Our Story | Sheffield Synchronized Skating Academy

Synchronized skating is a fast growing discipline of figure skating, combining the athleticism and artistry
of singles, pairs and ice dancing.
The first ever synchro squad (the Hockettes) was formed in 1956 to provide ice hockey match-night
entertainment in Michigan, USA. Since then its’ popularity has grown – to the extent that the
International Skating Union is hopeful that synchronized skating will soon become an official Olympic
event.
It is a highly technical form of team skating, where 8 – 16 skaters perform together as a squad.
Characterized by speed, accuracy, intricate formations and transitions, the objective is to blend skating
elements into formations, so that the skaters look like one unit as they perform. It is truly a spectacular
sport to watch and participate in.

2. Who Are We?

The Sheffield Synchronized Skating Academy (‘the Club’) is a not-for-profit organisation, affiliated to

British Ice Skating, with members of all ages, based at iceSheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield.

The Club was formed in 2008, through the vision of coach Amanda Hembrow-Jones who was joined two

years later by Edmund Jones. The Club has grown significantly over the years with Louisa Parker-Monks

joining the coaching team in 2021 and Dorothy Wilkins completing the team in 2024. We now have 7 squads

competing at different levels in national and international competitions.

The Committee is made up of parent volunteers who manage the Club operations including

membership, finance and event co-ordination. The Committee co-opts other Club members to help

manage various projects whenever possible.

In March 2019 the Club was proud to host the inaugural Steel City Trophy in Sheffield. This international

competition saw squads from all over the UK and Europe competing for trophies and medals. The

success of the competition saw it return to a wider audience in 2020, and more recently in March 2024.

The Steel City Trophy has now become a permanent feature on the synchro calendar and has received

the important accolade of becoming an ISU recognised competition.

Skaters are welcomed into the Club at any level above Skate UK Level 8. The SSSA promotes teamwork,

develops confidence and instils the discipline of working hard to achieve a goal through training and competing together.

3. Our Values

Our mission is to provide skaters with a pathway from “Skate UK” through to national and international

synchronized skating competition, developing individual skating skills, the discipline of striving to be the

very best that they can be, building character and important life skills too – with many team members

making long-lasting friendships along the way.

The core values of our Club are:

Teamwork

Determination

Self-belief

Friendship

Respect

Courage

Skaters, parents/guardians, coaches and club officials should be guided by these values in their personal

conduct with the Club, and should aim to create a supportive and encouraging environment for our skaters.

4. Our Squads

The SSSA squads have grown and evolved since the Club started, and will continue to do so as squad

members advance through skating levels, new skaters join and older skaters move on. This means the

name of a squad may change from season to season and squads may skate at different levels in different

competitions, especially as they progress together.

Our squad names are as follows:

Presto, meaning “quick tempo”

Magna, meaning "great"

Novus, meaning “new”

Amici, meaning “friendship”

Ignis, meaning “fire”

Unum, meaning “as one”

Perpetuum, meaning “perpetual motion”

The Club requires skaters to commit to attending all of their squad training sessions as programmes are

built around skaters having set roles and positions.

Squad members need to be flexible and willing to adapt for the benefit of the whole squad. Sometimes

a squad may have more skaters than required to skate in a competition, the squad may have new

skaters or the coaches may wish to select those skaters best suited to a particular routine requirement.

In these instances a skater may be allocated the role of alternate.

An alternate is a skater who does not skate in every competition but still has a critical role in the squad,

as they need to be able to drop into the routine at short notice i.e. to fill in for a skater who is sick,

injured or absent. During competitions alternates can sometimes be seen on standby and ready to skate

at the rink side i.e. in skates and full costume while the squad competes.

Alternate skaters must still attend the regular, and any additional, squad training sessions to maintain

the correct standard. They play an extremely important role in the training squad.

5. Communication

In line with the SSSA core values, all communication should be kind, courteous and age appropriate in

order to ensure a welcoming and respectful environment.

Spond App

The Club’s main communication channel is Spond so please ensure that you have downloaded the App

and registered your details correctly. It is important that the skater’s information is kept up to date.

All training schedules, information and announcements are posted on Spond. You will also find up to

date policies and documents in the files section.

Other communication methods, such as WhatsApp, are secondary channels and Spond should be

referenced in the first instance.

Please ensure you respond to all event invitations in a timely manner as this ensures that the club can

effectively manage ice availability.

