INFORMATION guide.

Transcription

1 INFORMATION guide

2 INFORMATION guide Table of Contents Welcome 1 Mission Statement 2 Tackle Football 3 KSL Weight Chart 3 Heads Up Football 6 Flag Football 7 Field Squad Cheerleading 8 Player/Cheerleader Responsibilities 9 Coach s Ethics & Responsibilities Parent Responsibilities 12 Organizational Information Contact Info Family & Friends Sponsorships 17

3 INFORMATION guide Welcome to the Willow Grove Bears: Celebrating 25 Years ! The Willow Grove Bears Football Club, located in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania was founded in 1991 and is proud to provide football and cheerleading opportunities for children aged 5 to 15. A member of the Keystone State Midget Football League, the Bears play tackle football against other area clubs in five weight classes. We also offer non-contact flag teams for 4 and 6 year old players. Our cheerleaders entertain the crowds at every football game. Safety is our primary concern. Many of the exercises, drills and team rules are there to ensure that your player or cheerleader is physically and mentally fit for football or cheer. Each child is unique and will develop at their own pace. We hope that this season we will help develop new skills and confidence for each participant in the Willow Grove Bears Football Club. 1

4 INFORMATION guide The Willow Grove Bears Mission Statement The goal of the Willow Grove Bears Football Club is to develop and promote the ideals of responsibility, hard work, sportsmanship, teamwork and fellowship within a safe and positive environment. The individual growth of our community's children is enhanced through the spirit of competition, discipline and fair play. These goals will be accomplished by providing a structured program designed to educate both participants and parents in all aspects of football and cheer. The Willow Grove Bears are committed to providing a program that maintains the highest standards and guarantees a fun, positive experience for everyone involved. 2

5 Tackle Football The Bears compete in tackle football in the Keystone State Football League in five weight classes. Team weight classes are defined by the lower end of that weight class e.g. 55 Lb. team 55 Lbs. is the starting weight (players lighter than 55 lbs. are still eligible to play if the correct age). Older-lighter players (Specials) have specific weight guidelines that require older players to be significantly lighter than younger players to ensure player safety Football Weight & Age Chart TEAM AGES WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 WEEK 5 WEEK 6 WEEK 7 WEEK 8 WEEK 9 PLAYOFFS +2 lbs. 55 LB 6 yr. old/all 7 yr. old/all 8 yr. old/jul-dec LB SPECIAL SUPER SPECIAL 8 yr. old/jan-jun 9 yr. old/all 10 yr. old/jul-dec 10 yr. old/jan-jun = = = LB SPECIAL SUPER SPECIAL 10 yr. old/all 11 yr. old/all 12 yr. old/jul-dec 12 yr. old/jan-jun = = = LB SPECIAL 12 yr. old/all 13 yr. old/jul-dec 13 yr. old/jan-jun = = LB NO SPECIAL 13 yr. old/jan-jun 14 yr. old/all 15 yr. old/jul-dec (2016) = LB NO SPECIAL 3

6 Tackle Football In order to participate, each player must have the following completed and turned in to the club: An Athletic Emergency Information/Authorization form. Proof of date of birth. Registration fees must be paid in full or other arrangements with the Board President must be made prior to the beginning of practice. All new players and returning veteran players who need new cards are required by the KSL to report to league ID card picture day with the following: Birth certificate Copy of birth certificate Players that do not have a valid KSL ID card will not be allowed to participate in league games! Keystone State League ID Card Picture Day A very important piece of league business is making certain each football player has valid league photo ID card. These ID cards are used during the weigh-in process before games and ensure all teams and players are competing fairly. Please note This should not be confused with the team/individual picture day. This is for league ID cards. Team pictures will be taken at another date to be announced. 4

7 Tackle Football Tackle Football practice will begin the first week in August at the UM Middle School fields. Helmets and cleats only for tackle football during the 1st week of practice. Practices will be held Monday through Thursday at 6 PM. Practices will usually be 2 hours long, including water breaks. After school begins, practices will be held two to three days a week (coach s decision). Missed Practices In the event you cannot be at a practice, it is mandatory that one of the coaches are notified prior to practice. Coaches will determine what, if any, actions will be taken for missing practices. Some actions may be: Prohibit the participant from starting the next game. Limit the player s playing time (coordinated with the parent and player prior to the game). Player attends but is not allowed to play in the game (extreme cases only). Football Dress Code Coaches will determine what uniform/equipment items will be needed at practice. Game uniforms should not be used during practice and vice versa. Mouth guards are required at all times. Approved shoes must be worn and shoes cannot have removable cleats. Players should bring a full water bottle to each practice and game. Equipment The club will provide all necessary football equipment, with the exception of shoes, practice pants and other personal type pads, many players opt to get their own chin straps and mouth guards. Upon return of the equipment at the end of the season an inventory will be taken and any missing equipment will be paid for at that time. Parents will also be asked to pay for any misused or broken equipment showing damage above normal wear. All equipment must be turned-in clean and washed. Please follow washing instructions carefully. 5

