Valley Christian High School Athletic Department
The mission of the Valley Christian High School Athletic Department is to provide a nurturing environment offering quality instruction supported by a strong foundation of Christian values in partnership with parents, equipping students to become leaders to serve God, their families, and to positively impact their communities and the world.
The Valley Christian Athletic program exists for three primary purposes:
1. To teach life lessons that come through true competition: effort, teamwork, sportsmanship, preparation, dignity, worth, and handling adversity.
2. To be a strong outreach branch of the VCS ministry. We strive to share the gospel message through words and actions with all whom we come into contact, and to provide a Christian environment for entertainment and competition.
3. To provide Christian role models of the highest skill levels in our coaching staff, with the intent of forming a Christ-like character in our athletes.
Valley Christian is a proud member of the CIF program Pursuing Victory with Honor.
VCS ESLRs (Expected Schoolwide Learning Results)
Graduates will demonstrate:
• A personal understanding of the Christian faith and values as found in the Bible and reflected in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
• Verbal, written, and technological skills for effective communication.
• An ability to think critically, solve problems effectively, and draw conclusions from research, personal analysis, and investigation.
• Competence in the academic disciplines that will enable them to pursue the university and career goals to which they aspire.
• The interpersonal skills needed to work cooperatively and effectively with others, including those of other cultures.
In addition to the policies and procedures included below, each team may publish a particular set of rules and/or policies that are an addendum to and governed by the athletic department.
CIF Guidelines
In accordance with the state of California and the California Interscholastic Federation, the following are provisions for participating on an after-school sports team:
• A student must not reach their 19th birthday on or before June 14th of the previous year.
• A student must have attended high school for no more than eight (8) semesters after completing the eighth grade.
Residency Eligibility
All students who transfer (are admitted) to Valley Christian High School (i.e., do not begin their enrollment at Valley Christian High School on their first day of ninth grade) must see the Athletic Director to determine eligibility to play a sport.
Academic Eligibility
• The student-athlete must have passed 20 semester periods of schoolwork in the previous grading period.
• The student-athlete must be currently enrolled in 20 semester periods of schoolwork.
• The student-athlete must have attained a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in the previous grading period.
After each grading period, the registrar will send the athletic department a list of students who fall below a 2.0 grade point average. The Athletic Department will communicate the ineligible student-athletes for that quarter to head coaches.
Procedures for Appeal
If a student-athlete falls below a 2.0 grade point average, they may retain their eligibility on a probationary basis if granted by the Principal.
A complete list of all CIF guidelines and bylaws is available at www.cifstate.org. Parents and students are strongly encouraged to ask the Athletic Director any questions about CIF, CCS, WCAL, or VCS guidelines.
Conduct – Code of Ethics
Student-athletes are expected to represent the highest ideals of the school, both on and off campus. It is the duty of all concerned to:
• Emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play.
• Stress the values derived from playing the game fairly.
• Show cordial courtesy to visiting teams and officials.
• Respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials.
• Achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules.
• Encourage leadership, use of initiative, and good judgment by the players on a team.
• Remember that an athletic contest is only a game, not a matter of life and death for the player, coach, school, officials, fans, or community.
Conflict Resolution
Students and/or parents who have a concern should follow these steps in order:
1. The student-athlete approaches the coach and asks for a time to meet to discuss the issue.
2. If resolution is not reached, the parent should contact the coach to arrange a meeting.
3. In the rare instance that there is still no resolution, the parent should contact the Athletic Director to arrange a meeting with the student-athlete, the parent, the coach, and the Athletic Director.
4. Other administrators are generally involved only to discuss the Athletic Director’s handling of the situation.
Evaluations
At the end of each season, every student-athlete will have an opportunity to evaluate their coaching staff through the Coaches’ Performance Evaluation administered by the Athletic Department.
Facilities
Student-athletes may use Valley Christian facilities only with Valley Christian Athletic Department approval and under the supervision of a faculty or staff member.