Website

• Club website - www.sheffield-synchro-skating.co.uk

Social Media

• Facebook - @SheffieldSynchronizedSkatingAcademy

• Instagram - @Sheffield_Synchro_GB

• Twitter - @SheffSynchro

Social media is an excellent way of sharing news about the club and celebrating our success and we

encourage skaters and/or their parents/guardians to follow and positively engage with our various Club

channels.

When posting on social media Members should represent our Club in a positive manner and should

communicate the values that come with membership of our Club.

Notifying absence

Whilst we recognise that skaters will sometimes have holidays, sickness and other life events, they are

expected to attend all squad training wherever possible. This is a team sport and absence will affect the

squad’s training, especially when programmes have been completed.

For sickness or last-minute absences please message on the Spond event page. In the case of a medical

condition of a delicate nature, or absence for a reason you wish to remain confidential, please private

message the Safeguarding/Welfare Officer or Parent Liaison Officer.

Please note that even if a skater is unable to get on the ice due to an injury, they should endeavour to

still attend training in order to watch.

Long-term absence (over four weeks) due to ill health or injury should be certified by a medical

professional and must be formally notified to the Safeguarding/Welfare Officer or Parent Liaison Officer.

On return, the parent/guardian will need to complete a Return to Skating Form before attending a

training session. This ensures that it is safe for the skater to return to training from both the skater, team

and club perspective.

During the summer months, sessions may be cancelled rather than incur costs if members are planning

to be away, so it helps to know this in advance.

A register is taken during each training session so that any on-going absence issues can be addressed. It

is important to attend all squad training as one person missing from the squad can have a significant impact on the ability of the rest of the squad to train effectively.

6. Coaches, Committee, Chaperones and Squad Reps

Coaches

The SSSA coaching team comprises Amanda Hembrow-Jones, Edmund Jones and Louisa Parker-Monks.

In order to support development of future coaches, at times there may also be trainee coaches on the

ice.

Coaches’ Commitment

The Sheffield Synchronized Skating Academy Coaches will:

• Remain up-to-date with all relevant ISU rules and regulations

• Attend the required synchro-specific training sessions at the British Ice Skating Annual Coaches

Conference

• Be on the ice at the beginning of training sessions ready to start work

• Be approachable for squad members to ask questions

• Treat squad members with respect

• Choreograph programmes to the highest level achievable by squad members

• Consult squad members where necessary regarding music and programme construction

• Make amendments to the programmes as required due to rule changes and updated information

from British Ice Skating and ISU

Committee

The Club has a Committee that arranges ice time, training sessions, fundraising and promotion.

In addition, sometimes sub-committees are set up to assist with marketing, fundraising and other

projects.

All positions on the Committee run for two years after which time, the Committee member can apply for

re-election if they wish. Each position is nominated and seconded, and a vote takes place at the Annual

General Meeting, together with identifying co-opted roles and sub-committee members.

Details of current committee members can be found here:

Chaperones

Squads which have skaters aged under 18 require chaperones and these volunteers are selected at the

start of each season. Chaperones must have a DBS safety check in place. If you would like to volunteer,

please contact a member of the Committee.

Chaperones are volunteer parents/guardians.

Chaperones are asked to be present at training sessions and competitions on a rota basis. Their primary

objectives are to ensure that the wellbeing of the skaters is monitored during training and competitions

and to keep the squad together when at other rinks.

Chaperones’ Commitment:

• Ensure skaters are at the allocated location at the correct time.

• Ensure the wellbeing of all skaters is monitored during training and competitions.

• Act on the advice and instruction of the coaching team.

• Attend any information and training sessions as directed by the club.

Squad Reps

Each squad has a volunteer parent/guardian who is the point of contact for that squad. The squad rep

should be the first point of contact for a skater and parent/guardian. Their role is to liaise with the

skaters and parents/guardians on various club matters such as training kit, competition information,

travel requirements and any issues that the skater or parent/guardian may wish to raise.

Squad reps liaise with the committee in order to cascade information to the skaters and their

parents/guardians. They may also collect information, or chase for responses to polls or questions, in

order to provide accurate feedback to the committee. Skaters should familiarise themselves with who

their squad rep is.

7. Uniform and Kit

The Club has a kit for all skaters to help ensure they feel part of a squad. The kit has the SSSA logo and as

such is a visible representation of our Club and should be maintained to a high standard to ensure that it

looks smart. Skaters must be responsible for their own kit and take care to ensure they do not lose

items.

