The Middle School Athletics Guidebook

2015-2016

Athletics Statement of Philosophy Girls learn much more than mere physical skills through their participation in athletics as

they benefit from the values of discipline, dedication, selflessness and hard work derived

from team participation. The collaborative experience of pursuing and attaining a

common goal in athletics is unique as it is combined with interscholastic competition.

Through this experience girls are able to develop courage as they take risks, strength

while displaying finesse, competitive intensity while exhibiting generosity of spirit, and

mental as well as physical endurance. While the focus is to facilitate the development of

each girl’s athletic potential, the greater hope is to instill motivation to continue in life-

long physical activity.

Middle School Athletics – A New Look! Middle School Philosophy Revamped Middle School Athletics provides an opportunity for every student of varying ability --

from beginner through club player -- to participate at the appropriate level of competition.

The Tigers will continue to focus on fielding highly competitive teams for the 8th

grade

(Green/”A” Team) while continuing to provide opportunities for a novice team in the 7th

grade (White/”B” Team) as well as offering tournament teams for those new to a

particular sport or those students who are not able to commit to a five day per week

program.

What does this mean?

This means it’s time to “get serious”. In order to properly prepare our Middle School

athletes for competition in Upper School, we need to provide our girls with the tools to

compete – proper conditioning, teaching of fundamentals as well as game strategy,

emphasizing good sportsmanship, and the implementation of strategies in sport

psychology to gain the mental edge. Put simply, we are now demanding more from our

Green/”A” Team as we move to gain both subjective (enjoyment of the sport and being a

member of a team) and objective (more wins!) success.

We still want it all!

We encourage all Middle School students to tryout for as many sports as they like, with

the knowledge that they are going to be placed on a team that can help them develop

new skills within a supportive and learning environment. Each student is expected to take

her commitment to Middle School Athletics seriously which is reflected in her attendance

at practices and games as well as being attentive during practices as this will culminate in

our students receiving a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Tryout days are a great time for you to come out and give it a go, even if you've

never kicked a soccer ball or held a basketball before! If after try-outs you decide it's not

for you, no problem, just let the coach know of your decision

The Commitment

Practice Time – 3:15 – 4:45 p.m.

Basketball, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball Green/”A” Team – Comprised of the top 7

th and 8

th grade athletes, the Green Team will

practice five days per week. Girls are required to attend all practices and games. The

Green Team will offer two “passes” per season should there be a practice conflict (e.g.

orthodontist appointment, family dinner). Passes are not eligible for use on game day. In

order to provide a more competitive experience, the roster size for the Green Team will

be reduced to reflect a more appropriate limit for each sport. The Green Team will

continue to compete in playoffs for the Middle School Independent League (MSIL).

*White/”B” Team – Only 7th

graders may be a member of the White Team as per

Middle School Independent League rules. Student-athletes who have had significant

outside experience in a given sport or who have shown potential in physical education

will comprise the White Team. Practices will run four days per week on Monday,

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

*Tournament Teams

The Tournament Team is for our beginning players who are interested in learning the

fundamentals of their sport. Competition is deemphasized and camaraderie is the key!

The Tournament Team will practice three days per week (Monday, Thursday and Friday)

and play in two tournaments per season in additional to intramural competitions. Should

girls wish to hone their skills further they may join the White Team practice on

Wednesdays.

Changing Teams Mid-Season

Girls progress in athletics at different rates. Based on this reality girls are encouraged to

communicate with their coaches should they improve dramatically and wish to inquire

about the possibility of being on another team. While team selection is done very

carefully, we want to always “keep the door open” for further conversation.

*Note – White/”B” and Tournament teams are formed based on the number of girls

trying out for a given sport.

Tennis Green/”A” Team Tennis

Girls who have had previous tennis experience are encouraged to participate on the Green

Team. The MSIL league competition is coed in tennis. Practices are on Monday,

Thursday and Friday with matches on Wednesdays throughout the season.

Tournament Tennis

This team is designed for the beginning tennis player! Concentration will be on basic

fundamental skills and rules of the game. Practices are on Monday, Thursdays and

Fridays with the potential to substitute for a Green Team member on match days

(Wednesdays). Girls will compete primarily within an intramural structure, but may have

opportunities to compete with area schools.

Flag Football, Golf and Swimming

Westridge competes in a single day fun event for flag football, golf and swimming. Girls

will be exposed to football during physical education. Girls interested in golf and

swimming should have basic fundamentals and some experience.

Track & Field

The Tigers compete in two or three track meets per season (contingent upon spring break

calendars) as a single team. All girls who are interested in these meets will practice after-

school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays three weeks prior to the first meet.

Our Goal While the team structure has changed, the mission of Westridge Middle School Athletics

has not. It is our intention that Middle School Athletics will achieve the following:

Promote enjoyment of sport to encourage lifelong fitness.

