For DIGS Families: Handbook

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For DIGS Families: Handbook

Table of Contents

2009 Parent Packet:

Code of Conduct
Financial Agreement
General Release
Warm-ups and Bags Order Form

Club Philosophy

Statement on Sportsmanship

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Parent Association

Executive Board

Board of Directors

Grievance Procedure

Volunteer Team Representative

Board Representation

Transportation Coordination

Responsibilities at Tournaments

Player Responsibilities

Parent Responsibilities

Chaperone Responsibilities

Packing List for Tournaments

One-Day Tournaments

Overnight Tournaments

Parents’ Packing List

Some Useful Web Sites

DIGS Code of Conduct

OVERVIEW

CLUB PHILOSOPHY

DIGS is an athletic club, providing sports development for middle school, junior high school and high school students. While w e are not primarily an academic club, social club or religious club, we recognize all these as important to the development of the student-athlete as a whole. Not all who join the club will have equal athletic abilities or technical talents, but a serious endeavor will be made to find a role for each of those who are in the club and to help build their self-esteem.

Our emphasis is on striving to win through goal setting, training, preparation, anticipation and the actual competition. Our decisions will be based on what is best for the team and the athletes as a group.

To the best of the coach’s ability, each player will receive equal instruction time. However, tournament playing time will be at the sole discretion of the coaching staff.

STATEMENT ON SPORTSMANSHIP

The quality of fair play is of the utmost importance and needs to be given the highest priority in an athletic program. DIGS athletes, coaches and parents are expected to display the qualities of good sportsmanship at all times.

Enthusiastically encourage your own team through your good sportsmanship.
Recognize outstanding performances, play and effort on the part of the players from both sides.
Be a “Fan” not a “Fanatic.”
Praise the play, not the player.
Encourage surrounding people to display only sportsmanlike conduct before, during and after play.

Teach the skills of volleyball through quality coaching, instruction and training.
Help athletes to enjoy volleyball through cooperation and fun times.
Build self-esteem, confidence and self-control by emphasizing individual development in playing, travel and practice situations.
Understand winning as a byproduct of focusing on doing one’s best and being well organized.
Teach teamwork by cooperative practice design that stresses common objectives, including three contacts.
Develop positive attitudes about sportsmanship with respect for officials, teammates, opponents and the players themselves.
Improve players’ imagination and anticipation skills through repetition of possible situations occurring at each level of play.
Improve communication skills with language appropriate for pre-match, match and post match times.
Develop team and club commitment through group participation.
Develop self reliance, personal responsibility, maturity and team unity. (This applies both on and off the court.)
Develop friendships, including parents and players as well as teammates.
Recognize that all athletes are not created equal. Develop a role for each player.
Make club ball an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for all involved, recognizing that a team is usually made up of different personalities that cooperate for the good of the whole.
Learn a lifetime recreational sport.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The DIGS Volleyball Club (Do It Garden State) is a not-for-profit corporation in the State of New Jersey. The main purpose of the club is to educate and develop young female athletes in the sport of volleyball by providing the finest instruction, training and competition.

TEAM SELECTION

There is a huge difference between high school volleyball and club volleyball. The higher standard of club play requires that team selections be made based upon the team’s needs and also based upon each girl’s individual abilities as an athlete. Players are all basically the same age and grade and bonding experience is one of the goals of putting such a team together.

Our USAV Junior season usually runs from the end of November through Memorial Day Weekend (depending on which team you are on).

Teams practice 2 times a week for approximately 2 hours and occasionally on weekend days. Practices take place primarily at the Solomon Schechter Day School, in New Milford, New Jersey and the Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest, New Jersey. Solomon Schechter is available four nights a week from 6 – 10:30 p.m. and on occasional weekend days. AHA is available for two nights per week from 7:30 to 9:30.

TOURNAMENTS

All teams play in tournaments. We participate in tournaments run by our local USAV region (GEVA) and by local, regional and national groups. All teams are eligible to enter the East Coast Championship tournament, usually held at Penn State on Memorial Day Weekend. There is travel involved, especially for elite teams. Travel is primarily by car, or occasionally by air, train or bus.

The DIGS VBC and its members, as members of the USAV, are covered by the USAV blanket liability policy, which is supplemental to each family’s own medical coverage. Each player must submit proof of current medical coverage.

DUES & FEES

Dues cover facilities charges, equipment, USAV / GEVA dues, uniforms (excluding warm-ups and travel bags), club expenses, coaches, tournament fees and hotel expenses at budgeted tournaments.

