Attendance

Here's the official policy for the FC guys. In blood, from here out. Parents, please pay attention.

There are 6 practice opportunities per week. The guys are required to participate in 5.

Make 4 or less, and that counts as a "missed week."

Have 2 "missed week" and contemplate losing whatever seat you've earned.

Have 3 "missed week" and be ready for suspension from the team.

There are too many other people on the squad that are doing the work necessary to win for Jesse and I to waste time, equipment and attention on those who can't be counted on. This is a team sport. Teams with attendance problems don't go fast.

And frankly, I don't have interest in a team that isn't interested in going fast.

Doctors appointments won't be excused. Vacations won't be excused. School projects won't be excused. Miss a day for school and come in on Saturday. Work with your parents. Parents, understand that your athlete is being counted on by 40 other guys. If he misses, other guys are screwed over as well. I don't think this is too unreasonable, given the large amount of time off that has been granted to the squad, over the last month and over spring break. The obvious detrimental effect of that time off, given today's test results, does not justify any more.

I'll try and work with people. But being told 4 days in advance that people are going on vacation, had to schedule a doctors appointment or didn't get homework done doesn't work for me. People need to take the commitment they have made to their teammates seriously. The fall is over. It's time to get serious about training and winning races. Athletes unable to honor their commitments in January are not able to fully support their teammates in May.

Anybody, parent or athlete, with a problem with this policy needs to contact me directly, now. I'll be far more interest in discussion now, rather than after an athlete has lost a seat.

Natural Selection.

Categories: Coaching, Rowing, Training, FC