St. Pius X CYO (CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION) is a volunteer coordinated, community based, ministry of St. Pius X Catholic Church.  It is with the help of the ST. PIUS X community, multiple parent volunteers and service hour requirements, that we can provide a safe, fun and skill developing program. The St. Pius X CYO community must work together to make this organization a success.   All parents choosing to register an athlete must agree to assist in the growth and development of this program and must fulfill the volunteer responsibilities and follow CYO Handbook rules put in place by the Archdiocese of San Antonio.  

Parents are required to volunteer a maximum of three hours per player to cover areas such as Concession Stand, Gate (Admissions) Duty or Field Prep duties (help prep and/or maintain the field as needed). These shifts will occur on/during days your athlete is playing.  You will be assigned or provided a sign up sheet with shifts by the Team Parent.  You may be assigned more than one shift in a season.  If you are not able to work the assigned shift, it will be your responsibility to work with other parents on the team to switch your assigned duty day.  The Coach or Team Parent will not be required to assist you in covering your assigned duties.  This is a Requirement to be met by all athlete’s parents on the team. No child will be allowed to be unattended or handling money. ** Your entrance fee will be waived the day you work service hour(s).    

REGISTRATION FEE BREAKDOWN:  

All money collected for player registration will be used to pay Archdiocese fees and to operate the CYO program.  

• Team fees payable to the CYO Office - the fees charged by the Zones to the Parishes/Schools per team. The amount of the team fee per team is determined by the Zone budget to cover the costs associated with operating the games during the sports season. 

• CYO Athletic registration cost payable to the CYO office:  

• $15 per player – soccer, volleyball, flag-football, basketball, softball, baseball, cheer and cross-country/5k.  

• $5 per player – track 

• CYO Operating costs ( including the use of Sportspilot ): $105 

• St. Pius X Uniform Fee: $25 

• Total Registration Fees for St. Pius X CYO:  

• First Child: $120 

• Second Child: $105 

• Third Child: $100 

RETURNED CHECK POLICIES 

Returned Check Fees of $35.00. A $35 processing fee will be charged for checks returned by the bank for non-sufficient funds (NSF checks), along with any additional fees assessed on a returned check.  All fees must be paid in full before registration can be completed or registration for a new sport can be done. If a check has been collected previously and has been returned, you will not be allowed to write Blessed Sacrament CYO a check again for any payments required or owed. All further payments must be submitted in certified funds or cash.  

REFUND FEE POLICY (Archdiocese Policy pg. 8) 

Payment Policy - The registration fees are due at the time of registration; the fees are to be paid in full upon registration. The Parish/School CYO may give scholarships/grants to offset registration fees; however, the CYO Parish/School program must have sufficient money available to afford this. The scholarships/grants must be budgeted prior to the start of the sports season and the scholarship/grant recipients must have the permission of the Parish Pastor or School Principal.  

Reason for Refund: Refund Amount: 

 a) Player drops prior to Zone Commitment night Full Refund less $10 administrative fee 

b) Player drops between Zone Commitment night  

and the season start date 50% of registration fee 

 c) Player drops after season start No refund 

 d) Team does not form Full refund 

NOTE: These fees are to be refunded as soon as possible but no later than two week no later than two weeks after any of the above situations occur. 

ENTRANCE FEES (Archdiocese Policy, but funds support St. Pius X CYO)         

Regular Season: $3 Adults, and $1 for kids (ages 5-17) and Free Admission for children under the age of 5. Please make your families and friends aware of these fees. 

NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS POLICY 

This policy is in place for all game locations in CYO. As a reminder that all CYO programs used the funds generated by their concession stands to help build on their programs. Please be mindful of this policy.  Players may bring in their own drinks.  

GAME DAY TOKENS 

The Team Parent will be in charge of getting one token per player for each game and distributing them to each player at the end of the game. Players may then use their token for a treat or drink at the concession stand for a job well done!    

GAME DAY UNIFORMS:   

Players will be provided a uniform (items vary depending on sport: jersey top/ and shorts).  Coaches will be assigned a day to pick up uniforms and will be in charge of distributing to their team.   Parents and players are responsible for the uniform.  

The St. Pius X CYO Board will set the uniform guidelines and will order a standard uniform for each sport so that our program is represented in a manner that is organized and distinguished. Uniform guidelines can include colors and style of belts, socks, shorts, pants, etc. and will be set before the season begins. See “Frequently Asked Questions” for uniform guidelines.  

PLAYER PRACTICE/GAME POLICY  

Per CYO Archdiocese policy, if your child misses two or more consecutive practices and/or 3 consecutive games your coach MUST notify the St. Pius X CYO Board, and your child may be dropped from the roster.  We understand that COVID has affected us all, so please notify your coach or St. Pius X Board President as soon as possible.  

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY (Adopted 2011 – Revised 2021) pg. 21   

A. Coaches/Players/Parents/Spectators 

1. May not yell any form of criticism 

2. May not make derogatory comments 

3. May not use profanity, taunt, criticize, or jeer 

4. May not badger, name call, or use foul language 

5. May never approach a player, coach, spectator, official, scorekeeper, league administrator, or site coordinator at any time before, during, or after game to question or comment negatively 

6. Will respect all game officials and scorekeepers and refrain from abruptly questioning their decision. There will be no extensive discussion, comments, or gestures regarding any judgment calls. 

