They don’t need to be superstars. They just need to be better than those kids that get cut. |
Lots to unpack except the rules allow for 8th graders to play on JV. Don't like the rules, work with APS to change the rules or get you kid better. |
While I disagree with the rule, APS cannot "change" the rule. It is a VHSL rule. |
HB does not have any field to support sports teams. Nor do they have enough students to be able to actually fill rosters for multiple sports. Many of those students make the decision to go to HB only because they know they are not giving up their opportunity to still play sports at their home schools. They do sacrifice the opportunity to play for middle school teams. |
| The original intent of these rules were because there were some HS that didn’t have enough numbers to have full teams for JV and Varsity. Instead of taking away highschoolers opportunity to play on a JV team because not enough players, they would substitute with eighth graders that were at a good enough level. But now, For an eighth grader who doesn’t even go to the school to take the spot of somebody already on a team is not the intent and spirit of this rule. Things have just gotten insane when it comes to sports competitiveness, etc. |
Was this "original intent" stated anywhere? |
Not PP, but an earlier poster pointed out that it is a VHSL rule, not an Arlington County rule. So it absolutely makes sense that it was written with the intent of allowing a smaller school to field a team. |
You don't know that, and I don't know that either. VHSL could have made it more clear but it did not so... APS (e.g. Yorktown) competes with other schools in FCPS in sports so it has to abide by VHSL rules. |
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Feel free to contact the VHSL board with concerns about the eighth grade eligibility and schools using it as a loophole to strengthen their programs instead of allowing more students to participate
https://www.vhsl.org/executive-committee/ |
The rule is "may" allow 8th graders. FFX doesn't follow this rule. So it is an APS decision. They have influence on whether 8th graders can play or not. |
Actually, the eligibility of 8th graders falls under an "exception" per the VHSL eligibility rules (Rule 28A-3-2). So, according to VHSL, 8th graders are "eligible". Not sure if APS or any other jurisdiction can declare 8th graders "ineligbile". Not sure there is anything APS, or any other jurisdiction, could do to stop an 8th grader for trying out for a HS team. I have not read every word of the VHSL rules, but I have not seen anything that permits any locality, or individual school for that matter, to create their own eligibilty rules. Having said that, it would seem to me that any locality could simply tell all schools in their jurisdiction to simply NOT keep any 8th graders on a HS roster, after tryouts are held. |
Very useful information. Is it illegal for "any locality could simply tell all schools in their jurisdiction to simply NOT keep any 8th graders on a HS roster, after tryouts are held"? |
No idea as to the legality...but at the end of the day, a coach can keep whoever he/she wants to keep on a final roster. Tallest players...shortest players...best players...most experienced players...hardest workers...players with best attitude...etc. etc. |
I understand the part "at the end of the day, a coach can keep whoever he/she wants to keep on a final roster"; However, it is another thing for locality, I assume the school board, to tell the school NOT to keep any 8th graders. Doing that would definite a lawsuits from 8th graders parents, IMHO. |
| ^^ invite lawsuits |