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Ralph C. Mahar Athletic Department Guide
The material outlined in this guide defines some of the policies and procedures for all students participating in our High School Athletic Program. This guide is needed to provide you with a better understanding of the Mahar Athletic Department's philosophy, goals and policies.
Participation on an athletic team can be a rewarding experience. It is important that students realize the time-demands, commitment, dedication, and sacrifices required for participation on an athletic team before making the commitment.
1. Athletes who have made a team have made a commitment to be at all practice sessions, contests and team meetings. Any ream member who must be late, or miss a practice, game or meeting for any reason must confer with their coach. The absence from practices, games or meetings jeopardizes retaining a position on that team or the reception of a letter. This includes extended trips during vacations.
2. Mandatory practices are held daily for approximately 2 hours, or as appropriate to the activity. Some practices are held on Saturdays and Sundays. No practices may be held without a Mahar coaching staff member present.
3. Athletes may not switch teams after 5 practices have been held.
PROGRAM GOALS
Sub-Varsity Teams
- To allow as many students as possible to participate and share the experience and benefits derived from team memberships.
- To further skill development and conditioning for possible future higher level competition.
Varsity Teams
- To compete successfully with other teams in our League and with other teams or individuals of a similar division in State competition.
- The emphasis of the program at the sub-varsity level is on the development of basic skills, appropriate attitudes, and learn concepts under limited competition. Varsity levels concentrate on advanced skills and strategies. Participation of the varsity level is generally limited to the most highly skilled and those with the ability to interact with other players for team success. Assessments will be made by the coach throughout the sport season relative to the level most beneficial to the development and progress of each player. It should be understood that at the varsity level, playing time could be limited under certain conditions.
PRE-SEASON RESPONSIBILITIES
- The coach of each sport holds an informational meeting prior to the start of the season. Candidates expected to attend. Sport physicals are generally scheduled in conjunction with the meeting. Any candidate for a sport team must meet the following requirements prior to attending any tryout or practice season.
1. Be academically eligible.
2. Have evidence of a passed physical examination recorded with the Nurse.
3. Have submitted the signed parental permission form.
4. Be MIAA eligible - age - can't be 19 before September 1 of the current year.
5. If a transfer student to the school, must notify Mr. James Woodward, Physical Education, Health and Athletic Coordinator at
Email: jwoodward@rcmahar.org
ATHLETIC AWARDS POLICY
- Team members must complete the season to be eligible for an award. Varsity players meeting minimum standards of participation in team contests or meeting the point system standards in individual contests may receive a certificate or letter or sport insignia pin. Sub-varsity players receive a certificate. Awards Nights are held for all varsity participants, and parents are invited to attend. Only one letter per sport will be awarded to varsity athletes.
TEAM TRYOUTS
1. Athletes are not allowed to try out for any sport unless proof of a physical exam is on file in the Nurse's office. NO EXCEPTIONS.
2. During the tryout period each coach will provide an explanation of his/her expectations. It is the duty of the student to demonstrate to the coach that they can fulfill these expectations.
3. If a student is not selected for a team it is their responsibility to contact the coach personally if they seek an explanation.
TEAM SELECTIONS
The coaching staff of each sport has the sole responsibility for selecting the members of its team, determining the level of play most beneficial to the development of each player, and the amount of playing time. Player concerns should be addressed first between the player and the coach. If a significant issue is not resolved, parents should plan a meeting with the coach. If a resolution is not reached between the athlete, parent, and coach, the matter may be presented to the athletic director.
Participation in Mahar Regional athletics is a privilege, and all athletes are expected to provide a leadership role for other members of the student body, and always to act in an exemplary manner that will be complimentary to team, school, and community.
CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY
1. A student must be in attendance in school to participate in practice sessions or contests.
SCHOOL EQUIPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Students are responsible for, and are expected to maintain proper care of all athletic equipment issued to them. Once issued, students are responsible for payment of any items lost, stolen, or damaged. Each item not returned will be assessed at a rate comparable to the current replacement cost. All school equipment is to be returned within seven days of the completion of the season.
2. The student is responsible for all team uniforms and equipment issued to them.
3. Students are not to wear athletic uniforms at any time other than that allowable by specified team regulations.
THE FOLLOWING RULES ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION WHICH GOVERNS ALL HIGH SCHOOL INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC COMPETITION.
ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
1.To A student must secure during the last marking period preceding the contest a passing grade in the equivalent of four major subjects. satisfy this requirement, a student must have passed sufficient courses so as to be earning for that marking period credits totalling the equivalent of four 1 year major English courses. A student cannot at any time represent a school unless that student is taking courses which would provide credit equivalent to four 1 year major English courses. To be eligible for the fall marking period, students are required to have earned credits for the previous academic year equivalent to four 1 year major English courses. The academic eligibility of all students shall be considered as official and determining only on the date when report cards for that ranking period have been issued. A student with an incomplete will be ineligible if they have not made up their work at the close of school on the tenth day after the marking period is closed.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
1. All students must pass a physical examination within one year before participation in any sport. Physical examinations must be performed by a duly registered physician. The Athletic Department will schedule, through the Nurse's office, physical exams for our athletes. It is the athletes responsibility to have all proper paperwork in to the Nurse before he/she can be examined.
INJURIES
1. If an injury or illness occurs during the season which requires medical attention, the student must have the attending physician complete the MIAA Return to Athletic Participation Form. This form must be turned in to the coach before the student may return to practice. This also applies to a player who was injured during the previous season and would be joining a team after the start of the season.
TRANSPORTATION
All players are expected to ride the bus to and from games. They may ride home with their parents if the parent is present at the game site and requests that the athlete be released to their custody.
MIAA RULES #56ub
1. A STUDENT MAY PRACTICE AND PLAY ONLY ONCE IN ANY DAY - BUT MAY INCLUDE DOUBLE SESSIONS WHEN SCHOOL IS NOT IN SESSION (RULE 19). THEREFORE, A STUDENT MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICE OR CONTEST OF A NON-SCHOOL TEAM IF A PRACTICE OR CONTEST HAS BEEN HELD FOR HIS/HER HIGH SCHOOL TEAM ON THE DAY. THIS APPLIES TO ALL LEVELS - VARSITY, JUNIOR VARSITY, AND MIDDLE SCHOOL.
2. ATHLETES ON ALL TEAMS MUST COMPLY WITH THE BONAFIDE TEAM RULE. BONAFIDE MEMBERS OF A SCHOOL TEAM ARE PRECLUDED FROM MISSING A HIGH SCHOOL PRACTICE OR COMPETITION IN ORDER TO PRACTICE OR COMPETE WITH AN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TEAM (RULE 6). Violations of the above rules will result in ineligibility for two high school contests or two weeks whichever is the greater on the first offense, and 45 days of high school ineligibility on the second offense.
MIAA RULE 14 ON CHEMICAL HEALTH
1. During the season of practice or play, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use or consume, possess, but/sell or give away any beverage containing alcohol, any tobacco product, marijuana, any controlled substance, or steroids. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student's own use by his/her doctor. (Refer to local school rule which also include "be in the presence of"). MIAA Minimum Penalties for the above violations: First Violation: Dismissed from team. Second and Subsequent Offenses - Loss of eligibility for the greater of 12 consecutive events or 12 consecutive weeks of a season. If the penalty is not completed during the season of violation, the penalty shall carry over to the student's next season of participation. All school policies stricter than those stated above hold preference.
ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
Fall Season
Field Hockey(V-JV-M. S.)
Football(V-JV-M.S.)
Soccer(V-JV-M.S.)
Soccer Girls(V-JV)
Volleyball(V-JV)
Cheerleading(V)Winter Season
Basketball-Boys(V-JV-M.S.)
Basketball-girls(V-JV-M.S.)
Cheerleading(V)Spring Season
Baseball(V-JV-M.S.)
Golf(V)
Softball(V-M.S.)
Track-boys(V)
Track-girls(V)Starting Dates
Fall season: the Monday before Labor Day (Exception-Football) allowed three additional days.
Winter Season: the Monday after Thanksgiving
Spring Season: The third Monday in MarchThe conclusion of the season is defined to include participation through the last MIAA sponsored tournament or event.
Superintendent of Schools
P. O. Box 680
South Main Street
Orange MA 01364
Superintendent's Office (978) 544-2920
E-Mail: Dr_Namin@rcmahar.org
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All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without permission of Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District.