Participation Requirements

To participate in Durfee High School Athletics, all requirements below must be met before a student may try out, practice, or compete.

Registration (Required Each Season)

• Students must complete online registration through ArbiterSports for each sports season (Fall, Winter, Spring).

• All required forms and acknowledgements must be submitted.

• Emergency contact and medical information must be current.

Sports Physical (Medical Clearance)

• A valid sports physical is required for all student-athletes.

• Physicals must be dated within 13 months of the first day of practice.

• Students are highly encouraged to have a physical with their Primary Care Physician.

  • Physicals may also be completed through our FREE SPORTS PHYSICALS or SSTAR 

• Students may not participate without an approved physical on file.

Academic Eligibility

• Students must meet MIAA and Durfee High School academic eligibility standards.

• Academic eligibility is reviewed prior to each season.

• Academically ineligible students may not participate until eligibility is restored.

• Incoming 9th-graders will not be reviewing until Semester 1 report cards are issued. 

Enrollment and Attendance

• Students must be officially enrolled at Durfee High School.

• Regular school attendance is expected.

• Students who are not in attendance during the school day may not be permitted to participate in practices or games that day, in accordance with school policy.

Code of Conduct

• Students must agree to and follow the Durfee Athletic Code of Conduct.

• Expectations apply during school, practices, competitions, and school-sponsored events.

• Violations may result in disciplinary action, including suspension from athletics.

Clearance to Participate

• Students are not permitted to try out, practice, or compete until all participation requirements are completed and approved.

• Clearance is determined by the Athletic Department.

Meeting participation requirements does not guarantee placement on a team. Team selection is determined by coaching staff during tryouts.

Registration Instructions

Registration is required for every sports season (Fall, Winter, and Spring).
Students must be fully registered and cleared before they may try out, practice, or compete. Durfee High School uses ArbiterSports for registration.

Step 1: Log In or Register

• Returning Families: Use your existing ArbiterSports account. Do not create a new account for returning students; this causes record errors.

• Siblings: All children in the same family can be added under one account.

• New Families: Create an account if you do not already have one.

• Need Help? Contact ArbiterSports Support before creating a new account if you cannot log in.

Step 2: Select Sport and Season

• Choose the sport(s) your student plans to try out for.

• Ensure the correct season is selected.

Step 3: Complete Required Forms

• Student and parent/guardian information

• Emergency contacts

• Medical history and consent forms

• Athletic policies acknowledgements

Step 4: Upload Student Physical

• Physicals must be dated within 13 months of the first day of practice.

• Upload directly to ArbiterSports.

• Please schedule an appointment with your child’s doctor if possible. 

• Free Sports Physicals are also offer 3 times a year. Also, physicals are available through the SSTAR Health Services Van by appointment. 

• Students cannot be cleared without an approved physical.

Step 5: Review and Submit

• Confirm all information is accurate.

• Click Submit; drafts are not reviewed.

Common Errors That Prevent Clearance

1. Using multiple accounts for the same student or family

2. Incomplete forms or missing information – all boxes with red * MUST BE FILLED IN 

3. Using the same phone number for more than one emergency contact.

4. Forgetting to submit the registration

5. Expired or missing consent forms, check boxes, or signatures. 

Important Reminders

• Registration is required each season, even for returning athletes.

• Clearance is determined by the Athletic Department, not coaches.

• Incomplete registrations or missing physicals will delay or prevent participation.

Need Help?

• Durfee Athletic Department: vpilar@fallriverschools.org

• ArbiterSports Support: (800) 311-4060 Contact directly for login or account issues before creating a new account. 

NFHS Concussion Course – Students

All student-athletes are required to complete the NFHS Concussion Course for Students once per school year prior to participation in Durfee High School athletics, in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health and MIAA regulations.

Completion Timeline (Required)

• The course must be completed on or after July 1 for the upcoming school year.

• Courses completed before July 1 will not be accepted.

• This requirement applies to all sports and all seasons.

Course Instructions for Students

1. Complete the NFHS Concussion Course for Students

2. Save your completion certificate once the course is finished

3. Upload/attach the certificate to your ArbiterSports registration

Students will not be cleared to participate unless the certificate is saved and uploaded.

Important Reminders

• The course is required once per school year

• Certificates do not carry over from year to year

• Uploading the certificate is the student’s responsibility

Common Errors That Delay Clearance

• Course completed before July 1

• Certificate not saved after completion

• Certificate not uploaded to ArbiterSports

Sports Physicals for Durfee High School Athletics

A valid sports physical is required for all student-athletes participating in Durfee High School athletics. Students may not try out, practice, or compete without an approved physical on file.

