In general, you, your family, and your friends are expected to conduct yourselves in a manner that brings honor to yourself, your teammates, the club, your high school, the community and the sport. Once you are a part of NIVA, you represent the whole program, both on and off the court. We as a club, expect nothing but exemplary conduct from all of the members of the program. Remember you are representing the entire NIVA family and all of the communities from where we come. Your behavior should never embarrass yourself, your parents, your coaches, your teammates, your school district or the club.

1.   Treat everyone as well as you would like to be treated.
2.   Work together and strive to work with all team members at all times.  Your approach should not be WHAT IS BEST FOR ME, but should be WHAT IS BEST FOR THE TEAM?
3.   Regardless of your grade, experience, ability, or position, you can set a great example for others by working as hard as you possibly can at all times.
4.   Let your coaches do the coaching! Yelling at officials, teammates or opposing players will not be tolerated.
5.   Hustle, listen attentively and be mentally ready to play. 
6.   Encourage your teammates.
7.   Arrive at practice and tournaments on time.
8.   You must approach practice as an opportunity to improve. It is vital that the atmosphere in the gym be one of concentration, intensity and enthusiasm.
9.   Report all injuries and ailments immediately to a coach.
10. Bring all uniforms, shirts, knee pads, and shoes to all tournaments.
11. Keep your area clean and use a wastebasket for disposing garbage - the playing sites should NOT be responsible for cleaning up your trash!

This applies to all parents and players:  YOU MUST WAIT 48 HOURS AFTER ANY PROBLEM OR ISSUE BEFORE YOU CAN TALK WITH A COACH.  Do NOT confront a coach at a tournament, especially about playing time.

If the issue cannot be resolved between the coach and player/parent, the issue can then be taken to the head of your division or the directors. 

Most concerns stem from a playing time issue and NIVA will support our coaches.  They have the discretion to choose who plays when and do so with the goal of what is best for your team, even if may not be what you want for your individual child. If your child has issues with playing time, they should talk to the coach about why they aren't playing and what they need to do to see more court time.  Sometimes it is just that the person playing in front of them is better and they have to beat them out!  Parents may not always agree but the coaches work and train these players every day and see who can do what, who contributes more, who talks more, who leads more, who makes less errors, who is open to learning and growing, etc.  

Any concerns should be directed to the coach first to try to be resolved and then involve upper admin.  Any emails sent to NIVA admin that haven't been brought to the coach will get a reply to discuss with the coach first.  We understand there may be issues (besides playing time) that arise and need us to get involved but most concerns can be shared directly with the coach first so they are aware what the players may need!

Any issues from a parent or player that do not follow our rules and/or guidelines can receive the following consequences:

Sit out a game.
Sit out a match.
Sit out an entire day.
Removed from the team.

ANY BEHAVIOR FROM A PLAYER'S GUARDIAN OR RELATIVE THAT IS ABUSIVE, DISRUPTIVE OR DETRIMENTAL TO THE TEAM COULD RESULT IN REMOVAL OF THAT PLAYER FROM THE TEAM.  PARENTS NEED TO SET AN EXAMPLE OF BEING A GOOD SPORT AND BEING RESPECTFUL.  YOU DON'T WANT TO CREATE A REPUTATION WITH YOUR NAME AND POTENTIALLY RUIN THE EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR DAUGHTER!