The King’s Academy (TKA)

Soccer Parent Information Meeting

Agenda

December 13, 2014

Opening PrayerDavid Ellis

IntroductionsAthletic Director, Committee Members, and Coaches

Overview of TKA PoliciesMichelle Rutledge

Plans for 2015 SeasonDavid Ellis

Opportunities to HelpDerek Williams

Registration, ScholarshipsColleen Wood

A Word from Our Coaches

Closing PrayerJeff Miller

Collection of Paperwork & FeesCommittee/Parents

Online RegistrationsCommittee/Parents

TKA Soccer

Information Packet

2014– 2015

December 13, 2014

“If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown

unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5

Welcome to The King’s Academy (TKA)!

TKA is a not-for-profit organization established in 2005 for the benefit of home educated students who are interested in participating in competitive sports programs. We offer a wide range of sports programs for homeschool athletes including cheerleading, cross country, baseball, basketball, drum and flag corps, fencing, football, golf, soccer, swim, tennis, and volleyball. Our team name/mascot is the Knights, and our colors are navy, maroon and silver. For more information regarding TKA, please visit

We provide home school students with consistent and biblical reinforcement through athletic competition. Parents work with us to help their child build character and a strong work ethic through athletics, and encourage them to accept growing responsibility as they mature. We provide a vital athletic experience that facilitates encouragement, confidence in one’s ability and discipline. Parents play a vital role in their student’s athletic performance, and in their emotional, social and spiritual development. In cooperation with parents, we seek to help build strong, confident, yet humble servants for Christ.

OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

Our Statement of Faith is based on fundamental Christian beliefs that we strongly support as the foundation of our organization. The King’s Academy does not promote or endorse any particular denomination. We desire to remain united in the salvation and love of Christ, avoiding any dissension that may be caused by denominational distinctive.

†We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God. (II Timothy 3:15; II Peter 1:21)

†We believe there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30)

†We believe in the deity of Christ (John 10:33)

†His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35)

†His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26)

†His miracles (John 2:11)

†His vicarious and atoning death (I Corinthians 15:3; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:9)

†His resurrection (John 11:25; I Corinthians 15:4)

†His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19)

†His personal return in power and glory (Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11)

†We believe that men are justified on the single ground of faith in the shed blood of Christ and that only by God’s grace and through faith alone we are saved. (John 3:16-19; 5:24; Romans 3:23; 5:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5).

†We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28,29)

†We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 3:26, 28)

†We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life. (Romans 8:13-14; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18)

Soccer Program

The King’s Academy Knight’s offer Varsity, Junior Varsity and Middle School soccer to students in grades 6-12. The Knight’s soccer program has worked hard to earn and maintain a reputation of excellence and high character among The King’s’ family and the local community. TKA Knight’s’ soccer players are “Ambassadors” for the Knight’s and The King’s Academy on and off the field. Therefore, the coaches will have high expectations of each player which includes but is not limited to: attendance, work ethic, a positive and willing attitude, Christ-like behavior, good sportsmanship, respect for their coach and teammates and a passion for the sport of soccer.

The primary goal of the Knight’s soccer program is to teach life lessons and skills that will equip our young men and women for the world beyond school athletics. It is our desire to provide the very best opportunity possible to those who wish to play at the next level. Winning is a desired goal but it is not the most important goal. The most important goal is brining honor and glory to God in how we play. “It is possible to win a game, yet lose our ability to shine light in to a dark world.”

Our Staff

Michelle Rutledge serves as the Athletic Director for TKA. She has years of experience in many athletic fields and is especially knowledgeable in the area of homeschool sports.

The TKA Operating Board is made up of nine home school parents. All members are actively involved in the home school community and their local churches. Each has demonstrated leadership skills, a servant heart, and interest and experience in various sports. The Operating Board works closely with the Athletic Director and the committee members of each individual sport to organize and direct the programs. Each member serves as a liaison for one or more of the TKA programs, and the soccer team board liaison is Ben Lee.

Thesoccer team committee is made up of six home schooling parents. They will be representing both middle school and high school teams. These members will be nominated by the Operating Board of TKA and will be contacted by either the Athletic Director or board liaisons to confirm their willingness to serve in this capacity. The soccerteam committee members are David Ellis, Colleen Wood, Myra Boerner, Derek Williams, William Mostellar, and Amy Stormant.

