When signing on for a sport at Villanova College, it will be the understanding of the College that players and parents do so knowing, agreeing and accepting the terms and conditions listed below.
• Villanova College endeavours to provide opportunities for as many students as possible to participate and enjoy the experience of playing sport. All parents, players and coaching staff have the responsibility to ensure that they contribute towards this experience being a positive one for all involved.
• All A and B teams from Year 7 – 11 and most Year 12 teams contest the AIC aggregate for that sport. In doing so, boys are trained specifically to fulfil a certain role which is determined by the coach within that team which may result in a player not playing in every position. For example, not all players in cricket will share equally the bowling, batting and keeping duties from week to week in these teams.
• A and B teams and most Open teams are classified as competitive teams which contest premierships and aggregates. C teams and lower are participatory based teams whereby the main focus would be to allow all participants to ‘have a go’ and enjoy the experience. C teams and lower may still contest premierships or aim for an undefeated season. A and B teams train twice weekly, C teams and lower train at least once per week or maybe twice depending on the sport, coach and availability of facilities.
• Premierships are not awarded to any Year 5 or 6 teams. Teams will be acknowledged if they remain undefeated throughout the regular season.
• Coaches will select the most appropriate players to suit the overall balance of the team. For example, a basketball coach would not select more than two point guards. In rugby, not everybody can play the fly half position.
• The selection of all coaches is determined by the College. Villanova College aims to include as many teams as possible into the AIC Competition based on the resources available. Due to the large amount of teams which Villanova generate for each sport, it is impossible to have all teams taken by staff members or independent/outside coaches. Parents and Old Boys are required to fulfil coaching roles.
• Coaches are appointed specifically by the Sports Office based on coaching experience, willingness to support the College’s program and ethos as well as a proven ability to foster, develop and maintain good relationships with members of the Villanova community. The specific positioning of a coach will be based on the overall strategic needs of the College for that sport.
• All coaches must hold a current Blue Card.
• Parents are asked not to undermine or contribute towards any negativity directed at the coach. Matters of concern should be made directly by the person concerned (not others acting on their behalf) to a member of the Sports Office or to the coach directly if done so in a respectful and discrete manner. In no way is it acceptable for a parent (who is not the appointed coach) to intervene with any team selections or get involved in coaching sessions unless invited by the coach or the Sports Office. Most coaches are volunteers and without them your son would not be participating.
• Matters of team selection will always be an issue. As there is a finite number in each team, it is inevitable that players will miss out and be relegated to lower teams. Selections are based on player performance, attitude and attendance. It is in the best interest of players and parents to be resilient and accepting of decisions made. Matters of concern should be dealt with as listed above. Although initial selections may be made by independent selectors (not in all cases), the appointed coach of that team will have an input into the selection and make up of their team. The College does reserve the right to intervene and adjust selections if required.
• Villanova College strives to build and foster harmony within all teams. Any club or other external sporting association matters, including selections and/or rankings, will not have any influence or bearing on Villanova team selections. Matters of grievance within clubs and across clubs should never be carried over to school sport.