HANDBOOK | WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL


2007 Westlake Warrior's
Boys Water Polo Handbook

Aquatics.westlakewarriors.com

WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL
BOYS WATER POLO
INFORMATION

WELCOME
Welcome to our new members, and those who are returning, to the Westlake High School Water Polo Program. Westlake High School has a long tradition of athletic excellence. We strive to make our peers, parents, and community proud of our Warriors.

This handbook, along with our team website, will provide you with the information concerning this season for both boys and girls polo. Parents and athletes: PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE HANDBOOK CAREFULLY.

THE STAFF
Coaching Staff: Todd Irmas, pologuppy@juno.com

THE SEASON
Please see "Schedule" link on Boys or Girls Water Polo main page.

WORKOUT SCHEDULE
Varsity will practice from 2p - 4:30p, Monday through Friday.
JV / Frosh-Soph Boys 3:30p - 6:00p, Monday through Friday
Varsity / JV / Frosh-Soph Girls - The practice schedule for the girls' season will be similar and will be posted on the website once it has been finalized.

All team members must be dressed and ready to jump into the pool at the start of their scheduled practice time. Players who arrive late to practice, without a note from a teacher, will NOT be allowed to practice with the team. They MUST remain on the pool deck until practice ends. The coach will bench players who are late to practice for all or part of the next game.

Occasionally, the coach will schedule a mandatory Saturday morning practice as well as a morning practice (5:30a - 6:45a) during the school week. These practices will be announced by the coaching staff and posted on the website.

TEAM FUNDRAISING
Monies generated through fundraising efforts are utilized to provide equipment, materials, supplies, and financial support for our programs. Our major fundraiser is the billboards displayed throughout the year on the pool deck. Other events / activities include car wash ticket purchases, restaurant nights and participation in the eScrip program.

eSCRIP
eScrip has proven to be a fantastic resource for fundraising where participating business partners contribute a percentage of your grocery loyalty cards, credit card, and debit/ATM card purchases to our organization. The WHS Aquatic Booster has set up an account at eScrip. The group ID is: 152931858. ANYONE (neighbors, friends, relatives) may use this number to contribute to the team. Please take a moment to visit their website at www.escrip.com

SNACK SHACK
The Snack Shack is operated by members of the athletes' families and is a vital component of our program. Each family is required to provide a worker for both ONE home game and ONE tournament game. If you are unable to complete this obligation, a buy-out of $40- for the home game is available.

Boys Snack Shack Coordinator - Laurie Loring, 805-494-5065
Girls Snack Shack Coordinators -

G.P.A. ELIGIBILITY (MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS)
To participate in water polo you must have a G.P.A. of at least 2.0 from the previous semester. To remain eligible you must be passing at least four (4) classes at the end of the first grading period. For detailed interpretations of the scholastic eligibility requirements, please contact the coach or the Athletic Director.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Before you try out for the team; you MUST complete and submit the following to the Athletic Department.
" Physical Examination (available at Urgent Care for about $20.00 and is good for 1 year)
" Signed Athletic Participation form
" Signed co-curricular Code and Contract
" Signed Authorization For Treatment of Minor form
" Transportation fee $103.00 (1st activity), $59.00 (2nd activity), $45.00 (3rd activity) with a $207.00 student maximum / $414.00 family maximum. **

**Contact the Athletic Director of the school so that other arrangements can be made.

ATTENDANCE
Water polo is a sport that requires hard work and dedication. Inexperienced players with little or no competitive swimming experience must not only learn the rules of the game but also become a better swimmer. Experienced players need the extra conditioning to prepare for top competition. The majority of the teams in the Marmonte League have mandatory double practices during the regular season. Several of these teams are ranked in the top 10 in Southern California. If you wish to compete at the same level as other teams in our league, you must be ready to make a serious commitment. If you are not ready to make this kind of commitment, you should not come out for the team. Absences will result in decreased playing time for the game immediately following the absence. If a player is going to miss a practice, they MUST notify the coach PRIOR TO that practice by leaving a voice message at school or via email the night before practice. Attendance at Friday and Saturday tournament games is MANDATORY! If you miss a tournament game, you will be benched for the duration of the next game. Be sure to check the schedule on the website and plan ahead. Students who miss a Saturday game because of a conflict with the SAT exam are exempt. Players removed from the team for excessive absences may try out again the following season. In case of severe injury resulting from meets or practices, the coach will have discretion as to whether the player will remain with the team.

