Participant Information Packet

THE KING’S ACADEMY KNIGHT’S BASKETBALL

Participant Information Packet

2017-2018

“If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown

unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5

THE KING’S ACADEMY KNIGHT’S

The King’s Academy Knight’s (TKA) athletic program is a not-for-profit organization established in 2005 for the benefit of TKA studentswho are interested in participating in competitive sports programs. We offer a wide range of sports programs for student athletes including cheerleading, cross country, baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, softball, swim, tennis, and volleyball. Our team name/mascot is the Knight’s, and our colors are navy and gray. For more information regarding sports programs, please visit

We strive to provide consistent biblical reinforcement through athletic competition. Parents work with us to help their child build character and a strong work ethic through athletics, and encourage them to accept growing responsibility as they mature. We provide a vital athletic experience that facilitates encouragement, confidence in one's ability and discipline. Parents play a vital role in their student's athletic performance, and in their emotional, social and spiritual development. In cooperation with parents, we seek to help build strong, confident, yet humble servants for Christ.

OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

Our Statement of Faith is based on fundamental Christian beliefs that we strongly support as the foundation of our organization. The King’s Academy does not promote or endorse any particular denomination. We desire to remain united in the salvation and love of Christ, avoiding any dissension that may be caused by denominational distinctive.

†We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God. (II Timothy 3:15; II Peter 1:21)

†We believe there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30)

†We believe in the deity of Christ (John 10:33)

†His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35)

†His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26)

†His miracles (John 2:11)

†His vicarious and atoning death (I Corinthians 15:3; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:9)

†His resurrection (John 11:25; I Corinthians 15:4)

†His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19)

†His personal return in power and glory (Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11)

†We believe that men are justified on the single ground of faith in the shed blood of Christ and that only by God’s grace and through faith alone we are saved. (John 3:16-19; 5:24; Romans 3:23; 5:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5).

†We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28,29)

†We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 3:26, 28)

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by who’s indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life. (Romans 8:13-14; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18) Statement on Marriage, Gender and Sexuality

†We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps 139.)

†We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

†We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25.) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

†We believe that any form of sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography, is sinful. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.)

BASKETBALL PROGRAM

The King’s Academy Knight’s offerboys and girls Varsity, Junior Varsity and Middle Schoolbasketball to students in grade 6-12. The Knight’sbasketball program has worked hard to earn and maintain a reputation of excellence and high character among The King’s’ family and the local community. TKA Knight’s’ basketball players are“Ambassadors” for the Knight’sand The King’s Academy on and off the field. Therefore, the coaches will have high expectations of each player which includes but is not limited to: attendance, work ethic, a positive and willing attitude, Christ-like behavior, good sportsmanship, respect for their coach and teammates and a passion for the sport basketball.

The primary goal of the Knight’s basketball program is to teach life lessons and skills that will equip our young men and women for the world beyond high school athletics. It is our desire to provide the very best opportunity possible to those who wish to play at the next level. Winning is a desired goal but it is not the most important goal. The most important goal is brining honor and glory to God in how we play. “It is possible to win a game, yet lose our ability to shine light in to a dark world.”

STAFF

Michelle Rutledge serves as the Athletic Director at The King’s Academy. She has years of athletic managerial experience and has served at several levels including coach, committee member and board member prior to taking on the director position.

A basketball committeeis made up of participating volunteer parents and will be established after tryouts. These members are nominated and contacted by the Athletic Director to confirm their willingness to serve in this capacity.

CONFERENCES AND TOURNAMENTS

Knight’s HS and MS basketball programs are a member of the Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association (GICAA).

The Coaches and Athletic Director will determine all tournament play. The Coaches will communicate with the parents and players the details of the tournament. Each team should have a minimum of 7 players to attend an out-of-town tournament. All tournament entry fees will be paid by the basketball budget. All other expenses are out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the players attending. Fundraising for these expenses is encouraged and optional. All fundraising must be approved by the Committee and AD.

ELIGIBILITY

High school players reaching the age of 19 before May 1st of the sports’ year will not be eligible to participate in any of theathletic competitions. Middle School players reaching the age of 15 prior to September 1 of the current school year of participation will not be eligible to play middle school sports.

Once a student designates they are in the 9th grade, the four years of eligibility “clock” starts ticking.Students must not “walk” during Senior Recognition at games until they are graduating from high school. Seniors will be required to complete a “Senior Exit Form” once these eligibility limitations have been met, and this will serve as communication that their participation with The Knight’s has ended.

GICAA rules applying to non-TKA players:

†The King’s Academy will become the non-TKA student’s “home base” for all sports.

†Once the non-TKA student begins the 9th grade playing for a TKA, they are ineligible for one year if they transfer to another GICAA school without a legitimate move.

†Non-TKA students have four years of eligibility beginning in the 9th grade assuming they make the cut at tryouts each season.

†Non-TKA students must live within 30 miles of the member school.

SPORT’S PHYSICALS

With over 300 student-athletes participating in sports, the TKA Athletic Department and Administration believe that the health and safety of our student athletes is very important.All TKA athletes will be required to pass and submit a signed Sport’s Physical to the Athletic Department before the first day of practice of each sport’s year. Physicals may be done at your health provider’s office, CVS and/or other practices that offer sport’s physicals. Most medical facilities offering sport’s physical request or require that the athlete provide a “Pre-participant Physical Evaluation” form. This form is available for download at go to sports, basketball and forms/documents.

TRYOUTS AND REGISTRATION

Students desiring to try out for the Knight’s basketball program must attend 1of 2 tryout sessions. Tryouts are closed to parents. River Church: 2355 Sixes Road, Canton, GA 30114.

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Tuesday, September 19

River Church Gym

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm JV Boys

Wednesday, September 20

TKA Gym

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Middle School Girls

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Middle School Boys

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm JV Boys

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm Varsity Boys

(MS and JV Football games on Thursday, Night for Varsity Football Players to attend)

Thursday, September 21

River Church Gym

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Middle School Boys

9:00 pm - 10:30 pm Varsity Girls

(MS Boys Football should be over by 7:00 pm / Varsity Volleyball should be over by 8:30 pm)

Saturday, September 23

TKA Gym

9:30 am - 10:30 am Middle School Girls

10:30 am - 12:00 pm Varsity Girls

River Church Gym

10:00 am - 11:30 am Varsity Boys

Participants must bring the following to tryouts:

• A $100 refundable volunteer check and $75 uniform check
• High School Affidavit of Eligibility (new HS students 9-12th)
• Copy on Insurance Card (front and back)
• Birth Certificates (new players only)
• AES Agreement Form (Non-TKA students only)
• Copy of current report card signed by parent (Non-TKA students only)

Players will not be issued a uniform if they have not turned in their volunteer and uniform checks. The volunteer check will be cashed if a volunteer fails to show up to fulfill their volunteer duty. Volunteers who are unable to fulfill their obligation at any game are responsible for finding a replacement. The uniform check will be cashed if a player fails to turn in their uniform at the end of the season.

RESULTS

Team rosters will be posted on the TKA website Saturday, 9/23. Players must declare their intentions within 24 hours by emailing coach. Players failing to declare within the 48-period will be dropped from the roster and coaches will then have the option to consider and contact alternate players.

PARTICIPATION FEES

Varsity Fee $500

JV Fee $500

MS Fee$400

Fees are due in full no later than November 1st. Players with outstanding fees as of NOVEMBER 1STwill become ineligible to play and will be benched until fees are paid in full. All players must register online at of payment method.

Participation fees cover program administration, secondary insurance, supplies, honorariums, equipment and trophies/awards as well as:

•Administrative fees

•League fees

•Secondary insurance

•Use of game and practice uniforms

Additional costs may be incurred throughout the season beyond the initial registration fee. These costs typically include, but are not limited to:

•Basketball shoes–strongly preferred that players wear only school colors

•Transportation costs to and from away games (ride sharing)

•Team and individual athlete pictures (optional)

•Personal equipment or other team-related items or apparel (optional)

•Banquet Meal for parents and siblings

Credit Card Payments: Fees may be paid online with a credit card (credit card fee is applied upon check out).

Payment by Check: Checks should be made payable to TKA Athletics with “V, JV or MS Basketball Fee” written in the memo line. Checks may be sent to the attention of the AD via doc folder or mailed to P.O. Box 675, Woodstock, GA 30188.

REFUND AND NON-PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION FEES

Registration fees will be refunded at 100% if an athlete withdraws from the program in writing before the first day of practiceminus any expenses incurred for equipment, uniforms, camp fees or other items that cannot be recovered by the program on behalf of that athlete. After the first day of practice, players who withdraw from the program for any reason are not eligible for a refund. Any exceptions to the refund policy must be submitted to the Athletic Director.

Participants who leave the program without full payment of their registration fee will be ineligible for try outs and/or participation in any program until payment is made in full. Committees will report all non-paying participants to the Athletic Director.

GICAA ALL STAR PLAYER FEES

GICAA All Star players (Seniors only) will be required to pay for ½ of the All-Star fee if they choose to participate in the GICAA All Star Game.The team’s budget will cover the other half of the player’s fee as well as coaches’ expenses, if any.

SPONSORSHIPS

There is also opportunity provided by The King’s Academy Knight’s to obtain program sponsors. If a student obtains a program sponsor, the student receives 70% of the sponsor fees and 30% goes toward the program. Sponsors will receive a link on the website and an appreciation plaque. Sponsorship forms available via the website at must email their contact and company logo to the Web Master at nd will have their contact and company displayed on the web site for 12 months. Sponsorship forms and checks must be made payable to TKA Athletics and turned in to the TEAM TREASURER.

SCHOLARSHIPS

A limited number of funds has been set aside in the budget for scholarships and will be given out on as needed first-come-first-serve basis. Any family requesting a scholarship must submit a financial aid application and set up an appointment before the registration deadline with the AD and Committee. All scholarship awards will be determined by the AD.

FUNDRAISING

Fundraisers may be offered during the year by the basketball program as needed. Families must agree to participate in any group fundraising activities or pay an equivalent net monetary amount as established by the program. All fundraising projects must be approved by the AD andproceeds should be turned into the team treasurer who will deduct it from your balance owed. Parents/participants will be responsible for any costs or fees that are not raised.

UNIFORMS

Coaches will issue uniforms at practice. Shooting shirts will be available for purchase.

TEAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Gina Cellino is TKA’s school photographer. The swim committee should contact Gina to set up a time for team and individual pictures.

PARENTS

CONCUSSION POLICY

The state of Georgia passed the “Return to Play Act of 2013” that went into effect on January 1, 2014. The well-being of our student athletes is of paramount concern during any athletic contest. Officials, coaches and administrators are being asked to make every effort to ensure that athletes who exhibit symptoms of concussion are removed from practices and contests. Thus, coaches, players, officials, and administrators must be educated to recognize the signs of concussion in all athletes and remove them from participation until they have been evaluated by a medical professional and cleared to return to play.

We highly recommend (but not require) that all athletes, particularly athletes in football, cheerleading, soccer, baseball, softball and basketball, have a base-line concussion test done before participating in sports. Children’s Health Care of Atlanta offers online scheduling for their “Baseline ImPACT” Concussion Test. Call404-785-KIDS (5437), select option 3 and ask for the concussion nurse or call 1-800-785-CHOA.

TRAINERS - PT SOLUTIONS

The King’s Academy’s has partnered with PT Solutions. Led by Dr. Ross Brakeville, PT, DPT, STC, who will be providing FREE Sports Medicine Management to The King’s Academy. PT Solutions has grown to 20 offices in Metro Atlanta driven by a mission to exceed patient expectations. Dr. Brakeville joined PT Solutions with the goal of adding a greater network of resources to meet his vision of having a positive impact in the provision of sport’s medicine. Dr. Brakeville, a Physical Therapist in Cherokee County for 16 years, has been instrumental in shaping sport’s medicine in our County and beyond. Our relationship with PT Solutions affords The King’s Academy access to highly-trained professionals helping meet the needs of our student-athletes.

Services Provided:

FREE on-site baseline concussions tests at TKA.

Efficient referrals to our team of expert medical professionals when needed.

Physical Therapy management of injuries/conditions.

Performance enhancement and injury prevention programs.

Mass Physicals in May.

FREE screening appointments are also available by physical therapist at PT-Solutions Woodstock Clinic. Download PT Solutions Consent to Treatment & Waiver of Liability Form from

PT Solutions – Woodstock

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1816 Eagle Drive – Suite 100C

Woodstock, GA 30189

(770) 516-9191

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Ross Brakeville, PT, DPT, STC

Cell(678) 469-3007

Office(770) 516-9191

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CONFLICT RESOLUTION

As Christians, we should seek to resolve conflict in an appropriate and Christ-honoring way, attempting to resolve all concerns or disputes promptly, respectfully and peacefully.

Parents should address concerns relating to their athlete or the team directly with the coaches before discussing them with other students and parents. The use of social media and email by replying all is never an appropriate way to communicate concerns, opinions, criticisms, or resolve disputes. Please do not address these concerns with a coach before or after a practice or game. Parents should contact the coach by phone or email to schedule a face-to-face meeting in private, away from the athletic events, and on a separate day if possible. If a resolution does not occur from a parent and coach meeting, the parent or coach should contactbring the matter to the Athletic Director or Board Liaison for intervention.