Programs : Athletics : Parent's Page
WelcomeFind a Division
Guidelines for Parents
Parent’s Code of Conduct
Parent's Pledge
Zero-Tolerance Policy
Your Partnership with the Coach
Survey
See Information/Forms on the right for:
- Sports Physicals
Welcome
Welcome to CYO Athletics. We are pleased that you have chosen CYO Athletics as your child’s sports experience. CYO is committed to providing a safe and Catholic environment for your child. CYO Athletics provides an exceptional opportunity for your child to experience individual growth and development. Athletics is part of our daily lives – striving to be the best we can be in athletics, at school, at our parish, the community, and even as parents and educators.
The competitive spirit, however, is learned, starting with those early, character-shaping years. Spirited competition is within the human spirit, waiting to be nurtured and developed positively for life’s experiences.
CYO Athletics, volunteer coaches and parents comprise a team that is trying to achieve this goal. You, as parents, are the primary teachers of your children. Your example and actions by participating in the pre-game and post game prayers, respecting the decisions of coaches and officials and positively encouraging your child and other children are an integral part of your role as sports parents. Everyone is expected to practice the Golden Rule – treating others the way they wish to be treated, with fairness and respect. This is the true value of playing sports.
Your child will mimic your behavior and attitude. Children learn behaviors!
Coaches and parents are expected to respect the dignity of the athlete and use a positive approach that involves praise and encouragement. Derogatory comments are never acceptable in CYO Athletics. Should you ever hear any individual who acts disrespectfully at any CYO game, please do not hesitate to ask them to stop.
Please take time to read our mission, philosophy and purpose. These statements clearly reflect who we are and why we do what we do to ensure your child’s experience is a positive one. Also review the Parent’s Code of Conduct, Pledge, Guidelines and Zero Tolerance policy. Sign the Guidelines and take them to the game as an ongoing reminder.
Find Your Child’s Division
Key:
B = Boys
G = Girls
I = 7th, 8th or any combination
II = 5th, 6th or any combination
III = 3rd, 4th or any combination
IV = 1st, 2nd or any combination
HS = High school
IAAA–8TH Grade Top League and/or Large Schools
IAAA Reserve or Major–8TH Grade Middle Leagues
IAAA Minor–8TH Grade and/or Small Schools
IAA–7TH Grade Top League and/or Large Schools
IAA Major or Reserve–7TH Grade Middle Leagues
IAA Minor–7TH Grade and/or Small Schools
IA Reserve–7TH and 8TH Grades Mixed or 6TH/7TH/8TH Grade Mixed
II AAAA–6TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 11 - 14)
II AAA–6TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 9 - 10)
II AA–6TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 8 - 9)
II A–6TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 7 - 8)
II A Reserve–5TH and 6TH Graders Mixed
II BBBB–5TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 11 - 14)
II BBB–5TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 9 - 10)
II BB–5TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 8 - 9)
II B–5TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 7 - 8)
II B Reserve–4TH and 5TH Graders Mixed
III AAAA–4TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 11 - 14)
III AAA–4TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 9 - 10)
III AA–4TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 8 - 9)
III A–4TH Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 7 - 8)
III A–Reserve 3RD and 4TH Graders Mixed
III BBB–3RD Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 11 - 14)
III BB–3RD Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 8 - 10)
III B–3RD Grade and a Specific Number of Players on the Roster (ie 7 - 8)
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE GENERAL RULE 9.
Guidelines for Parents
- Remember that you are at a game to support your team and to enjoy the skills and competition, not to intimidate or ridicule the other teams.
- Remember that CYO Athletics is a learning experience for athletes and mistakes are sometimes made. Praise athletes in their attempt to improve themselves as Catholics and as people.
- Remember that attendance at CYO athletic events is a privilege to observe the game, not a license to verbally assault and be generally obnoxious.
- Learn the rules of the game, so that you may understand and appreciate why certain situations take place.
- Refrain from taunting or making any kind of derogatory remarks to your opponents during the game, especially comments of ethnic, racial or sexual nature.
- Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team.
- Be a positive behavior role model through your actions and by censuring those around you at events whose behavior is inappropriate.
- Teach your child to have fun by demonstrating positive enthusiasm without causing harm, danger or embarrassment to others or to their parish.
- Teach your child to demonstrate respect towards peers, opponents, coaches and officials.
- Teach your child to police their peers and demand proper behavior from them.
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Parent’s Code of Conduct
I will enjoy my child’s opportunity to experience the benefits of sport.
I will trust in my child’s ability to have fun as well as to perform and achieve excellence on his/her own.
I will help my child to learn the right lessons from winning and losing and from individual accomplishments and mistakes.
I will respect my child’s teammates and fellow parents as well as the players, parents and coaches from opposing team.
I will give only encouragement and applaud only positive accomplishments whether for my child, his/her teammates, their opponents or the officials.
