STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL SQUASH TEAM
Program’s Directive and Governance Rules
I. Purpose and Scope
This Directive sets out the governance roles, responsibilities, and standards of conduct for the Staples High School Squash Team. It is intended to:
- Ensure a fair, transparent, inclusive, and student-centered athletic environment
- Clearly define the authority and limitations of the Coach and Parent Team Manager
- Provide a structured and equitable process for team leadership selection
- Serve as a reference for parents, student-athletes, school administration, and affiliated supporters
II. Coach Role
A. Appointment and Authority
The Coach is appointed by the school and is responsible for the athletic and developmental aspects of the Program, subject to oversight by the Athletic Department.
B. Responsibilities
The Coach shall:
- Design and conduct practices and training sessions
- Develop players’ technical, tactical, and physical skills
- Promote sportsmanship, teamwork, inclusivity, fairness, and integrity
- Determine match lineups based on merit, effort, attendance, and performance
- Clearly communicate to all parents the qualities they look for in a Captain or Vice-Captain
- Provide consistent and constructive feedback to all players
- Offer leadership opportunities and roles beyond Captaincy, with no player holding more than one role, so that opportunities are shared equitably
- Remain objective and impartial, making decisions free from favoritism
III. Captain and Player Team Selection Policy
A. Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Captaincy, a player must:
- Attend all scheduled team practices during the season, other than absences for illness, medical appointments, or tournaments and matches
- Serve as a student leader who models commitment, sportsmanship, and accountability
- Demonstrate consistent effort, a positive attitude, inclusivity, respect, ethics, and leadership and interpersonal skills
B. Captain Selection Process
The selection process for Captain shall be structured and transparent, and may include:
- Nomination Phase
Players may self-nominate or be nominated by teammates. - Team Input
Anonymous team feedback or voting may be used to assess peer perception of leadership. - Coach Evaluation
The Coach evaluates candidates against objective criteria, including attendance, leadership and inclusive behavior, interpersonal skills, contribution to the team, and team input.
C. Number of Captains
- The team shall have a maximum of two Captains
D. Player Team Selection
- Participation in the National Tournament (Varsity) and the Interscholastics Tournament (JV Nationals) is a contributing factor in the placement of players on their respective teams
- Tryouts, ranking, and commitment determine team selection
E. Other Roles and Positions
- In addition to Captaincy, the team may have other roles such as Media Coordinator, Treasurer, Volunteer Coordinator, Marketing Leader, and Student Ambassador. Players are encouraged to take on these roles with the Coach’s approval.
F. Prohibited Practices
- Influence from the Parent Team Manager or parents
- Consideration of non-merit factors (e.g., personal relationships, external contributions)
IV. Parent Team Manager Role
A. Appointment and Purpose
The Parent Team Manager is a volunteer position, held for a maximum of two years, appointed to support the Program’s logistical and organizational needs. The role is non-coaching and has no decision-making authority on athletic matters.
B. Responsibilities
The Parent Team Manager will:
- Brief the High School Coach on all plans before they are shared or implemented
- Copy the Coach on all emails during the season and for any off-season programs run by the Coach
- Coordinate team logistics, including transportation, match schedules, and event planning
- Manage communication (e.g., schedules, reminders) between families and the Program
- Assist with team events and fundraising (if applicable), and recruit additional volunteers as needed
- Welcome other volunteers into active roles
- Observe the two-year term, consistent with the practice of the Westport Public Schools PTA and other sports teams: shadowing the Parent Team Manager in the first year and serving as primary Parent Team Manager in the second. At the start of the second year, the primary Parent Team Manager emails all parents to ask for a volunteer to shadow them. If no parent volunteers, the Coach will approach a parent directly. To ensure fairness to all families, there are no exceptions to the two-year term.
- Have completed the shadowing year before taking on the role. A child’s selection as Captain is not a basis for appointment. The role requires working knowledge of scheduling and operating logistics, including off-season booking for Varsity Nationals and Interscholastics (JV Nationals).
- At the end of the season and before the banquet, email all parents a survey prepared with the Coach and 203 Squash Westport. Results are shared with the Coaches, who will share relevant feedback with players and parents at the banquet. The survey supports ongoing improvement and helps keep the program fair and inclusive.
- Support a positive and inclusive team environment for all families
C. Limitations of Authority
The Parent Team Manager shall not:
- Seek Captaincy for their child
- Participate in or influence player evaluation, rankings, match lineups, or Captain selection
- Intervene in coaching decisions, training plans, or discipline
- Communicate directives to players on behalf of the Coach without the Coach’s knowledge
- Serve as Parent Team Manager in a season when their child is not on the team
D. Conflict of Interest
Where the Parent Team Manager has a child on the team:
- They must exercise heightened neutrality
E. Non-Compliance
The Parent Team Manager will be asked to step down if they have:
- Misrepresented the Coach’s decisions to other parents
- Made and implemented decisions regarding the program without the Coach’s knowledge or approval
- Not shared important information with other parents (for example, tournaments or other opportunities approved by the Coach or the Staples Athletic Department)
- Not complied with this Directive, or prevented others from supporting the program
- Made decisions that compromise the integrity, fairness, inclusivity, or ethics of the program
V. Parent Guidelines
Parents and guardians play an important supporting role and are expected to:
- Encourage sportsmanship, respect, and team values
- Refrain from interfering with coaching decisions or team governance
- Raise concerns directly with the Coach or through the appropriate channels
- Support all players equally and avoid creating divisions within the team
Parents shall not:
- Use a volunteer role to seek an advantage for their child
- Attempt to influence player selection, rankings, or Captaincy
- Act in a way that undermines the Coach, team cohesion, or fairness
VI. Conflict Resolution and Reporting
- Concerns about bullying, unethical scoring or conduct on court, or other concerning behavior by a player or parent should be reported to the Coach
- Reports will be reviewed promptly and impartially
- Retaliation against anyone raising a concern is prohibited
VII. Enforcement and Compliance
Failure to comply with this Directive may result in:
- Removal from the Parent Team Manager role
- Disciplinary action for coaching staff
- Review and possible revision of affected team decisions
- Additional actions as determined by the Athletic Department
VIII. Effective Date
This Directive is effective from the 2026 school year, in line with the principles of Westport Squash, 203 Squash Westport, and Staples High School, to support integrity, clarity, sportsmanship, and efficiency.
This document is the governance policy and reference for Coaches and all parents of the Staples High School Squash Team, supporting a fair, inclusive, ethical, and transparent program focused on the development of every player.
This governance supports the “formulation of moral values, pride of accomplishment, self-discipline and self-confidence” in all players. (Source: Staples Athletic Department)