Facility Rental
For facility rental information, go to www.facilitron.com/vcs95111.
Fundraising
We are blessed to have a strong tradition of supportive parents in our athletic program. If you feel led to support Valley Christian Athletics, contact the Athletic Director, Ryan Realini, for more information.
No individual fundraising accounts exist for any team or program, and individual fundraisers are not allowed without written permission of the Athletic Director. For questions regarding fundraising or contributing to athletics, contact the Athletic Director.
Hazing
Hazing is prohibited. Any attempt to hold a “rookie night” or any other type of initiation, even if held privately, will be cause for dismissal from the team. Valley Christian affirms the dignity of every student. Hazing is unacceptable conduct, as well as illegal, and will not be tolerated.
Informed Consent
By its very nature, competitive athletics can put students in situations in which serious, catastrophic, and perhaps fatal accidents could occur. Students and parents/guardians must assess the risks involved in such participation and make their choice to participate in spite of those risks. No amount of instruction, precaution, or supervision will totally eliminate all risk of injury. Just as driving an automobile involves choice of risk, participation in athletics is inherently dangerous. The obligation of parents and students in making this choice to participate cannot be overstated.
By granting permission for their son/daughter to participate in athletic competition, a parent/guardian acknowledges that playing or practicing in any sport can be a dangerous activity involving many risks of injury. Both the athlete and the parent must understand that the dangers and risks of playing or practicing include, but are not limited to: death, complete or partial paralysis, brain damage, serious injury to virtually all internal organs, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other aspects of the skeletal system, and potential impairment to other aspects of the body, general health, and well-being.
Intercollegiate Athletics
The Valley Christian High School administration and coaching staff seek to encourage student-athletes to set lofty goals, and we work diligently to help students reach them. In terms of participation in intercollegiate athletics, families should expect the coaching staff to provide honest feedback regarding a student-athlete’s potential to participate in college athletics and the proper level of competition. Parents often comment that the Valley Christian High School administration and coaching staff are helpful and knowledgeable regarding intercollegiate athletics.
However, it is also important to understand that high school athletics do not exist as a minor league system for college athletics. Decisions regarding playing time, systems, scheduling, etc. are not made with college athletics in mind. Instead, our athletic program exists to teach lessons that can only be learned in an educational athletic forum.
Coaches are neither expected nor required to ensure that students have the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level. However, families will find that coaches at Valley Christian consistently work hard to ensure interested students have the opportunity to pursue their passions at the next level. Student-athletes interested in competing as college athletes should make that desire known to coaches and athletic administration early in their high school career in order to have as many options as possible upon graduation.
Participation Fee
The athletic fee is $95.00 per sport for the first two sports in a school year. The third sport in a school year is free. Finance & Business Services will bill this fee to the student’s school account in the second half of the season, once rosters are finalized. Please do not pay in advance.
The fee helps to partially offset the following athletic costs:
• Coaches
• Coaches’ education
• Uniforms
• Equipment
• Equipment repair
• Officials
• Facilities
• Awards
• Transportation
• Tournament fees
• League fees
• CCS fees
Participation in Multiple Sports
The Valley Christian Athletic Department seeks to work cooperatively with students to allow them to pursue interests in as many areas as possible during their time at Valley Christian. All athletes who compete for a Valley Christian team are allowed to try out for a team in the next season upon the conclusion of the previous season. Coaches and teachers will try to work cooperatively with families to allow participation in multiple activities (dance, theatre, band, etc.) when possible. However, coaches have the ability to set the minimum requirements for team membership.
Practice Sessions
A coach may, at their discretion, determine whether practice sessions are open or closed to parents/spectators. Oftentimes the presence of parents puts undue pressure on student-athletes and serves as a distraction to the coaching process.
• There are no Sunday practice sessions.
• Morning practice sessions are not mandatory unless approved by the Athletic Director.
• All student-athletes are expected to be at practice unless released by athletic administration.
