Non-MSHSL Competition & Training

Non-school participation includes things like fall leagues, 3-on-3 leagues, AAU, homegrown lacrosse, Nike Heartland running, or any other team or individual participation opportunity that is not offered and administered by the Farmington Area Public Schools.

Non-school participation is broken down into three time periods:

1. During the High School Season;

2. During the School Year, Prior To and Following the High School Season; and,

3. During the Summer Vacation Period.

501(c)(3) Reminder: Remember, money spent by booster clubs must benefit ALL members of a team, not just a select few.

MSHSL Bylaw Reference: Bylaw 208.00 - Non-School Competition and Training (Team and Individual Sports)

During the High School Season

• Students on the high school team may not participate as an individual or members of a team on a non-school team in the same sport.

• Exception: baseball, softball, skiing.

• Booster clubs may not pay for non-school coaching or training.

During the School Year, Prior To and Following the High School Season

• School uniforms may not be used.

• Students may not receive coaching or training from a salaried or non-salaried (volunteer) member of the student's sophomore, b-squad, junior varsity, or varsity high school coaching staff in that sport.

• Booster clubs may not pay for non-school coaching or training.

• Booster clubs may not pay for participation, as a team or individual, on non-school teams.

• Students who have been eliminated from further participation in a League tournament series may participate on a non-school team or as an individual competitor in that sport. 

Summer Vacation Period:

• Participation in any camp, clinic, or on teams is voluntary.

• Booster clubs may not pay for the participation of any student-athlete in a camp, clinic, or on teams.

• School uniforms may not be used.

Remember! Your booster club's purpose is to support the programs offered by the Farmington Area Public Schools. Your booster club offers no participation opportunity and is not organized in such a way as to support the liability that is associated with participation.

Captain's Practices and Open Gyms

Participation in captain's practice is governed by the MSHSL.

Captain's Practice is primarily for the purpose of physical conditioning and is conducted by the students. Students may participate in Captain's Practice provided that salaried or non-salaried school personnel are not involved in any capacity. It is the responsibility of school officials to become aware of the preseason activities in their school district and to insure that the spirit and intent of the League rules are observed.

Captain's practices are not, and cannot be, sponsored by the Farmington Area School District. 

To book a captain's practice in a Farmington Area Public Schools facility, the team captains can book the facility through Sue Hurtgen at Farmington High School. To book captain's practices at an off-site facility, boosters can make the arrangements and provide the necessary documentation, insurance, and fees associated with the rental.

A sport's head coach may book open gyms, or open gym type of opportunities, at Farmington Area Public School facilities through Sue Hurtgen at Farmington High School. 

Per MSHSL bylaw 208, open gym refers to the use of school facilities for recreational activities. Students may participate in open gym if all of the following conditions are met:

• the school facilities are available for students to participate in a number of activities.

• the recreational activities are open to all students.

• there is no coaching of the skills and techniques of activities provided in the school interscholastic athletic program.

• there is no requirement for students to attend open gym activities as a prerequisite for membership on a high school team.

Booster Clubs Should...

• Support the Head Coach's communication with students and families about upcoming participation opportunities.

• Follow the correct booking procedure when supporting a captains practice or open gym opportunity. 

Boosters Should Not...

• Pay for a student's participation on a non-school team or for the registration/participation fees of a non-school team.

• Organize open gyms or captain's practices for a team. This is to be organized by the captains!

• Influence or direct the participation of a student-athlete in a non-school league or on a non-school team. Participation is voluntary.

• Request the use of a school uniform for participation on a non-school team.