1. Introduction
Welcome to Mintonette Sports’ 20th season! We are excited to have you as a part of our program this year. We hope you are looking forward to continuing our tradition of excellence this season as much as we are. We put this Handbook together to tell you about our Club, its policies, and to answer some of the most asked questions we receive from athletes and their families.
Mintonette Sports is an Ohio Limited Liability Company (the “Club”). Max Miller is the Owner, Managing Member, and Director of the Club. Mintonette Sports’ Club logos are the exclusive property of the Club. The names and logos are not to be used without the express, written consent of the Club. This includes apparel.
This Handbook is a policies and procedures manual for all families and athletes. The Club reserves the right to amend this Handbook at any time in its sole discretion.
2. Mintonette Sports’ Mission Statement
The Club works to provide the best volleyball training in Ohio. We set out to teach the skills of the game of volleyball and the personal attributes of leadership, strong work ethic, responsibility, discipline, and commitment.
3. Website
Our website address is
www.mintonettesports.com. Each team will have a page for their roster, schedule, etc. Each athlete will have a profile page on the website. It is the athlete’s responsibility to contact the Club with changes, additions, and corrections to their profile page. For any website questions or changes, please contact
info@mintonettesports.com.
4. Club Accomplishments
Our athletes and coaches have accomplished several amazing feats. Outside of National Championships, qualifying for Nationals is the ultimate goal for any National team. Finishing in the top 5 is our goal for any American and Regional team. Results from each year can be found on our website in the archives.
5. FieldhouseUSA (practice location) Rules & Regulations
The Club has the privilege of having a permanent home: FieldhouseUSA. In order to keep our facility clean, comfortable, and safe for everyone, the following rules are in effect:
a. Profanity, derogatory remarks, obscene gestures, or threats will not be tolerated at any time on the courts, in the stands, in the common areas of the facility, or the parking lot. Patrons or guests using such language or gestures will be asked to not return.
b. Graffiti of any kind will not be tolerated; those who choose to damage our facility or any part thereof will be charged janitorial and/or damage fees and may be asked not to return to our facility.
c. Following each training session, the athletes are responsible for cleaning up all belongings, trash, and equipment. Teams will rotate practice cleanup duties as assigned.
d. Gum and food are not permitted while on the courts.
e. Family and friends are permitted to watch training sessions in the main concourse and red countertop areas of our facility. The reception area, conference room, and administration offices of our facility are NOT open to athletes or families.
f. Anyone caught removing, without authorization, or stealing equipment from our facility will be charged for the replacement of the items taken and may be asked not to return to our facility.
NOTE: Those athletes, families, or spectators who continuously violate the above rules may be removed from the Club and our facility without refund or relief from financial responsibility.
6. Social Activity Online & Offline
The Club recognizes the prevalence of electronic communication and social media in today’s world. Many of our student-athletes use these means as their primary method of communication. While the Club acknowledges the value of these methods of communication, the Club also realizes that there are associated risks that must be considered when adults use these methods to communicate with minors.
a. All communications between a coach or other adult and an athlete must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. For example, as with any communication with an athlete, electronic communication should not contain or relate to any of the following:
i. Drugs or alcohol use;
ii. Sexually-oriented conversation; sexually explicit language, sexual activity;
iii. The adult’s personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues, or personal problems; and
iv. Inappropriate or sexually explicit pictures.
Note: Any communication concerning an athlete’s personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues, or personal problems must be transparent, accessible, and professional. Whether one is an athlete, coach, or parent, the guiding principle to always use in communication is to ask: “Is this communication something that someone else would find appropriate or acceptable in a face-to-face meeting?” or “Is this something you would be comfortable saying out loud to the intended recipient of your communication in front of the intended recipient’s parents, the coaching staff, or other athletes?”
b. With respect to electronic communications, a simple test that can be used in most cases is whether the electronic communication with athletes is Transparent, Accessible, and Professional (“TAP”):
i. Transparent: All electronic communication between coaches and athletes should be transparent. Your communication should not only be clear and direct, but also free of hidden meanings, innuendo and expectations.
ii. Accessible: All electronic communication between coaches and athletes should be considered a matter of record and part of the Club’s records. Include another coach or parent in the communication so there is no question regarding accessibility.
i. Professional: All electronic communication between a coach and an athlete should be conducted professionally as a representative of the Club. This includes word choice, tone, grammar and subject matter that model the standards and integrity of a staff member.
