From Coach Dekker:
Hi Grizzlies,
I have some updates for you already!
Welcome Meeting
Please mark your calendar for Monday, August 1st, 7-9 PM at Mount Sophia (91 Salem Church Rd, Newark, DE 19713) – we will hold the Welcome Meeting that day.
I will introduce myself and anyone assisting us this year, talk a little about how the season typically runs, and then we’ll have a Q&A and some time to chat. Additionally, we typically have some copies of forms to hand out so any questions about forms, etc. are welcome then. I would like some returning players (especially returning captains) to attend and welcome new potential teammates if you are able to attend.
No worries if you can’t make it. The goal is to meet the new players and answer questions, so if there are any general questions about the team or questions regarding forms, please reach out to me, Tammy Hunter, or Jeff Hunter.
Physical Forms
On that note – this is the latest copy I could find of the DIAA form you must fill out: DIAA 2021-2022 PPE Form. The link to this form is also on our team website. It contains pages on medical history as well as the physical examination form and medical card your physician must fill out and sign.
This does not need to be completed by the welcome meeting but does need to be completed prior to the first practice you plan to attend.
One special note about the form on page 2…we get some confusion on this page every year:
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On that page, the parent signs and grants permission to the student to play a given sport or sports, and then there is a listing of sports. The format makes you think that you should check the sports that the student will play – however the form is actually a negative indication. If there are any sports the student should NOT play, those should be checked. If the student has no limitation on what sports they can play, leave them unchecked.
Cost
Third, I failed to mention the cost for the season – the cost per player this year will be $150. This enables us to pay for officials, renting fields, player and training equipment, etc. Please make payment to Mount Sophia Academy, and turn it into me, Tammy, Jeff Hunter, or Marilyn Groop. Again, that is not required by the date of the welcome meeting but the first practice you plan to attend.
Practice Schedule
And that leads us to our last point, the practice schedule. Practices are planned to start Monday, 8/15 at EP Church. During the preseason (August), practices will be every weeknight. Once the season starts, the schedule changes – typically, we practice Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday to avoid conflicts with other extracurricular activities. However, we may adjust this schedule to have one or more optional practice days if it makes sense, as many other teams practice every weekday throughout the season.
Practices are planned to be held from 4:30-6:30 throughout the season.
Practice dates and times will be listed on the website soon. (https://www.grizzliessports.com/)
I do not yet have info on the COVID-related policies for DIAA/NFHS. There is a coach meeting with the DIAA on August 2, and that topic should be discussed, so expect an update around then.
Can’t wait to see you all!
Coach Dekker