PARENT HANDBOOK YMCA of Central Texas Sports
VALUES
Caring, Faith, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility
VISION
For Youth Development For Healthy Living For Social Responsibility
OUR MISSION, VISION, & VALUES
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
MISSION
Every Youth Sports Program at the YMCA of Central Texas strives to meet these 7 goals: 1. PARTICIPANTS HAVE FUN This is what games are all about. 2. PARTICIPATION IS GOOD FOR EVERYBODY All players will participate in practices and games - not just those players who excel. 3. THE PLAYER COMES FIRST, THE SCORE IS SECOND The most important part of youth sports is what happens to the players as people - their personal and social development, their attitudes and behavior. The score of the game is secondary. 4. FAIR PLAY IS ENCOURAGED & PROMOTED In all of our youth sports programs, participants will respect their opponents, their teammates, the rules of the game and the officials. 5. VALUES EDUCATION IS CENTRAL TO THIS PROGRAM Coaches will establish a team environment which encourages the boys and girls to think about sharing, teamwork, organization, creativity, sportsmanship, self discipline, winning and losing. 6. PROVIDE PARENTS AN OUTLET FOR VOLUNTEERISM Parent are encouraged to coach, referee, assist with team meetings or aid in other important ways to enhance the overall program and its goals. 7. SKILL DEVELOPMENT Boys and girls are encouraged to develop skills as far as their interests and abilities allow them to go. Skills are important in developing a strong self image.
YOUTH SPORTS PHILOSOPHY
LEAGUE SCHEDULE CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS Visit http://ygametime.com and select your branch for the latest sports program updates, game schedules, changes, cancellations and more. Any cancellations of practices and/or games will be made no later that 3:00pm on weekdays, and 7:00am on Saturdays. Emails from your branch sports director and text alerts will be sent out upon cancellations. Contact parents or team representative to ensure everyone is contacted. In an effort to preserve the quality and playing surface of all fields, if a game or practice is canceled- teams are not allowed to practice. NO EXCEPTIONS. The YMCA will make every effort to reschedule games and/or practices. However, sometimes timing issues are beyond our control and practice and/or games may be permanently canceled. LEAGUE PICTURES Each season we will have a picture day. The day and time will be set by the sports directors and will be communicated out via email. Picture order forms will be available on the day of the pictures. You may choose to do individual photos and all teams will do a team photo. All questions (retakes, misspelled names, closed eyes, etc.) regarding pictures are to be handled through photographer. Pictures will be mailed directly to your house. LEAGUE MEDALS League medals will be distributed to the coaches before the end of season tournament, for coaches to give out at the end of season tournament. If your child does not receive his or her medal after the final game, please see your coach.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The YMCA of Central Texas, as a premier child and family serving agency, recognizes its responsibility to always provide children and youth with the safest possible place. Employees are required to abide by the following: 1. In order to protect YMCA staff, volunteers and program participants, at no time during a YMCA program may a staff person be alone with a single child where the staff and a child cannot be observed by others. As staff supervise children, they should space themselves in a way that other staff can see them. 2. Staff shall never leave a child unsupervised. 3. Staff will respond to children with respect and caring and treat all children equally regardless of sex, race, religion or culture, ability or disability. 4. Staff will refrain from intimate displays of affection towards others in the presence of children, parents and other staff. 5. The YMCA does not discriminate against an individual’s lifestyle or habits away from the job provided such does not interfere with quality YMCA program work. It does require that in the performance of their job, staff will abide by the standards of conduct set forth by the YMCA. 6. Staff must appear clean, neat and appropriately attired. 7. Using, possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours in prohibited. 8. Smoking or use of tobacco in the presence of children or parents during working hours is prohibited. 9. Profanity, inappropriate jokes, sharing intimate details of one’s personal life and any kind of harassment in the presence of children or parents is prohibited.
YMCA CODE OF CONDUCT
10. Staff must be free of physical and psychological conditions that might adversely affect children’s physical or mental health. If in doubt, an expert should be consulted. 11. Staff will portray a positive role model for youth by maintaining an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact and maturity. (Remember our values: honesty, caring, respect, faith and responsibility.) 12. Understanding that the YMCA cannot control staff outside of the work setting, staff understand that being alone with children they have met in YMCA programs (e.g.: babysitting or inviting children to their homes) puts both themselves and the YMCA at risk and is thoroughly discouraged by the YMCA. 13. Staff are not to transport children in their own vehicles. If an exception occurs for program reasons, staff are required to call the branch and inform them when they are leaving, where they are going and the expected time of arrival. Staff will call when they arrive unless they are driving to the branch. 14. Adult staff may not date program participants than 18 years of age. 15. Under no circumstances should staff release children to anyone other than the authorized parent, guardian or other adult authorized by the parent or guardian (written parent authorization on file with the YMCA). If a dispute arises over child custody, supervisors are to refer to any legal papers filed (as in divorce or separation agreements). 16. Staff are required to read and sign all policies related to identifying, documenting and reporting child abuse and attend training on the subject, as instructed by a supervisor. An adverse background report as established by the Texas Department of Human Resources Child Care Division will result in termination as an employee / volunteer of the YMCA. This includes but is not limited to arrest or conviction involving crimes against youth or children, sex crimes, drug-related convictions or any felony conviction. Staff / volunteers further understand that if they see any staff / volunteer failing to “keep kids safe” they are to report concerns to their supervisor, program director or branch executive.