Understand the spirit of teamwork.

Emulate good sportsmanship in both competition and practice.

Understand the benefits of discipline, dedication and hard work.

Improve athletic skills and learn what it is to have and play with competitive

intensity.

Provide every Middle School student the opportunity to be a part of an athletics

team.

Top 10 (or so) Questions Answered!

1. Which sports does Westridge offer to Middle School students and

when are they played? The order for 2015-2016 Middle School athletics seasons is as follows. Dates listed

below are the start dates for practices. The first two or three days of practice are used to

determine team placement:

Volleyball – Thursday, September 3

Tennis – Friday, October 16

*Soccer – Thursday, October 22

*Basketball – Tuesday, January 5

Track and Field – Tuesday, February 23

Softball – Tuesday, April 5

* Basketball and Soccer seasons flip annually.

*MSIL Annual Tournament/Meet Dates

Volleyball Tournament Team – Monday, September 21; Monday, October 5

Track & Field League Finals – Wednesday, March 16

Golf - Tuesday, April 26

Swimming and Diving – Tuesday, May 3

Flag Football – Tuesday, May 10

*Playoff Tournament Dates Should the Tigers qualify, the end-of-season tournaments are listed below:

Volleyball – Monday, October 19

Co-ed Tennis Tournament – Wednesday, December 16

Basketball – Tuesday, February 9

* Tournament and Playoff Dates subject to change. Please check

www.westridge.org for final confirmation.

2. Where do I find game schedules? Game schedules are confirmed prior to each season and posted on the Westridge Website

at: www.westridge.org

As schools often need to change times/dates, schedules are not posted for the entire year.

The Middle School Athletics Coordinator, Jason Windass, will send a weekly email on

Fridays confirming games for the upcoming week. Should there be a weather concern,

a final decision will be made by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the game and an email will

be sent directly to parents.

3. Which eight schools comprise the Middle School Independent League

(MSIL)? Chandler School, Clairbourn School, Flintridge Preparatory, High Point Academy,

Mayfield Junior School, Polytechnic School, Rio Hondo Preparatory and Westridge

School.

4. When are try-outs? Tryouts for every sports season will be held usually one to two weeks before athletic

competition begins. These days will be used to determine on which team student-athletes

will be placed. Middle School sports are open to everyone, whether new to the sport or an

experienced player, all students will be placed on a team and will have an opportunity to

experience Middle School Athletics!

5. What are the expectations required of my daughter in Middle School

Sports? The Westridge Middle School Sports program affords the opportunity for all students to

participate on any athletic team of their choosing. While it is our philosophy to provide

competitive opportunities for each student, we expect each student to take her

commitment to Middle School Sports seriously. As Middle School students have myriad

activities, we realize making every practice may not be feasible. Therefore, we offer

students the possibility of missing up to three practices (White and Tournament teams

only; Green Teams have two passes) should they have an ongoing appointment or an

extenuating circumstance. Students are required to be in attendance at all competitions.

In order to exercise the option to miss practice, girls must complete the practice pass form

and notify their coaches at least 24 hours in advance.

6. What is the protocol for leaving class early? On Monday girls will communicate to their teachers their early dismissal schedule for the

week. Students are expected to follow up with their teacher in person to find out what

work they will miss due to the early dismissal. Conference periods are the perfect time to

follow-up and meet with teachers regarding any missed work.

Team members who are scheduled to leave class will change into their game

uniform during lunch. This way coaches can give you a thorough warm-up in

preparation for the game ahead. If you are not scheduled to leave class early then please

change once school has ended.

7. Where will I be able to find my daughter on campus after practice or

when she returns from a game? If a student's ride has not arrived by the end of a practice or game, the designated coach

will take girls to the Mudd Building where they will sign-in to the After School Program.

Once the parent has arrived, the student must sign herself out of the Mudd Building prior

to leaving.

8. May I take my daughter home directly from a game? Of course! You will need to go to the competition site (i.e. field, gym) and directly

communicate with the head coach that you will be transporting your daughter. If you

have not arrived to the school where the competition is taking place by the time the bus is

ready to depart, your daughter will need to return to Westridge on the bus (we cannot

delay the team’s return).

9. Do I need to buy my daughter a uniform? No, the school provides the girls with all uniforms. You may need to purchase sport-

specific shoes (e.g. basketball, volleyball, soccer/softball cleats, tennis shoes) as different

surfaces require different types of shoes. Generally, running shoes are not acceptable for

“court” sports due to the potential risk of injury.

10. Awards Each team sport will have a celebratory pizza party after the season! At the end of the

school year, a recognition and awards ceremony is scheduled. Girls receive patches for

their participation on sport teams.