Permission to Meet with Student-Athletes
Various instances arise throughout the school year and during a season when the Athletic Department will need to meet with student-athletes. Permission to meet with student-athletes is at the discretion of the Athletic Department.
Spirit Packs
Spirit packs are the equipment or clothing that student-athletes keep at the end of the season (practice gear, warm-ups, socks, etc.). Spirit packs are available for purchase or will be billed to your student account. The athletic department will work with coaches to be good stewards of our parents’ resources.
Sportsmanship
Beyond the guidelines and regulations that Valley Christian is obligated to follow, it is our hope that everyone associated with our athletic programs recognizes the purpose of our sportsmanship policies: as a Christian community, we are called to mirror the love that God has for all people, including those whom we compete against.
Anyone associated with an athletic contest has a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship before, during, and after a contest. Sportsmanship includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Show respect for teammates, opponents, and officials.
• Treat opponents as guests in your facility.
• Accept both victory and defeat with grace and dignity.
• Refrain from heckling, jeering, or using profane language.
• Be positive in words and actions.
Parents are the primary role models for their children. It is critical that parents set the best example of sportsmanship, particularly when they are spectators at an athletic contest.
Transportation (Bus / Van / Private Vehicle)
In order to travel with a team, student-athletes must be eligible to compete in the contest to which the team is traveling. With rare exception, transportation to and from athletic contests is provided in Valley Christian vehicles. Transportation by any other means is permissible only with the consent of athletic administration and permission of the student-athlete’s parent or guardian. Any parent wishing to assist in driving a team must fill out a Driver Authorization form and a Van Guidelines form (available on the athletic website).
Transportation to and from practices is the responsibility of the student-athlete and their parents. In the case of off-campus practices, Valley Christian will provide transportation whenever feasible. When this is not feasible, it is the responsibility of the student-athlete and their parents to secure transportation.
Transportation by Bus
• Adequate faculty and/or adult supervision must be provided for activities when school buses are used. It is the responsibility of the bus driver to determine adequate supervision.
• Teachers, advisors, and coaches shall assume major responsibility for maintaining proper and safe student conduct at all times.
• No unauthorized passengers may ride a school bus.
Transportation by Auto (School Van / Private Vehicle)
• Smaller teams will often be transported by school van or private vehicle.
• Students are allowed to drive themselves to athletic contests only if approved by the Athletic Director and a parent.
• Students are never allowed to drive other students to and from athletic contests.
• Adults must complete the necessary driver forms and submit a copy of a current driver’s license and proof of insurance to be cleared to drive students to athletic contests.
• Under no circumstances may any vehicle carry more than nine (9) students plus the driver. If there are more than nine (9) students plus the driver, a regular bus driver’s license is mandatory.
• No recreational vehicles, motor homes, or open vehicles are to be used, regardless of the number of passengers.
The only times athletes may arrive at an athletic contest without traveling in school-coordinated transportation are:
• On a Saturday or non-regular school day when school is not in session, when it is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation to the site of the contest.
• When the contest is in the evening and it is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation to the contest.
Uniforms / Equipment
Uniforms and any equipment issued to players must be returned in good condition* within one week of the last competition. Players who do not turn in equipment/uniforms will not be allowed to participate in the next sport until the items are received or Valley Christian has been reimbursed for the cost of replacement. Term grades will be held until uniforms are returned.
*Good condition is defined as usable for the next sports season. Uniforms should not have any tears, rips, holes, or discoloration from improper washing (wash all uniforms in cold water).
Valley Christian is a drug-, alcohol-, tobacco-, and steroid-free school. As members of an athletic team, student-athletes will refrain from using alcohol, drugs, and tobacco in accordance with school policy. If a coach or parent becomes aware of any situation involving illegal drug or alcohol use, they should immediately bring the information to the Athletic Director, Dean of Students, or Principal.
