Parent/Player/Coaches
Handbook
Introduction
Welcome to the West County Football Association! We are proud to offer great Pee-Wee and Bantam programs.
This Player, Parent and Coaches Handbook is provided to give assistance and insight into the objectives, philosophies and organization of the West County Football Association. As the season progresses, we trust you will find this handbook a useful resource.
For those who are first-time players, we welcome you to this, the greatest of all team sports. We believe that football places more emphasis on the word “team” than any other game. On a football team, it is essential that every player contribute. When everyone works together, good things happen.
For those who are returning either to the Lightning team or the Bulldogs team, your role as a veteran will be very important. One of the most difficult jobs for a veteran player is to earn the respect of the younger or less experienced players without trying to be like a coach. It is your role to help the rookies along when you can and know when to stand aside and let them work it out for themselves. Only experience can teach you this. We are sure that all our vets will prove equal to the task.
Like any other sport, football requires the precise timing of many players on the field at any given time. However, unlike most sports, the magnitude of physical contact in football also calls for a higher degree of readiness and skill, not only from a competitive standpoint, but from a safety standpoint as well. As a result, football demands focus and dedication to developing the skills needed for each position. This means lots of repetition and a high level of commitment.
Club Philosophy
Our goal is to provide a quality football program that teaches the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing fitness, cooperation, self-discipline, and camaraderie. Our program enriches skill development for young athletes. Our coaches concentrate on player/team development, safety of all players and an appreciation of the game of football including the necessities of good sportsmanship.
Let’s have a great year!
Code of Ethics
Our Players
•are "Team Players".
•support and encourage their team-mates both on and off the field.
•strive to improve themselves mentally and physically all year round and to be the very best that they can be in all their on and off-field endeavors.
•love to "run, tackle and block" - the three main elements of playing football. They are thoroughly committed to learning their assigned position and give 100% of themselves to each game and practice.
•always hustle.
•never quit or accept defeat before the game is over.
•have a burning desire to win.
•are disappointed with defeat, but accept it with dignity. They never act in an unsportsmanlike manner.
•play with respect for their opponents.
•resolve to leave the field a better player than they were when they entered it.
•should always have fun.
Our Coaches
•always remember that players learn by encouragement not criticism.
•never humiliate.
•strive to win but remember that their players learn as much from defeat as from victory.
•recognize that football skills can only be well and truly honed by actual game experience. They therefore ensure that every player plays a meaningful and fair amount in every game.
•never forget that they are looked up to by their players and must conduct themselves in such a way as to continually earn this respect.
•realize that the only weather condition that stops football is lightning. Their player will come dressed appropriately.
Our Parents
•never force their child to play football.
•remember that the game is for the player's, not the parent's, enjoyment.
•encourage their child to resolve conflicts within the rules of the game without resorting to hostility or violence.
•teach their child that doing one's best is as important as winning so that the player will never feel defeated or diminished by the outcome of a game.
•make their child feel like a winner every game by offering praise for competing and trying hard.
•never yell at, ridicule, or otherwise diminish any player.
•remember that children learn best by example. They applaud good plays and performances by both teams on the field.
•never criticize or question a referee or other game official's judgment or integrity.
•show respect for the volunteers who donate their time to their child's team as a coach, manager, or executive member, as these are the people who make minor football possible.
•support the coach and his decisions and expects their child to do the same.
•remember, that we represent our home towns as a group. Wembley + Beaverlodge + Hythe + LaGlace + Elmworth= Lightning and Bulldogs!
•remember that this is a high collision sport. Their player will get bumps and bruises during practices and games. There is a difference between getting hurt, and getting injured.
•understand that we all have a role to play. Sometimes being a parent is being the best cheerleader for these kids!
TEAM GUIDELINES
The Lightning/Bulldog Promise
The Lightning/Bulldogs commit that each and every player who wears WCFA Orange
and/or Grey will play in all regular season games according to his
commitment, desire, loyalty, hustle and ability.
What does the promise mean? The promise means that, when you play for our club, you will play in each and every regular season game according to your –
Commitment: Commitment means keeping the interests of your team first. This also means that you do not miss practices or games, or be late for practices or games without an acceptable reason and without calling coaches beforehand. The goals of the team are more important than the goals of any individual player. Commitment means that you are willing to do whatever is required to better yourself by upgrading your skills and abilities, by learning and by working hard for the benefit of yourself and the team.
Desire: Desire does not have to be loud and “rah-rah”; sometimes it can be a fierce, quiet determination to excel. Desire is an absolute necessity for a football player. Our teams rely on their heart and desire to reach for the top and strive to be the best they can be; after all, you are the only one that can keep you from reaching your goals.