If your communication meets all three of the TAP criteria, then it is likely your method and manner of communication with athletes will be appropriate.
c. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogs, and similar sites: Coaches and athletes are not permitted to “direct message” each other through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogs, and similar sites. Athletes are also encouraged to set their pages to “private” to prevent adults from accessing the athlete’s personal information.
d. Texting: Subject to the general guidelines mentioned above (TAP), texting is allowed between coaches and athletes during the hours from 7am until 9pm. Texting only shall be used for the purpose of communicating information directly related to team activities. When communicating with a coach through text, a parent or another coach/director must be included in the text.
e. Email: Athletes and coaches may use email to communicate. When communicating with a coach through email, a parent or another coach/director must also be copied.
f. Request to discontinue all electronic communications: The parents or guardians of an athlete may request in writing that their child not be contacted by coaches through any form of electronic communication. Immediate compliance without repercussion must be granted.
g. Misconduct: Social media and electronic communications can be used to commit misconduct (e.g. emotional, sexual, bullying, harassment and hazing). Such communications by coaches, staff, volunteers, administrators, officials, parents or athletes will not be tolerated and are considered violations of the SafeSport Handbook.
h. Violations: Violations of the Club’s Social Media and Electronic Communications Policy should be reported to a Club Director. Complaints and allegations will be addressed following the appropriate procedure.
An athlete or parent of an athlete who violates this policy is subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including but not limited to: suspension, dismissal and/or referral to law enforcement authorities.
7. Playing Time Philosophy
We, as a club, strive to teach our athletes how to reach their full potential. We believe our training is of the highest quality and standards in order to help our athletes be successful on and off the court. Playing time during practices should be equal for all players, but playing time for matches is something that is earned. Please keep in mind "equal" may vary depending on the nature of each player's position (ex: setter vs. middle hitter). Our playing time philosophy for matches could be different in each division:
a. National – Playing time is earned and not guaranteed. Keeping the goal of winning tournaments and qualifying for Nationals in mind, some players may not see playing time each match and/or day. Coaches and Directors will not discuss playing time; however, direct feedback on how to improve will be given to the athlete to earn more playing time.
b. American – Playing time may be more balanced, but still not guaranteed. The goal is to be competitive and win matches, while still developing all players. Coaches and Directors will not discuss playing time; however, direct feedback on how to improve will be given to the athlete to earn more playing time.
c. Regional – Playing time should be fair for all athletes. Please keep in mind that playing time cannot be equal due to the nature of the different positions in volleyball. We want every athlete to have a positive experience by learning through game-play.
8. Training Expectations
We, as a club, strive to offer the best training in Ohio. We believe training is the most important component of everyone’s Club experience, and it is the true value of our Club. We believe all athletes should receive as much training as possible. We want all athletes to receive opportunities in practice that will allow them to grow as athletes and that allow them to earn playing time at tournaments. We expect athletes to hop on the court when making switches within a drill. Most of the time the staff will not place athletes into drills, and it is the responsibility of the athletes to make sure they are getting on the floor. Athletes will get as much out of practice as they are willing to put in. No athlete should ever sit out the majority of the practice. We want every athlete to have a good experience.
The following are the expectations for each practice with the Club. The Club reserves the right to release any athlete from the program, without refund or relief from financial responsibility, should violations of these expectations become a habit or a hindrance to the Club or the team.
a. Each athlete is expected to be ready for practice at their designated start time. Athletes who arrive 15-30 minutes early generally have enough time to prepare for practice. Athletes who are consistently late will risk losing playing time and potentially their spot on the team.
b. Each athlete is expected to be properly equipped in their practice uniform and should not be wearing any jewelry or chewing gum.
c. Athletes are expected to attend every training session. If an athlete has to miss a training session, the athlete is expected to notify the staff as soon as possible and submit an online attendance form. Excused absences include family emergencies, illnesses followed by a doctor’s note, in-season school sports, and mandatory school or religious functions. All other absences need pre-approval by a director. Athletes who have unexcused absences will risk losing playing time.