I will respect my child’s coach and support his/her efforts.
I will not instruct from the sidelines.
I will insure that my child will attend all games and practices possible, and when not possible, I agree to inform the coach in advance.
I will respect all facilities made available so my child can play games and practice his/her sport.
I will respect any equipment or uniform that may be issued to my child so that he/she can participate.
I will respect the officials and their authority during games.
I will never demonstrate threatening or abusive behavior or use foul language.
I will be responsible to report to CYO any perceived misconduct by coach, player, parent or official so it can be dealt with in the appropriate manner.
I also agree that if I fail to abide by rules and guidelines listed above, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:
- First Offense – Verbal warning by official, site director, and /or CYO representative.
- Second Offense (during the same game) – Parental game suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by organizations involved.
- Third Offense (during same season for that sport) – Parent and child (or children) will be removed from program.
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Parent's Pledge
I will cheer for all good plays or players whether by/for an opponent or my team.
I will not use profanity or derogatory comments at any time.
I will respect the abilities of the opponents, the decisions of the officials and coaches regardless of the outcome of the game.
I will accept responsibility for all of my actions. I understand CYO’s Zero Tolerance Policy.
I will learn the rules of the game, so that I may understand and appreciate the actions of each participant throughout the game.
Tips For Parents
Tell your child you have made the pledge and why. Explain why it is important to be a good sport.
Communicate openly with your child about being a good sport. Discuss any action from your child that does not support good sportsmanship.
Support officials’ and coaches’ decisions regarding team rules, game conduct and encourage appropriate measures in dealing with offender.
Remember that appropriate and consistent discipline indicate love and concern.
Be a role model. You can set an example for your athlete.
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Zero Tolerance Policy
Your participation in any athletic event does not entitle you to: berate officials, question the coach, make negative comments towards either team, or display any inappropriate behavior.
Your Partnership with the Coach
Research is clear that when parents and coaches work together a child tends to do better. The following are some guidelines for how parents can contribute to a Coach/Parent Partnership that can help the athlete have the best possible experience.
- Recognize the Commitment the Coach Has Made: For whatever reason, you have chosen not to help coach the team. The coach has made a commitment that involves many, many hours of preparation beyond the hours spent at practices and games. Recognize his or her commitment and the fact that he or she is not doing it because of the pay! Try to remember this whenever something goes awry during the season.
- Make Early, Positive Contact with the Coach: As soon as you know who your child’s coach is going to be, contact him or her to introduce yourself and let him or her know you want to help your child have the best experience they can have this season. To the extent that you can do so, ask if there is any way you can help. By getting to know the coach early and establishing a positive relationship, it will be much easier to talk with them later if a problem arises.
- Fill the Coach’s Emotional Tank: When the coach is doing something you like, let them know. Coaching is a difficult job and most coaches only hear from parents when they want to complain about something. This will help fill the coach’s emotional tank and contribute to them doing a better job. It also makes it easier to raise problems later when you have shown support for the good things they are doing. And just about every coach does a lot of things well. Take the time to look for them.
- Don’t Put the Player in the Middle: Imagine a situation around the dinner table, in which a child’s parents complain in front of her about how poorly her math teacher is teaching fractions. How would this impact this student’s motivation to work hard to learn fractions? How would it affect her love of mathematics? While this may seem far-fetched, when we move away from school to youth sports, it is all too common for parents to share their disapproval of a coach with their children. This puts a young athlete in a bind. Divided loyalties do not make it easy for a child to do her best. Conversely, when parents support a coach, it is that much easier for the child to put their wholehearted effort into learning to play well. If you think your child’s coach is not handling a situation well, do not tell that to the player. Rather, request a meeting with the coach in which you can talk with them about it.
- Don’t Give Instructions During a Game or Practice: You are not one of the coaches; so do not give your child instructions about how to play. It can be very confusing for a child to hear someone other than the coach yelling out instructions during a game. As in #4 above, if you have an idea for a tactic, go to the coach and offer it to them. Then let them decide whether they are going to use it or not. If they decide not to use it, let it be. Getting to decide those things is one of the privileges they have earned by making the commitment to coach.
- Be Your Child’s Cheerleader: Perhaps the most important thing you can do is to be there for your child. Competitive sports are stressful to players and the last thing they need is a critic at home. Be a cheerleader for your child. Focus on the positive things they are doing and leave the correcting of mistakes to the coach. Let them know you support them without reservation regardless of how well they plays.
- Appreciate the Efforts of the Entire Team: Cheer for all of the players on the team. Tell each of them when you see them doing something well.
- Encourage Other Parents: Don’t show disrespect for the other team or the officials. But more than that, encourage other parents to do so also. If a parent of a player on your team begins to berate the official, gently say to them, "Hey, that’s not necessary."