Parents Handbook

Synergy Volleyball Club Parent Handbook

The mission of Synergy Volleyball Club is to give junior players the opportunity to improve their volleyball skills in a competitive, disciplined, and positive environment.

Section 1 – Club Costs and Payment Options
1.1 Select – Refer to Club Contract received at signing for details
1.2 Travel - Refer to Club Contract received at signing for details

Section 2 – Payment Schedule
2.1 Payment Promptness
2.1.1 To accept a position on this or any club team, the family enters into a financial contract with the club. The due date for payments is the 1st of each month.
2.1.2 Account delinquency will result in the players ineligibility to participate.  Accounts 30 days delinquent will result in the player ineligible to participate in tournaments.  Accounts delinquent 60 days will result in the player being ineligible to practice.  
2.1.3 Failure to fulfill financial obligations makes the student ineligible to participate in school sports and/or extracurricular activities until the debt is settled. Any unsettled debt will be turned over to our staff attorney for collections.
2.1.4 Questions regarding your dues or payments should be directed to our Office Manager, using the contact us page on our website.

Section 3 – Team Rules Regarding Player Participation
3.1 Club Policies Regarding Practices and Tournaments - See Section 1 of Player Handbook
3.2 Club Policies Regarding Absences – See Section 2 of Player Handbook
3.3 Club Policies Regarding Match Play – See Section 3 of Player Handbook
3.4 Club Policies Regarding Team Captains – See Section 4 of Player Handbook

Section 4 – Parent Code of Conduct
4.1 The Florida Region has a very strict policy on harrassment and behavior. Loud criticism by fans can result in the ejection of fans, coaches and point penalties against the team.
4.2 Attempt to relieve the pressure of the competition, not increase it. A child is easily affected by outside influences. Children have more need for example than criticism.
4.3 Be kind to your child’s coach and officials. The coach and officials are giving of their time to provide a positive atmosphere for a learning and developmental opportunity for your child.
4.4 Be kind to the opponents. The opponents are necessary friends. Without them your child could not participate. Do not say things to the opponent that you would not want said to your child.
4.5 Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
4.6 Do not openly question an official’s judgment and honesty. Officials are symbols of fair play, integrity, and sportsmanship.
4.7 Accept the results of the game. Encourage your child to be gracious in victory, and to turn defeat into victory by working towards improvement.
4.8 Remember your child is involved in organized sports for their enjoyment, not yours.
4.9 Encourage your child to always play by the rules.
4.10 Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.
4.11 Cheer your child on, be supportive of her, console her, but do it without judging her, the coach, officials or teammates.
4.12 Many things will aggravate you that do not even faze your child. Do not make something into an issue if it is not an issue.
4.13 Encourage your child to seek her own answers. Coaches respect players who come to them and privately question their playing time or role; it immediately indicates they want more.
4.14 Understand the rules of the game and the coach’s philosophy. Substituting in volleyball has consequences that sometimes may not be immediately evident.
4.15 Do your physical part as a parent. Get your child to practice on time and pick them up promptly. Demonstrating responsibility and commitment can be incredibly effective.
4.16 Positions and talent sometimes do not match up. Coaches attempt to do what is best for the team, putting the best physical mix and best "chemistry" on the floor. That may mean that sometimes your daughter may be playing "out of position" in an attempt to strengthen the team. A positive spin by you can go a long way in helping your child adjust to a new role. Stay positive, and your child will flourish.
4.17 If you have real concerns, and your player has attempted unsuccessfully to work things out with the coach on her own, schedule a meeting with the coach and have your child attend with you (you may not be hearing the whole story - a common occurrence). If you are trying to resolve a problem, help your child by being a role model in the problem-solving procedure.
4.18 Never approach a coach with complaints during a tournament. Please wait 24-48 hours after the situation and then contact your parents liasion after the tournament to schedule an appointment.
4.19 Please think before criticizing anyone connected with your player's club or team. Criticism is contagious and often hurtful. The damage could be irreversible.
4.20 Visibly show that you enjoy watching your child perform; this will make her feel better about individual participation, no matter what the role.
Section 5 – Schedule Updates
5.1 Practice Updates and Changes
5.1.1 Occasionally schools at which we practice have school organizations requesting gym space that are given priority over the Club. We are sometimes forced to change practice locations or dates. If any change is made, we will post it on our website.
5.1.2 Sometimes we are forced to cancel a practice due to situations beyond our control. If this is required, we will post it on the website by 4pm of the day in question. We will try with all due-diligence to reschedule these practice later in the season.
5.1.3 Please check the website regularly. The address is www.clubsynergy.us.
5.2 Tournaments
5.2.1 We will strive to have all tournament paperwork submitted and posted on our website by December 31. Local tournaments are subject to changes until confirmations are received.
5.2.2 Tournament information will be posted on our website as soon as it is received by the tournament host. Please understand that this information is usually not available until a few days prior to the event and is subject to change. We recommend you continually check our website for this updated information.

Section 6 – Grievances
6.1 Due to all of the requirements and stressors at tournaments, club staff shall not be approached at tournaments by upset parents. There is a time and place for everything.
6.2 Parents or guardians are welcome to call or meet us to discuss strategy specific questions they have regarding their daughter. We are very open and eager to share with you all of our “Why’s.”
6.3 These meetings shall be conducted before or after practices and preceded with a call to the Head Coach so that they may make arrangements to give you all the time you require to be heard.
6.4 The Director and the Head Coach reserve the right to have the other one present.
6.5 Whether or not the parent agrees with what the Club is doing, they are encouraged to be positive around the team and keep these items between them and the Club.
6.6 If you have tried unsuccessfully to resolve an issue with the parent liasion, they will the contact the club directors.

Section 7 – Travel Information
7.1 Valuable travel information can be found on our website under the link, “Travel Information”.
7.2.1 Parents and players are responsible for arranging their travel and hotel stays.  We as a club do not make reservations for our players.  We do have the ability to receive great group rats and will post that information under "Travel Information "
7.2.2 Out of town tournaments ( West Palm, Atlanta ). We recommend as many of the team travel together as possible but realize family schedules vary. These tournaments are close enough to drive , and we recommend you car pooling as much as possible.
7.2.3 If your daughter is traveling to an out of town tournament without a legal guardian you must fill out a “Medical Release Form” and return it to your coach prior to traveling. This form can be found on our website under “Travel Information.”