S P O R T S
H A N D B O O
K 2014
Sport
Introduction ...... 3 Aims ...... 3 Sports Staff ...... 3 Sports Overview ...... 4 Associations ...... 5 Codes of Conduct ...... 6 Players ...... 6 Parents/Spectators ...... 6 Communication ...... 7 Achievements ...... 7 Weekend and Mid-week Sports ...... 8 Available Sports: Year K-2 ...... 8 Available Sports: Year 3-4 ...... 8 Available Sports: Year 5-6 ...... 9 Available Sports: Year 7-12 ...... 10 Contracts (Registration) ...... 11 Grading...... 11 Fees ...... 12 Training ...... 12 Games...... 13 Uniform ...... 14 Equipment ...... 14 Umpiring ...... 14 Duties ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Draws & Venues ...... 15 Transport ...... 15 Privacy & Contact Details...... 15 Representative Sport...... 16 Available Representative Sports: Year 1-2 ...... 16 Available Representative Sports: Year 3-6 ...... 17 Available Representative Sports: Year 7-12 ...... 18 Selection Process...... 18 Trials ...... 19 Training ...... 20 Funding for Elite Athletes ...... 20 Parental Permission & Notes ...... 20 Dates...... 21
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INTRODUCTION Welcome to Sport at Santa Sabina College. The College encourages 'SPORT FOR ALL'. The Sports Program fosters participation by all students in a manner consistent with our Christian values and the College Mission. Our students’ participation in sport is very extensive and a wide variety of sports is available. We hope that your sporting experiences at the College will be happy and rewarding ones. The information in this handbook will assist you in navigating your way through the complexities of sport at the College. Please take the time to read it carefully and to review it at the start of each season. This will help you to become familiar with the College requirements to facilitate your child’s enjoyable participation in sport.
Aims The Santa Sabina College Sports Program aims to: Provide balanced, diverse and well organised sporting opportunities to meet the needs of the students of the College Strengthen school spirit Provide a wide range of sports Encourage student participation Provide sporting opportunities for students of all skill and fitness levels Promote fair play, a sense of commitment and responsibility in all participants Offer students an opportunity to develop their capacity to work with others as a team member Place individuals into teams appropriate to their age, level of skill and fitness while also reflecting the nature of the competition Place teams in competitions and grades that reflect the skill and fitness levels of individual players, the team and the nature of the competition Promote the achievement of personal and team excellence Provide relevant training and fitness programs for teams and individuals
Sports Staff Sport is organised and run by a variety of staff members and volunteers associated with the College. These include members of the Sport and PDHPE Departments, other teaching staff, specialist coaches, family members and ex-students. All make a very valuable contribution to the sporting life of the College and generously give their time to ensure a successful sports program.
Members of the Sports Department can be contacted at the College by phone or email. Early in the school year a list showing which staff members are responsible for each sporting event offered at the College, and their contact details, will be published on SSConnect. This list should assist you in knowing who to contact about sporting events and activities during the year.
Many members of the Sports Department work on a part time basis and frequently attend sporting events. Thus, they are not always able to respond to your concerns or inquiries immediately. If a matter is of a particularly urgent nature please contact the Director of Sport.
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Sports Overview The table below shows the sporting activities traditionally offered by the College. These may vary from year to year. More detailed information about sports offered can be found later in this handbook.
