Parent-Athlete Handbook

The St. Francis Xavier Team Sports Program provides both an instructional and competitive program as an extension of the St. Francis Xavier school academic program. Participants are given the opportunity to develop strong, healthy, and disciplined minds and bodies. Participants will also develop a sense of good sportsmanship, fair play, and team/school spirit focusing on team versus individual goals. The program will strive to teach the fundamentals, proper technique and execution of various team sports in a safe, disciplined, positive environment and prepare participants to compete at the next level if they wish to do so.

Expectations of Athletes

Participating in an athletic program and playing sports is a privilege not a right. Athletes should be held to personal, academic, and disciplinary standards.

Students who choose to participate in the athletic program are representing our school and parish at all times. They must act in a manner that reflects favorably upon the school and on themselves. This expectation should be evident at school, in the community, at other schools, as well as, before, during, and after the games.

Athletes are expected to show good sportsmanship and play by the rules. They should be supportive of the members of their team. They should understand that individual recognition and accomplishment are the result of teamwork. Realize that the true nature of competition is evaluated by effort, sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork.

The student athlete should show respect for coaches and cooperate with them fully. They should accept and respect the decisions of their coaches to be in best interest of the team and SFX. This respect is also given to members of their team, opponents, and officials of the sport. Athletes should also respect the spectators and fans.

Losing self-control, using inappropriate gestures or tone of voice, or foul and abusive language, arguing a referee’s call or a coach’s decision or other signs of disrespect are reasons for disciplinary action. Consequences of such behavior could be reduced playing time, or even suspension from the team, depending upon the severity of the infraction. School policy should govern all such incidents and should be enforced by the administration and the faculty.

Athletes are expected to be present and on time for all practices and games. Not attending practices and games affects the entire team and detracts from the sense of teamwork that the coaches are striving to achieve. Head coaches will define team policies regarding excused and unexcused absences and consequences.