| 12.15.2009 |
Dear Youth Basketball Parents, Before our basketball game season begins in January, I would like to take a few minutes of your time to go over a few things with you, explain some expectations you should have, as well as a few policies that have been put into place this year. Game and practice schedules for January through March are finalized and can be found online at www.roanokecountyva.gov/athletics. Games will begin when players go back to school in early January. Younger aged teams have been given a scrimmage game to start their season. Any game on your team’s schedule between January 4th and January 8th is a scheduled scrimmage game. There will be no clock operator, score book keeper, or game officials during the scrimmages and their outcome will not be counted in the league standings. The scrimmages are simply a great way to give teams an opportunity to return to basketball from the long holiday break without jumping into regular season games. Please note that because of the odd number of teams in some divisions, some teams were given an extra practice that week instead of a scrimmage if there was no opponent for them to play. During the game season, you will more than likely have at least one game or practice canceled due to winter weather. It is the Departments policy that any time Roanoke County Public Schools dismiss early or are closed due to inclement weather, all schedule basketball games and practices for that day are canceled. On weekends, the Athletics Division will make a decision prior to 7:30 am on the status of games. This information can be found by calling our cancellation line at 540-387-6455 extension 6. If inclement weather arrives during the day, the cancellation line will be updated as needed. Reschedules are typically done within 48 hours of the cancellation and are updated on your teams online schedule. As with all Roanoke County sanctioned youth team sports, there is a minimum play time rule for all players who are at a game. The length of time each player is guaranteed prior to the start of the 4th quarter is based on the number of players in attendance. If a team has 7 or less players, each player must play a minimum of 20 minutes. If a team features 8 or 9 players, each player must play a minimum of 15 minutes. If a team features more than 10 players, each player must play a minimum of 10 minutes. If your child does not receive their minimum play time before the start of the 4th quarter, please contact the Athletics Division so that we can investigate the matter with your coach. Unfortunately, youth basketball has historically been the sport with the largest number of unsportsmanlike actions by players, coaches and spectators. In an effort to combat this problem, the Department has taken several steps to retool basketball to a fun and positive experience for all involved. The first step was the adoption of a “No Tolerance Policy” for inappropriate actions. The goal of this policy is to share the level of expectations all players, staff and spectators must follow at any athletic event. This policy also shares the possible consequences for not complying. I strongly recommend that you view our entire” No Tolerance Policy” which can be found on our website, www.roanokecountyva.gov/athletics under the “Youth Team Sports” page. It is important to understand that ever parent agreed to abide by this policy at the time they registered their child to play. The second step was the addition of a rule for players and coaches who receive a technical or flagrant foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. The new rule requires that any player who receives such a foul to be removed from the game and sit for five game clock minutes to “cool down.” Any coach who receives the same foul will lose their standing privileges for the remainder of the game and may face possible suspension based on any history of inappropriate behavior. Lastly, when possible, we have set up game gyms in a way that places spectators on one side of the court, and coaches, players and staff on the other. This action was taken to move spectators away from game personnel, coaches and players. Please be aware that unless you are attending to an injured child you should not be on the court or the player side of the court at anytime. I hope these steps show you have serious our Department is in correcting the inappropriate actions of a few at our sporting events. As many of you know, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department began a comprehensive background screening of our youth sports coaches beginning in January 2008. To date the Department has screened over 1,500 youth sports coaches, and each screened coach has been given a photo ID badge that they are required to wear at all organized games, practices and team functions. In an effort to help monitor this program, I would like to ask each of you to make sure that your coaches are wearing his or her credentials. If you notice your coaches are not wearing an ID Badge, please assume that the individual has not been screened and should not have unsupervised access to your child. We also ask that you contact the Athletics Division (540.387.6078 or ahayes@roanokecountyva.gov) so we can confirm your coach has been successfully screened. If at any point during the season you have a question regarding these expectations or policies, or you have other questions and concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Have a great season! Athletics Division Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department ________________________________ Allen Hayes Athletics Division Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism (540) 387-6078 ext.254 (540) 387-6146 fax |