Attendance

Practice is mandatory. Including Spring break for returning athletes and highly encouraged for novices. 

Rowing is a team sport and the absence of even a single athlete impacts the entire boat and in turn the entire squad. This may mean that boat and/or an entire section of the team will not be able to go out on the water for practice if even one athlete is absent. It may also mean a boat may not race due to insufficient preparation.

• Athletes must attend practice prior to a regatta in order to be boated for that regatta, whether or not it is an excused absence (see attendance policy). This is at the discretion of the coaching staff.

• Coaches or the Athletic Director may impose a suspension, probation or dismissal from the team if there are issues with a student-athlete’s attendance.

• Student-athletes must attend school to participate in practice.  See the Villa Athletic Handbook p.9.

Excused Absences:

• Excused absences are allowed in exceptional circumstances with approval from the coaching staff. 

• It is the responsibility of the ATHLETE to contact their direct coach and CC the Head Coach, as far in advance as possible, to inform them of their inability to attend a practice and request permission to be absent. 

•  Sickness and injury require a note from a Doctor upon return to practice and athletes should immediately email the coaching staff to let them know of the absence and reason. If you are unable to participate in PE you are not permitted to practice.

• Mandatory academic requirements are excused. Notice must be given to the coaching staff PRIOR to the absence.

• Scholastic tests (SAT/ACT) are excused, however practice times will be adjusted so that those athletes will still practice those days.  Please notify the coaching staff of the future absences so that practice schedules can be arranged.

• Please keep the regatta calendar in mind when scheduling because we do have regattas on Saturdays in May and June.

*Vacations are NOT exceptional circumstances.

*Although an absence may be excused, your seat in a boat may not be held for you.

Unexcused Absence:

• If the Head coach and the squad coach is not notified or considers an absence to be unexcused, then this may result in an athlete’s removal from a boat and/or removal from the team. 

• Out of school sport participation, including private lessons shall not be permitted during scheduled practices and interscholastic events.

Parents: Please do not schedule doctor’s appointments, tutors, or anything else for your child during practice hours or on regatta days.  We encourage you to schedule college visits during off seasons, any exceptional circumstances during the Fall and Spring seasons can be discussed with the coaching staff.