Athletics Policy

The mission of The Sharon Academy is to nurture intelligent, independent, and creative thinking in a small school community, awakening students to their immense potential and the difference they can make in the world.

Athletics are a valued part of the diverse TSA community and experience, and are to be conducted in a manner in accordance with and in furtherance of TSA’s mission statement. TSA’s Mission Statement serves as the overarching principle for all participants in the athletic program: administrators, coaches, student athletes, parents, and spectators. TSA’s athletic program strives to develop the following qualities in all participants: sportsmanship, enjoyment of athletics, physical fitness, self discipline, social development, responsible and enjoyable team membership, skills specific to each sport, and athletics in general.

All students are encouraged to participate in TSA athletics. Room will be made on TSA teams for all who desire to participate.

TSA shall seek coaches who adhere to the school’s Mission Statement, are knowledgeable in the sport they are coaching, understand the needs and priorities of TSA students, are effective and willing communicators, promote safety, and serve as positive role models. TSA coaches will encourage TSA students to perform at a safe, enjoyable, and competitive level in all sports. As part of the coaching duties, the head coach at each level is expected to communicate on a regular basis with parents and students in group sessions and individually as needed. Coaches should be aware that TSA makes many time demands on its students and parents and these demands should be taken into consideration.

TSA shall endeavor to provide equipment and facilities that are safe and appropriate for age and ability level. TSA, acting through its Director of Athletics, shall also provide a First Aid kit and a supervisor at all athletic events held at TSA facilities.

TSA athletes are expected to maintain the same high level of academic and social standing as required of all TSA students. No athlete, no matter how skilled or important to any given team, shall be exempt from TSA’s academic and behavior standards and expectations. All team members are expected to make choices that positively affect the health, safety, and well being of themselves and others. If a student’s academic standing is in question, appropriate faculty and staff will meet with the student and their parents to develop a support plan or plan of action that, at the discretion of the Director of Athletics, may or may not preclude them from participation on the athletic team.

Click here to download a PDF of the Athletics Policy

Code of Conduct:

TSA expects and appreciates that all participants (administrators, coaches, students, parents and spectators), be supportive and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner before, during, and after all athletic events whether held at TSA or other venues. Failure to do so may result in serious consequences including: expulsion from TSA, dismissal from the team, or exclusion from the spectator area. Please refer to our TSA Behavior Policy.

All TSA participants are to be gracious hosts and visitors, gracious winners and losers, respectful of the opposition and always respectful and courteous towards the officials. All TSA participants are to remember that officials are not to be targeted, publicly challenged, or confronted at any time. Only appropriate TSA administrators, coaches, and team captains may address officials.

All involved in TSA sports are to model appropriate and civil behavior at all times. No TSA participant is to confront a referee, coach or another athlete at any athletic event including games and practices.

Attendance:

TSA athletes are expected to attend at least a half-day at school the day of and the day of a game. Students are expected to attend school the day following a game. In extenuating circumstances administration may set an acceptable late arrival time the day following an exceptionally late game. Students who flagrantly abuse these expectations without valid cause (see attendance policy and procedure) may be denied participate in that day’s athletic program including both practices and games.

Attendance at all practice sessions and games is required at all levels unless the student is ill or has a reasonable conflict and is excused by a teacher, administrator or coach. Students who are unable to practice or play but are in school should still attend practice and games if possible.

Athletics Program:

Middle School: The Middle School sports programs maintain a focus on participation, enjoyment, skill development, knowledge of the game and physical fitness. Substantial participation/playing time at practice and in games, while the game is still competitive, is a primary goal of the Middle School sports program. A student’s determination, dedication and demonstrated interest in the program may be considered by the coach in determining playing time. There will be no “cutting” of players at the Middle School level. Eighth grade students may participate at the Varsity level if there is no Junior Varsity team and the Varsity team needs additional members. .

High School: High School sports include two distinct levels of play. These are:

Junior Varsity: At the Junior Varsity level the emphasis is on participation, enjoyment, skill development, knowledge of the game and physical fitness. Every effort will be made to involve all team members in every game while the game is still competitive. Playing time is determined by the following criteria: a student’s determination, dedication, demonstrated interest in the program, and skill level. Junior Varsity players should a maintain a level of competitiveness as it is a precursor to the Varsity team. There will be no “cutting” of players at the Junior Varsity level. Students in the 11th and 12th grade may play at the Junior Varsity level.

Varsity: Varsity teams will continue the emphasis on skill development and enjoyment with a strong emphasis on achievement of excellence. The requirements of being competitive at the Varsity level are to be recognized by all. Varsity teams will be comprised primarily of 11th and 12th grade students augmented by 9th and 10th grade students who can make a significant contribution to the Varsity team without putting their health/safety and academic standing at risk. Varsity playing time will not be guaranteed and will be largely determined by coaches assessing the needs of the team, the competitiveness of the competition, and the capabilities of the players. As a result, some varsity team members may not play at all in some or several games.

Varsity coaches should work with the Junior Varsity and Middle School coaches to promote a cohesive program within their sports.

Eligibility: Vermont Principals’ Association Regulations.

a. A contestant or participant must be a bona fide student in TSA as defined by the TSA Board of Trustees and Staff, and must meet TSA’s prescribed academic and eligibility rules. An exception would be a student who plays as part of the VPA member-to-member program.

b. A transfer student is eligible at once provided she/he was a bona fide student in the school from which she/he transferred according to the definition in item a. above. If the transfer is the result of any coercion, recruiting or inducement to move in order to participate in interscholastic activities, the student will be ineligible for a period of three hundred sixty-five calendar days from the date of the infraction. The principal or head of school of any receiving school shall check carefully to determine the reason for the transfer.

c. A student who competes in any VPA sanctioned activity must be under 19 years of age, except that a student whose 19th birthday occurs on or after August 1st is eligible for all activities in the ensuing school year. Students who have attained the age of 19 prior to August 1st shall be ineligible for all VPA sanctioned activities.

d. A student is ineligible if she/he has graduated from any course of study in a secondary school.

e. A student is ineligible if she/he has lost amateur standing as defined by the Vermont Headmaster’s Association Athletic Standards.

f. No student may be involved on more than one interscholastic team per sport season.

Physical Requirements:

All students are required to submit a current physical examination form, performed within a year’s time, to participate.

Cancellations:

It is TSA’s policy that when school is canceled due to inclement weather, practices and games may still proceed if the weather permits. Coaches will notify players if scheduled activities are to be canceled. When school is in session and weather at the end of the day results in events being canceled, the decision to cancel will generally be made by 1:30 p.m. if possible.

Team Travel:

Travel to games will be in private cars and or the school vehicle. Students may drive themselves and/or sibling(s) to away games only with express permission of the Head of School, or the Director of Athletics and only with the written permission of the student’s parent(s) or guardians. On occasion a bus may be hired to transport players to away games.

Adopted this 27th day of October, 2003

Click here to download a PDF of the Athletics Policy