"The battle you must win is in your mind, not on the court"
CONTACT THE LEAGUE COMMISSIONER FOR YOUR CHILD'S GENDER AND GRADE FOR ANY INFO YOU REQUIRE. LOOK AT "Commissioners, 2020-2021" IN THE LEFT HAND MENU.
The primary goal of the VYI Basketball program is to provide a recreational outlet for all school age youth, ages 5-18, in the Vienna area who have a desire to participate. During the 2019-2020 season 2400 children participated in our basketball program making it one of the largest in the area.
Fees for disadvantaged youth/financial hardship are waived
Winning is not emphasized in 1st-3rd grades
Teamwork is taught
Good sportsmanship is promoted
Another goal of the league is to facilitate the creation of balanced teams, with the intention of delivering well matched competitive games
All house league players are rated based on a league-wide assessment. Players are assigned to teams by a draft, or assignment at some younger age levels.
The county-level (select) teams are determined by tryouts. Players that do not make county teams are encouraged to play in the house league.
Games are monitored by League Commissioners to ensure equality, good sportsmanship and good coaching.
2021-2022 VYI BASKETBALL RETURN TO PLAY POLICY – HOUSE LEAGUE
VYI Basketball is committed to giving the children of Vienna an opportunity to get on the court and play this winter. While we are excited about having a season, our foremost concern is the safety of our players, coaches, officials and families. To that extent we will put the following rules in place understanding we are following the guidelines of the CDC, the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD), and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and Fairfax County’ Office of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) for both for practice and competition.
All COVID protocols, including spectator availability, mask guidelines, etc., are subject to change at any time prior to or doing the 2021-2022 VYI basketball season based on requirements from FCPS/NCS and guidance from the FCHD.
It is anticipated the FCYBL will issue guidelines for FCYBL games. VYI county teams playing in the FCYBL will be required to follow the guidelines in this document for all practices.
Practice
House teams will have, at most, one (1) practice/week.
Teams may not enter the gym until after the teams in the preceding practice session have exited the gym.
Players must wear masks entering and exiting the gym and during entire practice session, except when actively training.
Coaches and spectators must wear masks during the entire session.
Inter-team scrimmaging is discouraged to reduce exposure between players on opposing teams.
Games
Games will be scheduled in 75-minute blocks. Players should not enter the gym until the teams from the preceding game have exited the gym. Specifically, the first team must exit the facility completely before the next group enters. Second group must remain in their cars until first group is completely out of the facility.
Coaches, building director, score table volunteers, and spectators must wear masks at all times while in the gym.
Players must wear masks at all times while in the gym, except while actively playing in the game.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
Before games and practices, check your child’s temperature and refrain from participation if your child has a fever (i.e., ≥ 100.4°F).
Ensure that you and your child stays home if you/they are sick and/or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 or influenza.
Comply with all elements of the VYI Basketball COVID-19 Reporting Policy (see below).
Supply your child with a mask for games and practices.
Player Responsibilities
STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK
Bring your own water bottle to each practice and game.
Masks are required at all times during practices and games, except while actively participating.
Coach Responsibilities
Before games and practices, check your temperature and refrain from participation if you have a fever (i.e., ≥ 100.4°F).
STAY HOME if you are sick and/or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 or Influenza.
Coordinate with another parent to fill in as volunteer if you cannot attend.
The building director must ensure that only players, coaches, score table volunteers and one spectator per player enter the gym.
The building director must ensure that mask guidelines are followed.
COVID Cases
Players, coaches, parents, and referees are required to follow the VYI COVID-19 reporting guidelines.
Any player, coach or parent that tests positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate according to VYI guidelines and is required to obtain approval from the VYI basketball commissioner (Jay Brigham) and/or assistant basketball commissioners (Debbi Dyson/Scott Tulino) before returning to participation. Similarly, any player, coach or parent that is exposed to COVID-19 must quaratine according to VYI guidelines and is required to obtain approval from the VYI basketball commissioner (Jay Brigham) and/or assistant basketball commissioners (Debbi Dyson/Scott Tulino) before returning to participation.
