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 in order 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, team work, 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 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 (equivalent to a quarter)

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.

 

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 (a minimum of a half quarter)

Ø      to be a starter at least once a season

 

Team size:

 

The intent is to have a target of 12-14 players on a team.  If the number of players is greater than 14, 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.  The division of players is to provide the best method for the development of skills for the athlete.

 

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 all games; 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 and should go no more than two games without playing.

 

Team size:

 

The intent is to have a target of 12-14 players on a team.  If the number of players is greater than 14, there may be a need to field a second team.  The skill level of the athlete will then determine the student’s team placement/division within the program.  The Principal will give the final approval to the division of teams.

 

No player at any level should play the whole game unless every other member has played at least a quarter.