Coaching Expectations and Requirements

Coaches are first and foremost educators, and must work in coordination with the parents who are the primary educators of children.  At all times, coaches must be examples of Christ the Teacher who serve as role models for student-athletes to emulate.  They must be messengers of the school mission and ensure that athletic programs embody the Catholic characteristics prevalent at St. Joan of Arc School.

Goal Setting

When working with St. Joan of Arc student-athletes, a successful coach will work towards goals in the following three dimensions: team, personal, and school.

Team Goals

St. Joan of Arc coaches build a team by:

1. Advancing the athletes’ understanding of their role as members of the communal body of Christ.
2. Creating a positive and memorable experience that will be cherished by the student-athlete for the rest of his/her life.
3. Teaching the specific and unique skills of this sport to the very best of his/her abilities by using all means, methods, and resources available.
4. Teaching the skills of healthy competition that will prepare athletes and the team to succeed.

Personal Goals

St. Joan of Arc coaches grow as individuals by:

1. Modeling character, sportsmanship, self-discipline, and a lived faith.
2. Appreciating the moments of grace throughout a season, at times of winning and losing.
3. Becoming a lifelong learner of their sport.
4. Maintaining perspective in and throughout all athletic endeavors, realizing teachable moments exist in all experiences.
5. Fostering positive relationships with all school community stakeholders.

School Goals

St. Joan of Arc coaches contribute to the school community by:

1. Infusing the school mission in all athletic activities.
2. Promoting academic excellence as an essential component in the development of student-athletes.
3. Committing to effective communication with administrators, teachers, parents, and athletes.
4. Supporting the development of student-athletes as leaders and role models in the greater school community.
5. Creating a culture of school unity and spirit as exemplified through sportsmanship, positive fan participation, and respect for all.

Conduct of Coaches

Coaches are called to be models and witnesses to their faith each day, and, as such, coaches are expected to uphold high standards of conduct in and out of season.

Language

Language should be appropriate and constructive at all times.  Coaches are expected to not only monitor their own language, but they should also set and enforce standards of appropriate language for their athletes.  This includes, but is not limited to swearing, harassment, exclusionary language, sexual innuendo, personal attacks, and unsportsmanlike gestures.

Treatment of Opponents

Although opponents are not a part of our school community, they are members of the larger body of Christ and should be treated as such.  Coaches should model such respect for their athletes and should instruct players on how to welcome their opponents and all visitors in a way that conveys a sense of hospitality and community.

Prayer

Athletic experiences play an important role in the spiritual formation of students at St. Joan of Arc School.  Genuine and lasting spiritual development is only possible through careful and conscientious preparation by those in leadership positions.  Coaches, as team leaders, are chosen not just to be mentors and role models for student-athletes, but also to be witnesses.  Prayer should become an intentional component to a team’s culture, not just a rushed event before or after a game or practice.  Rather than emphasizing winning, prayers should focus on embodying the spirit of Christianity.  Coaches are encouraged to build and create spiritual traditions into their approach to coaching at St. Joan of Arc School.

Coaching Duties

In addition to serving as witnesses and models of faith, St. Joan of Arc coaches are expected to fulfill the following duties:

• Plan out practices and games
• Supervise athletes at all times until they are picked up from practices/games
• Condition athletes properly
• Assess athletes’ readiness for practice & competition
• Instruct properly on what to do and what not to do
• Start and end practices on time
• Maintain safe playing conditions
• Ensure cleanliness of facilities
• Provide proper equipment
• Communicate practice and game schedules to athletes and parents
• Select, train, and supervise assistant coaches

Communication with Athletes and Parents

St. Joan of Arc coaches should establish clear procedures and guidelines for communication with athletes and parents that align with the philosophy and mission of St. Joan of Arc School.  E-mail should be used only to communicate basic information, such as time and location of games and practices.  Discussions of concerns should always be done in person.  If a face-to-face meeting is not possible, a phone call is acceptable.  Before meetings, establish clear agendas and communicate that certain topics will not be discussed.  Coaches do not have to discuss playing time, coaching strategies and specific plays, or information pertaining to other athletes.

Awards and Recognition

The St. Joan of Arc Athletics Program hosts an annual Sports Appreciation Night at the conclusion of the season.  Coaches are expected to attend the evening to publicly introduce their players and summarize their season.  Recognition of athletes, however, should be utilized throughout the season as a means of personal athlete formation and team-building.  Particular recognition of athletes should embody the goals and philosophies of the athletic department and program, not only physical talent.  Some areas of recognition may include one’s academics, sportsmanship, and Catholic nature/spirituality.

Prior to becoming a coach

Prior to beginning volunteer services, all persons involved with minors on a regular, recurring basis and those to have opportunity to be alone with children during school sponsored events (e.g. field trips, etc.) are required to complete the following:

• Results of a criminal background investigation (subject to the conditions of the Diocese of Joliet)
• Written acknowledgement of having read and understood the Pastoral Policy Regarding Sexual Abuse of Minors (click title to read)
• Written acknowledgement of having read and understood the Diocese of Joliet Standards of Behavior for Those Working With Minors (click title to read)
• Have completed the Virtus Protecting God’s Children™ program (click title for additional information).
• Any and all Awareness Sessions indicated by the parish or diocese.

Administrative Control

Since the school administrator has the primary responsibility for all programs associated with the school, it is clearly evident that all aspects of a school’s interscholastic athletic program are subject to the school administrator, as regulated by the Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools Office.

Right to Amend

St. Joan of Arc School reserves the right to amend this information.  Notice of Amendments will be held in the school office.