Become a Coach

Thank you for your interest in becoming a St. Hilary CYO coach. It is because of your dedication and support that makes our sports so successful and fun for our children.

You do not have to have prior experience coaching to become a coach. While it is beneficial that you are familiar with the sport you wish to coach, there are lots of materials provided by the CYO website to help you succeed as a coach. If becoming a Head Coach seems daunting to you, then start off as an Assistant Coach; we are always looking for people who are willing to help our athletes.

In order to become a coach, you will need to complete the following:

1. Attend a Coaches Development Program (CDP).

• The purpose of the CYO Coaches Development Program is to provide training for coaches that will enable them to promote the development of Christian values, physical skills, psychological skills, social skills, emotional growth, affirmation of gifts and spiritual strength in each athlete.
• Click here to register for CDP.
• There are many things to do to get certified.  Most are ONE-TIME requirements except for the pre-season CYO meetings each season.

2. Attend the VIRTUS Program.

• Every CYO coach is required to attend the Virtus program. The Virtus program is part of the Diocese of Cleveland’s commitment to Protecting God’s Children and a separate program from CDP. Registration for CDP does NOT include registration for the Virtus Training!
• Click here to view a list of available program dates and to register. To register, you will need to click “Start Registration” at the top of the page and select Cleveland Diocese to search programs in our area.

3. Get a background check.

• For your convenience, finger print based criminal background checks will be available at each VIRTUS session. The fee is $40. Bring your driver’s license. The results will be sent to Jan Giles, our Volunteer Coordinator.
• You also have the ability to get finger printed here at St. Hilary on Monday evenings. Please email Jan Giles to set up an appointment.
• Also available is finger printing at a location in Copley. Click here for more information.

4. Complete the FREE online Concussion Awareness Training.

• Click here to take course. To take the course, you will need to select OHIO from the drop-down menu, and select “Order Course.” Next, you will need to register, and you will then be able to “order” the free course.
•  All coaches must complete the Concussion Awareness training before they begin to coach. Upon completion of the training, please provide your Concussion certificate to the Athletic Director or Volunteer Coordinator.
  • In April, 2013, the State of Ohio enacted a Concussion Awareness and Education program. The law established training standards for coaches and officials, notification for parents as well as standard of care practices for athletes suspected of incurring a concussion.
  • Individuals are not allowed to serve as a coach, whether volunteer or paid, without successfully completing, every three years, an online training program in recognizing the signs and symptoms of concussions and head injuries provided by the Ohio Department of Health, or holding a Pupil Activity Permit (PAP) from the Ohio Department of Education.
  • Coaches, referees, or officials must remove an athlete exhibiting the signs and symptoms of a concussion during practice or a game. The athlete cannot return to play on the same day that he or she is removed. The athlete is not permitted to return to play until they have been assessed and receive written clearance by a physician or by any other licensed health care provider.
  • Under the law, parents are required to receive a handout at the start of each season with concussion awareness information. If an athlete has to be removed from a game due to a suspected concussion, the form must be completed and submitted to the Athletic Director and the CYO Office prior to the athlete’s participation in any game or practice. For more information, parent’s handout and Return to Play forms, please visit the Concussion Awareness tab on the website.

Once you have completed the courses and programs above, all documentation will be sent to our Volunteer Coordinator. You will then receive your coaching credentials in the mail.

Coaches Meetings– three coaches meetings are scheduled for the fall season. Make sure that all of your coaches attend one of these meetings. Remember that according to Bylaw 4-3-3 “practice sessions are not permitted on the day/evening of the CYO sponsored preseason coach’s meetings in the member’s area.”

5. Complete the Policy of Safety of Children

Read and acknowledge the Diocese of Cleveland, “Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse.” Policy of Safety of Children

Coaches Video Library: The Diocese of Cleveland CYO is pleased to provide a unique coaching resource center for our members. PlaySportsTV’s Sports Training Academy videos are available for the Diocese of Cleveland CYO coaches in an effort to build upon the fundamentals discussed in the CYO Coaches Development Program.

Access code: CYOvideo2011