Parent Handbook. By the strong will of our community, children, parents and school district this program will be around for many more years to come.

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1 Parent Handbook The Fleetwood Area Youth Football and Cheerleading Association (FAYFCA) was established in 2003 and is open to boys and girls ranging from ages 5 to 13 (Kindergarten 7 th Grade). Our football program offers an opportunity to learn the competitive skills of blocking, tackling, passing and running. Along with these skills our coaches emphasize the importance of teamwork, fair play as well as good sportsmanship. The Cheerleading program teaches great spirit, good sportsmanship, and competitive cheerleading. Most importantly our entire program teaches how to have fun and be a part of a team. By doing so the entire FAYFCA program has grown and received recognition for its hard work and dedication. By the strong will of our community, children, parents and school district this program will be around for many more years to come. The FAYFCA football program is a member of the Berks Area Youth Football League (BAYFL), where children are grouped by grade/age, (not weight). BAYFL gives players the opportunity to play on a Junior Varsity (Saturday) or Varsity (Sunday) team depending upon their experience and ability. The FAYFCA cheerleading program is a member of the Berks Area Youth Cheerleading League (BAYCL) FAYFCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS *Executive Board denoted in Red/Bold text President Neil Devlin ndevlin@ptd.net Vice President Rob Adams r.adams@ketllc.com Secretary Josh Bower joshbower77@gmail.com Treasurer Chasitie Marcinkowski chasitie.marcinkowski@yahoo.com Football Coordinator Neil Devlin ndevlin@ptd.net Cheerleading Coordinator Carol Mulcahy Mulcahyc74@aol.com Football League Reps Michelle Philips mphillips8573@yahoo.com Brian Felker thelifesaver@hotmail.com Cheerleading League Rep Jennifer Handwerk mjh112898@verizon.net Equipment Manager Steve Moser steven.moser@aol.com Special Events Coordinator Honey Svoboda true.honey@hotmail.com The Address for FAYFCA is: FAYFCA, P.O. Box 546, Fleetwood, PA of 12

2 FAYFCA BOARD MEETINGS The Fleetwood Area Youth Cheerleading Association (FAYFCA) Board Meetings are open to the public and held on the FIRST MONDAY at 6:30pm of every month and are located in the Private Dining Room at Keystone Villa, 501 Hoch Road, Blandon, PA Go in Main entrance; take first hallway on your left. The Private Dining Room is the first room on your left. IMPORTANT WEB SITES The Fleetwood Area Youth Cheerleading Association (FAYFCA) maintains a web site: EVERYONE is encouraged to check the web site often. The website is the primary method FAYFCA communicates information, and contains important contact information. News, game/practice schedules, field locations, scores and special events information is all maintained on our website. We also have many important league documents as well as coach and parent resources. Many times during the season there will also be updated information, practice cancellations, game postponements, news, camps and other event is posted on the website. Berks Area Youth Football League (BAYFL) also maintains a website: Everyone is also encouraged to check this website. The website provides weekly scores, standings, schedules and links to other team web sites within the BAYFL. TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS FAYFCA will utilize a combination of our league website s text alerts (via LeagueToolbox) and RainedOut to notify parents in the event of things like game or practice changes/cancellations and other information. This is why it is very important to make sure all your contact information is correct on our league website. FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING REGISTRATION INFORMATION Registration dates and information are posted on our website as well as sent out in a bulletin given to the schools to distribute to the children, as well as on signs located in the community. Registration can be done via two methods: Online- during open registration at: (payable via credit/debit card) Mail-in - completed registration form and required fees: including Registration Fee, Game Attire Fee (if applicable) and Late Fee (if applicable) via check made payable to FAYFCA may be mailed to be received BEFORE the Registration Deadline to: FAYFCA, P.O. Box 549, Fleetwood, PA of 12

3 Registration Form: for mail-in registration, the form can be found on the FAYFCA web site Any Registration Form received after the Registration Deadline will be subject to a $25.00 late fee per player/cheerleader. Player Grade/Age Eligibility: The grade and ages for player eligibility for the various levels is set by the Berks Area Youth Football League (BAYFL) and is as follows: Flags: Kindergarten & 1st Grade, ages 5-7; (child is 5 before Sept 1 st, and cannot turn 8 before 12/31) Mighty Mites: 2nd & 3rd Grade, ages 7-9; (child is 7 before Sept 1 st, and cannot turn 10 before 12/31) Mites: 4th & 5th Grade, ages 9-11; (child is 9 before Sept 1 st, and cannot turn 12 before 12/31) Midgets: 6th & 7th Grade, ages 11-13; (child is 11 before Sept 1 st, and cannot turn 14 before 12/31) ALL 8th GRADERS MUST PLAY ON AN 8th GRADE TEAM REGARDLESS OF AGE. IF YOU ARE IN 7TH GRADE BUT TURN 13 BEFORE SEPT 1 st YOU MUST PLAY ON AN 8TH GRADE TEAM. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: The Registration Deadline is June 1. Any registration received after the Registration Deadline will be subject to the $25.00 Late Fee. Pursuant to the BAYFL By-Laws, the last day players can be added to a roster is September 30 th. Therefore, FAYFCA is not able to accept any registrations after September 30 th. REGISTRATION FEES: Registration fees are comprised of two components: 1) Activity Fee and 2) Game Day Attire. The Activity Fee provides for the Association to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for your child. The Activity Fee helps to offset costs, such as: use of facility fees from FASD, equipment reconditioning, practice lights, game day trainers, and insurance just to name a few. The Game Day Attire applies only to Mighty Mites, Mites & Midgets. It covers customized game day football jerseys and cheerleading bags and bows, all of which participants in good standing will keep at the conclusion of the season. For the 2016 season, the Game Day Attire component of the registration fee is $ **Game Day Attire does not relate to Flags. Football: Flags - $75.00 All Other Football Levels - $ $50.00 = $ Cheerleaders: Flags - $75.00 All Other Cheerleading Levels - $ $50.00 = $ of 12

4 Late Fee: ANYONE who registers after the Registration Deadline of June 1 will be required to pay a $25.00 late fee per player/ cheerleader. FUNDRAISING & BUYOUT In efforts to keep costs down, FAYFCA will require mandatory fundraising. FAYFCA has one mandatory fundraising program during the year (Lottery Cards & Football Mania). All other fundraisers during the year are optional. Each season, each player/cheerleader will be required to sell three (3) fundraiser cards. These can be sold in any combination of fundraiser cards (Ex: 2 lottery cards, 1 Football Mania card) during each season s fundraising campaign. FAYFCA recognizes that everyone faces many fundraising obligations throughout the year, and your time is valuable. However, due to the integral role that fundraising plays for our program, if anyone would like to opt-out of fundraising altogether, you would pay a $60 Buyout option, which would allow you to forego any fundraising at all. For families with multiple children FAYFCA will allow a multiple child Buyout scale option. Your first child, the Buyout is $60. Any additional children after that would be an additional $20. (Example: Someone with 2 children, the Buyout would be $80, if you have 3 children, Buyout would be $100, and so on). BIG CATS BASH FAYFCA s largest fundraising event each year is the BIG CATS BASH. This year s Big Cats Bash will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Berkleigh Golf Club, Kutztown, PA. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the event runs from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tickets for the Big Cats Bash are $35.00 each or two (2) for $ The event is for adults 21 years of age and older, and is open to the public. TACKLE YOUR FEES In 2016 we are introducing a new program called Tackle Your Fees, which will help families reduce the activity fees for football and cheerleading, in the form of a refund. FAYFCA requires each player cheerleader to sell a minimum of three (3) fundraising items. For every item sold over and above the third item FAYFCA will credit $5 back to the family to help offset registration fees. Families may sell enough items to reduce their fee completely, and any items sold after that will go to FAYFCA's fundraising effort. For all players and cheerleaders, the deadline for selling items to Tackle Your Fee is September 6th. FAYFCA RETURN CHECK POLICY All returned checks marked insufficient funds will be re-deposited one time. After that one time, or for any check returned for any other reason, there will be a $20.00 charge. You must pay the 4 of 12