Steroid Policy
As a condition of membership in the California Interscholastic Federation, the Central Coast Section, and the West Catholic Athletic League, Valley Christian Schools has adopted policies prohibiting the use of androgenic/anabolic steroids. As a member school of the WCAL, all participating student-athletes and their parents/legal guardians/caregivers agree that the athlete will not use steroids without the written permission of a fully licensed physician in the State of California, recognized by the American Medical Association, to treat a medical condition (Bylaw 524).
It is the policy of Valley Christian Schools to oppose the use of performance-enhancing supplements such as creatine, androstenedione, etc. The athletic department takes the position that all student-athletes should make positive lifestyle choices formed by a Christian conscience and a loving responsibility and accountability to coaches and the members of the team. Valley Christian student-athletes will compete and reach their full potential, but will do so based on their natural, God-given abilities, without the introduction of foreign substances into their bodies.
By signing that they have read and understand the Valley Christian Athletic Handbook, the participating student-athlete and parents/legal guardians/caregivers agree that the student shall not use androgenic/anabolic steroids without the written prescription of a fully licensed physician, as recognized by the American Medical Association and licensed in the State of California to practice medicine. Under CIF Bylaw 200 D, there could be penalties for providing false or fraudulent information.
Valley Christian Schools’ policy regarding the use of any illegal drugs or substances, and the accompanying disciplinary action, will be enforced for any violations of these rules. Student-athletes will be disciplined and/or dismissed from an athletic team if they participate in the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or steroids. These substances are illegal and may be harmful to your body and personal well-being.
Sign-Ups and Tryouts
Any student-athlete who intends to try out for a team must sign up for that team and attend an informational meeting with the coach. The coach will indicate the physical abilities and general skill level required to make the team. All student-athletes must try out for the designated level for their class. Only the varsity coach may invite a student to move up to another level and/or place a junior on the junior varsity team.
Student-athletes will be allowed at least three tryout sessions.* This includes any student-athlete who might begin tryouts late due to an overlapping commitment to another Valley Christian team. Only in rare situations would a student be allowed to make up a missed tryout date.
In many cases, making a team at Valley Christian is highly competitive. While some sports have a no-cut policy, many others have a limited number of positions available. Therefore, student-athletes trying out for a team must realize that they may not make the team. After the tryout period, the coach has the exclusive right to determine whether the student-athlete demonstrated the talent, ability, and attitude to successfully compete in the program.
*Student-athletes who are cut from a sport are encouraged to try out for another sport during the same season. Under these circumstances, the student is only guaranteed one tryout session.
Quitting a Team
To emphasize the importance and great degree of commitment asked of the Valley Christian athlete, any student-athlete who quits a team once they have been selected for it may not join any other Valley Christian team until the conclusion of that first sport’s season. This rule may be waived at the sole discretion of athletic administration.
Starting Dates
Organized practices for league seasons shall not begin before the starting dates listed on the CCS calendar: www.cifccs.org/calendar.
Valley Christian has two certified athletic trainers on staff to assist student-athletes during practices and contests. If a student-athlete suffers an injury during a practice or contest, the on-site medical personnel will respond first. If the trainer is not available, the on-site coach will assess the extent of the injury and call the student-athlete’s parents (non-serious injury) and/or 911 for emergency medical treatment.
Medical Clearance – Physical Exam Form
Students wishing to participate in an interscholastic sport must show evidence of a physical examination given by a licensed California physician that covers their entire season of sport. Physical examinations performed by a chiropractor will not be accepted.
Doctor’s Note
All athletes who have seen a doctor for any reason require a written medical release in order to participate in practices or contests. No athlete under the care of a doctor for an infected wound may participate in practices or contests without a written medical release from their attending physician.
Athletic Participation
No student-athlete will be allowed to participate in any tryout or practice until all forms are completed and submitted to the athletic department via FinalForms.
According to CIF rules, no student-athlete may participate on a non-school team of the same sport during the same season. This includes leagues, tournaments, charity games, all-star games, 3-on-3 tournaments, college classes, etc. Since participation in a non-school event of the same sport will render an athlete ineligible and force the forfeiture of any Valley Christian contest, student-athletes must check with the Athletic Director if there is any doubt as to whether a competition is permissible under CCS and CIF bylaws.