i. National division team members can not miss practices or tournaments during the qualifying season (February-April). Vacations are unexcused absences. These unexcused absences may result in loss of playing time or movement to a non-National team.
ii. National division team members can not miss practices during the national preparation season (June). Vacations are unexcused absences. These unexcused absences may result in loss of playing time or movement to a non-National team.
d. Families are not expected to stay and watch training. If they choose to do so, they must stay in the concourse area. At no time should parents be on the court and/or disrupt training. At no time should parents walk into the office areas. Parents are not to approach a coach or staff member during a training session. If athletes have any issues or questions, they may talk to their coach or tier trainer.
e. Each team and tier will have specific responsibilities with respect to keeping the courts clean (picking up trash, putting equipment away, cleaning dry-erase boards, etc.). Athletes are not permitted to leave the court or our facility before their responsibilities are complete.
f. Athletes should not enter the mall at any time without parental supervision or approval. Athletes should ask a coach or tier trainer before leaving and notify upon returning. Athletes should wear proper attire (pants or shorts, not spandex) while in the mall.
g. Schedule changes or cancellations will be on the website as soon as possible. If the weather is poor or school has been canceled, the athlete or family should check the website before coming to practice. We also use our social networks and email tree (parent reps) to communicate these changes.
h. At no time should an athlete train at another club, individually or in a group setting, while under contract with Mintonette Sports.
Players attending nationals with their team are not permitted to participate in physical activities, training, or competition outside of Mintonette Sports (including high school summer activities) beginning 14 days prior to the first day of play at the National tournament.
Please note: At no time should an athlete train at another club, individually or in a group setting, while under contract with Mintonette Sports.
9. Team Communication
a. Athlete to Coach. Good communication is necessary between the coach and the athlete. Both athletes and coaches are responsible for establishing a relationship of trust and mutual respect. Bringing up a problem can be very difficult for an athlete, but this is a life skill that sports can teach. Parents may need to push their athlete to take the first step. Club coaches work to be approachable and to create a safe environment for athletes to bring up concerns.
For athletes, the most common concern revolves around playing time. While we don’t discuss playing time directly, athletes who are not satisfied with their coach’s decisions must engage with the coach to identify the issue by following these steps:
i. The athlete must first approach the coach and initiate dialogue. Not the parent. Often, athletes are unclear on what they need to improve or their role on the team, and an early conversation can address these questions. Our expectation is that athletes should start this conversation by asking what they need to do to improve and how to work towards playing a larger role in contributing to the team’s success.
ii. If there are still unanswered questions, the athlete must again approach the coach for clarification and direction.
iii. If further clarification is needed, the athlete can request an athlete/coach meeting with parents and a club administrator in attendance.
We think a necessary life skill is the ability to confront and discuss potentially emotional topics. We do realize there are times a problem needs to be addressed and athletes cannot bring themselves to approach the coach. In this case, we HIGHLY encourage parents, in a spirit of collaboration, to contact the coach directly to help produce the best environment for their athlete.
If you, as a parent, have a safety concern about a coach other than your athlete’s coach, or with an athlete other than your own, you should contact a Club Director.
b. Family to Staff. The Club wants to encourage appropriate communication between our families and the staff. Below are examples of appropriate communication.
i. Information about the athlete’s health. Without the following context, your daughter’s behavior in practice or during a tournament may be interpreted as being lazy, unfocused, or even disrespectful.
- Recent illnesses, medical restrictions, allergies, medication needs, etc.
- Physical limitations that would restrict or prevent the athlete from practice or game participation.
- Emotional health needs (ex: a recent death in the family, struggling in school, dealing with another emotionally charged issue).
ii. A “heads up” that your athlete is struggling to communicate with her coach. Remember that we begin this conversation with the athlete first, but we appreciate being notified. This should be communicated to the coach and a Club Director.
