Centre guidelines

Users are allowed access to the part or parts of the sports facilities for which they have purchased the appropriate ticket or membership. 

The University reserves the right to refuse admission to, or evict any person from its sports facilities on a temporary or permanent basis. 

Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (16 and over) when using our facilities, except for the swimming pool (please see swimming pool guidelines below). 

Carers accompanying users that require special assistance are admitted free of charge. 

No animals, other than assistance or guide dogs, will be admitted to use the sports facilities. 

If you have a medical condition, or any concerns about your health, get medical advice before using the facilities, and tell a member of staff about the condition and the advice you have been given.

If you are injured or have an accident in the club or on its premises, please report it immediately to a member of staff. 

You must not use the facilities if you have an infectious disease or condition. 

Do not block the fire exits or walkways. 

If you hear the fire alarm, leave the facilities through the nearest fire exit and follow the instructions given by staff. 

Users parking illegally will not be permitted to use the sports facilities.

All sports centre facilities are accessed via the main entrance on the main road from campus. Car parking is available in the main University car parks. 

Gates are now in operation and can be accessed using your student, staff or membership card with a valid membership or booking.

Important things to note about your student, staff or community membership cards:

• Your student, staff or community membership card will grant you access to the building, via the swipe entry gates, at any point during opening hours if you have a valid membership on your account.

• If you haven't received your student card yet, please report to reception on arrival where your attendance will be recorded and you will be given a temporary card. Alternatively you can purchase an access key fob or mobile phone sticker which will be added to your account.

• If you have forgotten your student, staff or community membership card, please report to reception where your attendance will be recorded and granted access through the main gate only.

• If you have lost your student or staff card, you will need to purchase a new card or an access key fob or mobile phone sticker which will be added to your account.

• If you have lost your community membership card you will need to purchase a replacement card.

Blue Badge Access

Blue badge parking and entrance are available at the rear of the building which can be accessed via the road and barrier at the side of the swimming pool. On your first visit, please use the intercom to get through the barrier and entrance door.

Please bring evidence of blue badge pass and provide your car registration to reception who will apply relevant access to your account and wider University parking system. Your card will then grant you access through the barrier and entrance door.

All Blue Badge users are entitled to free parking across but must provide their car registration details to either reception or car.parking@stir.ac.uk to avoid any parking notices.

Smoking and using electronic cigarettes are not allowed in the sports facilities or on its premises. 

Any person using offensive language or behaving in a disorderly manner or interfering with any other person will be refused entry to or evicted from the sports facilities. 

Any person whom is in the possession of, or has consumed alcohol or drugs will be refused entry to or evicted from the sports facilities. 

No drink or food is allowed in activity areas. The exception is plastic sport bottles, with a one-way valve to prevent spillages on performance surfaces. 

Any person who purposefully damages property belonging to the University will be liable to meet the cost of repair and may face legal action. 

Written and verbal instructions from the Duty Officer must be followed.

Users must wear suitable clothing and footwear for the activity in which they are engaged. Clean sports footwear with non-marking soles must be worn on all indoor activity areas. 

Private coaching is strictly prohibited in or on any of the University’s sports facilities unless with the authorisation of the Operations Manager. 

Taking of photographs or videos is strictly prohibited in toilets and changing areas. 

Opening fire doors in non-emergency situations is strictly prohibited. 

The University retains the right to terminate membership if it considers the behaviour of an individual warrants such action.

At the Sports Centre

Indoor and outdoor/team changing facilities are available downstairs on Level 1. Lockers are available in the corridor and are padlock operated. Padlocks can be purchased from reception.

Outdoor/team changing rooms require to be booked and access keys should be collected from reception.

At the swimming pool

There is a large mixed changing area and two separate changing areas for men and women, with their own shower areas There are also three larger cubicles for disabled users and family groups. There is a mixed shower area by the swimming pool. 

Children under the age of 8 are required to be accompanied and supervised by an adult within the group changing areas. Children above the age of 8 are required to use the correct male/female group changing area. Individual and larger accessible cubicles are also available for parent and child changing as required.

The sports hall and part of the tennis centre are used for University examinations, graduations, open days and other special events.

