• To provide the opportunity to learn good sportsmanship and fair play;
• To learn the dynamics of working well with others;
• To inspire self-discipline, responsibility, and respect for others;
• To gain a more thorough knowledge of, and greater skill in, the activity; and
• To instill a sense of pride in self and school.

• Good behavior is expected of all participants. Students are expected to be role models worthy of peer emulation; that is, they are good citizens in all aspects of their lives – at school, at home, in the community.
• A student not in good standing regarding conduct or citizenship can be deemed ineligible or may be placed on probation by the Principal, Assistant Principal, or Athletic Director.
• Regular attendance to practice as explained by the coach is required.
• Grades issued at the close of each marking period will determine eligibility until the next report card. This will include 4th quarter report cards for the fall season with the exception of incoming 6th grade students.
• During the season, any student receiving an “F” in an academic class or 2 “F”s in Unified Arts classes will be ineligible for that sport until the next report card.
• A student who receives one grade of “F” in an academic class or 2 “F”s in Unified Arts classes will not be eligible to tryout for a sport. A student who turns 16 (sixteen) before September 1 is not eligible for sports.
• A student absent from school is not eligible for games or practices on that day.
• A student must be present on Friday in order to participate in a weekend contest.
• Students must be present 3 hours during a school day and be checked in by his or her parent/guardian to be eligible to participate.
• Physical examinations and proof of insurance are required prior to beginning a tryout for any PMS sport.
• Students and parents must sign a statement agreeing to abide by this philosophy as well as all school rules.

Each year, issues arise that have not been addressed in the Handbook. The final decision on these special issues is at the discretion of the Athletic Director, Coach, and Principal. Any decisions about eligibility may be reviewed by the Principal and are at the discretion of the Principal.

• All athletes are expected to attend all practices, scrimmages, games, and meets. Acceptable absences include only those for: a) illness; b) doctor appointments; and c) religious holidays.
• Athletes should notify their coach as soon as they are aware that they may be absent from team activity. Consequences for an unexcused absence are at the discretion of the coach. Students must make a full-time commitment to their school team. Pelham Memorial School Athletics come before any extra curricular activities. Participation on a “Travel Team” is not an acceptable excuse to be absent from practices or games. Students will remain at a practice or a game in its entirety before leaving for outside activities. The coach will determine the consequences for any rule violations. A student’s P.M.S. sport is their number one athletic priority.
• All students/athletes must travel to and from away games with the transportation provided by the school. There is one exception to this rule: An athlete may be released to his/her parent after a contest by the coach with a stamped note from the office. An athlete who wishes to leave a contest with a parent not his/her own, must provide the coach a note signed by his/her parent/guardian releasing him/her to another parent. The note must be turned into the office and stamped, then given to the coach before the beginning of the contest. No phone calls releasing athletes will be accepted.
• Coaches will provide a game and practice schedule for their teams. We ask that the parent pick up his/her child in a timely manner after practice. After 15 minutes, the waiting process becomes an inconvenience for the coach. If a parent decides to release a student from the school with another parent after practice, a note should accompany the student releasing him/her from the school. The athlete is responsible for alerting parents about the approximate time the bus will return from an away contest, the coach will have that information. Coaches also expect parents to pick up their children promptly at the end of each practice and game.

Along with rules set forth by the Athletic Department, students must follow PMS rules and expectations set forth in the Student Handbook.

• In order for a student to participate in any school sport, he/she must pass a sport’s physical every one (1) calendar year, the physical must be dated after June 1. The Pelham Memorial School physical form is provided for this purpose. A physician’s form is also appropriate. This form must be completed and given to the Athletic Director or School Nurse before a student begins a tryout for any sports team.
• Any student/athlete who was sidelined by a physician for an injury or illness must produce a release form. This form must be signed by the physician and monitored by the school nurse.
• All injuries or illnesses must be reported to the coach and/or school nurse immediately.
• All incoming 6th graders and transfer students must have an updated physical exam in order to participate in the athletic program.

• If an athlete receives a detention, he/she may attend home games after serving detention. The coach determines whether or not the athlete plays.
• If an athlete receives a detention, he or she may attend away games if able to provide his/her own transportation. The coach determines whether or not the athlete plays.
• If an athlete receives an in-school suspension, he or she will be suspended from the team for ten (10) school days.
• If an athlete receives an out of school suspension, he or she will be automatically removed from his or her respected team for the remainder of the season.

Pelham Memorial School is a member of the Tri-County Athletic League, which includes schools from much of southern New Hampshire. All members must adhere to certain regulations set forth by the association.

• Tryouts are conducted on dates set by the coach. Students are required to be at that tryout in its entirety. Tryouts are needed in interscholastic sports since the number of interested students far exceeds the number allowed on a team. For fall sports tryouts, if a student cannot be at the designated tryout, he/she needs to make prior arrangements with the coach in June.
• Home schooled students and private school students (in district) are allowed to tryout and participate in athletics as long as the sport is not offered at the in-district private school. Students will follow all guidelines and rules set forth by the Pelham Memorial School.
• Students who are new to the District and enter school on the first day will be granted a tryout at student request.

• If bus transportation is provided to an athletic event, all students must ride the bus unless written approval is granted by the coach or Athletic Director to ride with the parent. A note submitted to the office on the day of the game or practice and stamped is the only way that a student will be allowed to not ride the bus. This is due to liability issues.
• Students must follow the rules and regulations set forth by the bus driver and are subject to school discipline if these rules are not followed. Please refer to the Student Handbook for a list of all bus rules).

• Pelham Memorial School has several athletic fields and facilities. The areas designated for athletics are for the benefit of each athlete. Any athlete who abuses either the indoor facilities or outdoor fields in any manner will be subject to disciplinary action by the school.
• Footwear such as cleats, spikes, or black-soled shoes are not allowed on the gymnasium hardwood. Students are to remove their footwear before entering the building. Cleats and spikes can damage the hardwood so all athletes need to remove them before entering the building.
• A locker room is provided for athletes at the Pelham Memorial School. Students need to act responsibly when using this facility and are asked to pick up all of their belongings as they exit the locker room.

• The Pelham Memorial School Athletic Program provides its athletes with uniforms and other equipment. Athletes are responsible for the uniform and the equipment that is issued to him/her.
• Athletes are required to hand in all uniforms and equipment that were issued to them at the start of the season. Uniforms and equipment will be collected at the end of each season. Athletes are required to turn in their uniform or equipment if they choose to quit during the season.
• If an athlete loses or damages any of the equipment or uniforms issued to him/her, he/she is expected to reimburse the Pelham Memorial School the full expense of the damage or loss.