Skaters will need to purchase their own basic core kit.

The core kit comprises:

• Clean white (girls) or black (boys) figure skates with clean laces

• Plain black leggings with no logos or black leggings with purple piping

• Black top with embroidered logo or plain black top with no logos

• Black logo jacket (or black jacket with purple piping)

• Plain black trainers

The Club may introduce optional items from time to time such as:

• Purple hoody (should not be worn for training or competitions)

• Logo backpack for training and competitions

• Water bottles with logo

There are also items of kit issued by the Club to the skater. These items are on loan and must be looked

after and treated with respect. They should be returned clean and in good condition when leaving the

Club. When joining the Club a refundable deposit of £50 is taken. This is returned when the items are

returned. They include:

• Black ‘Great Britain’ coat

• Black wheeled suitcase for competitions

At competitions the following will be issued and collected in again at the end of the competition:

Practice dress/kit and leggings/tights

Competition costumes are extremely expensive so please ensure that these are looked after during the

competition – no food or drink (except water) to be consumed whilst in costume.

Historically the kit has been sourced by the Club, however we are currently sourcing a supplier which will

enable parents to purchase kit directly.

General appearance for training

The following standards should be adhered to:

• Long hair should be tied up in a neat bun.

• Fingernails should be short to prevent injury to another skater

• No jewellery except stud earrings to be worn.

• Fitbits and other fitness tracking devices should not be worn during training.

• Underwear should not be visible.

• Club hoodies should not be worn for training

8. On-ice and Off-ice Training

The Club provides regular on-ice training for all squads. Skaters are expected to commit to attending all

of their squad training sessions as programmes are built around skaters having set roles and positions.

Detailed training calendars for all squads are published on Spond. Please ensure that you respond to all

invites in a timely manner. Please understand that our sessions are very much dependent on the rink and

may be cancelled to accommodate other events.

We are unable to accommodate requests to change training times or squad allocation.

9. Off-ice Training

Flexibility, general fitness, presentation and elegance are all important qualities of a synchro skater. To

help with this, a weekly flexibility / fitness class is run for the club by Kelly Buddery, via Zoom. This

should be given the same priority as on-ice training.

The Club also encourages its members to attend other off-ice sessions run by Kelly – these are zoom and

studio based. For further information please contact Kelly.

Off-ice training generally takes place after on-ice training sessions and therefore normal kit can be worn.

For flexibility it is recommended to wear a stretchy top and leggings.

Skaters should bring plenty of water to drink during training in order to stay hydrated, and healthy

snacks for energy but these are not to be eaten during training. No food should be taken onto the ice.

Throughout the year there may be the opportunity for the club to purchase additional ice. Additional

training sessions will be published on Spond.

Our current ice and off-ice training sessions are here:

Developing individual skills

In order for skaters to progress through the competition levels as a squad, it is important that each

skater continues to have individual or group lessons with a coach in addition to attending the Club

sessions. This is particularly important in helping the skater progress through the British Ice Skating Skills

levels, which are required for competition (depending on level). This not only develops skills and

techniques but also increases general ice time for the skater, helping overall development.

Skater’s Commitment

The Club requires skaters to commit to attending all of their squad training sessions as programmes are

built around skaters having set roles and positions. There is an expectation that skaters will prioritise

their squad training over other non-competitive events.

Further development

Additional training sessions and camps may be organised by the club, IceSheffield and British Ice Skating.

Skaters are encouraged to attend as many as possible in order to develop general skating skills.

10. Costs

The current annual membership fee is payable in monthly instalments in advance before the 5th of each

month by bank transfer.

The Club’s bank details are:

Account name: Sheffield Synchronised Skating Community Account

Sort code: 56-00-09

Account Number: 31617433

When setting up your payment, please include the name of the skater and subs as the reference.

Payments must be made on time and should remain up-to-date. Failure to pay will result in the skater

being suspended. Any difficulty in making the monthly payment should be discussed directly with the

Treasurer.

Payments will not be suspended because a skater is on holiday or missing training for a few weeks due to

personal circumstances. The club still has significant outgoing expenditure every month and will only

consider suspending membership for exceptional circumstances i.e. certified extended illness,

hospitalisation or a certified serious injury such as a break or ligament tear.

Additional costs

Skating camps or off-ice sessions may be arranged by the club, or by IceSheffield, and these will attract

additional fees. Details will be circulated via Spond or social media pages.

