Mission Statement: To provide a competitive, stable, and safe environment for our local youth to play football or cheer as well as teach them to become disciplined, charismatic, and team-oriented individuals.
ARTICLE I ---NAME
The name of this organization shall be the West Texas Junior Falcons hereafter referred to as the “Organization”.
ARTICLE II ---OBJECTIVES
1. To foster, develop, and promote youth football and cheer in the local Odessa area for all youth aging from 4 to 13 years of age.
2. To establish the sport on a high plane, thus resulting in the maximum benefit for the member teams, players, sponsors, and the interested public.
3. To provide an athletic program that will enhance the physical fitness of our participants and provide an increased awareness of the importance of developing positive lifelong health habits.
4. To promote the welfare of the children and their families in the Odessa community by providing quality time in a team spirited health-focused environment.
5. To bring into closer relation the home, the community, and the schools involved so that our youth can pursue being the best they can be.
ARTICLE III---GENERAL PURPOSES
The objective of the West Texas Junior Falcons is to inspire youth to practice the ideals of health, citizenship, and character; to bring them closer together through means of common interest in sportsmanship, fair play, and fellowship; to impart to the game elements of safety, progressive developmental curriculum, and intelligent supervision; to keep alive the welfare of participants first, foremost, and entirely free of adult desire for glory.
ARTICLE IV---REGISTRATION
Any person who demonstrates good sportsmanship and a willingness to learn, who is of good moral character, who resides in the Midland/Odessa area, and who is willing to abide by the objectives and purposes of this organization shall be eligible for registration for in the West Texas Junior Falcons. No youth shall be registered as a qualified player without the consent of parent or legal guardian.
Registration is on a first come, first placed policy dated from registration day/night on.
It is the goal of the organization to place all interested Odessa youth on a football/cheer team. Due to circumstances such as field space, number of coaches, etc.… wait listing may be required. There will be a $50.00 non-refundable fee in order to be placed on the roster at the time of online registration. The remaining balance will be due by June 30th. Any balances unpaid after June 30th will be removed from the roster and the spot will be opened to a player on the waiting list.
Players are placed on wait-lists based on the date/time registration forms and fees are received. Any registration received after July 1st is automatically placed on a wait-list (this includes returning players). Players will be taken off the wait-list in the following order:
1) Returning players who fully registered by June 30th, until the list is exhausted at that play level; then
2) New players who fully registered by June 30th, until the list is exhausted at that play level
3) Returning players who registered on or after July 1st, until the list is exhausted at that play level; then
4) New players who registered on or after July 1st, until the list is exhausted at that play level.
If a player at any play level is placed on a wait-list, they will be unable to participate in practices until a spot becomes available. If a spot becomes available, the player will be notified by a Board Member.
It shall be the philosophy of the Organization to recognize and set forth to its non-voting members that the word “opportunity” does not constitute the “right” of a youth to play. It shall be the further philosophy of the Organization that because of the uniqueness, injury risk, and dedication required, the West Texas Junior Falcons be presented as a “COMPETITIVE” rather than a “RECREATIONAL” program.
ARTICLE V---PLAYING RULES
The Board of Directors shall have final approval on all playing rules. The Texas Youth Football Association rules shall govern.
ARTICLE VI ---PLAYER EXPECTATIONS
No player may practice until all of their paperwork has been turned in.
Players are expected to attend and participate in all practices and games. Coaches and the board will determine how many practices must be made during the week to be eligible for games. There is no guaranteed game play time.
Failure to submit fundraising money will result in a player not receiving their game jersey ultimately resulting in ineligibility to play.
Players are expected to show excellent sportsmanship and represent West Texas Junior Falcons with the highest standards.
All organization members shall adhere to conduct appropriate for the betterment of the players and its members, i.e. there shall be no fighting, alcohol, swearing etc. at any practices, games or other organization functions.
Each Head Coach may make additional expectation requirements but may not exclude any of the items listed here.
ARTICLE VII -- COACH EXPECTATIONS
Coaches are expected to attend all coaches’ meetings/clinics and agree to work closely with the Athletic Director to ensure consistency with the West Texas Junior Falcons program and playbook.
Coaches are expected to develop all players regardless of their athletic ability and to create a positive environment to all players.
Coaches will follow and carryout all rules and regulations of the West Texas Junior Falcons and be responsible for all actions while representing their team and West Texas Junior Falcons.
Coaches are expected to participate and encourage all fundraising activities
Coaches are expected to show excellent sportsmanship and represent West Texas Junior Falcons with the highest standards.
The coaching staff of a team is in complete charge of the team whenever it is together on the practice or playing field. It is also in charge whenever it is traveling as a group to and from practice sessions and games, or whenever it is together for any other team function. The coaching staff is under the direction of one of its members who is called the Head Coach. Other coaches are called Assistant Coaches.
A Head Coach must be at least 21 years of age.
The Head Coach will determine the assignments of the Assistant Coaches.
Coaches are appointed by the selection committee, which will consist of the President, Vice President, and Athletic Director and are supervised by the Athletic Director. All coaches must apply annually. The Board must approve the coach roster prior to 1st board meeting after registration closes.
All coaching positions are automatically terminated at the close of each season, unless terminated prior to the close of the season.
All coaches must reapply if terminated and be approved by the selection committee.
The Head Coach has final responsibility for his actions, those of his Assistant Coaches, players, and staff. Should anyone wish to file a grievance against a coach, it must be submitted in writing to the Athletic Director. The complaint will be answered in writing to the involved party within ten days from date of receipt. If the party wishes further action, they may appeal the decision to the Board of Directors in writing. The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final.
All coaches being considered for a position shall submit their names for a comprehensive FBI criminal records check and drug test. Texas Youth Football Association will run the background checks. The Board reserves the right to remove any coach based on the results of this search.
There is a $35.00 fee for coaches and assistant coaches for the background check.
All organization members shall adhere to conduct appropriate for the betterment of the players and its members, i.e. there shall be no fighting, alcohol, swearing etc. at any practices, games or other organization functions
Coaches do not make the organization rules. They carry it out. However, on the playing and practice fields, the coaching staff is in complete charge and shall not be interfered with except in cases of rules violations and any other conduct deemed by higher authority to be detrimental to the welfare of the youth.
Teams fined by TYFA (TEXAS YOUTH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION) for breaking any rules or any un-sportsmanlike violations will be responsible for payment of that fine and not West Texas Junior Falcons. An appeal may be made to the board in writing within 24 hours for board review if the fine handed down is felt unjust.
The Texas Youth Football Association rules shall govern
ARTICLE VI ---PARENT EXPECTATIONS
Parents shall complete, sign and submit all required paperwork online or team mom for each player.
Parents are to encouraged players to attend and participate in all practices and games as well as other team events. There is no guaranteed game play time.
Help contribute and/or participate in fundraising opportunities.
Parents are expected to show excellent sportsmanship and represent West Texas Junior Falcons with the highest standards.
Parents are expected to act in an appropriate and standard behavior at all organization functions for the betterment of the player and organization members. i.e. there shall be no fighting, alcohol, swearing, etc.
· If inappropriate language, emotional or physical altercation occurs during any organization event. The deemed punishment will be on a case by case to be determined by the board.
There is no be no personal gains from selling items using the team name or logos. Example: no selling merchandise for a profit for personal gain.
· If you want to sell merchandise with the team name or logo on it, you need permission from the board and the profits will go to benefit the team.
ARTICLE VIII ---ENFORCEMENT, PENALTIES
The Board is responsible for the enforcement of these rules and regulations. Any violation shall be reported to the Board of Directors within 24 hours.