Markham Raiders Football Association - OVFL

Preamble

The following sections are intended as guidelines to the standards of presentation, conduct, ethical principles, and behaviours expected of all Raider OVFL participants, including players, volunteers and coaches.

Mission Statement

The Markham Raiders OVFL teams aspire to be an outstanding athletic organization that provides a high quality experience to every athlete and a safe, welcoming environment for all. A high quality experience is one in which every athlete:

Is coached using the principles of positive coaching and “pursuing victory with honour, ethics and sportsmanship”.
Feels like an important part of the team regardless position, playing time or performance.
Understands that being a Raiders OVFL athlete is both a privilege and a responsibility.
Learns “life lessons” that have value beyond the playing field.
Learns the skills, tactics and strategies of the game and improves as a player.

We are committed to creating a positive culture in which coaches, parents, fans, officials and athletes work together to achieve our mission.

Injury

Players who are injured and not allowed to participate in games or practices must present a Dr.’s note or have parent advise the Head Coach that they are healthy and able to fully participate in football.

Injuries incurred during a game must be brought to both the physiotherapist and Head Coach's attention to prevent further injury to the injured player. The player will not be allowed to participate without the physiotherapist’s or Head Coach’s permission.

If a serious injury is incurred by a member of a Raiders OVFL team from participation in game or practice, and requires attending the Hospital, a member of the Raiders team staff will be required to be present with the injured player at the Hospital (if parent is not present).

Commitment

The Raiders OVFL program expects players to:

be dedicated and give 100% effort in practice, competitions and games
strive to be the best you can be, push yourself to your limits
understand personal limitations and exceed them on game day
take responsibility and make yourself better by participating in off season training
give no excuses, but accept responsibility as a member of the Raiders organization
make teammates better through encouragement, actions and leadership

This is a team game; a player making the commitment to the Raiders organization is making a commitment to the team!

Conduct

Every player on a Raiders OVFL team is expected to display good sportsmanship. Being a good sportsman means showing respect to, teammates, coaches, referees, volunteers, other competitors and everyone involved in the sport. A good player does not let their emotions take over, no matter the circumstances. Ethical behaviour is demanded of the players by the Raiders organization.

Definition of Sportsmanship by Raiders policy:: “A person who can take a loss or defeat without complaint or victory without gloating, and who treats their opponents with fairness, courtesy and respect.” (We do not speak inappropriately to other teams’ players, coaches and/or referees: Profanity and vulgarity are unacceptable. Any form of racial slur or insult will be met with harsh consequences. Let our playing make the statement. We will remain composed at all times.) Raiders OVFL policy states players, coaches and volunteers are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play during all practices, competitions and games. They shall also abide by the core principles of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, good citizenship and the policy, as stated within this Raiders OVFL Code of Conduct.

Attendance

Commitment, punctuality and mandatory attendance—it is the player’s responsibility. Remember, as a player you made the commitment when you signed up for the program, your team is relying on you!

Player’s priorities are expected to be as follows:

Family
School
Raiders

Attendance at all Raiders practices, games and scheduled events is mandatory with the exception of ‘excused absences’, which are left to the Head Coaches discretion. An injury is not an excuse for an absence, as a player you are required to attend and participate at the appropriate level.

Every player is expected to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to practice. The players are to be fully dressed and prepared to begin the pre-practice calisthenics and stretches at the designated start time.

If the player is using the assigned bus as transportation to the game on game day the player is responsible for advising team management at the practise prior to the game. Further, if the player is not attending the game or using personal transportation to attend game, the player must inform team management at the practise prior to the game.

Every player is expected to arrive at least 1 hour and 30 minutes prior to game or 15 minutes prior to the departure of the bus. The bus will not wait on any player. The players are to be fully dressed and prepared to begin the pre-game calisthenics and stretches at the designated start time.

Accepted Excused Absences include, but are not limited to family emergencies, injury related appointments, Team Ontario tryouts/games, football camps, etc…

Each Excused Absence is considered on its own merit. Time management is the player’s responsibility!

Equipment

Raiders OVFL players are responsible for their uniform and any equipment issued to them. The player will respect it, take care of it, clean and maintain all equipment issued to them.

Game day wear is to be washed and cleaned for game day and before equipment is returned to the Raiders organization.

All equipment issued to players must be returned at the end of the season on the pre-arranged date.

Any abuse or vandalism of equipment (including but not limited to sitting on and/or throwing of helmets, manipulation of uniform or equipment, etc…) will result in the player’s discipline.

Players are to only bring football related equipment to practices, team events and games. For example, no cell phones are permitted on the practice field, dressing room or at a team event.

The player’s uniform and equipment are a representation of the Raiders organization, the team, the player and me, the Head Coach, therefore as a player you will respect it!

Dress Code

Game Day

Players’ uniforms including game pants, game jerseys, helmet, socks, shoes and all other equipment worn during game play is expected to be cleaned and deemed ‘game ready’ by the Head Coach.

Players are responsible for bringing both home and away game jerseys to each and every game. Pre-game, players are asked to dress neatly and wear their game jerseys (home or away as dictated) and game day pants/shorts as dictated by the Head Coach.

Players are responsible for wearing appropriate under shirts that match the game day uniform of the team.

Game uniforms are only to be worn for game day and picture day!!!

Non issued equipment is to be in accordance with league rules and regulations.

Practices

Practice jerseys, practice pants, practice socks and if applicable practice belts are to be worn at all other football oriented activities.

Quitting of Team/Removal from Team

Any player who breaks their commitment and quits a Raiders OVFL team will not be allowed to return for the remainder of the season. The said player is to speak with the Head Coach in person and return all equipment issued to them at this time.

Roster Manipulation and Try Outs

The Raiders OVFL teams are ‘rep teams’. The Raiders OVFL teams will carry a maximum of 45 players. The reason for the maximum number of players is to take into account playing time and effectiveness at practices. There are no guarantees for players regardless of their participation in the previous year. Every player has to try out every season. There is no guarantee of playing time. There is no guarantee of practice time if the roster exceeds the 45 players.

Being part of the Raiders organization is a privilege, not a right!

The deadline for the addition of players to a Raiders OVFL roster is 2 weeks prior to the first game. Players will not be allowed to join this team and participate in games after this designated date.

Discipline

The discipline regarding each of the sections within the Raiders OVFL Code of Conduct is listed below.