Saint Matthew School encourages our community and parish members to volunteer in the best way they can, if this means you would like to become a Coach for one of our many wonderful sports teams.  Please see below on what steps are needed for these roles: 

Coaching Eligibility 
In order to coach a parish team in an Archdiocesan CYO sanctioned and Regionally sponsored sports league, all head coaches and assistant coaches must meet the following requirements:
Before coaching any CYO team, all coaches (head and assistants) must:
• Attend the in-person Play Like a Champion Today Coaches Orientation.
• If a new coach is not able to attend an in person coaches orientation before he or she begins coaching, the new coach is required to take the Online Catholic Coaching Essentials course (found at cyophilly.org) before coaching at all AND then attend the next available Coaches Orientation session.
ALL adults involved in youth ministry and service to children must provide required background checks (renewal every 5 years) to their parish to keep on file. Parents who volunteer intermittently must also receive all of the necessary checks and certifications to do so. For more information on checks or to register for training please visit www.childyouthprotection.org or click the "About Us" link about and click Background/Clearances.
This is NOT handled by the CYO Athletic Department but through the parish.

1. Age Criteria for Head Coaches:
a. Grade School: Must have reached their 21st birthday before the start of season.
b. High School Sports coaches: Must have reached their 25th birthday before the start of the season. NOTE: An “Assistant Coach” is defined as anyone who works with and/or instructs individual athletes on a team. There is no specific age requirement for Assistant Coaches, and having HS students as Assistant Coaches, with proper supervision, can be an excellent benefit to all.
However, ALL coaches over 18 that have any coaching role must complete Safe Environment requirements. Assistant coaches under 18 are not permitted to coach athletes alone.
2. All coaches must be familiar with and comply with all Archdiocesan CYO Rules and Regulations outlined in this Handbook, or penalties may be levied.
3. All coaches must meet any additional requirements of their parish, their team’s league and/or the Region.
4. All coaches must agree to the following pledge and it is recommended that they recite it in the presence of the Parish Athletic Director and/or League Commissioner:
CYO Coach’s Pledge Upon my honor as a CYO Coach, I pledge myself to the following: To guide each player to be a better Christian and a better citizen. To be ethical and a good sportsman in my coaching conduct towards all athletes, officials, spectators and coaches. To motivate each athlete to compete according to the rules at all times. To teach each athlete, especially through my own examples, to be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat