Policies and Procedures

All coaches, players, and parents will be expected to abide by the following AALA philosophy:

The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these "six pillars of character."

I therefore agree:

1. I will not force my child to participate in sports.

2. I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.

3. I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others. 

4. I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.

5. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event. 

6. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures. 

7. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of the athletes.

8. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence. 

9. I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.

10. I will teach my child that doing one's best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance. 

11. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time. 

12. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition. 

13. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also de-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups. 

14. I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win. 

15. I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place. 

16. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events. 

17. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team. 

I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the AALA Policy & Procedures Manual.  

Refunds or partial refunds will be granted after the registration deadline and up to the first game. After the first game, no refunds will be given unless due to injury or medical conditions which cause the player to not be able to play. All refunds are subject to the following conditions:

• ALL AALA equipment has been returned to AALA in good condition; 
• Any outstanding money to AALA will be subtracted;
• Any fund-raising monies will be subtracted;
• US Lacrosse fees and Youth Lacrosse Minnesota fees will be subtracted.  

NO refunds of any type will be given to ANY family until the AALA Registrar and/or Treasurer have verified the above conditions. 

n the event you, as a player or parent, have a complaint regarding an incident or believe you have been violated infringed on according to AALA, and/or US Lacrosse policies, you may file a formal grievance. Please be advised parties must wait 24 hours after an incident has occurred to allow for a “cooling off” period to prevent action solely out of anger. In the event a formal grievance is filed, please use the following guidelines:

1) Any individual with a grievance not previously resolved in a personal conversation with the Head Coach shall present a signed and dated letter, detailing the incident to the Head Coach and Team Manager. The Head Coach shall respond within 2 days of receipt of the grievance. The Head Coach will schedule a meeting, which will include the individual that submitted the grievance and the Team Manager, at a time convenient for all. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and make a best effort to resolve the issue. The Head Coach shall keep and submit a copy of the original grievance and notes from the meeting to the appropriate Board Director.

2) In the event that resolution is not achieved at the meeting indicated in Step 1, either the individual or coach will forward the grievance to the appropriate Director. A signed and dated letter detailing the outstanding issues within 2 days of the meeting with the Head Coach and Team Manager must be provided by the Head Coach or Team Manager. The Director shall schedule a meeting with the Head Coach, Team Manager, the individual’s parents, and the individual that filed the original grievance within 1 week of receipt of the grievance. The Director shall keep detailed notes of the meeting and submit a copy of the original grievance letter, outstanding issue letter and notes from this meeting to the AALA President.

3) In the event that resolution is not achieved in the meeting indicated in Step 2, the Director shall request the AALA President appoint one (1) Board member (appointed on a case by case basis to avoid conflict of interest) to act as mediator to hear the outstanding issues and determine a resolution. The mediator shall schedule a meeting with the Director, Head Coach, Team Manager and the individual initiating the grievance. The mediator shall keep detailed notes as a record of this meeting.

Resolution reached at any step of the Grievance Procedure will be considered final and a signed statement by all parties will be required. Every effort will be made to process a grievance within 15 days.

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