2017 PLAYER AND CHEERLEADER INFORMATION HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 2017 PLAYER AND CHEERLEADER INFORMATION HANDBOOK Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work Vince Lombardi

2 Board of Directors & Coaches Board Members: Director: Assistant Director: Secretary: Treasurer: Heather Binder Adam Luebeck Jessica Richardson Jason Welch Coaches: Cheerleading Coach: Cheerleading Coach: Monica Jewell Heidi Jo Zenner 3 rd /4 th Grade Football: Brad Grube 3 rd /4 th Grade Football: Chris Ledden 3 rd /4 th Grade Football: Open 3 rd /4 th Grade Football: Open 5 th /6 th Grade Football: Roger Anderson 5 th /6 th Grade Football: John Werner 5 th /6 th Grade Football: Rob Godard 5 th /6 th Grade Football: Nate Weiler 5 th /6 th Grade Football: Dean Hafermann

3 July 19, 2017 Dear Parents, Cheerleaders and Players: Welcome to the 2017 Auburndale Area Youth Football and Cheerleading Program! Thank you for participating. We look forward to another successful season full of learning and fun. We ask that you read through this handbook to help you have a better understanding of what to expect during our upcoming season. Keep it available to answer questions as the season progresses. Some of the information provided at signup has been updated in this handbook. With your help we will continue to build upon the success that we have already realized. A program like this does not continue to function and grow without the dedication and support of its volunteers. This year we are asking that more parents volunteer in order to keep this program successful. Similar football organizations in the area require families to volunteer a certain number of hours or penalize with higher fees. By not making volunteer hours mandatory we hope that everyone will pitch in and help whenever needed. Included in this handbook is a player and parent code of conduct for your review. A coach s code was also provided at our recent coaches meeting. The hope is that this information will serve as a reminder of the values we seek to instill in our program. If at any time you have a question or concern please feel free to contact a board member or coach. Our website is a good source of information to keep you updated throughout the season. Thank you for your participation and support, we look forward to a great season! The Board of Directors

4 Helpful Information: Organization Website: Our website is Here you will find updated information regarding cancellations due to weather, game schedules, board and coach contact information, and other helpful updates. League: Our league consists of teams from Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Necedah, Stratford, Pittsville, and Medford. Some communities may have more than one team per grade level. Our season consists of six games with three being at home and three away. The schedule rotates, so we may not play some communities every year and some teams may have a bye during the season. Game Field Locations: Auburndale High School Medford High School North Road 1015 W. Broadway Auburndale, WI Medford, WI Marshfield Senior High Necedah Public Schools 1401 E. Becker Road 1801 S. Main St. (Hwy 80) Marshfield, WI Necedah, WI Stratford Pittsville Public Schools 401 W. North St Elementary Ave. Stratford, WI Pittsville, WI Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School th St. South Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

5 Practice and Game Days: Please arrive at practice and games on time. The team relies on everyone to be ready. Being late for practice causes coaches to repeat valuable information. Having even one player late for a game puts the game-plan in disarray. Please plan on arriving for games and scrimmages approximately thirty to sixty minutes prior to the game, or at the coach s request. Please be on time when picking up your child after practice. Water and Hydration: Please make sure players and cheerleaders are provided with enough water for practice and games. It is important that he/she remain hydrated regardless of the weather. Proper hydration does not start during practice, but should be ongoing throughout the day of practice. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day and bring water for practice. Site Safety: Our practices take place on the West (Back) side of the high school. 3 rd and 4 th grade are on the South field and 5 th and 6 th are on the varsity practice field. This can be a congested traffic area. When dropping off or picking up your child please watch for players and cheerleaders in the area. Please do not park on both sides of First Street. This creates a traffic hazard. Parents parking by the South field should only park on the North side of the street (facing East). School Grounds: Please remember that the practice fields, game field and all school grounds are drug free, alcohol free and tobacco free. The use of any of these items on school grounds is prohibited. Physical Exams: A physical exam is required for all players and cheerleaders to participate in the program. The form must be signed by both a physician and by the child s parent or legal guardian. This is in addition to the medical release form. A physical is good for two years. Alternate year forms are required to be completed outside the 2 year cycle. Participation at practice will not be allowed until the child has had a physical and the forms are turned in.

