Little Flower Parish CYO Manual
October 2005
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of LF CYO is to provide a positive, caring, athletic environment for the youth of the parish who choose to participate in CYO athletics.
The objective of Little Flower CYO is participation. We operate within the guidelines set by OYM/CYO. These guidelines state that there should not be cuts made that will deter any youth from participating. Each child should be allowed to participate within there ability and eligibility parameters.
CYO ATHLETIC BOARD
The LF CYO Athletic Board currently consists of the following volunteers:
Athletic Director
Treasurer
Registrar
Soccer Commissioner
Basketball Commissioner
Baseball/Softball Commissioner
(2) School Advisory Board Representatives
Facilities Commissioner
These volunteers operate under the guidance of the Parish and are separate from the school administration. It is important to recognize that the two entities work closely together to provide the best communication and coordination between the youth of the school and the parish.
Little Flower CYO Participation
Little FlowerSchool participates in four CYO sports; soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. Registrations are held three time a year. The number of registrants will determine whether we will enroll a team in the league. It is imperative that parents register their child on a timely basis. Late registration can cause a delay or cancellation of a team causing undue stress or confusion.
The CYO Board will advertise the timing of the registration period via the following methods:
LF School email system
Weekly Handout at LF School
Church Bulletin
Parish Website
CCD Class Handouts
SPORTS SEASON
The following is a general outline as to how the seasons run and the approximate dates of registration. If you have any questions regarding these dates, feel free to contact the Athletic Director or Registrar to confirm the two week window of registration.
Fall Soccer
Parish Registration: Two weeks in mid May of the pending Fall Season
Submitted to CYO: Mid June
Season: September - November
Games: Saturday or Sunday
Teams: Varsity Girls & Boys: 7th & 8th Grade - 11 v 11 Competitive Playoffs
JV Girls & Boys: 5th & 6th Grade - 11 v 11 Competitive Playoffs
Rookie Girls & Boys: 3rd & 4th Grade - 9 v 9 Instructional
Cadet 2 Girls & Boys: 2nd Grade - 7 v 7 Instructional
Cadet 1 Coed: 1st Grade - 4 v 4 Instructional
During the Spring, CYO offers soccer for the first and second grade leagues on a similar schedule, typically running from April through May. Registration will be done in early February.
Winter Basketball
Parish Registration: Two weeks in mid to late September
Submitted to CYO: October - JV & Varsity
November - Non Tournament teams
December - High School teams
Season: December - March depending on league
Games: Saturday or Sunday
Teams: Senior High School Boys & Girls: 18 years and under
Intermediate High School Boys Only: 16 years and under
Varsity Girls & Boys: 7th & 8th Grade
- Mid-Atlantic (Most Competitive)
- Tournament
JV Girls & Boys: 5th & 6th Grade
- Tournament (Most Competitive)
- Non Tournament
Rookie Girls & Boys: 3rd & 4th Grade
CYO basketball is one of the few leagues to have two skill levels of competition in each of the Varsity and JV age groups. These levels are not determined by school grade. This structure helps to balance the need for inclusive participation with the desire for more competitive play. Providing two options in the major age groups allows a measure of satisfaction for both participation and competition. By allowing each child the opportunity to play at his or her own ability level, CYO hopes to create a positive experience for all athletes. Because basketball is unique in this area, CYO will provide try-outs to determine the rosters for the two most competitive leagues, JV Tournament and Varsity Mid-Atlantic.
BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
Since the key to any successful CYO function is communication, the guidelines regarding Winter Basketball team selection/placement will be clearly outlined.
All children interested in participating in JV Tournament or Varsity Mid-Atlantic must attend a mandatory try-out as determined by the basketball commissioner.
This will allow for appropriate selection to the Tournament and Mid-Atlantic teams, as well as equal distribution of talent on the remaining teams. To eliminate any perceived bias and to focus on the best interest of the child, the try-out selection process will adhere to the following rules:
- At last three Adult evaluators
- No evaluator can be the coach in that league
- No evaluator can be the parent of a child being evaluated
There will not be any exceptions to the process unless absolutely necessary, as determined by the CYO Athletic Board. This means that CYO will not consider parents coaching, car pooling or siblings, et al.
Following the guidelines provided by the Office of Youth Ministry/CYO, the evaluation will be based strictly on the ability to participate in a more competitive league and to provide the best opportunity for each individual child to enjoy and develop there individual skills.
LF CYO recognizes that this process may be new to some of the children. Please communicate to your child that playing at an appropriate skill level will help them to grow within the sport. This will alleviate some of the post evaluation anxiety and insure a positive experience for the child and coaches.
SPRING BASEBALL/SOFTBALL/SOCCER
Parish Registration: Two weeks in early February
Submitted to CYO: Mid February
Season: April - May
Games: Saturday & Sunday
Baseball is offered for boys in Grades 3rd - 8th:
Rookie Boys: 3rd & 4th Grade
JV Boys: 5th & 6th Grade
Varsity Boys: 7th & 8th Grade
Softball is offered to girls in Grades 3rd - 8th:
Rookie Girls: 3rd & 4th Grade
JV Girls: 5th & 6th Grade
Varsity Girls: 7th & 8th Grade
A unique aspect to JV and Varsity baseball and softball, is they both have two games per weekend. Typically, they will play one game each on Saturday and Sunday.
