Overview Abuse Protocols Anaphylaxis Policy Athletics Policy Attendance and Punctuality Care of School Property Fieldtrips Major Complaints Medication Protocols Parent Helpers School Uniforms Student Deportment/Code of Conduct Self-Regulation Student Records Student Supervision Textbooks and Library Books Ticket and Gift Card Donations Vehicle Traffic and Parking

Philosophy of Athletics

CISVAEAC (Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese Elementary Athletic Commission) policy guidelines state:

“Athletics provide learning situations that are difficult to duplicate in a classroom setting. Students have the opportunity to learn about and practise self discipline, teamwork, fair play, loyalty, tolerance, humility and many other positive characteristics in an open, lifelike environment. In the Catholic school setting, these opportunities must be permeated with those Christian values that are the foundation of our schools. 

The physical and psychological talents given to each athlete are a gift from God. As such they must be developed and shared. Athletic programs should challenge both the individual athlete and the team to strive for excellence and develop their talents to the highest degree, just as the individual student and class is academically challenged to excellence according to their talents. The challenge to excellence is the striving to master the skills of the game and should lead to a respect for the other teams that are striving for the same goal.

The modeling of the Coach is a major factor if the athletic program is to be successful in inculcating the Christian values of the school. It is the coach that must teach by example: a respect for the rules of the game, a respect for officials and opponents, self control, self discipline, patience with those less talented, a willingness to put others forward, a tendency to affirm others, and a willingness to put the good of the team ahead of personal glory.

The word ‘competitive’ is sometimes misused to describe all that can be wrong with athletics. It is important that the word is used correctly; athletics are competitive. It is not the competitive nature of sports and the keeping score that creates problems. The problems are caused by the means that are used to achieve a higher score. Striving to be the best within the letter and spirit of the rules and within the letter and spirit of the philosophy of the school will help students learn important lessons about life. However, when the need to win supersedes the rules and the good of the individuals on the team, more harm than good is done and it would be better not to participate.”

The mandate set out in the CISVAEAC policy handbook provides the guidelines for the athletic program at St. Francis de Sales School. Athletics at the elementary school level seeks to facilitate the development of the whole child. It promotes life skills to develop children into healthy, productive individuals.

St. Francis de Sales School Athletics Policy is meant to assist the principal in
communicating the school’s expectations of its athletes, coaches, teachers,
supervisors and spectators.

The Role of the Spectators

Spectators include everyone watching a game.

Believing that sportsmanship is a byproduct of a spirit of tolerance and goodwill and the centering of attention on the good qualities of all involved, and believing that conduct is an important part in the school athletic program, a spectator must act in accordance with these policies.

A spectator at a CISVA athletic event must: 

  1. Exhibit exemplary behavior at all times.
  2. Maintain and exhibit poise, self-discipline, and restraint during and after the contest.
  3. Conduct himself/herself in such a manner that attention is drawn not to himself, but to the participants playing the game.
  4. Regulate actions at all times so as to be a credit to the team he supports, knowing the school receives the praise or blame for spectator conduct, since the spectator represents the school in much the same manner as the athlete.
  5. Support all reasonable moves to improve good sportsmanship.
  6. Treat the visiting teams and spectators with respect.
  7. Avoid actions, which will offend the individual athlete.
  8. Accept the judgment of the coach.
  9. Respect the property of the school.
  10. Display good sportsmanship by acting graciously in victory and defeat.
  11. Appreciate the good play of both teams.
  12. Show sympathy for an injured player.
  13. Regard the officials with respect.
  14. Direct energy to encouraging the team rather than belittling the officials.
  15. Believe that the officials are fair and accept their decisions as final.
  16. Consider it a privilege and duty to encourage everyone to live up to the spirit of the rules of fair play and sportsmanship.
  17. Realize that privileges are invariably associated with great responsibilities and that spectators have great responsibilities.