Competition fees are calculated in advance and include entry, coaching, costume fees and meals during

the day. We try to keep costs to a minimum by identifying opportunities to cost-save i.e. costumes may

be re-used from season to season when the routine allows. All costs will be communicated in advance

and competition fees must be paid in full two weeks prior to travel to the competition.

Please ensure you pay any additional costs into the correct bank account and reference the payment as

requested.

Please see the Treasurer or a member of the Committee if you have any concerns about the likely cost of

competitions.

11. Meetings

The Club holds an Annual General Meeting in the summer each year. It is advisable for ALL parents and

skaters to attend the AGM in order to be involved in the running of your Club for the following season.

Other planning, Committee and fundraising meetings may take place and the dates of these will be

published in advance, on Spond.

12. Competitions

The Synchro competition season runs from November to April each year, and the Club competes in as

many events throughout the season as possible, setting goals and encouraging a competitive spirit.

Dates are subject to change and not all squads will attend every competition. A list of some of the

potential competitions appears below. A list of competitions in which the Club is likely to compete this

season is available here.

November -Lee Valley Open, Lee Valley, London

December -Trophy d’Ecosse, Dumfries, Scotland (International)

January - Britannia Trophy, Nottingham (British)

March Steel City Trophy, Sheffield (International)

We may travel to competitions as a team on a coach, in which case you will be offered the opportunity

to book seats. Team members may drive separately if they choose to do so, or if no coach travel is being

provided. In these instances we encourage sharing transport wherever possible to avoid unnecessary

costs and to minimise our environmental impact.

If you require accommodation for a competition, please ask the Competition Secretary whether a group

booking is possible. The Competition Secretary is responsible for all accommodation requests and

bookings. Please ensure you speak directly to the Competition Secretary if you have any queries.

Please respond quickly to all requests regarding accommodation and travel requirements, as a swift

response will generally allow us to secure the best possible price. If you confirm your requirements and

then change your mind at a later date please understand that you may still be charged if the booking has

been placed.

Competition fees must be paid in full two weeks prior to travel to the competition. It is a costly exercise

for the Club to organise entry fees, accommodation, travel etc for every skater in every squad

throughout the season. We therefore insist on competition fees being paid on time otherwise the skater

will be unable to compete.

All Synchro skaters MUST have a valid British Ice Skating membership to enable them to compete with

the Club. Please ensure membership is paid in plenty of time to avoid any last minute stress and enter

the membership number onto the skaters’ details on Spond. Skaters without a valid membership will not

be permitted to compete. Visit the website at www.iceskating.org.uk to register and pay.

Skaters must attend competitions prepared and with all the required items in their black Synchro case. If

skates require sharpening this should be arranged well ahead of the competition. Competition costumes

must be treated with care, as they are the property of the Club and will be used again in the future. They

should not be left on the floor. Skaters (or parents/guardians) should ensure that underwear worn under

costumes cannot be seen.

There are usually official photographers and videographers at competitions who produce photos and

DVD’s for purchase. You are not permitted to take your own photographs or recordings during

competitions.

Our teams represent SSSA and we are proud of our reputation. All skaters must show respect to other

skaters, coaches, chaperones, rink staff and rink users alike. Skaters must clear up their rubbish and

should ensure that they obey coaches and chaperones at all times. Skaters must stay together in their

squad and may only leave with the permission of their chaperone and if they are accompanied

(depending on their age).

We have our own competition song that all teams sing in support of the team on the ice.

SSSA Competition Song:

Oh Sheffield (Oh Sheffield)

Is wonderful (is wonderful)

Oh Sheffield is wonderful!

For its wheels, blocks and circles

Sheffield is wonderful!

13. Development

There are many development opportunities to help each skater progress within the sport. The Club may

offer skating camps, where they will develop both synchronized and general skating skills. The costs for

these camps are kept to a minimum and skaters are encouraged to share travel and accommodation.

There are squad feedback meetings to discuss routines, scoring and other topics in order to ensure that

team members are familiar with requirements each season. It is important to attend squad meetings and

to watch any accompanying videos, read any training notes etc that may be uploaded to Club social

media pages.

Feedback meetings after competitions are important development opportunities. Coaches and skaters

can discuss performance i.e. what worked well and what could have gone better, in an effort to improve

the squad score for the next competition.

