High School Philosophy for Interscholastic Athletics
St. Agnes Academy considers interscholastic athletics to be an important and integral part of the educational programs of the whole school. In keeping with the school’s mission statement, the athletic program provides experiences that will develop skills and self-confidence in each girl so that she can reach her greatest potential and develop lifetime skills that will help her now and in future years. Participation in sports offers students opportunities to achieve through participation in activities that require integration of mind and body, requiring them to strive for mental and physical excellence both in practice and in competition.

Athletic Forms
Upper School Athletic Handbook
SAA Physical Form
SDS Physical Form

The Athletic Department seeks to hire qualified coaches providing them with the unique opportunity to teach positive lifetime skills and values. In order to ensure that athletes are prepared for the commitment and personal sacrifice needed to be successful in athletics, coaches must help them develop and understand the roles that desire, dedication, and self-discipline play in reaching individual and team goals. These are lifetime values that promote and nurture integrity, pride, loyalty, and overall character.

While striving for victory is the nature of athletic competition, it is only one criterion when determining a season’s success. Guiding a team to reach its maximum potential and an athlete to reach her maximum potential are the ultimate goals. Along with this comes emphasis on good sportsmanship which includes being modest in victory and accepting in defeat.

The teams compete against private schools in the city of Memphis and the surrounding area and travel to local tournaments.

TSSAA Division II Sports
Volleyball
Bowling
Soccer
Cross Country
Golf
Basketball
Tennis
Track
Softball

Club Sports
Swimming
Lacrosse

Lower School Athletic Program Philosophy
The purpose of athletics at SAA and SDS is to provide a program which offers and opportunity for girls and boys to participate in team sports. The emphasis is to promote basic skill development and sportsmanship. In developing these skills our department actively encourages students to pursue academic excellence, leadership skills social responsibility, multi-cultural awareness, emotional maturity, artistic expression, and physical fitness. This is the SAA and SDS mission statement.

The 1st – 4th graders participate in the Memphis Christian Recreation Association league.
The 5th-8th graders participate in the Parochial Athletic Association sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Memphis and Independent Soccer League.

The following sports are offered in the k-8th grade:
Soccer K-8th boys and girls
Football 5th-8th boys
Volleyball 5th – 8th girls
Golf 7th & 8th girls and boys
Basketball 1st- 8th boys and girls
Baseball 1st-8th boys only
Softball 1st-8th girls only
Tennis 7th and 8th girls only

Guidelines for Team Selection Grades K-4th
• Team selection will be made by the athletic staff. Players will be divided according to age and ability.
• Play is 50% for all participants. Coaches will not be required to allow participation unless a child practices with their team.
• Parental and Player requests cannot be honored.

Grades 5th – 8th
• There will be two types of teams, a select and developmental. Select teams are for more advanced skill levels, and the developmental teams are for athletes with basic skill abilities.
• Teams will be divided by ability by the athletic staff.
• Parental and Player requests cannot be honored.
• A player and parents must be committed to making practices and games. Coaches will not be required to allow participation unless a child practices with their team. Description of Sport TeamsK-6th
Coaches are parents of team members and are selected by the athletic director based on requests by the parents to coach.

7th & 8th
Teams are coached and by SAA & SDS staff members or by locally skilled coaches. No team member parents may coach at this level.

Soccer:
is played in the fall with teams divided according to the league requirements. ( Kindergarten: boys and girls together), the boys and girls are separate in the following grades:1st and 2nd grade, 3rd and 4th grade, 5th and 6th grade and 7th & 8th boys and 7th girls & 8th girls. The season begins around the middle of Aug.

Football:
is played in the fall with two teams the 5th & 6th boys and the 7th & 8th boys. The teams play in the PAA league. The season begins around Aug. 1st

Golf:
is played in the fall and teams are formulated for 7th and 8th girls and boys. Matches are played at various golf clubs. St. Dominic has finished first in the PAA league for the past several years.

Volleyball:
is played in the fall with two teams usually depending on the numbers that try-out. The teams play in the PAA league and begin their season in the middle of Aug.

Basketball:
is played in the winter, the season begins in October and ends around the first of Feb. Teams are divided by ability and everyone usually makes a team. The teams play in the PAA league.

Softball:
is played in the Spring and begins in late Feb. and ends around the first week of May. 5th-8th grade girls play in the PAA league and the 1st – 4th grade play in the MCRA league and 3rd and 4th grade level play machine pitch and 1st & 2nd graders play coach pitch.

Baseball:
is played in the Spring and begins in late Feb. and ends around the first week of May. 5th – 8th grade boys play in the PAA league and the 1st – 4th grade play in the MCRA league. The 1st and 2nd grade boys play t-ball and the 3rd and 4th grade play machine pitch.

Tennis:
is played in the Spring and participants play teams from the local private school and the parochial league. Some girls may move up and play at the high school level.