Organisation Rules

1 Athlete eligibility

• Athletes must meet the published age, division, level and membership requirements for the event they enter. Clubs are responsible for checking eligibility and submitting accurate entry information.

• Clubs must provide accurate athlete rosters and notify the organiser of substitutions or changes through the event’s published process. Evidence of age or eligibility may be requested. Where awards or bids are received by teams with ineligible athletes, or ineligible registration requirements, the award can be retracted and the team disqualified.

• Clubs must have the required parent or guardian consent for minors and ensure athletes can participate safely. Injury or illness concerns must be raised with the appropriate event personnel.

Eligibility includes: Age reference dates, governing rules for each event, crossover limits, substitutions, roster deadlines, team size requirements and failure to confirm eligibility checks.

2 Athlete Behaviour

• Athletes must treat other competitors, coaches, officials, staff and volunteers with respect. Bullying, intimidation, discriminatory comments and abusive language are unacceptable.

• Athletes must follow staff instructions, respect the venue and equipment, and remain within authorised areas. Athletes must not distract or interfere with another performance.

• Concerns should be brought to the athlete’s coach or welfare contact. Athletes are expected to show respectful behaviour online when discussing the event and other participants.

• All athletes over 18 should be vetted by the appropriate vetting authority.

Reporting contact for each event is available at the information desk or via each club’s rep. Our disciplinary procedure includes investigation and reporting to relevant authorities where necessary.

3 Coach Requirements

• Each club must nominate a lead coach or club contact responsible for communication with the organiser and supervision of its athletes.

• Coaches must meet the qualifications, safeguarding, vetting and accreditation requirements published for the relevant event. Only authorised personnel may enter restricted competition or warmup areas.

• Coaches must understand the applicable technical rules and event procedures, supervise athletes throughout their attendance, and report injuries or safeguarding concerns promptly.

• Each club must have a safety and welfare statement/policy and supervision ratio should be 1 coach and 1 helper to each team as a minimum. Each registered coach agrees that they have relevant vetting, qualifications and safeguarding to the level required for their teams.

4 Coach Behaviour

• Coaches must model respectful conduct and communicate calmly with athletes, other clubs, officials and event personnel. Abusive language, threats, intimidation (implied/explicit) or aggressive behaviour are unacceptable.

• Coaches must use the designated enquiry process for scoring or organisational concerns. They must not interrupt judging, confront officials during a performance or encourage athletes and spectators to challenge officials.

• Athlete welfare takes priority over competitive results. Coaches must not pressure athletes to perform skills they cannot safely complete.

Our disciplinary procedure includes investigation and reporting to relevant authorities where necessary.

5 Club Attitude/spirit

• Clubs are expected to promote sportsmanship and contribute to a welcoming atmosphere across all events. Support your own athletes while respecting every other club.

• Celebrate achievements without mocking, taunting or undermining other competitors. Club chants, signs and social media content must remain respectful.

• Club leaders should communicate these expectations to athletes, coaches and families and help the organiser address concerns involving their club.

6 Spectator Behaviour

• Spectators must respect athletes, officials, staff and other spectators. Cheer positively and avoid behaviour that distracts competitors or obstructs another person’s view.

• Follow venue instructions, keep aisles and emergency exits clear, and remain outside restricted areas. Children attending as spectators must be supervised by their parent or responsible adult.

• Photography and filming must follow the published event policy. Recording in changing areas or toilets is prohibited. Spectators should raise concerns through their club contact or the event help desk.

Spectators will be removed if causing disruption to the event or endangering staff or other attendees. In serious breaches where clubs fail to intervene in the behaviour of their spectators, a club can be disqualified as a result.

7 Cancellation/Postponement of Events

• If an event is cancelled, postponed or materially changed, the organiser will notify registered club contacts and publish an update through the official event channels.

• The notice will explain the change, any replacement date or venue, and the options available to registered clubs. Clubs should share the update promptly with athletes and families.

• Any material changes that affect a club’s attendance made after the first running order is released will result in a club credit.

• Separately booked accommodation or transport is booked at each club’s own risk. The event will take no responsibility for cancellation of accommodation or transport, or for loss as a result of the cancellation of an event.

8 Bids

• Bids apply only to events and divisions for which an official bid offer has been published. A placement or event entry does not by itself guarantee a bid, and bids are not guaranteed to be given where there is no team that meets the minimum scoring guideline of 80 percent of the score sheet.

• Eligibility must be checked against the current requirements of the bid-applicable company (not 21CC/SFO/Unite) and the destination competition, including any geographical restrictions. Clubs should obtain written clarification from the end of season event where eligibility is unclear before finalising their entry.