At the discretion of the coach, a skater may be invited to attend a Personal Development Review (PDR)

meeting from time to time. This review meeting is an opportunity for the coach and the skater to

discuss progress. This session will allow an open conversation covering the skater’s progress to date,

areas for improvement and potential for progression both within and outside the current team. This will

give the coach and the skater the chance to speak on a one-to-one basis and together develop a clear

action plan.

14. Fundraising

The monthly subs fee covers the cost of training i.e. ice, off-ice and flexibility classes. The Club is a non-

profit organisation and relies on fundraising to cover some of our operating costs. The Club is therefore

reliant on fundraising support from our members as it is an important part of our income stream.

Involvement in fundraising events teaches valuable ethics and life skills, including working hard together

to achieve an end result and dealing with the public, as well as marketing and raising general awareness

of the Club and its activities.

The Fundraising Officer organises events throughout the year, some of which include:

• Synchro Bingo Lottery

• Race nights

• 100 Club

• Bag packing at supermarkets

• Stalls at local carnivals

• Tombolas and raffles

We are always looking for members to suggest fundraising ideas. Please contact the Fundraising Officer

with any ideas.

If you work for a company you feel may be able to help the Club by donating money, raffle prizes or

anything else that may help, please approach them. We can provide a letter template if required.

Some large organisations offer to match-fund their employees who are fundraising. We would be keen

to talk to members, or members of their family, if they work for a match-funding organisation.

All skaters and their families are expected to actively participate in as many of the fundraising activities

as they possibly can in order to benefit from the funds raised. Those not taking part should not

automatically expect their child to have a share of the Club funds.

15. Safeguarding

Sheffield Synchronized Skating Academy has adopted the current British Ice Skating ‘Safeguarding and

Protecting Young People Policy’ which can be found on the British Ice Skating website

(www.iceskating.org.uk).

An introduction to and overview of the Safeguarding Policy is included below. The policy will be updated

by British Ice Skating from time to time therefore please refer to the website for the detailed and

current policy.

Safeguarding and Protecting Young People Policy

“Sport can and does have a very powerful and positive influence on people – especially young people.

Not only can it provide opportunities for enjoyment and achievement; it can also develop valuable

qualities such as self-esteem, leadership and teamwork. These positive effects can only take place if sport

is in the right hands, namely in the hands of those who prioritise the welfare of all children and young

people and vulnerable adults and adopt practices that support, protect and empower them”.

“British Ice Skating (BIS) has a duty of care, based in law and guidance, in order to safeguard all skaters

from abuse. We believe that every person has the right to feel safe and be protected from any situation

or practice that could result in him or her being physically or psychologically harmed. It is essential that

the people we work with do not feel threatened or abused by anything we say or do and the policy sets

out the safeguards we have in place to protect them from abuse. It is also essential that they themselves

are aware of the safeguards we have in place and to know where to go should they have concerns of this

nature. Every person involved in ice-skating has therefore a legal and moral responsibility to protect

children and young people from abuse.

BIS is committed to safeguarding the well-being of the children and young people, vulnerable adults,

parents, carers, coaches, staff and volunteers who are involved in the organisation. We recognise that

children and young people have rights as individuals and should be valued, listened to and treated with

respect. All children and vulnerable young people are at risk of abuse and we therefore aim to achieve

excellent standards of safeguarding in all areas.

All BIS affiliates and members will:

• accept the moral and legal responsibility to implement procedures to provide a duty of care for

young people and vulnerable adults, safeguard their wellbeing and protect them from harm;

• respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of young people and vulnerable adults;

• recognise that some young people and vulnerable adults face additional barriers to getting help

because of increased vulnerabilities which could include their ethnicity, gender, age, religion,

disability, sexual orientation, social background or culture;

• ensure they adopt best practice to safeguard and protect young people and vulnerable adults

from abuse and to reduce the likelihood of allegations being made against themselves;

• accept and abide by the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and the BIS Code of Ethics and

Conduct as well as all other policies, procedures and guidance

• respond appropriately to any complaints about poor practice or allegations of abuse.

We are committed to recruiting staff, coaches and volunteers safely, ensuring all the necessary checks

are made. We recognise and promote that all staff and coaches in paid and voluntary positions have a

duty to prevent the abuse of children and vulnerable adults and report any safeguarding concerns to the

relevant person. BIS will share concerns with agencies that need to know, involving parents, carers /

enablers, children and vulnerable adults appropriately.”

