Athletics
http://www.nhcs.net/athletics/
ATHLETIC TRYOUTS – ELIGIBILITY – Grades 6 - 8
MIDDLE SCHOOL QUALIFICATIONS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE:
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
A middle school is composed of Grades 6-8 inclusive. All Middle school students, regardless of grade level may participate in interscholastic athletic competition if they meet the eligibility requirements, except that sixth (6 th) grade students may not participate in football. The student may participate only at the school to which the student is assigned by the Local Education Agency (LEA). No student may be approved for practice or an athletic contest unless the student is regularly enrolled member of those grades at the school submitting their eligibility. Students shall not be allowed to practice or try out for a team until they are eligible in all areas.
Grades-Academics -
A student must pass at least one less course (five of six) than the number of required core (4) and elective (2) courses each semester, have a “C” average (or a 70 or higher), and meet promotion standards.
Physical/Pre-Participation Screening –
A physical/pre-participation screening is required every 395 days (normally once in a school year.) Forms are located in the front office of the school and online at http://www.nhcs.net/forms.htm. Fill out your personal history and have it signed by a parent and the student-athlete, then take this completed form with you to your physical exam. In order to tryout for an athletic team, a student-athlete must have an up-to date physical on file at the school. Participation in an extra or co-curricular activity, including athletics, is a privilege and not a right. All fines and fees owed by the student to the NHCS or to the school must be paid before a student is allowed to participate in athletics, extra and co-curricular activities. The NHC Athletic Screening Form, Concussion Information Form and Code of Ethics must be completely filled out, signed by both the parent/custodian and student-athlete and on file at the school prior to the student being eligible to practice. If a student misses five (5) consecutive days of practice due to illness or injury, then the student must have a doctor’s note stating that they are (1) Physically able to continue playing the sport, and (2) recovered from their illness or injury, before they will be allowed to continue to participate in athletics.
Insurance –
The New Hanover County School System recommends that all athletes purchase school athletic accident insurance or show proof of personal accident insurance by completing and signing an insurance waiver form in order to participate in athletics (including tryouts). This information is protected but is requested so that emergency treatment may be given without delay in case the student-athlete is injured and the parent cannot be initially contacted. Age - No student is eligible who is 15 or born on or before August 31st.
Semester Limitations –
For all students other than football, a student is eligible for six (6) consecutive academic semesters from the date they first entered the sixth (6th) grade. No student may participate in any middle school sport more than three (3) consecutive seasons. For football, a student is eligible for four (4) consecutive academic semesters from the date they first entered the seventh (7th) grade. No student may participate in middle school football more than 2 consecutive seasons.
Residency- A student must reside with their parents or show a court order referring to terms of custody and not guardianship. Please contact the Athletic Director if there are questions or for a further explanation of the residency requirements.
Attendance –
A player must have been in attendance for at least 85% of the previous semester at their previous school. If a student misses more than 13 days (90 day semester) of school, in any one semester, for any reason, that student is ineligible to play the following semester. It is recommended the student be in school the day of a contest.
To represent your school in Athletics, YOU:
• Must be a properly enrolled student at the time you participate, must be enrolled no later than the 15th day of the present semester, and must be in regular attendance at that school.
• Must not be convicted of a felony in this or any other state, or adjudicated as a delinquent for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult in this or any other state.
• Must be present at school on the day of an athletic contest in order to participate in the event. This includes games and practices unless excused by the Principal.
• Must not accept prizes, merchandise, money, or anything that can be exchanged for money as a result of athletic participation (maximum value of $20.00 per season). This includes being on a free list or loan list for equipment, etc. • Must not participate in unsanctioned all-star games.
• May not receive team instructions from your school’s coaching staff during the school year outside your sports season. Instruction is limited to the coach and one or multiple participants in small group settings (skill development sessions).
• May not play, practice or assemble as a team with your coach on Sunday.
• May not dress for a contest, sit on the bench, or practice if you are not eligible to participate.