• The organiser will publish the type and number of available bids, eligible divisions, selection criteria, and the acceptance process on close of registration. Any funding, exclusions, and conditions will be stated clearly.

• Clubs must register a minimum of 30 athletes to be eligible for any bid. Clubs with fewer than 30 competitive athletes must apply for a small club exemption to be eligible for any bid. Exemptions will be granted where clubs can confirm. Exceptions will not be granted where a club with multiple teams only enters 1.

• Where changes made by the bid-awarding company affect bid eligibility, these will be communicated to any interested clubs before the end of the open registration period.

• Please confirm that bids are eligible for Season 1 (current season) or Season 2 (next season).

• Bids must be accepted within 48 hours of the event day. If the event is on a Saturday, acceptance must be made by 6pm on Monday. If the event is on Sunday, bids must be accepted by Tuesday at 6pm.

• Bid offers are made based on scores as per our bid declarations. Please also ensure that any bids awarded can be used by the team entered at the end-of-season event.

• Bid declarations are binding, non-transferable, and cannot be used in another season unless explicitly implied.

• Where bid declarations have not been made prior to the closing date of entries, the event cannot give bids in that season.

9 Warmup Etiquette

• Arrive ready at the assigned check-in time and follow the warmup schedule and staff instructions. Use only the allocated space and equipment during your assigned time. Do not enter warmup without being registered for your time slot.

• Keep access routes clear and respect other teams’ preparation. Athletes must be supervised by their authorised coach; spectators and unauthorised personnel may not enter warmup areas. Teams may not enter without a qualified coach. Where the coach is part of the team, the team may proceed, but the coach is responsible for supervising the team. If the coach is not in a position to supervise, the team will be removed from warmup.

• Practise only skills permitted for the entered division and suitable for the equipment provided. Stop immediately if staff identify a safety concern and report equipment defects or injuries.

• Late arrivals to warmup will be permitted to join the remainder of their warmup session. If teams do not present at warmup due to an accident or injury, we will attempt to find a slot later in the event. It may be the case that your team cannot compete, but will be allowed to display.

10 Awards Etiquette

• Attend awards at the instructed time and follow the seating or assembly plan. Athletes must remain under coach supervision.

• Applaud respectfully for all recipients. Do not boo, make disparaging comments, obstruct presentations or disrupt another team’s photographs.

• Questions about results or an award error must be raised by the nominated coach through the designated process, away from the presentation area.

• One athlete should be chosen to collect their trophy.

11 Judging/Scoring and Placements

• Each event will publish its applicable judging system, score sheets, technical rules, and deduction framework. Clubs are responsible for reviewing the correct information for their event and division.

• Placements will be calculated using the published scoring and tie-break procedures. Any division combinations or changes affecting placements should be communicated to the affected clubs.

• Only the nominated coach or club representative may submit a scoring enquiry. Enquiries must use the published route and deadline and identify the specific issue being queried.

• The enquiry policy must distinguish calculation or recording errors from judging decisions and explain which matters can be reviewed. Confirmed corrections will be communicated to the affected clubs.

12 Uniform and coverup rules

• Competition clothing must be secure, appropriate for the sport and compliant with the event’s published technical and safety requirements. Footwear, jewellery, hair and accessories must meet the rules for the relevant discipline.

• Athletes must change in designated changing facilities. Clothing worn elsewhere in the venue must be suitable for a shared public environment.

• The final coverup policy must state clearly when an outer top or other covering is required, which athletes it applies to and any exceptions during warmup, performance or awards.

13 Stunting/Tumbling at Events

• Stunting, tumbling and gymnastics skills may take place only in designated activity areas, during authorised times and under appropriate coach supervision.

• Do not practise skills in spectator seating, corridors, foyers, car parks, changing rooms or other public areas. This includes informal skills for photographs or social media videos.

• Use equipment only as intended and perform skills appropriate to the athlete’s ability and entered division. Staff may stop unsafe activity. Injuries and equipment concerns must be reported immediately.

14 Refunds/Loss

• Refunds will not be made after the closing date of the On Time Entry published date.

• Club credits will be applied in the event of a cancellation or postponement.

• No refund or credit will apply to clubs that decide not to attend.

• 21st Century Events assumes no responsibility for externally arranged travel/accommodation or sundries purchased with the intent of attending the event.

• Any changes to potential awards or accolades made by 21st Century Events prior to the announcement of the criteria for those awards or accolades will not result in a refund or credit unless explicitly agreed.