Bear River Junior Bruins

Parent Handbook

The following information contained in the Bear River Jr. Bruins handbook will provide both participants and parents with a general outline of the rules under which the program will be structured.

WELCOME

We would like to welcome all participants and parents to the 2008 football season. We hope that this season will be exciting and rewarding for all those involved.  The Bear River Junior Bruins program is beginning its tenth year and we hope to continue to build a strong tradition for excellence and success. As a member of the Sierra Youth Football and Cheer (SYFC) league, our organizations serve over 3000 boys and girls in the greater Sacramento area.

Our goal is to develop well-rounded young men and women who learn not only the fundamentals of football and cheerleading, but also the importance of education, sportsmanship and cooperation in an atmosphere conducive to developing a sound mind, body and character while having a good time along the way.

Safety is our primary concern. Many of the exercises, drills and team rules are there to insure your child is physically and mentally fit for football. Each child is unique and will develop at their own pace. We hope that this season will help develop new skills and confidence for each child who participates in the Bear River Junior Bruin program.

As the 2008 season progresses, you may at one time or another have questions in regards to a variety of different issues. Please feel free to contact a Board Member and every effort will be made to provide you with the information you need.

Jr. Bruin Mission Statement

The goal of the Bear River Jr. Bruins program is to develop and promote the ideals of responsibility, hard work, sportsmanship, teamwork and fellowship within a safe and positive environment.  The individual growth of our community's children is enhanced through the spirit of competition, discipline and fair play.   These goals will be accomplished by providing a structured program designed to educate both participants and parents in all aspects of the sports of football and cheerleading.   The Bear River Jr. Bruins Association is committed to providing a program that maintains the highest standards and guarantees a fun, positive experience for everyone involved.

Academic Goals

The Bear River Jr. Bruins program supports an academic policy requiring our student/athletes to perform in the class room as well as on the field. Each participant must maintain an acceptable grade point average (minimum 2.0 or "C") and complete all assigned homework to be eligible to play in a game. In an effort to monitor this requirement, coaches may provide a form to the participant to take to school in order to allow teachers to provide a grade check at different times during the season. We would ask that parents support this effort in order to encourage academic success for every child.

Participant & Parent Responsibilities

             Participant’s Responsibilities - The participants of the Jr. Bruin program are expected to abide by a code of conduct which includes but is not limited to the following:

• Respect of volunteer coaches, team members, opponents, officials and other representatives involved with the Jr. Bruin program.
• Participants will take proper care of the equipment that is issued to them to use. Immediately notify a coach if the equipment becomes damaged.
• Participants must notify their coach in advanced if a practice is going to be missed. No exceptions!
• Good sportsmanship is mandatory. No vulgar language, tantrums, displays of anger or fighting will be tolerated. Any such actions will result in disciplinary measures and may include suspension from the team.
• As a member of the Bear River Jr. Bruins program you represent yourself and your teammates on and off the field. Whether in victory or defeat you will conduct yourself with pride and poise.
• Always be willing to help your coach or teammate when required. This program is for you!

            Parent Responsibilities - The level of support given to a participant by the parents will have a measured impact  as to the success of each child. To better understand the parent’s role and involvement in the program, we have developed the following guidelines and recommendations:

• Parents and visitors at practices, games and or cheer competitions must stay in designated areas reserved for the spectators. Sideline areas and locker rooms are off limits.
• Parents are encouraged to cheer for their teams from the stands with enthusiasm but should never yell obscenities or derogatory remarks aimed at the opponents or conduct themselves in an offensive manner. As a result of such action, a team can be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and the fan may be removed from the grounds.
• A large number of people are needed to help the program run smoothly. Each parent is asked to volunteer a portion of their time during the season to help make the program run efficiently.
• It is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation to and from practice, games and other association functions.
• If a participants grades fall below a "C" average or homework starts to become a problem, the parent should notify the head coach and together determine the best course of action to be taken.
• Parents should always maintain a cooperative attitude towards coaches, participants, officials and board members. Remember, all are volunteers.

            Practices - will begin the week of August 4th at Bear River High School. The first week will be non-contact. In order to participate each child must have the following completed and turned in to the association player agent:

• Registration form and SYFC player contract
• A physical exam form signed by a certified physician in 2008.
• A medical emergency form
• First year participants must provide a certified birth certificate which will be returned after certification in August.
• Registration fees must be paid in full or other arrangements with the association president must be made prior to the beginning of practice.
• During the season participants should arrive (10) minutes prior to the first day of practice.

            Missed Practices - In the event you cannot be at a practice it is mandatory that one of the coaches be notified prior to practice. The following penalties apply:

• Missing one practice will prohibit the participant from starting the next game.
• A second missed practice the same week will disqualify that child from playing in that week’s game.
• Children not participating in a game for these reasons are asked to attend the game but will not dress.

