Athletics

Athletics Overview

Athletics provide healthful and wholesome leisure-time activities for our youth, and are a building block of lifelong health and well being. By understanding that athletics play an important role in not only developing students physically, but also mentally and socially, Polk County Public Schools embraces the important role that athletics and our coaches play in that process.

To maximize the educational potential of athletics, interscholastic programs should be organized and conducted in accordance with these six basic principles:

• Interscholastic athletic programs should be regarded as integral parts of the total educational program and should be conducted so that they are worthy of such regard.
• Interscholastic athletic programs should supplement, rather than serve as substitutes for, basic physical education programs, physical recreation programs, and intramural athletic programs.
• Interscholastic athletic programs should be subject to the same administrative control as the total educational programs.
• Interscholastic athletic programs should be conducted by personnel with adequate training in the principles of coaching.
• The welfare of the participant should be placed above any other consideration. What happens to the student-athlete who participates in the sports program is of primary importance. His or her welfare should transcend any other consideration.
• Interscholastic athletic programs should be conducted in accordance with the letter and spirit of the rules and regulations of appropriate conference, state, and national athletic associations.

While it is wonderful that we have achieved success in the competitive field, the true focus of our athletics program is to foster character, integrity, and discipline.

Participation in interscholastic athletics by a student is a privilege, not a right. To earn this privilege, students must abide by the rules and meet the standards of academic performance and personal behavior that are related to school purpose.

Upcoming Events

All of our schools’ sports games are registered on MAXPREPS. Visit www.maxpreps.com to search for your school’s sports games, or visit your school’s individual website.

Need to find your school’s website? Check out our Schools Listing page.

Parent Information

Recruiting Information

Athletic Recruiting, Improper Contact & Impermissible Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

Participation in Sports

Home-Schooled, Full-Time Virtual, PEP, Private, or Charter Students:

Students who are homeschooled, enrolled in a full-time virtual program, participating in a Personalized Education Program (PEP), or attending a charter school that does not offer athletics may have the opportunity to participate in sports at a public high school.

To begin this process, a Sports Participation Application must be requested from the Polk County Public Schools Athletics Office by emailing [email protected].

In addition, students must complete all required Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) paperwork and meet all eligibility requirements.

All documentation and approvals must be completed prior to any participation in practices, tryouts, or competitions. This process is required annually to maintain eligibility.

Private School Students (Schools Without Athletic Programs)

Students who attend a private school that does not offer athletic teams may have the opportunity to participate in sports at a public high school.

To begin this process, a Sports Participation Application must be requested from the Polk County Public Schools Athletics Office by emailing [email protected]

Students must also complete all required Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) paperwork, meet all eligibility requirements, and pay the required $400.00 participation fee, as outlined by district policy.

All documentation, approvals, and payment must be finalized prior to any participation in practices, tryouts, or competitions. This process must be completed annually to maintain eligibility.

Athletic Clearance

Electrocardiogram (ECG) Evaluation – EL1 Requirement

All first-time high school student-athletes participating in Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) athletics are required to complete an Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening prior to participation. This requirement applies to students even if they do not have any known cardiac symptoms.

Students who are experiencing cardiac-related symptoms should consult directly with their healthcare provider before participating in athletics.

An ECG completed within two (2) years prior to July 1 of the current participation year will satisfy this requirement.

If the ECG indicates the need for further evaluation, the student must receive clearance from a licensed medical practitioner trained in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of ECGs before participating in any athletic activity, including tryouts, practices, workouts, or competitions.

Pre-Participation Physical Examination - EL2

All student-athletes are required to complete a Pre-Participation Physical Examination (EL2) each year and be certified as physically fit prior to participating in any interscholastic athletic activity. This includes tryouts, practices, workouts, and competitions.

For the upcoming school year, physical examinations may be obtained no earlier than May 20 or immediately following the conclusion of any FHSAA or district-sponsored athletic seasons or camps. Any physical completed before May 20 or during the current school year will expire on May 31, regardless of the exam date.

Physicals obtained on or after May 20, in accordance with district policy, will be valid for the upcoming school year or for 365 days from the date of the exam, whichever applies.

Students are not permitted to participate in any interscholastic athletic activity until a fully completed and signed EL2 form is on file with the school, in accordance with § 1002.20(17)(b), Florida Statutes.

Consent & Release – EL3

All student-athletes must submit a completed Consent and Release Form (EL3) prior to participating in any interscholastic athletic activity. This includes tryouts, practices, workouts, and competitions.

Participation in athletics requires written consent from the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s). By signing this form, both the student and parent/guardian acknowledge and accept the risks associated with athletic participation and release the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), its member schools, and contest officials from liability for any injury or claim that may result.

The EL3 form must be fully completed and signed by both the student and parent/guardian on the official FHSAA document.

Students are not permitted to participate in any interscholastic athletic activity until the completed EL3 form is on file with the school.

Athletic Clearance Forms & Physical Exam Information

Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact their school’s Athletic Director to determine whether special arrangements have been made for athletic physical exams with local physicians or medical facilities before scheduling an appointment with their family provider.

All required clearance forms—including EL1 (ECG), EL2 (Physical Examination), and EL3 (Consent & Release)—must be completed before a student-athlete may participate in any conditioning, workouts, tryouts, practices, or contests, as required by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).

These forms are only available through each high school’s Athletic Director and must be submitted directly to the school. Polk County Public Schools requires additional acknowledgments and signatures that are included on these official forms.

For this reason, families should not download forms from the FHSAA website, as those versions may not include district-specific requirements.

To obtain the correct forms, please email your school’s Athletic Director using the contact list provided, or contact the Polk County Public Schools Athletics Department for assistance.

ATHLETIC COACHING CERTIFICATION

The Florida Department of Education issues two types of Athletic Coaching Certificates: A Three-Year Temporary Certificate and a Five-Year Certificate. The Three-Year Temporary Certificate is issued to give the applicant time to complete the requirements for the Five-Year Certificate. For individuals that hold a valid Florida Educator’s Certificate, an additional coaching certificate is not required by the state.

Who needs an Athletic Coaching Certificate

• Coaches who are paid a coaching supplement but do not hold a valid Temporary or Professional Educator Certificate. This includes cheerleading coaches if their assignment is a competitive sport.

ATHLETIC COACHING CERTIFICATES

Athletic Resources

PCPS, in partnership with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP), offers high school coaches the opportunity to take the ASEP online courses Coaching Principles, Sport First Aid, and Coaching [Sport] Technical and Tactical Skills to meet the Florida Department of Education Athletic Coaching Certification and Endorsement. Certification is earned by successfully completing the three required online courses and passing each course exam with a score of 80 percent or better. Visit the ASEP Website

If you would like to leave our website and visit outside resources, please follow the links above. These third-party resources are listed for only information purpose and no endorsements are implied.

Athletic Directors