First, the Summary of Basics:
- Parents drive the players to the tournament - coaches will let you know the required arrival time - don't be late (coaches expect everyone to be there at or prior to the stated arrival time).
- Once you hand off your daughter to the coaches, you are a spectator until the end of the day. You can certainly chat with your daughter, but cannot take her away from the team for any reason, unless she is sick (and in that case, the coach should be informed).
- The entire team stays together until the head coach dismisses the team. At some events, the team may have completed play for the day, but has "work" duties (that is, supports another match with scorekeeping and line judging). No player can leave until all players are released by the coach.
- Parents must bring plenty of healthy food and water for their player. DIGS coaches do not allow players to use facility snack bars (when they are on site at all). Often the food offered is fast food. Coaches typically provide guidance on food and liquid. No sugar-based food or drinks are allowed (see below for more detail).
- Parents may wish to car pool and food pool - this is up to individuals. Some teams work together (e.g., for water). Again, this is a team matter to be managed by the parents and the team rep.
Packing List for One-day Tournaments
- All uniforms, sneakers, DIGS warm-ups, training shorts and an extra pair of knee pads.
- Several changes of underwear and socks, sweater or extra sweat shirt, and an extra change of travel clothes.
- A lightweight blanket or sleeping bag to rest on between matches (if no plane involved).
- It is suggested that jewelry not be worn or brought along.
Food and Water:
- Lots of water!!!
- If you bring a reusable water bottle, mark it with the player name and number.
- Lunch and heathy snacks.
- Small cooler with lunch, fruit drinks, fruit, crackers, honey, cheese or other high energy snacks.
- Don’t forget water! These items help a player’s energy level.
Parents' Packing List:
Since there is frequently quite a lot of waiting time between matches at tournaments, the following points are suggested.
- Folding chairs for yourselves.
- Reading material (newspapers, magazines, the novel you’ve been waiting to read, etc.)
- Water
- Lunch and/or snacks for yourself. Some tournament facilities have food for sale, but the selection (if there at all) is usually limited. Some venues may have places to eat nearby (check out the other topics on individual locations for details on nearby services). Note that food is not permitted on or near the courts.
More information is available on tournaments in the DIGS Handbook - Tournaments section.
