High School Policies

All participants and parents must sign the RVSA Code of Conduct for Players and Spectators and submit it to their home school. Coaches must also sign the RVSA Code of Conduct for Coaches. Without a signedform, coaches, participants and parents are not allowed to participate in any RVSA-sanctioned sport.

RVSA Code of Conduct for Players and Spectators

Whether I am a player or a spectator at a school function, I realize that I am under the school’s jurisdiction. Because my actions reflect upon the school I represent, I recognize my responsibility to exemplify the highest standards of conduct.

I will:

1. Offer constructive support of my team, rather than criticize the opposition.
2. Show appreciation of good plays by both teams.
3. As a host, welcome the visitors as guests, offering all possible assistance.
4. As a visitor, respect the property of the host school and accept the host’s regulations.
5. Recognize the officials’ integrity, realizing the difficulty of their decisions.
6. Accept the officials’ decision as final.
7. Respect the feelings of all participants and show empathy for an injured or disqualified payer.
8. Learn the rules of the game.
9. Accept victory or defeat graciously, respecting the efforts displayed by all.
10. Express thanks to those responsible for the opportunity to enjoy a school sports activity.

RVSA Code of Conduct for Coaches

The coach:

1. Will, by word and deed, offer leadership to his students in the area of sportsmanship.
2. Will establish sportsmanship above winning as a team goals, and will cooperate with the opposing coach’s goal where possible.
3. Is responsible for the actions of his/her students and is expected to supervise them at al times that they are under the school’s jurisdiction.
4. If unable to resolve the issue after discussion with the opposing coach, may lodge a complaint through the proper channels. (Article XII By-Laws)
5. Recognizes the authority of the RVSA and the school administration in all matters pertaining to extra-curricular sports.
6. Spectators
7. Artificial noisemakers are not permitted at any RVSA tournaments or events. These include, but are not limited to: air horns, cowbells, plastic tube horns, and garbage can lids. Those violating this policy may be, after one warning, ejected from the venue.

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1. The principal of each school is responsible for the eligibility of the schools’ competitors for any competition.
2. The RVSA follows the eligibility policies set forth by the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA). These policies can be found in their annually revised handbook, available to ASAA member schools.
3. The RVSA policies regarding athletes from virtual schools, the Cochrane and Chestermere Learning Connections and home school students participating in the RVS apply.
4. If schools have questions or concerns regarding a student’s eligibility they are required to complete the Athletic Eligibility Review form.
5. Teams that play ineligible players are suspended, pending a ruling by the RVSA governing body. Teams will forfeit all points and awards received while playing the ineligible athlete.
6. Junior Varsity (JV) teams may play students in grades nine and 10.
7. A team competitor is eligible for participation in only one of the Divisional Championships – Junior Varsity or Varsity – in any given sport.
8. Varsity teams may play students for three consecutive years starting in the student’s grade 10 year, according to ASAA policy. This applies even if the student begins grade 10 in the second semester.

Cochrane and Chestermere Learning Connections

Once Cochrane or Chestermere High School accepts any Cochrane or Chestermere Learning Connection student into its sports program, the entire population of the Learning Connection must be added to the Cochrane or Chestermere High September 30 ASAA student count. Based on the number of students declared to ASAA, Cochrane and Chestermere High acknowledges that they may be required to participate at a higher level of competition according to school population.

Students of the Learning Connections must comply with all the eligibility rules and regulations of the ASAA in order to participate in the Cochrane and Chestermere High School, and therefore the RVS, sports program.

Virtual Schools

Virtual school students are allowed to participate in RVS athletic activities providing all of the following criteria are met:

1. The student must reside in the geographic attendance area of the school in which the students will participate.
2. The principals of the school must support the student’s involvement in the extra-curricular program.
3. The student must comply with all eligibility rules and regulations of the ASAA.

If a school chooses to accept one or more virtual school students who reside in their attendance area, and are therefore eligible for participation in ASAA activities, the students who participate must be included in the September 30 ASAA count for that school.

School must understand that by agreeing to accept virtual school students they may have to compete at the next appropriate level of competition according to their school population.

Home Schooled Students

A RVS home-schooled student may participate in the RVSA provided they meet the following criteria:

1. The student must reside in the attendance area of the school in which they participate.
2. The student must be registered in home schooling through the school.
3. The principal of the school must support the student’s involvement in the extra-curricular program.
4. The student must comply with all the eligibility rules and regulations of the ASAA.

If a school chooses to use one or more home schooled students attached to their school (and therefore eligible for participation in ASAA activities) all home schooled students must be included in the September 30 ASAA count for that school. If a school chooses not to use any home-schooled students in its athletic program, home-schooled students should not be included in the count. This is applicable for the ASAA school count only.

Schools must understand that by agreeing to accept home-schooled students they may have to compete at the next appropriate level of competition according to their school population.

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1. The principal is ultimately responsible for the proper organization and supervision of extra-curricular activities as outlined in the RVS’s policy handbook.
2. Coaching Qualifications
   1. Head coaches (community or school staff) should meet the following criteria:
      1. Be at least 21 years of age.
      2. Encouraged to have Level I certifiication through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) in their sport.
      3. Have current certification in standard first aid and CPR.
   2. Community Coaches should also meet the following criteria:
      1. Be approved by the principal of their school.
      2. Complete a police record check and have references reviewed by the school administration.
   3. Teacher sponsors must:
      1. Be available to attend Zone and provincial games and tournaments.
      2. Ensure that the community coach follows the by-laws and policies set forth by the RVSA.
3. Where there is no teacher sponsor, the principal must ensure that the community coach assumes the duties outlined in Article IV and Article V. This is not an option for teams participating at Varsity or Junior Varsity Zone or Provincial Championships.
4. It is the professional responsibility of all teacher coaches to conduct themselves within the guidelines of the Code of Conduct for Coaches and to distribute and read to all players and parents the RVSA Code of Conduct for Players and Spectators. Any breach of the Code of Conduct may be result in disciplinary action.