Additional fees will be necessary when teams travel by plane to tournaments or when the team chooses to stay at a hotel for a weekend tournament that was not on the original schedule. Teams are also allowed to add additional tournaments beyond those defined by the club at the beginning of the season - however, these events must be approved, funded and managed by the team parents. DIGS will only register the team. DIGS will also provide general guidelines on administrative practices, to ensure appropriate administration under rules impacting our not-for-profit status and individual players' eligibility for college programs.

There will be no refunds of dues paid to the Club for any reason. This includes the instance when a player is asked to leave the club for disciplinary reasons.

Once a player and her parent(s) or guardian commits to a position on a team, the family is responsible for full payment of dues. Following each family’s commitment, the club goes ahead and books tournaments and travel, pays rent, buys uniforms, engages coaches, and in general budgets to spend the dues that are committed to the club.

A Financial Agreement will be signed by the parent(s) of each player. The dues structure allows 4 equal payments, the first 25% coming in early December and the remaining three payment of 25% each on the 15th of January, February, and March. Late fees of $25.00 may also be assessed by the club for payments more than 3 days late. Payments that are more than 10 days late may result in the player not being able to practice or participate in tournaments, until payment is made. Upon occasion, when a player who is returning was late in making payments from the previous year, the entire dues fee for the current year will be due by December 31. These are executive board decisions.

Different age groups practice for longer periods of time and usually attend more tournaments, so the dues will be higher than those for the younger teams. Our 14 and under teams are subsidized and attend only 1-day tournaments with no overnight travel. They are offered the option of attending the East Coast Championships at Penn State at the end of our season. Commitment to this tournament requires additional fees.

All DIGS players on the 15s, 16s, 17s and 18s teams must own an official DIGS-branded warm-ups and bag. These are to be taken to all tournaments. This is optional for the 14s and younger teams. As styles become unavailable in subsequent seasons for new club members (typically after two years) DIGS selects a new official design - on those years, all players on the 15s, 16s, and 17s, including those who already own this gear, must purchase the new style warm-ups and bag. This is still optional for 14s as well as for the 18s (team may decide as a unit whether to make the change).

FUND RAISING

Fund raising is sometimes a necessary part of this club’s program and is to be considered an integral part of each player’s participation, just like practice or training. Parents shall also participate in fund raising as need determines for a particular season. Fundraising will first cover gaps in the club's operating budget. It will second be applied for particular team needs, such as underwriting participation in the USAV national tournament. All fundraising will be overseen by the DIGS Executive Board.

PARENT ASSOCIATION

All dues-paying parents in good standing are members of the Parent Association. This association elects the Executive Board of the club. The parent association also meets monthly during the program year.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. This body is responsible for all non-training policies and programs of the club and overall all operations of the club off the court.

OPERATING COMMITTEE

Specialized activities of the club may be managed by operating committees, such as the November clinic, travel, uniforms and clothing, fundraising, and educational programs. Chairs of these committees are appointing by the club president and report to the Executive Board.

PARENT SUPPORT

The DIGS organization has a long-term outstanding reputation of producing high quality successful players. This reputation has been built on the many outstanding successful young ladies of high character, motivation and dedication who have participated in the club’s programs over the years as well as the dedication and hard work of the organization’s officials. The influence, encouragement and volunteer work from parents is also a very important factor leading to success of the organization. Today’s players, coaches and team officials (even spectator parents) share in the responsibility to carry this reputation forward. In the environment you are about to enter, image does count.

Although the coaches train the teams, the club is a parent run organization. Parental involvement off the court is expected at all levels (except coaching). The parents from each team will be responsible for the administration of their children’s team. Parents must be actively involved in the club. It requires more of a commitment than just driving your child back and forth to practice. By enrolling your child as a member of DIGS all parent/guardians agree:

To support the player’s commitment to the Club and their team.
To support the coaching staff and its decisions regarding each player’s team role and playing time.
To attend any meetings called with the coach and team representative.
That dues shall be paid as scheduled or the player may be prohibited from participating in practice sessions and tournaments.
That all parents/guardians are expected to drive and to take their turn chaperoning at tournaments as scheduled with the club/team transportation representative.
That all parents/guardians are expected to volunteer their services and/or resources to help the club in some capacity.
To participate as a volunteer in fund raising events.
To refrain from “coaching” players at tournaments or practice.
That open communication shall be fostered. Any problems shall be discussed between player and coach. If further discussion is deemed necessary, a meeting will be held between the team rep and parent, at a time separate from practice or tournament play.
Parents will agree to follow the established grievance procedures.
That parents/guardians shall support the team by not separating their children or any other team members from the team at club or team events (such as tournaments).