Loyalty: Playing football requires sacrifice and, because of that sacrifice, you develop loyalty to the organization and to your team-mates. As the team succeeds, you begin to develop pride in knowing that you are part of something good. Our teams build on this development and we ask our players to always be loyal to themselves when it comes to making the right decisions, both on and off the football field.
Hustle: Hustle is displaying enthusiasm for the game and for your team-mates. Are you always eager to participate in practice? Are you one who never takes a play off? Are you one who listens to the coaches without chattering? Are you one to be first in the huddle, the one who pitches in to carry equipment on and off the field without being asked? If so, you display hustle.
Ability: We believe that ability is the least important of the above qualities. Almost all players of lesser skills are taught to become good football players. However, there are some important safety considerations.
We will NOT put a player into a position where he is overmatched; to do so is very good recipe for serious injury. Such an injury could happen to the player himself or to another player who may depend upon him to perform a certain function (e.g., a block). We will always attempt to put players in a position where they have the best chance to succeed. This builds confidence in players at all skill levels.
What does the promise NOT mean?
The promise does not mean equal playing time. Instead, we promise “fair” playing time. That time will be determined by the criteria that have been outlined above and will be different for every player. It will be fair to the player, his team-mates and the team.
The promise does not mean playing time in playoff games. During playoffs, the coaches will play those players who have consistently demonstrated commitment, desire, loyalty, hustle and improved ability through the entire year and who they believe will give the team its best chance of winning the game.
Guidelines for Players
The WCFA believe that there are areas in a player's life that are more important than sports and
football. Therefore, we will always defer to our players' family, religious and scholastic obligations
and commitments.
Practice Attendance
Ensure that you are present at all practices. It is extremely difficult for the coaches to run through many of the drills that the players need to know if there are players who consistently miss practice.
If you must miss a practice, you are expected to advise the Head Coach or Team Manager as soon as you can. (Asking another player to pass the message on is NOT ACCEPTABLE.)
Injured Players Attending Practice
If you cannot participate in practice you will be expected to observe the practice in an undisruptive manner. Do not distract the players or coaches on the field.
Playing Time
The coaches will allocate starting positions and game playing time based on the following criteria:
• Player safety. No player will be positioned such that they, or another player, are at high risk of injury.
• The Lightning/Bulldog Promise. Each player will be assigned according to his commitment, desire, loyalty, hustle and ability.
• Game Preparation. Players who have participated in the practices leading up to the game are better prepared. They have practiced the plays and been coached on the specifics of the opposing team.
Game Attendance
If you will be absent for a game, the coaches need a week’s notice to enable them to run practices based on your absence. This allows the coaches to make whatever adjustments are required to their game plan.
On game day, be present and on the field at the time that the coaches set for the team. For home games, this will be at home field.
For away games we will meet at a specified area determined by the coaches prior to the game. For far games e.g. Peace River, there might be a bus option that the players will be expected to take as part of the team building process.
Guidelines for Families
Practice Field Parking
• We require you to stay and watch the practices. Please park in the Wembley arena parking lot, not at the field house.
Watching Practices and Games
Families are required to attend as many games as possible in support of our young athletes. We hope that you will join us in cheering the Lightning and Bulldogs to success and supporting them in their challenges. As well, games are a great place to meet and make new friends. Families need to be at the practice field during regular practice. Even in the foulest weather there will always be practices or games. (exception Lightning)
Practice and Playing Fields
To ensure the safety of players, coaches and families, please do not enter the field during a practice or game. Distractions by families or friends mean the players and coaches are not paying attention. Not paying attention increases the risk of injury. Equally important is the safety of our fans. Positioning yourself too close to the activity increases your risk collision with a player or ball. For the safety of all, please remain by the bleachers.
Finally, our insurance with Football Alberta requires that only insured club staff and players be allowed on the field. During game days only Players, Coaches and on- field staff will be allowed on the players side of the field. Any additional people will be asked to join the spectator side of the field. Please respect all the insured members to do their job to the best of their ability.
Coaching Staff Interaction
To allow the coaches to effectively perform their duties, please refrain from distracting them during
practices or games. The coaches will always be available before and after games and practices for discussions with families and players.
If you have a concern about coaching or your child’s activities in the club, please do not hesitate to
bring them to the attention one of the Team Leaders. It will then be brought to the coach(es) attention. We would like our coach(es) to focus on the players and their role as coaches as much as possible.
Where to find us?
Football Clubhouse located by the Wembley hill and behind the arena. We use the arena’s parking lot – Please be respectful.
Please read/sign your player/parent code of conduct sheet and then sign that section of the registration page.
Above all, HAVE FUN, ENJOY AND SUPPORT YOUR KIDS BY BEING THERE!!!
WCFA Football Levels and General Information
Every minor football level has its own coaching staff and rules. In addition to their practical experience, coaches are required to complete certification programs administered by Football Alberta as well as a criminal record check including the vulnerable section.
