Practice

All practices during the season once school begins, start promptly at 6:00 pm and continue until 8:00 pm. All athletes are expected to be in their practice area on time. Excessive tardiness can add up to unexcused absences, which will affect the athletes participation time, but also the chemistry and growth of the team. Registration Paperwork, all registration fees paid in full and all required forms must be completed before your athlete can participate in practices. Football Players are REQUIRED to complete eight (8) hours of NON-CONTACT or pads conditioning prior to any
contact activity.

Rain Cancellation Policy

(a siren will Sound if practice is called or delayed due to inclement weather)
The Tampa Bay area is well known for its summertime thunderstorms, especially late in the afternoon. Over the years, we have developed a policy regarding cancellation or postponement of practice, due to inclement weather. Because the storms can be isolated or widespread, fast moving or slow moving, it is difficult to know prior to arriving at the practice field what the conditions are at Evans Park. Practice is very important to the success of the team; therefore, we will not
cancel practice unless we feel the safety of the children is at risk. Our policy is that we report to the practice field and assess the condition of the field and the weather conditions at 6:00pm. If there is lightning at that time, we will delay practice for 30 minutes. At the end of 30 minutes (or sooner if the storm passes) we will make a decision whether or not to practice. This decision will be made based on the condition of the practice field and the proximity of lightning to the field. If a storm should start once practice has begun, we will follow the same procedure. It is important that you stay with your child (ren), so that he/she can wait with you in your vehicle until the storm passes.
We will not allow anyone on the field during thunderstorms; however, we do not have the facilities to house the children in a building while we wait for the storm to pass. We realize that it may be inconvenient to wait for up to 30 minutes in your vehicle; but this is necessary so that we may ensure your child (ren)’s safety and continue with practice, when we are able to. If you are not going to remain with your child, please make arrangements IN ADVANCE with another adult
who will remain at practice, to take responsibility for your child’s safety. Thank you for your patience and support. We are a team composed not only of cheerleaders and football players, but
also of parents, siblings, grandparents, other family members and staff. You are all of vital importance to the Lions organization. With our continued efforts to approach all issues as a team, we cannot help but to build an organization that fosters the healthy development of all of our children.

Absences

Excused absences have to be called into the head coach or his / her designated representative. Excused absences include illness with doctor’s note. . And an academic school/church function involving the athlete. School function does not include participation in school sports. One (1) unexcused absence will result in sitting one (1) quarter on the bench. Two (2) unexcused absences will allow you six (7) plays maximum. Three (3) unexcused absences and you will not play/cheer
in that coming game.

Tardiness

Practice times are critical for the development of each athlete and their team. Coaches spend many hours outside of practice and games to organize the schedules to maximize the limited time for practice. Being late disrupts that routine and many times your athlete misses critical instruction. Parents or athletes should call the coaches in advance to inform the coach they will be late. Practice starts at 6:00pm and your athlete should be on the practice field with their team ready
to begin at that time. Each coach will provide your athlete the times to arrive on game day, please be there on time. Two (2) tardies will be equal to one (1) unexcused absence.
Parents Parents should have one member remain at the practice facility and on game day at all times the athlete is participating. Please ensure your athlete has transportation at the end of practice or the game. Parents are not permitted on the practice or game field to assist unless they are certified and posses a Hillsborough county certification card and requested by the
head coach. Only certified coaches and board members who are certified are allowed in the immediate practice and game fields with the athletes.
12 Equipment & Uniform Policy
Equipment and uniforms are made available to each participant for the duration of the season only. At the conclusion of the season (or at any such times as required by the Board of Directors) all such equipment and uniforms shall be returned to the Board of Directors of the Brandon Lions. The Parent / guardian of the participant to whom they were issued will purchase equipment and uniforms that been misused, damaged, destroyed, or lost at their full replacement value.

Cheerleading Uniform Requirements:

The Brandon Lions provide the following Cheerleader Uniform Items:
Top / Vest & Skirt (Top / Vest & Skirt are to be returned at the end of the season)

The following items are included in the Spirit Gear package: ($125.00)
2 Tee shirts, 1 pair of shorts, bloomers, 2 Hair bows, one pair of socks, cheer shoes, cheer bag & Cheer-Off fees.
All these items will be bought through the Brandon Lions
- Additional competition & cheer clinic fees will be require as specified by the Brandon Lions.
- All cheerleaders are responsible for purchasing the following equipment:
additional competitions fees. Some squads will need to purchase cheer curls & make-up.
(Please check with your head coach)
Midgets, Super Midgets, Jr. varsity and Varsity:

Football Uniform / Equipment Requirements:

- The Brandon Lions provide the following Football Equipment items:
Mighty Mites: Game Jersey (w/name), Game shorts, 1 mouthpiece.
(These items are covered by your football fee $90.00)

Peewee, Midget, Super Midget, Jr. Varsity and Varsity: Game pants, helmet, and shoulder pads. (All to be returned at the seasons end) Game jersey (w/name), 1 mouthpiece, belt. (Game pants, Helmet and Shoulder pads are to be returned at the seasons end). (These items are covered by your football fee $150.00)

-All football players are responsible for purchasing the following equipment:
Game Socks, Cleats – Rubber (no metal/no screw in), water bottle, soft athletic supporter (cup), 7 piece pad set & extra mouthpieces, practice jersey and practice pants.

Practice and Game Day Dress Code

Only practice uniforms may be worn to practice. Game uniforms (jerseys, pants, cheerleading skirts, tops and cheer shoes) cannot be worn to practice. If you wear any part or all of your game uniform you will not be allowed to practice. All participants must adhere to their team/squad dress code requirements as set forth by the Coaches and Brandon Lions Rules & Regulations.