VEPAA FAQs
Who is the VEPAA?
The Vancouver Elementary Physical Activity Association (VEPAA) is the membership comprised of all elementary schools in the VSB. The primary purpose of the association is to organize the extra-curricular (primarily after school) activities for our member schools.
The VEPAA has an elected board made up of teachers and VSB staff. In addition, there are two VEPVPA Reps that are assigned to the VEPAA Executive Board and the district athletics falls under Shannon Burton’s portfolio in the Superintendent’s Office.
What are the activities organized by the VEPAA
* The calendar of events for each of the activities is available in a separate document
Fair Play Philosophy
The V.E.P.A.A. actively supports the Fair Play ideals. As such we must remember that the goals of our program are to provide all interested students with the opportunity to play, develop good sportsmanship, leadership, cooperation and quality of performance. The opportunity to develop these specific goals and self-esteem, will be provided within the controlled, friendly, competitive environment of our organized extramural leagues.
What if VEPAA events conflict with other events or religious days/observances?
The VEPAA plans its athletic activities around Ministry required instruction days, statutory holidays, Pro D days, various other school events and the weather. We make every effort to accommodate school and district calendars to make these events as accessible as possible to all students. Given all the other constraints we are faced with, we are not always able to plan our events around the various religious holidays that families may observe on their own. All extra-curricular sports activities and events are voluntary and not required by the school.
What days will games be?
Team Sports (Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball) – the following dates are used:
Individual Sports such as cross country and track meets, each zone will determine which dates it will host its mini meets and zone meets. Our District Cross Country meet takes place at Trout Lake in October.
Can I enter more than one team in a league?
Yes, schools can enter more than one team into the VEPAA leagues (soccer, volleyball and basketball). If a school agrees to participate in a given sport or sports, their team(s) is/are obligated to play every game. There is minimum number of participants required for each sport so schools should be aware that falling below that threshold may result in a default.
All teams involved in VEPAA interschool play must have matching uniforms that clearly identify the school by having the school name and/or school ‘nickname’ and/or school logo. All uniforms must be numbered.
Soccer and Volleyball teams from one school are always placed at the same location for league games. However, if you register more than one team in basketball please note that they will not play games at the same site – each team must have its own coach/sponsor.
I don’t have enough girls to form a grade 7 team, can they play on the junior team?
Students may play up but they may not play down in the age group so a grade 7 student may only participate on your senior team.
Can students play on more than one school team each sport season?
After a pupil has played in a league game, he or she must remain in that division and on that team for the remainder of the season, in that sport. If a team uses a player who has, in that sport, first played in another division or on another team in that school, the team is then forced to forfeit the game or games in question.
Can girls play on a boys’ team?
Yes, girls may play on a boys’ team. However the student (s) may only play on one school team. After a student has played in a league game, she must remain in that division and on that team for the remainder of the season, in that sport.
Can boys play on a girls’ team?
No, boys may not play on a girls’ team.
Can students from another school represent our school in competition?
Participation on a school team is limited to students that are enrolled in that school.
For individual sports (cross country and track & field), a school administrator and sponsor teacher may take responsibility and allow students from another VSB school that is not participating in that activity to train with their team. However, these students must represent their home school (and wear their school uniform) in all sanctioned competitions.
Are grade 3’s eligible to participate in team sports
The juniors are for students up to grade 6 – schools should only use grade 4s and 5s when #s are low and the younger students are needed to field teams. Grade 3s are too young to participate on the grade 6 (junior teams). Coaches and administrators should also be mindful of the size differences between grade 6s and the younger students when entering teams into the VEPAA leagues.
We would encourage schools to develop intramural programs to provide opportunities for your younger students to participate in school based programs.
Where are the games?
The league coordinator will set up schedules for their sport. The game site locations will be provided on the schedules. For our volleyball leagues, the coordinator will assign the location for the first league playdate only. The participating teams for that site may agree to rotate game sites to other schools in their group as long as the school is able to accommodate the number of teams assigned to the pool/zone.
What time do games start?
Games will be played at 15:30 hours, and every effort should be made to START each game on time.
Will TOC coverage be provided by the VEPAA for events that occur during school time?
Unfortunately, the VEPAA district budget is only able to assist with TOC coverage for the league championship coordinators. Each school will be responsible for providing its own coverage for teachers to attend the VEPAA championships that occur during school hours.
Referees
Both teams must provide a referee to officiate their game.
Home team Responsibilities
The home team shall be responsible for the general order of the field of play or gymnasium. The visiting coach shall assist in maintaining proper conduct on the grounds and shall be responsible for the conduct of his/her own team.
Can parents volunteer to coach?
Yes, a parent and/or volunteer from the school may coach, but a school staff representative must be present for the duration of the game. The team sponsor must be on the bench (or side lines for soccer) and is ultimately responsible for the conduct of the players, coaches and spectators associated with their team. The final selection of staff to be in charge of school teams should be at the discretion of the school principal.
The school sponsor should introduce themselves to the opposing team coach/sponsor prior to the start of the game.
Can parents volunteer to referee?
Each participating team is responsible for providing referees for their games. These referees can include school staff, parents, and competent secondary school students.
Communication to/with League Coordinators, VEPAA Executive, and District Athletics Coordinator
All correspondence or concerns should be expressed through the VSB school staff (coach or sponsor) and/or through the school administration.
Where can I get scoresheets for basketball and volleyball?
Basketball scoresheets are available through the VSB Print shop at no charge to the school. The requisition can be faxed or emailed to the Print Shop and in most cases should be delivered to your school with your next blue bag delivery. We do not tend to use scoresheets for volleyball but they are available if needed.
Where do I get the participation certificates?
The VEPAA sends out ‘participant’ certificate templates to each school and these can be printed as needed by the coach. Certificates for league champions and finalists are presented to the teams at the city championships.
When is the coaches’ recognition event?
The coaches and sponsors recognition wine and cheese takes place on the last Friday of January. All coaches and sponsors are welcome to attend – RSVP is not required.
The event features special presentations to ‘new’ coaches, 20 year coaches and Career Achievement Award recipients.
The event is not formal. It is a great way to connect with teaching colleagues and opposing coaches.
Are there any coaching clinics
The VEPAA is always interested in providing clinics for any coaches (new and seasoned) that are seeking ways to hone or refine their knowledge and skills of the game. There will be clinics prior to each sport season for both coaches and referees.
In addition, the VEPAA organizes workshops on the October Pro-D that can be used in your PE class or for your extra-curricular sports teams.
Are there any referee clinics
We recognize that not everyone feels comfortable being a referee. The VEPAA will offer referee clinics prior to the start of every sport season.
Contact Information
Vancouver Elementary Physical Activity Association
1580 West Broadway
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6J 5K8 Canada
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