STATEMENT OF BELIEFS
School Sport Nova Scotia believes that:
1. Interscholastic athletics should be an integral part of the school program at the secondary level, not apart from it.
2. All concerned with school athletics shall encourage and promote positive race relations, cross cultural understanding and human rights with respect to race, culture, ethnicity, gender, ability, lifestyle, diversity, and religion.
3. Students should be encouraged to participate in a variety of school activities.
4. All participants in interscholastic athletic competition are to compete with the highest degree of sportsmanship and fair play promoting good, friendly relationships.
5. All members of the coaching staff should cooperatively strive to serve the best interests of the student.
6. Generally, sport seasons should not overlap. Students should not find it necessary to divide or choose their athletic interests before one sport season is completed and another begins.
7. Member schools should establish policies for starting dates for team selection and practice time, which ensure that the “in season” sport is given a legitimate opportunity to develop.
8. Taking part in school sport should be enjoyable as well as provide opportunities for personal growth and skill development.
9. Administrators and coaches should cooperatively establish school policies and procedures for the interscholastic athletic program which address areas such as:
a) requirements for participation
academic performance
standard of conduct
attendance
b) adherence to SSNS eligibility
c) adherence to SSNS rules
10 The demands being placed upon students and coaches in an athletic program should be closely monitored and evaluated in terms of the overall objectives of education. Student-athletes and teacher-coaches need time for other pursuits during the season. The schedule of games and practices should provide days off for those involved to rest; to be with their families; to do school work; to prepare lessons, etc. or to pursue another interest.