Conditions of Entry

Use of St Mark’s Lions Arena is subject to the following terms and conditions. By entering or using the sports court, all players, organisers, spectators and visitors agree to comply with these Terms of Use, the Christian Code of Conduct and all directions issued by St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church - Melbourne.

1. Approved Use

The sports court may only be used for approved sporting, recreational, Parish and community activities.
Users must not enter or use the court without a pre-approved booking or outside of the published court operating hours.
The Parish reserves the right to restrict, suspend or cancel access to the court at any time.

2. Permitted Usage Times

All games, training sessions and activities must commence and conclude within the approved booking period and the published court operating hours.
Game play must stop immediately at the end of the permitted usage time. Users must leave the court and surrounding areas promptly and quietly.
No additional time is automatically granted because a game, match or training session started late.

3. No Use During Liturgical Services

The sports court must not be used during any liturgical service taking place within the Parish.
All game play, training, gatherings and sporting activities must cease before the commencement of a liturgical service and may only resume after the service has concluded.
Users must remain quiet and respectful when entering, leaving or gathering near the church during services.
The Parish reserves the right to close the court at any time to protect the reverence, peace and prayerful atmosphere of the church.

4. Respect for Neighbours

The sports court is located near neighbouring homes and properties. All users must behave respectfully and minimise noise at all times.
Excessive and unnecessary shouting, screaming and disruptive behaviour are not permitted.
Players and visitors must enter and leave the premises quietly, particularly during evening hours.

5. Pre-Bookings and Access

Only approved users may access the court during a reserved booking period.
The person or organisation responsible for the booking must ensure that all participants and spectators comply with these Terms of Use and Code of Conduct.
Users must not enter the court while another authorised booking or activity is in progress.

6. Care of the Court and Equipment

All users must take reasonable care of the playing surface, basketball hoops, goals, volleyball equipment, nets, fencing, lighting and all other Parish property.
Equipment must only be used for its intended purpose.
Users must not climb, hang from, swing on, move or interfere with basketball hoops, goalposts, nets, fencing, lighting poles or other structures.
Unauthorised adjustments, modifications or repairs to court equipment are prohibited.

7. Damage and Loss

Any damage, defect, breakage or safety concern must be reported to the Parish immediately.
Users must not continue using damaged or unsafe equipment.
The person or organisation responsible for a booking may be held responsible for damage caused by deliberate misuse, negligence, reckless conduct or failure to supervise participants.
The Parish may seek reimbursement for the reasonable cost of repairing or replacing damaged equipment or property.
The Parish is not responsible for personal property that is lost, stolen, damaged or left unattended.

8. Safety and Responsible Play

All users participate at their own risk and must take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others.
Dangerous, reckless or excessively aggressive play is not permitted.
Users must wear appropriate footwear and sporting attire. Footwear or equipment that may damage the artificial playing surface must not be used.
The court must not be used when the surface is unsafe, excessively wet, damaged or closed by the Parish.
All injuries, incidents and hazards must be reported promptly.

9. Children and Supervision

Children and young people must be appropriately supervised by a responsible adult, coach, organiser or authorised volunteer.
The responsible organiser must maintain appropriate supervision throughout the booking and must not leave children unattended.
All activities must comply with the Parish’s child-safety policies and procedures.

10. Behaviour and Sportsmanship

All players, organisers and spectators must behave respectfully and follow the St Mark’s Lions Arena Code of Conduct.
Fighting, intimidation, abusive language, swearing and deliberate physical harm are strictly prohibited.
The Parish may immediately remove or exclude any person whose conduct is unsafe, aggressive, disruptive or inconsistent with Christian values.

11. Cleanliness and Waste

Users must leave the court and surrounding areas clean and tidy.
All rubbish must be placed in the bins provided.
Food, drinks and substances that may stain or damage the playing surface are not permitted on the court.
Water may be brought onto the court in suitable non-glass drink bottles.

12. Weather and Court Closures

The Parish may close the court because of weather, maintenance, safety concerns, liturgical services, church activities, Parish events or other operational requirements.
Users must immediately stop play and leave the court when directed.
The Parish does not guarantee that the court will remain available during adverse weather or unforeseen circumstances.

13. Breach of These Terms

Failure to comply with these Terms of Use may result in:
- Immediate suspension of game play
- Removal from the court
- Cancellation of a booking
- Suspension or withdrawal of future access
- Recovery of repair, replacement or cleaning costs
Serious or repeated breaches may result in permanent exclusion from the sports court.

14. Directions of the Parish

All users must follow reasonable directions given by clergy, Parish Board members, court supervisors, coaches, volunteers or other authorised representatives.
The decision of the Parish regarding the safe and appropriate use of the court is final.