Some school sport teams have difficulty collaborating as a team and have trouble demonstrating commitment during their off-seasons. In order to solve some of these problems, many sport teams are considering becoming club sport teams during their off-seasons. Becoming a club team still allows the players to compete against its usual rivals and continue to be a part of the Marmonte League.
CHS sport teams are restricted in many categories, such as fundraising and scheduling. Thus, teams are not able to acquire the necessary funds that they need to be successful. If the teams became clubs in their off-seasons they would have more flexibility with rules and regulations and have opportunities to prosper and improve. Club teams would have more practice time with coaches year-round, form stronger relationships and possess constant motivation and support.
“Turning into a club would help a team become a cohesive unit, a team that will better learn from its coaches and one another,” said Assistant Principal Ryan Emery.
In the off-season, club teams do not compete as CHS, rather as a club under a different name. Teams have no competitive ties to the school in their off-season; however, players are given another opportunity to compete outside of their seasons.
Currently, high school sports are limited by district and California Scholarship Federation policies that disable large sums of money to be attained because of the restrictions. As sport teams, all fundraisers must go through the school and the Associated Student Body. By fundraising as a club sport team, teams can fundraise however they like, without the current restrictions. Fundraising options include hosting tournaments, in which the entrance fees from other teams participating become revenue, selling tickets for raffles and collecting donations. Through fundraising efforts, teams would still be able to compensate the coaches, and this would result in more time spent with the players. Being clubs allows teams to fundraise with fewer restrictions; however, they are still subject to monthly audits and must have a board in place along with an accountant.
“If a sport team were to become a club team, it would be able to fundraise without being subjected to restraints on campus,” said Emery.
The change would also affect the teams’ schedules. School districts and other private entities cannot limit the amount of hours a club team can practice, so this provides coaches with the opportunity to determine the proper amount of practice time. Although teams can only compete in the Marmonte League during season, they have many opportunities to compete year-round in other tournaments.
“This change would provide us with more time to compete in tournaments in off-season,” said girls soccer coach Julie Scheppele. “This means we get to play together all year long, and we get to play against teams that are more competitive.”
As a club team, the team has the opportunity to have a more successful season. Members have more time to improve before they start their pre-seasons. The change does not affect sport teams while they are in season; it only applies to the duration of the off-season. The administration is currently meeting with the Coyote Club to discuss the topic, and many teams are on the path to change.
