Participation Waiver & Code of Conduct

1. Voluntary Participation and Assumption of Risk

I understand that participation in basketball, cheerleading, practices, games, tournaments, conditioning, training, and team events involves inherent risks. These include falls, collisions, equipment-related injuries, sprains, strains, fractures, concussions, serious bodily injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I give permission for the participant to take part and knowingly assume these risks on the participant’s behalf.

2. Participant Health

I confirm that the participant is physically capable of participating. I will disclose relevant medical conditions, allergies, medications, and limitations. I understand that the organization and its coaches do not diagnose medical conditions, and the participant will not take part while sick, injured, or medically restricted.

3. Injuries and Concussions

The participant and parent or guardian will immediately report injury, pain, dizziness, confusion, headache, vision changes, breathing difficulty, or other concerning symptoms. A participant may be removed from activity and required to obtain medical clearance before returning.

4. Emergency Medical Authorization

If I cannot be reached, I authorize organization representatives to obtain reasonable emergency medical care and contact emergency medical services for the participant. I accept responsibility for resulting costs and understand that the organization does not guarantee individual medical or accident insurance.

5. Release of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by North Carolina law, I release and agree to hold harmless the Tabernacle Cougars, Tabernacle Community Association, participating schools and facilities, and their directors, coaches, volunteers, employees, agents, representatives, and event hosts from claims arising from participation, including claims based on ordinary negligence. This release does not apply where a waiver is prohibited by law.

6. Facilities, Transportation, and Personal Property

I understand that activities may occur at third-party facilities. Parents and guardians are responsible for transportation unless the organization makes a separate written arrangement. The organization is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property.

7. Team Placement and Coaching Requests

Coaching requests may be considered but are not guaranteed. Team placement may depend on age, enrollment, roster size, competitive balance, safety, and available staff. Final placement decisions belong to the organization.

Required Gear Acknowledgment

Player Code of Conduct

1. Treat teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators, and facility staff with respect.
2. Listen to coaches, follow instructions promptly, and participate with a positive attitude.
3. Show good sportsmanship in practices, games, and team activities, whether winning or losing.
4. Do not fight, bully, threaten, harass, discriminate, use profanity, taunt others, or engage in unsafe conduct.
5. Respect officials and their decisions. Players may not argue with or confront an official.
6. Attend practices and games on time. Notify the coach as soon as possible when an absence is unavoidable.
7. Wear the proper uniform and required gear and bring an appropriate drink to every practice and game.
8. Respect gyms, schools, equipment, uniforms, and the property of others.
9. Do not possess or use tobacco, vaping products, alcohol, illegal drugs, weapons, or other prohibited items.
10. Use social media responsibly and do not post content that targets, embarrasses, threatens, or harms another person or the organization.
11. Immediately report injuries, unsafe conditions, bullying, or serious misconduct to a coach or organization representative.
12. Represent the Tabernacle Cougars and the community in a positive and responsible manner.

Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct

1. Encourage effort, teamwork, learning, and good sportsmanship rather than focusing only on winning.
2. Treat every player, coach, official, volunteer, spectator, and facility employee with respect.
3. Do not yell at, threaten, confront, intimidate, or verbally or physically abuse any participant or official.
4. Allow coaches to coach and officials to officiate without interference from the sideline or stands.
5. Address concerns calmly and privately with the appropriate coach or organization representative at a reasonable time after the activity.
6. Follow organization rules, schedules, payment requirements, facility policies, and safety procedures.
7. Ensure the player arrives and is picked up on time and has safe transportation to and from activities.
8. Provide accurate emergency, medical, allergy, medication, and contact information and promptly report changes.
9. Ensure the player has the required gear, proper athletic clothing, and adequate water or Gatorade.
10. Supervise children and guests who attend and remain responsible for their conduct.
11. Do not publish abusive, misleading, or harmful statements about players, families, coaches, officials, volunteers, or the organization.
12. Understand that coaching and team-placement requests may be considered but are not guaranteed.

Discipline and Enforcement

Violations may result in a warning, removal from an activity, suspension, attendance restrictions, removal from the program, or other appropriate action. Serious misconduct may result in immediate action. Registration fees may be nonrefundable, subject to organization policy and applicable law.

Acknowledgment

I certify that the information I provide is accurate. I have read and understand this participation waiver, required gear acknowledgment, and code of conduct, and I accept the stated risks and responsibilities. By signing below—or by checking the corresponding box and submitting an online registration—I give informed consent and provide my electronic acknowledgment to the fullest extent permitted by law.