Mandatory Training Periods

Designate periods where session attendance is compulsory. Unapproved absences during these periods can automatically trigger fines.

Creating a mandatory period

1. Go to Absences in the sidebar
2. Click Create Mandatory Period
3. Set the start and end dates (e.g. "June 1 - June 30")
4. Select the teams this applies to
5. Set the fine amount per missed session (e.g. £10)
6. Add a description (e.g. "Pre-competition intensive training")
7. Save

Notifying parents

After creating a mandatory period, click Notify Parents to send an email explaining the dates, requirements, and fine amount. Transparency is key — parents should know about mandatory periods well in advance.

How fines are generated

1. A session occurs during the mandatory period
2. An athlete is marked absent (or doesn't check in)
3. If the athlete has no approved absence for that session, a fine is created
4. The fine appears on the parent's dashboard

Fines are processed automatically by a daily scheduled job.

Absence requests during mandatory periods

Parents can still request absences during mandatory periods. When they do, they see the potential fine amount upfront. If you approve the absence, no fine is generated.

Waiving fines

You can waive any fine from the fines management page. You'll need to provide a reason (illness, family emergency, etc.) for audit purposes.