16U FOCUS Waivers & Team Fees

In order to ensure that the principles of fair play, sportsmanship and mutual respect among players, coaches and spectators. The following Player Code of Conduct has been established. It is the obligation of all club administrators, coaches, managers and players to create an environment that promotes this objective. Those who willfully violate this code jeopardize their participation in the Focus Volleyball Club.

It is a privilege to play on a volleyball team. Players are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner which positively represents the Focus Volleyball Club.

As a representative of The Focus Volleyball Club, in agreeing to this commitment, I will:

• Attend all possible practices and games. I understand that I must contact my Head Coach if I am unable to attend practice. I further understand that unexcused absences from practices or games may result in loss of playing time.
• Make all efforts to provide at least 24 hours notice if I am unable to attend a game.
• Arrive ready to begin at the start of practice and at least 30 minutes before game time.
• Respect the game of volleyball and its rules, follow them and play the game fairly.
• Show respect for the coaches, teammates, opponents, officials, volunteers, equipment and facilities at all times. I understand I may be held responsible (financially or otherwise) for any damages caused by my lack of care and/or judgment.
• Show respect for the coaches, teammates, opponents, officials, volunteers, spectators, equipment and facilities at all times. I understand I may be held responsible (financially or otherwise) for any damages caused by my lack of care and/or judgment.
• Always accept the coach’s assigned position.
• Always control my temper.
• Show good sportsmanship before during and after a game, conduct myself with honour and dignity and treat other players as I would like to be treated.
• Convey a consistent positive attitude towards my teammates and coaches.
• Come to practices and games prepared to learn and understand that my coach’s purpose is to help me become a better player and make my team a better team.
• Play for the “fun of it”.
• Never argue with the officials’ decisions. Let your captain or coach ask any necessary questions.
• Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit and so will your own.
• Treat all players as you yourself would like to be treated. Don’t interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any player.
• Never use or possess, tobacco, alcohol, or illegal/performance enhancing drugs.
• Follow all COVID-19 protocols and expectations as implemented by the provincial government, provincial and local health authorities, Volleyball BC and the Focus Volleyball Club.
• Attend club related activities only if you have been deemed safe to participate after completing the Daily Health/Wellness Questionnaire.
• Use social media as it relates to club volleyball, in a respectful and socially responsible manner for the purposes of communications only (the use of social media, digital media, email etc. are for purposes of communications and not to be used for negative or harmful effects of others whether it be physical or emotional duress).

As a parent or guardian, part of enjoying your child’s participation in volleyball is watching them enjoy themselves, team skills, make friends, impose their performance and generally have fun. However some parents can get too caught up in the excitement of the game, to the point of having a negative influence on their child and their team. For this reason we have developed a contract that governs parent/guardian involvement and behaviour in connection with their child’s participation with the Focus Volleyball Club.

Failure to comply with the Parent/Guardian Contract can result in a variety of disciplinary actions depending on the frequency and severity of the contract violation.

As a Parent/Guradian of a Focus Volleyball Club player, in agreeing to this contract, I will:

• Not force my child to participate in sports.
• Remember that my child plays sport for his or her enjoyment, not for mine.
• Encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts through positive conflict resolution techniques without reaching to hostility or violence.
• Teach my child that doing one’s best is equally important as winning.
• Offer my child praise for competing fair and trying hard.
• Offer reassurance and support when they have not performed to their capability.
• Never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
• Remember that children learn best by example. I will applaud good players’ performances, both my child’s team and their opponents and refrain from making negative comments.
• Respect and show appreciation for the other team members and parents.
• Respect the judgement of the officials. I understand that negative behaviour towards referees will not be tolerated.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sporting activities.
• Respect and show appreciation for the volunteer coaches who give their time to provide sport activities for my child.
• I understand that coaching from the sidelines during training sessions and games will not be tolerated.
• Discuss with the coaches before or after a practice never at a game, any complaints or negative feedback that I may have. This includes issues such as playing time and court position. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached through this discussion, then the issue can then be forwarded to the Club Directors in writing.
• Understand that the club will not tolerate any abusive language/behaviour or harassment towards its personnel (coaches, managers and directors).
• Agree to ensure that the athlete follows all COVID-19 protocols as mandated by the government, provincial and local health authorities, Volleyball BC and the Focus Volleyball Club Organization.
• Ensure my child (the athlete) performs a Health/Wellness Check prior to attending any Focus Volleyball Club activity. I will ensure the athlete follows the portals and not attend practice or games if he/she shows any symptoms or has been exposed to COVID 19.
• Understand that my son/daughter may be dimissed and removed from the team if I do not follow the guidelines stated above and/or because my son/daughter is negatively impacting the development of other players on the team.
• Understand that if my son/daughter is dismissed and removed from the team. Registration fees will not be refunded.

