CLUB ETIQUETTE & CODE OF CONDUCT

Last updated: 07/09/2026

This Code is about keeping Stoa Grappling Ltd (“Stoa Grappling”, “we”, “us”, “our”) at 35 Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4SE (the “Club”) a place people actually want to train — safe, respectful, and free of nonsense. It’s part of our Membership Terms and Conditions — agree to our Terms, and you’re agreeing to this too.

Read this alongside our Hygiene Policy, Health & Safety Policy and Junior Members & Safeguarding Policy.

1. Why this code exists

1.A  This Code is about keeping the Club safe, respectful and welcoming for everyone who trains here.

1.B  It applies to everyone: Members, Junior Members, Parents/Guardians, guests, spectators and visiting instructors — at every class, open mat, seminar or activity we run, and in how you talk to other Members or staff, including online.

2. How we treat each other

2.A  Respect goes both ways, whatever your belt, age, background or experience. Simple as that.

2.B  We’re building more than a training session — we want Stoa to be a community people are genuinely glad to be part of. Look out for each other: welcome new faces, help a nervous beginner feel at home, celebrate someone else’s progress like it’s your own, and remember that everyone on the mat was a white belt once.

2.C  That doesn’t stop when you leave the Club. How you treat training partners in the group chat, on social media, or when you bump into them outside Stoa is still a reflection of this community — kindness on the mat and unkindness off it isn’t good enough.

2.D  Turn up on time. If you’re late, wait at the edge of the mat until your instructor waves you in.

2.E  Zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, discrimination or aggression — on the mat or off it. Breach this and you’re looking at suspension or termination of Membership under clause 11 of our Terms and Conditions.

2.F  Instructors and Club staff call the safety shots. Follow their lead.

3. Mat etiquette

3.A  Bow — or however your instructor asks — on and off the mat.

3.B  Bare feet only, always. Full footwear and matted-area rules are in our Hygiene Policy.

3.C  Nails trimmed, jewellery off, good hygiene — see our Hygiene Policy for the full rundown.

3.D  No food, no drink except water, no chewing gum. The mats aren’t a picnic spot.

4. Training safely

4.A  Match your intensity to your partner’s experience, size and skill. Someone taps, you stop — instantly, no exceptions.

4.B  Reckless technique — striking, slamming, cranking a submission at speed without control — isn’t tolerated. It’ll get you pulled from a session, and repeated or serious incidents mean suspension or termination of Membership under clause 11 of our Terms and Conditions.

4.C  Hurt, unwell, or need to sit out? Tell an instructor straight away — see our Health & Safety Policy for how we handle it.

4.D  Think you might have something contagious? Check our Hygiene Policy before you step on the mat.

5. Guests, spectators and visitors

5.A  Want to bring someone to watch a class, or try a drop-in session? Great — just give us a heads-up first. Speak to an instructor or email info@stoagrappling.com in advance.

5.B  Trying us out? You’ll need to complete our standard registration and health declaration under clause 4 of our Terms and Conditions before you step onto the mat, and this Code applies to you too.

5.C  Spectators, including Parents/Guardians of Junior Members, are welcome in the viewing area provided — just stay off the mats and don’t interrupt a class in progress.

5.D  Picking up or dropping off a Junior Member? Full details are in our Junior Members & Safeguarding Policy.

6. Your stuff, our Club

6.A  Keep an eye on your belongings. We’re not responsible for anything lost, stolen or damaged, unless it’s down to our negligence (see clause 12 of our Terms and Conditions).

6.B  Phones off the mat and on silent during class.

6.C  Look after the facilities, equipment and changing rooms, and flag any damage or hazards to a member of staff — see our Health & Safety Policy.

7. Photos, filming and social media

7.A  Our photography and filming rules are set out in clause 13 of our Terms and Conditions. Don’t film or photograph other Members without asking first.

7.B  Posting about Stoa Grappling or your training partners online? Keep it respectful — this Code doesn’t stop at the door.

8. If things go wrong

8.A  Break this Code and an instructor may ask you to sit out or leave a session. Repeated or serious breaches may be treated as a breach of our Terms and Conditions and result in suspension or termination of Membership under clause 11.

9. Keeping this up to date

9.A  We review this Code at least annually, and following any significant incident. The current version is always on our website and at the Club.

10. Questions?
10.A  Got a question about this Code? Email info@stoagrappling.com.

This Code forms part of, and should be read together with, our Membership Terms and Conditions.