General Information

OUR PROMISE TO KIDS

Cheney Recreation Commission has signed the Our Promise to Kids national initiative and we recognize the value of youth sports and the lifetime skills it teaches. As a community working together we promise to provide our children with a safe and positive youth sports experience.

Our Promise to Kids commits to providing children with the following opportunities:

1. A fun, safe, positive environment in which to play.

2. To play under the supervision of positive role models that will help focus on developing skills, teamwork and sportsmanship.

3. For all children to play regardless of skill or ability.

4. To build self-confidence and self-esteem while respecting oneself and others.

5. To make new friends and learn lifetime skills.

CRC Building Available for Rent-Contact the office for information

Out of District Policy

The Cheney Recreation Commission welcomes participants from surrounding communities. However, due to staffing, facility space, and local participation, the CRC will not accept participants from another community/school district where similar program(s) are being conducted. If said community/school district does not have the specific program, participants may join the CRC sponsored activity by paying an additional out of district fee of $5.00 for each activity.

Scholarship Program

The Cheney Recreation Commission provides program scholarships for those in need due to economic hardship. To apply for a scholarship, contact CRC for a scholarship application and return it to the CRC prior to the deadline date. Scholarships are available only to residents of USD 268 and may reduce or waive certain program fees of the Cheney Recreation Commission.

Activity Guidelines

Registration and fee payment must be completed before a person may participate. Each participant/volunteer is responsible for upholding all rules & guidelines set forth by the Cheney Recreation Commission. Any person not complying with rules and guidelines of the CRC will not be allowed to continue in the program. The CRC is not responsible for accidents, injury or thefts. Each participant is responsible for their own medical liability insurance while involved in Cheney Recreation Commission activities. If more than one out of district participant would like to participate in a Cheney Recreation Commission activity they will be placed into the group of registered participants and placed on teams. They will not be allowed to join as a team. Registered participants may request to be placed on the same team, or on a coach’s team, but no request is guaranteed. Due to liability and distraction issues, children are NOT allowed to attend adult classes with parents or other adults.

Team Selections

The following procedures will be used in selecting coaches and drafting players to various sport teams within the WSC Basketball League and Twin Rivers Summer League. Selecting Coaches: 1) Parents &/or others will indicate a desire to volunteer coach on their child’s registration form. 2) Head Coach may select one assistant coach before the draft. The assistant coach must be turned into the CRC office before the night of the draft. 3) The Recreation Director will then select coaches. 4) All head coaches will then attend the NYSCA training session(s). Assistant coaches are encouraged to attend NYSCA training sessions. Selecting Players: 1) The head coach will select his/her own team. The head and assistant coach’s child(ren) will automatically be placed on the coach’s team. All assistant coaches must be approved by the recreation director. 2) Brother/sisters of the same age group will be placed on the same team. If this applies and a coach picks two brothers or sisters, the next coach gets the next two picks from the same age groups. 3) Upon start of draft, head coaches will draw a number to determine picking order. 4) After the coaches children are placed on the teams, the team with the lesser number of players will draft next until all teams have an equal number of players. For example, if Team A has 1 child from the head coach & 1 child from the assistant coach and Team B has only 1 child from the head coach and is without an assistant coach, Team B would get 1 pick to even up the draft numbers, then continue to the next draft rule. 5) Whoever has the lowest drawn number, will pick one child from the list, excluding coach’s children. Then, the next pick goes to the coach who has the next lowest number etc. 6) During the second round the order is simply reversed. Then teams will follow the team selection sheet on selection order. See attached team selection sheet for 2, 3, & 4 team drafts. Draft continues until all players are selected. 7) Once the draft is completed the Cheney Recreation Commission will not allow late enrollments unless new to the school district or more players are needed to complete a team. See CRC Policy #5. 8) Teams must be selected according to specific league rules & guidelines. Older grades must be selected first. Teams must have an equal number of players and grades on a team if possible.

Refund Policy

Request for refunds will be considered for the following reasons only: Medical-must submit a doctor’s statement. Job/shift transfer that will conflict with activity. Moving out of the USD #268 district. Death of participant. A refund will only be issued if the request is received and approved before the activity begins, or if Cheney Recreation Commission cancels a program.

Late Enrollment Policy

The Cheney Recreation Commission requires all participants to enroll before or on the posted deadline. All enrollment forms received after the posted deadline will be put on a waiting list, or must meet the following criteria: A single team/activity is short in the number of participants required for the activity. Participants just moved into the district.

Cancellation Policy

The Cheney Recreation Commission reserves the right to cancel any class or activity due to low enrollment. Participants will be notified of any cancellation and a full refund will be given.

If Cheney USD #268 cancels school and/or after-hours activities due to inclement weather or some other reason, CRC programs held at a school facility will be cancelled that day. If the program is held at a different location, CRC and/or the instructor will contact participants on cancellations.

