Club Affiliation and Insurance Information

IAWA Club Affiliation

1. Affiliated clubs seeking to benefit from insurance arranged through the IAWA must at all times comply with all criteria prescribed by the IAWA.
2. The club manager (or owner) bears full responsibility for ensuring that the club maintains continuous compliance with such criteria.
3. The eligibility criteria are not exhaustive and may be amended, supplemented, or withdrawn by the IAWA at its sole discretion. Clubs shall be deemed to have notice of, and shall be bound by, any such amendments from the date of publication by the IAWA.
4. No person who is not a registered IAWA member shall be permitted to participate in any club activity, training session, or competition unless that person has either:
   1. become a registered IAWA member; or
   2. before a taster session, completed and signed the IAWA Waiver and Release Form in your club, and the club coach has signed off on it. You can print the waiver and release form here: Waiver and Release Form.
5. Consequences of Non-Compliance: Any failure by a club to adhere to these requirements may result in:
   1. immediate suspension or termination of the club’s IAWA affiliation;
   2. withdrawal of insurance cover for the club and its members; and
   3. the club and/or its manager being held personally liable for any claims, damages, or losses arising from uninsured activities.

Guidance Notes

• To be covered by IAWA Public Liability insurance, a club must meet all eligibility requirements set by the Association.
• The club manager (or owner) is responsible for ensuring the club always remains compliant.
• These requirements are not exhaustive and may change. Clubs must keep up to date with any amendments.
• Important: No non‑member may take part in any training, activities, or competitions unless they have either become an IAWA member or, as part of a taster session, completed and signed the IAWA Waiver and Release Form before taking part (Waiver and Release Form).
• Failure to comply may result in loss of insurance cover, suspension of IAWA affiliation, and possible personal liability for the club and/or its management.

Club Public Liability Insurance – Policy Overview

Definition of a Club

• For the purposes of this policy, a “Club” means an association consisting of at least 15 registered members, each of whom must be a current member listed on the IAWA Database.

Club Responsibilities

Each Club is solely responsible for procuring, maintaining, and ensuring the adequacy of its own insurance arrangements, including Public Liability Insurance, for all activities conducted under its auspices. To maintain good standing with the IAWA, each Club must:

1) Governance & Structure

• Operate under a management board consisting of:
  • Club Manager (Owner)
  • Club Secretary
  • Club Treasurer
  • Club Children's Officer
  • Club Garda Vetting Validator
  • Supporting committee of at least three members
• Ensure all board members are IAWA members, Garda vetted, and trained in safeguarding in line with IAWA policy.

2) Membership & Administration

• Maintain an up‑to‑date register of current members.
• Ensure all members aged 16+ are Garda vetted through IAWA.
• Ensure at least three members represent the Club at the IAWA AGM and any EGMs.
• Have a written constitution.
• Be fully affiliated with the IAWA and renew both affiliation and insurance annually.

3) Coaching & Safety

• Ensure all sessions are supervised by at least two IAWA‑certified coaches, both current IAWA members.
• Strive to have at least one Level 2 coach within two years of initial affiliation.
• Ensure at least one supervising coach holds a valid First Aid certificate.
• Run a regular UWW wrestling/grappling programme to promote participation and growth of wrestling/grappling sports under the United World Wrestling (UWW) umbrella.

Insurance Cover

The scope of cover is as set out by the insurance provider:

• Equipment Insurance
  Certified wrestling mats and some equipment.
  Excess: First €250 of any claim.
• Public Liability Insurance
  €6.5 million cover per incident.
  Excess: €500 (property damage only).
• Products Liability Insurance
  €6.5 million cover per incident.
  Excess: €500 (property damage only).

Key Responsibilities for Clubs

1. Ensure all regular participants are signed up as IAWA members.
2. Obtain signed waivers before non‑members take part in any “taster session”.
3. Follow IAWA safeguarding procedures, particularly in relation to child protection.
4. Maintain written records of:
   • All participants and their contact details.
   • All accidents, incidents, and injuries during sessions or events.

