Dear TAIAO Members,
TAIAO is committed to ensuring fair and inclusive participation in athletic programs. We want to remind all members of our policy prohibiting the exclusion of athletes through tryouts or culling processes. Below are key points to ensure compliance:
- Open Tryouts for Awareness, Not Exclusion: Organizations may hold open tryouts to allow families to assess interest in a sport, but these must be accessible to the general public, not just invited athletes. Results cannot be used to select or exclude participants; they are solely for families to decide on registration.
- Fair Registration Process: Registration must operate on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be opened, closed, and reopened to selectively admit athletes. While registration can be capped, any priority for returning athletes must follow a clearly defined and adhered-to time period.
- School-Based Teams and Divisions: Schools that limit participation based on ability (e.g., restricting teams to juniors and seniors) will be placed in the highest division of their sport. TAIAO recognizes schools may have enrollment limitations, but further restrictions based on ability are not permitted for lower divisions.
- No Circumvention of Policy: Encouraging families to attend events where athletes are evaluated, followed by selective invitations to register, is not allowed and violates the no-cut policy.
Please ensure your organization adheres to these guidelines to promote inclusivity and fairness. For questions or clarification, contact the TAIAO office.
Thank you for your commitment to our shared values.
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