COACHING FAQs
Which sports are offered through the diocese?
Basketball, flag football, soccer, track & field, and volleyball
Which grades can play sports at St. Clare?
5th to 8th grade
In rare cases, exceptions can be made to include 4th graders
When are the diocese sports seasons?
Fall 1 (Sept - Oct): B flag football & G volleyball
Fall 2 (Oct - Dec): B & G soccer
Winter (Jan - Mar): B & G basketball
Spring Mar - May): B volleyball & G flag football
May: B & G track & field meet
When and where are practices?
Practices are usually once or twice per week, after school.
The coach chooses the practice schedule based on their availability!
Indoor court sports usually practice in the hall.
Outdoor field sports usually practice at Reed & Grant Sports Park.
When and where are games?
Games are usually once or twice per week, after school.
We usually play schools within the Diocese of San Jose, ranging north to St. Nicholas or St. Simon in Los Altos, and south to St. Mary in Gilroy.
Transportation to & from games is the parent’s responsibility, and parent-organized carpooling is possible.
What if I can’t commit to attending all of the practices and games?
That is ok, we strongly encourage sharing the duties with a co-coach, assistant coach, or team parent.
What is the best way to manage the schedule and communicate with parents?
The athletic director will e-mail you the roster and parent contact info.
From there, we recommend sending one welcome e-mail to the parents, then migrating all scheduling and communications to a free app, such as GameChanger.
What do sports fees cover?
Uniforms, basic equipment such as balls and pumps, referees, end of year sports banquet, medals and awards
What are the benefits of coaching?
Parent volunteer coaches report high levels of joy and satisfaction from being part of the development and camaraderie of our wonderful St. Clare students.
Also, coaching counts towards annual parent service hours.
How do I deal with behavior problems or unsportsperson-like conduct?
We suggest a three-tier system.
First instance, coach talks to player one-on-one.
Second instance, coach talks to player and parents.
Third instance, coach talks to school administration, which can result in removal from team.
What are the sports clinics?
Sports clinics are usually parent-organized as an easy way to introduce a sport for younger students, or build new skills for older students. Clinics can be for regular diocese sports, or for non-diocese sports such as lacrosse depending on the level of interest.
What can I do to get started?
Complete your diocese volunteer requirements asap