CLEARSPRING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND

HPETA GRADE 7 AND 8 PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES FOR

INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

Please remember to sign beside your child’s name before leaving this evening!

Introductions

Mr. Ed Neufeld – Principal Ms. Merrilee Plett – Vice Principal Mr. A.J. Neufeld – P.E. Teacher Mr. Trevor Paton – P.E. Teacher/ 7 Boys

Coach Mr. Kevin Martens – Teacher/ 7 Girls

Coach Ms. Kyra Guenther – 8 Girls Coach Ms. Martha Goertzen – 8 Girls Coach Mr. Jason Winter – 8 Boys Coach

What We’re Here For…

Outline Hanover Physical Education Teachers Association (HPETA) Guidelines for Participation in Interscholastic Sports

Clarify how these guidelines will be applied in CMS sports teams

Answer questions

Middle Years Philosophy

School should be a safe, supportive, stimulating and invitational environment

Inclusive and creates a sense of belonging

Adolescents are capable of far more than adults often assume

Middle Years Philosophy at CMS

CMS is built upon Middle Years Philosophy We believe:

Athletics is a vital component of school culture Athletes should be given the opportunity to

participate in a variety of sports Interscholastic athletics should reflect the

same values that the rest of the school is built upon

Grade 7 Guidelines for Participation

Primary focus Fun Fundamentals Fair play Fitness Developing Friendships

Grade 7 Guidelines for Participation

More emphasis on individual skill development and team concepts in preparation for Grade 8 and Senior Years competition

No tryouts or cuts If there are enough players to create 2 teams,

we will try to do that

Grade 7 Guidelines for Participation

All players will participate in games with equal playing time.

Please note that our coaches will make every effort to make this happen, but some circumstances are beyond their control

Athletes are expected to consistently attend practice in order to receive equal playing time

The Grade 7 league is developmental and has no playoffs or championship.

Questions regarding Grade 7 participation policies?

Grade 8 Guidelines for Participation

Primary focus Fun Further development of individual and team

skills Demonstrate the principles of fair play Continue to develop and grow friendships Develop a recognition and appreciation for

participating in interscholastic sports as part of a healthy and active lifestyle

Grade 8 Guidelines for Participation

HPETA guidelines provide the option for schools to hold tryouts and cut athletes from teams

CMS will not hold tryouts or cut players in Grade 8.

If possible, we will attempt to create 2 teams in order to allow all athletes with the opportunity to participate in interscholastic sport

Players will be divided with the intention of creating equal teams “A” teams, “Traveling” teams, or “Tournament”

teams will not be created

Why Equal Teams?

Middle Years Philosophy demands inclusion and a safe environment in which students (and athletes) are willing to take risks

Creating an “A” team sends a message to those players who did not make that team that they are “not good enough” These are the players who take the risk in

participating Players who are cut or are relegated to “B” teams

often stop participating in that sport entirely It is our goal at CMS to use interscholastic athletics to

promote participation in sport as a healthy part of an active lifestyle

Grade 8 Guidelines for Participation

Season length of approximately 6-8 weeks

Playoffs and a championship final will follow Championship and Finalist Banners will be

awarded

There is a greater emphasis on competition in the Grade 8 League, in preparation for Senior Years participation.

Grade 8 Guidelines for Participation

Every student will play in every game, with significant playing time for each player

Playing time for each athlete may not be equal

Each athlete can expect to play in a significant portion of the game they play in

What Will “Significant Playing Time” Look Like?

This is ultimately the coach’s decision In basketball it could look like…

An equivalent of one quarter on the floor 4-5 consecutive minutes on the floor An opportunity to have an effect on the game,

make mistakes and learn from them without being immediately pulled from the game

What Does “Significant Playing Time” NOT Look Like?

The player sits on the bench for the entire game and only plays in the last 2 minutes of a game whose outcome has been decided

The player is substituted into the game, makes an error, and is immediately pulled off the floor; the player does not play again.

The player is consistently substituted into the game for very short intervals (eg 1 minute of game time).

What does CMS expect of our athletes?

…From our student athletic contract…

“CMS athletes are expected to uphold the ideals of being a TRAILBLAZER.

  A TRAILBLAZER

is respectful and courteous to all teammates, coaches, opposing players, officials and parents.

works hard to be the best s/he can be in class, in practice and in competition

is a leader who makes good choices, even when they are difficult to make perseveres in the face of challenges takes risks to improve attends all practices and games/competitions demonstrates the ideals of a TRAILBLAZER during regular school hours and

during competition”

Grade 8 Guidelines for Participation

An athlete’s playing time is dependent on their ability to uphold the ideals of being a TRAILBLAZER

Coaches and/or the school administration have the right to reduce the amount of playing time an athlete receives if that athlete… Does not come to practice or games Demonstrates inappropriate behaviours in

practices, games or during school hours Is behind in his/her schoolwork

CMS Student-Athlete Contract

All interscholastic athletes in Grade 7 and 8 are accountable to uphold the values identified in the contract

Significant issues and concerns related to an athlete may be referred by a coach or teacher to the athletic department

CMS Student-Athlete Contract

Decision making will generally rest with the athletic department…

A.J. Neufeld and Trevor Paton

…in consultation with: school administration (Ed Neufeld and Merrilee

Plett) coaches and teachers parents of the athlete

We All Make Mistakes…

From our student athletic contract…

“WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES and deserve the opportunity to correct our mistakes. An athlete who

is suspended from participation will have the opportunity to correct their mistakes, demonstrate

that s/he is a TRAILBLAZER and return to competition.”

Our Coaches…

Our coaches are all volunteers who are coaching because… They love sport They love working with kids They want to share their love and knowledge

of the sport with our students.

There would be no athletic program if it were not for our coaches!

Are There Any Questions?

Don’t forget to sign beside your athlete’s name(s) before leaving to indicate you were

present this evening.

Thank you for coming!