A CYO Coach is primarily a leader with a gift of reaching out through athletics. Coaches are essentially youth ministers on the court or on the field. They serve to empower youth to live as disciples of Jesus Christ and to invite and encourage them to be responsible participants in the life, mission and work of the church.
Coach Clinics
All CYO coaches are required to take a coaches clinic within 1 year of starting to coach for a CYO program in the Diocese of Allentown. These clinics provide an overview of insurance requirements, sports medicine, coaching children with special needs, and the integration of our Catholic faith and CYO.
Clinics are held four times per academic year throughout the Diocese. Each clinic is held from 9 am to 12 pm, with check-in beginning at 8:45 am. The coach must be present for the entire clinic.
Advance registration is required. The registration cost is $25.00 per participant. Payment must be made at the time of registration.
For 2026-2027, the clinics are:
Saturday, October 24, 2026 9:00AM to 12:00PM
Registration Deadline: October 19
St. Thomas More Family Center, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown, PA 18103
Saturday, December 12, 2026 9:00AM to 12:00PM
Registration Deadline: December 7
Holy Guardian Angels School, 3125 Kutztown Rd, Reading, PA 19605
Saturday, March 6, 2027 9:00AM to 12:00PM
Registration Deadline: March 1
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 3221 Santee Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020
Coach Requirements
All CYO Coaches in the Diocese of Allentown are required to fulfill certain requirements prior to coaching. All CYO Coaches are to be in full compliance with current Diocese of Allentown Safe Environment Policy requirements, along with the other requirements listed below.
Safe Environment Requirements
Concussions & Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Each academic year, all CYO Coaches (head and assistants) are required to complete the free, online "Heads-Up: Concussions in Youth Sports" training course before coaching any CYO sport. In addition, all CYO coaches (head coach and assistants) are required to read and sign the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Education and Information Form before coaching any CYO Sport.
Coaches must provide a printed copy of the concussion certificate as well as the signed and dated SCA form to the CYO Coordinator and District Commissioner with the team rosters for the first sport that they coach in an academic year. For each subsequent sport coached, the date of the training is to be indicated on the roster.
Other Forms, Policies, and Resources
View the forms and details for other Coach Requirements below.
