Section 2:  South County Crew

The Club:  Crew is a club sport in Fairfax County and, as such, is not supported by Fairfax County Public School funds.  The entire support for the program - the equipment, coaches and operations - must come from parents, student-athletes and from fundraising activities.  Our crew program is sponsored and supported by the South County Crew Boosters Club which raises funds through individual assessments and fundraising activities.

The contributions of both the student-athletes and their families in both financial aspects and work activities are the cornerstone of the program's success.  As a member of the South County Crew team, you are shaping the future for this team.

Our Mission:  Our mission is to introduce novices to crew and provide them the opportunity to learn to row in a competitive environment.  We want to provide opportunities for physical training and camaraderie, an outlet for learning and practicing leadership and teamwork, and to promote athletes that excel academically as well.

Our Vision:  South County Crew is growing, thriving, and competitive!

Team Goals:

Coaching and Rower Teamwork:  Increased teamwork clearly provides a competitive advantage. Leadership and teamwork development brings out the best in people. Leadership and teamwork improves every aspect of the rowing experience, increasing collaboration, focus, problem solving, clarity, unity, decisiveness, morale, buy-in, and performance. It also reduces politics, negativity, confusion, indecisiveness, pettiness, stress and costs. When people are focused on the good of the whole they accomplish more in less time, with greater precision.

Coaching and Rower Satisfaction and Pride:  A clear understanding of the objectives of the club, which are reinforced by open communication and mutual respect between coaches and team members with awareness and skills to work effectively together.

Excellence in Coaching Leadership:  We provide every rower clear, positive and engaging training that continually increases each individual's ability to contribute, lead, and develop others in support of a competitive rowing program. Coaches will identify and build on each rower’s strengths, and identify weaknesses that need to be addressed. Coaches will help rowers to actively choose motivations and actions that build team relationships, and enhance team performance.

Team Objectives:

-To attract, motivate, and retain coaches and rowers.

-To have rowers learn, contribute to the team, and have fun.

-To increase satisfaction and the sense of personal contribution through respect and acknowledgement of the value and contribution of every parent, coach, and rower.

Organizational Structure:

Crew Booster Club Board: The Booster Club Board works with South County Secondary School to support the South County Crew program.  The Board consists of parents of student-athletes, the faculty sponsor, and the Head Coach.  The Board oversees all activities of the club and has the difficult task of balancing fundraising and equipment purchases and maintenance, operations, regatta travel, etc. to ensure that the Club is successful.

Coaching Staff: The number of coaching positions required is determined by the number of active rowers to ensure maximum attention and safety.  Coach’s contact information is located in this Handbook under “Communications” and in the directory.  Coach’s biographies are located on the team website under Coaches' Corner.

South County Athletic Staff: Like other sports programs, Crew operates within a school-approved structure because it is on the school's behalf that the athletes row.  The Principal and Athletic Director play key roles in supporting the sport.  The Athletic Director maintains communications and coordination with all other schools against whom SC crew competes.

Previous:  What is Crew?                                                               Next:  Regattas

 Section 4:  Requirements for Participation

Physical Examination. A yearly physical examination is required.  The Virginia High School League (VHSL) physical form must be completed and submitted to the SCSS Athletic Department (Student Activities Office) prior to participation.  See Registration Forms at left or the FCPS website for the form.  The physical covers all sports for the entire school year provided the examination occurs after May 1 of the preceding school year.  (Before turning in physical, please make sure each page is signed where required and a copy is made for your records.

Emergency Medical Authorization. Each athlete’s parents shall complete a FCPS Emergency Care Form giving permission for treatment by a physician or hospital when the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are not available.  See Registration Forms at left or the FCPS website for the form.  The form will be kept in the medical kit for availability at all practices and regattas.

Scholastic Eligibility. In order to participate on a South County athletic team, each athlete must have satisfied all of the VHSL scholastic eligibility requirements prior to participation.  Each athlete must have passed five subjects for credit the preceding semester and be enrolled in five subjects for credit the current semester.

Swim Test. A mandatory swim test is conducted before on-water training for all new rowers and coxswains.  A testing date will be arranged for sometime in January or early February.  If the rower misses this date it is his/her responsibility to arrange a swim test at another facility.  The test typically consists of swimming clothed 100 meters in any style and time frame, treading water for 2 minutes, and donning a life vest while in the water.  Coaches must sign the swim test form for it to be valid and coaches will ensure the paperwork is filed with rowers’ registration paperwork before any rower will be allowed to participate on the water.  There will be no exceptions to this policy.

Safety Video. All team members must view the safety video each year before getting on the water.  There will be two viewing days set during winter conditioning in February.  If you miss these dates, it is your responsibility to arrange a viewing date.

Fees.  All fees (membership dues and fundraising commitment) must be paid to the boosters before March 18, 2011.  Rowers whose fees are not paid in full can continue to work out or condition with the team but could be prevented from participating in on-the-water training.

Registration Forms. All required for Registration forms must be completed and submitted to the Membership Committee Chair prior to participation.  Forms, associated deadlines and registration procedures can be found under Registration Information and Registration Forms.

Service Hours.   Rower service hour commitment must be complete before a rower is permitted to participate in a regatta.