Saint Robert Parish Athletics
SPORTS PROGRAM HANDBOOK

INTRODUCTION

The Sports Program Handbook contains the philosophy and the rules and regulations of St. Robert Athletic Program. Parents and students are to familiarize themselves with the handbook and are to return the Athletic Contract before participation in the Athletic Program. The Athletic Contract is located in the Appendix.

St. Robert Athletic Program

This handbook describes the philosophy, general rules, and guidelines for the St. Robert Athletic Program. The principal and pastor have the final say in the interpretation, application, and administration of the rules of the Program.

PHILOSOPHY

Participation in St. Robert Athletic Program contributes to the physical, social, and spiritual growth of the student/player involved and therefore, develops the student/player as a Christian person.

With this in mind, the philosophy of the St. Robert Athletic Program accordingly strives to:

  • provide a positive atmosphere in which both student/player and coaches enjoy the athletic activity
  • teach the basic fundamentals of the appropriate sport
  • teach good sportsmanship
  • teach the value of teamwork, cooperation and responsibility towards their team
  • promote true "Student/player"
  • create athletes who develop to their maximum potential in skills and attitude at their level
  • ensure players have fun while competing

This philosophy is to be apparent at all levels.

SPIRIT OF COMPETITION

Sports activities are designed to supplement the curriculum to help in achieving our mission of educating the whole child. Winning and losing are mere outcomes of sports activity. Abusive language, attitude, and manipulation of the rules to further winning are not "just part of the game." What is part of the game is the simple satisfaction of playing and the interdependence of teamwork, along with improving fitness and enhancing friendships. Without your opponent, you have no game, no contest, and absolutely no fun. You are indebted to them as they are to you. In a fundamental way, then, competing against an opponent is based on cooperation.

Upholding high standards of integrity and fair play acknowledges this idea of cooperative competition. An intentional violation of the rules, no matter how small, is considered cheating and a direct offense against these principles. All players are asked to exercise good judgment in caring for the safety of others as well as themselves. The goal of lifetime skills through lifetime sports offers meaning beyond that of a win or a loss, the memory of which often fades quickly. All players are asked to play within the context of the spirit of competition.

ACADEMICS AND CONDUCT

Student/athletes must maintain a C- or higher in every subject, with no D's or F's, and a 2- or higher in general conduct and effort, with no 3's or 4's. Students whose grades are in jeopardy will be placed on academic probation at progress report or report card period. Academic probation means the student may still participate in practices and games, but grades will be closely monitored. A further drop in grades will mean dismissal from the St. Robert School Sports Program until the next progress report or report card period. All cases are reviewable by the principal.

The coach or Athletic Director may restrict a student from participation for poor conduct while at practice or at any St. Robert's athletic activity.

Students who miss practice or have discipline problems may also be restricted from participation by the coach, Commissioner, or Athletic Director. Coaches must notify the parents, Commissioner or Athletic Director when any player has been restricted from participation. St. Robert practices and games take precedence over other extracurricular activities.

If a student is absent from school, he/she may not attend practice that day or play in a game scheduled that day. If a student quits a team without the approval of the Athletic Director at any time after initial sign-ups, he/she may be restricted from participation in the next sport. The principal may restrict a student from participating in sports. All sports fees are non-refundable.

PARENT PARTICIPATION

Parents are responsible for making sure their children get to and from all games and practices on time. Coaches are not responsible for transportation.

Parents are welcome at all games. We encourage you to come out and cheer your children's efforts. However, remember that children learn best by example. Please don't boo or yell at officials, opponents, or opponents' fans. Good sportsmanship should always guide our spectators, regardless of others' behavior.

Parent support is essential in all fundraisers to cover the cost of the program. No money comes from tuition. Volunteers are always needed as commissioners, coaches and assistants, scorekeepers, timers, judges at track meets, and workers for refreshment stand. If you are interested, please call the Athletic Director.

CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING COACHES

Coaches are volunteers devoting their time to helping our children.

Coaches will be assigned at the discretion of the Athletic board depending on the needs of the students and only after divisions of teams has been completed.

Coaches are picked without regard of race, color, or gender.

Coaches, either head or assistant, are identified by commissioners of individual sports and assigned by the Athletic Board.

Head Coaches must be at least 18 years of age. Assistant coaches may be less than 18 years old, but must have an adult present at all practices and games.

Coaches, either head or assistant, will not be able to coach the same group of students in consecutive sport season, unless no other coaches volunteer. (i.e., boys baseball and basketball, girls volleyball and basketball or cheerleading).

Track coaches are the exception of the above rule.

Coaches will arrive on time to practice and will end practice at the designated time. Coaches will not use profanity when speaking to students, refs, or other coaches. All coaches will submit to livescan finger printing requirement, prior to the start of a season or will not be allowed to coach.

