LFox Chapel Attendance Contract
During the fall 2009 season, we have experienced an increase
in unexcused missed practices, primarily on the men’s and women’s experienced
teams.
Failure to notify coaches about upcoming conflicts with crew
practice, or simply failing to attend practice translates into both a lack of
respect for the time that coaches put into practice organization and into lack
of respect for the time and effort that teammates expend in coming to practice
with the expectation of being able to row in complete lineups. Since we are
forced, by the nature of the sport, to divide athletes into shells of fixed
sizes, when one person is missing, others may be inconvenienced or unable to
participate in water practice.
The concern raised primarily by fellow athletes has led us to
institute this addendum to our Student Contract. The Board and coaches agree
with the sentiments voiced by rowers, and felt strongly that the lessons
learned as a part of organized rowing are meant to instill responsibility, commitment,
and dedication both in and out of sports for life.
The Coaches believe that:
*Family comes first. Family events and emergencies are of
first priority. The necessity to participate in such events should be
communicated to coaches as soon as possible. It is the athlete’s responsibility
to inform a coach, not the parent’s responsibility. Weekend getaways that are
planned a day ahead of time, however, may be problematic for the coach and
fellow athletes. When something
comes up at the last minute, remind yourself that you have a responsibility to
your team, and ask yourself which responsibility is the more important.
*School comes second. If you are having problems with grades
and may need some time off, discuss this with your coach and make a plan that
will help your school needs. You need to learn to manage your time, however.
This is an important part of being an effective student athlete. You know that
you will always have practice, so make adjustments with your study schedule
that fit.
*College-related activities are important. Each of you will make college
visits. This is certainly
understandable; be sure to let your coach know ahead of time and plan visits to
avoid races and important pre-race practices.
*If you are sick, DO NOT COME. If you are not at school due to illness, do not come to
practice. Your health is very important and should be considered first. If you
attended school but are feeling a little under the weather, ask yourself if you
are just going to be a little more uncomfortable than usual at practice, or
will attending practice hinder your health or performance, or will your
presence potentially infect others? You and your parents need to make the
decision, but consider your teammates in your thinking. Let your coach know if
you will be out because of illness.
Unacceptable excuses for missing practice include regularly
scheduled appointments that might be scheduled at times that will not interfere
with practice. At times, such appointments must conflict with practice. When
they do, please give your coach as much warning as possible.
If you are going to miss practice for any reason, inform your
coach as soon as possible. The erg
workout for a missed practice will be 10,000 meters, to be performed with an
electronic memory card, which a coach can lend to you for record keeping. The
erg piece must be done within one week of the missed practice, cannot be done
during practice, and must be done when a coach or substitute is present in the
vicinity of the boathouse. If the upcoming missed practice is communicated to a
coach two days before the anticipated absence and the absence is deemed
appropriate, no erg workout will be assigned. If the absence is deemed
inappropriate or is not cleared in advance, the erg workout will be assigned. Makeup
erg workouts not completed within one week of the absence will result in the
athlete being ineligible for practice.
Printed Name
Date
Signature
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