Athletics

Athletic Department Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Rockport Middle/High School Athletic Department to foster the academic, social, and citizenship values of our school to our student-athletes through effort, instruction, and competition, by nurturing competitiveness, cultivating an environment of consistent improvement, focusing on skill development and enjoyment, and demonstrating life skills. Our student-athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, and administrators contribute to this mission each day in our effort at practices, competitions, and all athletic activities.

Athletic Department Philosophy

The athletic program at Rockport Middle/High School is an integral part of one’s total educational experience. Athletics offer students the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities that can teach important life skills. The program is committed to the physical, emotional, social and mental development of all who participate. We aim to inspire, develop and support student-athletes in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence. Participation in athletics is an honor and all athletes are expected to exhibit the highest level of conduct in all areas. Student-athletes not only represent their team, but their school, community and families. 

Athletics at Rockport Middle/High School are open to all students who meet and maintain the standards of academic eligibility as set forth in the student handbook, meet basic physical health qualifications and are good citizens in the Rockport Middle/High School Community.

Athletic Department Program Objectives

Rockport Middle/High School student-athletes will effectively:

• Develop a spirit of healthy competition in practice and on the playing field to get the most effort out of themselves, their teammates, and their opponents, and carry over into the classroom and beyond into the lives of the student-athletes.
• Focus on continuing and consistent improvement in an objective manner by setting tangible SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely, and concentrating on controllable objectives, making them more responsible for their own growth.
• Concentrate their efforts on skill development each day, as well as developing a process-oriented approach to success, rather than merely striving toward the finished product by receiving frequent measurements of growth in both individual and team-building skills through communication from coaches and administrators.
• Find enjoyment in the area of athletics through building relationships with teammates and coaches, creating experiences that extend beyond the playing field, and generating a lifelong love for sport, competition, and physical fitness that transcends interscholastic athletics.
• Demonstrate life skills, such as teamwork, by working with fellow teammates toward a common goal, sportsmanship, by treating opposing coaches, players, and spectators with respect, empathy, by respecting differences and working to create consensus, citizenship, by performing service for, and instilling pride in, their community, and leadership, by striving to be accountable for their actions

Handbooks

2026-2027 RMHS Athletic Handbook

RPS Sports-Related & Extracurricular Activities Concussion Management Policy and Procedures

Important Resources

The Rockport Middle/High School Athletic Department offers the convenience of online registration through Arbiter. Arbiter is a secure registration platform that provides you with an easy, user-friendly way to register for our programs, and helps us to be more administratively efficient and environmentally responsible. When you register through Arbiter, the system keeps track of your information in your Arbiter profile. You enter your information only once for each family member for multiple uses and multiple programs.

Arbiter Registration Informational Letter

Arbiter Registration: Rockport

E-Funds User Fee Payment

Arbiter Registration Help for Families

FALL

Field Hockey

• Head Coach: 
• JV Coach: 

Boys Soccer

• Head Coach: Conor Douglass cdouglass@rpk12.org
• JV Coach: Chris Fauci cfauci@rpk12.org

Girls Soccer

• Head Coach: Sharon Chapman schapman@rpk12.org
• JV Coach: 

Golf

• Head Coach: Larry Burnham lburnham@rpk12.org

WINTER

Boys Basketball

• Head Coach: 
• JV Coach: 
• Middle School Coach: 

Girls Basketball

• Head Coach: Jordan Fears jfears@rpk12.org
• JV Coach: 
• Middle School Coach: Stacey Twombley stwombley@rpk12.org

SPRING

Baseball

• Head Coach: Joe Orlando joeorlando@rpk12.org
• JV Coach: Mike Frontierro mfrontierro@rockportma.gov

Softball

• Head Coach: Larry Burnham lburnham@rpk12.org

Boys Tennis

• Head Coach: Ted Twombly ttwombly@rpk12.org

Girls Tennis

• Head Coach: Stacey Twombly stwombly@rpk12.org

Physical Exams

Student-athletes must pass a physical examination each year before participation in any sport. This must be done prior to the first tryout or practice session. No student-athlete will be issued equipment or participate in organized practice, tryout, or scheduled contest until a current physical examination form signed by a physician has been given the Athletic Trainer, Athletic Director or school nurse. In order for a physical examination to be considered current and valid, it must have occurred within the preceding thirteen (13) months and will otherwise be considered expired. Student-athletes whose physical examination expires during a season must submit a physical examination form certifying a new physical examination prior to the expiration date of their last physical examination in order to continue participation without interruption.

