A Preschool through 8th Grade Catholic Elementary School
Athletics
Overview
Mission
As an extension of the school curriculum, OLPH offers interscholastic team sports for OLPH student-athletes of good standing in fifth through eighth grades and intramural competition for students of good standing in sixth through eighth grades. The OLPH Athletic Program clearly teaches and strongly encourages Christian values as it promotes healthy activity, physical development, athletic skill, team camaraderie, good sportsmanship, and school spirit.
Organization of OLPH School Athletic Program
List of 3 items.
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OLPH Principal
The principal is the primary authority over the OLPH School Athletic Program. With the approval of the pastor, the principal sets guidelines and procedures that govern the scope and direction of the school’s sports program.
The principal appoints and supervises a school athletic director to organize and manage the school’s athletic program. While the principal may delegate coach selection to the athletic director, final approval rests with the principal. At his/her discretion, the principal may appoint a temporary /ad hoc athletic task force to address particular issues related to the athletic program. -
Athletic Director
Appointed by the principal, the school athletic director is a member of the OLPH School faculty/staff and serves on the Catholic Council II 3-A Board of Athletic Directors. He/she is solely responsible for organizing and managing the OLPH School Athletic Program. The athletic director is expected to reflect exemplary Christian values and behavior as he/she interacts with student-athletes, coaches, referees, spectators, parents, and representatives from other schools in the Catholic Council II 3-A Athletic League.
The athletic director is the key decision-maker in the OLPH School Athletic Program. Based on student-athlete letters of intent, he/she determines the number of teams the school will field in each sport. The athletic director also creates game, practice, and tournament schedules. Additionally, he/she determines gym availability and assigns times for tryouts, games, and team practices. -
OLPH Athletic Council
This Council is comprised of parents and coaches who have been interviewed and appointed by the principal to act in an advisory role to the Athletic Director, who is the chairperson of the Athletic Council. The Council meets monthly and serves as a resource to the Athletic Director and specifically assists with the following responsibilities:- Coach recruitment
- Assessing new athletic opportunities
- Organizing OLPH School sponsored tournaments
- Reviewing end of season summaries
- Other areas of the program as needed by the Athletic Director
Coaching Opportunities
Interscholastic Team Coaches
Children learn valuable life lessons in the context of their athletic experiences. Because coaches have an enormous ability to shape and influence those experiences, it is imperative that OLPH School coaches reflect exemplary Christian values and behavior as they interact with young, impressionable student-athletes. To ensure that coaches’ goals and objectives are consistent with the values of the OLPH School Athletic Program, coaches are carefully selected by the school principal and athletic director.
OLPH teachers and parents are eligible to coach OLPH School teams. Additionally, individuals not related to OLPH School may apply if recommended by the athletic director. Coach selection must adhere to these guidelines:
All applicants must send a letter to the athletic director outlining their qualifications, experience, general background, and references (when applicable.) All applicants for coaching positions are interviewed by the athletic director. Current coaches are also reviewed on an annual basis. Football, soccer, and volleyball coaches are selected no later than August 1. Catholic Council II 3-A League Basketball coaches are selected by October 1.
Once selected, OLPH coaches must attend an orientation meeting with the athletic director. Prior to tryouts and scheduled practices, the coaches must review OLPH School athletic policies and procedures, which include issues related to practice times, game schedules, team tryouts and selection, coaching philosophy, coaching techniques, and goals for the year.
OLPH teachers and parents are eligible to coach OLPH School teams. Additionally, individuals not related to OLPH School may apply if recommended by the athletic director. Coach selection must adhere to these guidelines:
- If qualified, OLPH employees are eligible for coaching positions first.
- OLPH parents may not coach their own children’s teams.
- OLPH coaches must complete VIRTUS training and a background check through the CANTS (Child Abuse Neglect Tracking System).
All applicants must send a letter to the athletic director outlining their qualifications, experience, general background, and references (when applicable.) All applicants for coaching positions are interviewed by the athletic director. Current coaches are also reviewed on an annual basis. Football, soccer, and volleyball coaches are selected no later than August 1. Catholic Council II 3-A League Basketball coaches are selected by October 1.
Once selected, OLPH coaches must attend an orientation meeting with the athletic director. Prior to tryouts and scheduled practices, the coaches must review OLPH School athletic policies and procedures, which include issues related to practice times, game schedules, team tryouts and selection, coaching philosophy, coaching techniques, and goals for the year.
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