terms & conditions

8. MEMBERSHIP FEE INCREASES

After the minimum term has expired, your membership fees may increase. Price increases may be necessary due to the costs associated with maintaining the high quality of our offerings (inflation, increased operational costs, gym enhancements, etc). Any price increase will be communicated to members with advance notice.

9. MEMBERSHIP FREEZE POLICY

Members who wish to temporarily “freeze” their membership (i.e. while travelling for work or on holiday) must provide Advance Grappling with at least 3 days notice via email (hello@advancegrappling.com) prior to their requested membership freeze period. Advance Grappling can freeze memberships for a minimum of 2 weeks and maximum of 8 weeks each calendar year.

Before freezing your membership, you must ensure your fees are fully up-to-date, and please note that if you are within the minimum term of your membership commitment type, any membership freezes do not count towards full payment of your membership, and so your minimum term period will be extended by the length of any freeze.

In the event we are required by state or federal government to temporarily close (i.e. lockdown), we will freeze your membership for that closure period. You will be entitled to request to cancel your membership during the closure period. Please refer to the terms applicable to cancellation of your membership below.

10. MEMBERSHIP CANCELLATION POLICY

Cooling off: Memberships are subject to a 48 hour cooling off period. The cooling off period applies to new memberships only and does not apply to rolling contracts or renewals. The cooling off period starts from the date the agreement is entered into (signed) and ends 48 hours later.

Cancellations (after completion of minimum term): Written cancellation notice must be sent via email (hello@advancegrappling.com). Membership will be cancelled 30 days from receipt of written notice. The notice period will exclude membership freeze time applied to your membership, as per our membership freeze policy above. Any membership fees due at the date of termination (including fees which fall due during the notice period) will remain a debt owed to and recoverable by Advance Grappling. We will confirm in writing that your membership agreement has been terminated.

Medical condition: If you develop a medical condition that inhibits your ability to participate in grappling, you may cancel your membership. Membership will be cancelled upon receipt of appropriate medical documentation. e.g. doctor's certificate, physiotherapist's note or evidence of medical appointments, surgeries, x-rays, etc.

11. CAMPAIGNS/PROMOTIONS

From time to time, Advance Grappling may offer promotions with additional terms and conditions specific to the promotion. Please note, if you are eligible for said promotion and proceed with signing for and purchasing a promotional offer, the campaign-specific terms and conditions of that promotion will apply in addition to these standard terms and conditions.

12. PAYMENT POLICY

The signed member agrees to unconditionally pay the above fees without regard to their actual attendance. All sessions & memberships are non-transferrable; they are only to be used by the signed member.

All membership fees are inclusive of goods and services tax (GST). Your fees will change in line with any government GST rate changes, even if you are within your minimum term.

All membership payments are made via direct debit payment processor GoCardless. GoCardless charges a 1% + $0.40 transaction fee per payment processed which Advance Grappling absorbs, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

If your start date begins after the first day of the relevant direct debit payment period, you will only be charged the applicable portion of the direct debit amount (pro rata/prorated). The same applies if you have a fixed term agreement and the direct debit payment period ends after the last day of the membership agreement.

It is the member’s responsibility to ensure that the account attached to the elected bank account has sufficient funds for each membership payment to process.

Failed/late payments of more than 5 days incur a $5 late fee. Failed payments may also result in an automated lock of the active membership and cancellations of class access associated with the membership until the account is brought up-to-date.

In regard to direct debit membership payments, upon default by you in regard to any obligation under your membership agreement and failure to remedy the default after notification by Advance Grappling, you authorise Advance Grappling to notify any third-party debt collector of the default.

Special events such as tournaments, competitions, workshops and seminars conducted outside of Advance Grappling are excluded from membership. However, those conducted inside Advance Grappling are included in unlimited memberships, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

13. GENERAL CONDITIONS OF ENTRY & ACADEMY CODE

Advance Grappling reserves the right to alter the days/hours of operation and timetable as deemed necessary by Advanced Grappling, and/or the venue of operation.

A warm-up is necessary for safe exercise practice. Our classes are fast-paced with available session time prioritised towards learning skills, drilling and sparring. We expect all members to ensure they have properly stretched and/or warmed up prior to participating in our sessions. You may use the designated warm-up zone for max 10 mins prior to each class - even while a class is being conducted. If you aren’t sure where to warm-up, ask the coach.

It is advised to bring your own filled water bottle to every class. Plastic cups or bottles will not be provided. Water bottles may be refilled at the kitchenette tap as needed.

We are unable to mind your valuables (keys and wallets) while you are training. Bags are not permitted on the gym floor for safety reasons. Please follow staff instructions as to where to store your belongings safely while training.

Beginner, intermediate, advanced and group training sessions are suitable for persons over the age of 18 years old unless specified otherwise. Any person under the age of 18 may be assessed for an exemption.

Kids sessions are available for ages 8 to 12. At age 13, parents of child members can either elect that their child continue on in the kids program (8-12), or be assessed to attend beginner/intermediate sessions.

Parents and carers accept full responsibility for injury, accidents, death or damage when bringing side-line spectators (including children) to Advance Grappling. And if spectators cause disruption, they may be asked to leave for the safety and quiet enjoyment of the venue by our members.

You must not use cameras in our gym without our permission. Taking photos/videos of other members without their express consent is a breach of our terms and conditions.

Advance Grappling may photograph and/or film your participation in classes for marketing and promotional purposes unless you expressly request otherwise in writing (hello@advancegrappling.com).

14. PRIVATE SESSIONS POLICY

If you are late to a private session, the session will not be extended and the session will end at the scheduled time.