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1. It is recommended that coaches be responsible only for their team players.
2. The host school principal, or designate, is responsible for arranging adequate supervision, including designating a responsible adult to supervise the place where the activity is being held and the other publicly accessible areas of the school facility.

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1. The term host refers to home game or tournament hosts.
2. The sports coordinator makes every effort to ensure that hosting duties are rotated equally through the RVS.
3. All schools are to follow the list of duties listed at the end of this section.
4. All schools are responsible for supervising their own students.
5. When schools host at a school other than their own, the coach must contact that school’s athletic director to arrange for set up, equipment and security.
6. Athletic directors must assist the host school with the set up and equipment, understanding that middle schools and high schools must work together and share facilities when hosting a tournament.
7. Any unreasonable cleaning and/or repair costs are charged to the offending school.
8. The following persons have free entry to all events:
   1. Players
   2. Coaches
   3. Managers
   4. Trainers
   5. Cheerleaders
   6. Bus drivers
   7. Parent drivers
   8. RVSA personnel
9. Any monies collected at the gate remain property of the host school.

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1. Inherent in the submission of the plug-in fees form is the intent of the school to meet its entire league and play off obligations.
2. Should a team default a game, the opponent is awarded credit for a win, and the defaulting team is reported to the sports coordinator.
3. A defaulting team shall be suspended immediately until the case is reviewed by the sports coordinator. A decision shall be made within two school days following the incident.
4.  If, during any game sanctioned by the RVSA, the referee(s) deems the general conduct of the players and/or the coaches and/or the spectators to be unsatisfactory and uncontrollable through the regular process, he/she may stop the game and hold an immediate conference with the coaches and/or the captains involved. Efforts, through the coaches, to elevate play to acceptable standards, must be upheld, failing which the referee may declare the game ended. The situation shall then be referred to the sports coordinator, in writing by the host school. 

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1. Coaches requesting a game change must have their principal's approval before contacting the other school and the sports coordinator.
2. Both schools must agree to the change.
3. The principals of the schools involved must contact the sports coordinator by phone or by email with a new date and time. The sports coordinator contacts the officials’ association for its approval. There is no guarantee that the officials will be able to accommodate the change.

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1. A school must be a paid member of the South Central Zone and the ASAA in order to qualify for Zone and provincial competition. Outstanding Zone or provincial fees eliminate schools from all competition until the fees are recovered.
2. Individual schools are responsible for entry fees to Zone and provincial competitions.
3. Individual schools are responsible for transportation costs to Zone and provincial competitions. The RVS provides transportation assistance up to a maximum of $500 per team when RVS teams travel a distance greater that 400 km one way. This funding is available for Football, Volleyball and Basketball teams only.

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1. The RVS pays for all RVSA teams traveling by bus to Divisional tournaments.
2. Extra-Curricular Bussing forms are to be submitted to the sports coordinator and must be approved by the principal.

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The RVS covers the cost of substitute teachers for the following:

1. Sports commissioners attending Sports Parameters meetings for half a day.
2. Track coaches at the Divisional Championshipp meet at a ratio of 35 students to one coach, up to a maximum of three teachers.
3. Track and field commissioners for Divisional and Zone Championship track meets. 
4. Golf coaches at the Divisional Championship tournament at a ratio of one coach per school.

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1. RVS Divisional Championship banners are presented to the Divisional Championship boys and girls teams. Specific sports banners are presented to the school with the highest aggregate points.
2. Gold and silver medals are presented to the first and second-place teams at a Divisional Championship competition. The RVSA is to order 16 medals per team for Volleyball and Basketball and 50 per team for football. If a team requires more medals, the school is responsible for the cost of the extra medals. Third-place medals are presented to Junior Varsity teams in Volleyball, Basketball and Curling (all categories).
3. Gold medals are presented to the RVS male and female athlete in Juvenile, Junior, Intermediate and Senior categories with the highest aggregate points at the Divisional Championship Track & Field meet.
4. Gold, silver and bronze medals are presented to first, second and third-place RVSA athletes at the Divisional Championship Badminton tournament in Juvenile, Junior, Intermediate and Senior categories.
5. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are presented to first, second and third-place RVSA athletes at the Divisional championship Curling bonspiel in Boys, Girls, Mixed and Grade 9 categories.
6. Other awards include:
   1. Divisional Championship Football trophy
   2. Varsity Girls and Boys Divisional Championship Volleyball trophy
   3. Junior Varsity Girls and Boys Divisional Championship Volleyball trophy
   4. Varsity Girls and Boys Divisional Championship Basketball trophy
   5. Junior Varsity Girls and Boys Divisional Championship Basketball trophy
   6. High School Divisional Championship Curling trophies
   7. High School Divisional Championship Boys and Girls Soccer trophies

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A school that does not meet registration deadlines must pay a $100 penalty. If registration has not been received within 24 hours of the deadline the school is not entitled to register for the event. Events include sport competition and league banquets.

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