7. May not approach an official or scorekeeper in an abrasive or negative manner at any time before, during, or after game to question or comment negatively 

Consequences: 

1. Individuals who engage in the above behaviors will be subject to immediate ejection from facility/property. 

2. Individuals who engage in the above behaviors, will be automatically suspended for fifteen (15) days from all CYO events. The suspension will begin once advised by a league official of the suspension. This may occur verbally on site or with follow up communication from the Zone. 

2. Elevated occurrences may require a more severe penalty which will be determined, as appropriate, by the CYO Office and/or Zone Board. Such occurrences may disqualify team from advancement to post season play (Zone Play-off and City Tournament) 

3. All CYO Events include but are not limited to attendance at any practice, game or team function/celebration as a coach, assistant coach, team/sport minister, board member, parent, spectator, or volunteer. 

4. Individuals ejected from a second game within the same sport year (August – July) will automatically serve a 1-year suspension from all CYO events. This suspension will begin immediately. 

5. If the ejected individual chooses not to leave facility/property when asked, the authorities will be called to have the individual removed. 

ST. PIUS X CYO BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES:

Is a child ready for a CYO Team Sport?

CYO welcomes players as young as three years old, and to ensure a positive playing and learning environment for everyone, parents must evaluate if their child is ready for CYO team sports before enrollment.  We ask parents to consider how their child(ren) performs in the following areas: 

• Focus for an age-appropriate amount of time

• Exhibit self-control and appropriate behavior

• Work well with others

• Follow directions

To be clear, perfect behavior or excelling at all of the above is not a requirement for CYO participation.  We give a lot of grace and patience, understanding that children are learning and developing.  CYO is a ministry of volunteer coaches equipped with basic safety training and coaching skills to develop children in a sport while helping them grow in faith and virtue.  Volunteer coaches may not have the expertise, nor are they required to, in order to manage children with behavior challenges. 

In line with Archdiocese policy, all CYO programs enforce a Zero Tolerance policy, where harmful or inappropriate behavior may be grounds for suspension or permanent removal from CYO.  If coaches and the CYO board determine that a child’s behavior is creating a negative playing and learning environment, the board has the authority to remove the child from the team. 

Behavior Interventions: 

If disruptive behavior occurs, coaches may provide any number of warnings and address the behavior appropriately throughout the season.  However, if issues continue or support is necessary, the coach may notify the St. Pius X CYO Board.  The CYO Board will provide the Behavior Guidelines, the Archdiocese’s Zero Tolerance Policy, and a list of possible interventions or recommendations to the child's parents regarding the disruptive behavior.  The CYO Board and coaches decide on an intervention plan on a case-by-case basis to assist the child's behavioral growth and improvement.  Possible interventions may include: 

• Require a parent/guardian to complete training for a CYO coaching badge and be present at all games and practices. 

• Select CYO Board members to observe and document the player's behavior at practice/game to help determine the next step in the intervention plan.

• Parents meet with the CYO Board President and Pastor.

• Zero Tolerance: Ejected and given a suspension for XX days or the rest of the season

Behavior issues are defined but not limited to direct defiance, running away, verbal assault or inappropriate language, bullying, and any inappropriate physical contact, including pushing, hitting, slapping, kicking, fighting, etc. 

Can parents take training to help?

Yes!  We encourage parents to complete training to receive a CYO coaching badge.  This training provides tools and skills to assist in avoiding behavior issues and help their child at practices and games.  CYO never wants to turn away players, but a positive playing and learning environment must be ensured for everyone while protecting the safety and integrity of the CYO program and all participating.

TEAM TROPHIES and TEAM PARTIES (Optional) 

Team trophies and the team parties are often celebrated at the end of a season and coordinated by your Coaches and Team Parent. Communication will come from your team parent or coach. St. Pius X will reimburse the Team Parent for both team party expenses and trophies. Each player will be allotted $10 for trophy expenses and $8 for team party expenses. Leftover trophy expenses may be used for the team party. The Team Parent will be provided more information on reimbursement, etc.  

St. Pius X, in alignment with the archdiocese, requires that all coaches have a current badge to be present at practices, or on the bench during games. In order to receive a badge, coaches must complete the online training program, Coaching Coaches, “Coaching to Make a Positive Difference.” They will also complete the VIRTUS training including “Protecting God’s Children” as well as a Sexual Harassment Training. Finally, they will clear a background check before working with players. Please know that we take safety seriously when it comes to your children. 

*If you would like to become a coach, assistant coach, or an extra hand at practice this season, please reach out to us so that we can get you started on the badge requirements. Badges are good for 2 years.  

St. Pius X CYO Coach Information Sheet  
Steps to Become a New CYO Coach 

Team Individual Photos:  

Team/Individual photos may be scheduled at the discretion of the ST. PIUS X CYO Board. Each team will be assigned a date and time as to when their team will be taking photos.  You are not required to purchase the photographs; however, we ask that all players attend the team photo so that we can ensure all team members are in the group photo. More information will be sent during each season.  

Media Release: 

Throughout the season, players may be highlighted in efforts to promote St. Pius X CYO activities and achievements. For example, players may be featured on Facebook for a great game.  Parents must request in writing if they do not want their player’s photo to be used.  We will not highlight your player, however, cannot guarantee that they will not be in the background of a photo.