Taster Sessions

All trial or taster participants (non‑IAWA members) must sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of injury while taking part in wrestling sports, training, and competition, and releasing the IAWA, its clubs, coaches, and members from liability for injuries sustained during sanctioned activities. Download the waiver.

Rules of Participation

• All wrestling activities must comply with IAWA and UWW rules.

Exclusions

This insurance policy does not cover:

• Fitness classes for non‑members.
• Private coaching where fees are paid directly between coach and individual.
• Injuries sustained by participants while taking part in wrestling or training (Participants Exclusion).

Participants Exclusion (Public Liability)

The insurer will not be liable for legal liability, defence costs, or expenses arising from bodily injury sustained by any person while actively participating in wrestling, grappling, or training activities. Example: A newcomer injured during a training session is not covered under this insurance.

Important Notes

• Waivers and IAWA membership are essential
• Individuals are not covered under the Personal Accident Policy until:
  • They are registered IAWA members, and
  • They have elected to add personal accident insurance as a separate policy.

Individual Personal Accident Insurance

1 Eligibility

• You must be a current, registered IAWA member.
• You must select the Personal Accident Insurance add‑on at the point of registration.
• You must be a member of an IAWA affiliated club.
• Members aged 16 or over must be Garda vetted in accordance with IAWA policy.

2 Scope of Cover

The scope of cover is as defined by the insurance provider.

3 Who Is Covered

Any individual who is a registered IAWA member and has opted for Personal Accident Insurance cover on registration.

4 Exclusions

4.1 Participants Exclusion

This policy does not cover:

• Injuries sustained by individuals while wrestling, grappling, or training are not covered.
• The insurer will not be liable for legal liability, defence costs, or expenses arising from bodily injury incurred during participation in wrestling/grappling or training.
• Important: Signing a waiver and IAWA membership are mandatory requirements of membership.

4.2 Excluded Sports

• Bodily injury resulting from participation in any sport other than wrestling declared to the insurer, even if for fundraising or demonstration purposes, is not covered.

In summary: Personal Accident Insurance is limited in scope. It is only valid for IAWA members who have purchased the add‑on, and it does not cover injuries sustained during wrestling participation itself.

Claims Process

1. Complete the IAWA Incident Report Form and email it to irishwrestling@outlook.ie, retaining the original.
2. Upon receipt, the IAWA will provide a claim form to be completed and submitted with all relevant medical reports, receipts, and invoices.
3. For full policy details, contact the IAWA directly at irishwrestling@outlook.ie.
4. Clubs must keep a written accident logbook, completed by the coach, recording all incidents and accidents. A copy of the relevant entry must be sent to IAWA with the initial claim notification.

This page provides a summary of requirements for insurance cover. For full terms and conditions of cover, please contact the IAWA at irishwrestling@outlook.ie

Club Affiliation and Insurance Liability

When a club applies online for affiliation with the Irish Amateur Wrestling Association (IAWA), the club owner or authorised representative (“Club Owner”) agrees to the terms of our Affiliation Waiver, Release, and Indemnity Agreement.

By submitting affiliation online and clicking “I Agree,” the Club Owner acknowledges that:

• They are authorised to act on behalf of the affiliating club (“Club”).
• Their electronic acceptance constitutes a legally binding agreement under Irish and EU law.
• IAWA may retain an electronic record of the acceptance for evidentiary purposes.
• IAWA may update this Agreement from time to time. Continued affiliation constitutes acceptance of updated terms.

1. Responsibilities of the Club Owner

• Ensure all Club activities comply with Irish law, IAWA rules, safeguarding policies, codes of conduct, and safety standards.
• Ensure all participants, coaches, and officials are properly registered with IAWA and follow its policies.
• Understand that IAWA is not responsible for the daily operations or management of the Club.

2. Insurance Coverage

• IAWA may arrange public liability insurance for affiliated clubs and clubs understand that the IAWA is not an insurance company. Cover is subject to the insurer’s policy terms, conditions, and exclusions. IAWA does not guarantee scope or adequacy of insurance and cannot be held liable for denial of cover or insufficient limits.
• Waiting Period:
  • Insurance benefits do not take effect immediately.
  • A 7‑day waiting period applies from the date of purchase or renewal.
  • Any incident, injury, or loss during this period is not covered and remains the Club’s responsibility.