Sports Environment Policy

Well-Being of the Child-Our program is organized to enhance the emotional, physical, social & educational well-being of the child. We emphasize that the rules, skill expectations and competitive requirements are not the same as high school, college, or professional-level sports. Balanced Teams-Our teams are balanced each year by way of a draft process or the director of recreation will make the teams. Our program is based on maximum participation and focuses on meaningful play for the child. The Cheney Recreation Commission will not turn anyone away from participation due to lack of ability to pay. Positive Coaching & Training-What makes winning kids is positive coaching. Our coaches are provided with NYSCA training and they strive to make the extra effort to understand and offer positive help to players, rather than negative criticism. Parent’s Active Role-Parents are the key. We expect them to demonstrate the positive benefits of a youth sports experience by attending games, practices, or team social events; or by taking the time to volunteer as a coach, official or scorekeeper or by just expressing their positive support. Good Sportsmanship-We expect a positive environment base on fair play and mutual respect by players, coaches, officials and fans, rather than a win at all costs attitude. Safe Playing Situation-The Cheney Recreation Commission insures safe playing facilities, healthful playing situation, and proper first aid applications, should the need arise. Drug, Tobacco, & Alcohol Free Environment-The Cheney Recreation Commission prohibits use of alcohol, illegal substances or tobacco by players, coaches, league administrators or game officials at all youth sports practices and games. Adults are expected to be positive role models for our youth.

Photo Policy

The Cheney Recreation Commission reserves the right to use photos and video footage of participants for promotional purposes. If a person does not wish to have photos or video footage used of them or their child(ren), contact the CRC office.

Youth Sports Philosophy

Cheney Recreation Commission provides youth sports leagues & programs that are designed to help develop the youth participant's basic skills that are necessary to play the sport. Cheney Recreation Commission strives to place the youth participant in a safe & healthy environment in which they will learn and have fun. All registered participants are placed on a team and given an opportunity to participate in all practices & games. The rules are written to encourage participation & enjoyment by all. The leagues are all recreational & are to provide "successful" experiences through fundamental skill development vs. a "winning" only, singular philosophy, but we do encourage participants to put forth good effort to help obtain a healthy level of competition.

Sportsmanship Pledge for Parents

1. It is often difficult for parents to see their children in situations where they are being evaluated, especially at a young age. But if we spend our time worrying too much about how they are doing, we are missing what should be a wonderful experience for us as well as them. If they are not good players, we’ll love them anyway, find reasons to praise them for their accomplishments on the field or court, big or small, and know that they’ll excel at other things.

2. The game is for the kids. We shouldn’t let our egos (personal desire for glory) turn into angry yelling at the kids or officials when they don’t fulfill our expectations. Our expectations may be unrealistic. Accept your child’s goals and expectations. Pressure causes stress and they may not perform as well as they can. If they’re having fun, gaining confidence by learning skills, and being coached by a person who is teaching without anger and being positive, that should satisfy us.

3. Winning is one goal but not the primary one. Studies have consistently shown that children rate the FUN of playing much higher than the final score. Winning too much means in most cases that the competition is weaker (your team has more skilled players.)

4. We need to also remember that it is okay to lose because life is not just about winning. We all suffer setbacks. Learning to accept defeat gracefully and come back enthusiastically next time is an important lesson to teach. As long as children try their best, they are winners on another level even when they lose the game.

5. Coaches and game officials deserve RESPECT. They make mistakes as we all do but like us, they try their best and we have a responsibility to help teach RESPECT to our children. Yelling criticism at referees, umpires, or coaches is inappropriate and that behavior is subject to penalties, including suspension from attending matches or even barring a child from the league. Children often say they are embarrassed when their parents shout out criticism.

Referees and umpires do not change their calls but many do decide to quit because of the abuse they take from parents, coaches and players. Yet we wonder why we don’t have enough officials.

Coaches are giving time and effort and if they are making it a positive FUN experience, we should RESPECT them.

6. When someone makes unsportsmanlike comments to other spectators, children, coaches, or referees, if you don’t know them it is best to ignore them or calmly say, “Everyone relax and enjoy the game.” When someone is angry, that’s NOT the time to talk about sportsmanship. We should avoid confrontations at all costs. If they don’t respond to a kind word, report the conduct later to coach, league officials, or CRC.

7. Even if our child has outstanding ability, we shouldn’t look too far into the future. We need to be realistic about whether they will get a lot of playing time in high school or college. Very few players will go onto play in college or the professional levels.

8. Know the expected commitment and the playing time policy. Talk to the coach away from games. The experience of watching children play youth sports is over all too soon. Why not relax and have fun simply knowing that if we let them play and don’t get too involved, they will have fun.