Milford Mustangs Football & Cheerleading Handbook for 2015 This handbook is merely a guide for the parents and participants of the Milford Mustangs organization. The board of directors reserves the right to vary from these guidelines as the situation dictates and as the board in its sole discretion deems appropriate. Membership is based on the approval of the Milford Mustangs Board of Directors. Our goal for the MILFORD MUSTANGS ASSOCIATION is to provide a hardworking, yet caring atmosphere. We must remember to always strive for honesty, be courteous of others, and respect others and ourselves at all times. Our ultimate goal is to learn the true meaning of TEAM and TEAMWORK. AYF RULES & REGULATIONS Many parents may not realize that there are AYF and NHIAA rules, which regulate SAFETY RULES within our organization. The AYF and NHIAA provide each individual organization, within the state of New Hampshire, with a set of guidelines, which govern all New Hampshire AYFSC teams and adhere to these rules at practice, games, and competition. Please keep in mind, while reading this handbook; these rules are set strictly for your child s safety. COMMITMENT The definition of a TEAM/SQUAD is a small group of people working together towards a common goal. The Milford Mustangs Association is looking for football players, cheerleaders and parents who are dedicated to the program and want to be an important part of an amazing program. Football and Cheerleading are a great commitment for every family. Every participant is extremely important to his or her team or squad and it is expected that participants attend each and every practice and game. We all realize that unexpected situations, such as illness, may occur and understand that a participant may have to miss an occasional practice or game, but it is not acceptable to just not attend without good reason. By not attending or being late, a child may be placed at a disadvantage for learning new skills, keeping up to par with their team or squad, and safety may be compromised. Also your team relies on you. Remember you are an important part of your team/squads success. CONDUCT Coaches and players are required to abide by a code of ethics, and the Milford Mustangs Association expects parents to follow this code of ethics as well. Regrettably, due to parental incidents involving youth sports over the past few years, we have implemented a Code of Ethics requirement for all parents. Each parent is required to read and sign this Code of Ethics form, which is included in your child s registration paperwork. Both legal parents and guardians must sign this form in order for your child to participate in our program. Also please keep in mind that there is no smoking or alcohol permitted on the fields or school property, as well as, animals or pets. This includes all practices, games, and special events.
COMMUNICATION Just as each player is an essential part of every team, parents are also very important to ensure a team s success. The coaching staff and parents must all work together. We ask that you please communicate any issues your child may have to your child s coaching staff as soon as possible. Whether medical or emotional, only you can help keep the coach s aware and up to date on any issues that may interfere with a child s attitude, behavior or attendance. ATTITUDE & BEHAVIOR Please keep in mind why we all joined the Milford Mustangs; we all share a common bond. FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING! Diversity makes the world go round! We must learn to put any and all differences aside. As soon as we step onto the practice/game field, please remember, we are a TEAM. Any type of differences you may have towards anyone is asked to be kept at home and away from the practice and game fields. You will be expected to respect your teammates and your coaching staff. Some of the most fulfilling accomplishments in one s life are sometimes difficult and unpleasant. There will be times that certain activities will require spending a little more time going over plays or routines and cheers. Please keep a positive attitude. Everyone learns at a different pace and you will need to display courtesy and patience towards others. We value any and all comments from the parents and ask that if any issues should arise, you approach your HEAD COACH first. We also ask that if this is not an emergency, please do so before or after practice or games as not to interrupt the children s scheduled time. If your question or concerns were not answered to your satisfaction by the head coach, please feel free to seek the assistance of the Football or Cheerleading Directors. The Milford Mustangs Board and their coaching staff reserve the right to end any heated discussions during practice time or game time. These situations should not be exhibited while the children are present. ABSENTEEISM & TARDINESS Players/cheerleaders are expected to be at every practice and game throughout the pre and regular season Injured players/cheerleaders, who are able, should attend practice to keep up with changes made by the coaching staff. This will enable them to be prepared to rejoin their team once they are cleared to participate by their physician. Every player/cheerleader should be in full uniform and ready to begin practice at the perceived time. Any player who misses two practices during the week will be ineligible to play in that weekend s game. Parents should make the head coach aware of any planned absences during the season. Parents should contact the head coach if a player will not be at practice or will be significantly late Any situation where a player is consistently and or habitually late or absent will be handled at the team level by the head coach and may result in disciplinary action.
