The Baker County Touchdown Club is a nonprofit organization setup to promote Football/Cheerleading in Baker County. The aim of the B.C.T.C. is to promote fellowship, sportsmanship, and encourage community pride in our young men and women. Building on the fundamentals will enable YOUR child to progress through the Athletic programs of the Baker County school system. By supporting the School System’s Athletic Departments, the B.C.T.C. annually provides donations that the Athletic Department disperses. We also provide annual scholarships to male/female applicants who have participated in our program. It is our desire that one day this will be YOUR child.
Age Requirements:
Our program is for youth male/female in the community ages 6 to 13. Our program is divided into 3 divisions according to age. The divisions are as follows:
PEE WEE - any youth 6 years old on or before September 1st and cannot exceed 8 years of age on or before September 1st.
MIDDLE - any youth 9 years old on or before September 1st and cannot exceed 10 years of age on or before September 1st.
SENIOR - any youth 11 years old on or before September 1st and cannot exceed 13 years of age on or before September 1st.
**Disclaimer – Age groups and/or team availability may change due to the volume of participants
NOTE: Any youth who is participating in any other football program will not be allowed to participate in the Youth Program. Any youth who goes out for the Baker County school systems football program and quits once the season has started, will NOT be allowed to participate in the Youth Football Program. Spring Practice at the BCMS does not include the upcoming Youth Football Season. If a child attends Spring Practice and makes the BCMS team and decides to participate in the BCTC Youth Football program in the Fall, instead, is allowable as long as they signed up prior to the draft. Any youth that signs up for the youth football program and then decide that they want to play for the Bobcats will not receive a refund after the draft. They will not receive a jersey or a trophy.
Registration Requirements:
1. There is a fee that is set by the Board of Directors annually assessed to each player/cheerleader joining the program.
2. Parent or Legal Guardian must sign permission form for youth to participate.
3. Copy of Birth Certificate that the B.C.T.C. may keep for their records
4. Proof of Insurance – The cost of Insurance is not included in the registration fee. 5. Physicals will be required of all football players. Cheerleaders are exempt.
6. Signature form for compliance with Guidelines
NOTE: Any participant found to be not properly registered at any time during the season will be declared ineligible to play by the B.C.T.C.
Drafting Procedure:
All participants will return to the team in which they were on the previous year unless, they have to move up to the next division due to age requirements or, AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION, the parent or legal guardian who is signing the child up states in writing on the registration form that they want their child to go back into the draft. Then and only then, will the child’s name be entered the appropriate age group and his/her name will be redrawn.
If this is your child’s first year playing in our program, then his/her name will be placed in the appropriate age division and their name is drawn randomly out of an envelope.
If a participant’s brother/sister enters into the same division, as a first-time participant to that division, then the siblings will be placed on the same team automatically, unless the parents request them to be on separate teams AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION.
WE DO NOT ALLOW REQUESTS FOR A CHILD TO BE ON ANY CERTAIN TEAM BASED ON PARENTS PREFERENCE. This is to protect the fairness of our draft system.
NOTE: In the event a new coach is selected to replace an outgoing coach, the coach will take over the existing roster. This means that all returning players for that team are to remain on that team. Unless the parents request their child be put back into the draft because there is a new coach. The coach will pick the remaining players for his new team from the draft as any other coach.
***** There will be NO refunds after the draft process has taken place. Any participant that quits the program will not receive a jersey or a trophy. *****
Team Practices:
The coach of each team will be responsible for scheduling the team’s practices. The B.C.T.C. will not intervene unless there is a justifiable complaint of unusual incidents occurring. NO TEAM WILL BE ALLOWED TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE LAST DATE OF THE PHYSICALS IS DUE.
Coaches are encouraged not to hold practices on Wednesdays out of respect to those families who attend church services on that night. No child will be penalized for missing/leaving early from a practice on Wednesday’s to attend church services.
Jamboree:
The Jamboree does not count as a scheduled game, therefore not counting towards the end of the year championship. In the event there is a tie in a division, then the overall record would then determine the division champions. If this also results in a tie, then a tie breaker will be scheduled between the two teams to determine the division champions.
Playing Time:
It is the policy of the B.C.T.C. that each child shall participate in 8 plays a half for a total of 16 plays per game. This does not apply in the event the child has broken a team rule that was set forth by the coach in the beginning. We want every child to get to play.
Player Discipline:
It will be the coach’s responsibility to set the rules for his/her team. The B.C.T.C. will not intervene unless there is a justifiable complaint of unusual incidents occurring. Coaches will discipline their players according to their team rules.
Cheerleading:
We do not sanction or allow aerial stunts, pyramid building or stunting without the approval of the BCTC. Any coaches found violating these rules will be removed from their position as coach. We do not have the appropriate number of approved and certified coaches to perform this type of activity. The coach must also remain with their squad always, at practices and at the games. Under NO circumstances should a child ever be left without releasing them to their parent.
The cheerleading coach will meet and review the options for uniforms. The uniforms will be purchased from the same company, allowing for a greater discount. The style and type of uniform will be determined by the cheerleading coordinator. It is the responsibility of each parent to buy their child’s uniform. The parent is required to make a deposit for the uniform at the time of sign ups and the remaining balance paid by the deadline set by the cheer coordinator. Failure to pay the uniform costs will result in your child not having a uniform and being able to participate in the program.