5 $20.00 fee plus the amount of the check within 10 days after notice, in cash. You will need to clear up any outstanding checks with cash or money order prior to participating in or signing up for any activities related to FAYFCA. FAYFCA REFUND POLICY Football players and cheerleaders desiring to drop out of the program prior to equipment handouts (usually held the first week of practice) will receive a full refund in the form of a league check. Football players and cheerleaders desiring to withdraw from the program prior to September 1 st will receive a 50% refund in the form of a league check. Any equipment or other property of FAYFCA that is loaned to player/cheerleader must be returned prior to receiving any portion of the requested refund. Football players and cheerleaders desiring to withdraw from the program after September 1 st will NOT be eligible for a refund. All refund requests must be made to the President and/or Treasurer of FAYFCA in writing before September 1 st. Any refund request made on or after September 1st will be denied, with the exception of the policy described below under Football Player Rules regarding selection of Saturday and Sunday teams FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING PHYSICALS FAYFCA will not require nor provide physicals beginning in 2016 FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING EQUIPMENT GAME DAY ATTIRE (FOOTBALL): applies only to Mighty Mites, Mites & Midgets. It covers customized game day football jersey, which will have the player s number and last name on the jersey. All of which participants in good standing will keep at the conclusion of the season. **Game Day Attire fee does not relate to Flags. GAME JERSEYS: Players will now choose their jersey numbers, and that number will stay with them for the entire time they are in our program. In 2016, FAYFCA will do our best to accommodate all jersey # requests, but cannot guarantee that every player will get the number they want. Beginning the 2017 season, players entering the league will select their jersey number from a list of available numbers. CUSTOM JERSEYS: The jerseys with players assigned number and name on the back applies only to Mighty Mites, Mites & Midgets. (Flags will be issued a jersey, which must be returned at the end of the season). Custom jerseys will initially be ordered and purchased by FAYFCA but is the property and responsibility of the player once registration fee has been paid and jersey has been distributed to the player. Once distribution has taken place, if the jersey is lost or damaged (deemed unfit for game use, by a FAYFCA President or Football Coordinator) it is the 5 of 12

6 responsibility of the player/family to pay for the cost of replacing jersey. Families may also need to purchase a new jersey, if their child outgrows a jersey. FAYFCA will provide certain equipment to each football player and cheerleader. equipment will need to be purchased by the player/cheerleader. Other FLAG FOOTBALL: The following items will be provided by FAYFCA: Game Jersey (property of FAYFCA and must be returned at end of season) Game Pants Helmet Mouth Guard Flag Belt Flags MIGHTY MITE FOOTBALL: MITE FOOTBALL: MIDGET FOOTBALL: The following items will be provided by FAYFCA: Game Pants (with integrated pads) Helmet with Chin Strap Mouth Guard (maximum of 2 per season, any additional are $1) Shoulder Pads Rib Guard ALL Football Players are responsible for purchasing the following items: Cleats Practice Jersey Practice Pants (practice pants may be available for purchase from FAYFCA if available and on a first come, first served basis) Gloves (Lineman s Receiver s, etc., if desired) FLAG CHEERLEADING: The following items will be provided by FAYFCA: Cheerleading Uniform including Skirt and Shell 2 Pom Poms Rain Poncho Drawstring Bag (property of FAYFCA and must be returned at end of season) MIGHTY MITE CHEERLEADING: MITE CHEERLEADING: MIDGET CHEERLEADING: The following items will be provided by FAYFCA: Cheerleading Uniform including Skirt and Shell 2 Pom Poms Rain Poncho GAMEDAY ATTIRE (CHEERLEADING): A customized cheer duffel bag with Cheerleader s name/initials and cheer hair bows are part of the Game Day Attire fee, and given to Mighty 6 of 12