We consider your involvement with WCFA to be as much as a 5-year partnership, progressing through two levels of play.
PEEWEE –
Players in grades 5-7 (essentially. It is based on birth years.)
Players in grades 8-9 (essentially, it is based on birth years.)
Conditioning
We recommend a daily routine of hydration, exercise and rest to be prepared for the physically demanding nature of football.
After an initial period of fitness training and basic instruction in football fundamentals, your son or daughter will be issued full equipment. As a result they should be prepared for some mild discomfort for a couple weeks. This is a perfectly normal part of the fitting and settling in process. If you have any concerns please see the Head Coach/Manager/ Parent Rep. as they arise.
Game Day
Games are approximately 90 minutes in duration with a 60-120 minute preparation session before the start of the game. Most league games are held on Saturdays with the odd one on a weeknight. Weather always plays a factor in games and practices, cancellations will only be called if there is lightning or if the weather will wreck the field.
EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS
This section of your guide will give you some helpful hints on the care of your equipment. It is important that both parents and players understand what is required to keep the equipment in top condition. Many parents and players are unfamiliar with football equipment, especially those who are becoming involved in football for the first time. Therefore, we would like to take a few moments to offer some guidance on the proper care of your equipment.
The Value of Your Equipment
As you know, the Club requires a $400 equipment deposit from every player. This does not mean that you have purchased the equipment! Given a choice of cashing your cheque or receiving the returned equipment, we prefer the latter. To give you an idea of what our equipment is worth, here is a cost breakdown of what the WCFA would have to pay to replace your equipment. These are typical values:
Pee Wee
Helmet : $400
Shoulder Pads: $150
Socks: $20
Game Jersey: $150
Practice Jersey: $25
Game Pants: $120
Chin Guard: $20
Total: $885
Bantam
Helmet: $450
Shoulder Pads: $225
Socks: $20
Game Jersey: $150
Practice Jersey: $25
Game Pants: $150
Belt: $10
Chin Guard: $ 20
Total: $1050
As you can see, the equipment that the Club provides isn’t cheap. However, we obviously do not have to purchase all of the items for each player every year; if we did our fees would be a lot higher than they are. Our annual equipment budget is consistently many thousands of dollars and is always by far our largest single expense.
WILL I NEED TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT?
In addition to that which the club provides, you will need to purchase the following:
~One pair of football cleats (not metal)
~Mouth guard. Your player will not be allowed to participate in practices/games without a proper mouth guard in place.
~Girdle (Bantam)
~Knee pads (Bantam)
~Other equipment optional such as gloves and sleeves etc etc.
Equipment has a useful life of two to ten years, depending upon the item. The trick is to make the equipment last for as long as possible, and then replace it when necessary. This is where you can help.
Care of the equipment is the responsibility of the player. Maintaining the integrity of the equipment by the player is not difficult, but it is absolutely necessary. Without your cooperation, we must replace it more
frequently and that, of course, will eventually mean that it costs us more to run our program. And guess who eventually pays for that!
CAUTION! DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ATTEMPT TO ALTER YOUR EQUIPMENT IN ANY WAY. The WCFA and the league will not be held liable for any injury sustained by anyone wearing equipment that has been modified or altered by anyone not authorized by the Club to do so, regardless of whether or not such injury is wholly or partially a result of such unauthorized alteration. The only persons authorized to alter equipment are the coaching staff.
Equipment Care Do’s and Don’ts
Helmets
The WCFA do not compromise on helmet quality. We are trying to replace and add helmets every year. Our helmets are required to be fully reconditioned by an authorized reconditioner every two years.
Shoulder Pads
Uniforms
We are very proud of both the quality of the uniform and with our look. To help ensure their longevity, we are asking your cooperation in several areas. Pee Wee’s only have one jersey and should be worn and cleaned when necessary.
All Other Pads
Generally, a little wipe down with soap and water will keep all Styrofoam or synthetic pads happy. Girdles can be laundered as the pants.
Socks
For sanitary reasons socks are not returned to the club.
If you have any questions or concerns about your equipment, please contact the Team Manager, another member of the team Executive, or the head coach. If they cannot answer your question they will find someone who can!
MEDICAL
The WCFA’s policy is that if a player is injured to the point where he must miss a game or more than two consecutive practices, the team requires that he obtain his family doctor’s permission before again taking the field.
Trainers
WCFA policy mandates that certified Emergency First Aiders, with Basic Rescuer CPR be present at all practice and game field activities.
In addition, the WCFA depend upon the support of our parents. If you have a medical background and are willing to serve as a trainer, contact the Team Leaders. After gathering some details regarding your qualifications, the club may arrange Football Alberta insurance to allow your attendance on the practice and playing fields, when needed. If we have trainers in place we may not accept new ones.
