Table of Contents
I. Mission Statement
II. Eligibility
III. Coach and Team Selection
a) Coaches Behavior and Discipline
IV. Code of Conduct and Enforcement
V. Committee Positions Selections
VI. Various By-Laws
Article I. Mission Statement
The purposeof the Cahaba Valley Youth Sports Association (CVYSA) is the development of the knowledge and skills necessary for boys and girls to compete, in their chosen sport, in a competitive environment. The CVYSA will accomplish this through Godly leadership and quality coaching to better prepare them for junior high and high school athletics.
Article II. Eligibility
Cahaba Valley Youth Basketball
All children participating in CVYSA must meet the following requirements to participate:
1. Current affiliation with Briarwood PCA, Briarwood Christian School, or Briarwood Home School Program.
2. Adherence to the rules and regulations of the league, in which they participate.
Cahaba Valley Youth Lacrosse
Any child participating in a sport governed by the CVYSA must meet one of the following requirements to be eligible to participate:
1. Currently enrolled in Briarwood Elementary School or Westminister School
2. POTENTIAL ELIGIBILITY: Currently pre-enrolled or on the waiting list for any grade at Briarwood elementary school or the 7th grade Jr. High School. (If a child has siblings that are currently in any of the Briarwood Schools or a sibling that has graduated from Briarwood, then they qualify to participate in CVYSA if the parents intention is to enroll the child in any Briarwood School). Any child not currently attending Briarwood will have to get approval by the CVYSA Committee first, and then the CVYSA Committee will make a request to the appropriate league for approval. The CVYSA has the authority to deny any player not currently attending Briarwood.
Article III. Team Selection
Cahaba Valley Youth Basketball (CVYB) Team Selection
Team selection is done by invitation only,initiated by the head coach of each team.The CVYSA committee members do not have the authority to mandate a player’s acceptance onto a team. The team size is determined by the league, in which the team will participate. CVYSA under no circumstance will require a team‘s roster to be larger than the minimum required by the league. Typically, a coach will form a team at a certain grade level, and then present their team to the CVYSA committee for approval. If the team is approved, a practice slot will be reserved for that team. Each team will inform the CVYSA Committee of the league or leagues in which they plan to compete. CVYSA will communicate with the leagues and inform them as to the number of teams at each gradelevel that will represent CVYB.
Cahaba Valley Youth Lacrosse (CVYL) Team Selection
Teams will be formed by the GBYLA once registration is complete. Each participant will be placed on a team according to his/her age, the school they attend (Briarwood or Westminister), or community in which they live. The CVYSA committee members do not have the authority to mandate a player be assigned to any particular team. CVYSA under no circumstance will require a team‘s roster to be larger than the minimum required by the league.
(a) Each head and assistant coach will be subject to a Code of Conduct and will be subject to the following disciplinary action if the Code of Conduct has not been followed:
1. If a coach is given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during a game, the head coach should inform the CVYSA committee, no later than the day after the game, of the penalty and the coach’s behavior. The coach’s notification should include a statement explaining his/her position on the alleged violation. The CVYSA committee will also obtain a statement from the league official regarding the allegation. If it is determined that a discipline action is necessary, the coach will be notified and the discipline will be expected to be enforced. If the violation is considered to be server in nature, the coach will then be put on probation for the remainder of the season. If a second violation occurs during the same season, an investigation by the CVYSA committee will take place to see if suspension for the remainder of the year is deemed appropriate. The decision of the CVYSA committee,following the investigation, will be considered final.
2. If a coach is ejected from a game, the incident should be reported to the CVYSA committee the day following the game by the head coach, and should be accompanied by the coach’s statement. The CVYSA committee will also obtain a statement from the league official regarding the incident. An investigation, by the committee, will take place to determine if there has been a code of conduct violation and the severity of that violation. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the coach will be placed on immediate suspension for a period to be determined by the CVYSA committee. If the coach is allowed to return, the coach will be on probation for the remainder of the season. If a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty results in another ejection, another investigation will occur, and it will be determined whether an indefinite suspension or removal is necessary. The committee’s decision regarding the incident will be final.
Article IV. CODE OF CONDUCT
Cahaba Valley Youth Sports Association (CVYSA) aims to impact the next generation of Christian athletes,by creating an uplifting and competitive environment, which is built on Christian principles of leadership, sportsmanship, confidence, and athletic skills. It is our privilege and responsibility to promote the physical fitness and wellness of all our athletes, by providing a positive atmosphere. CVYSA‘s goal is to have a youth sports program with EXCELLENCE in every aspect, therefore we desire EXCELLENCE from our coaches, our players, and our parents.
It is the intention of CVYSA to communicate to all participants in our program a code of conduct which must be adhered to at all games, practices, and activities. The coaches and playersare allowed to participate in our program with the consent of the CVYSA. The association committeereserves the right to refuse participation in the association to any individual, who consecutively violates the CVYSA Code of Conduct.
Our association wants to inform all families involved in our program of the following expected behavior at CVYSAactivities.We expect coaches, players, parents, friends of parents, and other family members to adhere to the following guidelines:
1. To create a positive, Christian environment for the CVYSA athletes to compete against other youth programs. All parties involved in our program should behave in a manner that represents the heart and mind of Christ.
2. We expect our coaches, players, parents, and family members to refrain from using derogatory and abusive language. All parties attending CVYSA events should not use any profanity or yell disrespectful words to referees, coaches, fellow players, or anyone associated with our program or the opposing team.
We want our fans to be enthusiastic and energetic in their support of our teams. In an effort to encourage CVYSA participants to create a positive environment, the following steps will be followed in the event of a violation of our Code of Conduct.
1. An association committee member will call an individual who has been accused of a violation. If it is clear a violation has occurred, the phone call will serve as a warning. All committee members will be advised of the incident.
2. If a second violation occurs during the same season, a phone call will be made to confirm a violation and all committee members will be advised. If it is clear a violation has occurred, the association committee reserves the right to suspend the individual from CVYSA activities, including practices. If the offense is serious in nature, the committee may ask the individual not to attend CVYSA activities for the remainder of the season.
3. If the individual is not a player, but is a coach, parent, or family member, and will not stay away from the next game or event, the player will not be allowed to participate further in CVYSA practices or events.
It is the association’s desire to never have to enforce the above Code of Conduct. Please be considerate and thoughtful as you attend all CVYSA events. We believe we have a higher calling and want all of our people to enjoy youth sports.
Article V. Committee Positions
Committee positions are by invitation only, and can only be extended by an active committee member.
Article VI. Various By-Laws
Miscellaneous
In the course of CVYSA operations, the committee will not be allowed to sell products or services to the organization. We want to maintain the integrity of the program, and do not want any monetary purchases to benefit a committee member. We want our finances and transactions to be beyond reproach.
Changes to the By-Laws
Beginning November 2013, any changes to these by-laws must be presented publicallyto all current year CVYSA participants. A written letter must explain the proposed changes. The letter should state specifically the previous wording of the By-Laws and the new wording for the proposed changes. This letter must be emailed to all current CVYSAparticipants one week prior tofinal approval by the committee.
Following the one week period of public notice, the committee members will ask forfeedbackfrom all current CVYSA participants to the proposed changes to the By-Laws. If any participant presents a question to the proposed changes, an answer or resolution to that question should be reached before there is a final vote by the committee to adopt the proposed changes. The vote to change the By-Laws must be unanimous by all committee members in order for the new By-Law to be adopted. If the new By-Law is passed,a written notice is to be sent to all CVYSA participants restating the new By-Law and the effective date of implementation.