BY ENTERING YOUR NAME AND CHECKING THE CONFIRMATION BOX AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE. YOU WILL AGREE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR CERTAIN RISKS AND AGREE TO FULLY INDEMNIFY FOCUS VOLLEYBALL CLUB AGAINST LEGAL LIABILITY FOR INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, ILLNESS AND DISEASE (INCLUDING COVID-19)

I, the Parent/Guardian as indicated below, understand that this Agreement is binding legal agreement. Any clarification or questions or concerns must be raised before signing.

I understand that this Agreement is made for the benefit of Focus Volleyball Club (the “Organization”) and its directors, officers, agents, representatives, employees, coaching staff, volunteers, members, participants, spectators, independent contractors, subcontractors, successors and assigns lessors, and other districts leagues, clubs or associations (collectively, the “Releasees”)

I recognize that the Organization will not permit my minor child (the “Participant”) to participant in any volleyball activities organized, offered, or sanctioned by the Organization (the “Activities”) unless and until this Agreement and Waiver is signed by the Participant’s legal parent/guardian. In consideration of permitting the Participant to participate in the Activities. I acknowledge and agree to the following terms:

1.    ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKS: I understand that there are many risks associated with the minor Participant’s participation in the Activities (the “Risks”). I UNDERSTAND THAT COVID-19 IS A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH RISK AND CARRIES A HIGH RISK OF TRANSMISSION THROUGH PHYSICAL OR SHARED CONTACT. I acknowledge that the Risks include, but are not limited to, serious personal injury, death, property damage, illness and disease (e.g. communicable diseases including COVID-19 and influenza). I further acknowledge that I am in the best position to assess the impact that a communicable disease may have on the Participant or on others with whom the Participant may transmit such disease. I understand that the Organization may offer online programming, including remote and virtual instruction, coaching, practice, training or competition, which can carry different Risks than in person Activities. Examples of the Risks include, but are not limited to personal injury, death, property damage, or illness resulting from:

• HEALTH: food and beverages, overexertion, dehydration, fatigue, traumatic injury, infections, rashes, and transmission of communicable diseases (including COVID-19 and influenza), bacteria, parasites or other organisms or mutations thereof.
• CONDUCT: the Participant’s conduct and conduct of other persons, including any physical altercation between persons.
• PREMISES: defective, dangerous or unsafe condition of the facilities; falls; collisions with objects, walls, equipment or persons; dangerous, unsafe, or irregular conditions on the field of play or other surfaces; extreme weather conditions; and travel to and from premises.
• EQUIPMENT: mechanical failure of the equipment; negligent design or manufacture of the equipment; the provision of or the failure by the Releasees to provide any warnings, directions, instructions or guidance as to the use of the equipment; failure to use or operate the equipment within the Participant’s ability.

2.    WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY: I, the Parent/Guardian as indicated below, hereby agree as follows:

• I hereby waive any and all claims that I have or may have in the future against the Releasees in connection with the Participant’s participation in the Activities; and
• I hereby release and forever discharge the Releasees from any and all liability for all loss, damage, expense, injury, death, property damage, illness or disease (e.g. communicable diseases including COVID-19 and influenza) that the Participant, I, my executors or administrators, or any other third party may suffer as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Activities due to any cause whatsoever, whether arising from the NEGLIGENCE of the Releasees, breach of any statutory or other duty (including but not limited to the Occupiers Liability Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 303), breach of contract, mistake or error of judgment of the Releasees, or otherwise.

3.    INDEMNITY: I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees from any and all damages, loss or expense (including legal costs) of any kind resulting from any and all claims, demands, causes of action of any kind whatsoever including those involving negligence on the part of the Releasees arising out of or connected with the Participant's preparation for or participation in, or both, or travel to or from any of the activities, events and programs of the Releasees.

