Team Selection
Player Dues
Communication
Anti-Bullying

Team Selection & Eligibility

Selection

  • Athletes are required to participate in the scheduled tryout.  Athletes injured during or before tryouts or are unable to attend may be evaluated based on previous experience and/or have an individual tryout session.
  • Head coach will make the selections based on the tryout evaluation consisting of a panel of coaches.
  • Roster sizes will consist of 8-12 players.  Coaches wishing to have a roster size that is not consistent with this will be required to garner board approval.

Player Eligibility

  • Any player who resides full-time in the Lake Pend Oreille School District zoning map is eligible to try out for a Sandpoint Future team.
  • Player must be committed to playing for Sandpoint Future during the season which runs from October through March.
  • Player is only eligible to try out for a team that corresponds with their current grade they are enrolled in.  Exceptions may be approved by the board for athletes who have previously played for an older team.
  • 2nd grade athletes may try out for the 3rd grade team.  The second grade athlete will be allowed to play in the following circumstances:
    •  Second grader is able to demonstrate he/she has the basketball skill and maturity to play
    • There are not enough third grade players to support a full team and additional players are needed
    • Players would be required to try out with their age group the following year if a team exists.

Player Dues

  • Player dues will be in the amount of $300/player which will provide the following:
    • League entry fee
    • 2-3 tournament entry fees
    • Gym use
    • Sandpoint Future shooting shirt
    • Sandpoint Future t-shirt
    • AAU card
    • Required insurance
    • Certain practice equipment
  • Exceptions
    • Uniform costs will be in addition to the player dues as each team and player will have different uniform needs. A full uniform kit (jersey and shorts) is $100. Uniforms typically last players several years.
    • 3rd grade team costs could be adjusted depending on the scope of their season.
    • Additional tournaments could result in additional player costs.
  • Payment of Player Dues
    • 50% of player dues will be required within 15 days of being notified of team selection.
    • Remaining 50% of player dues will be required by the first week of scheduled practice.
    • In the event of a financial hardship, please contact sandpointfuture@gmail.com so we can work out a plan to allow your athlete to participate.  Scholarships are available.
    • No refunds will be provided once the athlete participates in three practices and/or games.

Communication Plan

BASIC PRINCIPLES – The following principles serve as guidelines to help all parties work effectively together: 

  1. Assume Good Intentions: We all care about the kids playing in our program and share in the goal of providing them with a competitive basketball environment, whereby each of them can enjoy a fun, positive experience, while learning and playing basketball. 
  1. Build Positive Relationships: Showing appreciation, kindness, & positivity in the face of adversity and during good fortune creates an environment of good will. 
  1. Be Respectful When Communicating: Being respectful of time, feelings, and privacy during interactions can lead to better communication and quicker resolution. 
  1. Solve Problems Effectively: Productive resolution of problems is possible when ideas & feelings are shared calmly only with those directly involved. 
  1. Be a Role Model: Parents and coaches who work together successfully can act as role models for our children and other players & teams. 

COMMUNICATION PLAN

For all conflicts that arise within the Future program, (parent to parent, parent to coach, etc.) follow this Communication Plan. It is a conscientious decision to wait 24 hours to proceed with any course of action or communication with whom you may have conflict.  Often after this amount of time has elapsed, both parties can review their actions and feelings, and consider their proper response.  

  • First, contact the individual with whom you are in conflict with directly, seeking resolution.  Our program desires to see all conflicts solved at the lowest level possible. It is important that both parties make an honest and peaceful attempt to solve the conflict between themselves. 
  • Second, contact your team coach. Your coach can be a good mediator for team conflicts and provide insight and explanation.  It is in the best interests of your team to resolve all conflicts at this level. If your coach cannot help to resolve this conflict, you may proceed to a high level. 
  • Lastly, contact a member of the Board of Directors (BOD). Your BOD has years of experience with player and parent conflicts, and will usually be able to resolve the conflict.  Please make every effort to resolve your conflict at the lower levels. Contact the BOD via email at sandpointfuture@gmail.com.  

Anti-Bullying Policy

Sandpoint Future is committed to providing players a fun, positive, and safe environment in which to learn and enjoy the game of basketball. We do not tolerate bullying at any practice, game or other Future sanctioned event. We will promote a TELLING atmosphere. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is taking place is expected to report the incident. Players and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is defined as conduct, gestures, or comments which are insulting, intimidating, humiliating, malicious, degrading, or otherwise offensive to a player, group of players, and/or teammates, which create a hostile or intimidating environment, or which negatively affect a player’s physical and/or emotional well-being. Bullying is any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication.  It may be a single incident or a series of incidents that result in intentional pain and distress to the victim.

Signs and Symptoms

A child may indicate he or she is being bullied through various signs and symptoms. While some children are prone to report bullying to their parents, coaches, or adults, others will not, due to fear, intimidation, or other factors. Coaches and parents should be aware of possible signs indicating that bullying may be taking place. These signs and behaviors could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.  For a list of potential signs of bullying please consult https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/warning-signs. 

Procedures for Parents, Coaches, and the Future Board

  1. Parents should report bullying incidents to the team coach. If the problem persists, reach out to the Board of Directors. If necessary and appropriate, police may be consulted.
  2. In all cases of reported bullying, parents of the player who was bullied shall be informed immediately and may be asked to meet with the respective team coach and/or board member(s) to discuss the incident. In all cases, strict confidentiality shall be maintained. It is not our goal to make a public example of reported incidents.
  3. The negative behavior & bullying will be investigated and stopped immediately.  The parents of any player who is reported to be bullying will be contacted by the team coach, or Board President and asked to meet to discuss the incident to help the bully or bullies change their behavior.

Consequences of Bullying

  1. First Offense– an attempt will be made to encourage the bully (or bullies) to modify their behavior for their benefit, the benefit of the person bullied, and the team. An attempt will be made by the coach, and/or parent(s) to reconcile the situation between players (age and level of maturity and or severity of offense must be considered).
  2. Second Offense– if the bullying persists, disciplinary action against a player may be taken by the team coach and/or Board of Directors which may include, but is not limited to, immediate suspension from participation in practices or game(s) for a period of time.
  3. After the incident/incidents have been investigated and addressed, the situation will continue to be monitored by the respective team coach, team manager, and players’ parents to ensure the problem is resolved.