Athletics at St. Rita

The Governing organization is the Dallas Parochial League.

 

The Play Like A Champion Today™ Sports as Ministry (PLC) initiative supports Catholic leagues and dioceses in promoting: athletics as ministry to youth and families, building teams as Christian communities, character development, spiritual growth, intrinsic motivation and responsible decision-making. Attendance at a PLC workshop is mandatory for all DPL coaches.

 

At St. Rita, our athletic philosophy is to allow every child an opportunity to play if so desired. As a result, there are no cuts made in any sport - that is to say, every child will be placed on a team if they wish to participate in a particular sport. In 5th grade, it is DPL and St. Rita policy to split teams evenly in those sports in which more than one team is participating. This means that every attempt is made to evenly distribute talented and not so talented individuals across the board. In the 6th, 7th and 8th grades, teams are divided into Division 1, Division 2 and in basketball Division 3 teams, based on talent and competitiveness. Team selection methods may vary from sport to sport. For example, in volleyball, camps will be conducted before the season where the 6th, 7th and 8th grade players will be evaluated throughout to place them at their appropriate competitive level. In basketball, tryouts are conducted for each grade to place them appropriately. Baseball and softball are similar in that the teams are divided up according to talent and competitive level after a tryout. Ultimately, it is the athletic director's decision as to where a child is placed from 6th grade through the 8th grade. 

 

Most sports at St. Rita follow the typical format of two practices a week with a game or games on the weekends - either Saturday or Sunday and sometimes both days. If your child is involved in other "outside" teams (i.e. select or recreational soccer, baseball, basketball etc.) you should strongly consider the time commitment involved before your child chooses to participate. It is the hope and expectation that if your child plays for a St. Rita team, he/she will participate in both practices and games as a priority. It is hard to justify allowing a child to participate on a team if the commitment to attend is not there. While many coaches are willing to work with those that play in outside leagues, it is our strong desire that during a particular season a child puts St. Rita sports first, if at all possible. Coaches have the leeway to curtail playing time as deemed appropriate in situations where practices and games are missed. In 5th and 6th grade volleyball, basketball and, to a certain extent, baseball and softball, there are (DPL) mandated playing time requirements for each player. At the varsity level, those requirements no longer exist (other than D3 basketball).

 

The athletic budget at St. Rita is self-supporting; that is to say it must pay for itself. The DPL charges each participant a fee per sport for administration of the DPL office and its employees, as well as a certain amount to enter each team in the league in its respective sport. Fees range from $30 to $100 per participant. If a child is not financially able to pay a particular sports fee, there is help available. No child will be kept from playing for financial reasons.

 

At St. Rita, uniforms and practice equipment are provided for our athletes in each of the sports. Fees are collected at registration before the uniforms are issued. All uniforms need to be returned at the end of each season clean and in good condition. Failure to return a uniform will result in a hold placed on a student's report card.

 

At St. Rita, volunteer coaches are the backbone of the program. Without them, teams would either have to be combined and/or reduced in number. Typically, volunteers for a particular season are solicited in the weeks and months prior, as well as a general call for coaches at the beginning of the year. As the child progresses in school, usually most of the coaches continue with their teams as they move on to 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Ideally, each team will have a coach who has knowledge and experience with the sport, as well as a positive approach in dealing with the particular age group they are coaching. Using parent volunteers as coaches is certainly not a perfect system, however, it is a system that promotes family atmosphere among our community.

 

Coaches meetings are conducted before each season to discuss expectations, techniques and communication to try to prevent some of the aforementioned problems. All coaches must go through safe environment training required by the diocese as well as The Play Like A Champion Today workshop, required by the Dallas Parochial League. Forms for the Safe Environment Training are available through the Parish Office and can be found here,