8 Heads Up Football Learn more: Education & Certification The coaching staff of the Willow Grove Bears is a Heads Up accredited club, with access to a comprehensive collection of resources, programs, applications and promotions to create change and address the complex challenges of player health and safety in youth football. Key Components: Education & Certification Equipment Fitting Concussion Recognition & Awareness Heat & Hydration Heads Up Tackling Heads Up Tackling USA Football s Heads Up Tackling is a step-by-step protocol to teach the core principles of the skill and sets a new standard in player safety. The program utilizes five fundamentals through a series of drills to reinforce proper tackling mechanics and teach players how to properly tackle with a focus on reducing helmet contacts. Only allow your child to play when you know that USA Football certification is there for the coach & you know that your child is being taught the proper fundamentals of the game & that real intelligence has gone into the preparation of practices. Tom Coughlin Head Coach, New York Giants 6

9 Flag Football The Willow Grove Bears Flag Football program is an instructional program that introduces participants to the concepts of the sport of football and prepares them to move on to the tackle program. Ages Flag football is open to participants 4 to 6 years of age. Season The Flag Football season starts in mid-august, with two practices a week until games begin, then there will be two game nights a week (subject to change until league schedule is set). Coaches are on the field with the players giving instruction during games. There are no weight requirements for flag football. Practice Flag Football practice will begin the second week of August at the UM Middle School fields. On the offensive side of the ball, players will learn the fundamentals of throwing and catching a football, as well as running and maneuvering through a defense. They will also learn the proper method for taking a hand-off and how to run basic pass routes. On the defensive side of the ball, players will learn the fundamentals of pass coverage and run reaction. They will learn the concepts of zone and man-to-man defensive skills, as well as the fundamentals of defensive footwork and pre-tackling skills. Most importantly, players will learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. While there is a competitive component to the structure of the league, The Willow Grove The Bears Flag Football program is committed first and foremost to the concepts of fair play and good sportsmanship while teaching children to love the game of football. The game of flag football is a fast-paced, non-contact game played between teams of five players. Each player on the offense and defense wears a set of flags. Tackles are made by pulling the flag out of the belt. All physical contact is strictly monitored for the safety of the players. The Willow Grove Bears Flag Football program is centered around skill development on both offense and defense. 7

10 Field Squad Cheerleading Our cheerleaders entertain the crowds and cheer on our football players at all Willow Grove Bears football games, home and away. Missed Practice (Field Squad) In the event you cannot be at a practice, it is mandatory that one of the coaches is notified prior to practice. Coaches will determine what, if any, actions will be taken for missing practices. Requirements In order to participate, each cheerleader must have the following completed and turned in to the club: An Athletic Emergency Information/Authorization form. Registration fees must be paid in full or other arrangements with the Board President must be made prior to the beginning of practice. Practice Cheerleading Field Squad practice will begin the first week of August at the UM Middle School fields. Practices will be held Monday through Thursday at 6 PM. Practices will usually be 2 hours long (1 hour for the youngest squad), including water breaks. After school begins, field squads will only practice prior to games. Practice Dress Code White sneakers or close to white. NO BLACK SNEAKERS! Earrings must be studs, no dangling earrings 8

11 Player/Cheerleader Responsibilities The participants of the Willow Grove Bears Football Club program are expected to abide by a code of conduct, which includes but is not limited to the following: Respect of volunteer coaches, team members, opponents, officials and other representatives involved with the Willow Grove Bears Football Club. Participants will take proper care of the equipment that is issued to them to use. Immediately notify a coach if the equipment becomes damaged. Particular attention must be given to the care of football helmets. Football players should never sit on helmets should not intentionally scrape or scar their helmet. Participants must notify their coach in advanced if a practice is going to be missed. No exceptions! Good sportsmanship is mandatory. No vulgar language, tantrums, displays of anger or fighting will be tolerated. Any such actions will result in disciplinary measures and may include suspension from the team. As a member of the Willow Grove Bears Football Club you represent yourself and your teammates on and off the field. Whether in victory or defeat you will conduct yourself with pride and poise. Always be willing to help your coach or teammate when required. Academic Goals The Willow Grove Bears Football Club supports the critical role that academics play in the development of our student/athletes and recognizes the need to perform in the classroom as well as on the field. It is never the desire of the Willow Grove Bears program to have football take precedence over school requirements. If a conflict should arise, please notify your coach immediately. We would ask that parents support this effort in order to encourage academic success for every player. 9