Team Insurance
The WCFA secure insurance from Football Alberta for all players, coaches, trainers and executive members. If the unexpected should happen and your player or a member of your family requires medical service not covered under provincial plans as a result of a Lightning or Bulldog activity, please contact the Team Manager as soon as possible.
Club Structure
Roles and Responsibilities
Both teams (Pee Wee and Bantam) have a Head Coach, Manager and a Parent Representative. We generally have 2-3 coaches per team plus a qualified Trainer(s). Head Coaches are responsible for the program and field activities. Managers handle all - Parent Reps liaise between parents and coaches.
Club Executive
The West County Football Association is a parent run organization. If you wish to join our team, please contact any one member of the current board.
The role of the Team Leaders are to enable and guide the philosophy of the club.
Mailing Address: West County Football Association
Box 299
Wembley, AB
T0H-0C0
Club Communications
Through the course of the season, families will receive club communications in one or more of the
following formats:
Parent’s meeting. Meetings will be used to deliver important information or collect input from
parents. (We recognize that families are very busy and therefore we will consider carefully before
calling a meeting for parents.)
Email newsletter. Usually a light-hearted summary of recent activities and gentle reminder of
upcoming events. Note: because of the varied acceptance and use of email time-critical or response required information will not be communicated by email alone.
Facebook Page. West Country Lightning Football- ask to join! (This is where we post the majority of our news.)
Website. Check it out at http://www.wclfa.weebly.com (currently updating!)
Communication is essential to the success of any organization. Most of our updates are through our FB page. Please register as soon as possible! Otherwise please contact a Team Leader.
Fundraising / Goals and Expectations
The West County Football Association is a non-profit organization operated completely by volunteers. No government proceeds are used to fund our programs. The WCFA strives to keep football participation affordable for all families especially compared with more expensive alternatives such as non-organized hockey. In order to keep our registration fees low (around $300) and ensure that our equipment is safe/certified and free to the players, we need to do fundraising each year. We require both your time and financial contribution to ensure the continued viability of our club.
We look forward to you joining our football family for the future years to come!
How do we win a football game???
HIT SOMEBODY!
Handbook
Introduction
Welcome to the West County Football Association! We are proud to offer great Pee-Wee and Bantam programs.
This Player, Parent and Coaches Handbook is provided to give assistance and insight into the objectives, philosophies and organization of the West County Football Association. As the season progresses, we trust you will find this handbook a useful resource.
For those who are first-time players, we welcome you to this, the greatest of all team sports. We believe that football places more emphasis on the word “team” than any other game. On a football team, it is essential that every player contribute. When everyone works together, good things happen.
For those who are returning either to the Lightning team or the Bulldogs team, your role as a veteran will be very important. One of the most difficult jobs for a veteran player is to earn the respect of the younger or less experienced players without trying to be like a coach. It is your role to help the rookies along when you can and know when to stand aside and let them work it out for themselves. Only experience can teach you this. We are sure that all our vets will prove equal to the task.
Like any other sport, football requires the precise timing of many players on the field at any given time. However, unlike most sports, the magnitude of physical contact in football also calls for a higher degree of readiness and skill, not only from a competitive standpoint, but from a safety standpoint as well. As a result, football demands focus and dedication to developing the skills needed for each position. This means lots of repetition and a high level of commitment.
Club Philosophy
Our goal is to provide a quality football program that teaches the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing fitness, cooperation, self-discipline, and camaraderie. Our program enriches skill development for young athletes. Our coaches concentrate on player/team development, safety of all players and an appreciation of the game of football including the necessities of good sportsmanship.
Let’s have a great year!
Code of Ethics
Our Players
•are "Team Players".
•support and encourage their team-mates both on and off the field.
•strive to improve themselves mentally and physically all year round and to be the very best that they can be in all their on and off-field endeavors.
•love to "run, tackle and block" - the three main elements of playing football. They are thoroughly committed to learning their assigned position and give 100% of themselves to each game and practice.
•always hustle.
•never quit or accept defeat before the game is over.
•have a burning desire to win.
•are disappointed with defeat, but accept it with dignity. They never act in an unsportsmanlike manner.
•play with respect for their opponents.
•resolve to leave the field a better player than they were when they entered it.
•should always have fun.
Our Coaches
•always remember that players learn by encouragement not criticism.
•never humiliate.
•strive to win but remember that their players learn as much from defeat as from victory.
•recognize that football skills can only be well and truly honed by actual game experience. They therefore ensure that every player plays a meaningful and fair amount in every game.
•never forget that they are looked up to by their players and must conduct themselves in such a way as to continually earn this respect.
•realize that the only weather condition that stops football is lightning. Their player will come dressed appropriately.
Our Parents
•never force their child to play football.
