Rules and Policies

Y.E.S. Initiative

Youth Exemplifying Sportsmanship
The Peters Township Park & Recreation Department implemented the Youth Exemplifying Sportsmanship (Y.E.S.) initiative in 2002. The Peters Township Park and Recreation Board of Directors feels strongly that the purpose of its recreational sports programs is to encourage and develop in children a love for sports in a safe and positive environment, while teaching skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
The 3 major goals of recreational youth sport programs are:
1. To address the physical, social, and emotional developmental needs of children.
2. To encourage participation in sports as a means to developing a healthy lifestyle, learning sportsmanship, and having fun.
3. To learn and master the fundamentals of the game. Learning and participation are to be emphasized over winning.

The operating policies of the PTBA and the associated recreational program offerings have been and will continue to be consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the YES program.

PTBA Parental Responsibilities and Guidelines

PTBA, along with the Peters Township Park and Recreation Department, is committed to adhering to the principals of the Y.E.S. initiative. We believe that better communication, coordination, and cooperation will greatly benefit all of the constituents of youth sports in the community, including children, parents, coaches, and other volunteers.

One of the most common questions that the PTBA Executive Board receives each year is how and why a particular individual was selected as a team manager. Volunteers for manager positions are solicited at the time of player registration. All manager candidates are screened in advance by the PTBA Executive Board. Every effort is made to ensure that the volunteers ultimately selected are the most qualified candidates to fill the required number of manager positions.

We encourage your participation and volunteer efforts for your child's team in any capacity. However, we must require that all parents assist the PTBA with managing the concession stand at Peterswood Park. Concession stand revenue is the largest contributing fundraiser to our program and requires the assistance of everyone to ensure its continued success. Your team Manager or his assistant will coordinate scheduling a convenient time (or times) with you to work the concession stand on those days assigned to your team. If you cannot meet the concession stand work requirement, you will be obligated to pay the appropirate rate for PTBA to hire help for your scheduled time (or times).

Chain of Communication

If you do have a question or a complaint regarding your team’s manager, coaches, players or any other issue you believe needs to be addressed, PTBA encourages you to follow this “Chain of Communication”:

1. Team Manager
2. League Director
3. VP of PTBA Board
4. PTBA Executive Board
5. Peters Township Parks & Recreation Department

Your team manager will provide you with the names and phone numbers of each of these contacts at the first team meeting or practice. If you are uncomfortable discussing an issue with your team manager (again, we encourage you to do so), you may contact the League Director first. Both the League Director and VP of the PTBA Board can be reached via the PTBA Information Line (724-942-5116).

What You Can Do:
Guidelines for Parents From The Positive Coaching Alliance Before the game:

1. Tell your child you are proud of him/her, regardless of how well he/she plays.
2. Tell your child to play hard and have fun. Remind him/her that it’s okay to be nervous.
3. Make a commitment to yourself to Honor the Game no matter what others may do.

During the game:
1. Let the coaches’ coach. Avoid giving your child (or other players) advice during the game.
2. Fill your child’s (and teammates’) Emotional Tank.
3. Cheer good plays and good efforts by both teams.
4. Mention good calls by the officials to others. (Honor the Game – be silent on “bad” calls).
5. Remember to have fun! Enjoy the day.

After the game:
1. Thank the officials for doing a difficult job.
2. Thank the coaches for their effort.
3. Let your child tell you about the game (avoid giving your post-game analysis unless asked).