There are topics of communication with the coach that are not appropriate:
i. Conversations about playing time: If your athlete is receiving playing time consistent with this Handbook and has not tried to discuss the athlete’s role on the team with the coach, it is inappropriate for you, the parent, to do so at any time.
ii. Other athletes on the team: Your personal opinions of other athletes’ attitudes, skills, performance, or conduct are not appropriate topics of conversation for you to have with anyone (ex: coaches, directors, other parents, athletes, etc.). There are some exceptions. For example, any issues relative to drugs, alcohol, vaping, sexual conduct, bullying, or weapons should be brought up with a Club Director immediately.
iii. Coaching techniques, tactics, systems, game-time decisions, etc. These are all issues that are not open for discussion or negotiation.
c. Meetings Times. Here are some guidelines for finding the best time to meet:
i. If there is a question about player development and the athlete’s role on the team, communication early in the season is ideal.
ii. We have a 48-hour rule. This means the player may request a meeting with the coach 48 hours following the conclusion of the tournament. This allows emotions to subside for all parties, resulting in a more productive conversation.
iii. Scheduled meetings will last no longer than 30 minutes. Prior to the meeting, players will notify the coach of the requested meeting agenda. Avoid lengthy emails or phone messages, these tend to be too emotional and accusatory.
10. Tournament Expectations
The following are the expectations for every tournament. The Club reserves the right to release athletes from the program, without refund or relief from financial responsibility, should violations of these expectations become a habit or a hindrance to the Club or team.
a. Athletes are expected to be on the court, dressed in uniform ready to play, at the time designated by the Club. We require athletes to bring ALL of their jerseys each day of a tournament. It is inexcusable for athletes to arrive late. Athletes who are consistently late or miss will potentially risk their playing time or spots on the team.
b. When athletes are not playing in matches, warming up, officiating, or scouting with their team, they are expected to be supporting the Club at an assigned court. Supporting includes, but is not limited to, helping shag balls for warmups, cheering the other team on during the match, etc.
c. At NO time during a tournament is an athlete to leave their team until their coach releases them at the end of the day. We arrive, play, and leave the event as a team. Athletes, who need to leave the court must notify their coach of where they are going and take at least one teammate with them. In regards to food, we expect players to bring their food or have their food brought to them.
d. Cell phones are NOT permitted to be out or used during a tournament. If an athlete needs to use a phone to contact a parent, then they can ask to briefly use the phone.
e. Parents, athletes, friends, and family members are NOT permitted to approach a coach, director, or staff member during a tournament to discuss coaching decisions in person or electronically. The proper protocol for communicating concerns is set forth in this Handbook above in section 9.
f. Parents, friends, and family members are expected to cheer for and represent the Club in a positive manner. This includes inside and outside of the gym (ex: restaurants and hotels). Those who direct negative language, obscene gestures, or derogatory remarks towards athletes, coaches, officials, or spectators will be asked to leave the tournament or venues. At all times, adults are expected to serve as positive role models. The Club reserves the right to remove an athlete from the team if she or members of her family demonstrate inappropriate behavior and/or unsportsmanlike conduct.
g. Swimming is acceptable AFTER the tournament has concluded for the athletes. Athletes should not swim or use a hot tub the day prior to or during the day(s) of play. We expect athletes to be fully rested.
h. Sightseeing is acceptable AFTER the tournament has concluded for the athletes. Athletes should not visit amusement parks or sightsee (ex: long walking activities) the day prior to or during the day(s) of play. We expect athletes to be fully rested.
11. Tournament Court Setup
Mintonette Sports co-hosts tournaments at the Columbus Convention Center that require set up and take down of courts. To reduce club dues for the following teams, each Athlete is required to provide two workers (ages 14 or older) for two hours to set up or tear down courts for the following Columbus, OH tournaments. The Family may opt out of providing two workers for a $160.00 opt-out fee.
a. Nike Classic (Boys teams)
b. Nike Gauntlet (Girls American teams)
c. Summerfest (Girls National teams)
12. Team Travel Policy
The Club has some teams that travel regularly, some teams where travel is a few events per season, and some teams where there is only local travel.
a. “Local Travel” occurs when the Club does not sponsor, coordinate, or arrange for travel.
i. Local travel includes but is not limited to, practices, one-day tournaments, and two-day tournaments within a 1-hour driving distance of FieldhouseUSA.
