Terms

Terms of Use

Effective Date:   |  Last Updated:

Company: WeAreKochi Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (Company Number: 16995208, with its registered office at 309 Broxburn Drive, Thurrock, RM15 5PH, United Kingdom (“Kochi”, “we”, “us” or “our”).

1. About Kochi

Kochi is an online listing and discovery platform operated by WeAreKochi Ltd, accessible via the website wearekochi.com (the “Platform”). The Platform allows freelance sports coaches (“Coaches”) to create profiles and list their coaching services, and allows players, parents and guardians (“Players”) to search for, discover, and contact Coaches in order to arrange private coaching sessions (“Sessions”).

Kochi does not employ, engage, supervise, manage, or take part in any Session. Kochi is not a party to any agreement, booking, or payment arrangement made between a Coach and a Player. All such arrangements are made directly and exclusively between the Coach and the Player.

2. Definitions

• “User” means any person who accesses or uses the Platform, including Coaches and Players.
• “Listing” means a Coach profile published on the Platform, including any text, images, pricing, qualifications, and availability information.
• “Content” means any information, text, images, reviews, messages, or other material submitted to or displayed on the Platform by a User.
• “Session” means any coaching session, lesson, or related arrangement made between a Coach and a Player, whether arranged through the Platform or otherwise.
• “Subscription” means a paid plan (Basic or Pro) made available to Coaches as described in Section 11.

3. Acceptance of These Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using the Platform in any capacity, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use, together with our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.

If you are accessing or using the Platform on behalf of a child or another individual (for example, a parent or guardian registering a young player), you confirm that you have the authority to accept these Terms on their behalf and that you accept responsibility for their use of the Platform.

4. Eligibility and Age Requirements

• Coaches must be at least 18 years old and legally entitled to work as a freelance coach in the United Kingdom.
• Players who are 18 or over may register and use the Platform directly.
• Players under the age of 18 may not create their own account. A parent or guardian must register on the young player’s behalf, accept these Terms, and remain responsible for arranging and supervising any Sessions.
• Kochi reserves the right to request proof of age or identity at any time and to suspend or remove accounts where eligibility requirements are not met.

5. Account Registration and Security

To access certain features, Users must register for an account. Users agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and keep it up to date;
• Keep login credentials confidential and not share their account with any other person;
• Notify Kochi promptly at info@wearekochi.com if they suspect any unauthorised use of their account.

Users are responsible for all activity that takes place under their account, except where that activity results from a security failure on Kochi’s part.

6. Coach Verification and Safeguarding

Coaches must provide evidence of a valid DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, or equivalent criminal record check, before their Listing is approved and published. Coaches must keep this information up to date and notify Kochi promptly of any change in their DBS status or any circumstance that may affect their suitability to work with children or vulnerable adults.

Kochi reserves the right to reject, suspend, or remove any Listing or account at its discretion, including where:

• Verification documents are not provided, expire, or are found to be inaccurate or fraudulent;
• Kochi receives a credible safeguarding concern or complaint about a Coach;
• A Coach’s conduct breaches these Terms or applicable law.

While Kochi takes reasonable steps to verify the information Coaches provide, Kochi does not guarantee the accuracy of any DBS check, qualification, or other credential displayed on a Listing. Players and parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to carry out their own checks and due diligence before booking any Session, particularly where a child will be involved.

7. Use of the Platform

7.1 Coaches

• Coaches are responsible for the accuracy of all information on their Listing, including qualifications, experience, pricing, availability, and DBS/CRB status.
• Coaches must not misrepresent their identity, qualifications, experience, insurance, or verification status.
• Coaches are responsible for maintaining appropriate safeguarding practices, professional conduct, and (where applicable) suitable insurance for all Sessions they deliver.
• Coaches are solely responsible for arranging, conducting, and being paid for their Sessions, and for complying with all applicable laws, including tax and self-employment obligations.

7.2 Players

• Players (or their parent/guardian, where applicable) are responsible for assessing the suitability of any Coach before making contact or booking a Session.
• Players make their own arrangements directly with Coaches, including agreeing on price, location, timing, and any other terms of a Session.
• Players must provide accurate information when contacting Coaches and must not use the Platform to harass, defraud, or mislead any Coach.

8. Acceptable Use

When using the Platform, Users must not:

• Post false, misleading, defamatory, abusive, discriminatory, or unlawful Content;
• Impersonate any person or misrepresent an affiliation with any person or organisation;
• Use the Platform to harass, threaten, or discriminate against any other User;
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Platform, other accounts, or any underlying systems;
• Use automated tools (including scraping or bots) to extract data from the Platform without prior written consent;
• Use the Platform for any purpose other than the discovery, listing, or facilitation of legitimate sports coaching services.

Kochi may remove Content, suspend accounts, or restrict access where it reasonably believes this Section has been breached.

9. Content and Intellectual Property

Users retain ownership of the Content they submit (such as profile text, photos, and reviews). By submitting Content, you grant Kochi a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, display, reproduce, and distribute that Content for the purpose of operating, promoting, and improving the Platform.