•remember that the game is for the player's, not the parent's, enjoyment.
•encourage their child to resolve conflicts within the rules of the game without resorting to hostility or violence.
•teach their child that doing one's best is as important as winning so that the player will never feel defeated or diminished by the outcome of a game.
•make their child feel like a winner every game by offering praise for competing and trying hard.
•never yell at, ridicule, or otherwise diminish any player.
•remember that children learn best by example. They applaud good plays and performances by both teams on the field.
•never criticize or question a referee or other game official's judgment or integrity.
•show respect for the volunteers who donate their time to their child's team as a coach, manager, or executive member, as these are the people who make minor football possible.
•support the coach and his decisions and expects their child to do the same.
•remember, that we represent our home towns as a group. Wembley + Beaverlodge + Hythe + LaGlace + Elmworth= Lightning and Bulldogs!
•remember that this is a high collision sport. Their player will get bumps and bruises during practices and games. There is a difference between getting hurt, and getting injured.
•understand that we all have a role to play. Sometimes being a parent is being the best cheerleader for these kids!
TEAM GUIDELINES
The Lightning/Bulldog Promise
The Lightning/Bulldogs commit that each and every player who wears WCFA Orange
and/or Grey will play in all regular season games according to his
commitment, desire, loyalty, hustle and ability.
What does the promise mean? The promise means that, when you play for our club, you will play in each and every regular season game according to your –
Commitment: Commitment means keeping the interests of your team first. This also means that you do not miss practices or games, or be late for practices or games without an acceptable reason and without calling coaches beforehand. The goals of the team are more important than the goals of any individual player. Commitment means that you are willing to do whatever is required to better yourself by upgrading your skills and abilities, by learning and by working hard for the benefit of yourself and the team.
Desire: Desire does not have to be loud and “rah-rah”; sometimes it can be a fierce, quiet determination to excel. Desire is an absolute necessity for a football player. Our teams rely on their heart and desire to reach for the top and strive to be the best they can be; after all, you are the only one that can keep you from reaching your goals.
Loyalty: Playing football requires sacrifice and, because of that sacrifice, you develop loyalty to the organization and to your team-mates. As the team succeeds, you begin to develop pride in knowing that you are part of something good. Our teams build on this development and we ask our players to always be loyal to themselves when it comes to making the right decisions, both on and off the football field.
Hustle: Hustle is displaying enthusiasm for the game and for your team-mates. Are you always eager to participate in practice? Are you one who never takes a play off? Are you one who listens to the coaches without chattering? Are you one to be first in the huddle, the one who pitches in to carry equipment on and off the field without being asked? If so, you display hustle.
Ability: We believe that ability is the least important of the above qualities. Almost all players of lesser skills are taught to become good football players. However, there are some important safety considerations.
We will NOT put a player into a position where he is overmatched; to do so is very good recipe for serious injury. Such an injury could happen to the player himself or to another player who may depend upon him to perform a certain function (e.g., a block). We will always attempt to put players in a position where they have the best chance to succeed. This builds confidence in players at all skill levels.
What does the promise NOT mean?
The promise does not mean equal playing time. Instead, we promise “fair” playing time. That time will be determined by the criteria that have been outlined above and will be different for every player. It will be fair to the player, his team-mates and the team.
The promise does not mean playing time in playoff games. During playoffs, the coaches will play those players who have consistently demonstrated commitment, desire, loyalty, hustle and improved ability through the entire year and who they believe will give the team its best chance of winning the game.
Guidelines for Players
The WCFA believe that there are areas in a player's life that are more important than sports and
football. Therefore, we will always defer to our players' family, religious and scholastic obligations
and commitments.
Practice Attendance
Ensure that you are present at all practices. It is extremely difficult for the coaches to run through many of the drills that the players need to know if there are players who consistently miss practice.
If you must miss a practice, you are expected to advise the Head Coach or Team Manager as soon as you can. (Asking another player to pass the message on is NOT ACCEPTABLE.)
Injured Players Attending Practice
If you cannot participate in practice you will be expected to observe the practice in an undisruptive manner. Do not distract the players or coaches on the field.
Playing Time
The coaches will allocate starting positions and game playing time based on the following criteria:
• Player safety. No player will be positioned such that they, or another player, are at high risk of injury.
• The Lightning/Bulldog Promise. Each player will be assigned according to his commitment, desire, loyalty, hustle and ability.
• Game Preparation. Players who have participated in the practices leading up to the game are better prepared. They have practiced the plays and been coached on the specifics of the opposing team.
Game Attendance
If you will be absent for a game, the coaches need a week’s notice to enable them to run practices based on your absence. This allows the coaches to make whatever adjustments are required to their game plan.
On game day, be present and on the field at the time that the coaches set for the team. For home games, this will be at home field.
