Q: WHY ARE THERE TWO LEVELS OF PLAY IN CYO?

CYO Basketball has two levels: the American (competitive) and National leagues, to accommodate different skill levels. Teams are organized by grade rather than age, and exceptions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Question 1

WHAT IS CYO?

Accepted Answer

CYO is an acronym for a national organization entitled Catholic Youth Organization. It provides various sports across participating Catholic Parishes in the community. West Diablo CYO Basketball League is a CYO ministry that encompasses participating parishes within Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The league is one of several CYO leagues in the entire Bay Area.

Question 2

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PLAY CYO BASKETBALL FOR WEST DIABLO?

Accepted Answer

West Diablo CYO Basketball is open to boys and girls in 2nd through 8th grades who meet one of the following criteria:

Reside within the parish boundaries as defined by the Oakland Diocese.
Be actively enrolled in religious education classes at a participating parish for at least one year prior to the start of the season.

Catholic and non-Catholic children meeting these requirements are eligible to participate.

Question 3

DO I HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF A CATHOLIC PARISH TO PLAY CYO?

Accepted Answer

No, membership in a Catholic parish is not required. However, players must generally reside within the parish boundaries or meet specific participation requirements to join.

Question 4

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS INTERESTED IN PLAYING BUT IS NEW TO BASKETBALL?

Accepted Answer

West Diablo CYO Basketball welcomes beginners! Our program is designed to teach fundamental skills and instill a love of the game in players of all experience levels. Coaches focus on developing players' abilities, teamwork, and confidence, especially in the younger age groups.

Question 5

WHO ADMINISTERS THE WEST DIABLO CYO PROGRAM?

Accepted Answer

The West Diablo CYO Basketball program is managed by a board of volunteer parents who generously give their time to organize and oversee the league. Some board members also serve as coaches. These volunteers are not compensated and coordinate with local parish leadership to ensure the league's success. All exception requests are reviewed and voted on by the board.

Question 6

WHO COACHES THE CYO TEAMS?

Accepted Answer

CYO basketball coaches are volunteers, often parents, who have a passion for working with youth in a positive, faith-centered environment. While basketball knowledge is helpful, the primary requirement is a commitment to fostering sportsmanship and personal growth in players.

Question 7

WHY DOESN'T CYO HIRE OR PAY COACHES?

Accepted Answer

CYO is a volunteer-driven organization that does not permit paid coaches. Hiring coaches could create financial inequities among parishes and reduce the community-focused spirit of the program. For families interested in a paid coaching model, programs like AAU basketball may be a better fit.

Question 8

HOW ARE TEAMS SELECTED OR FORMED?

Accepted Answer

Teams are formed based on player evaluations conducted during tryouts. The goal is to balance teams by skill level, which may mean placing players in the American or National leagues depending on their experience and abilities. Team placements are reviewed by the board, and all efforts are made to create fair and competitive teams.

Question 9

WHAT ARE PLAYER EVALUATIONS/TRYOUTS?

Accepted Answer

Player evaluations, also known as tryouts, are conducted at the beginning of the season to assess each player’s skill level. These evaluations help the league place players on teams that best match their abilities, creating a balanced and enjoyable experience for all participants.

Question 10

WHY ARE THERE TWO LEVELS OF PLAY IN CYO?

Accepted Answer

CYO Basketball has two levels: the American (competitive) and National leagues, to accommodate different skill levels. Teams are organized by grade rather than age, and exceptions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Question 11

IF A PLAYER IS PLACED ON A NATIONAL TEAM AS A YOUNGER PLAYER, WILL THEY ALWAYS BE ON THE NATIONAL TEAM?

Accepted Answer

No. Players may move between the National and American leagues based on their development. Players who show significant improvement may be considered for the more competitive American league.

Question 12

WHAT IS THE POLICY ON PLAYING TIME?

Accepted Answer

West Diablo CYO Basketball emphasizes equal playing time, especially for younger age groups, to encourage development and enjoyment of the game. However, playing time may vary in competitive settings, particularly for older or American league teams.

Question 13

WHEN DOES THE REGULAR SEASON START, AND WHERE DO WE PLAY?

Accepted Answer

Practices typically begin in early October, with one practice per week (1-1.5 hours). Games start the first weekend of November, with one game per weekend. Locations may vary and include gyms in Moraga, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Danville, and Orinda. The season concludes in late February.

Question 14

HOW ARE GAME SCHEDULES AND LOCATIONS DECIDED?

Accepted Answer

Game schedules and venues are determined by the West Diablo League. Due to limited gym availability, teams may occasionally need to travel to locations outside their immediate area (~within 30 miles max). Many local gyms are unavailable on weekends due to decisions made by school districts or other factors outside the league’s control.

Question 15

WHAT DO THE REGISTRATION FEES COVER?

Accepted Answer

Registration fees cover gym rentals, insurance, referee costs, tournament fees, equipment, and other operational expenses. Gym time is costly, but the league works to keep fees comparable to other local programs.

Question 16

NO JEWELRY POLICY

Accepted Answer

Players may not wear earrings, rings, bracelets, or any jewelry during games or practices. All jewelry and accessories must be removed for safety. We recommend players leave valuables at home to avoid loss or damage.

Question 17

PLAYER UNIFORM NUMBERS

Accepted Answer

Per West Diablo League rules, each rostered player on each team must have a unique uniform number. No two players on the same rostered team can wear the same number.

Question 18

WHAT ARE THE UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR GAME DAY?

Accepted Answer

For each game, the home team is required to wear white uniforms, while the away team will wear the darker-colored uniform. Players should ensure that any undershirts, such as short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirts, as well as compression sleeves or accessories, match the color of the uniform being worn. This helps maintain a cohesive team appearance and follows league uniform guidelines.

Question 19

WHAT DO THE VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS ENTAIL?

Accepted Answer

Each family is required to fulfill a volunteer role to support the program. Volunteer options are chosen during registration. The sooner you register, the more volunteer options will be available to choose from.

Question 20

IS THERE A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS AND SPECTATORS?

Accepted Answer

Yes, West Diablo CYO Basketball has a code of conduct for parents and spectators. We expect all attendees to support the players, coaches, and referees with respect and positive encouragement. Negative behavior, such as heckling, arguing with referees, or aggressive conduct, is not tolerated. Violations may lead to removal from games or league sanctions.

FAQs

ABOUT CYO AND ELIGIBILITY

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND COACHING

TEAM FORMATION AND PLAYING TIME

SEASON SCHEDULE AND GAME LOCATIONS

RULES AND REGULATIONS

VOLUNTEERING AND PARENT INVOLVEMENT