Bothell Cougar Jr. Football Association

Policy Handbook

This policy handbook has been developed and maintained in accordance with section XVI of the Bylaws of the BCJFA, which states:

The Board shall develop and maintain a Policy Handbook, detailing the then current policies found to be required for the orderly conduct of BCJFA Business. All policies are to be developed in accordance and alignment with the general purpose, rules and intent of these bylaws. Where a conflict between these bylaws and the Policy Handbook can be shown, these bylaws shall be given preference. Amendments to the Policy Handbook may be proposed by any member of the Board or of the General Membership. With the exception of the System/Team Split Policy, amendments to the Policy Handbook are to be adopted or rejected by simple majority vote of a quorum of the Board. Amendments to the System/Team Split Policy must follow the rules and procedure governing the amendment of these bylaws.

Article XVI – BCJFA Bylaws,

as amended Nov 2004

The policies in this handbook may be arranged by general area of applicability for ease of reference. The location or omission of a particular general policy in or from one section of this document should in no way be interpreted as limiting its applicability to situations arising in another general area of the operation of the association.

The BCJFA board retains the right to interpret these policies and apply them in situations not specifically covered by the then current language, subject upon appeal to the review of the Grievance Committee as outlined in the BCJFA Bylaws.

Ø  Rookies with 99 AGE / WEIGHT points (To Lose Two Pounds)

Ø  Cubs with 124 AGE / WEIGHT points (To Lose Two Pounds)

Ø  Sophomores with 150 AGE / WEIGHT points (To Lose Three Pounds)

Ø  J.V. with 177 AGE / WEIGHT points (To Lose Three Pounds)

Ø  Varsity with 201 AGE / WEIGHT points (To Lose Three Pounds)

• Players who reside outside of the GEJFA service area may also petition for membership in the BCJFA .
• Players may not compete under an assumed name or compete on any other tackle football team while participating in BCJFA football.
• No player will be allowed to register if he has debts or fines owed to the BCJFA from a previous season.
• No player shall be placed on an official roster without first meeting all of the BCJFA certification requirements.
• No non-rostered player shall be allowed to participate in any official team activity.
• Players must participate in a minimum of 14 practices or jamborees prior to playing the first GEJFA game.
• Players cannot play in a GEJFA game if that player has had 2 or more unexcused absents within a practices week preceding the game.

Player Certification is the process by which the BCJFA verifies player participation eligibility. This process must be completed for every player, and no player will be assigned a spot on the team roster until he or she is certified. The certification of all players will be conducted by the GEJFA representative and the President. To be certified every player must participate in the official weigh-in and have the following documents on file with the BCJFA:

•  A current completed and signed BCJFA registration form;

•  A valid verification of birth date;

•  Verification of residence;

•  Verification of weight.

Any player or adult knowingly falsifying any of the registration information will be subject to discipline that could include decertification of the player, suspension and/or expulsion from the GEJFA.

Registration Form

Every player will have on file a completed registration form that will include medical and emergency information, residence address and date of birth.

The participant's parent or legal guardian must read, consent and sign the form prior to participation.

Verification of Birth Date

Proof of a player's age must be presented at the time of registration. Proof of age is satisfied by submittal of any one of the following:

•  Certified true copy of U.S. birth certificate from a city or other municipality, county, or state.

•  Passport or immigration Visa.

•  All U.S. Government birth certificates.

•  Adoption paper wherein the player's name and date of birth is properly recorded.

•  Alien registration card.

If none of the above can be provided, then at least three other documents must be furnished:

•  Baptismal Certificate with signatures.

•  Hospital record with the hospital seal and doctors signature.

•  Letter from school the player is attending, attesting to the date of birth of the player, by his full name, including the names of player's parents, that is being carried on the school records. This letter is to be on school stationery and signed by the principal, vice- principal, counselor, or registrar of the school. The letter must be dated.

•  Insurance policy wherein the date of birth of the player is noted.

•  Notification of birth.

A copy of each player's proof of age will be given to the GEJFA representative for validation, and the included in the Head Coach's team book. The original proof of age certificate will be kept on file by the registrar until the player has reached the age where he is no longer eligible to play in the BCJFA football program.

