WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

ATHLETIC HANDBOOK Middle School and High School 2015-2016

Athletic Handbook 2015-2016 Mission Statement

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Middle School Athletics

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High School Athletics

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Sportsmanship

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The 24-Hour Rule

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Organizational Affiliation

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Programs Offered

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Insurance/Injuries

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Eligibility I. II. III. IV.

6-7 FHSAA Rules Club and Travel Teams Academic Requirements Team Commitment

General Policies I. Team Selection II. Tryouts III. Parent Information IV. Playing Time V. Practices

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Transportation I. Practices

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II.

Away Games a. Games in Dade County b. Games outside Dade County

Administrative Requirements I. Athletic Fees II. Physical Examination III. Parental Approval Form IV. Community Service Hours (FCA) V. Sports Supplies Designation

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Athletic Handbook 2015-2016

Mission Statement: The athletic program at Westminster Christian School provides an opportunity to learn life lessons, develop character and skills that will help our student athletes reach their full potential while striving for excellence and developing future Christian leaders.

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Athletic Handbook 2015-2016 Middle School Athletics: At the Middle School level, our goal is to lay an athletic foundation with quality skill development. The philosophy at this level is for all athletes to play on game day in order to further develop skills. The focus is striving for excellence in practice and games. For some sports due to size of teams cuts will have to be made. It is the goal of our Middle School program to give as many athletes as possible an opportunity to compete but we understand that in some sports not everyone can make the team. High School Athletics: At the high school level, our desire is to continue the quality instruction that was started in the Middle School athletic program. All of our coaches are encouraged to play to win but to do so in a manner which reflects the values of Westminster Christian School. What does this mean? It means we field a team that plays hard, fair and aggressive, strives for excellence with a drive to win, that also represents Christian values in victory or defeat. At this level there is no guaranteed playing time. The best team will be put on the field at the coaches’ discretion. For some sports due to size of teams cuts will have to be made. Sportsmanship: At Westminster, the way you conduct yourself during practice, at a competitive event, and after a competition is as important as winning or losing. Judgment calls - by coaches and officials - are made in good faith and should be respected. Spectators should support both of the teams by refraining from derogatory or demeaning comments. If for some reason a student athlete is fined by the FHSAA, the student athlete will be billed for the amount of the fine. Positive values like respect, self-control, and kindness do not undermine Westminster’s focus on winning or fostering a competitive intensity second to none. We appreciate your commitment as athletes, administrators, parents, coaches and students in exemplifying these values at every athletic event. Student athletes are expected to be dressed appropriately (shirts must be worn at all times). Proper language must be used in practice and games. It is important athletes represent Westminster Christian on and off the field. (including social media) Discipline will be taken for athletes not abiding by these rules.

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Athletic Handbook 2015-2016 The 24 Hour Rule: At Westminster Christian School we ask all parents to wait at least 24 hours before speaking to any coach about matters concerning a student athlete. We ask parents to abide by the following procedure when questioning any WCS coach: 1. Wait at least 24 hours 2. If at all possible, meet face-to-face 3. Be respectful and courteous 4. If the issue cannot be resolved a meeting with the parents, coach and Athletic Director will be scheduled. In meeting with the Athletic Director, please understand that playing time of student athletes will generally not be topics open to discussion. Organizational Affiliation: Westminster Christian School is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). As a member in good standing, we recognize and adhere to its guidelines and we submit to its authority in all athletics at the high school and Middle School levels. The FHSAA rules and regulations are outlined in its members' handbook, a copy of which is kept on file by the WCS Athletic Director and also by the upper school principal. (http://www.fhsaa.org/sites/default/files/attachments/2011/07/14/node-5337/201112_handbook.pdf) Programs Offered: Interscholastic offerings at WCS are the following: I. Fall Sports: Football Swimming Sailing

Girls Volleyball Golf

Cross-country Cheerleading

III. Winter Sports: Boys & Girls Basketball Cheerleading

Boys & Girls Soccer Sailing

Wrestling

IV. Spring Sports: Baseball Tennis Sailing

Softball Boys Volleyball Sand Volleyball

Track & Field Lacrosse

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Athletic Handbook 2015-2016 Insurance / Injuries I. Insurance: All student-athletes must have a primary insurance policy to participate in athletics here at Westminster Christian School. WCS offers a secondary insurance policy that will supplement your current coverage. This policy only takes effect when a student sustains an injury while participating for a WCS sanctioned athletic activity and outside medical services are needed. 1) With 14 days of injury, a parent of the injured athlete must come to WCS and with the athletic trainer fill out the Sentry (secondary insurance) claim form. The student-athletes primary insurance card must be present at the time the form is being filled out. 2) The claim form then gets submitted by the WCS business department after it is reviewed. 3) After All treatments/ medical services pertaining to that specific injury are completed and all payments are made from the primary insurance company the claim is reviewed by Sentry and the remaining balance or portion of the balance is then covered by secondary insurance. II. Injuries: All injuries should be reported to the Athletic Trainer, student's Coach and the Athletic Director within 24-Hours. In addition, any student athlete that has to visit the doctor for whatever reason must provide the WCS Athletic Trainer with medical release from the doctor before he/she is cleared to participate again.

Eligibility I. FHSAA Rules: As a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association, WCS follows the eligibility rules as outlined in the FHSAA handbook. Copies of this handbook are kept in the Athletic Director's office and in the Principal's office. Since the FHSAA eligibility rules are extensive and sometimes confusing, we ask parents to first address questions to the WCS Athletic Director. These eligibility rules cover a range of subjects, e.g. age, academics, transfers, outside participation, etc. FHSAA rules are available on the FHSAA website at www.fhsaa.org.

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Athletic Handbook 2015-2016 II. Club and Travel Teams: Westminster Christian School adheres to all FHSAA policies regarding Club and Travel Team participation and high school eligibility. If you are a transfer student and played on a Club or Travel Team affiliated with Westminster Christian School and transfer to Westminster Christian School within one year, you most likely will be ineligible to participate at the varsity level in that sport. III. Academic Requirements Westminster Christian School adheres to the FHSAA requirement that all student athletes maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average to be eligible to participate in athletics. The NCAA now requires, beginning with the class of 2016 a cumulative 2.3 for Division I eligibility. A GPA below 2.3 will result in an academic redshirt for the freshman year of college. IV. Team Commitment Playing on a team is an honor and a privilege. A high level of commitment is needed for a team to be successful. Once try-outs have been completed and the team has been established you are committed for the entire season. If you quit or are removed from a team during a season you may not go to another sport in that season. You may also not go to another sport in the next season until your current sport is over. This includes playoffs. Tryouts will be allowed for the next sport season but you may not begin practices and games until the previous season is over baring exceptional circumstances. You are expected to be on time, prepared (with necessary equipment), and focused through the entire practice or game.

General Policies I. Team Selection: The makeup of each individual team is at the discretion of the Head Coach. Middle School teams are made up of sixth, seventh and eighth graders. Junior Varsity teams are typically made up of freshmen and sophomores, and varsity teams are usually made up of freshmen through seniors. Exceptions may be approved by the Athletic Director after consultation with the Head Coach in each individual sport. Widespread participation is desired, especially at the non-varsity levels, and is encouraged, but team rosters may need to be limited in number. II. Tryouts: Tryouts will usually be held in conjunction with FHSAA starting dates found on the FHSAA website. Any interested student who meets the FHSAA and the WCS eligibility requirements may try out. Coaches determine which players will make up a team. There will be a maximum number of players for each team at each level of play. -7-

Athletic Handbook 2015-2016 III. Parent Information: After a team has been determined, the coach will call a parent meeting to go over logistical matters, expectations and requirements of the athletes and parents in regard to the season at hand. Parents will be given an opportunity to ask the coach and Athletic Director questions. IV. Playing Time: Determining how much playing time each player gets is up to the discretion of the coach. However, there are some general goals for which we will always strive. 

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At the Middle School level, instruction and active participation is a chief concern, and it is our goal that every athlete participates in every contest unless some type of discipline is involved. This does not guarantee, however, that every player will receive an identical amount of playing time in every contest. Junior Varsity teams will continue to develop the skills already started with the Middle School program. At this level the coaches will try and play everyone if possible. The JV team will be a feeder program for the Varsity. At the Varsity level playing time is not guaranteed. The program strives for excellence in practice and games and the best team is put on the field for competition.

V. Practices: All athletes are expected to be present and on time to all practices during the season of a particular sport. All student-athletes are also expected to stay at practice until dismissed by the coach.  Student-athletes should inform the coach in advance when absences are anticipated, if a student is in tutoring a note should be brought from the teacher, and determination of whether the absence is excused or unexcused will be according to the coach's discretion.  There will be no practices or games on Sunday or Religious Holidays.

Transportation I. Practices: It is the parents' responsibility to arrange for transportation to and from practices if not on campus. Athletes are expected to remain for the entire practice and to be picked up immediately after a practice session. We will make every effort to provide transportation for practices which are held off campus.

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Athletic Handbook 2015-2016 II. Away Games: A. Games in Dade County: The school will make every effort to arrange for transportation to and from all away games played by Westminster student-athletes immediately after school. However, when games are played later in the evenings the Head Coach can have the team meet at game site. Athletes will be allowed to ride home from a game site with their parents after the parent has communicated directly with the coach. B. Games outside Dade County: The school will provide transportation to and from games played outside of Dade County. Athletes are required to ride with the team to these contests accompanied by a member of the coaching staff. Exceptions must be authorized by the team coach and Athletic Director in writing prior to the departure. Athletes will be allowed to ride home from the game site with their parents after the parent has communicated directly with the coach.

Administrative Requirements I. Athletic Fee: An Athletic Fee of $150 is required in each sport to help finance the WCS athletic programs (Equipment, Player Packages, Etc...). Fees will be billed to the student athlete’s tuition accounts using the roster provided by the coach and paid directly to the school. II. Physical Examinations Each athlete is required to have a physical examination by a licensed medical doctor before participating in any sport at WCS. A student athlete will not be allowed to participate in tryouts, practices or games without proper documentation in the school training room. This includes the EL2, EL3, EL3CH and WCS participation form. III. Parental Approval Form: Each athlete must have a medical consent form signed by parents, notorized and on file at WCS. These are posted on the web site. Blank forms may also be obtained from the Athletic Department. IV. Community Service Hours: At Westminster Christian School we ask our student athletes to participate in community outreach programs sponsored by the Athletic Department and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

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Athletic Handbook 2015-2016 Sports Supplies Designation: While participating in sports at WCS, there are certain equipment items the school will supply. Some items are the property of the school and must be returned at the end of the season or a charge will be made to the family on their school account for replacement of the items.

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