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Because a team and its components are made up of individuals with varying personalities, there may not always be agreement on what is best for the whole. Disagreements, if they cannot be resolved between individuals should be handled administratively as follows:

None of us should EVER have major disagreements in front of the players. These lines of communications, while not meant to be secretive, are not for public display.
A player or parent who believes there is a problem should bring it up with the Team Board Representative. Parents are NOT to approach coaches regarding any grievance.
The team representative will discuss the matter with the coach unless the matter is of a nature that requires the rep to go immediately to the club president (e.g., tournament coaching decisions versus something more serious).
If not resolved, the team representative will speak with the Club President, who will determine a course of action to resolve the issue. If necessary, the Club President will bring the Technical Director or Assistant Technical Director into the discussion.
Any coach who believes there is a problem should bring it up with the Technical Director or Club President, or both and will then work with the parent to resolve the matter.

THE CLUB PRESIDENT AND TECHNICAL DIRECTOR(s) WILL KEEP OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION ON ALL SUCH MATTERS AT ALL TIMES.

VOLUNTEER TEAM REPRESENTATIVE

Each team must have a parent team representative who will be responsible for the functions listed below. The parent team rep may enlist other team parents to assist in completing these duties.

TEAM REPRESENTATION
1. Attend team representative meetings (called by the Board Secretary), receive information on club operations to be shared with the team parents, and report on the team’s progress and related matters.
2. Set and run team meetings periodically and communicate board actions and information.
3. Act as liaison between parents and coach.
4. Act as liaison between parents and board, technical director or president regarding other club concerns.
5. Facilitate fund raising as appropriate in coordination with the Board.
6. Make sure that all parents give their fair share in terms of support the team (e.g., at tournaments).
7. Support club director and coaches' activities so that all administrative activities are taken care of.
TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION
1. Arrange and oversee transportation (tournament carpools), as needed, for all tournaments by enlisting commitments from all parents on the team (sign-up sheet at 1^st team meeting).
2. Before each tournament re-check with coach and drivers to make sure that EVERYONE has a ride.
3. Coaches are NOT to be drivers. They may need a ride.
4. May need to work along with the Club Transportation Chairperson (for major tournaments, particularly where air transport is involved).
5. Obtain and distribute directions for each tournament for any drivers (or point them to the club website where directions are available).
6. You will need more than just the two Chaperones for away trips. You will need drivers that bring the girls to the hotel and at the tournament are responsible for helping to get the girls to the playing sites as well. Make sure that the drivers have obtained a room at the hotel or nearby, so that they are available to drive players to tournament sites or between tournament sites during the days of the tournaments. Sometimes playing sites change after the girls have played a morning or afternoon pool! Drivers are responsible for obtaining and paying for their own hotel rooms.
UNIFORM COORDINATION
1. Work along with Club Uniform Coordinator to distribute uniforms to players.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Assure that information reaches ALL team members.
2. Work with the Board Secretary to provide an on-going two-way channel of communications.
3. Be a sounding board to the Board regarding the "pulse" of the team as well as any matters of importance or issues that arise.
FUNDRAISING
1. Coordinate with board members in charge of fund raising.
2. Distribute forms, items for sale and then collect all money from these fund raising events for the entire team and then turn it over to the fund raising board member and treasurer.
3. Oversee any team fund raising.
4. Collect ideas for fund raisers. Examples: paper sales, raffles, Serv-a-thon, fashion show, car washes, etc.
PUBLICITY
1. Coordinate with club publicity chairperson.
2. Report team news, tournament results and team photos to the DIGS Webmaster to be posted on the team page of the DIGS website.

TOURNAMENTS

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AT TOURNAMENTS

THE COACHES HAVE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLAYERS WHEN ON THE COURT. THE CHAPERONES HAVE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLAYERS WHEN OFF THE COURT.

PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES

Players are expected to comply with procedures and obligations as set forth herein, as well as with the guidelines established by the coaching staff and individual chaperones. A player’s failure to comply will result in disciplinary actions that include, but are not limited to the following:

The offending player may be benched for up to the remainder of the tournament.
The offending player may be sent home at the parent’s expense and will not be put on the roster or allowed to participate in the next scheduled event.
Second violations may result in the player being asked to leave the club.

