Athletic Eligibility Rules

All students participating in the DoDDS-E athletic program must adhere to the DoDDS-E eligibility rules. If you fail to comply with these rules, you will lose your eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics.

The information below summarizes the key eligibility rules for students. All rules can be reviewed in the ...

Age

Any student, who, on the first day of August, has reached or passed his or her 19th birthday, will be ineligible to practice/participate in athletic events. A contestant who is age-eligible from the first day of August remains eligible throughout the school year.

Physical Examination

A physical examination and a certified statement of medical qualification from a physician (certified nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant) is required to be on file at the school prior to participating in tryouts, practice, or regularly scheduled contests to include pre-season assessments. Any physical examination form used by or acceptable to the local military medical authority is acceptable. An athletic physical is valid for 365 days from the date of examination. Physical fitness pre-assessments performed by coaches must occur within the season parameters. DoDDS-E assumes no responsibility for the cost of physical examinations. Civilians should contact the local military medical facility regarding opportunity for a free school physical.

Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA)

An MPOA must be on file with the coach prior to the first day of practice. Coaches will have in their immediate possession the Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA) for each athlete to include managers or any other team personnel any time team members are present. Forms are available at your school.

Emergency Care Information:

A Record of Emergency Care Information is required for all participating students. A copy of this record for each participant must be in the possession of the Coach/Sponsor at all practices, scrimmages/games.

Academic Requirements

Eligibility to participate in interscholastic/extracurricular activities requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 and no more than one failing grade. Semester grades will be used to determine eligibility for the fall and spring sport/activity seasons. First quarter grades will be used to determine eligibility for the winter sport/activity season. All athletes will be monitored on a weekly basis and those students having more than one failing grade will be eligible for competition for one week. This policy will ensure that all students are on track to meet graduation requirements.

Eight Semester Rule

A student shall be eligible for competition only during eight consecutive semesters after entry into the 9th grade and prior to graduation.

Attendance

Only students currently enrolled in a DoDDS-E school, grades 9-12 shall take part in any contest. An eligible student is defined as being enrolled in at least one half (4 subjects) of the periods offered.

Home Schooled Students

Students eligible to attend a DoDDS-E school on a space-required, tuition free (category 1-A) basis are eligible to participate in the IAP. Home schooled students participating in the IAP must meet the same eligibility requirements applicable to all other student participants. Home schooled, tuition paying students are required to pay a participation fee as determined by the Associate Director, DoDEA.

Grade Level Eligibility

No student may participate on a high school team who has not entered the 9th grade. Students must be officially enrolled in the particular school for which they participate. A 9th grade student from a DoD school within the commuting area is eligible to participate for the high school varsity or junior varsity program.

Outside Participation Rule

A student may participate on a non-school team during the season, but will lose their eligibility if the student misses a practice or scheduled contest to participate on the non-school team.

Practice

Individuals must have 10 "official" practice days prior to competing in interscholastic activities.