Sports Handbook
Revised June 2014
Bangkok Patana School
Sports Handbook
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Philosophy
- Mission statements
- Statement of Policy
- Sportsmanship
- Safety
- Insurance & Sports Registration Form
- Pre-Season Coaches Meeting
- Eligibility Requirements
- Annual Calendar
- Student Time Commitment
- Cancellation of Games / Practices
- Transportation
- School Funding of Events
- Team / Coach Uniforms
- School Attendance
- Selection Policy
- Participation Policy
- Playing for Other Teams / Conflicting Activities
- Playing Time
- Lines of Communication
- Supervision of Athletes
- Lightning Policy
- Sports Awards
- Sports Schedules & School Directions
- Sports & Activities Directory
- Appendix In Country Insurance Coverage
- Out of Country Insurance Coverage
- Sports Registration Form
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Bangkok Patana School Sports Handbook is to provide athletes, parents, coaches and administration with a point of reference that is transparent and further improve communication across the school community.
This handbook contains most of the practices, policies and regulations that govern extra-curricular sport at Bangkok Patana School. It is reviewed annually and approved by the Board of Trustees.
In order for a student to participate in any selective sport at Bangkok Patana School, both the student and the parents or guardians must sign the Sports Participation Agreement. Signing the form confirms an agreement that all the policies, procedures and regulations in this Sports Handbook are understood and will be followed.
Participation in sports can be an integral part of a student's educational experience, and Bangkok Patana School attempts to provide extracurricular sports opportunities for all students who wish to participate. Bangkok Patana School offers up to five levels of team sports: U11, U13, U15, U17 (Junior Varsity) and U19 (Varsity) teams (dates as of Aug 2010) plus comprehensive age group opportunities in the gymnastics, swimming and tennis programmes.
PHILOSOPHY
Excellence in Sport
Bangkok Patana Athletics Programme commits to sport for all while developing student athletes to reach their full potential
Competitive Sports Programme fosters the development of character, lifetime wellness skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, integrity, and a sense of fairness and respect. Athletes work together toward a common purpose and a collective sense of achievement. The benefits extend beyond the final score of any contest. The values inherent in Bangkok Patana’s Competitive Sports Programme support, and are consistent with, the core values and mission of our school.
Core Values
Commitment to Students / Caring
-we see that decisions are based
on what is best for students
-we utilize strategies that work
Responsibility and Trust
-accept your role
-be responsible for your actions on and off the field
-we trust our teammates and coaches / -we respect and nurture
-we value individual diversity
-we demonstrate compassion,
empathy and tolerance
Respect
-we have respect for our teammates
-we have respect for our opponents
-we show officials and spectators respect
High Expectations / Team Player
-we have challenging programs
-we differentiate coaching strategies
-we communicate expectations
-we prepare students to compete in
all areas of academics & athletics / -we make time to collaborate
-we work cooperatively for the
good of the whole
-we help others in time of need
-we embrace diverse thoughts/ideas
-we build positive relationships
Integrity and Accountability / Enjoyment
-we follow through (walk the talk)
-we are accountable & dependable
-we are honest with one another
-we behave honourably
-we exemplify sportsmanship
-we give and take critique / -we celebrate success
-we actively engage students
-we provide positive feedback
-we promote a sense of belonging
-we run an inclusive programme
Pride
-we have pride in ourselves, the team and the program.
-we have pride in everything we do both in and out of competition.
-we have pride in our accomplishments, regardless of the outcome
Leadership
-it is the Team’s job to lead
-our leaders exemplify leadership
-our leaders lead us to success / Academics
-we realize academics takes precedence over sports
-we are expected to be scholars and achieve academic success as well as athletic success
Humility
-we show humility when winning and losing
-we show gratitude on and off the field
Sportsmanship
-we demonstrate sportsmanship at all times
-we are expected to treat our opponents with respect when we win and lose / Risk Taking
-we work up to and past our comfort level
-we take pride in learning new skills and trying new experiences
-we know that taking risks is important in our growth and development
Objectives of the Competitive Sports Programme
- To develop a comprehensive athletic program as an integral part of the student’s total school experience.
- Field teams that compete at the highest levels in BISAC, SEASAC and FOBISSEA
- Encourage individual excellence and the esteem that follows
- Develop competitive teams that perform with integrity and earn distinction
- To enhance the student experience beyond the classroom and provide board based opportunities for students
- Develop a sound athletic program based upon skill development and teaching
- Develop a competitive winning attitude.
- Develop moral and ethical values in our athletes andwho are role models for our student body and who demonstrate citizenship
- Develop athletes who demonstrate good sportsmanship by showing respect for opponents, showing respect for officials and their decisions, and maintaining self control.
- Encourage commitment to team goals over personal goals
- Emphasize academic achievement
- Encourage multisport participation
- Concentrate on the development of skills and participation
- To encourage students to become active participants in the athletic program and to participate in a variety of sports and activities within the program.