Sport Year K - 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 - 6 Year 7 - 12
Midweek Sport Midweek Sport Midweek Sport Midweek Sport Midweek Sport
Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative
Participation Participation Participation Participation Participation
Saturday/ Saturday/ Saturday/ Saturday/ Saturday/
Aerobics Χ Χ Aquathon Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Athletics Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Badminton Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Baseball/Teeball Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Basketball X X Cricket Χ X Χ Χ Χ Cross Country Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Dance Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Diving Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Equestrian Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Golf Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Gymnastics Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Hockey Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ (G) Indoor Soccer Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Netball X (G)* (G) (G) Snow Sports Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Soccer X Χ Χ √ Softball/Teeball Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ (G) Swimming Χ Χ Χ Tennis Χ Χ Χ Touch Football Χ Χ Χ Χ Volleyball Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Water Polo Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ Χ (G) – Girls only (B) – Boys only
Students who turn 7 in the year of competition are eligible to participate ** Students in Years 1 & 2 only # Students in Year 6 only ## Students who turn 8 in the year of competition are eligible to participate
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Associations Santa Sabina College is a member of a variety of sporting associations and organisations. Such memberships facilitate the provision of sporting opportunities that most effectively meet the sporting needs of the College community. The associations and organisations to which we belong are: Auburn Basketball – consists of sporting clubs which are either district or school based. Bankstown Basketball – consists of sporting clubs which are either district or school based. CGSSSA – Catholic Girls’ Secondary School Sports Association consisting of schools in and around the Sydney Diocese. Most Yr 7–12 representative sport is played with this association. EDWHA – Eastern Districts Women’s Hockey Association consisting of sporting clubs which are predominantly school based. ERNA – Eastwood/Ryde Netball Association consisting of sporting clubs that are either district or school based. FDLC – Five Dock Leisure Centre provides sporting opportunities for social, club and school teams. IGSSA – Independent Girls Schools’ Sports Association consisting of schools in Sydney and some country areas. Most Yr 7–12 Saturday sport is played with this association. IWCSSC – Inner West Catholic Schools’ Sports Council consisting of Primary Catholic Schools in the Inner Western Region. This association has several ‘Clusters’; Santa Sabina College belongs to the ‘Cook Cluster’. Most of our Yr 3–6 representative sport is played with this association. IPSHA – The Independent Primary Schools’ Heads of Australia consisting of schools in Sydney and some country areas. The majority of our Yr 3–6 Saturday sport is played with this association. NSW CCC – New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges consisting of the majority of Catholic Secondary Schools in NSW. This association is our Yr 7–12 representative pathway to state and national levels of competition. NSW CPS – New South Wales Catholic Primary Schools consisting of the majority of Catholic Primary Schools in NSW. This association is our Yr 3–6 representative pathway to state and national levels of competition. NSW All Schools – consisting of the majority of Catholic, Independent and State Secondary Schools in NSW. This is the state level of competition for secondary school students from which students are selected to compete at a national level. NSW McKillop – consists of Catholic Primary Schools in the Diocese of Sydney, Parramatta, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong and Canberra/Goulburn. This is the level of competition for primary school students from which students are selected to compete at a state level. Wests Touch Association – consists of sporting clubs, which are either district or school based. NSW PSSA – New South Wales Primary Schools’ Sports Association consists of the majority of Primary Schools in NSW. This is the state level of competition for primary school students from which students are selected to compete at a national level. UNSW – University of New South Wales consists of predominantly school based teams playing in the Eastern Suburbs Water Polo competition.
Note: A variety of invitational events hosted by other schools and associations may also be entered during the year, depending on their availability and suitability.
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Codes of Conduct The College expects all those who participate in the College Sports Program to do so in a manner consistent with Christian values and the College Mission.
Players Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion. Always show respect for your school, coach, team mates and opponents by being co-operative and punctual to games and training. Remember, without them there would be no competition. Wear the school uniform appropriately. Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches. Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays, whether performed by your team or the opposition. Never cheer or clap a poor performance that results in an advantage to your team. Treat all players in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor. Control your temper. Teasing of other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent or the like is not acceptable behaviour. Respect the decision of officials at all times. If you disagree, speak to your coach who may approach the official during a break or after the competition if this is deemed to be necessary. The abuse of officials is unacceptable. Honour the commitment you have made to the team and the College by attending training sessions and playing for the entire season. Always play by the rules.
Parents/Spectators Encourage children to participate; do not force them. Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours. Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing. Remember that positive comments are motivational. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a match. Remember that children learn best by example. Appreciate good performances and skilful play by all participants. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities. Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise. Show respect for your teams’ opponents. Without them there would be no game. Show appreciation for volunteers, coaches, officials and administrators. Without them your child could not participate. Be an advocate for fair play. Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it be by spectators, coaches, officials or players. Do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches or officials. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
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Communication Effective communication in sporting matters is of paramount importance to the success of the College Sports Program. Important information related to sport is provided to the College community in SEVEN main ways. These are: Sports Contracts / Permission Notes SSConnect (Internal On-Line Learning & Administration Portal) Email (Parents K-12 and Students Y6-12) Veritas Voice - College newsletter Sports notice boards Daily Student Messages Assembly The manner and degree to which these modes of communication are employed depends on a variety of factors, the most significant of which is the age of the student involved. It is essential that students and their parents/guardians are vigilant in attending to these sources for sports information. It is via these communication channels that further opportunities, selection trials, grading times, dates, sports contracts, carnivals, achievements and the like are communicated.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s involvement in sport at the College or would like to assist in any way your first point of contact should be the Sports Staff member responsible for the relevant sport or sporting event. If this person is unavailable and the matter is urgent the Director of Sport should be contacted. Staff can be contacted by telephone or email at the College.
Achievements The College recognises the importance of acknowledging the sporting efforts and achievements of its students. Sports news including individual and team achievements appear in the College newsletter. However, with hundreds of students participating in some form of College based sporting activity at any one time, it is not always possible to keep abreast of each individual team or student’s achievements.
We experience particular difficulties in keeping track of student performances once they move beyond the school level, as we are largely dependent on external sports associations to provide this information-and such information is minimal in some instances. Sports Staff members are always happy to receive and publish updates about individual and team performances. If you have any news, please contact the relevant member of the Sports Staff via email or phone, so we can share news of the students’ efforts and achievements with the community.
There are times when students prefer, particularly as they get older, not to have their achievements publicly recognised. Please do not let this be a barrier to letting the Sports Staff know of achievements. Not all news has to go in the newsletter; publication is at the discretion of those who provide the information.
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WEEKEND AND MID-WEEK SPORTS
Available Sports: Year K-2 (Based on previous years and may vary) Competition / Sport Group Term Time Venues Club /Activity Multi Yrs K-2 Wednesday Santa Super Del Monte 1 Sport Boys & Girls 3.30pm – 4.30pm Sports Activity Baseball Yrs K-2 Saturday Ryde/Hornsby Various parks 4 &1 (Teeball) Boys & Girls 8.00am – 12.00pm Assoc. Comp. Dance Yrs 1 & 2 Midweek Santa Sabina College Del Monte 1 - 3 Boys & Girls 3.30pm – 4.30pm Eisteddfod Groups Netball Yrs 1 & 2 Saturday ERNA Brush Farm, Eastwood 2 & 3 Girls (7+yrs) 8.00am – 12.30pm Competition Soccer Yrs K-2 Saturday CDSFA Strathfield Park (K-1) 2 & 3 Boys & Girls 8.00am – 1.00pm Competition Various parks (Y2) Tennis Yrs K-2 Midweek by Santa Sabina College Del Monte 1 - 4 Boys & Girls arrangement Coaching
Available Sports: Year 3-4 (Based on previous years and may vary) Competition / Sport Group Term Time Venues Club /Activity Aerobics Yrs 3 & 4 Friday Santa Sabina College Santa Sabina or Del 1 - 4 Girls 3.30 – 4.15pm Club Monte *Baseball Yrs 3 & 4 Saturday Ryde/Hornsby Various parks 4 &1 (Teeball) Boys & Girls 8.00am – 12.00pm Assoc. Comp. Basketball Yrs 3 & 4 1 & 2 Monday Bankstown Bankstown Basketball Boys & Girls 3 & 4 After school hours Competition Stadium, Condell Park Cricket Yrs 3 & 4 1 & 4 Saturday IPSHA Various schools and Boys 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition parks Yr 4 Girls 4 Dance Yrs 3 & 4 Midweek Santa Sabina College Del Monte or Santa Boys & Girls 1 - 3 3.30 – 4.30pm or Eisteddfod Groups Sabina Hall 7.30-8.30am Hockey Yr 4 Girls Saturday IPSHA Various schools and 2 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition parks Netball Yrs 3 & 4 Saturday ERNA Meadowbank Park or 2 & 3 Girls 8.00am – 12.30pm Competition Brush Farm, Eastwood Soccer Year 4 Saturday IPSHA Various schools and 1 (Mini) Girls 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition other venues Soccer Yrs 3 & 4 Saturday or Sunday CDSFA Various parks 2 & 3 Boys & Girls 8.00am – 1.00pm Competition Softball Yr 4 Girls Saturday IPSHA Various schools and 1 (Teeball) 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition parks Tennis Yr 4 Girls Saturday IPSHA Various schools and 4 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition parks Tennis Yrs 3 & 4 Midweek by Santa Sabina College Del Monte 1 - 4 Boys & Girls arrangement Coaching Touch Yrs 3 & 4 Midweek Wests Touch Assoc. Bark Huts Reserve, 4 Boys & Girls After school hours Competitions Belfield *The Teeball season runs over the summer; Term 4 in the current year and Term 1 of the following year.
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Available Sports: Year 5-6 (Based on previous years and may vary)
Sport Term Time Competition/Club Venues Aerobics Friday Santa Sabina College Santa Sabina or Del Monte 1 - 4 3.30 – 4.15pm Club Basketball 1 & 2 Monday Bankstown Bankstown Basketball 3 & 4 After school hours Competition Stadium, Condell Park Cricket Saturday IPSHA Various schools and parks 4 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition Dance 1 - 3 Midweek Santa Sabina College Santa Sabina or Del Monte 3.30 – 4.30pm or 7.15- Eisteddfod Groups 8.15pm *Diving Midweek Santa Sabina College Sydney International 4 After school hours Club Aquatic Centre, Homebush Hockey 2 Saturday IPSHA Various schools and parks 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition Hockey 4 Friday Briars Summer Cintra Park, Concord After school hours Competition Netball Saturday ERNA Meadowbank Park or Brush 2 & 3 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition Farm Park, Eastwood Soccer (Mini) Saturday IPSHA Various schools and other 1 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition venues Soccer Sunday CDSFA Various parks 2 & 3 8.00am – 3.00pm Competition Softball Saturday IPSHA Various schools and parks 1 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition *Swimming Midweek Santa Sabina College Santa Sabina College Pool 1 & 4 3.30 – 4.30pm &/or Club 7.15-8.15pm Tennis Saturday IPSHA Various schools and parks 4 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition Tennis Midweek by Santa Sabina College Del Monte or Santa Sabina 1 - 4 arrangement Coaching Touch Midweek Wests Touch Assoc. Bark Huts Reserve, 4 After school hours Competition Belfield * Water Polo 1 Saturday UNSW Various schools and pools 7.45am – 12.00pm Competition * Water Polo 3 Friday MLC Invitation MLC School Pool, After school hours Competition Burwood
* Year 6 only
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Available Sports: Year 7-12 (Based on previous the previous year and may change)
Sport Term Times Competition/Club Venues Aerobics Tuesday Santa Sabina College Santa Sabina or Del Monte 1 - 4 3.30 – 4.15pm Club Badminton Saturday IGSSA Schools Various schools 1 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition #Basketball 1 & 2 Friday Auburn Competition Auburn Basketball Stadium 3 & 4 After school hours Basketball 4 Saturday SSC Invitation Santa Sabina or Del Monte 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition Diving Midweek Santa Sabina College Sydney International 1 & 4 After school hours Club Aquatic Centre Homebush Gymnastics Saturday Santa Sabina College Five Dock Leisure Centre 1 - 4 1.00 – 5.00pm Club Hockey Saturday EDWHA/ IGSSA Various schools and parks 2 & 3 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition Hockey 4 Friday Briars Summer Cintra Park, Concord After school hours Competition Indoor Soccer Midweek FDLC Five Dock Leisure Centre 2 & 3 After school hours Competition Netball 2 & 3 Saturday ERNA Meadowbank Park 8.00am – 3.00pm Competition Netball 3 & 4 Midweek ERNA Night Meadowbank Park After school hours Competition Soccer Sunday CDSFA Various parks 2 & 3 8.00am – 3.00pm Competition Softball Saturday IGSSA Various schools and parks 1 8.00am – 12.00pm Competition Swimming Midweek Santa Sabina College Santa Sabina College Pool 1 & 4 3.30 – 4.30pm &/or Club 7.15-8.15pm Tennis Saturday IGSSA Various schools and courts 1 7.45am – 12.00pm Competition Tennis Midweek by Santa Sabina College Santa Sabina 1 - 4 arrangement Coaching Touch Midweek Wests Touch Assoc. Bark Huts Reserve, Belfield 4 After school hours Competition Volleyball Saturday SSC Invitation Santa Sabina College 4 8.00 am – 1.00pm Competition Water Polo 1 Saturday UNSW Competition Various schools and pools 7.45am – 12.00pm Water Polo 3 Friday MLC Invitation MLC School Pool Burwood After school hours Competition Water Polo 4 Saturday IGSSA Competition Various schools and pools 7.45am – 12.00pm
# Some age restriction for Auburn Competition
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Contracts & Registration Information Participation in co-curricular sport at the College is optional. Whilst the College promotes the involvement of students in the College Sports Program and recognises the inherent value of physical activity, it is up to each individual student and their parents/guardians to decide on an appropriate level of participation.
Sports Contracts and Information are available for each sport about one school term prior to the commencement of competition/activity. Students and their parents are expected to complete a Sports Contract for each sport undertaken and to meet the conditions outlined in the contract/information. Sports Contracts can be collected from and returned to the relevant Sports Box and are also available on SSConnect. Sports Boxes are located in the following areas Years 3 – 5 Del Monte Office Years 6 – 12 Sports Office in St Catherine’s Sports Contracts contain the information players and parents need to be well informed about the commitment involved in playing that sport, as well as other important details. Players and parents/guardians need to read all relevant Sports Contracts carefully to ensure they understand the commitment being undertaken. It is unacceptable to withdraw from a sport once a Sports Contract has been lodged with the Sports Department. In the event of a critical incident preventing participation, the student’s parents should contact the relevant Sports Staff member ASAP. Sports Contracts must be lodged by the specified date to ensure inclusion in a sport. After this date inclusion will be subject to positions being available and at the discretion of the Sports Staff.
