Instructions
- Complete the OLM Family ID registration on ArbiterSports by August 19. Athletes cannot practice until the nurse has processed the registration.
- Complete the Mercy Crew registration on Regatta Central. You will need to create a free user account. Information on the required waivers is copied below for reference.
- Complete the US Rowing registration and waiver. See our US Rowing Membership & Waivers page for details. Note the following:
- All rowers who rowed in the Spring 2024 season will already have valid US Rowing waivers. Waivers are valid for one full calendar year, Jan 1 – Dec. 31.
- Current rowers should, however, verify that their US Rowing membership has not expired since the previous season. If so, the current US Rowing membership will need to be renewed prior to beginning practices on the water to maintain US Rowing insurance coverage.
- Complete the “IMPACT concussion baseline test” prior to each season. See our Concussion Baseline Test page for details.
- For new Mercy Crew athletes only: Complete the Swim Test for New Novice.
For questions, contact registrar@mercycrew.org.
Registration & Fee Policy
Cost: $800 payable through the Mercy Crew registration on Regatta Central.
Completion of the above instructions is required to participate in practice. Completed registration forms and payment are necessary to establish the team roster, which is a requirement for Mercy Crew to secure and maintain insurance coverage for our rowers.
A $50 fee will be assessed to any returning rower’s account not paid in full at the Parents Meeting.
Any unpaid fees from a previous season disqualify returning members from participation until all payments in arrears are made.
Departure from Mercy Crew: Pro-rata refunds of season fees will be made only in the event of a verified medical reason.
Crew Events: Money paid in advance for Crew events, including but not limited to hospitality, hotel rooms, banquets, etc. are non-refundable regardless of circumstance.
Waivers
The following waivers appear in the Mercy Crew registration.
PHOTO & VIDEO RELEASE
Throughout the crew season, parents may take photographs or audio/videotape of rowers that may ultimately be used to promote Mercy Crew, Inc. and its programs to new rowers and donors. The photographs or videos may be used for promotional materials, on the Mercy Crew website or Mercy Crew Facebook/ Instagram pages.
I hereby grant to Mercy Crew, Inc. permission to use my daughter’s photograph and/or videotaped images for the purposes mentioned above. I understand and agree that Mercy Crew, Inc. may use the photographs and/or videotapes images in subsequent school years unless I revoke this authorization by notifying Mercy Crew, Inc. in writing. I further grant to Mercy Crew, Inc. permission to allow my daughter to be photographed, audio/videotaped for the purposes mentioned above.
STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS FOR ROWERS
Participation in Mercy Crew is both a privilege and a responsibility. Rowers earn recognition for their achievements as representatives of their school, team, and the community. Though a separate organization, Mercy Crew is sanctioned by Our Lady of Mercy High School and rowers at all times represent Our Lady of Mercy High School as well as Mercy Crew. Rowers are expected to follow the requirements and code of ethics set forth in the Our Lady of Mercy High School Student-Athlete Handbook as well as comply with established team rules, procedures, and instructions of the coaches and the following Statement of Expectations for Rowers.
1) It is expected that a rower will attend all scheduled practices and regattas in their entirety. Absences dictated by academic requirements are understood, but rowers should otherwise plan schedules around practice and regatta times. Absences can affect more than just one boat. Rowers are not guaranteed a seat in the boat and must earn the right to row at regattas. Advance notice of absences should respectfully be made in writing, time permitting, requesting permission for the absence as soon as the rower becomes aware of a conflict.
2) If a rower has more than three (3) unexcused absences from practice, the coaching staff may remove that rower from the team for that season. An unexcused absence is defined as an absence that occurs without prior notification to the coaching staff. The notification process is outlined in the “Missing Practice” section of Rower Expectations.
3) All rowers are expected to remain at practices and regattas until dismissed by their coach.
4) Rowers should report daily, prepared for practice. Weather appropriate clothing (for both land and water practice) should be worn.
5) Rowers are expected to treat the equipment with respect and handle all equipment carefully.
6) Rowers are expected to maintain the boathouse and property; personal items will be picked up daily.
7) Rowers are not to bring cell phones in the boat.
8) Rowers are expected to completely clean their site at all regattas.
9) All rowers are responsible for de-rigging and loading the trailer prior to regattas and unloading and re-rigging the boats after regattas.
10) Rowers are expected to stay at a regatta and actively participate in de-rigging and loading until the trailer is fully loaded and ready to depart and the coach has dismissed the team.
11) Rowers are expected to be in uniform at regattas. If the rower wishes to remove the shoulder straps of her uniform, she should wear a t-shirt or sweatshirt. Walking around in a sports bra is not considered appropriate attire.
12) Rowers are expected to participate in scheduled Boathouse workdays.
13) It is expected that rowers will participate in team fundraising and team service projects that are planned as group activities.
