5.0 Eligibility and Sports Participation – Catholic Youth Ministry

5.1 General

5.1-1 Participation in any CYM Athletic program is not based solely on Religious affiliation. (2223.9.0)
- 5.1-1.1 CYM Sports participants may include parishioners, school students, religious education students and community members, along with administrators, coaches, and families.
- 5.1-1.2 Affiliated parishes and schools may restrict eligibility of their participants, including CYM affiliations.

5.2-1 Participation in any CYM Athletic program is not based solely on age-eligibility requirements, but must follow strict guidelines for participation in competition.

Division	Grade(s)	Competition Level	Age (Birthdate) Limit	Sport Exceptions
High School (Senior)	9th-12th	Recreational	May not have turned 19 before July 1st of current program year	8th graders in the sport(s) of Volleyball (G), Basketball who do not meeting age limit, and have team in high school division
High School (Intermediate)	9th-10th	Recreational	May not have turned 17 before July 1st of current program year	8th graders in the sport(s) of Volleyball (G), Basketball who do not meeting age limit, and have team in high school division
Varsity	6th-8th	Competitive Hybrid-Competitive Instructional	May not have turned 15 before July 1st of current program year	Cross Country, Soccer, Volleyball (G/B), Basketball, Track
Junior Varsity	4th-6th	Hybrid-Competitive Instructional Mandatory Play	May not have turned 13 before July 1st of current program year	Cross Country, Soccer, Volleyball (G/B), Basketball, Track
Pre-Junior Varsity	3rd-4th	Instructional Mandatory Play	May not have turned 11 before July 1st of current program year	2nd Graders if requested

5.3-1 Representation in any CYM Athletic program may be based on eligibility at the local affiliated level.
- 5.3-1.2 The CYM Sports Office respects and cooperates with local level eligibility requirements, as directed and communicated over by Pastors and principals.
- 5.3-1.3 A youth participant not eligible for a particular parish or school may be reassigned to another affiliation, provided they are eligible.

Affiliated Programs	Parish	School	Religious Education	Community
Christ the Teacher	N/A	✅	N/A	❌
Immaculate Heart of Mary	✅	✅	✅	⚠
Holy Angels	✅	✅	✅	✅
Mount Aviat	N/A	✅	N/A	❌
Nativity Preparatory	N/A	✅	N/A	❌
Serviam	N/A	✅	N/A	❌
St. Ann’s	✅	✅	✅	✅
St. Anthony of Padua	✅	✅	✅	✅
St. Edmonds Academy	N/A	✅	N/A	❌
St. Elizabeth	✅	✅	✅	✅
St. John the Beloved	⚠	⚠	⚠	❌
St. Mary of the Assumption	✅	N/A	✅	✅
St. Mary Magdalen	✅	✅	✅	✅
St. Margaret of Scotland	✅	N/A	N/A	✅
St. Peters Cathedral	N/A	✅	N/A	❌
Ursuline	N/A	✅	N/A	❌
	✅=Full Eligibility	⚠=Restrictions	❌=Not Eligible	N/A=Not Applicable Program

5.4-1 Participation in any CYM Athletic program is not based solely on sports-eligibility requirements, but must follow strict guidelines for participant safety and participant development.
- 5.4-1.1 CYM Sports follows standard grade levels for sports-eligibility requirements.
- 5.4-1.2 In the event a program participant would like to play in a particular sport(s) not offered at their level, it is the decision of the athletic association representative to communicate the need to the office for restricted grade-levels for play-up date. The AAR must receive notice from the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) in writing and retain that agreement. The agreement does not need to be received by the Office for Catholic Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry.
- 5.4-1.3 Participation in a restricted sport(s) is at the discretion of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s), and is the sole responsibility of the local affiliated program to provide the necessary disclaimers and information for competing at a higher grade level.
- 5.4-1.4 No special treatment or rule(s) modifications are given to participant(s) playing up a grade level.
- 5.4-1.5 Prohibited grade levels will not be considered for participants, regardless of a parent(s) or guardian(s) expressed intentions, due to the safety and well-being of the youth participant.

Sport	2nd Grade	3rd Grade	4th Grade	5th Grade	6th Grade	7th Grade	8th Grade
Fall: Football	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Fall: Soccer	❌	⚠	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Fall: Volleyball (G)	❌	⚠	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Fall: Cross Country	⚠	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Winter: Basketball	⚠	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Spring: Baseball	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Spring: Softball	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Spring: Volleyball (B)	❌	❌	⚠	✅	✅	✅	✅
Spring: Track & Field	⚠	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
				✅=Standard	⚠=AAP/AD _{Clearance from Parent}	❌=Prohibited	N/A=Not Applicable

5.4-1 No individual may play on a CYM team and a team involved in a league sponsored by a CDOW parish/school simultaneously.
- 5.4-1.1 Violation will result in the CYM team forfeiting all games in which the individual played and the individual will be removed from the CYM roster.

5.5-1 An individual CYM athlete becomes ineligible for a CYM team when he/she attends a contest with a high school team, and is wearing the high school team uniform.
- 5.5-1.1 Individual athletes in 8th through 12th grade are prohibited from playing the same sport on a CYM team and a high school team, during the same sports season.

5.6-1 An individual CYM athlete becomes ineligible for a CYM team when he/she attends a contest with a high school team, and is wearing the high school team uniform.
- 5.5-1.1 Individual athletes in 8th through 12th grade are prohibited from playing the same sport on a CYM team and a high school team, during the same sports season.