The BIS document sets out the policy, case management processes and reporting procedures for all

staff, coaches or volunteers when engaged in skating activities with children and young people.

Any complaint about the way that BIS has handled a particular safeguarding concern will be logged

through the BIS Complaints Policy and addressed by the relevant team.

The guidance given in the BIS procedures is based on the following principles:

• “The welfare of the child and vulnerable adult is paramount.

• All young people and vulnerable adults, regardless of any personal characteristic including their

age, gender, ability, any disability they may have, culture, racial origin, religious belief and

sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.

• An adult has a moral and statutory duty for the care, custody and control of any person under

the age of 18 under their supervision.

• All incidents of poor practice or suspicions of poor practice and allegations of abuse will be taken

seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

• All young people and vulnerable adults have a right to participate in ice skating within an

enjoyable and safe environment.

• Young people and vulnerable adults have a right to expect appropriate support in accordance

with their personal and social development with regard to their involvement in the sport of ice

skating.

• It is the responsibility of the safeguarding experts and agencies to determine whether or not

abuse has taken place but it is everyone’s responsibility to report any concerns.”

January 2022

Club Welfare Officer (CWO)

“The Club Welfare Officer is the person appointed at Club level and provides the essential point of

contact for welfare within the Club. The CWO is the person who has responsibility for receiving and

acting upon concerns reported to them within the Club setting. The Club Welfare Officer should be

selected for their skills and knowledge, such as being able to handle safeguarding matters in an

appropriate and confidential manner. They should be approachable for any concerns regarding

safeguarding and be appropriately supported by other members of the Club. The CWO will report

concerns to the SLO and offer advise at a Club level where safeguarding concerns have arisen.

Along with the Club committee, the Club Welfare Officer should ensure that the club is adopting and

implementing the safeguarding policy. Clubs are advised to ideally have two Club Welfare Officers, with

at least one not holding a coaching position or being related to a coach at the club/rink.”

SSSA has appointed two committee members with responsibility for safeguarding. Their details can be

found in Section 6 of the Handbook.

BIS Safeguarding Lead Officer (SLO)

“Every sports organisation should designate a person to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable

adults within the sport. The role includes includes liaising with the DBS recruitment process, co-

ordinating the dissemination of relevant safeguarding policies, procedures and resources as well as

supporting Club Welfare Officers in their roles. The SLO also provides support for the NISA board, as well

as managing the administration of cases of poor practice/abuse within the sport and contribution to the

case management panel when cases arise. This includes being the central point of contact for enquiries

such as from complainants, the LADO, Children’s Social Care and/or the Police.

The SLO is the BIS national lead for receiving and acting upon concerns of a safeguarding nature. This

person will receive concerns about:

• unacceptable behaviour of a member of staff or volunteer towards a child

• unacceptable behaviour towards a child by someone within a club setting

• concerns of a serious or significant nature

• any concerns arising outside of a club situation, such as privately owned and run ice rinks

• any concerns outside the scope of the CWO.”

Further information can be found in the Safeguarding and Protecting Young People Policy

(www.iceskating.org.uk)

Anti-Bullying Policy

Sheffield Synchronized Skating Academy has adopted the BIS ‘Anti-bullying policy’ which can be found on

the British Ice Skating website (www.iceskating.org.uk). An introduction to and overview of the BIS policy

is included below. The policy will be updated by BIS from time to time therefore please refer to the

website for the detailed and current policy.

“Every child has the right to participate in ice-skating free from the fear of bullying. Bullying may be seen

as deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those

bullied to defend themselves.”

“Bullying can take the form of:

• verbal: name calling, teasing, threatening, spreading rumours, sarcasm, racist taunts,

homophobic bullying, graffiti and gestures

• physical: hitting, kicking, punching, spitting, stealing/breaking belongings

• emotional: ignoring, hurtful emails/text messages, excluding from activities, tormenting,

ridiculing, humiliating.”

“The damage inflicted by bullying can frequently be underestimated. It can cause considerable distress to

children, young people and vulnerable adults, to the extent that it affects their health and development

or, at the extreme, causes them significant harm.”