PLAYERS AND PARENTS AGREEMENT

  • Habitual tardiness will result in disciplinary action
  • If you have to be excused from practice, you must call your coach.
    Excused Absence: illness, doctor's appointment, family emergency, school-related obligation or family related event
    Unexcused Absence: coach is not notified or any other activity non St. Robert's related
  • Be properly dressed:
    Practice: proper shoes, socks, and appropriate practice apparel as deemed by the coach
    Games: proper shoes, socks, and appropriate complete and clean uniform. No jewelry and hair clips.
  • Remember that we are guests of the facilities we use. Players, coaches, and spectators are responsible for leaving facilities as they found them upon arrival.
  • If you must wear a shirt under your game jersey, then it must be main color of jersey. If you fail to wear the proper game day attire, then you may not play in that game.
  • Do your required schoolwork and homework.
  • Report all injuries to the coaches.
  • When you are at practice, be enthusiastic and supportive.
  • Receive all encouragement and coaching from staff members and players in a constructive and positive manner. Give your full attention to the coach during practices and games.
  • You are responsible for your uniform. If a uniform is lost, stolen, or ruined, your $60 deposit will not be returned to you.
  • After a game, do not leave until the coaches have talked with you. Take all of your belongings with you.
  • Remember that you represent St. Robert School. Your demeanor, both on and off the court or field, is a direct reflection of the school.
  • Any behavior that is viewed by the coaching staff as inappropriate may result in revocation of the athletic privilege.
  • Player, parent and coach shall sign code of ethics at the beginning of each sport season.

FEES

The fees will be set each year according to the needs of the program.

The 2004-2005 fees are:

$70.00 per student, per sport, except Track.

$25 Track fee for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. A $10 Track fee for 5th grade students.

Additional Fee - $70 annual facility usage fee per student.

All sports fees are non-refundable.

A late fee of $25 if permission slip comes in after the due date.

PERMISSION FORMS

Parent's signature on the permission form, the emergency form, handbook agreement, and on the code of ethics must be on file and all fees paid before a student can participate in the sports program. Failure to do so may cause a student to become ineligible to play.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

If a parent has a grievance concerning the program, the following procedure must be followed:

  1. Discuss the matter with the coach.

  2. If that proves unsatisfactory, present the matter to the Girls' Commissioner or to the Boys' Commissioner of the particular sport involved.

  3. If still unsatisfied, put the grievance in writing and then present it to the Athletic Board.

  4. If still dissatisfied, present your grievance to the principal.

Note: Compliance with our grievance procedure is essential to our sports program.

UNIFORMS

St. Robert's uniforms are only to be used for St. Robert's games, not for use at practices or as play clothes. St. Robert's Athletic Board is the only provider of uniforms and athletic equipment. Uniforms and equipment not issued by the Athletic Board may not be used at any athletic event.

All team players will be responsible for the return of their uniforms upon the completion of the season for which the uniform was issued.

  1. A deposit in the form of a check or money order for $60.00 is required at the time of each uniform pickup.

  2. The check or money order will be returned when the uniform is returned in good condition at the end of each sport.

  3. If the uniform is lost, stolen, damaged, or not returned your deposit will not be returned.

THE SPORTS PROGRAM

St. Robert's offers a variety of sports for students in Grades 4-8. St. Robert School is a member of the Peninsula Parishes School League (PPSL). The rules of all sports that St. Robert participates in are governed by the PPSL.

All sports, all teams: To be eligible to play, all players must be present and listed in scorebook/line-up card at the start of each game.

EVALUATIONS

Evaluations will be announced prior to the season. Evaluators are chosen to be impartial to team's selections. All players are expected to attend tryouts. Any student who does not attend evaluations or is new to the school may have a separate evaluation or subject to team placement by the Athletic Board, Principal or Pastor before the rosters are due to PPSL.

GIRLS' PROGRAM

VOLLEYBALL:
The season runs from Mid-August through November.

TEAM

GRADE


Training

4

Cubs

5

Eagles

6

Lions

5, 6

Jr. Varsity

7

Sharks

7, 8

Varsity

8


BASKETBALL:
The season runs from mid-November to mid-March.

TEAM

GRADE

MINIMUM PLAYING TIME


Training

4

1/2 game

Cubs

5

1/2 game

Lions

5, 6

1/2 game

Eagles

6

1 quarter

Jr. Varsity

7

1 quarter

Sharks

7, 8

1 quarter

Varsity

8

1 quarter


TRACK:
The season runs from March through May.

Training

Grade 5 (girls and boys)

Competing

Grade 6, 7, 8 (girls and boys)



BOYS' PROGRAM

BASEBALL
The season runs from August through mid-November.

Each player must play 2 innings and bat once per game.

