Sports is a great way to connect with kids. As a coach, your players look up to you in many ways. As a CYC coach, you have a unique opportunity to strengthen the faith lives of your players. This can be done in a number of ways:
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- Prayer, before and after practice, as well as the games. Prayer can be prepared or from the heart. Both can leave an effective.
- Attendance at Mass as a team. This is a great team-bonding activity. You could invite another team in your league to join you and foster some community building.
- Take on a service project, as a team, within your parish. Stress the importance of putting the needs of others before your own.
CYC coaches should model the values of our faith on the court/field and when you are away from the game. Your kids are looking for proper guidance. The respect they have for you as a coach will leave a lasting impression of their lives. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference.
Resources:
- Digital Book of Sports Prayers
- Pope Francis Quotes on Sports as Ministry
- Giving the Best of Yourself- A document on sports from the Vatican
CYC Game Prayer:
Dear Jesus, we seek to honor you in all we do.
We pray that all our thoughts, words, and actions may reflect your love for us.
Help us to respect those around us—our coaches, our teammates, our opponents, our officials, and our families.
Help us to try our best, in everything we do, recognizing that our gifts and talents are blessings from God.
And help us to remember that it profits us nothing to gain the whole world, win every game, or succeed in every sport, if we do not seek first your Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord, Amen.