Soccer is offered to Grades 1st - 2nd:
Cadet 1 Coed: 1st Grade - 4 v 4 Instructional
Cadet 2 Boys: 2nd Grade - 7 v 7 Instructional
Cadet 2 Girls: 2nd Grade - 7 v 7 Instructional
REGISTRATION CRITERIA
In order to accommodate the most players with the most playing time, it is very important to register for a team before the deadline. CYO will try to accommodate all willing participants but it is unfair to the coaches and players to continuously extend the registration periods.
OYM/CYO has designated the registration timeline and we will comply with these parameters so as to not overburden the coaches and teams.
Exceptions will be made for new students and transfers that would otherwise not be aware of this policy.
When the registration period is closed, CYO will no longer accept registrations unless the team is trying to fill a roster that has not met the minimum number of participants. This result will be determined by the Commissioner and the Little Flower CYO Athletic Board.
At the end of the registration process, if a team has exceeded the maximum number of players, CYO will either accommodate each player on that team or explore the possibility of registering an additional team. The best option will be selected based on the final registration count.
The following team roster sizes have been approved by the Little Flower CYO Athletic Board:
Soccer: Varsity: 15 min. -- 20 max. Players
JV: 15 min. -- 20 max. Players
Rookie: 14 min. -- 18 max. Players
Cadet 2: 10 min. -- 14 max. Players
Cadet 1: 8 min. -- 10 max. Players
Basketball: Varsity -- Rookie: 8 min. -- 12 max. Players
Softball/Baseball: Varsity -- Rookie: 15 min. -- 20 max. Players
PRACTICE TIME
Practice time slots are determined after the teams have been forms. The coaches and the Commissioner will meet to determine the most suitable practice time schedule. Priority will be given to the coach’s availability to schedule free time for practice.
Practice time is always a challenge for the parents, payers and coaches. CYO will try to accommodate the majority. At the same time, the Board realizes individual schedules are sometime unavoidably conflicted.
Fall and Spring sports practice on the Msgr. Kane Field at Little Flower. Practices are typically scheduled, Monday through Friday between the hours of 4:30pm and 6:30pm. Each team will be assigned a one hour time slot and may be required to share the field with an equivalent team. If additional time is available the coaches will work together to increase their current time allotment or add additional days.
Basketball will follow a similar selection process for use of the Little Flower gym. The coaches and the Commissioner will try to accommodate the younger grades with earlier evening times. The older children will practice in the later time slots. Typically the practices occur between 4:30pm and 10:00pm.
K THROUGH GRADE 2 BASKETBALL CLINIC
Little Flower School also offers a Kindergarten - Second grade basketball clinic on Saturday mornings. This is not a CYO sanctioned program and does not compete against other teams. The program is strictly developmental and has been a very popular addition to Little Flower athletics.
COACHES CERTIFICATION
The Archdiocese of Washington has a Child Protection policy that is designed to ensure that our children are in a safe caring environment. In keeping with this policy, all volunteers and employees who have substantial contact with children must follow the strict guidelines of the policy. CYO coaches, assistant coaches and volunteers mist be compliant with these guidelines as directed by the Office of Youth Ministry.
All Volunteers must:
1 -- Receive and read a copy of the policy, and return the acknowledgement in the back of the booklet to the rectory.
2 -- Complete an Application for Employment or Volunteer Service.
3 -- Complete a criminal background check (fingerprinting) before beginning volunteer service or employment.
4 -- Participate in annual education on child protection.
This requirement is not an option and supersedes any other background check you may currently have from other employment.
SPORTS RECOGNITION
Little Flower CYO annually provides opportunities for approximately 30 teams to participate in CYO athletics. As a way of recognizing the hard work of the participants, the CYO Board sponsors a banquet for Grades 3rd through 8th. The banquet is held at the end of May to recognize the Rookie, Junior Varsity, and Varsity teams.
Each coach will present a “Coaches Award” to one participant on that team. The “Coaches Award” is based upon good sportsmanship and Christian values (1/3 evaluation), game and practice attendance(1/3 evaluation), and athletic ability (1/3 evaluation).
First time attendees to the banquet will receive the coveted red LF letter.
The Board also recognizes the future of Little Flower CYO by hosting a picnic for the children in Grades K through 2nd who have participated in the basketball clinic and/or Cadet League. Typically this event is held on the first weekend in June.
Questions Regarding the Program
The Little Flower CYO Board recognizes that the parents play a critical role in the success of the CYO program and openly seek advice and critique to continue the positive experience for all the children involved in the CYO program.
Should a parent have a question or concern about the program, coach, or their child they should first approach the coach involved with the situation. If the concern can not be resolved satisfactorily at this level, it should be referred to the appropriate sports commissioner. If the concern is still unresolved, the parent should then contact the Little Flower CYO Board Athletic Director. Only in exceptional cases should the parents approach a sports commissioner before approaching the coach. Only as a last resort should any problem be referred to the CYO Moderator or Pastor of Little Flower.
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