12 Coach s Ethics & Responsibilities Before a volunteer can be a coach with the Willow Grove Bears Football Club they must pass a criminal background check conducted through the Pennsylvania State Police. Head Football Coaches must obtain a Keystone State League coaching certification every other year. All coaches must also read and sign an agreement with the following: As a Coach with Willow Grove Bears Football Club, I will: 1.Provide a positive attitude and demonstrate principles of fair play and sportsmanship. 2.Place the emotional and physical well-being of the players ahead of the desire to win. 3.Treat each player as an individual, recognizing the vast range of emotional and physical development of players at a given age of play. 4.Always teach the techniques of the game in such a way as to provide a safe playing situation for the players. 5.Be familiar with basic first aid principles. 6.Organize my practices in such a way as to make sure they are fun and challenging for all of my players. 7.Familiarize myself with the rules of the game of football and the rules and policies of the Keystone State Football League. 8.Use coaching techniques that are appropriate for the skill level of the players that I coach. 9.I will remember that I coach a youth football team and that the game is for youth players and not for adults. While Serving as a Volunteer Coach in Willow Grove Bears Football Club: 1. I understand that my duties as a coach include volunteering to assist in club duties such as equipment and uniform maintenance, fundraising, and general administration. 2. I understand that I may be required to attend league and club training sessions that are designed to improve my coaching skills and to familiarize me with the latest coaching techniques and safety considerations. 3. I will always stress the success of the Willow Grove Bears Football Club and be positive in my suggestions and criticisms. 4. I will maintain contact with the parents/guardians of my players, be responsible for equipment issue and return and I will maintain all necessary paperwork in a proper and professional manner. 5. I will not attempt to represent the position of Willow Grove Bears Football Club on any subject matter to players, parents or other leagues without the express consent of the Willow Grove Bears Football Club Board of Directors. 10

13 Coach s Ethics & Responsibilities Please remember, we are not professional coaches. We can only do our best and we view coaching as a huge responsibility. Your coaches will work hard to: Get the players in shape. Understand each player's potential. Work on individual skills for each position. Work on team execution of plays. Motivate, communicate, and lead. Coaches must have the freedom to develop three things in their athletes: pride, poise, and self-confidence. We use the following steps to instruct the game of football: Talk it! Explain what is required. Walk it! Demonstrate the technique. Run it! Have the player perform the technique at full speed. Rep it! Have the player perform the technique over and over. 11

14 Parent/Guardian Responsibilities The level of support given to a player or cheerleader by their parents will have a measured impact as to the success of each participant. To better understand the parent s role and involvement in the program, we have developed the following guidelines and recommendations: Parents and visitors at practices and games must stay in designated areas reserved for the spectators. Sideline areas on game day and the practice fields are off limits unless the parent has been asked to be involved in some aspect of the practice or game. Parents are encouraged to cheer for their teams from the stands with enthusiasm but should never yell obscenities or derogatory remarks aimed at the opponents, officials or coaches and should never conduct themselves in an offensive manner. As a result of such actions, a team can be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and the fan may be removed from the grounds. A large number of people are needed to help the club run smoothly. Each parent is asked to volunteer a portion of his or her time during the season to help make the club run efficiently. Parents will be asked to assume various roles for their children s team including team parent, snack stand duty, first aid, field chains, etc. Volunteering your time for these roles helps to make the games run well and be more enjoyable for all. It is the parent s responsibility to provide transportation to and from practice and games. If a participant's grades are unsatisfactory or homework starts to become a problem, the parent should notify the head coach and together determine the best course of action to be taken. Parents should always maintain a cooperative attitude towards coaches, participants, officials and board members. Remember, all are volunteers. 12