GAME DAY Players are expected to arrive ONE HOUR before the scheduled game time. Athletes need time to stretch, warm-up, and run through game plans to make any necessary changes before the game. Please allow addition travel time to unknown towns. REGISTRATION WHAT WILL REGISTRATION COST ME? Tackle Football, Cheerleading = $175 + $50(mandatory fundraiser) = $225. Flag Football or Cheer Mascot= $100 + $50 (mandatory fundraiser) = $150. FUNDRAISING Players are expected to fundraise $100 over the course of the regular season. $50 of this is mandatory and included in your registration feeds. The other $50 can be raised through a variety of fundraising opportunities. WHAT PAPERWORK DO I NEED? Medical Release Form A physical exam is required to participate in the program. A physical can be no more than 2 years old. The medical release form (provided to you on line) must be dated after January 1, 2015. The doctor s name, address and phone number MUST BE STAMPED on the form and SIGNED & DATED by the doctor. This means you must take the form to your doctor to be completed. If your child s last physical was August 22, 2013, you must remember that on August 23, 2015 your child will be ineligible to participate in the program without a new physical and signed form from your doctor. Schedule your child s physical as early as possible. No child will be able to begin practice without a properly completed medical release form. Birth Certificate A copy of the birth certificate is required. If the team/squad goes on to regional playoffs or competition, we must have the ORIGINAL. Birth Certificates must be STATE or TOWN issued. A hospital copy is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Report Card A copy of your child s report card, for school year ending 2015, must be submitted to the organization by July 1, 2015. The name of the school must appear on the report card. Progress reports are not acceptable. If a child is home schooled, a formal grading report form the child is required. Code of Ethics Parents/Legal guardians must sign a Code of Ethics form. Acknowledgment of MUSTANG handbook Parent & child must sign handbook acknowledgment. Acknowledgment of Mustang Handbook - Parent and child must sign handbook acknowledgment. Association Registration Form Completed and signed. Volunteer Form Completed and signed. All paperwork must be received by July 18, 2015. If your child s paperwork is not complete before the season begins, your child will not be able to participate.
WAITING LIST It is not uncommon for some registrants to be placed on a waiting list since no more than 36 participants can be on any team s roster at any time. If your child is placed on a waiting list, the full registration fee must be paid at the time of registration. These checks WILL NOT be deposited until that child is moved onto an active roster. If your child remains on the waiting list, parents will be contacted by the organization when/if openings occur in the active roster. At that time, registration will be accepted once the check or cash being held is deposited. If, while on the waiting list, your child should decide not to participate before preseason begins (July 27), parents should contact the association as soon as possible via our website (www.milfordmustangs.org ). WITHDRAWAL/REFUND In the case of a withdrawal from the association, please fill out & mail in the withdrawal/refund form in the registration packet. In order to receive a full refund, all withdrawal forms must be submitted by August 7, 2015. A partial refund may be granted for injuries only. PRACTICES LOCATION & TIMES Practices begin on July 27 th and run Monday through Thursday from 5:45 8:15 pm throughout the month of August. Once School Begins, practices will be only 3 days per week, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday mornings. Specific locations, dates and times will be posted to our website once confirmation has been made. Please be patient with the coaching staff as they may detain the team/squad past the designated times. After Practice a brief meeting is usually held, where players will receive any pertinent information regarding upcoming practices, games, or events. Parents are always welcome at this time to listen in on the brief meeting. The exception to this is when the cheerleaders go inside to a gym for practice; parents, siblings, friends, etc. are not permitted in the gym area. No player will be released to anyone except his or her parent/guardian without prior notification from the parent/guardian or written permission. PRACTICE ATTIRE CHEERLEADING Wear Comfortable clothing (shorts & t-shirt) No jeans of any type No baggy clothing No sweatshirts with hoods or strings No pajama bottoms Sneakers (Not game sneakers!) No sandals No Spaghetti Straps No Bandannas No gloves No Jewelry FOOTBALL Wear cleats (No metal) Sneakers are prohibited Wear Athletic supporter cup T-shirt underneath Shoulder pads Flags and Belts
