Such a program:

·      employs healthy and enjoyable competition to promote the sharing of gospel values among athletes, parents, and coaches.

·      assists parish leadership in nourishing the emotional, spiritual, social and physical needs   of young people.

·      encourages young people to appreciate the gifts that they possess, and challenges them  to share these gifts with their community.

·       allows youth to witness the life of Christian discipleship in their coaches and adult leaders.

·       encourages youth to become responsible members of their faith community.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The following “Code of Conduct” governs the conduct and ethics of student athletes, parents, spectators, coaches, and members of the CYO Board.

Student Athletes/Participants in our CYO:

1. Attend Mass on every Sunday and Holyday of Obligation;
2. Understand that they represent Saint Isidore Parish and CYO Program, which enjoy a tradition and reputation of fairness in competition and sportsmanship;
3. Maintain the self-control necessary to perform their best in all competitions, developing a healthy attitude in both winning and losing;
4. Do not lose their temper, resort to abusive language or gestures, fighting or poor sportsmanship;
5. Tell the truth at all times and in all things;
6. Realize that athletes and participants who violate the “Code of Conduct” are unworthy to participate in the Saint Isidore CYO and will be dropped from the program.
7. Realize that it is important to participate in all the five phases of the CYO: Spiritual, Athletic, Cultural, Social, and Service in order to develop holistically.

Student and Adult Spectators:

1. Realize that they represent Saint Isidore Parish and CYO as much as any athlete or participant;
2. Give appropriate recognition to the good of others;
3. Avoid unnecessary jeering (“booing”) and the use of abusive language and vulgarity; avoid criticism of the other team and its officials and players;
4. Accept the decisions of officials, even when they may seem unfair;
5. Are hospitable and welcoming to visiting teams, their coaches, parents, and fans when events are hosted at Saint Isidore;
6. Accept that coaching comes from the coaches and not from the sidelines;
7. Realize that poor sportsmanship displayed by spectators can and will result in ejection from the game.

Athletic Courtesy

Athletes and members of the CYO should promote the highest ideals of good sportsmanship. Visiting teams and guests of the Saint Isidore CYO should be treated with respect and courtesy at all times: before, during, and after games and events. Unsportsmanlike conduct, by athlete, participant, spectator, coach, or adult, will not be tolerated.

Inappropriate Behavior

Student and Adult Spectators who display inappropriate behavior in a public forum are liable to be suspended from attending CYO games/events for a two (2) week period. The Executive Director reserves the right to dismiss repeated offenders from the CYO.

An Important Reminder

Before a parent allows his/her child to try-out or sign up for an activity in our CYO, please review with him/her the Guidelines and Regulations and the Code of Conduct for our CYO Program. Please remember that our Program is run entirely by volunteers. A child's participation in a try-out or sign-up indicates that the parent and child have reviewed and accepted the policies and personnel of this Program. Before a season starts is the time to decide if this is the Program for the parent and the child. Before the season is the time for questions; after the season is the time for critique; during the season is the time for our teams, under the direction of the coaches, to play.

GUIDELINES & REGULATIONS

SPIRITUAL

1. Those individuals who participate in Saint Isidore CYO sports and other activities are responsible for weekend Mass attendance.
2. All student participants shall develop and exhibit, at all times, in and out of school, at dances, as well as on and off the field of competition, a level of spirituality consistent with our CYO Code of Conduct, Guidelines and Regulations, Mission Statement, as well as common Christian decency. Attendance at Mass on Sundays and all Holy Days of Obligation is required. Teams that have a game/event on Saturday or Sunday are encouraged to attend Mass together that morning.
3. The Director of Service shall establish, along with all coaches, a reasonable program of community service which shall be required of all participants. While perfection is not expected, candor and honesty shall be required at all times.
4. All practice sessions, games and CYO events shall begin with a prayer led by the coach or a member of the team. This shall be a time of serious reflection consistent with the ultimate goals of CYO participation.
5. Student athletes/participants in our CYO must maintain the self-control necessary to perform their best in all competitions, developing a healthy attitude in both winning and losing, along with the spirit of collegiality and Christian values.
6. A student who attends a non-Catholic/public school must enroll and participate in the CCD Program of Saint Isidore Parish in order to participate in a sport or activity of the Saint Isidore CYO and must complete the entire CCD class year. Additionally, any participant who fails to complete the CCD Program will be ineligible to participate in any CYO functions for the balance of that academic year and will remain ineligible to participate the following year unless eligibility is granted by the Executive Director.
7. Upon good cause shown to the Executive Director, any student's eligibility and participation may be suspended and/or revoked if that student's spiritual development or behavior fails to comport with any spiritual standards including, but not limited to, the CYO Code of Conduct, Guidelines and Regulations, Mission Statement, as well as common Christian decency.
8. In order to maintain the high standards of the spiritual phase of the Saint Isidore CYO, all sports teams and activity groups are to refrain from participation in games, practices, or other related activities during Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday, and during any other special religious, service, and social events designated by the Priest-Moderator.