Verification of Residence

Under certain circumstances, a participant's parents may be asked to provide proof of residence prior to the start of the season. Any of the following documents shall constitute proof of residence:

•  Valid Washington State Driver's License

•  Valid Washington State Identification Card

•  Current bill in Parents name and addressed to the place of residence.

Post Office Boxes are not valid as proof of residence.

Verification of Weight

No player shall be placed on an official roster or permitted to enter into any type of physical activity without first participating in the certification weigh-in.

In the case of discrepancy between scales, the weight as measured by scales provided by the BCJFA shall be is accepted as accurate.

Players will dress in gym type shorts, underwear (including optional athletic bra for female players), and T-shirts only; no shoes, no socks, no hat. This certification dress code applies to all players. Players will never be allowed or required to strip completely nude for weight certification.

The GEJFA representative will conduct the certification weigh-in, or if required, someone else assigned by the Executive Board. At the certification Weigh-in all players will be asked to verify their, name, birth date, and school. Coaches and parents are forbidden to interfere with or be involved in the weigh in process for any player on their roster.

At registration, all certified players will be placed on a preliminary roster based on their age and projected weight for the beginning of the season.

Division assignments will be verified at the weigh-in performed during the equipment hand outs prior to the season.

Division assignments are not final until the official GEJFA rosters are approved by the league.

All division assignments will be made according to the then current GEJFA Age/Weight formula.

Any player weighing 10% or more over his maximum weight for a Division at the time of official certification will be assigned to the next higher Division if age allows. Any player weighing more than his maximum weight for a Division, but less than 10% more, may after consultation with the player's parent be assigned to either Division at the discretion of the Board.

The BCJFA President, Registrar and System Director shall act as an ad-hoc committee to resolve any player division assignment issues that may arise during or after registration.

Before any team may hold their first practice they must be franchised.

A team is considered eligible for franchise if it has a minimum of 14 certified players and a minimum of two certified coaches.

There will be a designated Head Coach and a designated Assistant Head Coach.

There will be no more than seven (7) assistant coaches per franchised football team.

Each team must also have at least one coach, designated as the Medical Assistant, with a current Red Cross multimedia first aid card.

Before any team is accepted as a franchised team within the BCJFA, a General Manager, Clock Operator, Equipment Manager must be identified.

No team will be awarded a franchise for the upcoming season until all six of these positions (Head Coach, Assistant Head Coach, General Manager, Clock Operator, Equipment Manager and Medical Assistant) are filled.

A description of the responsibilities for each of the positions follows.

HEAD COACH

Each franchise shall have a Head Coach who has prime responsibility for all on field activities of his franchised team. Shall be solely responsible for the conduct and actions of the players, coaches and parents of his franchised team, and shall be held accountable by BCJFA. Must be familiar with the BCJFA/GEJFA rules and by-laws and comply with the provisions set forth. Must attend all mandatory coaching meetings or clinics as required by the Executive Board. Must possess an active First aid certification. Shall be responsible for the selection, certification and training of his franchised team coaching staff. Shall ensure that coaching ethics, spectator control, and any other game control requirements are strictly adhered to at all times.

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH

Each franchise shall have an Assistant Head Coach who has prime responsibility for all on field activities of his franchised team in the absence of the Head Coach. Shall be responsible for the conduct and actions of the players, coaches and parents of his franchised team. Must be familiar with the BCJFA/GEJFA rules and by-laws and comply with the provisions set forth. Must attend all mandatory coaching meetings or clinics as required by the Executive Board. Shall assist in ensuring that coaching ethics, spectator control, and any other game control requirements are strictly adhered to at all times.

MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Each franchise shall have a Medical Assistant as assigned by the Head Coach. Shall be responsible for all medical activities including but not limited to, injury detection, first aid, taping, and icing. Must attend all mandatory safety and First Aid meetings or clinics as required by the Executive Board. If he/she wishes, the Head Coach may assign himself as the Medical Assistant.

GENERAL MANAGER

Serves as the franchise representative of the General Managers Committee. Working with the General Managers committee, shall be responsible for coordinating all franchise activities in support of fund raising and concessions at Pop Keeney Field. Shall keep an updated listing of franchise parental volunteers and their activities. Shall ensure that each franchise is in compliance with their volunteer duties. After consultation with the franchise Head Coach and the Volunteer Coordinator, shall be authorized to temporarily suspend any individual from activity for lack of compliance with volunteer duties.