6 Team Pictures: Team pictures will be taken by a professional photographer. A special package will be available for purchase as a keepsake. Players and cheerleaders will need to wear their game uniform and equipment for the pictures. You are not required to purchase anything from the photographer but the entire team will be photographed, so everyone needs to participate picture night is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30th. The rain date is Thursday, August 31st. Weather Cancellations: Weather cancellations will be posted on our website at If severe weather is likely and we decide to cancel practice we will announce it via Remind. During practice, if lightning strikes are visible in the area we will cancel practice. Please keep aware of the weather in the event that your child needs to be picked up early. Scrimmage: Each year our league teams participate in a scrimmage. The scrimmage is an opportunity for teams to practice plays against some of our opponents. Scoring is not kept and coaches serve as the referees. It is important that all players participate in order to finalize our plans for the season. Players need to bring their helmets, practice pants, mouth guards, cleats, practice jersey, game jersey and a supply of liquids to last several games. Multiple field configurations are used, so parents may want to have lawn chairs along when bleachers are not available. Concessions are available. This year the scrimmage has not been determined yet.

7 Volunteers: Many similar football and cheerleading organizations in the area require participating families to volunteer a certain number of hours or they pay a special fee. We feel that our organization runs well without that, provided that each family volunteers to help whenever possible. A concession stand schedule will be planned for our three upcoming home games. Each family will be assigned a time to work in the concession stand. Every attempt will be made to assure that parents will not be scheduled at times that their child is playing. We are strictly a volunteer organization; therefore your help is needed to keep the program operating. There are many ways to volunteer including the following: Concession Stand - One of our main income producers for our program is the concession stand sales on game day. We need help obtaining the products, coordinating the workers, set-up and clean-up the concessions. All parents will be asked to provide assigned shifts in the stand. It is your responsibility to find a replacement if you cannot fulfill your assigned time. Please get involved as this is our primary fundraiser. Parent Representatives - Team Reps assist coaches and directors to hand out memos and communications regarding practice and game schedules. The Team Reps will also help the Concession Stand Committee to provide schedules to parent workers. Equipment Maintenance - Coaches and directors need help to distribute equipment and assistance with fixing any problems that players have with equipment throughout the season. Fundraising Committee - This committee will determine what fundraisers will be held this year. The committee will work with the Board of Directors to implement the fundraiser. Help with solicitation of team sponsors and individual donors. Game Day Help - We need concession workers, baked goods, chain-gang, scoreboard operators, someone to record game video for coaches, and post-game clean-up of the grounds following home games. Older siblings can also help. We can work together so that parents don t have to work when their child is playing. We need everyone to pitch in to make the day run smoothly.

8 Equipment: Football and cheerleading equipment is a large portion of our program s expense. In order to keep fees low we need players, cheerleaders and parents to keep their equipment clean and in good repair. Keep all equipment free of mud and dirt throughout the season. Equipment needs to be returned in October clean and free of dirt, mud and scuff marks. PLEASE DO NOT DRY PANTS IN THE DRYER Game jerseys should only be used for games, youth football night at varsity football, and picture day. It is the coach s discretion to allow players to wear their game jerseys to school on Fridays. If so allowed, players need to avoid situations where the jersey can become torn, stained or damaged. Players also need to remember that when they are wearing the jersey they are representatives of Auburndale Youth Football and Cheerleading and they need to be on their best behavior. Failure to do so could result in the loss of this privilege. Throwing or sitting on helmets will not be tolerated. Mouth Guard Instructions: 1. Bring a small pot of water to a full boil. Next to the boiling water, place a container of cold water, deep enough to dip the mouth guard into. 2. Hold the mouth guard into the boiling water for 10 seconds. Dip the mouth guard into cold water for 1 second. 3. Immediately place the mouth guard around the upper teeth. The mouth guard will be warm but will not burn. Instantly secure guard by pressing tongue against the back of the upper teeth and press the back of the mouth guard with thumbs into upper teeth. Leave the guard in mouth for 30 seconds. Bite gently and suck all air and water out until a tight fit forms around upper teeth. 4. Remove mouth guard and place in cold water. If you do not get a tight fit, repeat the procedure. For smaller mouths, the guard can be shortened by cutting along rib marks, just above the arrows, as indicated with sharp scissors. 5. Fold strap through helmet face-mask. DO NOT CUT THE MOUTH GUARD STRAP.