ii. Parents/guardians are responsible for making all arrangements for Local Travel. It is the sole responsibility of the parents/guardians to ensure the person transporting the athlete maintains the proper safety and legal requirements, including but not limited to, a valid driver’s license, automobile liability insurance, a vehicle in safe working order, and compliance with applicable state laws.
iii. The employees, coaches, and/or volunteers of the Club or one of its teams, who are not also acting as a parent, should not drive alone with an unrelated athlete unless they have prior written permission from the parent/guardian.
b. “Team Travel” is overnight travel that occurs when the Club arranges accommodations for travel.
i. All travel tournaments have a "Stay to Play" policy (enforced by the tournament and/or the Club), which requires clubs and their teams to stay in specific hotels issued by the tournament. Teams that violate the "Stay to Play" policy are fined and risk being removed from the tournament. All Athletes are required to stay at the Club's assigned hotel. Families may request exceptions from the Club. The Club reserves the right to approve or deny the requested exceptions. Families must pay a fee of $50-$150 for violating the "Stay to Play" rule.
ii. The Club will provide reasonable advance notice before Team Travel, including designated team hotels for overnight stays. Parent Representatives will help with lodging details. For any tournament that is 4 or more hours away, all athletes must arrive at the Club hotel and check in the night before play no later than 11 p.m., regardless of the wave. For any tournament that is less than 4 hours away, athletes may arrive the morning of play if their first match starts on or after 12pm.
iii. Parents/guardians are solely responsible for the transportation of their athlete. If a parent/guardian cannot accompany an athlete, he/she is responsible for finding a teammate or family member the athlete can travel and stay with.
iv. Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangements with an athlete (unless the coach is the parent, guardian, or sibling of the athlete).
v. Club families will conduct themselves in a respectable manner while staying at hotels. We will treat ourselves as guests of the hotel, and we will respect all employees and other guests. The Club community will be expected to follow the hotel curfew for the lounge areas, and all athletes will be in their rooms no later than 11 p.m. regardless of wave (coaches may set an earlier curfew). Any athlete, parent/guardian, or other family member who demonstrates unacceptable behavior at the hotel may be removed from the Club without the release of financial responsibility or refund.
vi. Meetings between a coach and a team may not occur in hotel sleeping rooms and must be held in public settings or with additional adults present, with at least one of those adults being the same gender as the athlete.
vii. No coach or chaperone shall at any time be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while performing their respective coaching and/or chaperoning duties.
viii. If disciplinary action against an athlete is required while the athlete is traveling without his/her parents, then the Family will be notified before any action is taken, or promptly after when immediate action is necessary.
ix. While staying at hotels (or likewise), athletes will not use the swimming pools or hot tubs for any reason the day before or during a tournament. All swimming or sunbathing may be done following the final match of the tournament.
c. The Club prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment, and hazing, all as described in this Handbook. The Club has established policies to guide our travel, minimize one-on-one interactions, and reduce the risk of abuse or misconduct. Adherence to these travel guidelines will increase athlete safety and improve the athlete’s experience while keeping travel a fun and enjoyable experience.
13. Uniforms
The uniform package is different for each level. Please visit our website for details on your team’s uniform package:
www.mintonettesports.com/uniforms. Athletes may purchase additional items from our Spirit Wear.
a. All athletes in each tier will wear the assigned practice shirt each day. Athletes are required to wear blue or black spandex and blue, black, or white socks. If athletes would like to wear long sleeves, they must wear it under their assigned training shirt and it must be a long sleeve Club or tournament top - no high school or college apparel.
b. For tournaments, the Club requires that each athlete wear Club-issued uniforms. Ankle supports are encouraged but not required. During tournaments, athletes are required to have on their Club warm-up and match their teammates if not playing. The jersey schedule for each tournament will be given to the family of the athlete prior to Day 1.
c. Athletes who lose or damage part of their uniform will be charged a fee to replace the lost or damaged item. Practice t-shirts are considered damaged if they are cut or ripped in any way.
14. Mintonette Sports Logo/Brand Use
Use of the Mintonette Sports logo is strictly prohibited unless approved by Katie Butz or Max Miller. This includes but is not limited to, apparel, water bottles, car stickers, photographs, printed materials, and websites.
