Our Lady of the Lake Athletics (A.K.A Lake Athletics) offers student-athletes the opportunity to experience meaningful growth as Christian individuals through personal accomplishment and the pursuit of success with their team all while learning how to prioritize their commitments to their school, their families and to their communities. The goals of our program include the advancement of the age appropriate athletic skills of our students while fostering the value of teamwork and  sportsmanship as well as encouraging the development and love of lifelong physical fitness.

Playing for a Lake team is a privilege that must be EARNED on and off the court and in or out of the classroom. Proper conduct, respect for others and your community, sportsmanship, and leadership are tenets of a successful student-athlete at Our Lady of the Lake. A player who challenges this philosophy will risk their privilege to play for Lake.

Lake Athletics focuses on the progression of athletic, competitive and sportsmanlike development in an age appropriate manner across each of our programs. Our youngest student-athletes in the lower grades focus on fundamentals of skills required to play the game, getting to know the rules and how to play the respective sport while being respectful student-athletes. Our developing athletes receive equitable playing time during games. As athletes progress through the program, skill levels will improve as competitive play intensifies. Our older student-athletes may earn playing time based on skill, leadership and game situations as determined by the coaching staff. While the coaches work to ensure players experience competitive play where possible, all players may not play every game at the JV and Varsity levels.

TeamSnap

Lake Athletics utilizes TeamSnap to faciliate scheduling and most communications at the team or organization level. Look for invitations to join your Lake team on TeamSnap shortly following registration. Fees to support TeamSnap for the school are built into the Registration Fees at approximately $10/player.

Volunteers

The success of our program requires the contributions of many. Parent involvement enriches our childrens' experiences as well as the school community as a whole. Coaches, parents, student-athletes, fans, school staff and many others all contribute to run successful programs so we can all enjoy the season. We ask our parents to willingly step up to help and get involved which always proves to be a rewarding experience for all. We offer a variety of ways in which to get involved: team parent (scheduling other parents for tasks), scorebook, game clocks, snack bar, team dinners, Lake Athletics End of Year Dinner and more. Please chip in  - you meet friendly folks and it makes the season a ton more fun for all. Many hands make light work!

Programs

Our Lady of the Lake Athletics currently supports three sports, Girls & Boys Volleyball (Fall Season/Spring Season), Basketball for both boys and girls at varying age levels starting in Grade 3 and Cross Country (5-8th grade). Programs are offered based on active registered players. Not all programs may be viable if registration does not support it. We are also open to supporting additional programs should support and interest dictate doing so.

Practice Slots

As our volunteer coaches have many commitments, practice times will vary for each program. Some coaches’ availability allows for practices to be held immediately following school dismissal or beginning later in the afternoon in which you may opt to enroll your child in aftercare on those days. (click here for Aftercare information). Some coaches’ conduct practices early evenings and weekends where gym space permits. We encourage families to come forth if your child is interested to play and there is concern or question as to transportation challenges. Solutions across the network of families may be available.

Volleyball - CYO Volleyball Rules
Students in Grades 4-8 are eligible.

GIRLS: (FALL) Grades 4-8: Games are weeknights or weekends starting in late September and run through October. Games take place at varying schools throughout the Essex County CYO league. The season concludes the first weekend in November with playoffs. Parents will be asked to assist with the game clock at each home game. Parents will also be slotted in for duties such as collection of door entry fees, 50/50 and helping run the snack bar in our auditorium.
 

Basketball, Girls & Boys: CYO Basketball Rules
  Grades 3 & 4, 5 & 6 (JV) and 7 & 8 (Varsity)

If registration supports it, Lake Basketball will field 3 teams for girls (3^rd & 4^th grades, 5^th & 6^th grades, and 7^th & 8^th grades) and the same assortment for boys. Basketball extends from November through February, culminating in possible tournament play for our JV and Varsity teams. The option to begin practices earlier is available to coaches and players who are available to participate. In general, practices are during the week with games reserved for either Saturday or Sunday. However, occasionally teams do play on Thursday or Friday evenings. As we expect inclement weather, games are rescheduled as promptly as possible in cooperation with involved teams. Games are held both at OLL and opponent gyms mostly at parochial schools within Essex County.  

3^rd & 4^th Grade: Play at this level is focused on fundamentals and building core basketball skills as well as learning the basics of the game. It is also governed by the All-Play rule, 8 minutes per game. Sportsmanlike conduct, respect for teammates, coaches, officials, fans, equipment and facilities is also reinforced. Also, while kids see NBA-style play on TV, we encourage players to learn and focus on the fundamentals of the sport and discourage that play in the gym at this age level. Game time play is equitable throughout the team regardless of score with subs every (4) minutes. Tournaments at this age are limited. Practices are generally 1-2 weeknights; games 2-3 per week, mostly weekends. Coaches must be informed of planned (e.g. vacation) and unplanned absences (e.g. illness, transportation ) in advance. 

5^th & 6^th Grade: (JV)  As expected, this level is more competitive and governed by the "All Play" rule, 8 min per player per game.  Players should be improving upon their skills and their understanding of the game while demonstrating leadership, respect and sportsmanlike conduct. Game situations will dictate which players are on the court during any game situation. Practices are generally 2-3x per week afterschool or evenings; games 2-3 per week, mostly weekends. Players are required to attend all or most practices in order to qualify for the "All Play" rule. Coaches must be informed of planned (e.g. vacation) and unplanned absences (e.g. illness, transportation ) in advance.

7^th & 8^th Grade: (Varsity) At this level, the players are expected to have developed their skills further and demonstrate instincts about the game and opponents. Teams at this level are also governed under the "All Play" policy as enforced by the Archdiocese of Newark. As our oldest, more experienced student athletes, these players also have the unique responsibility as role models to the other student athletes. We encourage this peer leader opportunity to be taken seriously as the player can benefit and grow as a person and leader. As expected, proper conduct and citizenship is also reinforced and expected at this level. Game situations will dictate which players are on the court during any game situation. Practices are generally 2-3x per week afterschool or evenings; games 2-3 per week, mostly weekends. Players are required to attend all or most practices in order to qualify for the "All Play" rule. Coaches must be informed of planned (e.g. vacation) and unplanned absences (e.g. illness, transportation ) in advance.

Note: All information above is subject to change as determined by Our Lady of the Lake or OYYAM of the Archdiocese of Newark.