Waterside Gymnastics Club upholds the British Gymnastics policy on body piercing/  jewellery whilst training in the gym. 

  British Gymnastics believes that jewellery and adornments worn in body piercing are inappropriate for safe practice in gymnastics and trampolining. This policy applies to all participants and coaches in training and in events at home and abroad.  

Our policy states:  

• That jewellery and adornments worn in body piercing are inappropriate for safe practice in gymnastics so must be removed. 
• Coaches must ensure that risks associated with jewels and raised adornments on leotards are eliminated.  
• The policy applies to all participants and coaches in training and in events at home and abroad.  
• Failure to conform will prohibit the individual’s participation on the grounds of reasonable safety and may render the individual’s insurance invalid should an accident result directly from non-compliance. 

The Club suggests that body piercing, including ear piercing, is carried out during the school holidays when sessions are not running or during the closed competition periods for competing gymnasts when training is not essential.

Exceptions to the above policy may be applicable in special circumstances which are outlined below: 

Parents/guardians may request that their child be allowed to train for a MAXIMUM of 6 weeks with newly pierced stud earrings providing they are securely taped and removed after this time. A request form is available from the coach in charge and must be signed by both the parent/guardian and the authorising coach before they will be allowed to train. The agreement slip must be brought to each session while their ears are taped. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure the ears are taped securely. The gymnast will not be allowed to train if this is not the case.