Only items made and sold through Mintonette Sports are permitted. If Club representatives, employees, or coaches observe unapproved items with the Mintonette Sports logo, the Club reserves the right to confiscate the item with no reimbursement. Anyone who sells Mintonette Sports branded items without written approval is subject to legal action and fines.
15. Club Dues
Club dues include facility fees for practice, Club uniform packages, registration fees for coaches, coaches’ salaries, tournament entry fees, administrative fees, coaches’ uniforms, and some of the coaches' travel expenses. The payment of Club dues does not guarantee an athlete’s tournament playing time.
a. Club dues should be paid online or by check. Checks should be made payable to “Mintonette Sports” and mailed to:
1400 Polaris Parkway
Attn: Mintonette Sports
Columbus, OH 43240
b. The payment schedule is posted on team pages or in contracts. Alternate payment plans may be arranged with Katie Butz; please email
katie@mintonettesports.com for that purpose. Those who set up and follow their payment plan will not be fined the late fees outlined below in subsection d.
c. Teams may choose to add additional play dates to their schedule. Mintonette Sports administration will present the minimum number of players that are needed to participate to attend the tournament. Add-on fees, which include tournament entry fees, coaching salary, coach hotels, and coach travel, will be incurred.
d. Payments are due on the 1st of the month. If payments are not received by the 5th, they will be considered past due. Once past due, the athlete will sit out of practice and there will be a $50 late fee. The $50 fee will be added for each month the payment(s) are past due.
e. Any athlete who has not paid her current season club dues or past season club dues may be asked to sit out of practice and may not receive the uniform package. Athletes can begin practicing and will receive uniforms once payments have been submitted.
f. Athletes will receive no compensation for travel reservation expenses to tournaments during the time they are suspended. Payments that go unpaid for more than 60 days may be reported to a collection agency.
g. Fees will not be refunded or reduced for athletes who leave the Club before the end of the season. We operate on a very tight budget; therefore, we cannot refund or reduce fees when an athlete decides not to play or is unable to play. Signing a contract commits the athlete and her family to full financial responsibility regardless of their participation with the Club.
h. There is a convenience fee for paying dues online. If you’d like to avoid the fee, please mail your payment to the address listed above.
16. Giving Back
As a club, we ask our older teams to give back to the younger teams or our Youth Programs by assisting in practices throughout the season. Each athlete will be asked to come in at least once per month to help run drills and coach the younger athletes. This is to help build relationships as a club, practice mentorship, and to increase the quality of our younger tiers’ practices.
17. Hazing.
“Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against an athlete, by one person alone, or acting with others that endangers the mental or physical health or the safety of an athlete for the purpose of being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are to include other athletes. The term includes but is not limited to:
a. Any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body or similar activity.
b. Any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, and confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects the athlete to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the athlete.
c. Any activity involving the consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, cigarettes/vapes, or other substance that subjects the athlete to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or the safety of the athlete.
d. Any activity that induces, causes, or requires the athlete to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the applicable laws of the State of Ohio.
No athlete, coach, or Club employee or representative shall engage in any form of hazing, nor encourage or assist any other person in hazing. Acts of hazing and failure to report known hazing may result in suspension from that athlete’s team or the Club.
18. Harassment Policy.
The Club prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment, and hazing. Harassment is defined as any unwanted physical or verbal conduct that offends or humiliates the recipient, that interferes with their ability to play and learn or leads to adverse consequences, and that any reasonable person ought to have known would be unwelcome. It does not include the legitimate exercise of coaching authority regarding performance feedback, game evaluations, or valid disciplinary measures. It may create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive team setting. Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to, racial or sexual slurs, name-calling, racist or sexist jokes, negative stereotyping, physical assault, bullying, threats, demeaning pictures, posters and graffiti.
