Congratulations on being selected as a member of the Phoenix Van Isle Competitive Team.
Competitive dance is a privilege that requires dedication, teamwork, accountability, discipline, and professionalism from both athletes and their families. Every athlete plays an important role in the success of the team, and each family is making a commitment to support the responsibilities that come with competitive participation.
By accepting a position on a Phoenix Van Isle Competitive Team, both the athlete and parent/guardian acknowledge and agree to the following expectations.
Attendance & Commitment
Consistent attendance is essential to the success, safety, and development of every competitive routine. Competitive athletes are expected to:
- Attend all scheduled classes, rehearsals, choreography sessions, practices, competitions, performances, and studio events related to their competitive program.
- Arrive on time, prepared, and ready to participate.
- Notify the Studio Director as soon as possible if an unavoidable absence occurs.
Competitive routines rely on every athlete being present to ensure proper choreography, spacing, formations, timing, and overall team success.
Group Rehearsals
Attendance at all scheduled group rehearsals is mandatory. Because every athlete is essential to the success of a routine:
- Two (2) unexcused absences from scheduled group rehearsals may result in removal from the group routine at the sole discretion of the Studio Director.
- Repeated lateness may be treated as an unexcused absence.
- Excused absences may be considered for serious illness, family emergencies, or exceptional circumstances approved by the Studio Director.
The Studio Director reserves the exclusive right to determine whether an absence is considered excused or unexcused.
Competition Attendance
Participation in all scheduled competitions is a mandatory requirement of the competitive program unless otherwise approved by the Studio Director. Athletes and parents agree to:
- Attend every competition for which they have been entered.
- Follow all competition schedules and studio instructions.
- Remain available throughout the competition day as required.
- Conduct themselves respectfully and professionally at all times.
Competition Arrival Requirements
To allow sufficient time for stretching, warm-up, costume preparation, team meetings, and coaching, all competitive athletes are required to arrive at the competition venue no less than ONE AND ONE-HALF (1.5) HOURS before their first scheduled performance. This requirement applies regardless of:
- Competition location
- Travel distance
- Which routine is performing
- Athlete age division
- Time of day
Athletes who are not present by the required arrival time may, at the sole discretion of the Studio Director:
- Be removed from one or more routines.
- Be scratched from scheduled performances.
- Be deemed ineligible to compete for that performance.
No refunds, credits, or reimbursements will be issued for missed performances resulting from late arrival.
Competition Appearance & Professionalism
Competitive athletes are expected to arrive fully prepared for every competition. This includes arriving with:
- Hair styled according to studio requirements.
- Competition makeup completed as instructed.
- All costumes, shoes, tights, accessories, and performance attire.
- Team apparel where required.
- Any props or equipment assigned to the athlete.
Failure to arrive competition-ready may result in removal from a performance if corrections cannot reasonably be made before the scheduled performance time. Athletes are expected to present themselves in a professional manner that reflects the standards and reputation of Phoenix Van Isle.
Awards Ceremony Attendance
Competitive athletes are expected to remain at the competition venue for all awards presentations associated with the sessions in which they compete. Awards ceremonies are an important part of the competitive experience and demonstrate respect for teammates, fellow competitors, judges, event organizers, and the sport of dance. Athletes are expected to:
- Attend all scheduled awards ceremonies.
- Remain with their teammates unless otherwise directed.
- Wear their costume or team attire unless instructed otherwise.
- Demonstrate professionalism, sportsmanship, and respect throughout the ceremony.
- Celebrate the accomplishments of all competitors with courtesy and encouragement.
Leaving a competition prior to the completion of the applicable awards ceremony without prior approval from the Studio Director may be considered a breach of this Agreement. Repeated failure to remain for awards ceremonies may result in disciplinary action, including removal from future routines, competitions, or the competitive program.
Teamwork, Cooperation & Sportsmanship
Competitive dance is a team sport. Athletes agree to:
- Support and encourage teammates.
- Work cooperatively with instructors and fellow athletes.
- Accept coaching and corrections with a positive attitude.
- Demonstrate respect, integrity, and professionalism.
- Represent Phoenix Van Isle positively both inside and outside the studio, including on social media.
- Cheer respectfully for fellow Phoenix Van Isle athletes whenever possible and contribute to a positive team atmosphere.
Parents agree to:
- Support coaching decisions.
- Encourage teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship.
- Allow instructors and coaches to coach without interference.
- Promote a respectful and encouraging environment for all athletes and families.
Financial Responsibility
Competitive programming requires Phoenix Van Isle to commit to significant financial obligations well in advance of each season. Parents acknowledge and agree that:
- Competition entry fees are non-refundable once submitted.
- Costume deposits and costume purchases are non-refundable once ordered.
- Choreography fees, music editing fees, convention fees, administrative fees, and any other expenses incurred on behalf of the athlete are non-refundable.
- Removal from a routine or the competitive program due to attendance, behaviour, injury, withdrawal, or failure to meet studio expectations does not release the family from any financial obligations already incurred.
Parents remain responsible for all tuition, competition fees, costume fees, choreography fees, and any other committed expenses associated with their athlete.
Withdrawal from the Competitive Program
Competitive team placements are planned many months in advance and rely on every athlete fulfilling their commitment to the team. Should a family choose to withdraw after accepting a competitive placement, the parent/guardian understands and agrees that:
- Outstanding tuition remains payable according to the studio payment schedule unless otherwise approved in writing.
- Competition fees already submitted are non-refundable.
- Costume deposits and costume purchases are non-refundable.
- Choreography fees and any expenses already incurred remain the responsibility of the family.
- Withdrawal does not eliminate financial commitments already made on behalf of the athlete.
Studio Authority
The Studio Director reserves the right to make all decisions regarding:
- Team placements
- Choreography
- Routine participation
- Competition entries
- Alternate performers
- Team assignments
- Competitive eligibility
- Removal from routines
- Disciplinary action
These decisions will always be made in the best interests of the athlete, the team, and Phoenix Van Isle.
Competition Etiquette & Respect
Phoenix Van Isle athletes and families are expected to represent the studio with professionalism, courtesy, and respect throughout every competition. To help create a positive experience for everyone involved, athletes, parents, and spectators agree to:
- Treat competition staff, venue staff, volunteers, adjudicators, security personnel, announcers, and event organizers with courtesy and respect at all times.
- Follow all competition rules, venue policies, and instructions provided by competition or venue staff.
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship toward all studios, coaches, athletes, and spectators.
- Respect all competition schedules, backstage procedures, dressing room etiquette, and restricted areas.
Photography & Videography
To protect the intellectual property, privacy, and safety of all performers, Phoenix Van Isle requires all families to follow the photography and recording policies established by the competition organizers. Unless expressly permitted by the competition organizer:
- Photography from the audience is prohibited.
- Video recording from the audience is prohibited.
- Flash photography is strictly prohibited during performances.
- Families must not attempt to record performances from backstage, wings, dressing rooms, or any restricted areas.
Families are expected to enjoy and support the performances without the use of personal recording devices. Failure to comply with competition or venue photography policies may result in disciplinary action by the competition organizer and/or Phoenix Van Isle.
Competitive dance is more than attending classes — it is a commitment to teammates, coaches, and the Phoenix Van Isle community.
By signing below, we acknowledge that we have read, understood, and agree to abide by the expectations outlined in this Competitive Team Commitment Agreement.
We understand that failure to meet these expectations may result in disciplinary action, including removal from routines or the competitive program. We further acknowledge that any financial obligations already incurred remain the responsibility of the parent/guardian regardless of participation status.