The Club will:

• “recognise its duty of care and responsibility to safeguard all participants from harm

• promote and implement this anti-bullying policy in addition to the safeguarding policy and

procedures

• seek to ensure that bullying behaviour is not accepted or condoned

• require all members of the Club to be given information about, and sign up to, this policy

• take action to investigate and respond to any alleged incidents of bullying

• encourage and facilitate children and young people to play an active part in developing and

adopting a code of conduct to address bullying”

Each participant, coach, volunteer or official will:

• “respect every child’s need for, and rights to, an environment where safety, security, praise,

recognition and opportunity for taking responsibility are available

• respect the feelings and views of others

• recognise that everyone is important and that our differences make each of us special and should

be valued

• show appreciation of others by acknowledging individual qualities, contributions and progress

• be committed to the early identification of bullying, and prompt and collective action to deal

with it

• ensure safety by having rules and practices carefully explained and displayed for all to see

• report incidents of bullying they see – by doing nothing you are condoning bullying.”

August 2024

Useful contacts;

Organisation Contact details

British Ice Skating British Ice Skating

English Institute of Sport

Coleridge Road

Sheffield S9 5DA

Office: 01159 888 060

www.iceskating.org.uk

BIS Lead Safeguarding Officer John Mills

www.iceskating.org.uk

Tel: 01159 888 060 / Tel: 07539 697819

Email: safeguarding@iceskating.org.uk

Police Tel: 999

NSPCC Helpline (24 hours) Tel: 0808 800 5000

Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

NSPCC – Child Protection in Sport Unit

(CSPU)

Tel: 0116 234 7278,

E-mail: cpsu@nspcc.org.uk

Local Authority Designated Officers

(LADO)

See local phone directories, internet search

engines or via Local Authority directly

LSCB (Local Safeguarding Children’s

Board)

Website: www.safenetwork.org.uk

See local phone directories, internet search

engines or via Local Authority directly

Victim Support Helpline: Tel: 0845 3030 900

Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk

Child line Tel: 0800 1111

Website: www.childline.org.uk

16. Annual Presentation Evening

At the end of each season, the Committee organises a Presentation Evening where certificates are

awarded to each squad and skater to recognise their efforts throughout the season. Loyalty awards are

given to skaters to celebrate the length of time they have been a member of the Club.

This is a fun event, with a buffet, bar and disco. Tickets are sold by the Committee, with any proceeds

going into SSSA funds. This is a great opportunity to reflect on successes and allows the squads to mix socially, dance and have fun.

17. Your Responsibilities

British Ice Skating membership

All Synchro skaters MUST have a valid British Ice Skating membership to enable them to compete with

the Club. Please ensure membership is paid in plenty of time to avoid any last minute stress and that the

membership number is included in the skaters’ details on Spond. Skaters without a valid membership

will not be permitted to compete. Visit the website at www.iceskating.org.uk to register and pay.

SSSA membership

Being a member of the SSSA requires a significant level of commitment. Membership of another

synchronized skating club at the same time is not permitted, as this will inevitably lead to conflict

regarding training times, competition schedule etc.

Once a skater makes the decision to join a squad they are part of that squad for the entire season. Please

understand the domino effect of withdrawing mid-season. Programmes, monthly subscriptions and even

squad competition eligibility, are all affected. Any withdrawal from a squad will be addressed by the

Committee on a case by case basis. Skaters will be expected to commit by 1st July. The synchro season

continues through until mid-March.

Anti-doping

On occasion, at competition, it may be required that skaters provide a dope test (urine sample) to the

Anti-doping Agency. In the UK this is overseen by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD). However abroad, there are

other agencies which are overseen by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

For further information, please visit www.isu.org and select 'clean sport' from the menu at the top of the

homepage or visit BIS at www.iceskating.org.uk/index.cfm/about/policies/anti-doping/

For competitions, it is necessary for anyone taking prohibited medications to complete a Therapeutic

Use Exemption (TUE) form. Again this can be found on the BIS website and is also available from a

Committee member.

It is YOUR responsibility to check medication, fill out the form and make us aware.

Conduct

All skaters are expected to behave responsibly at the rink and conduct themselves in a mature manner,

especially when in a public area such as the bar. Large groups can become loud and disruptive very

quickly, so be aware of the nuisance to others and help the SSSA to maintain a professional standard at

all times. Conduct whilst visiting other rinks should be respectful and as outlined in this Handbook.

Changing rooms

Please arrive ready for training and do not change in the bar area or the toilets.

Expectations

As a member of the SSSA there are certain expectations for each parent and skater, all of which are there

to enable every skater to get the most from the session. Please ensure you and your skater are aware of

these expectations.