Grading Grading sessions are held for many Saturday and midweek sports. Grading is NOT used to exclude players from participation, only to group players together in the best combinations for competition.
None the less grading can be a source of stress for some players, especially if they feel they have to ‘live up to expectations’. Each player’s level of performance varies as they change in age, maturity, sporting experience, knowledge and fitness. As with other areas of development, sporting skills develop in different players at different rates. For some players, their fluctuation in relative ability can be a source of additional anxiety. Parents and selectors need to be mindful of these issues and to reassure players that being a participant is the most important aspect of sport and that their best on the day is all that can be asked of them.
Grading enables the Sports Staff to make expert assessments regarding player skill, game knowledge and to some extent fitness at a given time. Further, grading allows the College to nominate each team for the level of competition that best meets the needs of team members. All players are expected to attend grading. In the rare event that a player is unable to attend grading an email of explanation from the player’s parent or guardian should be sent to the relevant Sports Staff member prior to grading and as early as possible. Alternate grading time(s) may be arranged for those not able to attend grading. Players who do not attend grading will be placed in a team based on and estimated level of skill.
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Fees Sports fees are NON - REFUNDABLE. Once a Sports Contract has been lodged with the Sports Department that contract is binding. Fees are clearly stated on all Sports Contracts. Fees vary between sports and generally include costs such as coaching, umpires, team equipment, game fee, entry fees, Association fees and venue hire. Training Training sessions are a vital component of the College Sporting Program. All participants in College Sport are expected to attend and arrive punctually for all scheduled training sessions. Training sessions are held at a variety of times depending upon the needs of the students, the sport and the availability of the coaching staff and venues. The majority of sessions are held at one of the following times before school - Years 6 – 12 after school - Years K – 12 lunchtime - Years 2 – 12 Training sessions usually last for about 1 – 1 ¼ hours if held before or after school. The majority of training sessions are held at the College. However, specialist external venues are used where the College is not able to meet the specific needs of a sport. e.g. diving, athletics and gymnastics. Students may train on a campus different from the one on which their normal lessons are held. The College does not provide transport to and from training at external venues. In the event of wet weather Training for students in Years 7-12 will go ahead regardless of the weather. If necessary, teams will use an indoor or undercover area and participate in sessions related to fitness, tactics and/or rules. Teams training at school should meet their coach in the VAT change room area. Where a team consists of students in Years 6 and 7, such teams will have training regardless of the weather. Training for students in Years K-6 will be cancelled and a message will be placed on the College Sports Wet Weather Line by 2.00pm for parents. An announcement will be made at Del Monte and a notice placed on the MDP noticeboard for students. If training is cancelled, students should be collected at the normal school dismissal time for that day. Parents and students are asked NOT to contact the office staff for wet weather information. Santa Super Sports is not cancelled in wet weather. Where a team consists of students in Years 6 and 7 such teams will have training regardless of the weather. On the rare occasions that it may be necessary for a player to miss training, parents should inform the Coordinator of the relevant sport or Coach or Manager as early as possible and as outlined in their Sports Contract. A member of the Sports Staff may contact parents/guardians of students whose non- attendance at training is not notified in the correct manner or tardy. Failure to attend training without a timely written explanation is unacceptable and can jeopardise a player’s continued involvement in sport at the College. Students are to leave the College grounds as soon as possible after the end of a training session. Parents collecting students are NOT to drive in to the College grounds and are asked to arrive promptly at the conclusion of training sessions.
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Students in Years K – 6 should be collected from training. If a parent/guardian is unavoidably detained, and so unable to collect their child within 10 minutes of the end of the scheduled training time, the child will be escorted to the OOSH Centre on the Del Monte Campus from where he/she can be collected. If your child is taken to OOSH after training, fees will be charged at the standard rate.
Competition – Games and Events Competition games and events are the focus of students’ ongoing involvement in many sports offered at the College. Whilst the College strives to develop skills and fitness and to enter competitive teams, we do not advocate a ‘win at all cost’ approach. However, there is an expectation that students who register for a College Sporting activity fulfil the commitment made in doing so. Just about everyone likes to win, but participating, performing well, skill development, commitment, having fun and working as a team are the priority.
During a season, or year participants will be given equitable playing/performance time, conditional on their attitude and attendance at training and punctual arrival at games/events.