Membership

TKA is open to Kings’ Academy students and homeschool students in the state of Georgia. Participation is subject to the following:

▪Participants must be abiding by all Georgia homeschool laws as applicable.

▪Participants must meet the age and eligibility requirements of TKA and sport conference.

▪Participants must attend any mandatory clinics and try out for a spot on the team as required by each program.

▪Participants must sign a form stating their respect for the association’s statement of faith, and their intention to abide by the code of conduct, program policies and procedures pertaining to each sport.

▪Participants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin.

TKAHigh School Player Eligibility Rules are as follows

  1. Students from other private schools may be considered Alternative Education Students (AES) athletes for TKA and may participate on a limited basis in athletics with TKA, if the following qualifications are met:
  • The non-GICAA School cannot offer the same sport in a competitive sports program.
  • The student must be enrolled as a full-time student in the non-GICAA School.
  • The student must live within a 30 mile radius of TKA (to participate on a GICAA Div 2 team).
  • The student must not be competing in any competitive sports at any other GICAA schools.
  1. A student must not have reached his/her 19th birthday prior to May 1st, preceding their year of participation.
  2. Students have eight consecutive semesters or four consecutive years of eligibility from the date of entry into the ninth grade. This means that once a student designates they are in high school, the four years of eligibility “clock” starts ticking. (Please note that students may take 9th grade level courses while in the 8th grade and not be considered a 9th grader.)
  3. Students must sign a TKA“Affidavit of Eligibility” before attending tryouts, clinics or evaluations.
  4. Students must remain living at home, and if taking college courses, must also be dually enrolled in HOMESCHOOL studies.
  5. Students must not “walk” during Senior Recognition at games until they are actually graduating from high school. Players will be required to complete a “Senior Exit Form” once these eligibility limitations have been met, and this will serve as communication that their participation with TKA has ended.
  6. Other “sport-specific or conference” eligibility requirements may apply and can be found in the conference manual (key pages form the GICAA Div 2 manual included in this packet).
  7. GeorgiaVirtualSchool students are eligible to participate in TKA sports programs as long as the student is educated at home.

The High SchoolGirls & Boys VarsitySoccer teamswill compete as Division 2 members of the Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association (GICAA). In addition, the teams may supplement their schedules with games versusprivate schools and other home school teams. The High School Boys JV team will compete as an independent. The middle school team will operate as part of the NAML (North Atlanta Metro League) conference as an AA team and in addition may play other private schools.

Athletes in Multiple TKA Programs

TKA athletes may participate in multiple sports programs during the season provided there is no conflict in practice and game schedules. Athletes must fulfill their commitment to thefirst program they join while participating in a second program. If there is a conflict, coaches of both programs must be notified and coordinate practice and game schedules.

Registration

The registration period for soccer has begunand runs through January16, 2015. You must register on-line via the TKA Website. Click on the registration bar at the middle right of the home page (under links) and then follow the directions to establish an online account,if required, and then register. You also have the option to pay online via credit card (a credit card fee is applied upon check out).

TKA registration fees are determined by theAD and the individual committees governing their program. Registration fees will be refunded at 100% if an athlete withdraws from the program in writingbefore the first day of practice or does not make a team during the first week of practice, minus any expenses incurred for equipment, uniform, camp fees or other items that cannot be recovered by the program on behalf of that athlete. TKA Committees will determine the payment options of these fees for their individual programs. Participants who have not paid their registration fee within the determined time period of the program will be benched and/or become ineligible for play as determined by the individual program until the payment is received. Participants who leave the program without full payment of their registration fee will be ineligible for try outs and/or participation in the future until payment is made in full. Committees will report all non-paying participants to the AD.

Additional costs may be incurred throughout the season beyond the initial registration fee. These costs typically include, but are not limited to: Travel & living costs to and from away games and tournaments (Ride sharing is encouraged), Team meals after games(Optional), Team and individual pictures (optional), and Personal equipment.

Program Participation Fees

The Soccer Team Participation Fee is $500for the 2015 season. This includes: TKA Administrative fees, Secondary Insurance, Use of Facilities, League or Conference Fees, Coach’s Honorarium, Referee Fees, Awards, Uniform Rental, etc. Note: Players must turn in their two jerseys and two pairs of shorts at the end of the season, but may keep the t-shirt and socks. Failure to return the jerseys & shorts will result in a $100 fee to be accessed.

