Legal Forms & Waivers

Concussion Waiver Form For current and up-to-date information on concussions you can go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports/ A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. In other words, even a “ding” or a bump on the head can be serious. You can’t see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away. Symptoms may include one or more of the following: •Headaches •“Pressure in head” •Nausea or vomiting •Neck pain •Balance problems or dizziness •Blurred, double, or fuzzy vision •Sensitivity to light or noise •Feeling sluggish or slowed down •Feeling foggy or groggy •Drowsiness •Change in sleep patterns•Amnesia •“Don’t feel right” •Fatigue or low energy •Sadness •Nervousness or anxiety •Irritability •More emotional •Confusion •Concentration or memory problems (forgetting game plays) •Repeating the same question/comment Signs observed by teammates, parents and coaches include: •Appears dazed •Vacant facial expression •Confused about assignment •Forgets plays •Is unsure of game, score, or opponent •Moves clumsily or displays incoordination •Answers questions slowly •Slurred speech •Shows behavior or personality changes •Can’t recall events prior to hit •Can’t recall events after hit •Seizures or convulsions •Any change in typical behavior or personality •Loses consciousness What can happen if my child keeps on playing with a concussion or returns too soon? Athletes with the signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after that concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that adolescent or teenage athletes will often fail to report symptoms of injuries. Concussions are no different. As a result, education of administrators, coaches, parents and students is the key to student-athlete’s safety. If you think your child has suffered a concussion Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours. The new “Zackery Lystedt Law” in Washington now requires the consistent and uniform implementation of long and well-established return-to-play concussion guidelines that have been recommended for several years: “a youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time” and “…may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed heath care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and received written clearance to return to play from that health care provider”. You should also inform your child’s coach if you think that your child may have a concussion. Remember it’s better to miss one game than miss the whole season. And when in doubt, the athlete sits out.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information Sheet for Student-Athletes, Coaches and Parents/Guardians SSB 5083 ~ SCA Awareness Act What is sudden cardiac arrest? Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the sudden onset of an abnormal and lethal heart rhythm, causing the heart to stop beating and the individual to collapse. SCA is the leading cause of death in the U.S. afflicting over 300,000 individuals per year. SCA is also the leading cause of sudden death in young athletes during sports. What causes sudden cardiac arrest? SCA in young athletes is usually caused by a structural or electrical disorder of the heart. Many of these conditions are inherited (genetic) and can develop as an adolescent or young adult. SCA is more likely during exercise or physical activity, placing student-athletes with undiagnosed heart conditions at greater risk. SCA also can occur from a direct blow to the chest by a firm projectile (baseball, softball, lacrosse ball, or hockey puck) or by chest contact from another player (called “commotio cordis”). While a heart condition may have no warning signs, some young athletes may have symptoms but neglect to tell an adult. If any of the following symptoms are present, a cardiac evaluation by a physician is recommended: · Passing out during exercise · Chest pain with exercise · Excessive shortness of breath with exercise · Palpitations (heart racing for no reason) · Unexplained seizures · A family member with early onset heart disease or sudden death from a heart condition before the age of 40 How to prevent and treat sudden cardiac arrest? Some heart conditions at risk for SCA can be detected by a thorough heart screening evaluation. However, all schools and teams should be prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency. Young athletes who suffer SCA are collapsed and unresponsive and may appear to have brief seizure-like activity or abnormal breathing (gasping). SCA can be effectively treated by immediate recognition, prompt CPR, and quick access to a defibrillator (AED). AEDs are safe, portable devices that read and analyze the heart rhythm and provide an electric shock (if necessary) to restore a normal heart rhythm. Remember, to save a life: recognize SCA, call 9-1-1, begin CPR, and use an AED as soon as possible! CARDIAC 3-MINUTE DRILL 1. RECOGNIZE Sudden Cardiac Arrest - Collapsed and unresponsive - Abnormal breathing - Seizure-like activity 2. CALL 9-1-1 - Call for help and for an AED 3. CPR - Begin chest compressions - Push hard/ push fast (100 per minute) 4. AED - Use AED as soon as possible 5. CONTINUE CARE - Continue CPR and AED until EMS arrives