The Board has given its endorsement to these policies.

PLAYERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO DRIVE THEMSELVES OR ANY OTHER PLAYER TO ANY TOURNAMENT, EVEN IF IT IS A SITE LOCAL TO THEIR HOME. THIS IS A USA VOLLEYBALL REGULATION!

Packing: (see list below)

Money: The players and parents should also be made aware that meal money will be collected by the chaperones before each tournament to cover meal expenses.

ALL TOURNAMENTS

While at tournaments you must remain with your team. If you need to leave your team for any reason, you must inform your chaperone and always travel with another player.
The “camping out area” must be cleaned up before leaving.
You may not leave a tournament until all of the team is released – if any members of your team are working a match, (after you have completed play) you must stay until they are done and the coach dismisses you. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action at the discretion of the Board.
THE COACH IS ALWAYS IN CHARGE. IF YOU ARE OFF THE COURT AND THE COACH IS NOT AROUND, THE CHAPERONES ARE IN CHARGE.

Note that no college visits during a tournament period are allowed. Athletes should visit the college before or after the tournament, when it's allowed by NCAA regulations (see NCAA rules regarding site visits) and the player has the necessary time for tours and interviews.

AWAY TOURNAMENTS

At the hotel, keep noise down in rooms, hallways, lobbies and other public places. Remember you are a representative of DIGS.
Smoking is NOT allowed. The clubs goes through considerable effort to obtain smoke free rooms. Disciplinary action will be taken if players are smoking or evidence of smoking presents itself to the coaches or chaperones.
The hotel will be asked to turn off all pay-per-view movies, and not allow long distance calls from the rooms. If the hotel, by mistake does not do this, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PURCHASE PAY-PER-VIEW MOVIES OR USE THE PHONES FOR LONG DISTANCE CALLS.
You must observe curfew and lights out policy as determined by your coach and chaperones.
Cell phone use is permitted only during break periods during tournament time. If a player is working or the team is playing, cell phones may not be used. After tournament play is completed for the day, cell phones may be used provided players have not been directed to not use them i.e., during a team meeting. Cell phones may not be used following “lights out”. A player’s failure to abide by this rule will subject her to the disciplinary action previously stated.
All off court activities are to be planned as a team. It is the chaperones final decision for any activities. The team must remain together.
All team members must appear for breakfast together.
All members of the team must eat their meals together.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of parents to drive their own daughter to tournaments or to ensure that their daughter has a ride to and from each tournament and between sites while at the tournament. The Team Rep can help facilitate carpools, but needs parents’ help to make it all work!
Each player’s parent(s) are expected to take their turn at chaperoning at overnight tournaments.
It is expected that parents who are not chaperoning at a particular tournament will assist the chaperones for that tournament by volunteering to pick up food (i.e. sandwiches for lunch, etc., paid for by money collected for the tournament) and by driving the girls between the hotel and the tournament venue. Whenever possible, collect local menus or make note of the local restaurants (name, street, phone #) for next year. This information can be given to the team rep.
At overnight tournaments, parents pay for their own rooms. (The club covers room expenses for players, coaches and the chaperones for that tournament.)

CHAPERONE RESPONSIBILITIES

The chaperone is a temporary DIGS official with certain responsibilities. In general terms these responsibilities include: provide for the security of all team members, organize all activities away from the courtside outside the influence of the coach and uphold the image of the organization.

The chaperone is expected to share in the responsibility of having the team focused and prepared to play volleyball. Equally important is to have the players spend their time at a tourney together as a team getting to know each other and enjoying each other’s company, doing common activities and having fun. This is a team (and organizational) activity and the team concept should not be forgotten which means that what is good and required for one, is the same for all.

Chaperones must know where players are at all times. The players should be advised to notify chaperones of their whereabouts at all times (bathroom, snack bar, watching other teams play). This will permit a player to be located quickly if the coach has a meeting or if there is a work assignment at a tournament.
Players should be in pairs at all times, when off the court.
When out of town at a hotel, a room assignment list must be kept. If a player leaves their room, for any reason (visiting another room or trip to lobby, etc.), chaperones must be advised of destination and companion. Keep noise down in rooms, hallways, lobbies and other public areas.
Obtain emergency supplies for players if needed.
In a medical emergency, one of the chaperones should accompany player to the medical facility and call player’s family to advise them of emergency. REMEMBER TO BRING THE INJURED PLAYER’S MEDICAL FORM – THE COACH WILL HAVE IT.
The coach will advise chaperones of curfew, lights out time, morning wake-up time, and the play/work schedules for the team. Make sure to check with your coach before they have left you for the day. Chaperones are responsible for bed checks. Each evening the chaperone must emphasize the curfew, the time and place to meet for breakfast (everyone must attend) and the time and place to gather for the trip to the play site.
Chaperones and drivers will transport players to tournaments playing locations. PLAYERS MAY NOT DRIVE THEMSELVES OR ANY OTHER PLAYER TO ANY TOURNAMENTS. Always do a final check that each player has a ride home or back to hotel.