11. Who organizes the snacks and water for the teams? Well, our parent volunteers do Parents may choose to email, call or use an online

sign-up such as SignUpGenius.com. Once we have the final game schedules, the head

team parent will organize the snack schedule. Healthy snacks and drinks should be

delivered directly to the competition venue. Thank you parents!

12. What happens if my daughter becomes injured? Westridge has a trainer, Aubrey Prince, on campus daily to oversee taping and respond to

injuries. Should you daughter become injured, you will be notified immediately. If your

daughter’s injury requires medical attention, she will need a doctor’s note in order to

return to practice/competition. Communication with the Health and Wellness office is

imperative. Absence due to an injury will not affect your daughter’s membership on her

team. Should you have questions, you may contact Coach Prince at

APrince@Westridge.org

13. Parent Role Parents are our greatest advocates as they inspire excellence in their daughters and seek

the same in our Athletics program. We encourage parents to foster their daughter’s

athletic passion by enrolling them in camps and clinics as appropriate and to encourage

their daughter’s to try several sports during their Upper School years. The most critical

role that parents play in their daughter’s athletic development is to be a voice of positive

encouragement – girls tend to be very self-critical and need ongoing positive feedback to

offset this predisposed style. Girls are also acutely aware of “false-positives” which

demeans their performance as it is disingenuous. While not every performance can be

stellar, constructive criticism housed in positive feedback will facilitate the athlete’s

development. Additionally, parents should first and foremost be parents by supporting

their daughter’s efforts with positive cheering and feedback – coaching during the game

should be left solely to the coaching staff.

Sport Parent Advice

The best role you can play in your daughter’s athletics achievement is to be her parent.

Allow the coaches to coach and the officials to officiate – be supportive, positive and

gentle in your guidance. Here’s a site that gives advice on how to interact with your

daughter after competition:

Guidelines for post-game conversations:

https://play-positive.libertymutual.com/parenting/parenting-guide/conversations-athletes

Here’s another helpful link:

USA Water Polo's Tumua Anae discusses her transition to college, competing for playing time and

consulting her dad to get through it.

https://play-positive.libertymutual.com/video/2023/Tumua-Anae-%7c-Parent-Support-

Team Parent

This year we are requesting a parent volunteer from each team who is willing to facilitate

the needs of the team (e.g. snack schedule) and communicate with the Middle School

Athletics Coordinator on a regular basis. The goal is to work in partnership with our

parents in order to have the best athletics program possible.

14. How can I support my daughter’s development in athletics? Camps, etc.

If your daughter begins to develop a passion for a particular sport, it will enhance her

development to participate in Westridge summer camps and mini-clinics, area camps

(e.g. Occidental College, UCLA, USC), club teams and to continue to work on her

overall physical conditioning. It is highly recommended to encourage your daughter to

observe high school and collegiate play for the sport(s) which she finds interesting.

Club Sports

If your daughter has a passion for a particular sport, then joining a club may be a great

opportunity for her. Many girls have already had years of club experience by the time

they get to MS and have usually honed their fundamental skills and have experienced

advanced competition. While that experience is great for some, it can create burn-out and

overuse of certain muscle groups, etc. The department recommends doing some cross-

training in order to allow young bodies to develop properly.

Westridge Conditioning – Daily After School Opportunity

While weight training and cardiorespiratory conditioning have been in place for Upper

School athletes, this is the second year that our Middle School athletes will be able to

take part in conditioning Monday through Friday. Conditioning is for those students who

choose not to participate in a particular sports season, but are wishing to train for an

upcoming season or to simply want to get in good overall condition. Conditioning

practice will run from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. No appointment necessary. Just be there!

Westridge Collegiate Athletics Evening

Does your daughter have aspirations to compete in college? Do you want to know how

the process begins and how to position your daughter for successful recruiting? Lynn

O’Grady, Director of College Counseling and Melanie Horn, Director of Athletics will be

videotaping a “Ted Talk” for your reference which will be posted on www.westridge.org

Melanie frequently contacts college coaches on behalf of Westridge athletes. Please

contact Melanie at any time should you have questions about collegiate athletics.

15. How do I get in contact with the Athletics Department? Coach Jason Windass, Middle School Sports Coordinator - JWindass@westridge.org.

Melanie Horn, Director of Athletics - MHorn@westridge.org or 626-799-1053, x255.

Aubrey Prince, Athletic Trainer - APrince@westridge.org or 626-799-1053, x228.