Harassment includes the following categories of behavior, whether the behavior occurs one or many times:
a. Discriminatory behavior: Discrimination refers to treating people differently, negatively, or adversely because of one or more of the following: race, color, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or physical or mental disability.
b. Personal harassment: Personal harassment includes objectionable conduct, comment, or display made on either a one-time or continuous basis that demeans, belittles, or causes personal humiliation or embarrassment on the part of the recipient. It may or may not be linked to discriminatory behavior.
c .Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment refers to any conduct, comment, gesture, or contact of a sexual nature, whether on a one-time basis or a series of incidents, that might reasonably be expected to cause offence or humiliation or that might reasonably be perceived as placing a condition of a sexual nature on participation. Examples of behavior that can constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
i. unwanted touching, patting or leering;
ii. sexual assault;
iii. inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life;
iv. telephone calls or other forms of communication with sexual overtones;
v. gender-based insults or jokes causing embarrassment or humiliation;
vi. repeated unwanted social or sexual invitations; and
vii. inappropriate or unwelcome focus/comments on a person’s physical attributes or appearance.
d. Bullying: Bullying consists of behavior to attack and diminish another by subjecting the recipient to unjustified criticism and trivial fault-finding, humiliating the recipient (especially in front of others), and/or ignoring, overruling, isolating and excluding the recipient.
e. Poisoned team environment: A poisoned team environment is characterized by an activity or behavior, not necessarily directed at anyone in particular, that creates a hostile or offensive environment (whether on the court, at tournaments, or in meetings). Examples of a poisoned team environment include but are not limited to: graffiti, sexual, racial or religious insults or jokes, abusive treatment of an athlete or parent, and the display of pornographic or other offensive material.
The Club is fully committed to preventing harassment in any form in its program. We try to be very sensitive to conduct that may be seen as creating an environment that is discriminatory or harassing. This includes unwanted letters or cards, telephone calls, texts or email of a personal nature, unwarranted inquiries about personal life or sexual habits, repeated jokes with sexual content, and sexual comments about a person’s appearance or body. In addition, the Club places the safety of the young athletes entrusted to our care and instruction as our highest priority. We do not tolerate verbal or physical behavior that compromises that priority. We watch team activities and interactions closely to try to prevent miscommunications that cause discomfort to any of the athletes or parents.
Reporting Harassment: If you see an employee behave in a way you believe appears to be inappropriate, or if you experience behavior from another athlete, coach or administrator that you believe is inappropriate, report it immediately to a Club Director. All complaints will be investigated. Any employee found to be in violation of the harassment policy will be subject to discipline, which may include dismissal. There will be no retaliation against any complainants or any witnesses who participate in an investigation of a harassment charge.
19. Illegal Substances.
a. The Club has a zero-tolerance policy for players who participate in illegal activities during a Mintonette Sports event (practice, tournament, team bonding, etc). Illegal activities include but are not limited to, alcohol and drug consumption, smoking and vaping, underage driving, shoplifting, etc. If the Club is made aware of a confirmed violation of illegal substance use during a Club activity, the Athlete will be removed from the Club and team immediately without relief from financial responsibilities or a refund.
b. The Club has a "one strike" policy for players who participate in illegal activities outside of a Mintonette Sports event (ex: school, social event, etc). Illegal activities include but are not limited to, alcohol and drug consumption, smoking and vaping, underage driving, shoplifting, etc. If the Club is made aware of a confirmed violation of illegal substance use outside of a club activity, the Athlete will receive one warning before removal from the club and team without relief from financial responsibilities or a refund.
20. Miscellaneous.
a. The Club complies with Lindsay’s Law. Please watch the
Lindsay’s Law video. This is required yearly. Once viewed, please
complete this form.
b. The Club complies with the Ohio Concussion Awareness Law. Please review the Ohio Department of Health Information Sheet and
complete this form.
21. Handbook Violations.
Any athlete or family that breaks any rule or term of this handbook will be given a written warning and potential suspension. If there are multiple handbook violations, the Club reserves the right to remove an athlete from the tournament, practice, and/or team without relief from financial responsibilities or a refund.
22. Closing Remarks.
Playing sports and other organized activities is a critical component to a child’s development. It is an additional opportunity to develop themselves further outside the classroom or home. The lessons from sports; winning and losing, striving for personal development, and learning to deal with others, are key emotional skills needed throughout their lifetime. The lessons children learn in sports stay with them throughout their lives.
Thank you again for participating in Mintonette Sports. We wish you and your athlete a safe and successful season.
