CYO Sports

CYO Sports: Fun and Faith Together!

"The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), through the vehicle of sports, provides youth with an opportunity to practice Christian attitudes and responsibilities and to become friends with other children throughout the diocese. CYO activities should be examples of the meaning of Christian sportsmanship."  --CYO Code of Conduct

The Oakland Diocese Catholic Youth Organization is a church-sponsored athletic program for elementary and junior high age youth from the parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Oakland. CYO Sports are offered by the Church as a ministry to young people.

CYO sponsors a variety of sports: girls' and boys' basketball, girls' volleyball, girls' and boys' track & field, girls' and boys' cross country, girls' softball, boys' sand volleyball and cheerleading. Teams are offered for children in third through eighth grades.

CYO offers parish-centered or Catholic school-centered teams. CYO teams are not "club" or city teams. For enrollment or eligibility requirements, please contact your local Catholic parish athletic director.

Check out the information about individual CYO sports, tournaments, CYO philosophy and coaches certification programs. Links to individual CYO leagues with web pages are found on their respective sports pages.

Because of the continuing pandemic and restrictions, all CYO activities in the Diocese of Oakland will continue to be suspended, in compliance with prohibitions on team sports activities from Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. This action is based on the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic and the current challenges in keeping our young people, volunteers, and families safe in our Church-sponsored activities, as well as to be in compliance with county prohibitions.  This suspension is taken after consultation with the presidents of the CYO leagues in the diocese.

 The suspension includes the winter sports of CYO Boys’ Basketball, CYO Girls’ Basketball (in the eastern half of the diocese) and Girls’ CYO Volleyball and includes practices, games, and activities. Previously, CYO Cross Country did not run this fall. Our intention at this point is to resume those sports in Fall, 2021. However, the league presidents will continue to monitor conditions and to make additional recommendations should conditions change.

CYO remains hopeful that this coming spring, CYO Track and Field, CYO Girls’ Basketball (in the western half of the diocese) and CYO Boys’ Sand Volleyball can be played as these sports were not played last spring. The CYO league and track section leadership will recommend decisions regarding these sports after January 1. Resuming these activities will depend upon participant and volunteer safety, local government directives and venue availability.

We look forward to our parish churches and our schools reopening safely, a necessary first step in a return to CYO sports. When we are able to resume play, CYO will continue to be a vital ministry in our Church for our young people. We all continue to rely on our leagues and on the dedication of our many players, coaches, athletic directors, coordinators, game officials and volunteers.

While we wait, we will all be praying for all those affected by the pandemic, both directly and indirectly, and for our children to stay healthy and safe.  
 

"Challenge yourself in the game of life like you are in the game of sports. Challenge yourself in the quest for good, in both Church and society, without fear, with courage and enthusiasm. Get involved with others and with God; don't settle for a mediocre 'tie'; give it your best, spend your life on what really matters and lasts forever."

– Pope Francis "Giving the Best of Yourself" 2018