If any player, coach, parent volunteer, or referee begins to feel ill during a game or practice the building director must notify the VYI commissioner or assistant commissioner immediately. The person must be separated from other individuals in the gym and should leave the gym as soon as possible
CANCELATION OF GAMES OR THE SEASON
VYI WILL FOLLOW GUIDANCE FROM THE VIRGINA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE, FCPS, NCS, FCHD AND THE TOWN OF VIENNA WHEN DECIDING TO CANCEL GAMES OR THE SEASON. IF FCPS CLOSES ITS GYMS TO COMMUNITY USE VYI WILL CANCEL GAMES OR THE SEASON ACCORDINGLY.
2021-2022 VYI BASKETBALL COVID REPORTING POLICY
If a player, coach, building director, score table volunteer or anyone otherwise present at a VYI event is exposed to a person with COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19 they must within 24 hours report the exposure or positive test to DIRECTLY either the VYI Basketball Commissioner (Jay Brigham
and/or a VYI Assistant Basketball Commissioner (Debbi Dyson
and Scott Tulino scotttulino@yahoo.com).
The impacted person and family will self-quarantine from VYI activities based on guidance from FCHD and instructions from VYI.
VYI will not disclose the name(s) of COVID-19 impacted individuals.
VYI will notify the impacted teams(s) of the COVID-19 exposure or positive test.
The impacted family must also self-report to the Fairfax County Department of Public Health by calling 703-267-3511.
CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE
Any coach that fails to adhere to the league rules on social distancing, mask requirements and/or safety of their team/players during practices or games may be removed by the VYI Basketball Board (consisting of Jay Brigham, Debbi Dyson and Scott Tulino). This also includes failure to timely exit the gym after each practice and game.
Any player or coach found to knowingly disregard a recent contact with a positive Covid-19 patient/individual (by not notifying the Head Coach in a reasonable time (no more than 24 hours or the next practice/game…whichever comes first)) will be removed from the team for the remainder of the season and will not be offered any refunds.
The Building Director has the authority to remove a coach/player/volunteer from the gym for “COVID Safety” violations. Any argument by a coach or player will not be tolerated.
If parents (spectators), other than coaches, the building director, and score table volunteers enter the gym and refuse to leave the referees will halt play until he parent (spectator) leaves the gym.
Any player or coach found to knowingly disregard a recent contact with a positive COVID-19 patient/individual (by not notifying the Head Coach in a reasonable time (no more than 24 hours or the next practice/game…whichever comes first)) will be removed from the team for the remainder of the season and will not be offered any refunds.
VYI has received some complaints concerning the behavior of some parents, coaches and/or children using area sports facilities. While many of these complaints are eventually discovered to be related to other sports that are not related to VYI, we want to ensure our members continue to be respectful of the neighborhoods, schools, and parks that host our practices and events. Some of the specific complaints we’ve received include:
Parking in front of neighborhood houses and obstructing resident access
Walking through private property
Generally disturbing the peace and quiet of the people living around the fields and gyms
As stated previously, we don’t know if any of the incidents reported involve VYI parents, coaches or children but it is appropriate that we establish guidelines so that everyone knows what is expected of them. Anything a parent, coach or player does while attending a VYI activity reflects on VYI and all of us individually.
Use of area gyms and fields is a privilege not a right. VYI has an excellent reputation in the community and because of that we enjoy certain privileges. It is imperative that we maintain this reputation. We are guests in these neighborhoods and must conduct ourselves accordingly.
We will be amending the parents Code of Conduct rules to spell out specific expectations but here are some rules that we must all follow:
Parking on residential side streets is only permitted when all lots adjacent to a facility are full.
Do not park in the designated SACC (School Age Child Care) parking areas in school parking lots
When it is necessary to park on a neighborhood street we must be quiet and respectful of the residents and their property. This means there should be no yelling, littering or trespassing on private property.
Never park in such a way as to block a driveway or otherwise obstruct the resident from leaving their home or parking in front of it.
Make sure we leave each facility clean and free of trash.
Be a leader. If you witness inappropriate behavior intervene and report to a coach or commissioner as appropriate.
We appreciate your support in ensuring that we have continued access to the facilities that are vital to our sports programs.
