SCS Athletic Program
Mission Statement
Within a wholesome, Christian environment, St. Catherine’s School provides the student with an extracurricular sports program to further develop the whole child. The levels within the program coincide with grade levels and are progressive in nature. At all levels, the child’s development is the main concern of the program. Beginning athletes should expect to develop physical skills and abilities, grow in the fundamentals of the game, and have an opportunity to participate in team play. Children are taught to use their God-given skills and techniques in a cooperative, supportive manner where the values of good sportsmanship, discipline, character, and team play are stressed. All members of the team are to be treated equally and expected to give full cooperation. They are to view themselves as a vital part of the whole, growing in ability and competence to enter competitive play. The emphasis of competitive play within the program increases with intensity as the athlete advances through the grades. Good competition demands knowledge of the game, teamwork, and fair play, while at the same time, provides a framework to teach a healthy and respectful attitude for winning as well as losing.
GRADE 3/4
The coach’s focus at this level is strictly skill development for each child. All students who register are eligible to participate. At this clinic level, all athletes are to expect:
Ø to be taught the basics of the game
Ø to have an opportunity to practice the skills taught
Ø to be introduced to competition
Ø to be given minimum playing time in each game in accordance with CYO guidelines
Ø to be a starter in at least one game during the season
Games are to be opportunities for learning and competence building. They should be instructional in nature.
Team size:
The intent is to have a target of 10-13 players on a team. If the number of players is greater than 13, there may be a need to field a second team. The student’s team placement/division will be determined by separate grade level teams within the program.
GRADE 5/6
The coach’s focus at this level is to continue developing skills as well as the fundamentals of the game for competitive play. Winning is not to take priority over development at this level. All athletes are to expect:
Ø to have an opportunity to practice the skills taught in a competitive plan
Ø to have a fair opportunity for quality playing time in games in accordance with CYO guidelines
Ø to be a starter at least once a season
Team size:
The intent is to have a target of 10-13 players on a team. If the number of players is greater than 13, there may be a need to field a second team. The student’s team placement/division will be determined by separate grade level teams within the program.
GRADE 7/8
The coach’s focus at this level is to develop the fine points of skilled team play within a competitive arena. All team members should have an opportunity to play in accordance with CYO guidelines; level of skill and degree of competition may determine the length of playing time. In the regular season, all athletes should be a starter at least once.
Team size:
The intent is to have a target of 10-13 players on a team. If the number of players is greater than 13, there may be a need to field a second team. The student’s team placement/division will be determined by separate grade level teams within the program.
No player at any level should play the whole game.
It is the position of SCS that each child/player play within their grade level. In exceptional cases it may be necessary to source a child from another grade level to help fill out a team if that team does not meet the recommended minimum to form a team, which is seven (7). Players will be sourced first from the current level of the participating division/teams (3/4, 5/6 or 7/8). If a player cannot be sourced from the current level, then the next source will come from the next lower-level grade.
The Principal will give the final approval to the division of teams.