At least 24 hrs notice is required for cancellation of pre-booked private sessions. If you cancel less than 24hrs before the scheduled session, you will still be charged the full amount for the scheduled session. The booking secures the coach’s availability at that time and takes the opportunity away from another member to book a private session during that timeslot.

15. UNIFORM POLICY

We don’t mandate the purchase and wearing of affiliated/team gear and encourage self-expression in regard to choice of uniform. However, offensive designs and slogans will not be tolerated. We encourage members to apply common sense here, but if you require further direction - please see discrimination policy below.

A rashguard or shirt, shorts and/or tights/leggings are compulsory in all classes at Advance Grappling for hygiene purposes. Wearing a rash guard or shirt is in respect of your training partners as it helps to contain sweat and body hair. Not wearing the correct gear in respect of good hygiene and your training partners will result in refusal of participation.

Please remove all jewellery & sharp objects before entering the mat space for your safety and that of your training partners. If any damage or injury is caused through a member’s failure to remove jewellery or sharp objects, the member will be held responsible for the costs of said damages or injury.

16. MEDICAL/HEALTH CONDITION POLICY

A written doctor’s clearance will be required after any surgery, injury, or history of illness to begin and/or resume classes at Advance Grappling (email this to hello@advancegrappling.com).

It is the member’s responsibility to inform the instructor and studio owner of all surgeries, injuries & illnesses that may affect their ability to participate in classes.

Members who suffer from the following symptoms and or illnesses past or present may be refused participation in classes at Advance Grappling until a written clearance from a healthcare professional has been provided: 

• heart conditions;

• stroke;

• unexplained pain in the chest area;

• fainting or dizzy spells during physical activity;

• suffering from an asthma attack in the past 12 months needing medical attention;

• any issues with glucose levels in the past 3 months for those diagnosed with type 1 or 2 diabetes;

• any diagnosed muscle, joint or bone problems that have been told could be made worse by physical activity; and/or

• any infectious diseases including but not limited to: HIV, Hepatitis, Staph infection, Ringworm.

Any other medical conditions not mentioned above that may make it dangerous for you to participate in physical activities or be dangerous/present risk for others to be in contact with you.

In the event a member is injured during training, first aid may be administered by the coach who holds current first aid certification. If the member sustains serious enough injury, they may be transported to the local emergency department for assessment by a medical professional under Medicare.

Advance Grappling requires members to be covered under Medicare and may refuse membership to individuals without this cover.

17. PREGNANCY POLICY

As grappling is a contact combat sport, for pregnant members to safely participate in classes at Advance Grappling, a written doctor’s clearance letter is required.

It is the member’s responsibility to ensure safe exercise practice and to notify the Advance Grappling team of their pregnancy and trimester status. Please discuss with the coach if you wish to keep your pregnancy status confidential.

To ensure the safety of both pregnant members and babies, those in their 2nd trimester must consult with staff in person or via email (hello@advancegrappling.com) before participating in classes.

For postnatal members, it is especially important that you seek your doctor’s advice before resuming any exercise to ensure any internal wounds have healed.

Permittance of class participation will be at the discretion of the coach, taking into careful consideration the current fitness level, body awareness and grappling knowledge of the member.

18. BLOOD SPILLAGE POLICY

Any and all blood spillage must be reported to the coach. Blood spills will be cleaned and the area disinfected immediately with hospital grade disinfectant.

All blood spills will also be treated as potentially infectious. Single use-gloves will be used to avoid direct contact and single-use paper towels will be used for cleaning and be disposed of immediately.

Any members or staff who are not responsible for cleaning blood spillage will be instructed to avoid the affected area until after the area has been cleaned and disinfected.

Appropriate first aid procedures will be followed and offered to any bleeding/injured parties.

19. DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Advance Grappling is an inclusive business that celebrates diversity of all kinds.

Bullying, harassment or discrimination against Advance Grappling members, visitors, spectators and the wider community will not be tolerated.

All members are encouraged and expected to avoid discrimination of any kind to any group including but not limited to: race, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, marital status, age, disability, infectious disease status (refer to medical/health conditions & blood spillage policy above), sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.

Sexual misconduct is defined as any sexual act or behaviour that a person does not consent to. Sexual misconduct of any form will not be tolerated at Advance Grappling.

If a member is found to be engaging in bullying, harassment, discrimination or sexual misconduct in but not limited to Advanced Grappling, any associated locations or events, member communication channels or social media, an automated lock of their membership (whether active or inactive) may occur and they may be asked to vacate the gym premises immediately. Consequently, cancellations of all class accesses associated with the membership may also occur. Membership may also be immediately cancelled at any time at the discretion of the business.

In some cases where discrimination or sexual misconduct has occurred, Advance Grappling may be forced to report to the relevant authorities. As per Safe Work Australia’s guidelines, some forms of sexual harassment may be criminal acts (i.e. indecent exposure, stalking, sexual assault and obscene or threatening communications). Advance Grappling will report these matters to the police.

How to report discriminatory behaviour: If you would like to report discriminatory behaviour, please speak to staff in person or send an email (hello@advancegrappling.com). You may be worried the situation may worsen if you report harassment. Remember, you have the right to feel safe at our gym.

20. PRIVACY POLICY

The signee consents to Advance Grappling collecting and using their personal information provided it is only used for the purposes of the proper running of the Advance Grappling business and will not be disclosed to third parties unless required by law.

If you’d like to know more about the privacy policies of the gym management and payment processor software Advance Grappling uses to run the business, you can view them here:

Gymdesk privacy policy

GoCardless privacy centre