The CYO Athletic Program is designed to be representative of the Christian character in life. As Christians, we are constantly challenged to better ourselves. In team sports we strive for improvement both as individuals and as a group. The development of such values is the primary objective of CYO Athletics. CYO Athletics is the arena in which the youngster practices the principles of Christian values and also provides opportunities for healthy growth and development. Within this arena the coaches, directors, and participants must manifest and exemplify the ideals of a Christian life.
The guiding principle behind the enforcement of the code is that the behavior of everyone involved in CYO shall not detract from the children’s enjoyment of the sport. When the soul of a young person is injured, who usually is responsible for this situation? It is typically an adult who has lost control of the situation. CYO Athletics has a duty to each of its participants (coaches, players, officials), and that is to provide the best possible atmosphere of competition. All players, coaches, officials, directors and spectators must be treated with respect regardless of race, creed, color, gender or ability.
PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT:
I will:
• Respect decisions made by contest officials;
• Be a role model by positively supporting teams and by not shouting instructions or criticism to the players, coaches or officials.
• Make no derogatory comments or gestures to officials or league administrators, players, coaches, or parents of the opposing team
• Honor the Game and respect the game, by playing hard and refusing to bend the rules to win
• Honor the Game and respect the game, their opponents, by playing “fierce and friendly”
• Honor the Game and respect the game, the officials, by showing respect even when we disagree
• Honor the Game and respect the game, our teammates, by being committed to them on and off the field
• Honor the Game and respect the game, our self, by holding ourselves to a high standard even when others do
All players are expected to respect the rules of the games, the officials who administer the rules, and their decisions; respect opponents and acknowledge them for striving to do their best; and be an intense competitor on the field, while behaving in a respectable manner at all times.
PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT:
This Code of Conduct applies to all parents/guardians of athletes involved in our organization’s youth sports activities
THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF CHARACTER-BUILDING AND ETHICS IN SPORTS ARE EMBODIED IN THE CONCEPT OF SPORTSMANSHIP AND SIX CORE ETHICAL VALUES:
TRUSTWORTHINESS – Be worthy of trust in all you do. Be loyal to your child’s team and to the whole youth sports organization. Live up to high ideals of ethics and sportsmanship. Teach your children the importance of integrity, honesty, reliability and loyalty.
RESPECT – Treat all people with respect at all times and require the same of your children. Treat game officials with respect. Don’t complain or argue about calls or decisions during or after an athletic event. Teach your children to treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, gender or ability.
RESPONSIBILITY – Consistently exhibit good character and conduct yourself as a positive role model. Exercise self-control; avoid displays of anger and frustration. Don’t retaliate. FAIRNESS – Live up to high standards of fair play. Treat all competitors fairly. Be open-minded.
CARING – Offer positive reinforcement. Consistently demonstrate concern for athletes as individuals and encourage them to look out for one another and think and act as a team.
CITIZENSHIP – Honor the spirit of the rules. Teach your children to avoid temptations to gain competitive advantage through improper techniques that violate the highest traditions of sportsmanship.
I AGREE: “THE GAME IS FOR THE KIDS”
• I will respect the rules of the game and the policies of the CYO league.
• I will respect the officials and their authority before, during and after games and will never confront officials and/or coaches before, during or after the game. If I have a concern, I will take time to speak with my child’s coach at an agreed upon time and place. If I have further concerns beyond my conversations with the coach, I will contact my child’s Athletic Director.
• I understand only my child’s Athletic Director may contact CYO. I may not at any time contact CYO or any other school or program regarding my concerns. I must go through my Athletic Director.
• I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.
• I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player or parent such as booing and taunting; or using profane language or gestures.
• I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well-being of the athletes. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
• I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.
• I understand CYO events are free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.
• I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games.
I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but it not limited to the following:
• Verbal warning by Official, Head Coach, Gym Director, or CYO Administrator.
1. Any coach, assistant coach, bench personnel or spectator who receives two (2) unsportsmanlike technical fouls during a CYO contest must exit the venue immediately or further punishment will be given at the discretion of CYO administrators. If the ejected individual is a head coach and a qualified assistant coach is not present to take over the coaching responsibilities for the remainder of the contest, the game will end by forfeit regardless of the score at the time of the forfeiture.
2. Any coach, assistant coach, bench personnel or spectator who receives two (2) unsportsmanlike technical fouls during a CYO contest will, at a minimum, be suspended for the team’s next two games (whether it be league or playoffs). This also means they may not attend the game. Any violation of this rule will result in an immediate forfeit of the game they attend.
3. If any coach, assistant coach, bench personnel or spectator receives two (2) unsportsmanlike technical fouls twice during the CYO season (this includes all CYO sports) may not coach or attend any CYO games for the remainder of that sport’s season.
I understand if I am removed from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct, I will be automatically suspended for at least the remainder of the season, playoffs and championships. Refusal to leave will result in forfeiture of my child’s game and I will result in forfeiture of my Childs game and I will be suspended and I will be suspended for 15 months from the date infraction.
I understand there is no appeal.