RICHLAND GUNNERS BASKETBALL CLUB 2026–27 VOLUNTEER COACH AGREEMENT & ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This Agreement establishes the conditions under which a volunteer coach is authorized to represent and operate a team within Richland Gunners Basketball Club (“Gunners” or “Club”). It supplements the Club Standards and does not amend the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.

1. Volunteer Appointment; No Employment, Board, Officer, or Ownership Status
Coaching is a voluntary appointment. The Coach is not an employee and is not entitled to wages, benefits, or continued appointment. Coaching does not make the Coach a director, corporate officer, member, owner, partner, or person with governance rights in Gunners or in any Gunners team. No particular team, roster, grade level, season, or future coaching assignment is guaranteed.

2. Relationship of the Club and Individual Teams
Gunners is one basketball program composed of Club-affiliated teams. Club leadership retains authority over Club affiliation, standards, coach authorization, tryout and placement framework, branding, safety requirements, AAU/insurance compliance, and Club-wide programs. Subject to those requirements, coaches generally control ordinary basketball decisions for their teams.

The Club may provide Club-wide benefits such as shooting shirts, designated admission/access to Richland High School basketball games, Club affiliation, administrative resources, and other benefits determined by Club leadership.

3. Team-Specific Expenses and Financial Responsibility
Unless expressly approved in writing by Gunners, each individual team and its participating families are responsible for team-specific expenses, including uniforms, league and tournament registration, team travel, lodging, team-specific equipment, team events, and team-specific facility/practice expenses.

The Coach must communicate anticipated team expenses reasonably and accurately. A Coach may not represent that Gunners will pay, reimburse, guarantee, or assume a team-specific expense without prior written authorization from Club leadership.

4. No Authority to Bind the Corporation
A Coach has no authority merely by serving as a coach to bind Gunners to a debt, contract, guarantee, lease, credit obligation, financial commitment, or other legal obligation. Without prior written authorization, a Coach may not borrow money, open an account, obtain credit, sign a contract on behalf of Gunners, commit Club funds, or represent themselves as a director or officer.

A Coach may register an individual team for ordinary leagues, tournaments, facilities, and basketball activities within the scope of the Coach's team responsibilities, but the Coach must not represent that the resulting team-specific financial obligation is guaranteed or payable by Gunners unless expressly authorized.

Limited Authority. A Coach may make ordinary basketball and team-management decisions within the responsibilities given by the Club, but the Coach may not make legal or financial commitments for Richland Gunners Basketball Club unless Club leadership has specifically approved them. A Coach may not tell or imply to another person or organization that the Coach has authority to sign contracts, incur Club debt, guarantee expenses, waive Club rights, or assume obligations for the Club.

Team-specific financial obligations incurred without prior written authorization from Club leadership are not authorized Club obligations. The Coach is responsible for accurately communicating to leagues, tournaments, vendors, facilities, families, and other third parties when an obligation is team-specific rather than an obligation guaranteed by the Club.

Reimbursement. A Coach should not expect reimbursement from Richland Gunners for a team expense unless Club leadership approved the reimbursement before the expense was incurred.

5. Team Funds and Records
Any money collected from families for team-specific expenses must be used only for legitimate team purposes. Coaches must maintain reasonable records of amounts collected and spent and provide an accounting to participating families or Club leadership upon reasonable request. Team funds may not be used for a Coach's unrelated personal purposes. Coaches should avoid commingling team funds with Club corporate funds and may not represent a personal account as an official Gunners corporate account.

