A least two adults chaperone under-18 resident athletes 24/7 to ensuring their safety and adherence to programme rules. While we want the athletes to have fun both on and off the court, they are made aware of the rules and supervised to ensure they are safe and well cared for during their stay.

Day athletes. Day campers under 18 years are under the supervision of VbDC coaches and staff from the time they arrive in the gym until departure from the building. They can be dropped off and collected only by immediate family (who may be part of a carpool) or by someone for whom written authorisation has been provided; these people may need to make themselves known to VbDC staff and provide photo IDs.

Residential athletes. At residential camps, there is 24/7 chaperoning by VbDC staff who have undergone a DBS (child security) check who live in the dormitories with the athletes and who accompany athletes on travel between the dorm and training venue, and on excursions. Athletes under age 18 may not leave the campus or training venue without the written authority of their parents or guardian. The only time an athlete under age 18 may not be in the immediate company of an authorised chaperone is during brief periods at morning and evening mealtimes when they may ask for permission to walk in small unescorted groups around the university grounds or socialise with students in other programmes. The university is in a closed campus with security patrols.

Athlete attendance. Roll call is taken at the start of each session and athletes must sign out at the end of the session. During the course of training, from the time of arrival at the gym to their departure, athletes may not leave the court floor without the permission of a coach. Examples of when the athlete can be excused from the court floor include toilet breaks, re-filling their water bottle or medical treatment.