National CYO Sports
VATICAN CITY, 7 NOV 2009 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from the Pope to Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and to participants in a study seminar on the theme: "Sport, education and faith: a new season for Catholic sport associations", being held in Rome on 6 and 7 November.
"Through sporting activities", writes the Holy Father, "the ecclesial community contributes to the formation of young people, providing an environment appropriate for their human and spiritual growth. Indeed, sporting initiatives - when aimed at the integral development of the individual and administered by qualified and competent personnel - represent a fruitful opportunity for priests, religious and lay people to become real educators and life-teachers for the young.
"Thus it is necessary", the Pope adds, "that in our own time - when there is a pressing need to educate the new generations - the Church should continue to support sport for the young, making full use of sporting activity in its positive aspects such as, for example, the capacity to simulate competitiveness, courage and tenacity in pursuing goals, while avoiding, however, any tendency that disfigures its nature with practices that can even damage the body, as in the case of doping".
Benedict XVI highlights how, "through co-ordinated educational activities, mangers, trainers and Catholic workers must present themselves as experienced guides for adolescents, helping them to develop their sporting potential without overlooking those human qualities and Christian virtues that bring the individual to full maturity".
MESS/SPORT EDUCATION/RYLKO VIS 091109 (260)
The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (www.nfcym.org) is happy to introduce the newly named National CYO Sports organization, formerly known as the National Center for Catholic Youth Sports (www.nccys.org).- On-line coaches training and certification program - Catholic Coaching Essentials
- School- and Diocesan-wide consultations for Catholic School Principals and athletic staff leaders to align their athletic programs with the mission and values of the Catholic school framework
- On-site coaches training - helping coaches see their role through the lens of Catholic youth ministry
- The Parents as Partners in Catholic Youth Sports resource and parent training to address parents' role
- Training for leaders on integrating Catholic leadership principles and values into sports
Catholic Coaching Essentials
National Catholic Youth Organization Sports (NCYOS) is collaborating with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) in developing and delivering customized coaching education online courses for coaches called Catholic Coaching Essentials. Athletics provide youth a positive environment in which to grow physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. The responsibility of fostering an environment in which athletes can mature in these areas often rests with the coach. Coaches are presented a unique opportunity to use the playing field as a mission field—to be a "Facilitator of Faith" in developing and furthering athletes’ Christian character and values. Details about National CYO Sports and the Catholic Coaching Essentials program can be found at http://www.nationalcyosports.org/.
Print resources are that available include the following titles:
Coaching Youth Sports Series
by American Sport Education Program (ASEP)
These sport-specific books are excellent resources for beginning and experienced coaches. Each book includes basic skills specific for that sport including philosophy of coaching youth, basic first aid, practice organization, skills and strategies. Currently, the series includes basketball, volleyball, softball, football, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, tennis, wrestling, and cricket.
On line training courses are also available through ASEP
More Than A Game: Stories, Prayers and Reflections for the Student Athlete
by Leonard DiPaul, Edward Hastings, Sharon Fuqua Retif
Through stories, prayers and reflections, the pocket size book helps young athletes find God, inner strength and confidence at crossroad moments in sports.
From Saint Mary’s Press
Coach Them Well: Fostering Faith and Developing Character in Athletes
by Dale Brown, David Cutcliffe, Kelly Hermann, Tim Welsh
In this book you will find four college coaches reflections on the ministry for coaching.
From Saint Mary’s Press
Successful Coaching
by Rainer Martins
An overall coach’s guide, the cornerstone of the ASEP coaching program. Covers all aspects of youth coaching.
Available at many bookstores or from Human Kinetics Publishers
Will You Still Love Me If I Don’t Win?
By Christopher Anderson with Barbara Anderson
How to effectively parent the child-athlete.
Available through Taylor Trade Publishing
Spirituality of Sport: Balancing Body and Soul
By Susan Saint Sing
Reflections on the presence of God in sports.
By St. Anthony Messenger Press
Good Sports: The Concerned Parents Guide to Competitive Youth Sports
by Rick Wolff
Excellent Guidelines for parents of children in sports.
From Sagamore Publishing
Coaching Kids for Dummies
by Rick Wolf
Another in the series of “dummies” books; excellent basic resource by youth sports psychologist Rick Wolff.
Available through Amazon.Com
Coaching for Character: Reclaiming the Principles of Sportsmanship
by Craig Clifford (Contributor), Randolph M. Feezell, Randolf M. Freezell.
Insightful discussions on the meaning of sportsmanship. Includes excellent situational questions.
Available through Amazon.Com
Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry
by National Conference of Catholic Bishops
A blueprint for the continued development of effective ministry with young and older adolescents.
USCCB Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, 800-235-8722
An online version is available through USCCB
Available Media
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
Box 5076 , Champaign , IL 61825-5076
1-800-747-4457
1615 West Washington
(217) 698-8500