6. AAU Membership, Background Screening, Insurance, and Event Compliance
The Coach must maintain all AAU memberships, background screening, athlete-protection, and other eligibility requirements applicable to the Coach. The Coach may not knowingly permit an individual to act as a coach or assistant coach unless applicable Club and AAU requirements are satisfied.

Before participating in practices, leagues, tournaments, scrimmages, games, or other activities under the Gunners name, the Coach must comply with applicable AAU membership, insurance, certificate, extended-coverage, and event-licensing requirements and any additional Club requirements. The Coach must promptly cooperate with Club leadership regarding insurance or facility documentation.

7. Athlete Safety and Conduct
Player safety and welfare take priority over competitive results. Coaches must comply with applicable AAU athlete-protection requirements, background-screening requirements, Club safety policies, facility rules, and the law. Suspected abuse or other matters requiring reporting must be reported to the appropriate authorities as required by law and through applicable AAU reporting channels.

Coaches must model appropriate behavior and treat players, families, officials, opponents, spectators, facility personnel, fellow coaches, and Club leadership professionally. Harassment, abuse, hazing, retaliation, threatening behavior, or conduct creating an unreasonable safety risk is prohibited.

8. Coaching and Player-Development Standards
Consistent with the Club Standards, the Coach agrees to prioritize character, development, team play, accountability, effort, collaboration, sportsmanship, and positive representation of the Richland community. Practices should be organized and purposeful and should regularly incorporate fundamental skill development, including ball handling, finishing, shooting, passing/decision making, offensive concepts, defensive fundamentals, and competitive game-like situations.

Subject to Club standards, coaches retain reasonable discretion over practices, lineups, playing time, strategy, player development, scheduling, and league/tournament selection.

9. Tryouts, Rosters, and Player Placement
Where the Club's tryout standards apply, the Coach agrees to participate in organized Club tryouts and collaborative player evaluation/placement. Club leadership may assist with placement when necessary.
Richland Gunners Basketball Club - 2026-27 Volunteer Coach Agreement
Coaches acknowledge that roster and placement decisions may consider previous coach/player relationships, competitive goals, family commitment, long-term development, overall grade-level balance, coach tenure/commitment, adherence to Club standards, player development, and team success.

Teams should generally target approximately eight players unless an exception is approved or circumstances reasonably warrant otherwise.

10. Collaboration and Club Events
The Coach acknowledges that the Gunners operate as one program rather than unrelated teams. Coaches are expected to communicate and collaborate with other Gunners coaches, share appropriate development resources, support other teams, and participate in reasonable Club collaboration opportunities.

When schedules reasonably allow, teams should participate in Club-designated events and scrimmage/collaboration opportunities consistent with the current Club Standards.

11. Communication and Required Meetings
The Coach agrees to remain reasonably reachable by Club leadership, respond to Club emails and text messages within 48 hours, attend scheduled required coach/team meetings, provide advance notice when unable to attend, and respond promptly to reasonable requests concerning the Coach's team or Club matters.

A no-call/no-show or failure to respond may result in a direct conversation or other corrective action. Continued lack of responsiveness or repeated no-call/no-shows may result in suspension, removal, or non-renewal.

12. Gym Rental and Payment Obligations
When a Coach rents Richland School District gym space through the Club/coaches group, the Coach is responsible for tracking the team's usage and submitting the applicable rental payment to the designated coaches-group payment account within 72 hours after receiving the rental cost.

Late-payment accountability may include a written reminder, formal warning, and loss of the ability to rent RSD gym space through the Club. Repeated or material failure to satisfy team financial obligations may also be considered in future coaching authorization.

13. Annual Review and Future Coaching Assignments
Club leadership may review teams and coaches after each season. The review may consider adherence to Club standards, player development, collaboration, sportsmanship, organization, communication, financial/administrative reliability, and representation of Gunners. Future coaching assignments remain within the discretion of Club leadership, as allowed by law and governing documents.

14. Use of Club Name, Logo, Accounts, Records, and Property
The Richland Gunners name, logo, branding, program affiliation, records, credentials, accounts, equipment, and other Club property remain under Club control. A Coach may use Club branding only for legitimate authorized team activities. When authorization ends, the Coach must stop representing themselves or a team as an authorized Gunners team and reasonably cooperate in returning Club property and transferring Club records or account access.

15. Assumption of Ordinary Coaching Responsibilities; No Personal Guarantee by Club Leadership
The Coach understands that operating a youth basketball team involves ordinary responsibilities and risks associated with coaching, supervision, scheduling, travel, competition, facilities, and team
administration. The Coach agrees to exercise reasonable care and comply with applicable safety requirements.

Decisions or communications made by an authorized director or officer on behalf of Gunners are made in that person's organizational capacity. Nothing in this Agreement creates a personal guarantee or personal contractual obligation by an individual director, officer, or administrator for team expenses or obligations.

Transportation. Transporting players is not a required coaching duty unless Club leadership specifically assigns it. If a Coach voluntarily transports a player, the Coach is responsible for having a valid driver's license, automobile insurance required by law, a safe vehicle, and following applicable driving and safety requirements. Coaches should not assume that AAU or Club insurance covers personal automobile use.

Incident Reporting. The Coach shall promptly report to Club leadership any significant player injury; allegation of abuse, harassment, misconduct, or hazing; threatened or actual legal claim; insurance incident; law-enforcement contact relating to Club activities; significant facility incident; loss or misuse of Club or team funds; or other occurrence reasonably likely to create significant safety, legal, financial, or reputational risk for the Club.
Insurance and Claims Cooperation. The Coach agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Club, AAU, facilities, and applicable insurers regarding incident reports, claims, investigations, certificates of insurance, preservation of relevant records, and reasonable requests for information relating to authorized Gunners activities.

16. Club Authority; Suspension, Removal, and Non-Renewal
Coaching is a volunteer position and does not create a guaranteed right to coach a Gunners team. Club leadership may suspend, remove, replace, or decline to renew a Coach at any time, with or without cause, for any lawful reason or without stating a reason.

Unless the law requires otherwise, the Coach is not entitled to advance notice, progressive discipline, a hearing, an appeal, an opportunity to cure, or an explanation of the decision. Any coaching plan, warning, corrective process, or progressive consequence described in Club Standards or used in a particular situation is discretionary and does not create a contractual right, mandatory procedure, or limitation on Club leadership's authority.

Removal, suspension, or non-renewal ends the Coach's authorization to represent the Club and use the Richland Gunners name, logo, affiliation, accounts, or other Club resources, subject to reasonable transition directions from Club leadership.

17. Club Standards Incorporated by Reference
The Club Standards establish minimum operational expectations and do not limit Club leadership's authority. Identification of specific violations, warnings, coaching plans, corrective steps, or consequences in the Club Standards does not create a mandatory progressive-discipline procedure, a promise of continued appointment, or a right to receive any particular step before suspension, removal, or non-renewal.

The Coach acknowledges receipt of or access to the Richland Gunners 2026–27 Club Standards. Those standards are incorporated into this Agreement as operational requirements to the extent applicable. Club leadership may reasonably update operational standards from time to time. Material changes affecting coaches will be communicated. If this Agreement conflicts with the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, the law, or controlling AAU requirements, the higher controlling authority governs.
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect as allowed by law.

No Waiver. A failure by the Club to enforce a provision or to act on a particular violation does not waive the Club's right to enforce that provision or address similar or different conduct later.

Washington Law. This Agreement is intended to be used by a Washington nonprofit basketball club and will be interpreted under Washington law.

18. Acknowledgment
By signing below, the Coach confirms that the Coach has read and understands this Agreement and the current Club Standards; understands the voluntary and revocable nature of the coaching appointment; understands the limits of the Coach's authority; and agrees to comply with applicable Club, AAU, safety, financial, communication, and conduct requirements.