Students are expected to attend all games/events. On the rare occasions that it may be necessary for a student to miss a game/event parents should inform the Coordinator of the sport or coach or manager as early as possible and as outlined on their Sports Contract. Failure to attend games/events without a timely explanation is unacceptable and can jeopardise student’s continued involvement in sport at the College. A member of the Sports Staff may contact parents/guardians of students whose non- attendance at games/events is not notified in the correct manner or tardy. Students are required to be at the venue ready to participate prior to the start of game/event. The length of time players are required prior to the start time will be specified on the Sports Contract or note. It is usually about 20-30 minutes, depending on the nature of the sport and competition. Early arrival ensures time for the coach to organise the team, students to sign on and to participate in an appropriate warm up. Students who do not arrive with adequate time for an effective warm up jeopardise their performance and that of the team. They may also forfeit personal game time. Students should be collected or make their own way home promptly at the conclusion of games/events, unless supervised by their parents/guardians or under the supervision of another student’s parents. This is particularly important when participating at an external venue or if competing in the later stages of the competition. Coaches are not employed to supervise students for an extended period after an activity concludes. Games/events are sometimes cancelled due to wet weather or extreme heat.
Wet weather and extreme heat arrangements are included in each Sports Contract where applicable.
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Some sporting organisations cancel games by time slot, others by venue and others cancel the entire round or competition. Careful attention to wet weather and extreme heat messages is essential. All students are to attend games/events unless wet weather or extreme heat information states that their game is cancelled. The Sports Department apologises in advance for the times you may arrive at a venue to find a game/event is cancelled. As you would realise, we are not able to control weather conditions.
Uniform Students who represent the College in Sport are ambassadors for the College and are expected to adhere to all Sports uniform regulations. The way students present themselves says a great deal about the respect they have for themselves, their team and the College.
Uniform requirements for each sport are clearly indicated on each Sports Contract or note Uniform items should be purchased from the College Uniform shop. It is expected that Students wear the appropriate College sports uniform as outlined in the relevant Sports Contract or note. Students’ uniforms are neat, clean and worn correctly. Students are not to wear non-College sports uniform or mix items of the sports uniform with the formal College uniform. The only exception is the wearing of the overcoat in extremely cold conditions or where specifically stated in the relevant Sports Contract or note.
Equipment Correct and well maintained equipment is essential to students’ safe and effective participation in any sporting activity. The College makes regular checks of the equipment it provides, purchases new equipment on a regular basis and undertakes repairs as required. Our coaches are expected to ensure equipment is in good repair during the season and to inform the Sports Staff if repairs are needed. Concerns about equipment should be directed to the relevant Sports Staff member. The College provides the majority of team equipment, the cost of which comes from the students’ sports fees. Students are to bring appropriate equipment as outlined in the relevant Sports Contract to all training sessions and games. Students are to ensure that all personal equipment is in good repair. This is particularly important in regard to safety equipment.
Students without safety equipment or whose safety equipment is not in good repair jeopardise not only their safety but also their participation in games and training sessions.
Officials, Umpires & Duties Officials are an integral part of many sporting activities. Without people willing to act as officials- umpires, referees, timekeepers, scorers and the like-many activities could not run. Acting as an official is also a good way for players to gain a better understanding of the game and thus become better players. The College offers opportunities for students to learn to officiate, especially to umpire and score. In some sports, students will have an opportunity to gain qualifications.
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In general, to participate as an official or attend courses, students must be at least 12 years of age. Students who are capable and/or suitably qualified may be required to officiate during the season/event. Students may be required to sit theory tests for umpiring if they are capable or wish to do so. Students are urged to take advantage of such opportunities and to develop their knowledge and understanding of the game/s. At times, the College may be required to provide volunteers for duties such as canteen. If called upon to officiate or assist with a duty, students should be willing and enthusiastic give of their best and arrive promptly for their role be dressed appropriately have all required equipment e.g. pen, whistle have the support of their parents negotiate with the Sports Staff in a timely and polite manner if unable to do their duty. Parents may also be requested to undertake volunteer duties at various times.
