1. Natick High School FIELD HOCKEY 2014

2. Coaching Staff Varsity Head Coach- Ashley Mabardy asmabardy@natickps.org (508) 735-3475 Junior Varsity Head Coach- Alyssa Mabardy almabardy@natickps.org Freshman Head Coach- Taylor Thomas jthomas@natickps.org

3. Captains Christie Bednarz Meredith Galaid Rebecca Horton

4. TEAM MOTTO PREPARE TODAY, OWN TOMORROW!

5. Pre Season TRYOUTS: August 21st, 22nd, 23 rd, 25 th Varsity Jamboree August 26 th Scrimmages on August 28 th and 29 th REMEMBER: WE ARE ALWAYS EVALUATING

6. Individual Meetings Players have the opportunity to speak individually with the coaches at the end of the tryout process to discuss their team placement. The coaches and I will take time out of practice to have these individual meetings. If your child wishes to have this opportunity, it is their responsibility to schedule a meeting with us through email. We are not going to chase them.

7. Equipment Red/White Practice Pinnie Cleats or Turf Shoes Sneakers Sweat Pants / Sweat Shirt T-shirt and Shorts (NO SOFFE SHORTS) Goggles / Stick / Mouth guard

8. Paperwork At this time, all paperwork has been submitted. Please be aware that if your physical expires during the season, you will need to provide us with a new one before it expires. If your physical expires, YOU are responsible for submitting a new one to the Athletic office.

9. Academic Expectations Use CDS, learning center, and study hall blocks throughout your schedule to receive extra help. Be on time for school Be on time to your classes. (WE CHECK!) Must be in good academic standing and academically eligible according to Natick High School and MIAA. NEW ZERO F POLICY

10. Communication 24 Hour Rule: 24 hours of no communication after a game -Please do not contact me within 24 hours of the incident. It is up to the student athlete to seek out support from the coaches (not her parents). -Coaches will not respond to parent email regarding team placement. -Coaches will not respond to parent email regarding playing time. -Coaches will follow up with parent through Email/Phone after the meeting has taken place with the student athlete if necessary. -If at that time, there is no resolution, we will schedule a meeting with the family and Athletic Director.

11. TEAMS and ROSTERS We are always looking to improve the make up of our teams and to build our program. This season we decided that we were not going to take “swing players.” We have huge numbers this season and this allows us to have three full rosters. Although this is a difficult concept for players and parents, this year we made it very clear from the start that there would be three separate rosters. All players have an opportunity to move up at any time if the coaching staff feels that this is an appropriate move for the program as a whole and that individual player.

12. Playing Time Playing time at the Varsity and JV level is not equal. It is not something that I will discuss with a parent. I will discuss this with the student-athlete, however they need to initiate this. I will gladly share with them where they can improve and/or why they may not be playing as much as they had hoped. Playing time is earned. Losing/winning by a great deal does not determine a players playing time, it is in discretion of the coaching staff to make substitutions.

13. Parent Expectations Parents cannot watch tryouts or practices. Please do not coach from the sidelines. Please be supportive in your comments from the stands. We love to have fans, bring friends and family to support during game times. The price of admission does not entitle you to jeer or criticize any player or official.

14. Out of season play Out of season play is not required, although highly recommended. Players are not judged/evaluated during the off season and teams are not determined by who participated in the off season. Teams were ONLY be determined by the talent that we evaluate during the pre season.

15. MIAA Rule 62: Chemical Health Chemical Health: During the season of practice or play, a student shall not, regardless of quantity, use or consume, possess, buy/sell or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product; marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance. This policy includes products such as “NA or near beer”. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his/her doctor. This rule represents only a minimum standard upon which schools may develop more stringent requirements. This MIAA statewide minimum standard is not intended to render “guilt by association”; e.g. many student athletes might be present at a party where only a few violate this standard. If a student in violation of this rule is unable to participate in interscholastic sports due to injury, academics, or otherwise, the penalty will not take effect until that student is able to participate again.

16. MIAA Rule 62: Chemical Health First Violation: Player will be suspended for 25% of the season. Second and Subsequent Violations: Suspensions for up to 60% of the season. At this time, further discussion will be held with the family about whether the student athlete should return to the sport.

17. MIAA Rule 45: BONA FIDE TEAM RULE Loyalty to the High School Team: Bona Fide Team Members A bona fide member of the school team is a student who is consistently present for, and actively participates in, all high school team sessions (e.g. practices, tryouts, competitions). Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school athletic activity/event in any sport recognized by the MIAA. First Offense: Student athlete is suspended for 25% of the season (see chart on Rule 62). Second Offense: Student athlete is suspended for an additional 25% of the season, and is ineligible for tournament play immediately upon confirmation of the violation. See Rule 96 for additional tournament restriction and Rule 86 for waiver guidelines.

18. Rule Changes High Balls One official per goal circle One 5 yard warning. After warning all others will result in the ball being bumped up the field. Sportsmanship and Conduct/Red Cards

19. Commitment Level The level of commitment changes each season, and as a coach this is just something that I have to deal with. I am impressed with the level of commitment. We have had a very strong start to our season. We have had many players miss tryouts because they were still away at camp, or on family vacations. This is an important part of the season. It allows the girls to have time to get to know one another and build on their relationships. The starting date is determined by our school in collaboration with the MIAA. I do not pick our start date. For planning purposes, we will always begin the Thursday before school starts. If you are not dedicated to this program, you are wasting the time of others. If our program is not a priority to you, then it will be difficult for you to be a priority of the program. I cannot help you to improve, if you are not willing to commit. This is unfair and only hurts those who are 100% committed.

20. Pasta Dinners Our captains moms have organized a pasta dinner schedule. If you are interested in hosting, please see them.

21. Fundraisers Natick Day Roche Bros. Stop and Shop