ATHLETICS

The athletic department of Huntington Christian School has dedicated itself to two key overarching concepts for success:

1. Honor God first and foremost, remembering that all we do is ultimately for Him.
2. Develop the whole student athlete spiritually, academically, socially, and athletically.

• We are members of the Christian Athletic League of Orange County.
• Athletics are divided into two divisions - 5th and 6th grade and 7th and 8th grade.
• Girls may participate in basketball, volleyball, and softball.
• Boys may participate in flag football, basketball and volleyball.
• 5th and 6th grade students also play co-ed soccer in the spring.

PHILOSOPHY OF COMPETITION

There are two polarized views of youth competition. At one end is win at all cost. At the other end is everyone plays. To varying degrees at Huntington Christian, we fall somewhere in the middle.

We place personal character above the price of winning.It is how a person approaches and plays the game that matters to God. Our athletes are regarded as being in leadership positions, and so must therefore demonstrate their Christ-like attitudes on and off the court or field of play, including inside and outside the classroom. A lapse in this commitment may mean less playing time for the athlete in violation of this principle.

We understand that the arena of athletics is a public forum for success and failure. It is how these successes and failures are met and dealt with by the coaching staff that makes the commitment to student athlete discipline and discipleship work. The arena of athletics can teach such Biblical principles as discipline, faithfulness, humility, holiness, Christian fellowship, and much, much more. This particularly happens when coaches lead in a Christianly manner.

The coaching staff must take great effort to prayerfully consider the actions of all its athletes, and then take consistent and decisive action regarding who is playing and who is not. These actions include attitude, commitment to the team and team rules, commitment to the school and school rules, effort, attendance at practices and games, following coaches'; directions without defiance or hesitation, game performance, practice performance, academic performance, school behavior, honesty, integrity, and off-campus behavior.

Please note this should not be considered as an equal playing time; philosophy. There will be varying degrees of playing time that will be decided solely at the head coach's discretion. It is expected that each of the athletes will see playing time, provided that all requirements and team rules have been met by the athletes themselves.

ATHLETIC POLICY

DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES

1. To promote a clear and consistent commitment to Christ through leadership and example by coaches and planned team activities, including prayer.
2. To help the student acquire a constructive concept of Christian values which promote acceptance and understanding of others, particularly those over him in authority.
3. To instill within the athlete the attitude of teamwork.
4. To teach self-discipline.
5. To give specific and fundamental instruction in areas of their sport.
6. To teach the athlete the true meaning of sportsmanship (i.e. fairness, courteous relations, and the graceful acceptance of result).
7. To teach the Christian concept of winning and losing. Athletic competition is a means of self-expression, growth, relaxation (enjoyment) and not a simple, all consuming desire to win at any cost.
8. To produce an atmosphere of family, something that will last far longer than a season of sport, something that will create a love for others, for the school, and for the Lord. It is on this basis that athletics at Huntington Christian has been built and will continue to develop.
9. To create an opportunity for each athlete to achieve some level of success, achievement, and self-confidence.