Note- Students who are cut from the team will be transferred to another class, such as P.E.

TEAM UNIFORM
Our team uniform consists of a Speedo suit and a team shirt. It is a requirement that all players wear their shirts to school during the day of a game / tournament. If a player chooses to NOT wear his / her game shirt on a game / tournament day, he / she may NOT be allowed to play in that day's event.

While not mandatory, parkas, especially during the girls' season, can become a necessity. They can be ordered through Conejo Swim Works (805-379-4734) and take approximately 6 weeks to receive.

OFF CAMPUS PRIVILEGES
Seniors and juniors who do not have a 6th period may be permitted to leave campus during lunch and return to school for practice. Those who wish to have off campus privileges must have their ID card punched in the main office. Arriving late for practice after being off campus will be considered an unexcused tardy. Sophomores and freshmen must remain on campus for the duration of the school day, regardless of their schedule. Tables will be set up on the pool deck for those who wish to study while waiting for practice to begin. The school library is also open during the afternoon for those who prefer to study indoors.

OFF SEASON REQUIREMENTS
Because swimming is such an important part of water polo, it is essential that players spend as much time in the water as possible throughout the off season. Therefore, players will be required to join the high school swim team in the spring. However, players who play a spring sport at the high school are exempt from this requirement. The idea is for you to do SOMETHING athletic during the entire school year. Athletes that are cut from or quit the swim team will NOT be allowed to play water polo the following season. We strongly urge all athletes to get involved with a club team in the off season if time permits.

DISCIPLINE
Little can be accomplished if there is no discipline during practices and games. It is important that all players and parents, respect the coaching staff and the teammates at all times. By the same token, the coaching staff will show equal respect to the players and parents. Profanity will not be tolerated at any time. Any player that behaves inappropriately during practices or games will receive a verbal warning from the coach. If this behavior occurs a second time during the same practice or game, the player will be removed and will receive an absence. If an individual's behavior becomes such that it consistently disrupts practice, the coaching staff may, at any time cut, that individual from the team. Chemistry is important in building a quality team. We expect every athlete to show respect and support for their teammates regardless of the circumstances. Criticism must be constructive in nature and is usually best administered by the coaching staff. Communication is also important. We encourage all athletes to speak with their coach regarding any important issue that may affect the team IMMEDIATELY. We will work diligently to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Note: Referees are to be treated with respect and courtesy at all times. This includes treatment by athletes, friends, and parents. Any questions regarding interpretations of the rules are the responsibility of the coach.

RIDING THE BUS
Every participant must travel to and from all practices and competitions by bus. If you have a special situation, you will need to contact the Athletic Director in writing prior to the day of the competition.
The bus will be leaving campus on time. It is your responsibility to be prompt! The coach is prohibited from requesting delays of departure times. If you misbehave on the bus, in any way, you are subject to removal from the team. Before exiting the bus, ALL passengers will assist in removing all personal items and trash.

GRADING
Water polo is considered a class, and as such, grades will be given. Grades will be based on three criteria: effort, attitude, and sportsmanship.
A = Outstanding effort, attitude and sportsmanship
B = Above average effort, attitude and sportsmanship
C = Average effort, attitude and sportsmanship
D = Below average effort, attitude and sportsmanship
F = Poor attitude, little or no effort, and poor sportsmanship
If an athlete is struggling in any of these criteria, the coach will contact the athlete's parents and work together with them to help the athlete improve prior to the issuance of the report card.

SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARDS
A special certificate will be issued to athletes who maintain a 3.5 or above GPA on the previous quarter's report card. The award recipient may have no academic dishonesty referrals during the school year to date. The certificate will be given to all levels, (varsity - JV/freshman), at the end of season banquet.

CAPTAINS
Captains will be chosen who will act as team leaders and interact with the coaching staff concerning problems, difference of opinions, special activities, etc.

AQUATICS WEBSITE & EMAIL

The team website is updated daily. All important information, including schedule changes, important meeting announcements, game stats, etc., will be on the team website. Please check this on a regular basis.

Aquatics.westlakewarriors.com
WHS_Aquatics@yahoo.com

2007 Boys Water Polo Schedule