Athletic Policies II
The Athletic Department provides uniforms to our athletes for use during the athletic season. We expect that uniforms be cared for and returned in the same excellent condition they were in when passed out. Parents are asked to follow the printed directions for the careful laundering of the uniforms and to return them after each athletic season. Parents are expected to pay the replacement cost for uniforms that are lost or damaged by our athletes. The athletic director will issue bills for unreturned uniforms beginning two weeks after a team's final event. In the event that a uniform is neither returned nor paid for, the athletic director may declare an athlete ineligible for the next athletic season until the uniform or payment is received.Back to Top
VIRTUS Training/Background Check Policies
The athletic department complies with school and Archdiocese policy requiring all adult volunteers who have student contact to perform VIRTUS training; this training educates volunteers about student safety. All adult volunteers with student contact must perform VIRTUS training prior to serving in their volunteer capacity. It's not within the Principal's or Athletic Director's authority to waive this requirement. The requirement for a BCA Criminal Background Check remains in place for all adult volunteers who will have student contact. It's not within the Principal's or Athletic Director's authority to waive this requirement. The confidential results of BCA Criminal Background Checks are viewed only by Saint Ambrose's Pastor and the School Principal.Back to Top
Saint Ambrose of Woodbury is a community that thrives on the personal energy and commitment of volunteers. Parents, alumni, and students are encouraged to volunteer in the service of our community by working at tournaments and playoffs, and the athletic director or a volunteer will contact parents by phone throughout the year to solicit help. Since our community is comprised of generous and energetic people, the department has faith that volunteers will be forthcoming without making volunteer hours mandatory.Back to Top
During the first three years of school the athletic department operated without bylaws or printed policies. The school principal and athletic director recognized the value of establishing these policies so that parents, athletes, and coaches could better understand the principles and processes that govern the extracurricular athletic program. To ensure that these policies accurately reflect the values of Saint Ambrose of Woodbury's parents, the athletic director convened a committee of involved parents to guide the writing process. Membership on the Athletic Policy Committee is a voluntary service to our community, and it is open to more parents who are interested in joining the group. Upon submission of these policies, the school principal and church pastor examined them and confirmed that they are suitable for adoption by our school.Back to Top
This document was pronounced finished and submitted for consideration to the school principal and church pastor on August 1, 2003. Changes to the Financial Policies were made July 30, 2004. These changes reflect a request from the parish business office to modify our procedures for paying coaches. The Team Creation Policy was amended in December 2004 to move the minimum number of players needed to create a basketball team to nine players. Experience demonstrated that smaller teams are not practical given our students commitment to other school and community events. The Study Hall Policy was written April 27, 2005 and inserted into this document beginning in September 2005.Back to Top
AD will organize teams, collect fees, monitor the athletic budget, and work with the CAA to place our teams in appropriate leagues. AD will recruit coaches for each team and train them regarding Saint Ambrose of Woodburys athletic policies. AD will purchase equipment and uniforms for the teams and or authorize reimbursement payments to coaches or parents who purchase items for the program. AD will work with school principal, maintenance staff, and coaches to consistently ensure the safest possible environment for games and practices. AD will recruit volunteers to staff special events and the concession stand. AD will treat every parent, athlete, and coach with consistent personal respect. AD will be available to parents as needed to address concerns arising in the athletic program. AD will systematically communicate policies, schedules, and other information to parents and athletes. AD will apply the team creation guidelines to determine the makeup of the school's teams. In the event that unexpected circumstances complicate this process, the AD will arrange teams that are fair and consistent with the philosophies of the TEAM CREATION POLICY. AD will coordinate the process of handing out, collecting, sorting, and delivering Medical Information Data Sheets to coaches for inclusion in each team's first aid kit. The athletic director, or a volunteer, will hand out and collect uniforms for each athletic season.Back to Top
Coaches will perform VIRTUS Training, the mandatory child-safety training program mandated by the Archdiocese and Saint Ambrose of Woodbury for all school employees and volunteers. Coaches will plan practices and communicate the schedule to the AD so that announcements can be made and websites can be updated. Coaches will teach the basic skills and strategies of their sport. Coaches will treat every athlete, parent, and referee/umpire with consistent personal respect. Coaches will track attendance at practices and games. Coaches will work to consistently ensure the safest possible environment and practices for our teams. Coaches will adhere to the Athletic Policies of Saint Ambrose of Woodbury especially where they address the issue of playing time. Coaches will practice good sportsmanship and model it for their teams. Coaches will work to ensure that players practice good sportsmanship. Coaches will address school and parent concerns with patience and self- control. Coaches are never responsible for transporting athletes other than their own children to/from away games and should refuse ride requests if possible. This policy protects the coach from liability arising from traffic mishaps. This policy also discourages the perception that the school handles transportation to/from athletic events. Coaches must remain present to supervise athletes after games and practices until every player on their team has been picked up. Only when every athlete has been picked up may a coach leave. Coaches, like all employees of Saint Ambrose of Woodbury, are subject to criminal background checks as a condition of employment. Coaches will keep the first aid kit and Medical Information Data Sheets present at every team event in case an emergency situation occurs. Coaches will return Medical Information Data Sheets to the AD after an athletic season so the sheets remain available to subsequent coaches. Coaches will visit the AD or school nurse as needed to ensure that the first aide kit is replenished with supplies throughout the season.Back to Top
Parents will adhere to the Athletic Policies of Saint Ambrose of Woodbury. Parents will register their athletes and pay the athletic fees during enrollment periods for each season. Parents for whom payment of athletic fees presents a difficulty may contact the Athletic Director or Principal directly to request a waiver of athletic fees. Parents should be available to work occasionally at tournament events or other athletic fundraisers if their schedules allow for it. Parents accept the responsibility of transporting students to and from athletic events that occur at Saint Ambrose of Woodbury or elsewhere. The school never accepts responsibility for student transportation. Parents should recognize that our athletes will likely need help managing their time to see that homework is always addressed. Parents who agree to carpool arrangements do so outside of school and at their own risk. The school never accepts responsibility for student transportation. Parents will treat every coach, athlete, referee, and other parents with consistent personal respect and model healthy sportsmanship for their athlete. Parents will communicate concerns and issues with coaches directly and do so with patience and self-control. (In general, communicating concerns and issues should be avoided immediately after games while feelings are running high. At the same time, the department recommends that issues be addressed in a timely enough manner that they do not drag out and linger over an entire season. Whenever possible issues and concerns should be addressed when all parties have had a chance to calm down and outside the presence of the athletes.) Parents will work to ensure that athletes attend every practice and game. Should an exception be necessary, parents and/or athletes should contact the coach in advance to explain the absence.Back to Top
Athletes will adhere to the Athletic Policies of Saint Ambrose of Woodbury. Athletes will accept coaching and stay positive during athletic seasons. Athletes will attend every team event unless ill. Should a family event or other commitment interfere, athletes will contact the coach and explain their absence in advance. Athletes will treat every other player, coach, parent, referee, and fan with consistent personal respect and behave responsibly at practices, home games, away games, tournaments, and end of season parties. Athletes must accept responsibility for regularly checking the website to check practice and game schedules. Athletes must accept responsibility for staying current with their school and homework. Athletes must learn to manage both school and sports. Athletes must listen to end of the day announcements or visit the Athletic Director during the school day to learn about scheduled games and practices. Athletes must return their uniform in excellent condition following the season. Athletes must play hard, have fun, and be supportive teammates.Back to Top