7 Mites, Mites and Midgets cheerleaders. These are initially purchased by FAYFCA, but are the property and responsibility of the Cheerleader once registration fee has been paid and it has been distributed. Once distribution has taken place, if the cheer bag or hair bows are lost or damaged it is the responsibility of the cheerleader/family to pay for the cost of replacing customized bag or hair bows. ALL Cheerleaders are responsible for purchasing the following items: Sneakers (to match entire team) Mock Turtleneck/Undershirt (Under Armour, etc.) or Body Suit Red Bloomers or Shorts for under the Cheerleading Uniform Skirt Practice shirt, shorts, sweatshirt and/or sweatpants ALL ITEMS ISSUED BY FAYFCA TO PLAYERS & CHEERLEADERS (EXCLUDING CUSTOM JERSEYS, CHEER DUFFEL BAGS & HAIR BOWS) ARE ON LOAN TO YOU FROM THE PROGRAM. THESE ITEMS MUST ALL BE RETURNED AT THE END OF THE SEASON. EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION ALL REGISTRATION FEES MUST BE PAID PRIOR TO RECEIVING EQUIPMENT. Football and Cheering equipment will be distributed to players/cheerleaders during the first week of practice at a date, time and location to be posted on the Website: Football Players/ Cheerleaders must be present to ensure they are properly fitted. o Cheerleaders are STONGLY encouraged to wear a bathing suit for proper uniform fittings. Players/ Cheerleaders not present at the time of equipment distribution must make arrangements with the FAYFCA Equipment Manager and the player s coach to receive their equipment. The Equipment Manager or his/her appointee(s) is the only person(s) with authority to distribute equipment. No stickers are to be placed on helmets without prior approval of the FAYFCA. EQUIPMENT RETURN POLICY The equipment, as defined in the equipment section of this Handbook is on loan to you from FAYFCA. FAYFCA equipment will be handed in at the end of the season. (Date to be announced check the Web Site: It is important that you follow all washing instructions. DO NOT USE BLEACH. Bleach breaks down the fiber in the material and causes yellowing over time. Even one washing in bleach will eventually ruin the cloth. Allow ALL equipment to air dry. NEVER USE THE DRYER! 7 of 12

8 Please encourage your child to take proper care of the uniform. Helmets are not to be sat upon, or thrown. If something you have malfunctions or breaks please bring it to your head coach as soon as possible so that we can replace it. Pom Poms should be transported in a bag of some sort, and not stepped on or carried by their fringes. If the uniform becomes damaged in any way please show the Equipment Manager and your coach as soon as possible. If you do not turn in your uniform, or damage it do to misuse or neglect, you will be billed accordingly. If you do not return your equipment, lose any part of your equipment, or damage equipment due to misuse or lack of care, you will be billed accordingly. Unpaid bills will be subject to civil action by FAYFCA to collect the amount owed, plus all fees and costs associated with collection. REPLACEMENT COSTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: Flag Football: FLAG JERSEY $25.00 FLAG GAME PANTS $10.00 FLAG HELMET $30.00 FLAGS $10.00 TOTAL COST $ $75.00 Mighty Mite, Mite and Midget Football: GAME PANTS $25.00 HELMET $ CHIN STRAP $15.00 SHOULDER PADS $ RIB GUARD $25.00 TOTAL COST $ ALL Cheerleaders: CHEERLEADING SKIRT $ CHEERLEADING SHELL $ POM POMS (PAIR) $ TOTAL COST $ *Prices subject to change based on pricing from equipment provider FAYFCA CHILD DROP-OFF POLICY Due to unexpected events such as sudden changes in weather, FAYFCA has adopted a strict drop-off policy for both football players and cheerleaders. If you cannot stay for your child s practices or games give the Head Coach or Team Parent a number where you can be reached in the event of an emergency or early termination of practice. This policy is strictly enforced. Parents are required to be at the field no later than 15 minutes prior to practice ending. FOOTBALL PRACTICE INFORMATION Practice is MANDATORY. The coaches may use their discretion to prohibit a player from practicing and/or playing in a game due to missed school, practices and/or behavioral issues. Practices are usually held at Richmond Elementary school, unless they need to be changed for some reason. Game pants and game jerseys will not be permitted at practices. 8 of 12