TEAM

GRADE

MINIMUM PLAYING TIME


Training

4

½ game (if roster permits)

Cubs

5 and under

½ game (if roster permits)

Eagles

6 and under

½ game (if roster permits)

Jr. Varsity

7 and under

2 innings and bat once per game

Varsity

8 and under

2 innings and bat once per game

 

 

BASKETBALL

The season runs from mid-November to mid-March

Team Grade Minimum Playing Time

Training 4 1/2 game

Cubs 5 1/2 game

Lions 5, 6 1/2 game

Eagles 6 1 quarter

Jr. Varsity 7 1 quarter

Sharks 7, 8 1 quarter

Varsity 8& under 1 quarter

 

 

TRACK

The season runs from March through May.

Training Grade 5 (girls and boys)

Competing Grade 6, 7, 8 (girls and boys)

 

Local participation rules of St. Robert School supercede PPSL participation rules.

 

 

POINT SYSTEM

 

Girls and Boys: Block requires 50 points

 

After earning a block, athletes receive an emblem for each sport in which they have participated.

 

Stars will be awarded for each 20 points earned after receiving all emblems.

 

Volleyball: Training Teams 5 points

Cubs 10 points

Lions 5 th g. 10 points 6th g. 15 points

Eagles 15 points

Jr. Varsity 15 points

Sharks 15 points

Varsity 15 points

 

Basketball: Training Teams 5 points

Cubs 10 points

Lions 5th g. 10 points 6th g. 15 points

Eagles 15 points

Jr. Varsity 15 points

Sharks 15 points

Varsity 15 points

 

Baseball: Training Teams 5 points

Cubs 10 points

Eagles 15 points

Jr. Varsity 15 points

Varsity 15 points

 

Track: 15 points

 

Cheerleading: Grade 7 15 points

Grade 8 15 points

 

 

AWARDS:

Sports Awards ceremonies are held after each sport to present certificates, blocks, emblems, etc. to those who participated in the Sports Program. Students participating in each of the three sports each year, from 4th through 8th grade, will receive a special participation award and be honored at the final sports award ceremony in their 8th grade year.

 

 

 

The Joe DeBono Sportsmanship Award, the Stella English Sportsmanship Award, and the Kenneth Cilia Spirit Award will be presented to 8th Graders at the graduation awards ceremony.

 

Joe Debono was the father of three of our graduates, Ann Maire, Joelle, and Joe. During the 1990s he coached several SR teams and was a friend to all of the students. When he died suddenly, his family asked to have this sports award given each year, in his memory, to an eighth grade boy who was an exemplary student/athlete and always displayed good sportsmanship.

Stella English lived on Oak Avenue, right across the street from St. Robert School. Her son, Dennis, graduated from here and so did her granddaughter, Meghan. Stella left funds to the school to establish an award each year to acknowledge an eighth grade girl who was a good student/athlete and who contributed 100% of herself to her teams.

The Kenneth Celia Spirit Award was established in the name of an outstanding young man who died during his time as a student here at St. Robert. Kenneth was spirited player and great student/athlete. His family began this award to acknowledge the student/athlete, boy or girl, who exemplified Kenneth's contributions to St. Robert and to the teams on which he played.

 

NON-PLAYING TEAM MEMBERS

Boys and girls who help out on teams, such as scorekeepers, timers, or managers are eligible for blocks and will receive the same points as the team on which they worked.

 

CHEERLEADING

All girls in 7th and 8th grades, with acceptable grades and conduct, are eligible to be school cheerleaders. Cheerleaders must be available to cheer throughout the basketball season. The cheerleading coach is assigned by the Athletic Board. Cheerleading is governed by the PPSL and Athletic Board.

 

 

2004-2005 ATHLETIC BOARD

 

Steve Belluomini Athletic Director

 

Jim Brown Men's Club Representative

 

Maureen McCann Women's Guild Representative

 

Chris Sigillo Principal's Representative

 

Dan Uroz "At Large" Representatives

Laura Davis

John Grealish

 

COMMISSIONERS:

Baseball Dennis Mitchell

Volleyball Colleen O'Reilly/ Terri Murray

Girls' Basketball

Boys' Basketball Joe Simpson

Track Arman Medina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATHLETIC PROGRAM CONTRACT

Students Grades 4 - 8

 

 

I have read and agree to be governed by the rules and regulations of St. Robert's Athletic Program.

 

 

FAMILY NAME ___________________________________

 

 

STUDENT SIGNATURE__________________ GRADE _____

 

STUDENT SIGNATURE__________________ GRADE _____

 

STUDENT SIGNATURE__________________ GRADE _____

 

 

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE _____________________

DATE _____________________

 

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE_____________________

DATE _____________________

 

 

 

Please sign and return this form no later than Friday, September 2, 2005.