For away games we will meet at a specified area determined by the coaches prior to the game. For far games e.g. Peace River, there might be a bus option that the players will be expected to take as part of the team building process.
Guidelines for Families
Practice Field Parking
• We require you to stay and watch the practices. Please park in the Wembley arena parking lot, not at the field house.
Watching Practices and Games
Families are required to attend as many games as possible in support of our young athletes. We hope that you will join us in cheering the Lightning and Bulldogs to success and supporting them in their challenges. As well, games are a great place to meet and make new friends. Families need to be at the practice field during regular practice. Even in the foulest weather there will always be practices or games. (exception Lightning)
Practice and Playing Fields
To ensure the safety of players, coaches and families, please do not enter the field during a practice or game. Distractions by families or friends mean the players and coaches are not paying attention. Not paying attention increases the risk of injury. Equally important is the safety of our fans. Positioning yourself too close to the activity increases your risk collision with a player or ball. For the safety of all, please remain by the bleachers.
Finally, our insurance with Football Alberta requires that only insured club staff and players be allowed on the field. During game days only Players, Coaches and on- field staff will be allowed on the players side of the field. Any additional people will be asked to join the spectator side of the field. Please respect all the insured members to do their job to the best of their ability.
Coaching Staff Interaction
To allow the coaches to effectively perform their duties, please refrain from distracting them during
practices or games. The coaches will always be available before and after games and practices for discussions with families and players.
If you have a concern about coaching or your child’s activities in the club, please do not hesitate to
bring them to the attention one of the Team Leaders. It will then be brought to the coach(es) attention. We would like our coach(es) to focus on the players and their role as coaches as much as possible.
Where to find us?
Football Clubhouse located by the Wembley hill and behind the arena. We use the arena’s parking lot – Please be respectful.
Please read/sign your player/parent code of conduct sheet and then sign that section of the registration page.
Above all, HAVE FUN, ENJOY AND SUPPORT YOUR KIDS BY BEING THERE!!!
WCFA Football Levels and General Information
Every minor football level has its own coaching staff and rules. In addition to their practical experience, coaches are required to complete certification programs administered by Football Alberta as well as a criminal record check including the vulnerable section.
We consider your involvement with WCFA to be as much as a 5-year partnership, progressing through two levels of play.
PEEWEE –
Players in grades 5-7 (essentially. It is based on birth years.)
- League governing body is the West County Football Association
- WCFA supplies all equipment except cleats, gloves and mouthguards. All other equipment supplements that you wish to purchase should be done only after consultation with the coaching staff
- WCFA fundraising and volunteering are mandatory (will be notified when you are needed)
- Volunteers are required for games (sideline crew, game set up, water and oranges)
- Starts in the spring (late Mar. and runs until the end of June)
- Games are played in Grande Prairie, Peace River, Sexsmith and usually a home game
- Practice is two times a week Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00pm-8:00pm and a game every Saturday.
Players in grades 8-9 (essentially, it is based on birth years.)
- League governing body is West Counry Football Association
- WCFA supplies all equipment except cleats, gloves girdle, knee pads and mouthguards. All other equipment supplements that you may wish to purchase should be done after consultation with the coaching staff.
- Fundraising and Volunteering are mandatory (will be notified when you are needed)
- Volunteers are required for sideline crew at games, field set up, canteen and supplying water and oranges to players at games.
- Runs beginning to middle of August to the mid- November including play offs
- Practice is generally 2 times per week for two hours with games on Saturday (practice is usually 6:30-8:30 Tues. and Thurs.)
- Games are played in Grande Prairie, Peace River or High Prairie, Sexsmith and at home field.
- Focus on fun, skill development and a high level of completion
- Structured practices requiring a high level of fitness and commitment
Conditioning
We recommend a daily routine of hydration, exercise and rest to be prepared for the physically demanding nature of football.
After an initial period of fitness training and basic instruction in football fundamentals, your son or daughter will be issued full equipment. As a result they should be prepared for some mild discomfort for a couple weeks. This is a perfectly normal part of the fitting and settling in process. If you have any concerns please see the Head Coach/Manager/ Parent Rep. as they arise.
Game Day
Games are approximately 90 minutes in duration with a 60-120 minute preparation session before the start of the game. Most league games are held on Saturdays with the odd one on a weeknight. Weather always plays a factor in games and practices, cancellations will only be called if there is lightning or if the weather will wreck the field.
EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS
This section of your guide will give you some helpful hints on the care of your equipment. It is important that both parents and players understand what is required to keep the equipment in top condition. Many parents and players are unfamiliar with football equipment, especially those who are becoming involved in football for the first time. Therefore, we would like to take a few moments to offer some guidance on the proper care of your equipment.