GAMES Game schedules will be handed out as soon as we receive them. Please keep in mind that the game schedules are tentative dates and that they are always subject to last minute changes. If you have children participating in both football and cheerleading or on different levels, you may be at different game locations. Games are played on Sundays. Any exception to this may be at the Middle School Level. POST-SEASON PLAY AND FUNDRAISING Any team that places first, second, or third will advance to Regionals. Any team that places first or second will advance to Nationals. Costs surrounding competition and travel are additional expenses for which parents are responsible. Reimbursement for these expenses will be dependent upon post-season fundraising. ALL-STAR SELECTION Head coaches from 5 th through 8 th grade teams will recommend all-star candidates, but the final decision about which players are selected is given to the Football Director. WEATHER PERMITTING Practices are held rain or shine with the exception of lightning. We will try to post inclement weather warnings on our website and, if a warning is posted, we ask that all parents please remain at practice just in case it is necessary to cancel during practice. PROPER HYDRATION & DAILY CONDITIONING There are certain things we must all be aware of if we are going to perform to the best of our ability while participating in a sport. Proper hydration, nutrition and daily conditioning are very important. Please make sure your player is properly hydrated, before, during and after practice or game times. Have your child bring a water bottle, labeled with their name, to each and every practice and game. Proper hydration Starts at least 24 hours prior to practice Please keep in mind that hydration does not occur the night of practice, but days prior practices. All participants should maintain healthy eating habits A diet high in carbohydrates, protein, plenty of fruits and vegetables is the best. Stay away from sugary and junk foods Get plenty of rest UNIFORM FITTINGS AND EQUIPMENT PICK UP You will be notified via email of any upcoming uniform fittings and/or equipment pickups. If you do not have email access, we ask that you check our website www.milfordmustangs.org regularly for these dates. It is important for participants to attend these events. This will insure proper fit of existing equipment and allow us time to order and receive additional equipment, as necessary, before the season begins. If you are unable to make these dates, we cannot guarantee equipment will arrive before the season begins. GAME UNIFORMS To be provided by the Mustangs Association: Cheerleading Vest Game Skirt Bodysuit Bloomers Hair Ribbon Pom Poms Football Jersey Shoulder pads Girdle Football pants 7 Pads (1 Tail, 2 Hip, 2 Thigh Belt Flags and Belts
To be provided by participants and are mandatory: Cheerleading Warm-up Pants (Specified by Mustangs) Warm-up Jacket (Specified by Mustangs) Sneakers (Specified by Mustangs) - worn at games and competitions only Football Cleats Athletic Supporter with Cup Mouth guard These items are not to be worn as a costume during Halloween or at parties. UNIFORM DEPOSIT When uniforms are handed out, a $200 deposit in the form of a check is required to receive your uniform and accessories. This check WILL NOT be cashed UNLESS uniforms are not returned by December 1, 2015. (Providing your team is not still in playoffs or competition). After this date, your check will be cashed to purchase the items that were not returned. We regret having to do this, but if we want to keep the costs of registration down for future years, we MUST have all uniforms returned. UNIFORM RETURNS Specific times and places will be posted on our website when uniforms are to be returned. Should you miss this date or not be able to make this date, it will be a parent s responsibility to notify the proper equipment director, football or cheer, and make arrangements to return your child s uniform. LOST UNIFORMS & ACCESSORIES At uniform pick up, you will be given a form to fill out and sign, stating that you have received all of the uniform pieces and accessories along with prices of each item. You will be responsible for replacing any items that are not returned. If you do not return or replace these items, you will not be allowed to register your child the following year. DISCIPLINARY ACTION There may be times when disciplinary action is necessary. Fighting and profanity are not tolerated. Any player ejected from a game will be suspended from future game(s). Each disciplinary action will be handled on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the coach, under the direction of the Cheer or Football Director(s) and/or President. MEDICATIONS If your child is taking any type of medications, please notify the Head Coach BEFORE the first practice. For chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or allergies, all medications (i.e. inhalers and epi-pens), whether prescription or not, MUST BE PLACED in the team/squad s first aid kit at the beginning of the first practice of the season. These will be kept for the entire season and must be clearly marked with the child s name and instructions necessary to administer these medications properly by the coaches in the parent/guardians absence. Children will not be a l l o w e d to participate without prior preparation for emergencies. There will be no exceptions to the rule. HEAD LICE POLICY Both football and cheerleading are contact sports. In coordination with the Milford Mustangs head lice policy, any child found to have head lice will be sent home to address the issue and will be permitted to return to practice/competition when cleared. IMPACT TESTING Impact testing will be required for players age 11 and older. Testing is good for 2 years.