- To recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional well-being of each participant
1. Be a Champion
2. Be the best you can be in all training and competitions
2. Strive for individual and Team Excellence
3. Be Professional (be on time for training, perfect attendance, work for your team)
4. Show Respect on and off the field
5. Cooperate with your teammates and coaches
6. Follow Athletic Department Philosophy and Guidelines at all times
7. Be a leader
8. Be a good sport. Show sportsmanship at all time
SPORTS PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES AT EACH LEVEL
Our competitive sports programme (selective) is divided into five levels. Primary Sports, U13, U15, U17 and U19. Each programme has a specific focus.
Primary-Development
The focus at the Primary level is to maximize participation. “Sport for All” is followed in each sport that is offered. The focus is developing basic skills, preparation for competition and a love for sport. Playing time within matches will be equal amongst all student athletes. Developing athletes is equally as important as a winning season.
U13 - Developmental
The primary focus at this level is to maximize the learning of skills, knowledge and rules of the game. Maximum participation by athletes is emphasized not only for the overall growth and welfare of the athletes, but the continued development of the overall programme. Developmental levels should be the foundations for the higher, competitive levels. Developing athletes is equally as important as a winning season.
U15 and 17 - Training to Be Competitive
At this level, we strive to continue to develop the “basic skills”. The aim is to refine the basic skills and to develop their application within the sport. Maximum participation remains an objective but additional emphasis is placed on being competitive. We are working to apply skills to competitive situations and to develop more detailed tactics related to the individual sport.
U19 - Competitive
At this stage of the programme we place more emphasis on being competitive. During the season maximum participation is still a focus but for championship tournaments we aim to field our most competitive team. Players earn their game time throughout the season through their performance in matches and training. We strive to develop complex tactics of the sport and we emphasize commitment, discipline and dedication to a team.
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES MISSION STATEMENTS
Physical Education
Our mission is to educate young people in and through the use of the body in a coordinated and progressive way and promote an appreciation of the many benefits of lifelong participation in physical activity. It will promote, at an age-appropriate level, the acquisition of high standards of physical competence, relevant knowledge of the positive effects of exercise on the body and the development of responsibility, cooperation and leadership. It will link to the Sports, Outdoor Education, Extra Curricular Activity and Inter-House/Inter-Class programmes to encourage whole school participation in a range of healthy and challenging activities.
Selective Sports Programme
Our sports programme endeavours to provide for as many sports as can reasonably be supported and are offered by the organisations of which BPS is a member (BISAC, SEASAC and FOBISSEA). Participating student athletes will develop their skill, knowledge and performance from a structured coaching programme scheduled in excellent facilities. The Sports & Activities Department and Coaches will aim to ensure that the most up to date and age appropriate coaching methods are provided and will strive for the highest possible performances within the constraints of an academic school setting. A major role of the programme is that it will stress and develop the fundamental characteristics of commitment, loyalty, selflessness, determination, cooperation, leadership and an appreciation of the role and value of the individual and the group.
Swimming
The Patana Tiger Sharks (PTS) aims to provide the opportunity to pursue excellence in competitive swimming by providing a planned training curriculum that addresses the cognitive, physical and socio-emotional development of the young athlete. It will encourage the pursuit of excellence and enjoyment of swimming and sport and provide student athletes with the opportunity to train and compete at appropriate levels. It will provide swimmers with the framework in which team spirit and a sense of community can grow in a first class facility with qualified and experienced coaches, instructors and support staff
Tennis
The Tigers Tennis Academy aims to serve all student-athletes from all nations with all ability levels in a nurturing, challenging, competitive, fun,and professional environment, while creating the firsttennis academy amonginternational schools in Asia.
Gymnastics
The Gymnastics programme aims to contribute to the community by providing young athletes with a safe, fun, challenging and supportive environment in which to learn the sport of gymnastics.
Activities
The BPS Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) programme will be offered as an optional programme available to all pupils from Y1-Y13. It aims to provide opportunities for experiential, developmental and recreational opportunities and will provide opportunities for young people to participate in a wide range of artistic, sporting, community and academic activities.
STATEMENT OF POLICY
Bangkok Patana School is committed to maintaining a comprehensive sports programme. The Sports & Activity (S&A) Department, has a responsibility to the student to provide the opportunity to grow through the pursuit of sports. It will offer as many sports as the school can reasonably support and if there is sufficient competition within the Bangkok International Schools Sports Conference (BISAC) and South East Asia Students Sports Conference (SEASAC), of which Bangkok Patana School is a member. The S& A Department will endeavour to provide proper facilities, equipment, and coaching to see that each student athlete has an opportunity to reach his or her sporting potential.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Bangkok Patana School recognises that team and individual competition contribute significantly to the development of character and school spirit. Sportsmanship and fair play are important parts of this experience.
