CYO SPORTS

www.cyola.org

MISSION

The CYO is committed to providing a ministry that helps bring youth to their full human potential. The CYO provides opportunities for young people to develop strong moral character, self-esteem and leadership qualities through activities of a social, educational, recreational and athletic nature.

History of CYO

The name of this organization is the Catholic Youth Organization of Los Angeles (“CYO”), a division of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., a nonprofit corporation (“Catholic Charities”). Catholic Charities originally known as the Catholic Welfare Bureau began its work in 1919 as a response to the problems of poverty, crime, hunger and unemployment within the ADLA. Its’ purpose is to meet the needs of families, coordinate existing health and welfare facilities as one and initiate new service programs as required. Regardless of race, ethnicity, income, sex or religious belief, Catholic Charities lends a hand to everyone.

In its early years, CYO was the official youth agency of the ADLA, offering boys and girls a group work program under Catholic supervision in accordance with the Catholic philosophy of life. CYO activities were planned around the four point program of spiritual, social, cultural and physical activities offering members and participants a well-rounded program which develops the total personality of the individual. It administered six distinct programs that provided services to the Los Angeles community. One of those programs was the CYO athletic program.

SECTION 2 – ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSE

CYO manages and oversees an athletic program for Catholic elementary schools under the jurisdiction of the ADLA to assist Schools in their efforts to instill Catholic values and educate the whole child. As the governing body, CYO shall:

  1. Maintain a fair and healthy balance between Family, Athletics, Academics and Catholic Values.
  2. Provide an organizational structure for athletic competition between Schools.
  3. Establish and monitor standards for student athletes, coaches, officials and spectators.
  4. Provide information and programming materials to facilitate active communication among Schools and its Administrators.
  5. Establish and monitor standards for good sportsmanship and healthy athletic competition.

SECTION 3 – PHILOSOPHY OF THE CYO

The mission of the CYO is to provide organized athletic opportunities to youth in a Catholic environment. With this mission in mind, the policies, procedures, rules and regulations set forth herein are based on the following philosophical objectives:

  • Provide a wholesome outlet for a student athlete’s physical energy while strengthening the student athlete’s spiritual and social values.
  • To build a community that (1) strives to image Christ and (2) instills Christian sportsmanship in the life-styles of the participants.
  • To center the athletic programs for the youth and for the youth’s development of physical skills, social skills, emotional and mental growth and spiritual strength.
  • To help form well-rounded youth by fostering good health habits, teaching the positive value of athletic participation and showing the necessity of practice, hard work and time management.
  • To recognize the vital role the coach plays in the development of the youth and to train the coaches as youth ministry leaders under the Archdiocesan required coaching certification program, Play Like A Champion Today.
  • To teach all the participants (school Administrators, coaches, student athletes and spectators), the proper attitude towards winning, losing and competing with dignity.
  • To develop Catholic community, school spirit, team spirit and personal acceptance.
  • To train, instruct and follow athletic/sport rules