ALL DRIVERS THAT BRING PLAYERS TO THE TOURNAMENTS (AWAY) ARE REQUIRED TO REMAIN WITH THE TEAM SO THAT TRANSPORTATION TO VARIOUS SITES DURING THE TOURNAMENTS IS EASILY COORDINATED.

At away tournaments that run 2 days or more, chaperones will supervise UNIFORM laundry duty making sure that the players have clean uniforms each day. ONLY UNIFORMS ARE TO BE WASHED. NO PERSONAL ITEMS. Check out where the closest Laundromat is when you get to the hotel. If laundry has to be done off site, one chaperone must stay with team.
It is helpful for chaperones to bring a roll of quarters and detergent with them.
Chaperones will be responsible for arranging breakfast, lunch, and dinner and may be asked to purchase breakfast, lunch, snacks and water for the team. The players will pay for cost of all food and drinks.

MONEY FOR FOOD, DRINKS AND LAUNDRY SHOULD BE COLLECTED BEFORE LEAVING FOR TOURNAMENTS THAT REQUIRE AN OVERNIGHT STAY. DETERMINE APPROXIMATE COSTS AND THEN DIVIDE BY NUMBER OF TEAM MEMBERS AND REQUIRE EACH FAMILY TO PAY THAT AMOUNT BEFORE YOU LEAVE ON THE TRIP.

It will make things much easier if research is done ahead of time as to what is locally available for meals. For example, a deli menu in hand and phoning in an order for pickup or delivery 90 minutes ahead of time will easily save an hour and hassle over taking a team order then going out to find a deli. Offer to pick up the coaches’ lunches as you get the team lunch.

MEALS & FOOD PURCHASES BEFORE TOURNAMENTS

It is suggested to have breakfast in a team room. Shop before you leave for the tournament bringing appropriate food in a cooler filled with ice. Research what is in rooms as far as kitchen facilities. Research if rooms come with breakfast of any sort.

Suggestions:

cold cereal

fruit

milk

butter (1 tub)

cream cheese (2 tubs)

juice (2-3 half gallons or 1 case juice boxes, depending on number of breakfasts)

bagels (2 ½ dz)

paper goods (plates, bowls, cups, napkins)

plastic knives, spoons, forks

a sharp knife (for slicing bagels)

2 rolls paper towels

plastic gallon bags

plastic garbage bags.

NON-FOOD ITEMS TO BRING

(Each coach has a medical kit for emergencies.)

Detergent & Softener Dryer Sheets

Roll of Quarters

Band-Aids/Antibiotic Cream

Tylenol/Ibuprofen/Throat Lozenges

Feminine Products

Late Saturday Dinner

Research local restaurants. It is best if the research is done ahead of time. IT IS NICE TO INVITE THE COACHES AND OTHER PARENTS TO COME TO DINNER WITH THE TEAM. (Parents dine at their own expense.)

Water

There should always be a water strategy. And the chaperone must always be on the lookout for the player who forgot her water. It is a rule of thumb that once an athlete feels thirsty it’s already too late to avoid some degree of dehydration and its energy sapping result. Spending long hours in a gym makes it easy to forget about drinking some water periodically. As the season progresses and hot weather arrives, the situation can get especially acute quickly. Sometimes Chaperones will bring cases of water with them (part of money from players) or the players will be advised to bring some bottled water with them to the tourney but the chaperones will complement this supply starting the 2^nd day or for all days if a plane or bus trip has been taken.

ALWAYS CHECK WITH COACH FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS.

