Athletic Handbook

Prior to trying out, information will be provided to the student-athletes:

1. Time frame of try-out period
2. Practice commitment if they make the team
3. Game commitments
4. Student-athletes will compete in a minimum of three practice/tryout sessions. (Inclement weather or facility availability could reduce number of tryout days)

Choosing members for athletic squad is determined by the coach of the team with the approval of the athletic director. Athletic teams with tryouts could potentially require cuts during the tryout period.

If cuts occur during a tryout for a sport the following criteria will apply:

1. Number of student-athletes trying out for a team
2. Practice constraints or quality of instruction
3. Where applicable, the JV or Middle School coaches shall take into consideration the policies as established by the Head/Varsity Coach in that particular program when selecting final team rosters
4. Academic eligibility

St. David’s student-athletes will be issued uniforms and equipment*, which will be in good condition. Athletes are expected to take care of all items issued and return them at the end of the season. If items are lost, the athlete will be charged for full replacement. Replacing one lost or damaged uniform is very expensive, due to set up costs charged by the manufacturer for one reproduction.

*Some exclusions apply; visit the athletics eligibility and tryout information page on the Veracross portal.

Athletes playing at away sites may wear game uniforms to and from the event with the coach’s approval. If street clothes or dress uniforms are to be worn to and from the event, male athletes must keep shirts tucked in and must wear appropriate attire acceptable at St. David’s. Female athletes must also adhere to the school dress code. All student-athletes are expected to dress neatly and modestly and in a manner that represent the St. David’s School in the highest regard.

St. David’s generally provides transportation for all athletic activities, including off-campus athletic practices and away events. Vehicles are driven by authorized adults either employed by the school or hired to transport. The school is not responsible for students driving other students to or from athletic events, practices, and team related activities. Likewise, the school is not responsible for adults driving students other than their own children to or from school athletic events, practices, and team related activities.

Athletes must notify the coach when they do not travel by the school’s designated transportation.

Behavior on the school bus must be appropriate. Safety is the most important consideration. “Horseplay,” sitting on the back of the seats, yelling out windows, throwing objects out windows, and loud music will not be allowed and students engaging in such activities will meet with the athletic director and coach to determine appropriate consequence. Each team is responsible for cleaning up after themselves upon the completion of the bus trip. A player who misses the team bus may be ineligible to play in the contest at the discretion of the coach.

Directions to Away Athletic Events

For directions to other playing sites, please refer to the information listed on the Veracross parent or student portal.

Weekend and Holiday Practices

All practices are to be held on school days if at all possible. However, Varsity practices may be held on weekend and holidays as needed.

Vacation Practices

• Practices held on vacation days, such as over Thanksgiving, Christmas and Winter break should be scheduled in advance. If missing a practice cannot be avoided please communicate with the coach.
• At the Middle School and JV levels, practices during these periods will be allowed only with permission of the Athletic Director.

Early Dismissal of School or Emergency Closing

• In the event there is a scheduled early dismissal of school, practices may be held at that earlier time provided the coaches are available. Normally, the dismissal results in the coach attending a meeting, seminar or workshop during this period.
• Emergency weather conditions may result in an early dismissal or extended period of school closing. If there is an athletic competition scheduled on a day of adverse weather, check the team’s webpage to determine if the event will continue or be postponed. As for practice, varsity level teams may practice during this period upon permission of the Athletic Director.

We want our student-athletes to learn how to communicate directly with their coach, as this is an invaluable life skill. We understand parents may feel the need to speak with a coach about a certain concern. However, we require student-athletes to speak to the coach first.

We encourage healthy dialog between parents and coaches at the appropriate time. With regard to concerns and even potential conflicts, we ask parents do not approach coaches immediately after a game. Please wait 24 hours after a game before initiating a conversation.

Coaches should never come between the student-athlete and parent, unless there is important information they feel needs to be relayed to the parent.

Coach's correspondence with St. David’s students and their families should only take place from their sdsw.org email account. If you are corresponding with a head coach, please address your email to the coach's sdsw.org email address.

What parents can expect from St. David's Athletic Department

• Fulfilling our mission
• A safe, caring, challenging environment
• Close communication with your child and the expectations the coach has for your child
• Fairness and consistency
• Communication regarding any disciplinary action with regard to your child
• An “open ear” when concerns arise--however, the communication protocol listed on the following tab must be adhered to
• The desire and pressure to win is not placed above education
• Professionalism
• Information regarding practice, games (locations/times) and other team requirements can be found on the parent or student portal in Veracross.

St. David’s Athletic Department expectations for Parents

• To support our mission and to adhere to the guidelines, policies, and procedures herein.
• To pick up your child on time from practices or games.
• To exhibit stellar sportsmanship when attending a game or match.
• To communicate concerns at the appropriate time/manner and to adhere to the guidelines outlined in this handbook with regard to communications.
• To seek involvement in appropriate ways as deemed necessary by the coach.
• To support our values and discipline.
• To support our teams and their coaches. 
  • One of the most effective ways to do this is to keep negative “chatter” about others (players, coaches, and parents) out of all conversations. The coaching staff will also pledge the same to parents and players. If concerns arise that need to be discussed we ask that they be communicated directly to the individual involved. This is a biblical standard and it is our utmost desire to communicate in a positive way at all levels.
• To conduct themselves with exemplary sportsmanship.
• We ask that parents and spectators affiliated with the school maintain respect for the other teams, their coaches, and the officials for the event. We understand that questionable calls will sometimes be made by the officials but we ask that no comments to the officials be made from the stands. We seek to be above reproach and we expect our spectators to do so as well.
• Notification of any illness or injuries or missed practices.

Please also refer to applicable rules and guidelines contained in the St. David’s Family Handbook

If you have a concern, please express it at the appropriate time and place. Do not confront a coach before or after a contest or practice or in the presence of students. See below for the St. David’s Athletic Department policy for addressing concerns regarding your child’s athletic experience.

It can be difficult to accept your child not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all students involved.

Please use the following steps until a resolution is in place.

1. Have your child speak to the coach.
2. Arrange an appointment to speak with your child’s coach.
3. Arrange an appointment with the Athletics Director.