Responsibilities/Expectations of Parents

Parental support is valued and encouraged. Parents/ guardians and spectators must conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and act as positive role models for all participants.

The following expectations and responsibilities are required of all parents of student athletes:

Commit to the Demands of the Sport

It is important for parents/guardians to understand that participation in an athletic program is a significant commitment. This commitment includes adhering to all school and league policies, attending every game at all locations at which their team is scheduled to play, driving student athletes to “away games” or tournaments that are a good distance from the school, and participating in tournaments during the holidays.

Act in Accordance with Catholic Values

Parents/guardians are expected to support and encourage their child’s efforts. All comments from the stands should be supportive of the team’s efforts. No negative comments and criticisms should ever be directed towards student-athletes. In addition, public criticisms directed towards the coaches, the athletic director, and the school administration are absolutely unacceptable. In addition, it is expected that parents/ guardians act as role models for their children by putting wins and losses in their proper perspective.

Let the Coaches Coach and the Referees Ref

Parents/guardians should make no attempt to instruct players or the team from the stands. In addition, questioning, criticizing, or berating the coach and/or the referees does not set a good example for the young athletes involved in the contest.

Volunteer their Time

Parents/guardians are expected to contribute their time and service in support of the team and the interscholastic athletic program. A viable volunteer program is dependent upon everyone’s willingness to maintain a high level of quality and success. Parents/ guardians may be asked to assist as scorekeepers, timekeepers, ticket or money takers, refreshment sellers, crowd control monitors, or to help with set-up or clean-up. When appropriate, parents/guardians may be asked to serve as team liaisons and assist with phone calls or provide a schedule to see that all tasks are filled and rotated in an equitable manner. In addition, parents/guardians may also be asked to help with and support fund-raising. Any expectation that is mandatory must be clearly stated before the season begins.

Provide Transportation to and from Games

In most cases, parents/guardians are expected to provide transportation for their children to and from games and practices. Coaches are not covered with liability insurance for chauffeur service. Therefore, they are not allowed to transport athletes at any time.

Engage in Respectful Communication

Parents/guardians should communicate directly with the coach and athletic director on matters of concern. They must do so at appropriate times, and not immediately before, during, or after a game. While it is a given that parents/ guardians act as advocates for their own child, it is important for parents/guardians to understand that coaches, athletic directors, and school administrators make decisions that benefit the group, not the individual. Sometimes decisions that benefit the group conflict with individual needs and desires, but such is the reality of being a member of a team. Under no circumstances should parents/guardians be verbally abusive towards coaches, athletic directors, and school administrators. Parents/guardians must be respectful with their tones of voice, as well as thoughtful with the words they choose to use.

Parent Code of Ethics

• Remember that you are at a contest to support and cheer for your team and to enjoy the skill and competition, not to intimidate or ridicule the other team, fans, or officials.

• Remember that CYO level athletics are learning experiences for students and mistakes are part of the learning process. Praise the student athletes in their attempt to improve themselves as students, as athletes, and as people; just as you would praise a student working and striving in the classroom.

• Learn the skills and rules of the game, so that you may understand and appreciate why certain situations take place.

• Show respect for the opposing players, coaches, spectators, support groups, and officials.

• Refrain from making any kind of derogatory remarks to your opponents during the game.

• Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials. Understand that they are doing their best to help promote the student athlete and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public.

• Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team.

• Any parent that fails to abide by these guidelines will be subject to investigation by the Discretionary Committee.