University of Warwick

Department of Physical Education and Sport

Please be advised that this statement together with the Sports Facilities Conditions Of Use, below, provide the Department’s statement on the minimal restrictions operating at the University’s Sports Facilities.

The Department of Physical Education and Sport is commissioned to make available sports facilities to all students and staff. In addition, the Department’s staff organise an extensive sports courses programme for staff and students of the University. The brief of the Department's staff does not extend to organising activities for children but, subject to the guidelines identified below, we do allow supervised visits of children within the sports facilities.

The department does however offer tuition to children in the climbing room, by qualified and experienced instructors. No minimum age is specified for learning to climb as the strength and physical size of children can vary significantly. To offer the opportunity to learn to climb to as wide an audience as possible, the decision as to suitability of accepting children on to an instruction course is made by the management team of the Climbing Centre.

In addition to the University staff and students the University sports facilities are also used by external sports organisations, for school aged children of all abilities. These activities are organised by the individual body concerned, although the department remains responsible for ensuring the health and safety of the individuals involved.

Children in pushchairs may only be taken into thoroughfares in passing (but pushchairs may not be left there). In addition they may be taken to and parked in the designated spectator galleries associated with the sports facilities if they remain with an adult who is able to ensure the safety of the child and other users of the galleries at all times. Children in pushchairs may not enter any other areas.

Children are welcome in the swimming pool, under appropriate adult supervision.

As indicated by a notice on the door, users of the Sauna must be 16 years or above.

SPORTS FACILITIES - CONDITIONS OF USE

1. Access to sports facilities can be gained upon production of a University of Warwick Card (students and staff), or Sports Scheme Membership Card. Vacation visitors should present their relevant identification.

2. Visitors may be introduced by members upon payment of the visitor's fee.

3. Children six years and over should use the correct changing rooms for their gender. (If this causes problems, please speak to the Attendant on duty).

4. Children under the age of twelve years (fourteen for the Bear Rock Climbing Centre) must be accompanied and supervised by a guardian aged eighteen or over at all times.

5. Children under the age of sixteen are not allowed into the Running Bear Fitness Suite. (This includes all areas of the Fitness, Conditioning and Performance Weight Training Rooms.)

6. Dirty sports shoes must not be worn on any of the indoor playing surfaces. A clean pair of shoes must be brought to change into when playing sport indoors.

7. Lockers may only be retained for the duration of a single visit to the Sports Centre. Non-compliance with this requirement will incur a penalty charge of £5.00.

8. All activities must cease thirty minutes before closing time.

9. Smoking is not permitted in any sports facility building.

10. Food or drink, other than water or sports drinks in a non-spill container, should not be taken onto playing areas.

11. Alcohol is prohibited within either the Sports Centre or Westwood Games Hall.

12. Changing for outdoor sports should not take place in the Sports Centre – please use Westwood Games Hall or Cryfield Sports Pavilion.

Bear Rock Indoor Climbing Centre

13. All users of the Bear Rock Climbing Centre must deposit their Registration Card (or register on a first visit) for the duration of each and every visit.

14. All ‘non-climbers’ (i.e., not technically competent) must be signed in and supervised at all times by a registered, competent adult.

15. Competent children aged fourteen to seventeen wishing to climb independent of adult supervision must:-

• Be vetted as technically competent by a member of the Bear Rock Safety Team and
• be in possession of a signed parental consent on a Bear Rock minors form.

The Director of Physical Education and Sport retains the right to amend the above restrictions if in his opinion a specific issue warrants such action.

CEC\Legal Issues\04-05\Sports centre_Safety regs