SWAY

Fall Season 

Field Hockey (Grades 7-12)

Boys Soccer (Grades 8-12)

Girls Soccer (Grades 6-12)

Golf (Grades 8-12)

Boys Cross Country (Co-op with Manchester Essex) (Grades 9-12)

Girls Cross Country (Co-op with Manchester Essex) (Grades 9-12)

Football (Co-op with Manchester Essex) (Grades 9-12)

Cheer (Co-op with Gloucester) (Grades 9-12)

Winter Season 

Boys Basketball (Grades 8-12)

Girls Basketball (Grades 8-12)

Boys Ice Hockey (Co-op with Manchester Essex/Ipswich/Hamilton-Wenham) (Grades 9-12)

Girls Ice Hockey (Co-op with Gloucester) (Grades 9-12)

Boys Indoor Track (Co-op with Gloucester) (Grades 9-12)

Girls Indoor Track (Co-op with Gloucester) (Grades 9-12)

Boys Swim (Co-op with Gloucester) (Grades 9-12)

Girls Swim (Co-op with Gloucester) (Grades 9-12)

Middle School Boys Basketball

Middle School Girls Basketball

Spring Season 

Baseball (Grades 7-12)

Softball (Grades 7-12)

Boys Tennis (Grades 8-12)

Girls Tennis (Grades 8-12)

Boys Outdoor Track (Co-op with Gloucester) (Grades 9-12)

Girls Outdoor Track (Co-op with Gloucester) (Grades 9-12)

NCAA Eligibility Center

How to Register

Recruiting Process

Guide for the College Bound Athlete

MIAA Resources

MIAA Handbook

MIAA Sports Medicine

MIAA Chemical Health Brochure

MIAA Tournament Information

MIAA Tournament Central

MIAA Power Rankings

Tournament Brackets

Please see below for a reminder about spectator expectations for all those in attendance at athletic events.

The goal is to create a positive and supportive environment with a strong emphasis on sportsmanship. Athletics provide a great opportunity to understand adversity, deal with difficult situations, and the joys of healthy competition. We are aware that there will be times when an official makes a controversial call or there is a play that could have been handled differently, but ultimately it is the responsibility of the spectators to handle these situations in a sportsmanlike and understanding manner. Be a role model for others. A negative reaction will not change the outcome but rather will create a negative environment that detract from the student athletes and all their hard work. 

There is an expectation that all spectators at athletic events act in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. This includes both students and adults. There is a zero tolerance policy for berating officials, foul language, and disrespect for game administrators. Additionally, spectators should not call out the numbers or names of anyone on the opposing team. We ask that each individual in attendance positively cheer on their own team. If a game official or game administrator determines that a spectator in attendance at an athletic event is not adhering to the expectations provided above, that individual will be asked to leave.

We appreciate all of our spectators and their support for our athletic programs. It is truly a pleasure to see the enthusiasm and passion for our student athletes. Go Vikings!

Each student athlete has a responsibility to maintain a proper attitude and to respect teammates and others. It is essential that the student athlete subscribes to the rules of sportsmanship and applies these principles through word and deed. A student athlete must agree to the following principles:

1. Adhere to rules, standards and policies. These rules are found in the MIAA Handbook and RMHS Athletic Handbook.
2. Take pride in setting good examples in appearance, conduct, language, and sportsmanship.
3. Demonstrate the ideals of sportsmanship and fair play in all competitive situations.
4. Respect every coach, official, teammate, opponent, and others.
5. Exhibit the ability to accept victory or defeat in a proper manner.
6. Compete within the spirit of the game and follow appropriate rules and regulations.
7. Demonstrate concern, courtesy and compassion.
8. Provide an example of good sportsmanship and encourage spectators to display good sportsmanship.
9. Be a positive influence for teammates and others.

What is required to be eligible to participate in high school athletics?

• Academic Eligibility
• Up to Date Physical Examination
• Sway Testing
• Athletic Fee Payment

Can I play on an AAU/Club team and still participate on a high school team?

• A bona fide member of the school team is a student who is consistently present for, and actively participates in, all high school team sessions (e.g. practices, tryouts, competitions). Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school athletic activity/event in any sport recognized by the MIAA. Athletes cannot be given special treatment (late arrival, early dismissal, etc.) for non-school athletic programs.
  • First Offense: Student-athlete is suspended for one (1) contest and shall not participate in the next scheduled interscholastic competition that is part of their regular season schedule or in tournament play.
  • Second Offense: Student-athlete is suspended for an additional 25% of the season and is ineligible for tournament play immediately upon confirmation of the violation.

What if my child’s physical exam expires during the athletic season?

• In order for a physical examination to be considered current and valid, it must have occurred within the preceding thirteen (13) months and will otherwise be considered expired. Student Athletes whose physical examination expires during a season must submit a physical examination form certifying a new physical examination prior to the expiration date of their last physical examination in order to continue participation without interruption