Middle School Athletics Directions

Chandler School

1005 Armada Drive, PASADENA, CA 91003

(626) 795-9314

3 miles from Westridge

1. Take Orange Grove Blvd. (North).

2. Turn left on Rosemont Ave.

3. Turn right on Prospect Terrace.

4. Turn left on Prospect Blvd. Turn left on Armada Drive.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1005+Armada+Drive,+PASADENA,+CA+91003&hl=e

n&sll=34.177867,-118.16004&sspn=0.007261,0.013089&z=16

Clairbourn School

8400 Huntington Drive, SAN GABRIEL, CA 91775

(626) 286-3108

5 miles from Westridge

1. Take Orange Grove Blvd. (North)

2. Turn right on California.

3. Turn right on San Gabriel Blvd.

4. Turn left on Huntington Drive. School is on right hand side.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=8400+Huntington+Drive,+SAN+GABRIEL,+CA+9177

5&hl=en&sll=34.159279,-118.163099&sspn=0.007262,0.013089&z=16

Flintridge Preparatory School (Prep)

4543 Crown Avenue, LA CANADA, CA 91011

(818) 790-1178

6 miles from Westridge

1. Take 210 West; exit Foothill Blvd.

2. Turn left on Foothill Blvd.

3. Turn right on Hampton Road

4. Turn right on first driveway; parking lot is under 210

Freeway.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=4543+Crown+Avenue,+LA+CANADA,+CA+91011&h

l=en&sll=34.127811,-118.085623&sspn=0.007265,0.013089&z=16

High Point Academy

1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road, PASADENA, CA 91107

(626) 798-8989

8 miles from Westridge

1. Take 210 East; exit Sierra Madre Blvd./Altadena Drive.

2. Turn left on Altadena Drive. Turn right on New York Drive.

3. Turn left on Eaton Canyon Drive (1st left).

4. Turn right on Kinneloa Canyon Road (1st right).

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1720+Kinneloa+Canyon+Road,+PASADENA,+CA+91

107&hl=en&sll=34.198457,-118.186004&sspn=0.007259,0.013089&z=16

Mayfield Junior School

405 S. Euclid Avenue, PASADENA, CA 91101

(626)-796-2774

2 miles from Westridge

1. Take Orange Grove Blvd.(North). Turn right on California

Blvd.

2. Turn left on Euclid Avenue.

3. Turn left on Bellevue Drive.

4. Turn right on Waldo Avenue. Fields are on immediate right

side.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=405+S.+Euclid+Avenue,+PASADENA,+CA+91101&h

l=en&sll=34.174679,-118.092175&sspn=0.007261,0.013089&z=16

McKinley Middle School

325 S Oak Knoll Ave, PASADENA, CA 91101

(626) 844-7880

2 Miles from Westridge

1. Heading East on Del Mar Blvd

2. Turn left on Oak Knoll

3. School is on the right hand side

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=325+S+Oak+Knoll+Ave,+PASADENA,+CA+91101&h

l=en&ll=34.140225,-118.135192&spn=0.007264,0.013089&sll=34.138644,-

118.1435&sspn=0.007264,0.013089&z=16

John Muir High School

1905 Lincoln Avenue, PASADENA, CA 91103

(626) 396-5600

4 Miles from Westridge

1. Head north on Pasadena Avenue

2. Merge onto 210 West

3. Exit Lincoln Avenue

4. Turn left on Canada Avenue (first left)

5. Just past Casitas (stop sign) tennis courts on the RHS

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1905+Lincoln+Avenue,+PASADENA,+CA+91103&hl

=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=28.529345,53.613281&z=16

Pasadena Polytechnic School (Poly)

1030 E. California Blvd., PASADENA, CA 91106

(626) 792-2147

2 miles from Westridge

1. Take Orange Grove Blvd. (North).

2. Turn right on California Boulevard.

3. Turn right on Wilson Avenue.

4. School is on right hand side.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1030+E.+California+Blvd.,+PASADENA,+CA+91106

&hl=en&ll=34.13582,-118.128219&spn=0.007264,0.013089&sll=34.140225,-

118.135192&sspn=0.007264,0.013089&z=16

Rio Hondo Preparatory School

5150 Farna Avenue, ARCADIA, CA 91006

(626) 444-9531

13 miles from Westridge

1. Take 210 East; exit Santa Anita Ave.

2. Turn right on Santa Anita Ave., (South)

3. Turn left on E. Live Oak Avenue.

4. Turn right on Farna Avenue. School is at the end of Farna

Ave.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=5150+Farna+Avenue,+ARCADIA,+CA+91006&hl=en

&sll=34.13582,-118.128219&sspn=0.007264,0.013089&z=16

Waldorf School

209 East Mariposa Street, ALTADENA, CA, 91001

(626) 794-9564

6 Miles from Westridge

1. Take the 210 West, Exit Lincoln Avenue

2. Turn right onto Lincoln Ave.

3. Turn right onto Woodbury Road

4. Turn left onto Fair Oaks Ave.

5. Turn right onto E Mariposa Street

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=209+East+Mariposa+Street,+ALTADENA,+CA,+9100

1&hl=en&sll=34.09992,-118.020974&sspn=0.007267,0.013089&z=16