Draws & Venues The availability of competition draws, programs and venues varies significantly from sport to sport and association to association. In some sports it is not uncommon for changes to occur at short notice. To ensure minimal stress related to game times and venues it is important to leave ample travel time and to check the game details ahead of time. Draws and venues are made available to students and parents in a variety of ways. Primarily via notice boards, SSConnect and websites. Students and/or parents should check for game/event details regularly. Transport The College recognises that family life is very busy and that parents may at times have difficulties in transporting their children to and from sporting activities. Whilst we do not undertake to transport students to and from sport that occur outside school hours, including games and training, we are always willing to assist students and parents to make contact with others in their team for help in this regard. Coaches and members of the Sports Staff are not permitted to transport students in their cars except in the event of an emergency situation. Please respect this limit to the staff’s responsibilities. In today’s litigious world this stipulation is made for the protection of both the students and staff. Many families ‘lift share’. This is a widely accepted practice and sits well with the College’s sense of community support. Please do not hesitate to approach other parents to help in resolving transport difficulties. Privacy & Contact Details To facilitate the smooth running of the College Sports Program, the safe participation of students and in some cases the registration of teams or individuals, contact information may need to be shared, typically, mobile numbers email addresses residential address (only if required by an association) student’s date of birth. The relevant information may be provided to Sports Associations, coaches, managers, staff, parents and/or students.
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The information on record at the College is the default information used by the Sports Department. If you wish alternative details to be used for Sport, please email these details at the time of registration to the Sports Staff member named on the contract.
Player’s parents/guardian may receive contact details for their child’s coach and/or team manager members of their team and possibly of other teams. Contact numbers provided are to be used only for matters related to sport. Players and their parents/guardian are asked to respect the privacy of all concerned. Coaches should be contacted by phone only if a student is unable to attend a game or training session at late notice, or if some other emergency situation occurs. Such contact should be made by parents/guardian not students.
REPRESENTATIVE SPORT The College provides a point of access for students for representative sport. The nature of these opportunities is determined mainly by the external sporting organisations with which the College is affiliated.
All representation in sporting activities is at the discretion of the College Principal. There are many events on the College calendar, including sporting ones, where the dates are determined by factors over which the College has little or no control. Thus, whilst we endeavour not to plan community or special educational events on days when sporting fixtures are scheduled, it is not realistic to expect that normal or special teaching and learning activities are put on hold to accommodate those students involved in representative sporting events. If sporting events fall within school time, students are expected, with the support of their parents/guardians and teachers, to make up work and other activities missed.
Available Representative Sports: Years 1-2 There are a few opportunities for children who turn 8, in the year of competition, to participate in representative sport. These sports are identified in the Sports Overview table earlier in this handbook. Additionally, children in Years 1 and 2 can represent the College in Dance and Snow Sports.
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Available Representative Sports: Years 3-6 The majority of representative sport for students in Years 3 – 6 occurs through the IWCSSC or Sydney Diocesan Sports Association. Students may then be selected to compete at the McKillop Championships, then NSW CPS, then the PSSA Championship and finally at the National Primary Schools Championship. These associations do not offer all sports to all year groups. For further information about the sports available for the various year groups, refer to the Sports Overview table earlier in this handbook.
Sports Available Process of Nomination Aerobics School Based Team Selection Athletics School Based Team Selection Basketball Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Cricket Individual nomination Cross Country School Based Team Selection Dance School Based Team Selection Diving Individual Nomination Equestrian (own mount required) Individual Nomination Hockey Individual Nomination Indoor Soccer School Based Team Selection Netball Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Snow Sports Individual Nomination Soccer Individual Nomination Softball Individual Nomination Swimming School Based Team Selection Tennis Individual Nomination Touch (Football) Individual Nomination Water Polo Individual Nomination
Please Note Selection trial details will be communicated to students and parents/guardian via one or more of the normal communication channels at the College. On-going attention to the College newsletter and other methods of communication is essential to avoid disappointment.
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Available Representative Sports: Year 7-12 The majority of our representative sport for our students in Year 7 - 12 occurs through the CGSSSA. Students may then be selected to compete at the NSW CCC Championship, then at NSW All Schools’ Championship and finally at the School Sport Australia Championship.
Sports Available Process of Nomination Aerobics School Based Team Selection Aquathon School Based Team Selection Athletics School Based Team Selection Badminton School Based Team Selection Basketball Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Cricket Individual Nomination Dance School Based Team Selection Diving School Based Team Selection Equestrian (own mount required) Individual Nomination Golf Individual Nomination Gymnastics School Based Team Selection Hockey Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Indoor Soccer School Based Team Selection Netball Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Snow Sports Individual Nomination Soccer Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Softball Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Swimming Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Tennis Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Touch (Football) Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Volleyball Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection Water Polo Individual Nomination School Based Team Selection
Please Note Selection trial details will be communicated to students and parents/guardian via one or more of the normal communication channels at the College. On-going attention to the College newsletter and other methods of communication is essential to avoid disappointment.