Skaters

1. Ensure that you warm up before the training session begins.

2. At the published start time of the training session, be ready to step on to the ice, wearing the correct

clean and well-maintained clothing with boots fully laced and ready to go. Do not leave the training

session without a discussion with the coach, as the coach is responsible for your wellbeing and safety.

3. Keep up to date with steps and elements. If you miss a session, find out from teammates what you

have missed, watch shared videos and advise the coach if you are struggling. If you don’t tell them

then they can’t help you.

4. Accept the coaches’ judgement and choices; ask questions but don’t argue. Coaches are responsible

for the wellbeing of skaters during training and may ask a skater to leave the ice / training if they feel

it is in their best interest.

5. Don’t chat, eat or use mobile phones during training sessions. Do not take food onto the ice. Only

questions regarding current work should be discussed.

6. Treat the coaches with respect by listening to their instructions, answering their questions and trying

to achieve the goals set.

7. Respect yourself and other squad members. Treat others as you would wish to be treated.

8. Be supportive of the other squads within the Club, especially those at a more junior level – remember

you were there once.

9. All communication should be kind, courteous and age appropriate.

10. Fuel your body correctly in order to stay in optimum condition for training. Healthy snacks are

encouraged but snacks and fizzy drinks are not permitted during training or competitions. If you have

any questions regarding nutrition, please ask one of the coaches.

11. Join in with organised fundraising events and suggest new ideas of your own!

Parents / Guardians

1. Complete all forms that are requested and return within the timescale stipulated. Ensure that

coaches / committee members / Squad Reps are aware of any special needs, medical conditions or

requirements specific to your child and that you immediately make them aware of any changes.

2. Ensure that skaters arrive at the rink in time to warm up and encourage skaters to go to the toilet

before training in order to minimise interruption to training sessions. Always collect skaters

promptly at the end of each training session. If you leave a skater at training and go off-site always

ensure that you notify a committee member and remain contactable throughout the training

session.

3. Be supportive of all squad members, coaches and committee members and uphold their decisions.

4. Use the correct channel of communication to raise any issues with coaches. Do not interrupt the

coach or skaters during training.

5. All communication should be kind, courteous and age appropriate.

6. Conduct whilst at IceSheffield or whilst visiting other rinks should be respectful and should set an

example. Do not leave skaters or siblings unattended or unsupervised at the rink without a

nominated and named person being responsible for their safety.

7. Encourage skaters to attend all training sessions, both on and off-ice.

8. Inform coaches/co-ordinators of any expected absences with as much notice as possible in order to

assess the viability of training sessions.

9. Provide your child with sufficient water for the training session, together with healthy snacks for the

end of the session. Ensure your child does not eat during a session, unless specifically permitted to

do so by the Coach. No food should be taken onto the ice.

10. Understand that if your child is absent for a period of time or before a competition/performance

then this can seriously affect the squad and their ability to perform well and may, therefore, result

in the skater’s exclusion from the upcoming event.

11. Pay the monthly subscription and competition fees on time. The annual fee is divided into monthly

payments which are payable in advance by bank transfer before the 5th of the month. Failure to pay

will result in the skater being suspended. Any difficulty in making the monthly payment should be

discussed directly with the Treasurer.

12. Remember that this is a serious sport not a social club. There is a social side but this is not to the

detriment of training and performance.

13. Be supportive of fundraising events and encourage your child to participate.

14. Be flexible regarding arrangements, and appreciate that things sometimes have to be changed

without notice. Be tolerant of changes.

15. Appreciate why decisions are made regarding the squad i.e.travel, accommodation, training

sessions and events. Respect that decisions are made for the squad/Club as a whole and not for an

individual’s benefit. Do not expect to be reimbursed / refunded if your child is unable to attend a

squad event funded by the Club.

16. Use the specified forms for booking accommodation and transport and be prompt with replies.

17. Encourage your child to support all the teams within the Club, not just their own. The SSSA is a large

Synchro family and we encourage development through the teams.

18. Advise co-ordinators of ALL dietary, medical issues or special needs specific to your child via the

appropriate form and prior to booking meals. Ensure a new form is completed as soon as there are any changes to the information held by the Club.

Safeguarding

Who Are We?

Fundraising

Our Squads

Communication

Coaches

Training

Costs

Meetings

Competitions

Welcome

Our Values

uniform

Presentation Evening

Your responsibilties