The Value of Your Equipment
As you know, the Club requires a $400 equipment deposit from every player. This does not mean that you have purchased the equipment! Given a choice of cashing your cheque or receiving the returned equipment, we prefer the latter. To give you an idea of what our equipment is worth, here is a cost breakdown of what the WCFA would have to pay to replace your equipment. These are typical values:
Pee Wee
Helmet : $400
Shoulder Pads: $150
Socks: $20
Game Jersey: $150
Practice Jersey: $25
Game Pants: $120
Chin Guard: $20
Total: $885
Bantam
Helmet: $450
Shoulder Pads: $225
Socks: $20
Game Jersey: $150
Practice Jersey: $25
Game Pants: $150
Belt: $10
Chin Guard: $ 20
Total: $1050
As you can see, the equipment that the Club provides isn’t cheap. However, we obviously do not have to purchase all of the items for each player every year; if we did our fees would be a lot higher than they are. Our annual equipment budget is consistently many thousands of dollars and is always by far our largest single expense.
WILL I NEED TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT?
In addition to that which the club provides, you will need to purchase the following:
~One pair of football cleats (not metal)
~Mouth guard. Your player will not be allowed to participate in practices/games without a proper mouth guard in place.
~Girdle (Bantam)
~Knee pads (Bantam)
~Other equipment optional such as gloves and sleeves etc etc.
Equipment has a useful life of two to ten years, depending upon the item. The trick is to make the equipment last for as long as possible, and then replace it when necessary. This is where you can help.
Care of the equipment is the responsibility of the player. Maintaining the integrity of the equipment by the player is not difficult, but it is absolutely necessary. Without your cooperation, we must replace it more
frequently and that, of course, will eventually mean that it costs us more to run our program. And guess who eventually pays for that!
CAUTION! DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ATTEMPT TO ALTER YOUR EQUIPMENT IN ANY WAY. The WCFA and the league will not be held liable for any injury sustained by anyone wearing equipment that has been modified or altered by anyone not authorized by the Club to do so, regardless of whether or not such injury is wholly or partially a result of such unauthorized alteration. The only persons authorized to alter equipment are the coaching staff.
Equipment Care Do’s and Don’ts
Helmets
The WCFA do not compromise on helmet quality. We are trying to replace and add helmets every year. Our helmets are required to be fully reconditioned by an authorized reconditioner every two years.
- Keep your helmet clean. Use mild soap and water with a rag to regularly wipe down the inside of your helmet. A toothbrush can be used to get into all the little cracks and crevices.
- Hair dyes can permanently discolour the inside of the helmet. If you colour your hair, make sure that you wear a thin scarf or bandanna inside to protect the lining. The coach will then need to re-adjust the bladder pressure.
- Do not put anything on the outside of your helmet. This includes tape, unauthorized decorations, or whatever. There is a good reason for this. Tapes and decals that are not specifically designed for football helmets may have adhesives that are not compatible with the helmet's shell and may weaken it. Not only could this cause a serious injury, but may also void the helmet's warranty. The only exception will be at the start of the season; your coach may put your name on the front of your helmet. In this case, and only until the first game of the season, you may use a tape with a non-aggressive adhesive on the helmet front. A light-coloured electrical tape or hockey sock tape is suggested. Do not use masking tape, duct tape or cloth adhesive tapes! Aside from the warranty considerations, these types of tapes are extremely difficult for us to remove.
- Do not sit on or lean on your helmet. This is common sense. The most common reason for a helmet to be rejected during reconditioning is cracks along the center line or at the ear holes. These are usually caused by abuse and not from game wear.
- Do not throw your helmet. Same reason. Players throwing helmets drives us nuts!
- Do not attempt to alter your helmet in any way. However, you should regularly inspect your helmet for loose screws and hardware. These can be tightened with a screwdriver. If you do this, you will not lose chinstraps and facemask clamps.
- Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to change the inflation pressure in the bladder. Your helmet is equipped with an adjustable air bladder, the pressure of which was adjusted when you were issued the helmet. Specialized equipment is required to change this pressure, equipment which only the Coaches have. Using, for instance, a regular inflation needle will probably result in the destruction of the bladder. If a bladder is ruined because of this, the player will be responsible for its replacement. Incidentally, if you change your hairstyle during the season, you should ask your coach to adjust your helmet bladder pressure for you to ensure that it still fits snugly.
Shoulder Pads
- Shoulder pads are easy to maintain. Simply wipe the pads down with a damp cloth and do the same to the hard plastic outer shell of the pad. Never immerse the pads in water.
- Shoulder pad straps are a high-wear item and have to be replaced frequently. Generally they won't last more than a few seasons. We replace many of these straps in the off-season however there are some things that you can do to make them last longer.
- Don't unnecessarily stretch the straps. To perform properly, these straps must maintain their elasticity. They should be adjusted snugly, but not overly tightly.
