2011-2012
STUDENT-ATHLETE & PARENT HANDBOOK TO ATHLETICS
Please use this section of the handbook as a reference for student -athletes
and parents to have a successful athletic experience at Villa Walsh Academy.
Overview of Villa Walsh Academy Athletics
Villa Walsh Academy is regulated by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic
Association (NJSIAA) and competes in Non-Public Group B. Villa Walsh is a member of
the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) and participates in Morris County
Secondary Schools Athletic Directors’ Association (MCSSADA) tournaments and
various New Jersey Independent Schools Athletic Association (NJISAA) Prep
tournaments. Fall sport offerings include: Varsity and JV tennis, Varsity and JV soccer
and Varsity and JV cross country and JV volleyball. Winter sport offerings include:
middle school, freshman, JV and Varsity basketball, Varsity and JV swimming, Varsity
cheerleading and Varsity and JV indoor track. Spring sport offerings include: Varsity and
JV softball, Varsity and JV lacrosse, and Varsity and JV track and field.
Expectations of Student Athletes
Participation in the athletics program is a privilege. Athletes represent Villa Walsh
Academy each time they enter a field, track, court or pool, and therefore are expected to
conduct themselves in a respectful way consistent with the moral values modeled at Villa
Walsh Academy. In addition, a Villa Walsh athlete is asked to always put forth her best
effort.
Fans are reminded to use good sportsmanship whenever attending an athletic event in
support of our teams as they also have the responsibility as representatives of Villa Walsh
Academy. To maintain a sportsmanlike atmosphere, a fan demonstrating unsportsmanlike
behavior, will be asked to leave the event.
Medical policies and forms
Prior to the start of each school year athletic forms must be completed. The forms
include: medical history of the athlete, physician forms, parent release form, emergency
contact form, NJSIAA concussion awareness form and VWA Impact testing
permission/awareness form.
All forms and additional information are available on the school website
www.villawalsh.org and must be completed and turned in to the school nurse by the set
date for approval before an athlete will be permitted to try-out for or participate in
practice or competition.
As per NJSIAA rule, before any student-athlete is allowed to practice, she must have a
physical completed by a family physician or the school’s physician “within 365 days
prior to the first practice session.” In addition “Each student whose medical
examination was completed more than 60 days prior to the first practice session shall
provide a health history update of medical problems experienced since the last medical
examination. This shall be completed and signed by the parent.”
Practices and games
- Every athlete must have participated in a minimum of six practice days (not sessions)
prior to the first scrimmage or game, unless she has participated in a state championship
contest in the preceding season as per the NJSIAA.
- The length and time of practices may vary from sport to sport. Due to a high demand of
indoor gymnasium time, it may be necessary to practice at an offsite location, or at an
earlier or later time of the day.
- All scrimmages, games and officials are scheduled through the Athletic Director in
accordance with regulations set by the NJSIAA, the NJAC and the MCSSADA.
- It is strongly recommended that athletes attend all practices. However, in an emergency,
an absence should be communicated with the coach or the Athletic Director. The athletic
department appreciates the scheduling of vacations out of season.
- Athletes are reminded that they have chosen to participate on a VWA athletic team and
to put that team before other outside activities or club teams during the season.
- An athlete must be in school by 10:30 a.m. in order to participate in a practice or
contest that afternoon with the exception of extenuating circumstances. Athletes who
leave for an excused reason may be permitted to participate that day.
- An athlete who is unable to participate in Physical Education class due to an injury or
illness will not be permitted to participate in a practice or contest that day.
Schedules and directions
Schedules and directions are available through the school website at www.villawalsh.org
or found directly on www.nwjerseyac.com by clicking Villa Walsh Academy. Parents,
athletes and fans are encouraged to sign up for alerts regarding schedules and changes via
email or text. The schedules and directions are updated as needed; however, it may not
reflect last minute changes due to weather or unforeseen conflicts.
Transportation
Transportation is provided to all athletic contests or offsite practices. Athletes may not
drive a car to an athletic contest or offsite practice. However, in the case of a family
emergency, a parent request in writing must be given to the Athletic Director prior to the
event. Athletes are permitted to go home with a parent/guardian after a contest. A note
requesting the athlete’s departure would be considered a courtesy to our Athletic
Department. If a parent does not attend the contest, the athlete will travel home with the
school provided transportation. Any athlete who plans on leaving a contest with an adult
other than a parent must submit a note, prior to the contest, to the Athletic Department for
notification and permission.
Participation
The number of team members in a given sport is limited to individual sport
specifications. Therefore, it may be necessary to cut players from a team. The coaching
staff along with the Athletic Director will make the decision on the final number of
players. This number may vary from year to year. Expectations and criteria of team
members will be set at the start of the preseason by the coach. Coaches make difficult
decisions throughout the season in the best interest of the team. Athletes are encouraged
to speak directly with a coach about conflicts, strengths and weaknesses. If a player
would like to discuss the issue further, a meeting may be scheduled with the athlete,
coach, and Athletic Director.
Equipment and uniforms
Equipment, uniforms and warm-ups are sport-specific and are issued to the VWA athlete,
who is responsible for the care of said items during the season. The athlete is responsible
for returning all issued equipment, warm-ups, or uniforms, in acceptable condition by the
last contest or last meeting of the season. The student athlete will be charged for the
replacement and cost of any equipment not returned within one week of the end of the
season. An athlete will not be permitted to start the next season of sport until all issued
items have been returned. Because some equipment such as swimsuits or tennis rackets
are individualized, they are not supplied by the athletic department. Due to NJSIAA
regulations, school-issued uniforms, warm-ups, and equipment, are not permitted to be
used out of season for any reason.
Spirit Clothing
Any and all clothing that is to have the Villa Walsh logo or name must be preapproved by
the Athletic Director prior to ordering and must be school colors--green and white. If a
highlight color is to be used athletic yellow/gold will be used.
All orders must be approved by and placed through the Athletic Department.
This applies to all orders, donations etc. Please contact the Athletic Director, Jennifer
Fleury x145, with any questions or with ideas for orders you may be interested in placing.
Traveling to an away contest
Athletes traveling to away contests must dress in a team uniform, team warm-up, team
purchased clothing (athletic department approved), a school uniform or approved dress
by a coach. If additional clothing is worn (e.g. turtleneck) it must be in accordance with
our school colors; green and white.
Away game day dress to school
Athletes are permitted (on away game days only) to wear issued uniforms, warm-ups,
dress-up or sport specific athletic clothing as, (i.e. soccer sweatshirt during soccer season
only) as a team, that has been pre-approved by the Coach or Athletic Director-(i.e. rugby
shirts that are sport related are approved team shirts that may be worn on away game
days). All clothing worn must be green, white or gray decorated with green and white.
- Sneakers are to be worn with all sports uniforms worn during the school day.
- Uniforms that are sleeveless must be worn with a green or white shirt underneath.
- Uniforms that consist of a short skirt or shorts must be worn with an approved garment
as coverage under the skirt.
- Jackets are not permitted to be worn in the classrooms and are not a part of the school or
athletic uniform. If you are unsure what to wear on an away game day, wear your school
uniform and speak to the Coach or Athletic Director.
Personal belongings
The corridor outside of the gymnasium must be kept clear of personal items as it is a
safety hazard to the visitors and residents of Villa Walsh. All book bags, sport bags, and
other personal belongings are to be placed in the gym locker room during practices and
Physical Education classes or along the wall near the equipment room hallway-the grass
area outside the back doors of Mother Ninetta Hall is not an option.
Sports Banquet and Awards
All sports teams will be honored at the annual VWA Sports Banquet held each year at the
end of May. The banquet is sponsored by the Athletic Booster Club. Invitations are sent
via email and posted on the school website to athletes and their families at the beginning
of May.
- Individual teams may hold a post-season dinner celebration in addition to the annual
Sports Banquet.
- The following awards will be presented at the annual Sports Banquet:
Varsity team members are eligible to receive a varsity letter if the athlete participates in a
minimum of fifty percent of contests, or at the discretion of the coaching staff.
Junior Varsity team members will receive a JV Letter.
Freshman and Middle School team members will receive a certificate of participation.
Additional individual awards include: the Morris County Secondary Schools Athletic
Directors Association Scholar-Athlete, NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete, and Northwest Jersey
Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete as well as VWA special awards.
Captains
Student athletes chosen as captain will recognize the title as an honor and a
responsibility. Captain(s) are elected by her teammates and coaches. The number of
captains per team will vary from year-to-year, and sport-to-sport.
Captains will assume responsibilities including, but not limited to:
-being a member of the Villa Captains United group and attending various meetings and
workshop(s)
-communication among teammates, coaches, parents, Athletic Department, school
administration and Athletic Booster Club.
- leadership on and off of the field
- organizing spirit wear team orders along with the Coach and the Athletic Department
Athletic Booster Club
All Villa Walsh Academy parents belong to the Athletic Booster Club. The Booster Club
meets the first Monday of each month. All parents are encouraged and welcome to attend
as much help is needed to make the athletic experience at Villa a special one for our
athletes. The Booster Club supports the Athletic Department through activities such as
Septemberfest, Springfest and the Annual Sports Celebration & Athletic Fund Raiser and
they sponsor the annual Sports Banquet. The Booster Club encourages and welcomes
parent participation on any level.
Staff:
Athletic Director: Jennifer Fleury, vwathletics@optonline.net or school x145
Assistant to Athletics: Margo Connors, margoconnors@yahoo.com or school x273
Athletic Training: Brady Blaszka, bradyblaszka@performanceptsc.com or through the Athletic
Department at x145
Physical Education: Anneliese Yombor, villawalsh@hotmail.com or school x140
Many of our coaches work outside of Villa during the school day and can be reached via
email, through our webpage or through the Athletic Department.