We expect our athletes, coaches, students, staff and parents to represent Bangkok Patana School in a manner that is respectful of others both on and off the field of competition. It is our desire and goal that we develop and practice the highest standards of courtesy, discipline, good sportsmanship, and the ability to act as good hosts and guests.
SAFETY
The S&A Department strives to provide students a safe and enjoyable environment in which to participate. Consequently, all coaches and administrative personnel have a responsibility to reduce and/or eliminate all potential safety hazards. It is vital to understand that participation in sports involves inherent risks. Coaches and administrative personnel are obliged to act in a prudent manner in order to prevent foreseeable accidents and injuries. They should respond to unexpected circumstances according to guidelines set forth in this handbook.
INSURANCE & THE PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT FORM
The school recommends that all students have comprehensive accident and medical insurance that will cover normal risks associated with any sport that the student participates in. This insurance should be considered the primary insurance in the event of any injury. For overnight trips in Thailand and overseas an insurance premium will be included in the overall trip cost. Details of the extent of this insurance coverage are available on request.
No student should participate in the sports programme without first handing in a completed Sports Registration Form. A new form must be completed each year. This will be given to the student by their coach.
PRE-SEASON COACHES MEETING
The Asst Principal S&A and the coaches will conduct a pre-season meeting at the beginning of each sports season. Coaches will be notified at least one week in advance.
At this will be discussed details of try-outs, uniform issue / purchase, transport, seasonal training and competition calendar plus and any issues coaches wish to raise.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Activities such as Model United Nations (MUN), Varsity Sports and the International Award require considerable commitment by students. Most are able to organize their schedules effectively, managing to allocate sufficient time to academic and extra-curricular commitments throughout the year. However, there are students, who on occasion over commit and who subsequently need guidance on how to balance their academic, extra-curricular and social activities. Any student who performs poorly in the November trial examinations must meet with their Head of Year and the Assistant Principal S&A to discuss their situation. Further participation will be determined on an individual, case by case basis.
CALENDAR
The annual sports calendar will be presented to the Head of School early in term 3. It will be publicised in the school calendar, the sports notice boards and the sports web site.
STUDENT TIME COMMITMENT
The Varsity programmes will operate on a minimum of three afternoons per week. The U17, U15 and U13 teams will operate twice a week. Coaches of U17 teams may opt to run an additional session on Friday’s if they wish but this will be decided at the start of a season and continue for the whole season. Athletes will be expected to attend all sessions unless they see their coach to personally excuse themselves. Failure to attend sessions may result in being placed on probation or exclusion from the team.
If a student is not in school by 9am, they cannot participate in a match that day.
If you plan on cancelling a training session, please discuss with the Assistant Principal for Sports and Activities before you inform students and parents.
If a training session is cancelled you must inform all players before hand;
- preferably at the previous training session or earlier
- If done on the day of training, you must do so before lunch. All students must contact home before lunch and transport needs to be informed before lunch for the session to be cancelled and students to catch a 230 transport.
- If done after lunch students must stay for the duration of the training session.
All training finishes at 4.30pm.
Seasons are, on average 9 weeks long. The following are the minimum training requirements:
The above days are scheduled as Sports priority days - alternate days are scheduled for Performing Arts priority. Additional training days may be scheduled for Varsity teams however, students who have a commitment to Performing Arts will not be required to attend.
It is appreciated that students will miss academic lessons in order to participate in sporting events during the season. Currently there is no stated maximum amount of time a student may miss and every effort will be made by the S&A Department to keep this to the minimum. It is the students responsibility to ensure that they fulfil their academic responsibilities and excuse themselves from any lessons as required.
CANCELLATION OF GAMES / PRACTICES
Cancellation of games and or practices due to inclement weather is rare and will normally be made after 11:00.
Rescheduled dates, if known, will be updated on the BPS Sports Web Page ( ).
TRANSPORTATION
Home Matches;
For home matches students should arrange their own transport home. We can’t guarantee that matches will be complete by 430. There will be no bus provided for home matches and all students are expected to stay until the completion of the match (even if it finishes later than 430pm)
Away Matches;
For away matches we will provide buses from BPS to the venue for all competitions.
For the return, BPS will provide the following;
U13 and U15 teams- one bus will return to BPS and one bus will drop students off at Emporium. Please note there will be no supervision at either venue upon drop off.
U17 and U19 teams- one bus will return to BPS and a second bus will drop students off at the closest BTS station. Please note there will not be supervision at either location.
If parents wish to take students home directly from the venue after the game they should inform the coach.
There will be supervision on all buses (coach and/or bus monitor)
SCHOOL FUNDING FOR EVENTS
All students will be charged the basic termly ECA administration fee of Baht 500 for participation in the sports programme.
BPS will then pay for all affiliation fees, local transport and tournament participation fees for teams participating in BISAC and SEASAC events. In addition the school will subsidise 33% of students flights to overseas SEASAC events and cover all coaches costs.