Introducing Ability to Deviate from Assigned Team for Hardship Reasons
Georgia Cycling has introduced a process that will permit students to participate on a team different than their assigned team based on extenuating circumstances that otherwise would prevent the student from participating in the Georgia Cycling program.
It is Georgia Cycling policy that a student-athlete join a team based on the high school they currently or will attend. But we recognize that all families juggle multiple priorities when students participate in activities outside of the classroom and it is important that we acknowledge that, for some, that juggling creates a hardship that jeopardizes their child’s participation in youth mountain biking. Therefore, starting today parents may submit a petition to deviate from their child’s assigned team. Deviations will be granted ONLY to those who meet set criteria for a hardship situation.
What constitutes a hardship?
Extended commute time (45 minutes or more) to practice location that prevents student participation
Siblings are enrolled in different schools; which prevents parents from managing logistics
Short term family living arrangements
Unplanned school changes
Enrollment in an afterschool program at a significant distance from the evening practice location
If a petition is approved, the student is considered a regular member of their newly assigned team. They will be eligible to participate in all team activities, including the race series, and will be held to that team’s participation standards.
Once active with a new team, that student will be permitted - in most cases - to participate with their new team for the rest of their time with Georgia Cycling. The only exception is if a student changes schools or moves to another area. No child will be made to switch teams during an active season.
In order to petition for a deviation to a different team, a parent must complete an online form found here. It should be noted that just because a petition has been submitted does not mean a student-athlete has automatically been approved a deviation from their assigned team. Students should continue to practice and participate with their current team until a decision has been reached. Please allow up to 10 business days for a decision to be rendered. All decisions will be emailed to the parent’s email address listed on the petition.