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RISING 9TH GRADE PARENT INFORMATION
OLA MUSTANG FOOTBALL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
1. DO YOU HAVE TO TRY OUT FOR THE FOOTBALL TEAM? ARE THERE CUTS? IS THERE ANY MINIMUM PLAYING TIME FOR EACH PLAYER?
All players that participate in spring practice, the summer program and fall are on the team as long as they come to practice every day and follow team rules. Playing time is earned in practice and although we try to play as many players as possible, there is no minimum amount of playing time guaranteed for each player.
2. DOES IT COST MONEY FOR MY CHILD TO PLAY FOOTBALL? HOW MUCH? WHAT DOES THE MONEY GO TOWARDS? IS IT MANDATORY? DOES THE OLA ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL FEES MY CHILD WILL HAVE TO PAY TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS? WHEN IS THE MONEY DUE? WHAT IF I HAVE TROUBLE PAYING FEE? WHAT IF I DO NOT PAY THE FEE BUT MY SON PARTICIPATES AND RECEIVES SPIRIT PACK ITEMS?
Each player is asked to pay a $300 player fee that goes towards all player meals and the spirit package. Each athlete at Ola HS pays an additional $50 participation fee for the year to the Athletic Department. Football player fees are divided into 2 payments – 1st Payment in May when your child received spring football equipment – 2nd Payment in August on Night of the Mustang. We have payment plans available for those in need. Please see Coach Zito for further details. If you play football and receive the spirit back you are responsible for the fees. If the fees are not paid in full the amount owed will be placed on the student IC account.
3. WHAT IF MY CHILD CANNOT COME EVERY MORNING TO THE OFF-SEASON WORKOUTS OR HAS OTHER SPORT OBLIGATIONS?
We encourage all players to participate in the off-season program, but if you are involved with a 2nd sport that is your primary responsibility.
4. CAN MY CHILD SIGN UP FOR WEIGHT TRAINING AT OLA HS AS A 9TH GRADER?
Yes. We are strongly encouraging all football players to be in a weight training class if it is possible.
5. WHAT IS THE SUMMER PROGRAM LIKE? HOW MANY DAYS? HOW MANY HOURS PER DAY? IS IT MANDATORY? WHAT IF WE GO ON VACATION OR HE GOES TO DIFFERENT CAMPS IN THE SUMMER? WHEN IS THE MANDATED GHSA DEAD WEEK IN THE SUMMER?
The Ola High School football summer program begins in June and runs four days a week (Monday- Thursday) from 8am-11:30am. All players that are in town are expected in attendance. If your child goes to a camp, visits family or goes on vacation with the family we ask that you notify Coach Zito by email of the dates he will be absent. The dead week is from Sunday June 28th – Sunday July 5th.
6. CAN MY CHILD PLAY A 2ND SPORT AND PLAY FOOTBALL AT OLA HS?
Yes, we have several members of the team that are members of other athletic teams at Ola HS.
7. WILL MY CHILD AND I BE ASKED TO TAKE PART IN FUNDRAISERS IN ADDITION TO PLAYER FEES FOR THE SPIRT PACK? WHAT DOES THAT MONEY GO TOWARDS?
Yes. The player fee covers player meals and spirit pack items only. Anything else we need or want to make our program 1st class and the best experience possible is provided through the revenue from fundraisers.
8. WILL THE CURRENT 8TH GRADERS BE INCLUDED IN SPRING PRACTICE?
Yes. The current 8th graders will be included in spring practice. After school is released at the middle school the students will walk over to the high school where they will be met by coaches to change. They will practice from 4:45pm-6:30pm. They will practice with the high school players, but we will make sure they are put in the best scenarios for safety and success. We also understand that the 8th grade field trip is during May. Although we would love to have your child in attendance every day during spring practice we understand if they want and attend the field trip.
9. WILL MY CHILD NEED A NEW SPORTS PHYSICAL AND INSURANCE AND CONSENT FORM FILLED OUT PRIOR TO SPRING PRACTICE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE? WHEN ARE THE OLA HS SCHOOL PHYSICALS?
Yes. All current 8th graders that plan to participate in spring practice in May at Ola HS will need a new physical / Insurance / Consent forms completed on the school form in order to participate. They will also need signed forms on the concussion and heat awareness in order to participate. Ola HS will have athletic physicals on Wednesday April 29th after school for $10.
10. MY CHILD HAS HIS OWN HELMET, SHOULDER PADS AND EQUIPMENT. CAN HE USE THE SAME EQUIPMENT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL? WHAT TIME OF HELMET DOES THE HIGH SCHOOL USE? WHAT IS THE CONCUSSION AND HEAT PROTOCOL AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL?
They can use their own helmet and shoulder pads under a few conditions. They must use adult equipment and it must be reconditioned and certified. All of our helmets are Riddell, some are Revolutions and some are Revolution Speeds, but not all of them. You can purchase your own helmet through our Riddell representative for a cheaper price. We will set a date when he will come for a helmet sizing. If you order a helmet you must pay him directly at the time of order to receive the helmet.
11. WILL OLA HS HAVE A 9TH GRADE TEAM OR JUST JV AND VARSITY? WHY DID OLA HS ONLY HAVE 2 FOOTBALL TEAMS LAST YEAR AS OPPOSED TO OTHER YEARS?
At this time we anticipate only having a JV and Varsity team. If our participation numbers increase and we are able to fund and hire additional coaches to the 9th grade team we will adjust accordingly. Our goal is to have 3 teams, but at this time we are anticipating Varsity and JV only. In addition, we have a Varsity dress list for our Friday night games. In most cases our 9th graders are not on the dress list, but we have had a few exceptions based on ability level and need on the Varsity team.
12. WILL MY CHILD BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FCA TEAM CAMP OR ANY OF THE 7 ON 7 COMPETITIONS THE TEAM ATTENDS?
All players are eligible to participate in our summer camps or competitions, however the coaching staff will select the players that will attend based on evaluations in spring practice and summer workouts. We will send a participation list home at the end of May so players and parents can plan accordingly.
13. HOW MUCH TIME IS REQUIRED OF MY SON FOR PRACTICE, ETC ONCE THE SEASON BEGINS IN THE FALL? WILL YOU HAVE PRACTICE ON LABOR DAY OR DURING THE FALL BREAK?
High school athletics and football specifically is demanding. Practice is every day from 3:45pm- 6:45pm during the season. We will have mandatory practice on Labor Day and during fall break for all players that plan to play in the following JV or Varsity game.
14. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET INVOLVED TO MAKE OLA FOOTBALL THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE FOR MY SON AND ALL THE BOYS?
Please communicate with one of our OMTC executive board members so you can join our team! We are also looking to transition parents into different roles within our club or program. The more active our parent group is the better program we can offer our boys. We want and need as much of your time, help and resources you can offer to make this the best experience possible for you son and all the players.
8th Grade Trip May 20-22
