How The Fort Works and What to expect

Remove your shoes on arrival and place them on the dedicated shoe shelves. Watch from the designated areas and keep walkways and training areas clear.

Parents and guardians must supervise children who are not participating in class at all times. Keep children quiet, especially while instructors are demonstrating techniques or giving instructions.

The Fort is a training facility, not a play space. Please do not bring large amounts of toys or items that could clutter the facility, disrupt classes or prevent members from using the space.

No sideline coaching. Parents and visitors must not coach or give technical instructions from the sidelines. This is a strict rule: students need one clear voice to follow, and instruction comes from the coaching team.

Encouragement is welcome when it does not interrupt instruction. Speak with a coach at an appropriate break if you have a question.

Use this checklist when getting your child ready for training. If you are joining a class yourself, the same training guidance applies. Remove your shoes on arrival and place them on the dedicated shoe shelves.

What to wear

• ✓Clean athletic wear: a fitted T-shirt or rashguard with sleeves and a neckline that stays covered as you move.
• ✓Athletic shorts without pockets. Shorts with pockets are fine for your trial.
• ✓For Gi classes, a clean Gi and belt. We’ll have a loaner Gi available for your trial week.
• ✓Tie long hair back with a soft hair tie. Keep fingernails and toenails short and smooth.

What not to wear for training

• ×Sweatpants.
• ×Sleeveless shirts or low-cut shirts.
• ×Glitter on clothing, skin or makeup.
• ×Zippers, buttons, buckles or other hard fasteners.
• ×Long nails, including long artificial nails.
• ×Facial piercings. Small ones can be taped; ask your coach to check before class.
• ×Jewellery, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches and fitness trackers.
• ×Heavy makeup that can transfer onto partners, clothing or mats.
• ×Strong body odours, cologne, perfume or heavily scented products.
• ×Loose accessories, hard hair clips or clothing that can catch during partner training.

We’ll have a loaner Gi available for your child’s Jiu-Jitsu trial week and loaner gloves available for their kickboxing trial week. Parents using the fitness room should choose clean athletic clothing and keep scents light. Clean, indoor-only gym shoes are required inside the fitness room.

Encourage effort, respect officials and support the whole team. Help your child feel supported before, during and after a match.

No sideline coaching by parents or visitors. Leave technical instructions to the coaching team so your child has one clear voice to follow. Cheer positively without giving directions.

After the match, give your child space to process the experience. Recognise their courage and effort, and let the coach help them understand what to work on next.

Ask what they learned or enjoyed, recognise their effort and give them room to work through challenges. Progress includes listening, trying again and learning to be a good training partner.

The Fort has a strict no-sideline-coaching rule for parents and visitors. Let the coaches guide technical instruction while you focus on encouragement. If something concerns you, talk with the coaching team so we can work together to support your child.

Parents of youth members can use the fitness room and sauna during Fort business hours. Ask the team to show you the spaces and explain the posted rules before your first visit.

Remove your shoes on arrival and place them on the dedicated shoe shelves. Clean, indoor-only gym shoes are required inside the fitness room.

Use equipment only for its intended purpose, respect others’ space and put equipment away when you finish.

Age groups are a starting point. Speak with the coaching team about your child’s experience, readiness and the most suitable class placement.

Keep the conversation open as they grow. We can help you understand the next step and when a change may make sense.