CLOCK OPERATOR

Each franchise shall have a Clock Operator that is responsible for running the time clock at all home games.

The Clock Operator must attend all mandatory training for the operation of the scoreboard and clock.

EQUIPMENT MANAGER

Each franchise shall have an Equipment Manager that reports to the Skyview or Canyon Park Equipment Officer. The Equipment Manager must attend all mandatory training for proper fitting of player equipment. Will assist the Equipment Officers in the repair and organizing of BCJFA football equipment. Will be required to assist at equipment handout and turn in for a minimum of three hours on each of these days. The Equipment Manager will be responsible for scheduling a time to exchange faulty or equipment that does not fit. The Equipment Managers will be responsible for scheduling a time for players to receive equipment who missed the designated handout day.

TEAM PARENT

Although not required as a prerequisite to secure a franchise, it is recommended that each team also identify a Team Parent who will assist and advise the franchise Head Coach on all matters not related to football operations. This person shall be responsible for all activities including but not limited to, team photos, team banquet, team snacks. If requested by the Head Coach, the Team Parent will handle the general correspondence, newsletters and record keeping associated with the franchised team. Once franchised, the Head Coach will be given a team book consisting of the following items:

•  An official stamped GEJFA master roster for the team.

•  A set of 10 weekly GEJFA rosters.

•  An official BCJFA Player Registration Form for each player on the roster.

•  A set of maps for each GEJFA field.

  The Head Coach of any team must be 21 years of age as of the first day of practice.

  Assistant coaches must be at least l8 years of age as of the first day of practice.

  Coaching instructors must be a minimum 15 years of age, or ineligible to participate with the team that they will be instructing.

  Head Coach and assistant coach candidates who transfer from another GEJFA youth football program must obtain a waiver or clearance from their previous organization.

  Coaches who fail to obtain a waiver or clearance will not be certified. Coaches who fail to disclose their affiliation with another organization shall be disqualified. Coaches who were expelled or decertified by the home associations the previous season may not qualify.

  Prior to the beginning of each season every coaching candidate must:

•  Complete and submit a Washington State Patrol background identification form

•  Complete a GEJFA code of Conduct Form.

•  All new head Coaches must complete a BCJFA coaches application form.

COACHING ETHICS

All members of team staffs of the BCJFA shall adhere to the following coaching ethics:

•  He will not criticize players in front of spectators, but reserve constructive criticism for private, or in the presence of the team.

•  He will accept decisions of officials on the field as being fair and called to the best ability of the officials. He will not criticize the officials, the opposing team, the coaches or fans, by word of mouth or gesture.

•  He will emphasize that good athletes are good students, and both are physically and mentally alert.

•  He will strive to make every football activity serve as a training ground for life, and as a basis for good mental and physical health.

•  He will emphasize that winning a game is the result of TEAMWORK.

•  He shall not use abusive or profane language before anyone connected with the game.

•  He shall not 'pile it on' as the phrase is used when a team gets a commanding lead and desires to raise the score as high as it can.

•  He shall not be on the playing field under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. He will set an example in personal conduct at all times.

•  He will not smoke or use any form of tobacco while on the field of play during games, scrimmages or practices.

•  He will not physically assault any other adult or player.

•  He will not threaten a game official, event judge or league official.

•  He will not facilitating unlawful participation by an uncertified or otherwise unqualified individual.

BENCHING AND DISCIPLINE

When it is necessary to bench a player for disciplinary reasons, the Association President and the player's parents are to be advised. Common reasons for benching a player would be in situations where the player has a disruptive behavior problem, or is combative towards others and similar situations. A player or cheerleader, who cannot perform at the level desired, is not a candidate for benching. A player benched during a game will be benched for the entire or remainder of the game. Benching a player should be a last resort coaches and administrators are expected to take steps to correct the errant players behavior before it is necessary to bench him. The benching of a player or is subject to Association review. Improprieties in this procedure could result in disciplinary action.

Players who miss practice or break team rules during the week may be held out of a game or events providing the following procedures are followed:

•  The player must be told that they will be held out, and the reasons for it at least 24 hours or on the last practice day prior to the game.