9 Refund Policy: It is the policy of Auburndale Area Youth Football and Cheerleading that Registration and Equipment Rental Fees are only refundable under the following circumstances: A Doctor s Excuse In the event that, upon examination by a Physician, the player/cheerleader cannot continue participating and, less than ¼ of the season has transpired, we will issue a refund. A written note from the Physician will be required. Moving In the event that, prior to the beginning of practice, the player/cheerleader moves out of the area and, due to this move, it is not feasible for the player/cheerleader to participate, we will issue a refund. For either situation, a written request for a refund will need to be provided to the Board for recordkeeping purposes. Awards: Our organization and our league put a high level of emphasis on academic success and teamwork. Individual performance awards are not given for athletic achievement. Instead, balancing football or cheerleading with school is rewarded. All players and cheerleaders will receive a participation medal. Players and cheerleaders achieving a B average or higher during the first quarter will receive an academic trophy. Grades must be submitted to the AAYFCA by November 24 th. Late submittals will not receive a trophy. to aayfca@gmail.com or send to AAYFCA, 6473 Elm Rd, Arpin, WI End of Year Awards Banquet: Each year we hold an informal banquet to celebrate our season and present the participation and academic awards. This is scheduled to be held on a Monday December 11 th, 2017 at 6:00 pm. More details will be provided later.

10 AUBURNDALE AREA YOUTH FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING Cheerleader and Player Code of Conduct: Put schoolwork first. Learning and good grades take priority over football and cheerleading. Organize time for schoolwork. Leave bad attitudes away from the field. Play for the fun of the game, not just to please parents or coaches. Play by the rules of the game. Do not use any form of profanity. Never argue with or complain to a coach or referee regarding a call or decision. Control your temper. Most of all resist the temptation to retaliate when you feel you have been wronged. Always give your best effort and work as hard as you can for your team and for yourself. Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not use deliberately rough tactics during a game. When a coach or official is talking everyone else is silent. Notify your coach if you are going to miss practice. Don t rely on a teammate to do it for you. Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve your skills and develop teamwork. Don t be a showoff or a ball hog. Realize that winning and losing are a part of everyone s experience.

11 AUBURNDALE AREA YOUTH FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING Parents Code of Conduct: Coaches, officials and board members are just like you. They volunteer their time to help make your child s experience a positive one. They need your support too. Refrain from coaching from the bleachers. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and honest effort are often more important than a victory. Parents should make every effort to get their child to practice and games on time. If there are circumstances that prevent him/her from being on time, the coach should be directly notified. Positive reinforcement is the best way to help your child achieve their goals and remove their fear of failure. It is very important to let children work through and establish goals to play themselves. Volunteer willingly to help the organization succeed and grow. Never use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco at AAYFCA games or practices. It is a violation of school regulations. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from this youth sports activity. Keep an appropriate distance from the playing field. Extra influences can be confusing to the players, coaches and officials. Keep in mind the ages of the children involved in the program. This is not high school, college or professional football and cheerleading. Remember that your child wants to have fun!

12 Third and Fourth Grade Blue Team All Games at Marshfield To be announced at a later date. Third and Fourth Grade White Team All Games at Marshfield To be announced at a later date. Fifth and Sixth Grade To be announced at a later date.

13 Handbook Acknowledgement Please sign and return by practice on August 8th. I have read and understand the player and cheerleader handbook provided by Auburndale Area Youth Football and Cheerleading. By signing below I understand and agree to comply with the Player/Cheerleader Code of Conduct, the Parents Code of Conduct and all league rules. Cheerleader/Football Player Parent/Guardian Print Name: Print Name: Signature: Signature: Date: Date: