Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to tryout? Every student athlete must have a current sports physical uploaded to Arbiter and completed the annual concussion training through the link in Arbiter.
What clothes or equipment should I bring to tryouts? Clothing: sneakers, shorts, t-shirt, sweat pants/ light jacket for cooler weather. NO CROCS or non sports related footwear (i.e., no flip flops, slides, boots, dress shoes, heels, slippers) ALLOWED. Equipment: It is highly recommended that you contact the coach of the sport that interests you for specific details concerning sports related equipment.
Do I have to create an account in Arbiter? Yes. You will need to create an account in Arbiter and fill out the information to compete in PWC Middle School sports.
Can I tryout while still waiting to get my sports physical? Absolutely not! An athlete is not permitted to tryout without a sport’s physical or has failed to complete the concussion training. If the Arbiter registration and information requested is not completed, the student athlete will be marked as not in compliance, which will result in not being able to participate in middle school sports.
Where can I get a physical form? You can obtain a physical in the Arbiter program. You may also use this PHYSICAL FORM. However, you are responsible for uploading the physical, once completed and all signatures made, into Arbiter. PWCS Athletic page may also be a source that provides physical forms. Take the PWC physical form to a personal physician. A doctor's stamp with their signature is needed.
How do I upload my physical into Arbiter? It is preferred that the completed and signed physical is scanned into a readable file. Then you upload the file into Arbiter where it asks for the physical file. If you do not have access to a scanner, you may take a clear picture of all sides of the physicals and upload the photo files. Be sure all portions of the physical are uploaded. Otherwise, you athlete's information will be considerd incomplete.
What is the concussion training? Per state law, Prince William County has developed a concussion training class that every athlete and parent must complete annually.
How can I complete the concussion training? You will perform the concussion training using the link provided in the Arbiter program to complete the concussion training. There will also be in person training offered throughout the county at different schools during the year. Those date will be provided when dates have been set.
When are tryouts? Fall sports tryouts (football, volleyball, boys’ soccer, & girls track) will take place after school from 3-5pm August 25, 26, 27. Winter I sports tryouts (boys’ basketball) will occur after school from 3-5pm in the gym Novemeber 5, 6, 7. Winter II sports tryouts (girls’ basketball & wrestling) are after school from 3-5 in the gym January 20, 21, 24. Spring sports tryouts (baseball, softball, boys track and girls’ soccer) are after school from 3-5 on March 23, 24, 25.
Do I have to attend all three days of tryouts? No, however, it is strongly encouraged to participate in all three tryout dates as this will give the coach more time to access the athlete’s abilities. Each sport offers three days of tryouts. If the athlete only shows for the last day of tryouts, that may be the only day of tryouts that he or she has to perform. A coach is not obligated to extend tryouts. Individual coaches may have leniency for specialized situations. Ask the sport's coach for further detail.
If I check a sport's box that I want to tryout for in Arbiter, do I automatically make the team? No. There are three days of tryouts for each sports. Coaches will make cuts to make a team roster. Sport teams have a limit number of spots to fill a roster.
Can I do more than one sport? Students are allowed to compete in one sport per season. To be clear, there are four seasons. So, it is conceivable that throughtout the year, an athlete may be a part of three to fours teams. An example would be a girl who runs track (Fall), wrestles (Winter 2), and then plays soccer (spring).
Do all grade levels compete against one another? Yes! Only basketball and volleyball have multiple teams (JV & varsity), all other sports have one team for all grade levels.
Do all athletes who make a team play in games? Coaches are determined to make a roster of athletes that have the potential to play at the middle school level. However, there are no guarantees for the amount of playing time for an athlete to play. Coaches will assess each player as the season progresses and will handle any questions that center on the playing abilities.
Does it cost to attend games? Yes, $3 for adults and $1 for students. This money goes to paying for officials and transportation throughout the year.
When do games start? Games typically begin at 5:00pm but will vary based on transportation and the arrival of officials.
Do athletes stay at school for games? Yes. When a game is scheduled, the athletes on the team will remain with the coach after school through to the end of the game, unless the coach makes specific details for a game.
If I am not on the team, can I stay after school to attend the game? No. All students who wish to attend a home game must go home and then return to watch the game. PWC Code of Behavior applies to all students and parent. Away game attendees are expected to have a parent or guardian attend the game with the student.
If a game or activity is indoor, which door do I use? All spectators must use Door 1 (awning covered entrance).
Can I bring a bag into a game? The PWCS No Bag/Purse Policy is still in effect for the 2025-26 school year for indoor athletic events. PWCS does not allow bags or purses to be brought in to games. This includes Backpacks, Purses, Fanny Packs, etc. Clear bags are allowed for use as a diaper or medical bag and are subject to search.
When are practices? Practices are generally every day after school from 3-5 but will vary depending on the sport. Please see the coach for specifics.
How will my child get to and from practices? Practices take place after school (3:15 - 5:15). Athletes stay on campus until the end of practice. We have two activity buses that run every afternoon (Monday through Friday). Busses leave at 5:30 Only current Rippon students may use these busses. Otherwise, parents are expected to pick up their student at 5:15 in the back of the school (baseball field entrance).
What is transportation like for games? For games, athletes ride to the opposing schools together. There are no activity busses for after games. Most games will last until 7:15 PM. Parents are to pick up their athlete at Rippon in the back of the school (baseball field entrance).
Can I take my student home from an away field instead of traveling back to Rippon? This is up to the coach. If a coach allows athletes to leave with parents after an away game, the student athlete should be signed out by a parent.
Activity Buses will run the same as last year, every day of the week at 5:30pm; parents are responsible for picking their students in a timely manner by 5:30.