Archdiocesan CYO Player Eligibility Policy
Effective July 1, 2013, the CYO sports eligibility policy eliminates a participant's “School Grade” as an eligibility factor. Eligibility is based solely on a participant’s age.
For the 2018-19 sports season, the age requirements are as follows:
18 & Under (Senior) - Participants born in 2002 and younger are age eligible.
16 & Under (Intermediate) - Participants born in 2004 and younger are age eligible.
14 & Under (Varsity) - Participants born in 2006 and younger are age eligible.
12 & Under (Junior Varsity) - Participants born in 2008 and younger are age eligible.
10 & Under (Rookie) - Participants born in 2010 and younger are age eligible.
8 & Under (Cadet 2) - Participants born in 2012 and younger are age eligible.
7 & Under (Cadet 1) - Participants born in 2013 and younger are age eligible.
A player's age is determined as of 12/31/18.
Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Archdiocesan OYM/CYO office.
NOTE TO PARENTS – As a result of the Archdiocesan CYO system outlined above, which is strictly age- (rather than grade-) based, (i) 5th graders may be eligible to play at the U10 (Rookie) level that was previously limited to 3rd/4th graders; (ii) 7th graders may be eligible to play at the U12 (JV) level that was previously mostly 5th/6th graders; and (iii) some 8th graders will be too old to be eligible to play at the U14 (Varsity) level, and instead will have to play at the U16 (Intermediate) level.
Nonetheless, for purposes of keeping the registration and evaluation processes organized, please make sure to enter your child’s birthday and grade level in the system accurately, and register your child consistent with the “traditional” CYO level for your child’s grade. That is:
3rd and 4th graders should register as Rookies (except for 4th graders born before 1/1/09, who should register at the JV level);
5th and 6th graders should register at the JV level (except for 6th graders born before 1/1/07, who should register at the Varsity level);
7th and 8th graders should register at the Varsity level (except for 8th graders born before 1/1/05, who should register at the Intermediate level);
9th and 10th graders should register at the Intermediate level (except for 10th graders born before 1/1/03, who should register at the Senior level); and
11th and 12th graders should register at the Senior level (except for 12th graders born before 1/1/01, who are not eligible for CYO sports).
Your children should then attend the evaluation sessions for the level at which they register consistent with the foregoing.
Depending upon how registration numbers shake out in terms of students within each age range, and the relative maturity, experience and skill level of players, certain children who fit within the CYO’s new age guidelines may ultimately be placed on teams at another level from that which they register, consistent with the instructions above. All decisions relative to assignment of students to particular teams at particular levels will be made after evaluations are completed – and any placement on teams at a level different from the level for which the child registered will be made in consultation with the child's parents.
Revised: June 14, 2018
For the 2018-19 sports season, the age requirements are as follows:
18 & Under (Senior) - Participants born in 2002 and younger are age eligible.
16 & Under (Intermediate) - Participants born in 2004 and younger are age eligible.
14 & Under (Varsity) - Participants born in 2006 and younger are age eligible.
12 & Under (Junior Varsity) - Participants born in 2008 and younger are age eligible.
10 & Under (Rookie) - Participants born in 2010 and younger are age eligible.
8 & Under (Cadet 2) - Participants born in 2012 and younger are age eligible.
7 & Under (Cadet 1) - Participants born in 2013 and younger are age eligible.
A player's age is determined as of 12/31/18.
Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Archdiocesan OYM/CYO office.
NOTE TO PARENTS – As a result of the Archdiocesan CYO system outlined above, which is strictly age- (rather than grade-) based, (i) 5th graders may be eligible to play at the U10 (Rookie) level that was previously limited to 3rd/4th graders; (ii) 7th graders may be eligible to play at the U12 (JV) level that was previously mostly 5th/6th graders; and (iii) some 8th graders will be too old to be eligible to play at the U14 (Varsity) level, and instead will have to play at the U16 (Intermediate) level.
Nonetheless, for purposes of keeping the registration and evaluation processes organized, please make sure to enter your child’s birthday and grade level in the system accurately, and register your child consistent with the “traditional” CYO level for your child’s grade. That is:
3rd and 4th graders should register as Rookies (except for 4th graders born before 1/1/09, who should register at the JV level);
5th and 6th graders should register at the JV level (except for 6th graders born before 1/1/07, who should register at the Varsity level);
7th and 8th graders should register at the Varsity level (except for 8th graders born before 1/1/05, who should register at the Intermediate level);
9th and 10th graders should register at the Intermediate level (except for 10th graders born before 1/1/03, who should register at the Senior level); and
11th and 12th graders should register at the Senior level (except for 12th graders born before 1/1/01, who are not eligible for CYO sports).
Your children should then attend the evaluation sessions for the level at which they register consistent with the foregoing.
Depending upon how registration numbers shake out in terms of students within each age range, and the relative maturity, experience and skill level of players, certain children who fit within the CYO’s new age guidelines may ultimately be placed on teams at another level from that which they register, consistent with the instructions above. All decisions relative to assignment of students to particular teams at particular levels will be made after evaluations are completed – and any placement on teams at a level different from the level for which the child registered will be made in consultation with the child's parents.
Revised: June 14, 2018