Jersey and Cheer Uniforms:
Jerseys: Please do not put jerseys in the dryer. This could cause the lettering to peel off the jersey. BCTC is not responsible for the cost of repair of the jersey if this occurs.
Cheer Uniforms: Each cheerleader will be sized during sign ups. Payment for cheer uniforms will be required in full at time of sign ups. There will be no refunds for the cheer uniforms once they are ordered. Uniforms are not custom fitted; if the cheerleader’s uniform does not fit to the parent’s approval –parents may alter the uniform. PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ALTERATIONS!!
There will be no refunds for jerseys or uniforms once the items are ordered.
Coaches Discipline:
Coaches are required to maintain self-control always. The Use of Profanity or Tobacco Products by any Coach at Practice or at Memorial Stadium during a game or a practice, is STRICTLY PROHIBITTED. Any Coach violating this statement will be suspended by the President for one game on the first offense and dismissed from Coaching on the second offence. Coaches should always be positive and uplifting to their players. Coaches are required to display good sportsmanship always. Coaches should always meet at midfield after their games and have their teams shake hands to promote good sportsmanship. If a coach or assistant coach is dismissed from the game by the President/Sgt. at Arms, or the referee he/she must leave the field and sit on the opposite sideline. If the coach refuses to leave, his team will forfeit the game and the coach will be brought before the Grievance Committee for dismissal. Any parent with a complaint against a coach is asked NOT to address this during or at the end of the game in front of the kids. You can bring the coach to the concession stand to stand before an officer of the BCTC to hear the discrepancy. The officer may ask the parent to present the infraction in the form of a grievance to be handled by the grievance committee.
Parent Behavior:
Any parent displaying inappropriate behavior at practices or at the field (before, during, or after games) will be removed from the field and/or practice area. This behavior includes cussing, yelling, going on the field, and any other behavior deemed inappropriate by B.C.T.C officers. The parent will not be able to return to any B.C.T.C games or functions if they were removed for inappropriate behavior.
Grievances Committee:
The grievance committee is made up of coaches and/or parents that are selected by the President and/or Sgt. at Arms of the B.C.T.C. The grievance committee is responsible for settling any dispute/infraction of the rules. Parents, coaches, sponsors, and players/cheerleaders all have the right to file a grievance if they feel something is not right. A grievance is to be filed within 24 hours (IN WRITING), after the incident has occurred. The grievance committee will act and render a decision within 48 hours after receiving a grievance form. Grievance forms must be picked up and turned in at the Coaches Corner.
THE DECISION OF THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE IS FINAL!!
Coaches Corner:
We now have an area that is accessible to all parents and coaches who wish to speak to the officers that are available that day. Any concerns, complaints, or suggestions to better our program, will gladly be heard at this area. This area is located at the Concession Stand. Our door is always open!!
Gate Admission:
Gate admission is $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for school age children. Only players, cheerleaders in uniform and coaches with official Touchdown Club Wristband will be allowed free gate admission.
Photos:
Photos are taken for your convenience on a regular scheduled day, usually on the day of the Jamboree. The BCTC will arrange for a photographer and Picture Packages will be available for your purchase. These photos are also given to our sponsors in appreciation for their support. Please make every effort to have your child available for these photos.
Concessions:
We need all parents to help in the concession stand. There is a schedule provided to each coach for his/her team. Two parents are needed from each team to volunteer before their game. NO ONE under the age of 15 is permitted to work in the concession area. No hanging out in the concession stand. PLEASE BE THERE TO WORK! We also need volunteers to help us at all School Home Games. This includes Middle School on Tuesday, J.V. on Thursday and Varsity on Friday.
Guidelines for the field and Practice Facilities
Our program operates at these facilities under the rules and guidelines of the Baker County School Board. No matter if it is school, public or private property all rules and guidelines must be followed always when instructing participants of the BCTC. There is to be NO smoking or tobacco products in the grandstands or at the practice facilities. Smoking is only permitted outside the gated area. There is to be NO alcohol, No gambling, and No use of profanity at these facilities. No pets allowed unless a licensed guide dog. All coaches are bound by the Florida High School Athletic Association rules of play. All coaches male or female will dress in a manner that the School Boards dress code permits. If any coach is found to violate this dress code they will be asked to leave the facility and change their clothes. NO FUND-RAISERS will be sanctioned by the Baker County Touchdown Club without prior approval of the Board of Directors.
Registration Fees:
Football Player - $80 (includes jersey and trophy)
Cheerleaders - $155 (includes uniform, bloomers, socks, hair bow, and trophy
**Do to increasing costs associated with the league’s liability insurance, we have had to increase the registration fee for football players.
Equipment List (Parent Responsibility):
Helmet Mouthpiece (colored)
Shoulder Pads Cleats
Practice Pants
Pads Set for Pants
Chin Strap
Important Dates:
Draft: The week after sign ups end
Free Physicals: TBA
Physicals: Due by First day of practice
Cheer Uniform Payment: Will be paid in full time of sign ups
Jamboree: TBD
Pictures: Jamboree
Officers:
Roland Gaskins – President Cell# 904-237-6642
Ritchie Tharpe – Vice President Cell# 843-377-5556
Heather Lewis – Secretary/Treasurer/Cheer Cell # 904-408-8259
Email us at [email protected]
***** There will be NO refunds after the draft process has taken place. Any participant that quits the program will not receive a jersey or a trophy *****