Venom Lacrosse Policies- travel teams

Venom Lacrosse strives to offer the best available playing and training opportunities for south central PA girls lacrosse players. We are constantly working to improve both club management/ staffing as well as player development. Our goal is to provide a top quality instruction where players an achieve high levels of success on and off the field and have every opportunity to continue play in college, no matter the level.

In order to achieve our goals and for parents and players to have the best experience, Venom Lacrosse requires a commitment to playing in team events throughout the year. With this commitment comes individual and team success and a more enjoyable experience for everyone.  By stressing the value of functioning with a positive team dynamic, setting team first goals, and working hard, we are able to see measurable growth in our player’s lacrosse skills. And of course they have a lot of fun along the way!

Attendance -- Practices are mandatory with exceptions for illness or injury and conflict with in season school sport only. Missing practices for important family events (weddings, etc.) or religious observance is also acceptable. Absences not considered excused include, but are not limited to, friends’ birthday parties, other club sports practices/games, and family vacations. We do expect families to plan vacations around tournament schedules. Tournament dates are communicated to families well in advance in order to plan.

Unexcused absences can result in less playing time in tournaments and if excessive, removal from team. Players are expected to participate in all events for the season they are registered for.

Uniform -- Players must wear their reversible practice pinnie (or another reversible) to all practices. Venom game kilt/shorts and jersey must be worn to all tournament games.  It is the responsibility of the player/ parent to ensure that the uniform is still in playable condition as well as continues to appropriately fit the player from season to season.

Playing Time Policy -- Venom Lacrosse teams are competitive teams and their objectives are to perform at the highest level.  Playing time is earned, not given. Coaches may start, and may play more, the girls that provide the best opportunity for success on the field, especially during close games/ championships.

There are many things that go into deciding playing time such as missed practices, missed tournaments, effort and attitude. Venom teams will usually have between 18-22 players per team, including up to 2 goalies (for full field playing teams).

Venom Lacrosse reserves the right to add or remove players from rosters at any time. All players are expected to work hard and demonstrate a positive attitude and willingness to improve and develop their skills on an ongoing basis. All players with good attendance and attitude will receive significant, but not necessarily even, playing time.

There is no minimum playing time requirement. Equal playing time will be more of the focus in our youngest teams, but not guaranteed. For high school teams, understanding the goal of attending recruiting tournaments, the coaches will attempt to give all players significant amounts of game time. We attend tournaments of a wide variety of competition levels.  The goal of some tournaments is purely fun and participation while others include a championship format.  At championship and more competitive tournaments, it benefits the entire program for our teams to perform well.  In those situations, playing time will be determined with the focus on winning.

Payments and fees – Deposits are required within 5 business days of accepting a roster spot (typically $150-200 depending on the season).  Payment dates are then scheduled throughout the preseason in order to ensure proper payment prior to the start of the season.

Tournaments require programs to pay final balances months before the tournament date.  Waiting lists will be formed after tryouts and non-payment of the deposit within the required time frame may result in loss of roster spot. Fees are non-refundable.

If fees are not paid by date due, player will not be able to continue participation in scheduled events and may be replaced on the roster. All fees are due if the player chooses to leave the club before the end of the club year.

Fees include all tournament entry costs, coaching at practices and tournaments, field rental for practices, administrative expenses, travel coordination, and recruiting seminars and consultation. Uniform and travel expenses are not included in the fee. Discounted team hotel blocks are provided for events that require hotel stay (usually 2 hours away or more).

Cancellation -- Practices and tournaments canceled due to weather are not rescheduled and credits are not issued unless otherwise notified. We build extra practices into each season with the expectation that weather cancellations will happen.

Injury – Players who miss an entire season due to serious injury may receive a partial refund at the discretion of the club.