Overview
Below is all of the information a player needs to participate on the Portland Boys Tennis Team. Listed subjects cover: WHO, WHERE, WHEN, OFF-SEASON PLAY, EQUIPMENT COSTS, TEAM RULES/EXPECTATIONS, TEAM CAPTAINS, and TEAM AWARDS/VARSITY LETTERS
WHO: The Portland Boys Tennis Team is open to all PHS boys who will be in grades 9 through 12 during the school year. The top 12 to 15 players on the team will constitute the varsity squad, while the remaining players form the JV-A (and JV-B squads).
WHERE: All practices and home matches will be played at the Portland High School Tennis Facility. However, in the event of inclement weather, some practices will be moved indoors to the PHS gymnasium, Court One, North in Lansing, or to the MSU Tennis Facility. Team announcements, school announcements, posted signs on the tennis barn and/or outside of PHS room 403 will be used to inform all players of any changes to the schedule AS SOON AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
WHEN: Practices will begin the second Monday of August. Times and locations are described on the season schedule. (SEE Season Results above.)
OFF-SEASON PLAY: No player will be denied a spot on the team because he did not participate in any off-season, organized tennis opportunities. Likewise, no player will be guaranteed a spot on the team because he did. However, it has be my experience that players who participate in off-season, organized tennis programs generally improve their skills faster and further than those who do not. For this reason, I will encourage ALL players to get involved in off-season tennis programs. I can suggest many that are available to all players at the best possible price that I can find. (See the Off Season above.)
TEAM RULES/EXPECTATIONS: As a player on the Portland Boys Tennis Team, you are expected to portray yourself with the high standards of dignity and character that have been established by those players who have come before you. This is NOT limited to matches or other school and team functions. It means ALWAYS! Furthermore, as a member of a TEAM, you have a responsibility to take care of yourself both academically and physically. You also have an expectation to help teammates maintain these high expectations. For when a player makes an error in personal judgment that leads to his absence or his inability to perform to his fullest potential, it undermines the success that the TEAM might have otherwise experienced. To that end, the followed team rules have been established.
1) All school rules, athletic rules, and bus rules adopted by the Portland Public Schools Board of Education are in effect and will be STRICTLY ENFORCED.
2) During match play you are expected to follow the commonly held USTA Code of Conduct guidelines. These will be taught and emphasized during practice sessions. This would include, but is not limited to, introducing yourself to your opponent(s) before you play, complementing them on good play during the match, and shaking their hands—win or lose—after the match. In short, you are to compete with dignity.
3) You are expected to be on time to all schedules practices, be on the courts and ready to play at least 45 minutes before all home matches, and be in the teacher’s parking lot and ready to play at least 10 minutes before the bus is to leave for away matches.
4) All players are expected to remain at the match site until all matches are completed (unless special notification if ACCEPTED BY THE COACH). Furthermore, you are expected to display your support to your teammates whose matches are still in progress.
5) All players are expected to be at all practices unless:
· The player had an unexpected conflict arise (eg. Home sick from school, family emergency, etc.),
· The player has scheduled a private lesson with a tennis pro that conflicts with our schedule,
· Prior notification (preferably written) is given to AND ACCEPTED by the coach (eg: family vacation, prior yet unavoidable schedule conflict, etc.) Excuses that are often given but usually NOT ACCEPTED by the coach are routine appointments for haircuts, dentists, and the like; and, for after school jobs. There are several days-off built into the schedule that will be announced with plenty of lead-time that can be used for routine appointments. And, after school jobs simply have to be prioritized below tennis if the player is to be considered serious about the TEAM.
TEAM CAPTAIN(S): Each year a team captain (or captains) will be selected by the players for the following season. This position on the team comes with additional responsibilities that are critical to the success of the team each season. These responsibilities include – but are not limited to – the following:
1) The Team Captain is the emotional leader at all tennis events: practices, matches, and tournaments.
2) The Team Captain is expected to set a good positive example for others to follow. The Team Captain
· Works hard and listens attentively at all practices.
· Sets the tone for mutual support of all teammates.
· Models handling success as well as failures.
· “Leads by example.”
3) At practices, the Team Captain:
· Leads warm-up activities and stretches.
· Assists the coach with drill execution.
· Makes sure equipment is ready before practice and returned at the end of practice (this detail can be delegated).
· Is given the opportunity to call team meetings/discussions (upon the coach’s approval) as seen fit
4) At Matches and Tournaments, the Team Captain:
· Leads warm-up activities and stretches.
· Organizes our equipment “camp” at away events. The Captain also makes sure the “camp” is returned to its original state at the end of the match or tournament.
· Assists newer players with proper match and tournament etiquette (eg: when to listen for “next open”, how to warm up before it is called, how to warm up on court with an opponent, how to respond to bad calls, noisy crowds, and Coach Niebling, etc.)
· Rallies the players to support “critical” and “close” matches.
5) The Team Captain acts as a liaison between players and coach. This is a critical and important role the captain must assume. Yet, it is probably the most difficult. In short, the captain acts as the person whom players can confide when it is difficult or inappropriate to involve the coach. Likewise, the captain is included in many of the “team management” issues and will be asked to give the coach recommendations on such matters.
TEAM AWARDS/VARSITY LETTERS: At the season’s end, varsity letters/inserts, JV letters and several team awards will be presented to the players. The following are the criteria by which the awards will be determined.
· Letters
Varsity Letters/Inserts – The player must remain in good standing throughout the entire season. Players who do not complete the entire season will not be awarded varsity status. The player must also have participated in at least 1/3 of the varsity matches during the regular season (not to include regional and state tournaments). Furthermore, the coach maintains the right to award or deny varsity status to any player. However, no such action may be taken without the approval from the Activities Coordinator.
JV Letters – The player must remain in good standing throughout the entire season. Players who do not complete the entire season will not be awarded a JV letter. Otherwise, all players who do not obtain varsity status will be awarded JV status. As above, the coach maintains the right to award or deny JV status to any player, but not without approval of the Activities Coordinator.
· Awards
Most Valuable Player – This award is presented to the varsity player who has contributed the most to the success of the team. Typically, it is awarded to the No. 1 player on the team since this player is not only the best on the team, but must accept the challenge of playing the best other teams have to offer. Other likely candidates are players who have good season records in their flight, or who played well in important matches and tournaments.
Outstanding Leader – These awards are presented to the players (one varsity, one JV) who took responsibility to keep the team focused on its goals. This player provides a positive example through his actions for all to follow. In short, this player provides a sense of direction and identity to the team.
Most Dedicated Player – These awards are presented to the players (one varsity, one JV) who went above and beyond all team expectations to improve their skills. Often, these players will spend countless hours before and after practices during the season as well as countless more hours during the off-season to become the best players they can.
Most Improved Player – These awards are presented to the players (one varsity, one JV) who have increased their tennis abilities the most. Often, these players are younger and less experienced simply because their improvement is more noticeable than that of older, more experienced players. However, due consideration should be given to older players who don’t have as much room for improvement.
Rookie of the Year – This award is presented only to a first-year player regardless of position in the line-up. It is the equivalent of the MVP award from above, but is only awarded to a player whose tennis career is just starting. Typically, this player shows the most promise for success in the future.
Sportsmanship - This award is presented to a JV player only. It is presented to a player who represents the Portland Tennis Program and Portland High School positively with dignity. This player competes with absolute honesty and sportsmanship and expects nothing less form those around him.
Coach’s Award – This award has no qualifications except the player receiving it has impressed the coach through some significant act, as deemed by the coach.
