Eastside Catholic Middle School is committed to helping all young people grow and maintain healthy bodies as well as strong spirits and active intellects. In addition to our required fitness and health curriculum, the middle school participates in the Archdiocese of Seattle Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) athletic program. Our current plan for extra-curricular interscholastic sports for the 2009-10 school year includes soccer, cross country, basketball, volleyball and track. Our athletics program is consistent with the mission and vision of our school and the philosophy of the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Vision
- We want our students to enjoy an active life; therefore we emphasize collaboration, inclusion and skill development in all our sports and physical education programs.
- Our primary focus in our sports offerings will be to provide opportunities for each student to participate at a level according to her/his ability and interest.
- Our students will learn about collaboration, perseverance, and servant leadership in all our programs, athletic as well as academic.
- Each member of our community is capable of achievement and is able to contribute meaningfully to a team; we therefore encourage all students to be involved in at least one CYO team during each year of middle school.
Archdiocese of Seattle CYO Philosophy
Athletic programs are seen as one way of implementing the mission of the CYO. Program goals include:
- to increase self confidence and self reliance
- to increase interpersonal competence
- to increase a sense of caring toward others.
This will help athletes understand the aspect of service to others, and will help them better understand their sense of belonging. Youth are brought together from different parishes and schools, and social backgrounds in an atmosphere that fosters the recognition of one's strengths and limitations, the lessons of winning and losing, and respect for all involved; fellow players, opponents, coaches, and officials. In other words, CYO is in the business of teaching life values that aid boys and girls in their development towards adulthood. It is worth noting that CYO athletics does not view itself primarily as a sport developmental program.
This philosophy is worthwhile only to the extent that it is incorporated into the CYO athletic programs. It is this philosophy that justifies CYO's involvement in athletics. Its implementation is not optional.
If you have questions about CYO athletics please contact CYO Program Coordinator Bobby Matthews at rmatthews@eastsidecatholic.org.
Additional Middle School Athletic Opportunities
In addition to the programs offered by CYO, there are also junior football and lacrosse programs available to Eastside Catholic Middle School students, siblings and friends. Eastside Crusaders Junior Football (ECJF) and Eastside Crusaders Youth Lacrosse (ECYL) are registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit youth sports organizations. Both programs offer preferred registration to current and future Eastside Catholic students and proudly wear the blue and orange of Eastside Catholic.
Eastside Crusaders Junior Football is a contact football program for ages 7-14. Teams are formed by age and weight and the season runs from early August through October. Practices and home games are held at Eastside Catholic School. For more information please visit the ECJF web site at www.eastsidejuniorfootball.org or contact ECJF President Mike Shigley at mike@eastsidejuniorfootball.org.
Eastside Crusaders Youth Lacrosse offers spring lacrosse for boys in grades 5-8 and for girls grades 6-8. All home games are played at Eastside Catholic School and practices are held at either Eastside Catholic or other local fields. For more information please visit the ECYL web site at www.eastsidecrusaderslacrosse.com or contact ECYL President Scott Kelly at president@eastsidecrusaderslacrosse.com.