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Selection Process The process for selection depends on the requirements set by external sports associations, the nature of the sport and the appropriate and timely response of students to administrative matters and their attendance at selection trials or events. The College aims to give students with an appropriate level of skill and fitness the opportunity to compete at a representative level. Unlike the majority of Saturday and Midweek sports, participation is restricted and based on demonstrated levels of performance.
Broadly, student selection and hence participation at a representative level occurs in one of two ways:
1. By individual nomination, in which case, students will be asked to self-nominate and to attend trials run by external sporting associations, under the supervision of their parents. Where the College is restricted in the number of students they can nominate and where the number of nominations exceeds this limit, internal selection trials or a Sport Achievement Resume will be used to determine those nominated. 2. As a member of a College team, in which case students will be selected on the basis of their performance at a school carnival and/or from selection trials held by the College during the course of the year.
There is a limit to the degree to which the College is able to take a student’s inability to participate in selection trials or carnivals into account when selecting teams. They are part of a representative selection process. Thus, any perceived difficulties in this regard, as well as any questions or concerns about the selection process, should be addressed to the relevant Sports Staff member at the earliest possible time.
Regardless of the initial method by which students access representative sport, they may be selected for higher representation at a State and National level if such a pathway exists in the school system. Students' participation in all representative sport is subject to school approval as the majority of representative sport is played within the Catholic Schools’ system during school time.
Selection Trials Selection trials are an integral part of the selection process for the majority of school based representative teams and will be held as required during the course of the year. Attendance at selection trials is expected for all those who wish to stand for selection. If a student is unable to attend trials a parental email of explanation should be received by the relevant Sports Staff member before the time of trials. The cross-campus nature of some teams means students may have to attend trials on a different campus. In this instance students up to Year 5 would be supervised in transit by a member of the College staff or coaching staff. Where teams are selected mainly on the results of school based sporting carnivals, additional trials may be held where the students in an age group do not compete directly against each other at the school event e.g. swimming. Students in the 11years age group may be in Years 5 and 6 and so do not compete at the same school carnival. In such cases trials may be held for this age group, rather than selection being based entirely on carnival results.
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Training Most school based representative teams will train for a period of time before the date of competition. The number of sessions and the period of weeks will vary from sport to sport. Students and their parents/guardians should ensure that they are aware of the expectations about training before standing for selection. Failure to meet training requirements set either by the College or external sporting associations can jeopardise a student’s future selection and participation. The expectations regarding attendance and notification of non-attendance at training are the same for Representative sport as they are for Saturday and midweek sport. Please refer to the section on Training earlier in this handbook.
Funding for Elite Athletes Santa Sabina College values, encourages and facilitates involvement in sporting pursuits for all members of the College community. Consistent with the aims of sport at the College, and as an issue of equity, the College is not able to provide financial support for individual students to pursue sporting endeavours beyond a school level. Where exceptional circumstances may exist, parents may choose to approach their Head of School to discuss individual needs. In such cases consideration of requests for support would be entirely at the discretion of the College Executive.
Parental Permission & Notes Students who participate in school based representative sport require parental permission. All students will receive a permission note indicating their selection and other relevant details about the day. Permission notes may be given out at training or students may collect their notes from the relevant Sports Box. Students and their parents/guardians are asked to read the information carefully. Permission notes should contain information about the following name of the event(s) name and address of the venue date of competition method of transport (the College may or may not provide transport) arrival and dismissal times items which students are expected to bring on the day wet weather notification details costs, if any Sports Boxes are located in the following areas Years 3 – 5 Del Monte Office Years 6 – 12 Sports Office in St Catherine’s All permission notes should be returned to the Sports Box by the due date. Parents are asked to check that notes have been returned.
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Dates The dates for the majority of representative sporting events and trials can be found as indicated below.
CGSSSA College Calendar IGSSA AHIGS Website – http://www.ahigs.nsw.edu.au/igssa.aspx IWCSSC (including Cook Cluster) CEO website – http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/Parents/Curriculum/Pages/PrimarySport.aspx NSWCCC & NSWCPS events NSWCSCC website – https://www.csss.nsw.edu.au NSWPSSA NSWPSSA website – http://www.sports.det.nsw.edu.au
Sport is About:
Giving it a go Being active and healthy Developing your skills for now and the future Keeping fit Challenging yourself to achieve your personal best Being a committed and reliable member of a team Setting and achieving goals both personal and team Making friends and having fun!!
ONLY PLAY SPORT IF YOU WANT TO AND REMEMBER IT’S A COMMITMENT THAT YOU HAVE TO STICK WITH FOR THE SEASON
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the staff member at the College who is responsible for the sport concerned. If you have more general enquiries please contact the Director of Sport.
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