Sparta Ski Team Attendance Policy:
To develop team unity and to properly condition our athletes, it is expected that all racers make it a priority to be part of the Sparta Ski Team. Attendance is mandatory for all team meetings, dry-land training sessions, mountain training practices, and race day events. This is key to having a fun, safe, and successful experience with the team. From time to time, our practice schedule and race schedule may change; this does not alter the fact that attendance is still mandatory. We are here to work hard and get better and when you aren't here, it hurts you and your team that is trying to improve. Race lineups are determined by performance time as well as individual effort during our practice sessions. Unexcused absences will be penalized.
Absence from dry-land practice due to a fall sport: During the first two weeks of the season, an athlete will be permitted to finish fall sport/activity obligations. This needs to be communicated to the head coach and a plan put in place to meet the required dry-land training sessions and for a safe transition into the ski season.
It is recognized that there may be circumstances where an athlete can't attend a training practice or a race. The following regulations will apply under those circumstances.
Excused Absence From Training:
Excused Absences From Training Are Limited To The Following:
- INJURED: A physical Injury that renders the athlete incapable of participating in any training. Written verification from a doctor, school nurse, or trainer is required.
- SICKNESS: Absent from school
- Leaving School Early Due To Illness - Written verification from the school nurse or a doctor's note is required. Notify Coach via email, text, or phone.
- FAMILY EMERGENCY: Absent from school. Required to notify Coach via email, text, or phone.
- SCHOOL FUNCTION - Limit of two absences or late to practice for Co-curricular activities such as school concerts, field trip, Debate, DECA, Model UN, Robotics, etc.). Must notify Coach 1 week in advance. This only applies to training, not a race event.
Failure to notify the Coach of an excused absence could result in the absence being treated as unexcused.
Unexcused Absence From Training:
ALL other absences will be considered unexcused.
NOTE: Vacations or suspensions are treated as unexcused absences.
Consequences For Unexcused Absences:
- 1 Unexcused Absence: This will result in the athlete being placed 2 places lower on the team seeding.
- 2 Unexcused Absences: This will result in the athlete being placed at the end of their respective race order (last seed of Varsity if a Varsity racer, last seed of JV if a JV racer); or 4 places lower at a minimum.
- 3 Unexcused Absences: This will result in the athlete being demoted from Varsity to JV, or JV to X racer (if no X racers, then last racer).
- 4 Unexcused Absences: This will result in the athlete being ineligible to race at the next race. Once an athlete reaches four unexcused absences, the coach will have a phone call or meeting with parents about the level of commitment from the racer and desire to stay on the team.
- 5 Unexcused Absences: This will result in the athlete being ineligible to race at the next two races.
- 6 Unexcused Absences: This will result in the athlete being ineligible to race and being asked to leave the team (Coach's discretion).
Absence The Practice Before A Race:
- An Excused absence the practice before a race, will result in the athlete being placed at the end of their respective race order (last seed of Varsity if a Varsity racer, last seed of JV if a JV racer) for the next race.
- An Unexcused absence the practice before a race may result in being restricted from racing at the upcoming race or at a minimum will result in a move down from Varsity to JV, or JV to X racer for the upcoming race. If there are no X racers, then to the bottom of the race lineup.
Attendance rate above 75% required to race
Absence Day Of A Race:
Excused absences from Racing:
See Excused Absence From Training
Please notify the coach 1 week in advance if you are going to miss a race.
Consequences For Unexcused Absences from Racing:
A member of the Varsity team will be seeded to JV team, and a JV team member will be seeded as an X Racer or last in the JV category if no X Racers exist. Other repercussions may be decided at the discretion of the Head Coach.
School Function: Should you opt to attend another school function instead of competing in a race, this will result in the athlete being placed at the end of their respective race order for the next race.
NOTE:
It is the responsibility of the racer to notify the Head Coach a minimum of 3 hours in advance regarding an absence. This notification must come from the student first and NOT the parent.
NJISRA Requirement:
All athletes must have a) a minimum of six (6) dry-land practices with their Coach in order to compete; b) a minimum of three (3) practices on snow with their high school Coach/team in order to compete, and; c) at least one (1) day of training specific to the type of race, slalom or giant slalom, in order to race in that particular type of race.
*Note: The Sparta High School Student Handbook policy requires attendance during the school day in order to attend practice or a race.