Terms of Service.

1. Introduction

Welcome to VOLOCOACH. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) form a legally binding agreement between you (“you”, “User”) and VOLOCOACH LIMITED, a company incorporated in England and Wales (Company Number: 16916102, Registered Office: 128 City Road, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 2NX) (“VOLOCOACH”, “we”, “us”, “our”).

By creating an account, downloading, or using the VOLOCOACH mobile application (the “App”), you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the App.

2. Nature of the Service (Marketplace Model)

2.1 Platform Role

VOLOCOACH operates an online marketplace platform that enables users seeking sports coaching (“Learners”) to connect with independent sports instructors (“Coaches”).

VOLOCOACH:

• Does not provide coaching services;
• Is not a party to any contract between Learners and Coaches;
• Provides technology, booking, and payment facilitation services only.

For the avoidance of doubt, VOLOCOACH does not control, supervise, direct, or guarantee the content, manner, quality, safety, or outcome of coaching services.

2.2 Independent Coaches

Coaches operate as independent professionals running their own businesses. They are not employees, agents, partners, or representatives of VOLOCOACH. No employment, agency, partnership, or exclusivity relationship is created.

2.3 Contract Between Users

When a Learner books a session, a direct and legally binding contract is formed solely between the Learner and the Coach. VOLOCOACH bears no responsibility for the performance or conduct of either party.

2.4 Payments

For convenience only, VOLOCOACH acts as a limited payment collection agent for Coaches, solely for the purpose of facilitating payments through the App.

3. Account Registration & Eligibility

3.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account. Bookings for minors must be made by a parent or legal guardian using their own account. VOLOCOACH does not verify parental authority and relies on the User’s representations.

3.2 Role Switching

Users may switch between Learner and Coach profiles within the App. You remain responsible for all activity under each role.

3.3 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials.

4. Coach-Specific Obligations

By offering services as a Coach, you represent and warrant that:

4.1 Qualifications

You hold all required qualifications and have the legal right to work in the UK.

4.2 Insurance

You maintain valid Public Liability Insurance.

4.3 Taxes

You are solely responsible for all taxes and HMRC obligations.

4.4 Data Protection

You act as an independent data controller for Learner data obtained through the platform, subject to VOLOCOACH acting as an independent or joint data controller where applicable.

Learner data must not be used for marketing or stored outside the platform for unrelated purposes.

Exception:

Coaches may temporarily process Learner contact details on their personal devices solely for facilitating a specific booked session (e.g., phone calls), provided such data is not retained after the session.

4.5 Background Checks

DBS verification does not constitute a suitability guarantee.

5. Payments & Fees

5.1 Payment Processing (Pre-Authorisation)

• Request Stage: A temporary pre-authorisation hold is placed.
• Capture Stage: Funds are captured only upon Coach confirmation.
• Release: Holds are released if the request expires, is declined, or cancelled while pending.

5.2 Fees

Fees are displayed prior to booking and may include Session Fees, Venue Fees, and a VOLOCOACH Service Fee.

5.3 Coach Payouts

Coaches must maintain an active Stripe Connect account. Payout timing is subject to Stripe’s terms. VOLOCOACH does not operate a wallet or escrow service.

6. Cancellations, Refunds & Validity

6.1 Single Lessons

Refund Eligibility: A refund requires meeting both of the following conditions:

• Booking was requested within the past 24 hours; AND
• Lesson start time is more than 24 hours away.

Important Exclusions:

• Venue Fees: Represent third-party costs and are non-refundable once booked, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
• Cooling-Off Period: Does not apply to lessons scheduled to start within 24 hours.
• Service Fee: Where a refund is issued during the Cooling-Off Period, the Lesson Fee will be refunded. The VOLOCOACH Service Fee is non-refundable unless the cancellation is caused by the Coach.

6.2 Package Lessons

• Confirmed Packages are final and non-refundable.
• Packages are valid for 12 months from confirmation.
• Unused lessons expire without cash value.

6.3 Rescheduling & Weather

• Learner-Initiated: Rescheduling within 24 hours is subject to Coach discretion.
• Coach-Initiated: If rescheduling results in cancellation, the Learner is entitled to a full refund (including service fees).
• Adverse Weather: Lessons affected by adverse weather may only be rescheduled (not cancelled/refunded).

Note: For outdoor sessions, the Coach has primary discretion to determine if weather conditions require rescheduling.

6.4 No-Shows

• Learner No-Show: Non-refundable.
• Coach No-Show: Results in a full refund and may lead to account suspension.

6.5 Consumer Law Override

Nothing in these Terms limits your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 or other applicable consumer protection laws.

7. User Conduct & Anti-Circumvention

Users must not circumvent the platform to book directly. VOLOCOACH may suspend accounts and charge an administrative fee of up to £100 where reasonably proportionate to costs incurred.

8. AI Features & User Content

AI Generation: AI-generated content is provided for convenience only and may contain inaccuracies. Audio data is processed solely for summarisation and is permanently deleted within 24 hours after text generation. You grant VOLOCOACH a limited licence to display generated content.

Smart Voice Notes (Audio Recording): Where a Coach utilises the audio recording feature, the Coach represents and warrants that they have obtained the Learner’s explicit consent prior to recording.

The Coach acknowledges and agrees that:

• Audio recording is strictly optional for the Learner;
• Recording must not be a mandatory condition for coaching; and
• The Coach is solely responsible for ensuring consent is validly obtained under data protection laws.

VOLOCOACH does not independently verify consent and shall not be liable for any claims arising from a Coach’s failure to obtain valid consent.

9. Risk & Liability

Assumption of Risk: Users voluntarily assume all risks associated with sports activities.

Platform Liability: VOLOCOACH is not liable for acts or omissions of Coaches or Learners.

Liability Cap: To the maximum extent permitted by law, VOLOCOACH’s total liability is limited to the total service fees paid by you in the preceding 12 months.

Exclusions: Nothing limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or fraudulent misrepresentation.

10. Termination

VOLOCOACH may suspend or terminate accounts for breaches, misuse of data, or unsafe conduct.

11. Changes

Continued use of the App after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction.

13. Contact

For any questions regarding these Terms, please contact us at: 📧 support@VOLOCOACH.com