hidden.

Article 16 – Hygiene

The dojo is not the private property of the club. It is intended for the practice of martial arts. Consequently, all members, parents and visitors are required to ensure the general cleanliness of the dojo:

wear the kimono (judogi) in the dojo only (not in the street, not in a car, etc.),
in order not to disrupt the sequence of the courses, practitioners are asked to change in the locker rooms.
do not walk barefoot in the premises,
however only bare feet are allowed on the tatami,
keep the surroundings of the tatami clean,
move around in the dojo or its immediate surroundings in slippers (flip flops, zooris, etc.) specifically reserved for this purpose
do not smoke in the locker rooms or in the dojo,
have a bottle of water for the lessons.
do not bring food or drinks onto the tatami mats.
use the bins,
animals are not allowed in the dojo.
It is forbidden to bring in, absorb or sell illicit substances or substances considered as such by the federation or the police or customs services.

Article 17 – Sports season

Classes are provided throughout the sports season from September to June.

However, classes are not provided during school holidays and public holidays. During school holiday periods, the club organizes training courses; the present regulations govern the presence of trainees.

When registering, the licensee is informed of the course schedules offered to him/her on the two dojos. He/she chooses his/her dojo for the entire season.

For obvious organizational reasons, he/she will only be able to change courses with the agreement of the instructors concerned.

At the beginning of the season, a group of competitors will be determined by the technical supervision, they will benefit from a wider range of courses that they must attend. This constituted group will evolve during the season according to the seriousness of the investment, the behavior and the sporting results of each one.

Article 18 – Access to weight training equipment

Access to the weight room must only be done in the presence and with the authorization of a qualified and qualified executive responsible for physical preparation and designated by the Mellieha Judo Club. The use of weight training equipment, equipment made available (elastic bands, medicine ball, stick, weight scale...) must be done in compliance with the instructions of the responsible executive. After use, each device will be carefully returned to its place.

Article 19 – Competitions

The instructors team is solely responsible for entering judokas in competitions.

The MJF membership is compulsory to participate in official competitions.

If you are unable to participate in a competition for which you are summoned, notify the referent of your category or a member of the Board 8 days before the competition. In case of force majeure, inform the referent or the instructor of your course as soon as possible. In the absence of notice within the given deadlines, the cost of registration will be borne by the judoka concerned. In the absence of regularization, the judoka will not be able to be selected for the following competitions.

In the case of a group departure, it is imperative to be on time and to report to the transport manager.

Unaccompanied minor licensees will only be transported by other parents or members of the association if the completed and signed liability release form has been given to the instructor. When the transport of competitors is done by personal vehicle, it is the vehicle insurance that covers its occupants in case of an accident; the association only having civil liability insurance.