8155    Sports Participation by Individual

Students/General

The South Kingstown School Committee supports the participation of students, as individuals, in Interscholastic League Athletic Competition subject to the following provisions:

1.      Requests for such participation must be presented by the individual student to the Director of Athletics at least three (3) months prior to the date by which the Interscholastic League requires notification of interest by school departments to allow participation in a particular sport.

2.      The School Committee shall consider such requests at least two months prior to the date by which the Interscholastic League requires notification of interest by school departments to allow participation by individual students  in a particular sport.

3.      In its deliberations on the request of a student to participate as an individual in Interscholastic League Athletic Competition, the School Committee shall consider:

a)      the recommendation of the Director of Athletics and the Superintendent of Schools.

b)      the status of the school department budget.

c)      past and future requests of a similar nature and past and future requests for the formation of intramural, club and varsity athletic teams.

d)      evidence of adequate prior experience by the student in the sport

e)      other relevant information such as the prospective cost of the program.

If the number of students requesting permission to participate as individuals in a specific sport exceeds the number of participants allowed by Interscholastic League rules in that sport, preference will be given by grade (e.g. seniors, juniors, sophomores, freshmen for fall and winter sports; juniors, seniors, sophomores, freshmen for spring sports). If the number of requests by students within a selected class exceeds the League limit, a lottery shall be held to determine participants.

4.      Supervisors to be employed for the participation of individual students in Interscholastic League Athletic Competition must possess all credentials and training required by the Interscholastic League and the Rhode Island Department of Education.

The supervisor, who must be appointed by the School Committee prior to the initiation of League Competition in the sport of choice by the individual student, shall be responsible for the supervision of all South Kingstown student athletes who are given permission to participate as individuals in a given sport. Such supervision shall be exercised only during the duration of the athletic event.

5.      Students who participate in Interscholastic League Athletic Competition as individuals shall be responsible for their own transportation to and from practice and league competitions. The South Kingstown School Department shall provide uniforms and equipment for the duration of the meet as dictated by the needs of the sport and the judgment of the Director of Athletics.

The parents or guardians of each participating student, or in the case of an adult student, himself/herself shall sign a waiver of any claims against the School Committee and the Town of South Kingstown and shall execute an agreement indemnifying and holding harmless the School Committee and the Town of South Kingstown from all claims for damages arising from injuries or accidents occurring as a result of activities during practice or travel to and from practice and/or competition.

Policy adopted:  September 4, 1990