The team will stay together as a team. Parents may treat the team as a whole to an event (dinner) when on an overnight trip, but may NOT take their own children (or a few players) away from the team, unless there is an emergency. Small groups and individuals are not to split off and do their own thing. Players are not permitted to leave a hotel on their own. Only DIGS related people are permitted in and around the rooms: players, coaches and parents. Players are not to be left by themselves in a hotel unsupervised while the rest of the team goes out on an activity. If a player becomes ill – she is not left alone. Players’ relatives must respect that the players must spend the entire tournament together as a team and not take a player out for a meal or off site visit, etc.
Compose and distribute trip itinerary to coach, players, drivers, and parents. Obtain parents’ cell phone and local hotel information for emergency contacts.
Enjoy the experience of your daughter’s volleyball club life!

TOURNAMENT PLANNING - GENERAL SUGGESTIONS

When money is collected ahead of time for tournament expenses the players should not expect change nor should the chaperone be expected to keep track of expenses by player. The chaperone should just track the totals spent. Any collected money left over will be placed into a pool and applied to expenses for the next tourney. At the end of the year if any money is left in the pool it is suggested that it go towards a coach’s gift. Chaperones should not be paying the tab with their own money.

For some tourneys, it may save money and time if the team rep or chaperone purchases a case or two of water bottles ahead of time from collected funds.

In the event you encounter a situation you are uncomfortable with and you feel it needs additional attention, keep in mind at each tourney that there are experienced team officials and coaches in attendance. Know how to contact them – room numbers and cell phones, etc.

PLAYER PACKING LIST FOR ALL TOURNAMENTS

All uniforms, sneakers, DIGS warm-up, training shorts and an extra pair of knee pads.
Several changes of underwear and socks, sweater or extra sweat shirt, and an extra change of travel clothes.
Water bottle marked with player name and number.
It is suggested that jewelry not be worn or brought along.
A lightweight blanket or sleeping bag to rest on between matches (if no plane involved).

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR ONE-DAY TOURNAMENTS

Small cooler with lunch, fruit drinks, fruit, crackers, honey, cheese or other high energy snacks. Don’t forget water! These items help a player’s energy level.

SUGGESTIONS FOR OVER-NIGHT TOURNAMENT TRIPS

Clothes for after play is done for the day including something to sleep in.
Bathing suit and extra towel (places where there is a pool and all dormitory stays) depending on overnight facility.
Necessary toiletries including hair dryer.
Travel alarm clock.
Check on the weather where you are going so you can bring appropriate clothing.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR PENN STATE

Your own pillow and a towel (or more than one) for showers. Penn State provides institution sheets, however players may bring their own.
Bathing suit, sunscreen and an extra towel.
BRING A FAN WITH YOU.
Check on the weather where you are going so you can bring appropriate clothing.
The rooms have little refrigerators with mini microwave ovens on top. You can bring snack food (microwave popcorn, etc.) with you, for consumption in the room only.
Flip-flops for the shower.

ONLY WATER CAN BE BROUGHT TO THE MATCHES. IF WE BRING ANYTHING ELSE LIKE JUICES OR FOOD ON THE COURT, WE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED!

PARENTS’ PACKING LIST FOR ALL TOURNAMENTS

Since there is frequently quite a lot of waiting time between matches at tournaments, the following are suggested.

Folding chairs for yourselves.
Reading material (newspapers, magazines, the novel you’ve been waiting to read, etc.)
Water bottles
Lunch and/or snacks are available at some, but not all tournament facilities. Some venues may have places to eat nearby. Food is not permitted on or near the courts.

SOME USEFUL WEB SITES

GEVA (Garden Empire Volleyball Association, our region of USA Volleyball) has a web site with current information and directions to many tournament sites: www.geva.org.

The USA Volleyball home page is: www.usavolleyball.org.

For information about tournaments run by East Coast Volleyball (Early Bird Extravaganza, Northeast Qualifier, East Coast Championships – Penn State): www.eastcoastvb.org.

DIGS CODE OF CONDUCT

Players are expected to abide by the following Code of Conduct and coaches and parents are expected to support it:

Tobacco, alcohol and drug use by players is prohibited during any Club event. (Violation will result in immediate disciplinary action.)
At away events, players shall not entertain members of the opposite sex in their rooms. (Violation will result in the immediate disciplinary action.)
At away events, players will not leave the proximity of the team without permission and then only in pairs.
At away events, players will abide by any curfew and will respect all “quiet times.”
Players will abide by the USAV rules regarding court conduct and USAV Code of Ethics.

In past events, the conduct of nearly all participants has been exemplary. It is expected that all members of DIGS will do their utmost to maintain the high standards of conduct so characteristic of USAV activities.