ACADEMIC

1. Coaches have the responsibility to emphasize with their team members the importance of academic success.
2. Any student participating in our CYO Program must maintain a favorable GPA. When a conflict arises from CYO Sports and Academics, the latter takes precedence.
3. In exceptional circumstances, the Executive Director, who after consideration of the student's academic record and performance, and all other relevant factors, including conferences with teachers, school administrators and principal, may grant participation subject to continuing review. Any parent may have their child's eligibility reviewed only by completing an Executive Director's Request for Review Form which will be provided with all progress reports or suspension notices.
4. If a participant member is suspended as a result of ineligibility, he/she does not participate in games or practice sessions until the suspension terminates. A suspended participant may not dress in uniform, nor may he/she sit on the bench for any games throughout the duration of the suspension.

OTHER ISSUES

1. Coaches must demonstrate a self-discipline which they, in turn, require of their team members.
2. Coaches have the right and the duty to suspend any team member who exhibits a discipline problem. The length and duration of such a “Coach's Suspension” is left to the discretion of the particular coach in consultation with the Athletic Director.
3. Direspectfulness from parents & players in any way, shape, or form toward the Pastor, Priest Moderator, Coaches, or any member of the CYO Board may result in immediate dismissal of the participant from CYO sports.
4. Service is an integral part of our CYO Program. Each team will be required to participate in various service projects throughout the season as coordinated by the Director of Service/Athletic Director/Executive Director. CYO participants who do not participate in the team service project will be suspended until they participate in the next scheduled CYO service project. Refusal to participate will result in immediate dismissal from CYO Sports/Activities. 
5. The Lobby Area of Saint Isidore School is to be supervised at all games and practices. Coaches and team parents are to see to the following:
• Coaches and advisors are asked to dispose of all trash before leaving the building. Trash receptacles are to be emptied into the dumpsters.
• The gym and lobby area must be cleaned and all furniture returned to the designated areas.
• Bathrooms should be checked before leaving.
• A monitor, designated by the coach or team parent, is to keep anyone from playing ball in the lobby. Small children are not to be left unattended, but are to remain with their parents in the gym.
6. Any injuries requiring medical attention are to be reported immediately to the coach. An insurance claim form must be filled out to each injury requiring medical attention. This completed form is to be submitted to the Executive Director.
7. Any damage to the property of Saint Isidore Parish or to the equipment of Saint Isidore CYO is to be reported immediately to the coach, who in turn will notify the Executive Director or the Principal.
8. Saint Isidore School is a non-smoking facility. There is to be no smoking anywhere in or around the gym or lobby.
9. A student who is absent from school due to illness is not permitted to take part in any after school practices, games, or school/CYO sponsored activities on that day.
10. All uniforms and equipment are to be returned in a timely manner at the designated time and place. Parents will be billed for any damaged or missing uniforms and/or equipment. A family's future participation in the CYO can be jeopardized by failure to cooperate with the uniform/equipment return policy.
11. The Board of the Saint Isidore CYO meets the thirdTuesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Youth Center. Items for discussion can be placed on the agenda by contacting the Executive Director.
12. Saint Isidore CYO is a recipient of funds from the United Way. You can designate our CYO as the recipient of your donation by specifying #15413, CYO – Saint Isidore as the recipient of your designated pledge.

PARTICIPATION

1. The CYO firmly believes in the important role of the coaches and assistant coaches in developing the natural abilities of each participant.
2. An important distinction exists between the Junior Varsity and Varsity segments of our program: the focus of the Junior Varsity segment of our program is instruction in a given sport/activity, while the focus of the Varsity segment is on competition and advancement of existing skills. Team participation must be seen in light of this distinction.
3. All individuals chosen for a team are to be given playing time. The coaches are to make their best effort to play every team member in every game.
4. Membership on a Saint Isidore CYO team must take precedence over membership on any township team or the teams of any similar organization. In making a commitment to play CYO sports, the individual participant makes the commitment to attend and support all the practices and games of the CYO Program.
5. A student who does not attend Saint Isidore School is not eligible to play the same sport in the same season for Saint Isidore CYO and his/her respective school.
6. A student who attends a non-Catholic/public school must be enrolled and participating in the CCD Program of Saint Isidore Parish in order to participate in a sport of the Saint Isidore CYO and to receive recognition for past or present participation at the CYO Recognition Celebration.
7. Failure to complete the entire CCD class year will render the participant ineligible for any future participation of the CYO program.