All other elements of the Platform — including the Kochi name, logo, branding, design, software, and underlying technology — are owned by or licensed to WeAreKochi Ltd and may not be copied, reproduced, or used without prior written permission.

10. Reviews and Ratings

Reviews must reflect a genuine experience with a Coach or Player and must not be defamatory, fraudulent, or posted in exchange for payment or other incentive. Kochi reserves the right to remove or moderate any review that breaches these Terms, including reviews that appear to be fake, abusive, or unrelated to a genuine Session.

11. No Employment, Agency, or Booking Relationship

Coaches are independent, self-employed professionals. Nothing in these Terms creates an employment, partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship between Kochi and any Coach or Player. Kochi makes no commitment as to the volume, frequency, or value of any work or bookings a Coach may receive through the Platform.

Kochi does not process bookings or payments for Sessions. Any agreement for a Session, including price, scheduling, cancellation, and payment, is a matter solely between the Coach and the Player.

12. Subscriptions and Fees

Kochi will be free to use for both Coaches and Players for the first six months following launch. After this period, Coaches will have the option to subscribe to a Basic or Pro membership plan, with pricing and features communicated in advance via the Platform and/or email.

• Subscription fees are billed in advance on a recurring basis (monthly or annually, as selected).
• Users may cancel a Subscription at any time, with cancellation taking effect at the end of the current billing period.
• Where required by the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, Users have the right to cancel a new Subscription within 14 days of purchase for a full refund, provided the paid features have not yet been substantially used. Outside of this statutory right, Subscription fees are non-refundable except where required by law.

Players are never charged by Kochi for browsing Listings or contacting Coaches. Any fees for Sessions themselves are agreed and paid directly between Coach and Player.

13. Liability

Kochi provides a platform for discovery and does not organise, supervise, or take part in Sessions. To the fullest extent permitted by law, WeAreKochi Ltd shall not be liable for:

• Any injury, illness, loss, or damage arising from or in connection with a Session arranged via the Platform;
• Any act, omission, misconduct, or negligence of a Coach or Player;
• Any dispute, disagreement, or breach of arrangement between a Coach and a Player;
• The accuracy, completeness, or currency of any Listing, review, or other Content posted by a User;
• Any indirect, special, or consequential loss, including loss of income, business, or opportunity, arising from use of the Platform.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits Kochi’s liability for death or personal injury caused by Kochi’s own negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability which cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Subject to the paragraph above, Kochi’s total aggregate liability to any User arising out of or in connection with these Terms or use of the Platform shall not exceed the greater of (a) the total Subscription fees paid by that User to Kochi in the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) £100.

14. Indemnity

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless WeAreKochi Ltd, its directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, losses, liabilities, and reasonable expenses (including legal fees) arising from their breach of these Terms, their use of the Platform, or any Session they arrange or conduct.

15. Third-Party Links and Services

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services (for example, social media pages or payment providers used directly between Users). Kochi has no control over, and accepts no responsibility for, the content, policies, or practices of any third-party site or service.

16. Suspension and Termination

Kochi may suspend or terminate any account, or remove any Listing or Content, at its discretion and without prior notice where it reasonably believes these Terms have been breached, where required by law, or where necessary to protect the safety of Users or the integrity of the Platform.

Users may close their account at any time by contacting info@wearekochi.com. Closing an account does not affect any rights or obligations that arose prior to closure, including in respect of Sessions already arranged.

17. Community Commitments

WeAreKochi Ltd is committed to creating positive social impact. A portion of Kochi’s annual profits will be directed towards community initiatives, which may include:

• Funding coaching qualifications for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK;
• Funding free coaching sessions for young people from underprivileged communities, including partnerships with schools;
• Supporting the construction of schools and sports facilities in under-resourced communities in Africa.

Further details are available on our Community Goals page. These commitments reflect our intended approach and do not create a contractual entitlement for any individual User.

18. Data Protection and Privacy

Kochi processes personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Details of what data we collect, how it is used, and the rights Users have over their data are set out in our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

19. Complaints

If a User has a complaint about another User, a Listing, or any aspect of the Platform, they should contact us at info@wearekochi.com with full details. We will review and respond to complaints within a reasonable time, and may take action including removing Content, suspending accounts, or escalating safeguarding concerns to the appropriate authorities where necessary.

20. Force Majeure

Kochi shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to technical failures, internet outages, or events affecting our hosting providers.

21. Amendments to These Terms

Kochi may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in the law, our services, or how the Platform operates. The updated Terms will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Where changes are material, we will take reasonable steps to notify registered Users, such as by email or a notice on the Platform. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

22. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, save that consumers resident elsewhere in the UK may also be entitled to bring proceedings in their local courts.

23. General

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between the User and WeAreKochi Ltd regarding use of the Platform, and supersede any prior agreements or understandings.

24. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms of Use, please contact us at:

• Email: team@wearekochi.com
• Address: 309 Broxburn Drive, Thurrock, RM15 5PH, United Kingdom