JEWELRY No Jewelry is permitted during practice or during a game. We cannot allow jewelry to be taped over or covered in any way. The only exception to this rule is for certain medical bracelets, which must be taped. INJURIES If your child is under a doctor s care for any type of injury restricting them from participating, you must obtain a note from a doctor stating that your child must refrain from participating. If your child is removed from a practice or game due to injury, they will not be able to resume practicing or participating in games until they are cleared by appropriate medical personnel or by their doctor. A note dated from a doctor must be provided, in order for your child to continue. VOLUNTEERING For EACH CHILD you have registered, you are required to volunteer a minimum of 10 volunteer hours for one child (approx. 5 times) and 8 hours for each additional child (approx. 4 times). Sign up early to get the shift and/or desired position. For those that are not in a position to fulfill these obligations, a buyout option ($200) is available. There is a $25 fine PER HOUR, PER CHILD for not fulfilling your 10 hours of mandatory volunteer time, which will be deducted from your $200.00 volunteer deposit check. If you sign up for a specific date and time, and cannot fulfill your obligation, it is YOUR responsibility to find appropriate coverage for your shift. This will need to be paid before a player or cheerleading can be registered for the following season. EVERY FAMILY MUST FILL OUT A VOLUNTEER FORM, INCLUDED IN YOUR R E G I S T R A T I O N PAPERWORK. SCHOLASTICS Scholastics are the highest priority in our program. Every participant must maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) or 70% average grade according to their report card at the end of the 2013-2015 school years. Failure to achieve this may result in the participant s ineligibility to continue in the program. During the season, any participant suspended or expelled from school is immediately ineligible from the program. MILFORD MUSTANGS FOOTBALL ONLY Take good care of your equipment. It is your responsibility to let your coaching staff know if you any football equipment that may need to be replaced or repaired. Wear your mouthpiece when required and keep a spare handy. On game day, a player will draw a safety penalty for not having a mouthpiece and will not be allowed to continue to play until a proper one is worm. Come to practice prepared with all of your equipment and prepared to play. Learn the rules of the game, especially the safety rules. Players who draw flags for unsportsmanlike conduct, late hits, or other serious safety violations will be removed from the game. Learn the name of each position. Payoffs-The season may be extended due to the playoffs your team will continue with practices & games. Regional play takes place in late October, and the Nationals in December. If your team is fortunate enough to make it to Regional play or Nationals, your season will be extended. All players are expected to commit to playoffs. Football teams will be fielded by grades. We will be offering the following teams: Flag football- consisting of grades 1/2/3 (minimum age 5 years by Aug 1st of current season) 3rd grade- consisting of 1st to 3rd graders (minimum 6 years old) 4th grade
MILFORD MUSTANGS FOOTBALL ONLY 5th grade 6th grade Middle School Aged team- consisting of 6th-8th graders. If possible, we will have a Junior Varsity and Varsity team. We reserve the right to split or combine grades, in order to field a team and provide football to more players. Registration will dictate how many of these teams we can field. FLAG FOOTBALL The intention of this level is to focus on FUN and provide a structured environment for the children to learn the sport. It's an intro into football. MILFORD MUSTANGS CHEERLEADING ONLY Placement and Evaluations We have the possibility of fielding six squads of cheerleaders ranging from ages 7-15 (participants must be 7 years old by July 31, 2015). Cheerleaders will be assigned to squads by the order in which they register, age and possibly ability at the discretion of the Cheer Director. MASCOTS A child may participant on our Mascot Team as long as they are 5 years old by July 31, 2015. The registration cost for a mascot is $100+$50 (mandatory fundraiser). Our mascot program consists of 5 and 6 year olds and is a starter program, which teaches participants the latest cheers, chants, jumps and dance moves. OTHER CHEERLEADING RULES Hair must be pulled back with elastic or scrunchie at all practices. Artificial nails/nail polish is prohibited. No body glitter or body paint No tattoos or body piercing allowed UNIFORM CARE Please wash your uniform in cold water and hang to dry when possible Please do not dry clean or iron. Please do not bleach body suits COMPETITION The State Competition is usually held in early November. Details regarding time and location will follow during the season. All cheerleaders are expected to participate. PAPERWORK QUESTIONS Please feel free to email any questions you may have regarding paperwork to: Carrie Alicata, Mustang Secretary at carrie.mustangs@gmail.com. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO MAIL ALL PAPERWORK BY JULY 18, 2015 TO: MILFORD MUSTANGS PO BOX 593 MILFORD, NH 03055
Milford Mustangs Handbook Agreement Player/Parent Handbook Signature Form: Please read and discuss the information included in the Milford Mustangs Football and Cheerleading Handbook with your child. Return this page at registration after you and your child have signed it. As the parent or guardian of Milford Mustangs player, I have read, understand and shared the information within the Handbook with my child. Parent/Guardian Signature: As a member of the Milford Mustangs Football and Cheerleading Organization, I have read, understand and will follow the guidelines set in the Handbook. Player Signature: Print Player Name Date: