The Town of New Gloucester offers a limited but growing roster of activities and facility resources to its citizens. The Parks and Recreation Committee (PARC) and the Parks and Recreation Director are in charge of overseeing the programs. Accordingly the Parks and Recreation Department is currently soliciting new-programming suggestions, as it attempts to gather public opinion on such matters and put them into practice.
It is the mission of the New Gloucester Parks and Recreation Department to create recreational opportunities for growth and enhancement by developing diverse services and programs that promote citizen involvement and a strong sense of community while striving to increase the social, cultural, and physical well-being of its residents and visitors of all ages.
Section I. Objectives:
- Strive toward building strong personal values in our youth through athletic competition.
- Insure every child that’s interested has a chance to participate in the programs offered.
- Participants are provided the fundamentals for development of individual skills and the opportunity for physical, mental and social growth. While having fun in the process.
- Provide the opportunity for the participants to compete in an atmosphere that is enjoyable and will:
- Encourage the development of skills
- Promote wholesome attitudes towards teammates, opponents, and coaches
- Develop a knowledge and respect for the rules of the sport
- Provide exposure to a competitive environment
- Promote the importance of understanding the concept team attitude
- Achieve Goals by:
- Allowing sufficient time for development of skills necessary for participation in each activity
- Maximize playing opportunity for all participants
- Stressing the importance of individual praise as related to team performance
- Following the program rules set forth by the Parks and Recreation Department and advice of the Parks and Recreation Committee
Structure:
- The majority of the Department athletic programs are structured to function on an intramural basis, with teams competing with one another within the Dexter program. All of our intramural activities will be performed at Town managed facilities.
Section II: Administration
- Parents/Guardians are required to register their children for each sport/activity and must sign a release statement.
- A schedule of events will be maintained and posted in the Town Office, Town Hall, and schools. Schedules will also be occasionally published in the local newspaper.
- In the event of inclement weather, information on program cancellations can be obtained by calling the Recreation Director or the activity Coach.
Section III: Registration & Fee Policy
Registration:
- Registration sessions will be held for each program. Announcements regarding dates and times for registration will be made on our Internet Web Page, bulk email, our Facebook page and through the local school system.
- Each participant’s legal guardian will be required to complete a registration form, emergency notification form, and sign a release statement.
- Participant’s may register for individual programs until the registration deadline.
Fees:
- There will be a fee for each program and that fee is dependent upon the program that you sign up for.
- Fees and be either payed online or a check can be mailed in to the New Gloucester Town office at 385 Intervale Rd New Gloucester Maine 04260. Check need to be made out to the Town of New Gloucester.
- Fees must be paid before your child can participate in the program
Section IV: Team Composition & Participant Screening
Team Composition:
In the spirit of competition and to insure maximum participation, we will strive to make sure that the talent levels on all Recreation Program teams are well balanced.
Section V: Rights & Responsibilities
What are Rights and Responsibilities in youth sports? Rights are what you can expect to happen in youth sports programs. Responsibilities are what others expect from you. Everyone in the program has rights as well as responsibilities.
Coaches
- Rights
- To have support from management and administration
- To know what is expected
- To have a fair complaint system
- Responsibilities
- To provide accurate background information to the league
- To get training when needed
- To understand your role and influence as a coach
- To understand intervention and reporting procedures
- To abide by a code of ethics
- To be an advocate of the program’s philosophy
- To set expectations for the season
- To look at the needs of each athlete, gifted and not gifted
- To limit physical interaction while conducting instructions
- To provide an appropriate and caring manner
- To never touch out of anger
- To keep games free from put-downs, trash talk and profanity
- To motivate with praise and specific instruction
- To not use physical punishment
- To learn effective ways to channel frustrations and anger
- To communicate respectfully to parents, athletes, officials, and administrators
- To provide a safe and fun environment
Young Athletes
- Rights
- To have sports be a safe experience, free from abuse and violence
- To have fun learning, trying new things, and interacting with peers
- To participate in a variety of youth sports and activities
- Responsibilities
- To follow rules
- To tell parents or guardians about any abuse
- To try your hardest and to do your best
- To learn the values of teamwork and supporting one another
- To learn ways to deal with pressure situations
- To care about others
- To settle conflicts without saying or doing things that hurt others
- To treat officials, coaches, and each other with respect
- To be a good sportsman on and off the field of play
- To let your parents and coaches know what you need
Parents
- Rights
- To have a safe and fun experience with your child
- To have accurate and comprehensive information
- To be a part of a quality youth oriented program
- To know about the complaint procedures
- To be protected from recourse if a complaint is filed
- Responsibilities
- To have a part in the supervision of your child
- To bring forward valid complaints
- To be a good spectator
- To educate your children about abuse
- To help each child find the right program and sport
- To assess the philosophy of the coach and organization to make sure they match your child’s needs
- To provide each child with the physical and emotional guidance they need to thrive
- To be an advocate for each of your children and provide full support
- To equally support your sons and daughters as athletes
- To understand that all children are gifted but in different ways
- To support the individual needs and interests of each child
- To provide unconditional love and support never based on individual performance on the playing field
- To pay attention to see if your children are having fun, learning, and improving
- Avoid excessive attention on the winning
- Help create a safe and fun environment
Officials
- Rights
- To be treated with dignity and respect
- To be free from abuse
- To have the support of administration and coaches
- Responsibilities
- To receive whatever training possible
- To set the stage for everyone to be a good sport
- To be fair and impartial explaining the situations that occur professionally and accurately
- To set limits and boundaries not allowing abusive behavior by coaches, players, parents, or fans
- To take an active role protecting children from an abusive situation
- To promote a safe and fun environment
Fans & Spectators
- Rights
- To be free from abuse
- To enjoy the fun and entertainment of being a spectator
- Responsibilities
- To behave in a non-abusive and supportive manner
- To address others who are behaving inappropriately
- To advise authorities about inappropriate behavior
- To adhere to drug and alcohol free standards at all events
Our programs are instructed and supervised with the highest emphasis being placed on sportsmanship and self-discipline. If you are not satisfied with any program, please contact Recreation Director at 926-4126 with your concerns or suggestions.