Football Dress Code - During the first week of conditioning, participants should dress in shorts, T-shirts and should have cleats. After the first week the player will wear the equipment issued to them with a white practice jersey. Mouth guards are required at all times. Players should bring a full water bottle to each practice.

Cheer Practice Dress Code - Cheerleaders should wear loose fitting shorts or sweats and tops to practice. No short shorts or nylons. No jeans or clothing with buttons or zippers. Sneakers with socks and shoelaces must be worn. No make-up or face painting. No jewelry or body ring piercing may be worn. Hair must be neatly groomed and kept out of the face and off the shoulders. No ponytail holders with hard objects at the ends, no spring loaded clips and no bobby pins or other objects that may fall out. Fingernails must be trimmed and no nail polish will be allowed.

Practice Fields - The practice field is reserved for coaches, participants and instructors only. It is asked that parents, friends and siblings remain off the practice field at all times. Practice time is limited, so it is important that coaches have the opportunity to make the best use of the time allotted. If you must speak to a coach, please contact them before or after practice. Siblings should not be left at the field without adult supervision and BRJB can not assume responsibility for their safety.

Family Pets - Family pets, leashed or not, should be left at home and are not allowed at the practice fields or at games. This is a safety issue and we ask for your cooperation.

Equipment - All necessary football equipment, with the exception of shoes, girdles or other personal type pads, will be provided by the association. The cost of this equipment is over $300 per child. Upon issuance of the equipment, each parent and participant is required to sign an equipment contract outlining the cost for each item. Upon return of the equipment at the end of the season an inventory will be taken and any missing equipment will be paid for at that time. Parents will also be asked to pay for any misused or broken equipment showing damage above normal wear. All equipment must be turned-in clean and washed. Please follow washing instructions carefully.

Refunds - If try-outs for football are required, refunds for players that have been cut will be issued within (1) week after return of all equipment. Any child quitting a squad after the final cut will not be entitled to a refund without good cause. A request for refund must be submitted in writing and will be forwarded to the Board for action.

Try-outs - Each football squad is limited to (35) players. If there are more than (35) players on any given roster at the end of the second week, it will be necessary to cut down to the player limit. The decision to remove any player from a roster will be made jointly by the coaching staff, the Jr. Bruins athletic director and the association president and will be handled in a tactful and discreet manner. The association will make every effort to place each child on a team to allow them to participate.

Player Allotment Rule (PAR) - The league rules require that each certified player play a minimum of (10) plays per game. An official play can include offensive or defensive scrimmage plays or special teams plays such as punts, kick-offs, etc. Each coaching staff will have one assistant coach specifically assigned to coordinate the compliance of this rule. This Jr. Bruins assignment is in addition to the normal PAR monitors required by the SYFC rules. It is the intent of each coach and Jr. Bruins to provide as much playing time as possible for each participant. Playing time is generally based on the players ability to make a positive contribution to the teams efforts.

Game Day - This is what we have all worked for and game day is very exciting. Weigh-ins start exactly one (1) hour prior to starting time. Each child needs to arrive at the game site no later than one and a half (1 1/2) hours prior to the scheduled game time. Players that do arrive after the their team has weighed in will be allowed to weigh-in at half time and participate in the second half with a PAR requirement of (5) plays.

Smoking – Bear River High School, as well as the other campuses we will be visiting, are designated "Tobacco Free Environments". Therefore, it is asked that no one smokes on or around any school campus at which we may participate. It would also be appreciated if people refrained from smoking or using other tobacco products at or around the practice fields.

Drug & Alcohol Use is strictly forbidden at games, practices and other associated events and will not be tolerated. Anyone involved in such activities will be asked to leave.

Food & Drink - Because the snack bar is a crucial source of revenue for all associations, it is asked that no one bring outside food or drink to games or competitions. Coolers will not be allowed into the Bear River High School stadium on game day. If you must bring your own food and drinks it is asked that you enjoy them outside the gated area of any game or competition.

Health Insurance - Your family’s health insurance will serve as the primary care coverage for the participant. In the event you do not have health insurance, Jr. Bruins has purchased secondary coverage with a $100 deductible to be paid by the parents or guardian of the participant. Claim forms are available from the association insurance liaison or from the SYFC homepage on the internet. All medical claims should be filed in a timely manner.

Injuries - Each coaching staff will include individuals who are trained in CPR and first aid. Any football or cheer related injury, regardless of outward appearances, is taken seriously and will be addressed as such. Safety is our primary concern and extra care will be taken in dealing with any reported injury. We would also encourage participants to make known any injury to his/her coach immediately upon occurrence. Participants should not hide injuries in order to facilitate more playing time. Any player sustaining an injury which requires a doctor’s care will be required to provide a medical release from that doctor prior to further participation in games, practices or competition.

Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors. The complainant may appear at the next regular scheduled Board meeting if he/she wishes to do so. A written response will be forwarded after the next regular board meeting. The address for submission is 10556 Combie Rd, suite 6219, Auburn, CA 95602