3. Waiver & Release of Liability

By affiliating with IAWA, the Club and Club Owner agree to:

• Waive and release IAWA and its representatives (“Releasees”) from liability for any claims arising from:
  • Club activities, programmes, or events.
  • Acts or omissions of Club members, staff, or participants.
  • Reliance on, or participation in, insurance arranged through IAWA.
• This waiver applies even where negligence of Releasees is alleged, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

4. Indemnification

The Club Owner agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless IAWA and its Releasees from:

• The Club’s operations or events.
• Any breach of this Agreement.
• Any claim made against IAWA because of the actions of the Club or its members.

5. Term & Termination

• This Agreement remains in force for as long as the Club is affiliated with IAWA.
• Termination of affiliation does not release the Club from indemnity or waiver obligations.

6. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law

• Mediation/Arbitration: Any dispute must first go to mediation in Ireland, and if unresolved, to binding arbitration in Dublin under the Arbitration Act 2010.
• Court Venue: If arbitration is unavailable, disputes must be brought in the courts of Dublin.
• Governing Law: Irish law applies.
• If part of this Agreement is invalid, the remainder continues in effect.

7. Understanding & Authority

• The Club Owner confirms they have read and understood the Agreement and acknowledges that substantial legal rights are being waived.
• They affirm that they are authorised to bind the Club to this Agreement.

8. Trial / Taster Session Participants

• Non‑members may not take part in any trial or taster sessions without completing and signing the official IAWA Non‑Member Waiver first. Download the waiver.
• This waiver makes clear that wrestling/grappling carries inherent risks, and the IAWA and your club will not be liable for injury.
• The Club Owner is solely responsible for ensuring this waiver is completed.
• Failure to obtain a signed waiver makes the Club (not the IAWA) fully liable for any claims and requires the Club to indemnify IAWA.

Claims Notification Procedure

This procedure sets out the steps to be followed when reporting an accident, incident, or claim under the IAWA Insurance Policy. The aim is to ensure that all incidents are recorded, reported, and processed promptly in line with insurer requirements.

Step 1: Immediate Action at the Scene

• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants.
• Administer first aid if required (by a qualified first aider).
• If serious, contact emergency services immediately (ambulance, Gardaí).

Step 2: Record the Incident

• The coach in charge completes an entry in the Club Accident/Incident Report Book and the Incident Report Form. Download the Incident Report Form.
• Include: date, time, and location; names of those involved; nature of injury or damage; witness details (if applicable); and a description of how the incident occurred.

Step 3: Notify the Club Manager

• Inform the Club Manager (Owner) or designated Board Officer as soon as possible.
• The Club Manager is responsible for ensuring that the incident is formally reported to the IAWA.

Step 4: Notify the IAWA

• The incident must be reported to the IAWA by email within 48 hours of occurrence.
• Submit the following to the IAWA Secretary at irishwrestlingsecretary@gmail.com: the completed Incident Report Form and supporting documentation (medical notes, witness statements, photographs if appropriate).

Step 5: Submission to Insurer

• The IAWA Insurance Liaison Person will forward the claim to the insurance provider.
• Members and clubs must cooperate fully with requests for additional information or clarification.

Step 6: Claims Handling

• The insurer will assess the claim in line with policy terms and conditions.
• The IAWA will act as the main point of contact between the claimant and the insurer.
• Members will be notified of the claim outcome once the insurer has made a determination.

Key Notes

• Delayed reporting may result in a claim being rejected by the insurer.
• All documentation should be clear, accurate, and submitted within the required timeframes.
• False or misleading information will invalidate the claim and may result in disciplinary action.
• Clubs are advised to keep copies of all submitted documents for their own records.

This page provides a summary of requirements for insurance cover. For full terms and conditions of cover, please contact the IAWA at irishwrestling@outlook.ie.

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