This coaches training program developed by the Center for Ethical Education at the University of Notre Dame is research based and child centered.  It starts from the premise that sports is ministry and coaches are youth ministers.  It is designed to:

1)  Help us recognize the spiritual nature of sports;

2)  Train youth sport coaches to be effective ministers;

3)  Promote the moral and character development of our youth;

CYO Athletics believes that by participating in this training and implementing both what is learned in the session and what is contained in the associated manual, coaches will be empowered in their effectiveness beyond the technical aspects

of sports, enhancing their ability to create and maintain the positive environment that will GROW their youth participants. 

While many coaches have participated in the previously required Frank Smoll training or other presentations by Bruce Brown or at the Soul of Youth Sports seminar held at Seattle University last year, we feel it is important that all coaches have the same training as they approach their role in CYO Athletics.  While these other trainings, as well as those you may attend as a coach in other organizations, are excellent opportunities to grow as a coach, we see them as supplemental to the core training that we believe coaches obtain through PLACT. 

We realize that experienced coaches may not get as much out of the training as beginning coaches but at the same time are hopeful that participating in the training will reinforce and affirm values and concepts experienced coaches are already practicing and perhaps even give new insights, perspective or tools into building on what they already do as a coach.

We understand that being a volunteer coach is a commitment of time, energy and passion for young people and that coaches juggle busy lives in order to do this ministry.  That is why we give 1^st year coaches more time to complete the training.  In essence, if a volunteer coaches one sport per year, they have a full year to complete the requirement.  If a volunteer coaches more than one sport per year, they have until prior to the second sport to do so.

·    Every coach (including assistant coaches) is required to attend the Play Like A Champion Today coaches training.  This training is designed to empower coaches to support and implement the CYO Athletics philosophy and to enhance the experience of the players, coaches and fans. 

·    The program costs $30 and depending on the parish and/or school may be paid by the parish/school or the coach themselves. 

·    There will be trainings prior to each season but it is recommended that coaches not wait until their season arrives to complete the requirement.  There are facets of the training that should be incorporated substantially prior to the coaching season for maximum benefit.  

·    1^st year coaches in 2008-09 will have until prior to their next season of coaching to complete the training.  This may be in the same sport in the following year or in the same year but a different sport.  Returning head coaches from 2007-08 must have completed the training prior to the beginning of their season to be eligible as a coach.  Assistant coaches from 2007-08 will be regarded as 1^st year coaches in 2008-09 in relation to the PLACT training requirements because participation in the PLACT training was not required of them in 2007-08.

·    Head coaches from 2007-08 cannot act as an assistant coach in 2008-09 to avoid PLACT requirement.  ALL coaches are required to attend the training.  If a head coach from 2007-08 has not received the training prior to their season beginning, they are not eligible to coach.  If a team has a 2007-08 head coach who has not completed their PLACT training as its head coach or as an assistant coach, that team will forfeit all games until they have completed the training.  Assistant coach is defined as anyone who instructs athletes during the course of practice or competition and/or devises coaching/playing strategy during practice or competition. 

Date	Time	Location
Sunday, August 30	1-4pm	TBD
Wednesday, September 9	8-11pm	Isaac Orr Conference Room
Sunday, September 13	1-4pm	TBD
Tuesday, September 15	8-11pm	Isaac Orr Conference Room
Tuesday, September 22	8-11pm	Isaac Orr Conference Room
Tuesday, November 10	8-11pm	Isaac Orr Conference Room
Sunday, November 15	1-4pm	TBD
Tuesday, November 17	8-11pm	Isaac Orr Conference Room
Tuesday, February 9	8-11pm	Isaac Orr Conference Room
Tuesday, February 16	8-11pm	Isaac Orr Conference Room
Tuesday, March 2	8-11pm	Isaac Orr Conference Room
Tuesday, April 20	8-11pm	Isaac Orr Conference Room