14) Rowers are expected to advocate for themselves. If rowers have questions about workouts and boat lineups or have other concerns, they should speak with their coach. All written communication between a rower and a coach will include another coach.
15) Rower will not use cell phones, cameras, computers or other electronic devices in a manner which violates the privacy of others, or for any purpose other than that for which they are intended.
16) Rowers will not use Internet blogs or websites, instant messaging, personal pages (such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter) or email to violate the privacy of others, or to make disparaging statements about others, including coaches and other members of Mercy Crew.
17) As a team sport, the primary focus of Mercy Crew is on developing and preparing rowers for participation in multiple-rower team events. Further, rowers should expect that regatta entries and scrimmages will be based on equipment under ownership of Mercy Crew, Inc. Requests by rowers or the parents of rowers to use boat types that differ from those owned by Mercy Crew, Inc. will not be considered for reasons of fairness and liability.
Coaches have the authority to suspend an athlete temporarily for displaying behavior that violates the Our Lady of Mercy High School Student-Athlete Handbook and this Statement of Expectations or when the athlete’s safety or safety of others requires such actions. The athlete’s parents will immediately be notified upon such action. Consequences for inappropriate behavior or behavior which is dangerous to oneself or others in violation of the Code can result in a suspension ranging from one race to one year based on the nature and level of severity as determined by the crew coaches. Permanent removal from the team may occur only after consultation with the Board of Mercy Crew and the Our Lady of Mercy Athletic Director.
STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS & CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS
Crew is a beautiful and demanding sport that builds character, physical strength, mental toughness, self-confidence and promotes the true meaning of the word “team”. Crew also demands a larger commitment from families in terms of time, money and energy than many other high school sports. Yet the learning experiences, the lasting friendships and sense of community enjoyed by rowers and parents outweigh the demands.
The same team spirit embodied by the rowers is needed to support and run Mercy Crew. Because Mercy Crew receives limited financial support from the school, the program relies upon the contributions of hard-working parents. To the best of their abilities, parents are expected to support the mission of Mercy Crew with their time and energy. The success of Mercy Crew is founded upon the support and participation of all its members to the best of their abilities.
As a prerequisite for an athlete’s participation in the Mercy Crew program, parents are expected to sign and fulfill this statement of expectations and code of conduct.
Statement of Expectations and Code of Conduct:
1) I will encourage my daughter to embrace the values of good sportsmanship and teamwork through their full participation in all of the responsibilities of rowing.
2) I will be a positive role model for Mercy Crew and promote good will among the athletes, coaches, and other parents.
3) Respect is a cornerstone of the mission of Mercy Crew. I will always be courteous and respectful towards athletes, coaches, and other parents and will not harass, ridicule, or humiliate any individual, including rowers, coaches and other parents.
4) I shall appropriately control my emotions at all times.
5) I shall represent Mercy Crew and Our Lady of Mercy High School with dignity.
6) Think of the trailer like a locker room. Parents should not be by the trailer. We
want the girls to be independent rigging their equipment and focusing on their
races when it is time to meet.
7) For safety/ efficiency, parents should not be on the dock, unless asked by a
coach to help.
8) I shall allow the coaches to perform their duties and carry out their responsibilities at practices and regattas and will not interfere with, undermine, or usurp the coaches’ authority. I shall not discuss with the coaches, unless solicited by the coach, team or race strategy, selection of athletes for certain boats, or athletes other than my own daughter.
9) I shall support my daughter’s participation in Mercy Crew by contributing my time and energy to the program to the best of my abilities, including but not limited to assisting with car pools, hospitality, chaperoning, fundraising, boathouse opening and closing and fulfilling other critical administrative functions.
10) When I attend away regattas, my primary focus will be the regatta itself and to assist with the logistics of team travel, including team practice, setting up and taking down hospitality at the regatta site, transporting rowers to and from the regatta site, chaperoning rowers if called on to do so, and generally supporting the team throughout the regatta.
11) I will abide by the rules and policies of the Hotel Guidelines for Mercy Crew Parents, and ensure that my daughter does as well.
12) I shall timely honor my financial commitments to the program.
13) I shall endeavor to ensure that my daughter is punctual for practice including pre-regatta practices at away regattas.
14) When a conflict arises, I shall endeavor to resolve it first, as appropriate, through direct and constructive discussions with the other party.
15) I shall resolve conflicts in a calm and respectful manner without resorting to name calling, hostility, or violence.
16) I understand that serious misconduct contrary to this Statement of Expectations and Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action that is appropriate under the circumstances, including warning, parent exclusion from regatta attendance, rower exclusion from regatta attendance and in the most extreme cases only rower suspension. Whether conduct constitutes a violation of this Statement of Expectations and Code of Conduct depends upon the surrounding circumstances, the nature of the behavior, past incidents, the relationships between the parties involved and the context in which the conduct occurred.