Parent Information Meeting/Paperwork Collection (Required Forms)

Participants must bring the following to the Parent Information Meeting:

  1. First installment of payment: $250, checks made payable to TKA Athletics (remainder of fees must be paid during the first week of practice on January 12th – 16th). Note: you are encouraged to pay the full amount up front.
  2. Refundable $100 check for uniform rental or completed credit card portion of uniform sizing and agreement form (see number 10 below)
  3. $25 for mandatory fund raising project (2 patches + a draw string bag)
  4. Copy of Insurance Card (front and back required)
  5. Birth Certificates (new players only)
  6. Assessment and Tryout Form
  7. Player Code of Conduct
  8. Team Agreement
  9. Medical Consent and Release Form
  10. Uniform Sizing & Agreement Form
  11. Student/Parent Concussion Form (not required when you register online)
  12. High School Affidavit of Eligibility (JV/V Only)
  13. Alternative Education Students (AES) participating as part of the GICAA conference must present a copy of their report card or academic record, signed by a parent, by the first week of practice.
  14. Alternative Education Students (AES) must also fill out the AES Participant Agreement and turn it in no later than the first week of practice.

Fundraising

Fundraising may be used to help offset the cost of registration fees, camps, competition fees, uniforms, etc. All fundraising needs are determined by the individual programs’ committee and ideas must be submitted to the Athletic Director for approval. TKA Committees must follow all fundraising policies as set forth in the Fundraising Guidelines posted on the TKA web site.Note: each player must purchase 2 TKA patches & a drawing string bag for $25.

Sponsorships

Sponsorships are available for Teams and Individual TKA athletes and may be used to help cover the cost of registration fees. If a student obtains a program sponsor, the student receives 70% of the sponsor fees and 30% goes toward the program. Sponsorship Forms may be downloaded from the TKA Web site and one is included at the end of this packet. Sponsors will have their contact and company displayed on the TKA web site and must email their contact and company logo to . Checks must be made payable to TKA and turned into Tammy Fleming at KingsAcademy with the Sponsorship form. The Committee is responsible for ordering a 5x7 team picture and the standard sponsorship plaque on file at Creative Awards (insert team picture in plaque). Parents or players obtaining sponsorships are responsible for delivering plaques to their individual sponsors.

Scholarships

A limited amount of funds may be made available to provide partial scholarships for families in need. Please see the end of this document for the application that must be submitted to apply for partial scholarship assistance. All scholarship awards will be determined by the Athletic Director.

Schedule and Location

The TKA soccer team season begins on January 12th and ends in late April/early May with an awards ceremony at the end of season. A practice and game schedule will be provided and will also be posted on the TKA website at along with directions to practice and games. Other updates and information can also be found on the website.

Gate Fee Policy

TKA soccer does not charge admission to regular season home games for middle school and high school. Our conferences may require admission fees be charged for playoff games (i.e. GICAA State Playoffs: Adults $8, Students $5). Please note that some of our away games have admission charges.

Uniform and Dress Code

Each athlete must dress in assigned practice and game apparel when participating in TKA athletic events. Team uniformsare to be worn neatly and as designed. TKAsoccer team representatives reserve the right to define inappropriate attire. Some dress code issues may not be covered under specific guidelines of this packet. Therefore, please be aware that the soccer team coaches and soccer committee will ultimately determine what constitutes aviolation of dress code for TKAsoccer team events.Parental support ofTKA representatives in these matters is greatly appreciated.

Training

Our soccer team coaching staff will be the primary instructors and supervisors for all soccer team training. The skills taught will be matched to the developmental abilities of the participants. It is understood that great caution will be taken by our coaching staff to prevent accident or injury, but neither they nor any representative of TKA shall be held responsible in case of player accident or injury.

Transportation & Supervision

Coaches and/or committee members will be present at all practices, games and activities, but parents may also be asked to help with supervision as needed. No athlete can be left alone at any practice or meet site due to the potential for injury and the possibility of inclement weather. Parents will need to pick up their athletes promptly following activities. Athletes will be supervised for 15 minutes as they await pickup, after this time the coaches will need to leave. Please notify the coaches in advance if your child will be riding home with another family or other arrangements have been made. Remember to keep the coaches' phone numbers handy in case of emergency.