The Swimming Pool is closed annually for one week mid-August for deep cleaning and any essential maintenance.

Event information will be displayed around the Sports Centre in advance of these dates, and on the University Portal. The sports facilities have reduced opening hours during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Please contact a Duty Officer, Sports Attendant or Sports Receptionist in case of an emergency.

Panic alarms are also located throughout the facilities.

Items such as tennis rackets, golf clubs, etc. are available for hire*. A membership card, ID card or cash deposit must be lodged against any item hired. A charge will be made for any breakage or damage. Disposable items such as shuttlecocks, golf balls, etc. can be purchased.

*charges may apply.

No smoking or chewing gum is permitted on the pitches and surrounds. 

Users are required to stop play a few minutes before the end of their booking period to allow equipment to be removed and/or set up for the next users. 

No glass bottles or food are allowed on the pitches and surrounds. 

Goals must be secured before the start of play. 

Users must wear clean shoes. 

Users of the sand-based pitch are advised to wear hockey or astro-turf shoes. 

Users of the 3G/rubber-crumb pitch are advised to wear astro-turf shoes or moulded rubber stud shoes.

Users must be 16 years of age or over to use the fitness suite and strength and conditioning area.

Users are required to wipe down equipment after use. 

Users must use equipment for the purpose it is intended. 

Users are permitted to use CV equipment for a maximum of 20 minutes. 

Faulty or broken equipment should be reported to a Sports Attendant or Fitness Officer. 

Users must replace all equipment after use. Discs must be removed from bars and returned to their storage rack. 

Large metal discs or dumbbells must not be used on lifting platforms. 

Sports bags are not permitted in activity areas. 

Users must undergo the online fitness induction prior to using the Fitness Suite or Strength and Conditioning areas.

All group-use must be pre-booked.

In order to optimise capacity within bookable classes and activities, we have a non-attendance policy in place.

• If a member or user records 3 non-attendances within a 14-day period, a 7-day booking suspension will be applied to their account.
• Non-attendances are recorded if membership cards are not swiped for access or attendance recorded at reception (if card forgotten).
• Policy will apply to all fitness classes, fitness appointments and student Just Play Sport sessions.
• Pay and play activities (i.e. none of the above) can still be booked but must be done via reception.
• Booking permissions will be locked for 7 days following a third non-attendance within a 14-day period.
• Accounts will be unlocked by contacting reception after the 7-day suspension period.
• Bookings can be cancelled via the app or online portal up to four hours before the activity start time. If you need to cancel within that period, please contact reception on 01786 466900 so the space can be made available.

• Activities are booked in 60 minute periods.
• Sports hall bookings are available to members and non-members.
• Sports hall activities are not included within memberships.
• All visitors must arrive with the main bookee.

• No person shall enter the swimming pool area until a lifeguard is present.
• Children under twelve years of age must be accompanied in the water by an adult, and under constant care and supervision at all times, on a ratio of one adult to two children.
• Appropriate swimwear must be worn at all times when using the swimming pool.
• Swimmers must shower before entering the swimming pool.
• Face masks, snorkels and fins are not permitted during recreational and lane swimming sessions, unless for medical reasons or at the discretion of the lifeguard.
• Bags, clothes and associated personal items must be secured in lockers provided.
• Glass bottles are not permitted within the building.
• Spectators must wear plastic overshoes in the pool hall to maintain hygiene and cleanliness.
• Floats and pull buoys are available for kicking and pulling practices.

Etiquette

• Swim in a lane appropriate to your ability.
• Try to swim in a lane with a similar choice of swim stroke.
• Try to limit the use of a back crawl during busy sessions.
• No butterfly stroke unless the lane is empty.
• Follow the directional signage for each lane.
• Allow swimmers to overtake when safe to do so, at the end of the lane if necessary.
• Be patient and allow swimmers in front the opportunity to let you pass.
• Be courteous to other swimmers and respect their right for an uninterrupted swim.

Lane swimming

• You must be able to swim a minimum of 50 metres unaided.
• Children under eight years of age are not permitted in lane swimming sessions.
• One adult must be responsible for the supervision of a maximum of two children under the age of 12.