15 Organizational Information Address Willow Grove Bears P.O. Box 331 Willow Grove, PA Website List Sign up at Board Meetings The Executive Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month in a closed session. The General Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Upper Moreland Township Building in the main committee room and are open to the public. All club members are strongly encouraged to attend. Voting Privileges To become a voting club member and be eligible to vote on all general board agenda items, you must meet the following requirements: Any member over the age of twenty-five who has attended seven out of the immediate past eleven General Board Meetings, not including the current meeting in progress will be eligible to vote for all agendas excluding the following: Coaching Appointments Coaching Removal Practice Fields The practice field is reserved for coaches, participants and instructors only. It is asked that parents, friends and siblings remain off the practice field unless specifically requested to help by a coach. Practice time is limited, so it is important that coaches have the opportunity to make the best use of the time allotted. If you must speak to a coach, please contact them before or after practice. Siblings should not be left at the field without adult supervision and the Willow Grove Bears Football Club cannot assume responsibility for their safety. Family Pets Family pets, leashed or not, should be left at home and are not allowed at the practice fields or at games. This is a safety issue and we ask for your cooperation. Game Day This is what we have all worked for and game day is very exciting. Coaches will determine how much time before the scheduled game time each player needs to arrive at the game site. The coaches work very hard on determining their game plan and substitution schedules prior to the game. If you are going to miss a game or will be late, notify your coach as soon as possible. Smoking Many of the athletic venues we will be using are designated Tobacco Free Environments. Therefore, it is asked that no one smokes on or around any practice field or game site at which we may participate. Drug & Alcohol Use Drug and alcohol use is strictly forbidden at games, practices and other associated events and will not be tolerated. Anyone involved in such activities will be asked to leave. 13

16 Organizational Information Injuries Any football or cheer related injury, regardless of outward appearances, is taken seriously and will be addressed as such. Safety is our primary concern and extra care will be taken in dealing with any reported injury. We would also encourage participants to make known any injury to his/ her coach immediately upon occurrence. Participants should not hide injuries in order to facilitate more playing time. Any player sustaining an injury which requires a doctor s care will be required to provide a medical release from that doctor prior to further participation in games or practices. Complaints Please contact your team s coach first and try to resolve the issue. If you cannot resolve it at the level, the complaint must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors. The complainant may appear at the next regular scheduled Board meeting if he/she wishes to do so. A written response will be forwarded after the next regular board meeting. Communications Communications are extremely important to the success of any organization. As the 2016 season progresses, you may at one time or another have questions in regards to a variety of different issues. Please feel free to contact a Board Member or Coach and every effort will be made to provide you with the information you need. If you have questions, comments or suggestions that cannot be handled by your coach, please submit them to the Board. You may do so by visiting our website or by contacting a general board member or an executive board member. Fundraising The Willow Grove Bears is a completely volunteer run non-profit organization. Every year we have multiple fundraising efforts and opportunities in order to provide funds to cover our operating costs. Information for specific fundraising efforts and events will always be distributed via our club list and publicized via our web site Please contact our Vice President, Meg Hurley vicepresident@wgbears.com or any board member if you d like to assist in any of our fundraising efforts. 14

17 Contacts Executive Board Name Title Phone Ryan Moore President Dani Durphy Vice President John Nielsen Registrar James Williams Treasurer Vincent Cirino Athletic Director of Football Patti Meyers Athletic Director of Cheerleading Raheem Bey KSL Representative Tom Troxell Past President

18 Contacts General Board Name Title Phone Sean Flanagan Publicity Director Melissa Moore Snack Stand Director Aaryn Drinkwater Director First Aid Greg Durphy Equipment Director John Tuffy Fields Director

19 Family & Friends Sponsors Dear Family & Friends, Do you have a special football player or cheerleader that you would like to make their game day exciting? What better way to show your support than by placing an advertisement in the th Anniversary Willow Grove Bears Game Day Program. The program will be sold at each home game and events during the 2016 season. The cost for a full page personal ad in the book is listed below. Ads may be personalized with a photo to send a special message to your football player or cheerleader. Please your high quality image(s), the message that you would like included and a copy of the order form by August to sean@seanflanagan.co. Forms can be mailed to Willow Grove Bears PO Box 331, Willow Grove, PA When ing please include the size of the ad and the player or cheerleader who sold you the ad. No business ads will be accepted with this form. Business ads must be turned in with a business form. On behalf of the Willow Grove Bears Organization we would like to thank you for your support of our club. Sincerely, The Willow Grove Bears Ad Size (Check an option below) Full Page $75 Half Page $50 Quarter Page $25 Seller Information Football Player/Cheerleader Name Supporter Information Name Phone Number Checks: Please make all checks payable to WGBFC 17