- Don't put tape on the buckles. This is absolutely unnecessary. If the straps are coming loose, then they are not buckled properly. Tape not only is difficult to remove after the season, but can actually shorten the life of the straps. The Coach will show you how to properly buckle the straps.
- If you have a strap break, ask the Coach for a new one. Spare straps will be available at the practice and game locations.
Uniforms
We are very proud of both the quality of the uniform and with our look. To help ensure their longevity, we are asking your cooperation in several areas. Pee Wee’s only have one jersey and should be worn and cleaned when necessary.
- Practice uniforms must be laundered as soon as they show dirt. (If you allow them to go too many practices without cleaning, they tend to become permanently dirty, shortening their life.) Regular cleaning is absolutely mandatory.
- Game uniforms must be laundered after every game. They will not be used for practices without prior permission from the coaches. In addition, your game jerseys may not be worn for personal reasons (i.e. school, recreation, etc.) without permission from the team leaders.
- Wash as you would any other high-quality synthetic fabric (we recommend cold water.). Never use bleach. They should always be washed inside out, to prevent damage to the silkscreened numbers and trim and hung to dry.
- Take care that you do not mix colours in your loads and that you do not use water that will discolour the uniforms! For those of you who live on acreages, in the past we have sometimes seen MAJOR problems with jerseys and pants coming back in a colour that was a lot different than what they were when issued, due to the quality of the well water. Discoloured uniforms cannot be used on the field and the cost of replacement will be deducted from your equipment deposit.
- Do not use heat when drying jerseys and pants. This can cause shrinkage; also, the silk screening will not tolerate this type of abuse, and will fade after time. They should always be hung to dry or tumbled cool.
All Other Pads
Generally, a little wipe down with soap and water will keep all Styrofoam or synthetic pads happy. Girdles can be laundered as the pants.
Socks
For sanitary reasons socks are not returned to the club.
If you have any questions or concerns about your equipment, please contact the Team Manager, another member of the team Executive, or the head coach. If they cannot answer your question they will find someone who can!
MEDICAL
The WCFA’s policy is that if a player is injured to the point where he must miss a game or more than two consecutive practices, the team requires that he obtain his family doctor’s permission before again taking the field.
Trainers
WCFA policy mandates that certified Emergency First Aiders, with Basic Rescuer CPR be present at all practice and game field activities.
In addition, the WCFA depend upon the support of our parents. If you have a medical background and are willing to serve as a trainer, contact the Team Leaders. After gathering some details regarding your qualifications, the club may arrange Football Alberta insurance to allow your attendance on the practice and playing fields, when needed. If we have trainers in place we may not accept new ones.
Team Insurance
The WCFA secure insurance from Football Alberta for all players, coaches, trainers and executive members. If the unexpected should happen and your player or a member of your family requires medical service not covered under provincial plans as a result of a Lightning or Bulldog activity, please contact the Team Manager as soon as possible.
Club Structure
Roles and Responsibilities
Both teams (Pee Wee and Bantam) have a Head Coach, Manager and a Parent Representative. We generally have 2-3 coaches per team plus a qualified Trainer(s). Head Coaches are responsible for the program and field activities. Managers handle all - Parent Reps liaise between parents and coaches.
Club Executive
The West County Football Association is a parent run organization. If you wish to join our team, please contact any one member of the current board.
The role of the Team Leaders are to enable and guide the philosophy of the club.
Mailing Address: West County Football Association
Box 299
Wembley, AB
T0H-0C0
Club Communications
Through the course of the season, families will receive club communications in one or more of the
following formats:
Parent’s meeting. Meetings will be used to deliver important information or collect input from
parents. (We recognize that families are very busy and therefore we will consider carefully before
calling a meeting for parents.)
Email newsletter. Usually a light-hearted summary of recent activities and gentle reminder of
upcoming events. Note: because of the varied acceptance and use of email time-critical or response required information will not be communicated by email alone.
Facebook Page. West Country Lightning Football- ask to join! (This is where we post the majority of our news.)
Website. Check it out at http://www.wclfa.weebly.com (currently updating!)
Communication is essential to the success of any organization. Most of our updates are through our FB page. Please register as soon as possible! Otherwise please contact a Team Leader.
Fundraising / Goals and Expectations
The West County Football Association is a non-profit organization operated completely by volunteers. No government proceeds are used to fund our programs. The WCFA strives to keep football participation affordable for all families especially compared with more expensive alternatives such as non-organized hockey. In order to keep our registration fees low (around $300) and ensure that our equipment is safe/certified and free to the players, we need to do fundraising each year. We require both your time and financial contribution to ensure the continued viability of our club.
We look forward to you joining our football family for the future years to come!
How do we win a football game???
HIT SOMEBODY!