HEAVY ATHLETICS APPLICATION

Liability Waiver

1. Competitors must wear the kilt and Highland hose at all times while on the athletic field. Exceptions to this rule must have the prior approval of the Athletic Director (AD) and/or the Head Judge.
2. All events will be governed by the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association - United States of America (RSHGA-USA) rules. The RSHGA-USA and the sponsor(s) of the Highland Game reserve the right to test any competitor for the use of steroids and other performance altering substances and in any manner, time, and place convenient to the RSHGA-USA or Highland Game sponsor(s).
3. Pre-registered athletes will not receive a competitor’s ticket in advance of the Game’s date. Names of pre-registered competitors will be posted on a roster at the entry gate unless other special arrangements have been made with the Athletic Director.
4. Late entries and field entries, if accepted, are subject to a late charge.
5. Decisions of the Judges and Athletic Director are final.
6. The USS and Scottish Fest reserve the right to change, combine, or eliminate scheduled events.
7. I release my rights to any photographs or facsimiles taken of me during my participation in the Heavy Events Competition at these games and grant the USS and Scottish Fest the right to use, reproduce, and publish the photographs or facsimiles at their discretion.
8. The competition is expected to include the traditional six heavy events of Scottish Highland athletics; however, the scheduling of final competition events is at the discretion of the Athletic Director and Judges.
9. Medals and/or awards will be provided as can best be accommodated, the final decision of what to award being the Scottish Fest AD
10. The USS and Scottish Fest reserve the rights for all photos taken on the field without watermarks for non-commercial purposes.
11. Finally, WATCH FOR FLYING OBJECTS WHILE ON THE FIELD! When competing, athletes must be aware that objects will be thrown into the air, often from multiple directions, and must be active in their efforts to avoid being hit by any implement.

I acknowledge that I have read the rules and regulations and hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators waive and release all rights and claims for damages I may be entitled to against the United Scottish Society (USS), Scottish Fest and their representatives, agents, successors and assignees, for any and all injuries suffered by me through participation in these events. Additionally, I agree to be bound by the OFFICIAL RULES GOVERNING THE SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES IN NORTH AMERICA AS APPROVED BY THE RSHGA-USA and USS/Scottish Fest.

I have read, understand, and agree to the following terms and conditions set forth by USS/SCOTTISH FESTfor this event:

Code of Conduct for SCOTTISH FEST Registration:

Code of Conduct for Athletes Participating in Scottish Highland Games Heavy Athletics

1. Inclusivity: All athletes; regardless of gender, religion, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic, shall be treated with respect and equality. Any form of discrimination, harassment, sexist or bullying behavior, and/or assault is strictly prohibited.

2. Sportsmanship: Athletes shall compete with honor and sportsmanship. They shall not engage in any unsportsmanlike conduct; including (but not limited to) taunting, vulgar or unwelcome trash-talking, and/or cheating of any kind. Sportsmanship applies to the treatment of other athletes, spectators, judges, athletic directors, and/or any person present during athletic competition(s). All athletes shall comply with all rules and regulations of the competition, follow the instructions of officials, and respect the rights of other competitors.

3. Athletic Director Powers and Responsibilities: All athletes are required to respect and follow the ruling(s) of the athletic director. Any athletic director’s ruling(s) is to be accepted as final, without question, by all athletes.

4. SCOTTISH FEST/USS Right to Refuse Service: SCOTTISH FEST reserves the right to refuse participation in any athletic competition in the event an athlete is deemed a threat (either genuine or potential) to the health and safety of any of our board members, judges, volunteers, or athletes. Accusations of behavior that threatens the aforementioned persons may merit immediate suspension until the USS Board convenes to review that claim. All decisions made by majority vote from the USS Board are final and irrevocable. Penalties can range up to and include termination from future competitions dependent upon on the severity of the offense.

5. Performance Enhancing Drugs: The use of performance-enhancing drugs is strictly prohibited. Athletes are solely responsible for ensuring that any substance(s) they consume are not included in the following list; bolasterone, boldenone, 4-chlorotesterone, danazol, drostanolone, fluoxymesterone, mesterolone, methandienone, methandriol, methenolone, methyltestosterone, nandrolone, norethandrolone, oxandrolone, oxymesterone, stanozolol, trenbolone, probenecid, and clenbuterol. Furthermore, testing for specific gravity, testosterone, epitestosterone, and testosterone/epitestosterone ratio shall also be included in the test if deemed necessary. Neither use of legally prescribed testosterone (from a licensed physician), nor any cannabis product(s) (weed, pot, etc.) shall constitute a failed test. Highly elevated testosterone levels (1,500+ ng/dl) may be subject to disciplinary action by the USS Board (even if accompanied by a prescription). All athletes shall submit to drug testing as required by the USSif/when requested. Testing can be requested following any world record being set at an USS event, at the discretion of the Athletic Director for any reason, or as the result of a random draw. Any athlete who tests positive for a banned substance shall be subject to any and all penalties up to and including termination from the current and/or future competition(s). Prior notice is not required, and tests may be conducted prior to an athletic competition, during, or following the completion of the competition.

5.1. Penalties for athletes who fail a drug test, or refuse to take one in a timely manner, shall be as follows:

5.1.1. First Offense: Athlete shall be disqualified from the competition and suspended for a period of 2 years.

5.1.2. Second Offense: Athlete shall be disqualified from the competition and suspended for a period of 4 additional years.

5.1.3. Third Offense: Athlete shall be banned from competing in Scottish Highland Games Heavy Athletics sanctioned by the USS for life.

6. Penalties for Violation of Code of Conduct: Any athlete who violates this Code of Conduct may be subject to penalties, up to and including disqualification from an active competition, suspension from future competitions, and/or permanent ban from competing in Scottish Highland Games Heavy Athletics. USS Board members take all allegations seriously and act to the best of their abilities to make a fair and just decision based upon the evidence presented. All evidence presented to any board member shall remain private, anonymous, protected, and remain undisclosed to any person or entity outside the USS Board of Directors unless requested through a court subpoena.

7. Reporting Violations: Any athlete who witnesses a violation of this Code of Conduct, or suspects that an athlete is using performance-enhancing drugs, shall report the violation to an SCOTTISH FEST judge or USS board member immediately.

8. Time to Appeal: Athletes in violation of this Code of Conduct, shall be promptly notified of the allegations in writing (either by email, or other appropriate form as necessary) as soon as is practicable by the USS Board. The athlete shall then be given up to five (5) calendar days to respond to the allegations. At that time, the USS Board shall then render a decision within five (5) additional calendar days of the response from the athlete. Immediate exclusion for the day of competition will occur only if the incident occurs during competition and will remain in place only as long as necessary for the USS Board to gather the sufficient evidence needed to make a decision.

9. Enforcement: The USS Board shall enforce this Code of Conduct and any penalties imposed. All decisions by the USS Board shall be final and binding.

10. Amendments: This Code of Conduct may be amended by the USS Board at any time. Furthermore, any changes shall be communicated to all athletes prior to the next competition sanctioned by the USS.

By accepting these rules, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above Code of Conduct for any participant in USS Scottish Heavy Athletics. I agree to abide by this Code of Conduct and accept the penalties for any violation.

By signing this form I hereby agree that the above is eligible as entered to release and hold harmless the United Scottish Societies (USS), Scottish Fest, Festival management, its members or agents, and the owners and management of the grounds or location where the event is being held from any loss, damage or injury resulting from participation of above entry in this event. Scottish Fest goes on rain or shine. No refunds are given unless Purchase Protection is added to my order.