Sport at Grace College is not compulsory for pupils but we encourage all pupils to participate in a school sport as we firmly believe in the benefits that this has. Sport is an integral part of social development that needs to be encouraged. We aim to produce young men and women who play with good sportsmanship and are competitive every time they step onto the field. We want to teach our pupils to be committed to their team and take responsibility for their actions. To ensure that this happens, we need commitment from the pupils who choose to play a sport for the duration of that particular term. In order to fulfill fixtures, that are scheduled a term in advance, we need all pupils to be at every practice and to prioritize every fixture that has been arranged. Parents are asked to please refrain from making other commitments for pupils on days when fixtures have been scheduled. Pupils may not change their sport choices during the term.

Grace College has a strict policy that a fixture will only be cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. The decision to cancel a fixture due to inclement weather will be made by 12h00 for weekday fixtures and by 07h00 for Saturday fixtures.

To help with this matter a Sports’ Participation Policy has been drawn up to ensure that pupils are committed to their sport and their respective team. Pupils are expected to adhere to the following:

1. If a pupil puts his/her name down for a sport – he/she must fulfill all commitments to that sport for the entire term.
2. All pupils are expected to be at every practice for the duration of the term. A practice timetable will be given to each pupil at the beginning of term. Correct clothing must be worn to practice. If a pupil is going to miss a practice for medical reasons or for special circumstances then he/she must produce a medical note or a note from their parent/guardian explaining why they can not attend the practice. The note must be handed to the Sports’ Co-ordinater by 08h00 on the day of the practice. The pupil must also excuse himself/herself from the relevant coach (or teacher in charge). If a pupil forgets their kit, he/she will still be expected to attend practice, but will sit on the sideline.
3. Pupils are expected to be at every fixture for the duration of the term. A fixture list will be given to each pupil at the beginning of every term. Correct clothing must be worn at fixtures. Except for medical reasons, a pupil may not miss a sports fixture. If a pupil is sick on the day of a sports fixture and can not take part he/she must produce a medical note or a note from their parent/guardian or a phone call must be made to the Sports’ Co-ordinater before 09h00 on the day of the fixture. If the fixture is on a Saturday, then the Sports’ Co-ordinater, coach or master in charge must be contacted by 07h00 on Saturday morning. If the pupil is absent, he/she must provide the Sports’ Co-ordinater with a note upon his/her return from school.
4. All extra lessons (eg. Cami Maths) must be scheduled on a day when the pupil has no sport commitments. Pupils will not be excused from sport to complete unfinished academic work.

The Sports Disciplinary Committee will monitor the policy and follow up on pupils who do not comply with the expectations. It will be up to this Committee to decide upon the consequence that the child will face. One likely consequence is a Sports Detention. This will take place either on a Friday afternoon or a Saturday morning. A Sports Detention will entail doing something for the betterment of sport at Grace College. For more serious offences, such as ill discipline on and off the field, suspension marks may be given.

This will ensure enjoyable participation by all children in the various sporting codes on offer and assist Grace College in being able to fulfill all scheduled fixtures. The support of the parents is essential in taking Grace College forward into the future as we continue to forge a reputation as being a school which never gives up.