•  The player's parents must be told of the hold out and the reasons for it.

•  A note shall be made on the weekly roster indicating the amount of time that the player is being held out (Game, Half, Quarter).

•  All player's being held out less then a full game, must serve their penalty at the beginning of the game.

RECRUITING

Enticing the youth of our communities to participate in our football program is essential to our goals. Youth flag and tackle football provides a safe and regulated opportunity for our youth to realize athletic achievement. BCJFA supports legal recruiting efforts by coaches and administrators to introduce new youths to our program. Recruiting efforts may only take place after the 'early sign-up' for returning players and siblings. Players who reside outside of the GEJFA service area and are recruited by a Head Coach, may petition be assigned to that coach's team at March the sign ups or later providing that team has a roster opening. These players will be placed after players who reside in BCJFA boundaries, that register on or before our annual March sign up.

ILLEGAL RECRUITING

Illegal recruiting is divisive and a serious threat to relationships between football associations and the league itself. Illegal recruiting is defined as the act of an adult to influence players who reside within the boundaries of one GEJFA Association to register in another. Any adult found to be illegally recruiting players will be subject to disciplinary action from the BCJFA that may include suspension for up to a year. There are legitimate circumstances that could result in a player transferring from one association to another. The illegal recruiting rule does not apply when a player's place of residence has changed from one system to another. Any Coach, who resides within the boundaries of another GEJFA Association, must obtain a written release from that system prior to submitting an application to coach in the BCJFA. Any Coach granted a release may bring all of his children with him. It is not a rule violation for the child of the transferring Head Coach to accompany him to the new organization. It is a rule violation to entice an unrelated player or Assistant Coach to transfer. It is a rule violation to organize a defection of a group, from one Association to another. It is a violation for any GEJFA Association to accept the transfer application of an individual group without the accompanying unconditional release.

CONDITIONING AND PRACTICES

No organized team activity, with the exception of reunions, car washes, Fund raising, and City functions (i.e. parades) may start before the first official practice day. Full player gear including helmets and shoulder pads, hip and tail pads, thigh and kneepads may be worn starting the first day of practice. Coaches and players may hold tackle dummies, but there will not be any ‘man on man' contact between players until the fourth day of practice. There will be no official or unofficial gathering of team participants for practices without coaches present. During the first three (3) weeks of practice, teams are limited to five (5) two-hour practice sessions per week. Beginning the Monday following Labor Day, practice sessions will be limited to three (3) two-hour sessions per week. Conditioning or practice sessions shall not exceed two (2) hours in any one day, inclusive of chalk talks or conferences. No practice sessions will be conducted during hours of darkness without stadium lighting. There shall be no practice on game days. Practice sessions will include a minimum ten-minute warm up period.

  Any player requesting a scholarship must submit the appropriate paperwork to the Scholarship Approval Committee at the time of registration.

  The Committee may request additional information before awarding any scholarship.

  No player may participate in any team activities until the Scholarship Approval Committee has reviewed and approved the form as a part of the player certification process.

  In general, eligibility for scholarships is based on participation in the Northshore School District Free/Reduced cost meal program, or equivalent.

  The scholarship amount is a $100 reduction in the registration fees per qualified player, to be subtracted after all other discounts are applied.

A coach or administrator who is under suspension for any reason may not attend any Association or function or activities.

  A suspended Coach may not have any contact with his coaching staff or players.

  A suspended Coach may not attend any practices.

  A suspended Coach may attend a game as a parent, provided there is no contact with the team.

All refunds are given at the discretion of the BCJFA Board.

  Refund requests received before the date of the first equipment handout will receive a full refund minus $25.

  Refund requests received on or after the date of the first equipment handout, but before the Tuesday before the first scheduled league game will receive a 50% refund.

  No refunds will be issued for requests received on or after the Tuesday before the first scheduled league game.

  Refunds are contingent up on the return of all BCJFA issued equipment, in working condition.

  All refund requests must be in writing, addressed to Bothell Junior League Football, PO Box 1024, Bothell, WA 98041-1024, and are considered received by the system on the date of their postmark.

  Refund requests for players injured while practicing or playing in a BCJFA scheduled event, and for players removed from teams/rosters for disciplinary reasons or missing practices shall follow the same schedule.