4.    REPRESENTATIONS: I am not relying on any oral, visual or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of the Activities other than what is set forth in this Agreement.

5.    JURISDICTION: I agree that this Agreement and all terms contained within are governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia. I hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of British Columbia. Any litigation in any way relating to the Activities or to the matters addressed in this Agreement must be instituted in the Province of British Columbia.

6.    SEVERABILITY: If any provision (or part of any provision) in this Agreement is unenforceable, such provision (or part of such provision) shall be severed and shall be inoperative, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

7.    COMMUNICATION: I acknowledge and agree that in the event of an athlete’s illness during the Organization's program, the Organization will follow the direction of the local health authority in regards to actions, reporting and contact tracing measures that will be taken, and that if the local health authority advises that it is not necessary to notify certain groups of participants or certain individuals, I may not be notified of another Participant being ill.

8.    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: I have read and understood Focus Volleyball Club's COVID-19 Safety Plan and Return to Play Protocol document and provide consent for the Participant to participate in Focus Volleyball Club’s Program(s) and ensure that the Participant is aware of, understands and agrees to comply with the rules that will be put in place to minimize the risk of infection due to COVID-19. Failure to comply with any of the terms of the plan will result in dismissal from the program with no refund.

9.    PARTICIPANT WAIVER: I am not aware of any COVID-19 illness or other health related issues that would restrict or limit my child’s ability to play competitive sports such as club volleyball. I agree to assume all risks and expenses due to any COVID-19 illness that may occur as a result of my child’s involvement with Focus Volleyball Club and its activities. I agree to hold Focus Volleyball Club and/or anyone acting on itself as a coach, a coaching assistant or administrator (including directors) harmless in the event of a COVID-19 related illness or other health related issues to my child while participating under the supervision of the above.

Focus Volleyball Club operates on a strict budget in order to keep costs down for participants. Consequently, our budgets have little or no margin of profit. Our budgets are based on an anticipated number of athletes participating and committing to our program for the entire season.

Once an athlete commits to one of our teams or programs, it is assumed that the athlete will complete the season or term. As we are run primarily by volunteers and we have budgeted for little if any profit, if a player withdraws, we are not able to issue a refund because it would put the additional financial responsibility on the remaining team members. The money collected for fees when registering has already been spent or allocated for operational expenses including but not limited to gym and facility rentals, equipment, uniforms and gear, coaching expenses, event fees, and administrative expenses.

In the event that an athlete is injured or experiences an illness during a season (or the duration of a program) a refund cannot be issued for the reasons already explained. If an athlete is injured before the start of the club season or beginning of a program and would like to withdraw from the team or program, a refund may possibly be granted, providing that a suitable replacement can be found to fill the position. The athlete must apply for a refund with the Focus Executive. Each situation will be handled on an individual basis. The decisions of the Focus Executive refund are final.

For National Tournaments and out of town tournaments, travel costs for the coaches and tournament registration are shared between all team members. (in addition, depending on how travel is organized by the team coach or manager, some team expenses relating to travel and accommodations may also be shared i.e., sharing hotel room, sharing the cost of a car rental or bus). In the event, a player cannot attend, no shared team costs will be refunded to individual players (with the possible exception of air fare refund policies or in extenuating circumstances with will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.) Again, the withdrawal of an athlete cannot affect the financial situation of the other teammates.

In the event a program or season is cancelled due to reasons related to COVID-19 (and where the government, local or provincial health authorities, Volleyball BC or Focus Volleyball Club initiates a cancelation, a pro-rated refund for the recoverable costs only will be provided. (i.e., expenses for which the club is able to get a refund back, such as gym rentals).

Should a participant fail to comply with any of the terms of Focus Volleyball Club’s COVID-19 Safety Plan Return to Play Protocol document or fail to adhere to government or provincial and local health authority protocols, it will result in the participant’s dismissal from the team or program with no refund.

VOLLEYBALL BC MEMBERSHIP FEE Volleyball BC collects membership fees (separate from club program registration fees) from all participants. This is paid directly to Volleyball BC through the SportLomo platform. Volleyball BC does not provide refunds on their membership fees.