Physical Requirement

• Sports physicals must be dated within 13 months of the first day of practice and include clearance for participation in sports. 

• Physicals are required for all sports and all seasons

• Students with expired or missing physicals will not be cleared to participate

• Medical clearance is determined by the Athletic Department, not individual coaches or Durfee nurses. 

Where Students Can Get a Sports Physical

Durfee High School offers multiple options to help families meet the physical requirements.

Free Sports Physicals (Durfee High School)

• Free sports physicals are offered to Durfee student-athletes at designated times during the school year. 

• Dates, times, and instructions are shared through school communication and the Athletic Department

• Physicals completed during school-sponsored physical days meet all athletic participation requirements

Families are encouraged to take advantage of free physical opportunities when available.

SSTAR Community Health Center

• Students may obtain sports physicals through SSTAR

• Appointments are required

• Physicals completed through SSTAR meet all medical requirements for athletic participation

Private Healthcare Providers

• Students may also obtain a sports physical from their primary care provider or another licensed healthcare provider

• Physicals must be within 13 months, include clearance for sports and be signed and dated by a healthcare professional. 

Submitting the Sports Physical

All sports physicals must be uploaded to the student’s ArbiterSports registration.

• Families are responsible for uploading the physical directly to ArbiterSports

• Ensure the physical is complete, signed, dated, and legible before uploading

• Physicals submitted outside of ArbiterSports may delay clearance

Students will not be cleared to participate until the physical is uploaded and approved.

Important Information About Physicals

• Physicals are valid for 13 months from the date of the exam

• The Athletic Department must have a copy of the student’s physicals. The nurses’ having it does not count. 

• Families should plan physicals carefully to avoid mid-season expiration

• Expired physicals require a new exam before participation can continue

Common Errors That Delay Clearance

• Physical dated outside the 13-month window

• Physical not uploaded to ArbiterSports

• Incomplete, unsigned, or illegible physical forms

• Physical missing clearance for athletic participation. 

Clearance and Participation

• Students may not try out, practice, or compete without a valid physical on file

• Clearance is issued by the Athletic Department only

• Coaches are not permitted to allow participation without clearance

Questions or Assistance

For questions about sports physicals or clearance, please contact the
Durfee High School Athletic Department

 Email: kmahoney@fallriverschools.org
Phone: (508)675-8100 XT. 40132

Need Help?

• For questions regarding physical submission or clearance, contact the
  Athletic Trainer, Kelley Mahoney kmahoney@fallriverschools.org

Durfee High School is committed to the safety and well-being of all student-athletes. Injuries, especially concussions, are taken seriously and handled according to state law, MIAA regulations, and our school policy.

Immediate Removal from Play

• Any student-athlete showing signs of injury or suspected concussion must stop playing immediately, whether during practice or a game.

• Symptoms may include: confusion, headache, dizziness, nausea, vision changes, memory problems, or unusual behavior.

• Students may not return to play the same day.

Medical Evaluation & Clearance

• All injuries must be evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider or a certified athletic trainer in consultation with a physician.

• Students cannot return to play until they have written clearance from one of these providers.

• Clearance must be submitted to the Athletic Department and the school nurse.

Graduated Return-to-Play Protocol

Students recovering from a concussion follow a stepwise plan:

1. Light exercise (walking, stationary bike; no weights)

2. Running in gym or on field (no helmet or equipment)

3. Non-contact training drills in full equipment; weight-training allowed

4. Full-contact practice

5. Game play

• If symptoms appear at any step, the athlete must stop activity and be re-evaluated.

• The Athletic Trainer monitors progress daily and may conduct Post-Injury ImPACT testing until scores return to normal.

Academic Considerations

• Concussions may affect memory, focus, and organization.

• Guidance staff may adjust schedules or workload to reduce stress and support recovery.

Reporting Injuries

• All injuries must be reported immediately to the coach or Athletic Trainer.

• The Athletic Trainer will complete documentation, including MDPH Head Injury forms, and coordinate with parents, coaches, and school staff.

Key Takeaways

• “When in doubt, sit them out.” Never allow an athlete to continue if a concussion is suspected.

• Return to play is only after medical clearance and completion of the stepwise protocol.

• Parents/guardians are encouraged to monitor their child and follow all instructions from the Athletic Trainer and healthcare provider.