1. Children have more need of examples than criticism. 2. Make athletic participation for your child and others a positive experience. 3. Attempt to relieve the pressure of competition, not increase it. 4. Be kind to your child’s coach and to officials. The coach is a volunteer giving of personal time to provide a recreation activity for your child. The coach is providing a valuable community service, often without reward other than the personal satisfaction of having served the community. 5. The opponents are necessary friends; without them, your child could not participate in sports. 6. Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the other team. 7. Do not openly question the judgment of the referee. He/She is calling the game to the best of his/her ability and deserves your respect. 8. Accept the result of each game and encourage your child to be gracious in victory and turn defeat into victory by working toward improvement. Parental evaluation carries a great deal of weight with the pre-adolescent. The attitude shown by parents at games toward their child, the opposing team, the officials and the coach influence the child’s values and behavior in sports. Criticism, disrespect for officials and the opponent by over-anxious or over-protective parents more interested in immediate success rather than long-range benefit, undermines the purpose of sport and brings into the game stresses beyond those of competition. When the adolescent cannot cope effectively with such stresses, it contributes to behavior not in keeping with the spirit of the game. If you have questions or if you are in need of some helpful hints, please consult with the YMCA Sports Director.
PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT
PARENT EXPECTATIONS
1. Respect and support for the YMCA of Central Texas Sports Philosophy & Rules. 2. Will maintain a positive attitude. 3. Will notify coach prior to player missing practices or games. 4. Assist team parents by helping provide refreshments for games. 5. Assist coaches when needed while attending practices and games. 6. Promote skill development by working with children at home. 7. Help YMCA staff keep facilities clean and orderly while attending practices and games. 8. Help organize or attend the end-of-season celebration.
SEASON SNACK SCHEDULE Game #1 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Game #2 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Game #3 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Game #4 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Game #5 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Game #6 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
TEAM PARENT DUTIES
1. Set up a schedule of Refreshment Responsibilities for each game Use a roster and a game schedule to create an assignment list. Assign each player’s parents a game to be responsible for game-end snacks. If the assigned parents cannot bring refreshments on the day they are scheduled, they must secure a replacement. Team Parents should contact parents prior to the game that they are scheduled to bring refreshments as a reminder. 2. Develop a “Phone Tree” or “E-mail Distribution List” to contact players and parents when a change of schedule occurs. Find one or two other parents to assist in making phone calls. The phone tree or e-mail list can also be used for reminders about picture day, refreshment responsibilities, canceled or rescheduled games / practices. 3. Organize a Team Get-Together for the players and their families to take place two weeks into the season. Team Parents are responsible for setting up the event, not providing supplies. Get as many parents involved as possible. Notify the YMCA Sports Director of the date of the event. 4. Help pass out and collect Program Evaluation Cards. Team Parents will receive the appropriate number of evaluation cards to be given to each player’s parents by the final two games of the season. Cards should be filled out and returned to the Team Parent by game’s end. If two parents for one child are present, have each parent complete a card. 5. Organize End-of-Season Party YMCA will provide medals to be handed out before the last game of the season. Team Parents should recognize their coaches at this event. 6. Inform Sports Department regarding ... Any concerns or questions you or your team may have about YMCA sports. Possible Assistant Coaches and Team Parents for future seasons.
1. Play the game for the game’s sake. 2. Be generous when you win. 3. Be grateful when you lose. 4. Always be fair, no matter what the cost. 5. Obey the rules of the game. 6. Work for the good of your team. 7. Accept the decisions of the officials with a good attitude. 8. Don’t look at your opponents as enemies. 9. Always conduct yourself with honor and dignity. 10. Applaud the efforts of your teammates and your opponents. 11. Have fun!
PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT
YMCA OF CENTRAL TEXAS SPORTS 1812 N. Mays Street Round Rock, TX 78664 P 512 246 9622 F 512 244 2122 ymcactx.org