9 Flag Football Practice will typically start mid-august and will initially be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Once school begins, practices will be on Tuesday and Thursday also from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM through the end of the season. Mighty Mites, Mites & Midgets Football Practice will typically start the first/second full week of August for conditioning with shorts and t-shirts. As noted above, equipment handouts will usually occur during the first week of practice. Full pad workouts usually begin the second full week of August. Practices will be Monday through Thursday from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Once school begins, practices will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM and will continue on this schedule until the end of the season. Post-season practices for Playoff Games will be determined by the coaching staff as they see fit. Occasionally, practice may need to be postponed due to inclement weather, field unavailability, etc. Please continue to check the web site: for practice information. In addition to practices there will be scrimmages scheduled prior to the start of the season. Scrimmages are mandatory. Dates, times, locations, and team to be scrimmaged will be provided to the parents as soon as that information is available. Please continue to check the web site: for scrimmage information. FOOTBALL PLAYER RULES One of the main objectives of FAYFCA is to give every player an opportunity to learn and play the game of football. Based upon enrollment numbers we plan to have at least one (1) Junior Varsity/ JV team and one (1) Varsity team. The Varsity team will be chosen by the Varsity head coach and his staff. The remaining players will be placed on the Junior Varsity team. Varsity Teams Varsity teams are structured for competition. A player must play a minimum of 6 plays from the line of scrimmage. Kicks, extra points and penalties do not count as plays. The head coach may use his discretion due to missed school, practices and behavioral issues. Questions regarding the placement of players on teams should be directed to the Head Coach for that age level; with any unresolved issues being brought to the Football Coordinator. If further discussion is needed it will then be brought to the FAYFCA Board at the Monthly FAYFCA Board Meeting. Junior Varsity and Varsity teams will be announced at the discretion of the Coaches, in conjunction with the FAYFCA Board. If a player is selected to play on a Varsity team and does not want to play at that level, a request to be placed on the Junior Varsity team can be submitted to the Football Coordinator, who will take that matter to the FAYFCA Board. This request must be made in writing/ and received by the Football Coordinator within 48 hours from the time the teams have been announced. The parent or guardian may be asked to attend a special meeting of the Board to discuss any concerns of the team designation announcements. The FAYFCA Board of Directors will review the request and make a determination at that time. If 9 of 12

10 the player s request cannot be met FAYFCA will refund the player s registration fee upon the return of all equipment. Players who make a team roster for Varsity or Junior Varsity cannot play in any other in-season football leagues. That player would become ineligible under League rules set forth by PIAA. Per the BAYFL By-Laws, no player can change school teams during the season without League approval. A player who moves out of our territory and is registered to play for FAYFCA may still play for FAYFCA for the remainder of his or her career. Junior Varsity Teams Junior Varsity teams are structured for development. Teams must adhere to the League minimum play rule; however, the head coach may use his discretion due to missed school, practices and behavioral issues. League rules state that a player must play a minimum of 6 plays from the line of scrimmage. Kicks, extra points and penalties do not count as plays. Occasionally, Junior Varsity players are asked to participate in a Varsity game at their age level. Players who play in more than 50% of the plays at a Varsity game cannot play in Junior Varsity games. FOOTBALL CAMP INFORMATION FAYFCA provides opportunities for our youth to participate in organized camps for football players who participate in the organization. The camps are organized and conducted by the High School Football Staff, including a summer clinic. Separate fees are charged for the camp(s). The money collected in fees for these camps that are run by the High School go towards purchasing player shirts & shorts. Please check the website for information regarding the camps. CHEERLEADING PRACTICE INFORMATION Practice is MANDATORY. The coaches may use their discretion to prohibit a cheerleader from practicing and/or cheering at a game due to missed school, practices and/or behavioral issues. Practices are usually held at Richmond Elementary school, unless they need to be changed for some reason. Unless otherwise requested by your coach, Cheerleading Uniforms will not be permitted at practices. Pom Poms must be brought to every practice unless otherwise directed by your coach. Flag Cheerleading Practice will typically begin in mid-august and will initially be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Once school begins, practices will be on Tuesday and Thursday also from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM through the end of the season. Mighty Mites, Mites & Midgets Cheerleading Practice will typically start the first/second full week of August and will be held Monday through Thursday from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Once 10 of 12

11 school begins, practices will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM and will continue on this schedule until the end of the season. Competition Practices and Post-season practices for Championship Games may follow an alterbate schedule. Occasionally, practice may need to be postponed due to inclement weather, field unavailability, etc. Please continue to check the web site: for information. In addition to practices there will be scrimmages scheduled prior to the start of the season. Cheerleaders attendance at Scrimmages is mandatory. Dates, times, locations, and team to be scrimmaged will be provided to the parents as soon as that information is available. Please continue to check the web site: for scrimmage information. CHEERLEADING COMPETITION TEAMS All FAYFCA Cheerleaders will be a part of the Competition Cheer Squad. A cheerleader may opt-out and not participate in the Competition Squad, if she so chooses. Competition Cheer Squad will focus on exceling in the following areas: 1. Dance ability 2. Gymnastic ability 3. Timing Competition Team Requirements: The following rules are in place to ensure participation and most of all safety. If a cheerleader misses too many games/practices, they could become a liability for their safety, or the safety of a teammate, which may require their removal from the Competition Team. 1. Attendance (including school and practices). A cheerleader must be present and participating at 80% of the games to be eligible for the competition squad. a. If anyone is unable to fulfill the 80% game participation, the Cheerleading Coordinator review circumstances with FAYFCA to determine if the cheerleader may remain on the Competition Squad. 2. Attitude and overall sportsmanship throughout the season will be considered as well. 3. Once competition practices start, cheerleaders may not miss a practice without first receiving prior approval from the Cheerleading Coordinator, failure to do so, and anyone having more than one (1) unexcused absence could result in being removed from the competition squad. The BAYCL cheerleading competition is usually held on the first or second Saturday in November. If any participant on a FAYFCA cheerleading squad is also a member of any all-star cheering squad, they MAY NOT participate in the BAYCL competition. FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING SENIOR JACKETS 11 of 12

12 FAYFCA is very proud of its tradition to reward players & cheerleaders with a senior jacket (at the expense of the FAYFCA) at the conclusion of the Midget season to those participants who meet all of the following requirements: The participant must have completed their last year of eligibility with the organization. The participant must have participated in a minimum of three (3) consecutive years including their final year of eligibility. The participant must be in good standing, including payment of all outstanding amounts owed to FAYFCA. If any player has not met the above requirements, parents may purchase a senior jacket for their child TRAINER SERVICES Trainer services will be provided by a PA licensed certified athletic trainer or physician for all home games and away games for both the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams at the Mighty Mite, Mite and Midget levels. The athletic trainer or physician at the game is responsible for assessing any injured athlete, providing care as needed and determining disposition which could result in: return to play, referral for more in depth care, or other instructions as determined by the healthcare professional covering the game. Coaches & Parents will not interfere with evaluations of injured players. All decisions regarding an injured athlete s return to play will be determined by the healthcare professional, not the coaches and not the parents. Trainers can provide injury referral forms for the parents if referral is deemed necessary. Any athlete referred for further care will be required to provide a note from the treating physician in regards to return to play. 12 of 12