The RC CYO program is facing the following challenges and requirements as we determine whether running our basketball program this year is feasible:
- As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, CYO NY has recently announced that all CYO seasons in the Archdiocese will not begin until January 15th. This would result in a shortened basketball season. Due to potential conflicts with spring sports, as well as gym availability issues, the season would likely end around the typical timeline of early March.
- CYO NY is requiring that all players (and coaches, etc.) wear masks while practicing, sitting on the bench, and playing in games. Masks will be required at all times.
- CYO NY is prohibiting spectators from attending games and practices. NO parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. would be permitted in the gym or anywhere in the building.
- Only boys/girls who are part of the Regina Coeli parish (or St. Peter's) and/or live within the parish boundaries would be eligible to enroll. CYO NY has provided the following map of parish boundaries:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1z5d2EegHF7IdqmalYGSxNiUZ6fQ&ll=41.763629620608626%2C-73.7386036&z=10. (Generally the boundaries of the Hyde Park Central School District).
- The RC CYO program is dependent upon the use of HPCSD gyms to hold practices and run our high school league. At present, HPCSD gyms are NOT available to outside groups. Without access to HPCSD gyms, 1) teams in the intramural league would NOT be able to hold practices and 2) the high school league would NOT be able to run.
- The RC CYO program is 100% volunteer run. Factors such as last season's cancellation, the aging-out of players, the pandemic, etc. are likely to result in difficulties in recruiting coaches. Past coaches have already been surveyed and only a few have indicated that they are interested in volunteering this season. Without our volunteer coaches, we cannot run our program.
- The travel teams are dependent upon other local parishes running their CYO programs so our teams have other teams to compete against. At present some parishes have already made the decision to cancel their CYO season this year, while others are still trying to determine if a season is feasible.
- Following the announcement that this season will not begin until January 15th, many families have already explored and committed to other local full-season non-CYO basketball opportunities (or other sports). This limits the interest in playing in a shortened RC CYO season.
- Registration fees for this season have not yet been determined.
Ultimately, the decision to run or cancel the Regina Coeli CYO season has not been made yet.