Valley Christian, WCAL, CCS, and CIF do not sponsor summer league teams. Although participation is allowed, it is not officially or unofficially associated with the above-mentioned groups. The parent assumes full responsibility for medical expenses and any liability that may occur as a result of participation on a summer league team.
The athletic department presents four types of awards: Letter Awards, Participation Certificates, Team Awards, and Scholar Athlete Awards.
Letter Awards
Each head coach determines which athletes are to receive letters based on criteria that include playing time, attendance at practice, and exemplary attitude. Letters are available in the athletic office.
Participation Certificates
These certificates are presented to all athletes who were active and consistent members of a team at any level.
Team Awards
These awards are chosen by the coaches for each team. Varsity teams are allowed three (3) awards, and junior varsity/freshman teams are allowed two (2) awards. The coach chooses the name for each award (e.g., Most Valuable Player, Coach’s Award, Best Defense, Best Offense, Most Inspirational).
Scholar Athlete Award
This award is presented to students who have participated in athletics and maintained a 3.5 weighted grade point average (with no F’s) during their season of sport. The GPA from the last grading period during their sport will be used to determine award eligibility.
We are blessed to have a strong tradition of supportive parents in our athletic program. Often, parents are eager to get involved and help but sometimes do not know how to proceed. As a parent of a Valley Christian athlete, there are multiple volunteer and ministry opportunities available. Please contact the athletic department at 513-2455 for further information.
Expectations of Parents
• Attend orientation and informational meetings.
• Pray for and encourage your child daily.
• Work closely with school personnel to ensure proper academic progress.
• Ensure that your child attends all scheduled practices and athletic contests.
• Acknowledge the authority of the coach to determine strategy, player selection, and playing time.
• Exhibit and promote sportsmanlike behavior from students and parents.
Among the many opportunities that Valley Christian parents and students have is the opportunity to be a witness of the love of Jesus Christ. At Valley Christian Schools, we take this obligation very seriously. We believe that our children’s athletic competition should be a significant part of our entire educational program. Everyone involved in our athletic programs has a duty to ensure that our programs impart important life skills and promote the development of good character.
Essential elements of character building are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is realized when all involved consciously Teach, Enforce, Advocate, and Model these values and are committed to the ideal of pursuing Victory with Honor. The parents/guardians of our student-athletes must play an important role in this commitment. Our good-faith efforts to honor the words and the spirit of these ideals can dramatically improve the quality of our children’s sports experience.
Parents and spectators at all Valley Christian athletic contests are expected to support these values at all times by displaying good sportsmanship. The following are some ways to ensure you are part of a positive youth sports culture:
• Offer supportive encouragement to all the players and coaches on our teams.
• Show respect for the decisions made by contest officials. Refrain from booing, hissing, or making derogatory remarks toward game officials.
• Respect the fans, coaches, and participants from opposing schools.
• Support the team in prayer and through various team ministry opportunities.
• Follow all the rules of the host site and the directions set by administrators or designees from either school.
• Avoid criticizing the decisions of athletes or coaches at events or in your home.
• Attend our parent meetings and be an active member of our parent groups.
Spectator Discipline
The administration and staff at Valley Christian Schools will hold all spectators at our athletic events to the highest ideals of good sportsmanship. Spectators who are unable to exhibit the necessary sportsmanship may be subject to some or all of the following disciplinary actions:
• Verbal reminder
• Removal from the site for the remainder of the contest
• Meeting with VCS administration
• Permanent ban from VCS athletic contests
• Child being removed from the team
• Child being removed from the school
Should you ever become aware of or concerned about issues of poor sportsmanship on the part of our students, coaches, or parents, please do not hesitate to contact the supervisory personnel on duty at the game or the Athletic Director at 513-2524. Thank you for your help in this very important area.
