COACHES
High school and college persons are eligible to coach provided that team is registered in the name of a responsible adult coach (19 years of age or older) who will occupy a position on the team bench during each game. Coaches in boys and girls high school basketball divisions must be 25 years of age or older.
CYO Athletics recommends that parishes and schools adopt a rule whereby an individual may not coach the same group in the same sport for more than two consecutive years.
Coaches will be responsible for:
- Conducting themselves in a Christian manner that will reflect credit on their parish and CYO Athletics and ensuring that team members and team followers do likewise.
- Teaching and guiding youth in a manner that will increase their respect for authority, their sense of fair play, and their ability to adapt to the wins and losses of everyday life.
- Ensuring that the pre-event prayer takes place.
- The actions of the team members and spectators from his or her parish/school.
- Conducting a preseason parents/coaches meeting to insure that everyone thoroughly understands the responsibilities of coaches, parents, and athletes.
- Having attended the Play Like A Champion Today coaches training seminar.
- Being knowledgeable of all aspects in the current CYO Athletics manual and making sure that all rules and policies are faithfully observed.
- Attending the preseason coaches meeting at the time and place designated by the commission of the respective sport. In the event that this is not possible, the head coach must make sure an assistant coach represents the team.
- Satisfying the Safe Environment requirements.
- Making sure the proper roster is filled out and submitted to your Parish/School Athletic Director with legal players so they may be submitted to the CYO Athletics office prior to the roster deadline in each sport.
- Determining the eligibility of each player on one’s team through the parish or school. The use of an ineligible player(s) either deliberately or unknowingly shall result in a forfeiture of each game in which the player(s) took part.
- Taking special precautions to protect all valuables and clothing of the players since fields, gyms, and locker rooms usually have public access.
- Being aware that individual parishes or schools will be responsible for any damages caused by their team member or followers.
- Not scheduling any practices that will conflict with liturgies of any Holy Days.
- Making sure that the signed CYO Athletics Code of Conduct is on file within your parish or school for yourself and for each member of your team and their parent(s)/guardian(s).
- The coach of the winning team (both teams in case of a tie in soccer) each week for playoff eligible divisions will be responsible for either calling in (206.654.4643) or emailing (cyoscores@seattlearch.org).
PLAYING TIME POLICY
Youth sports culture today is geared toward winning and the age where winning takes precedence over playing time keeps getting younger and younger. We must recognize that in order for our youth to grow, to develop and to have fun, they must play. Particularly at the elementary, but even the junior high level, athletics should have a focus toward developing skills and a love of sport. At the same time, this development should not be granted to one and forsaken for another. In addition, a key theme of Catholic Social Teaching is the sanctity of human life and the dignity of all persons. CYO Athletics supports this through its playing time policies. Each sport has a playing time policy to ensure the participation, enjoyment and development of all CYO Athletes. Infractions of the playing time policy will result in warning for the 1st offense and a suspension for the offending coach for the 2nd (and any subsequent offenses).
PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY POLICY
All players competing in soccer, basketball, volleyball, and baseball will need to compete in either 3 of 7 or 4 of 8 regular season games to be eligible for playoffs. Coaches must bring the Playoff Eligibility Form to each playoff game, signed to verify the eligibility of each player on the team roster. This policy will be monitored by the Parish/School Athletic Directors. If a violation occurs, the Parish/School will inform the coach of the ineligibility of the athlete. If an injury to an athlete occurs or other issues arise, the Athletic Director should contact CYO Athletics to clarify eligibility. As in the regular season, any athlete not playing in a playoff game may not wear their uniform on the bench or sideline.
COACHES MEETING
Every CYO team must have at least one of its coaches attend the mandatory preseason coaches’ meeting. Failure to have coach representation will result in game forfeiture and a game suspension by coach to be determined by CYO Athletics.
PARENTS/COACHES MEETINGS
It is recommended that coaches schedule a preseason meeting for the parents of each player on his/her team. The purpose of this meeting is to insure that everyone thoroughly understands the responsibilities of coaches, parents, and athletes. The Play Like A Champion Today manual has numerous resources to assist with this.
Incident Report Form – PDF
Incident Report Form – Word
Roster Form – Excel
Signature Sheet – Word
Playoff Eligibility Verification Form – Excel
Other Resources: