GOYA Athletic Rules & Regulations
Introduction: The Greek Orthodox Youth of America (GOYA) was founded as a religious movement for Greek Orthodox teenagers. Its fundamental characteristics are Diakonia (Service), Martyria (Witness), Liturgia (Worship), and Koinonia (Fellowship). Youth Ministry is concerned with the Christcentered experience of the total person. Therefore, athletics are an important component of Youth Ministry. The Purpose of Goya Athletics is to provide and promote recreational activity that will lead toward the development of Orthodox Christian ideals. GOYA athletics not only promotes good manners and sportsmanship, but also reaches for spiritual ideals through these sports. GOYA Athletics can be an opportunity for young people s participation in the Church through fellowship, witness, worship, and service. It can be an effective influence in the formation of a young person s Orthodox Christian value system and lifestyle. The Metropolis of New Jersey is currently organized into four Regional Youth Commissions: the Northern New Jersey Youth Commission, the Delaware Valley Youth Commission, the Maryland/Chesapeake Valley Youth Commission, and the Virginia Youth Commission. These guidelines and regulations, along with any approved appendages, are to constitute the official governing rules of each Regional Youth Commission.
Regulations for GOYA Coaches: 1. GOYA coaches must be mature people of the Orthodox Christian faith. Coaches should be actively seeking a closer relationship with Christ and a better understanding of His teachings. 2. The GOYA coach must be willing to share his/her faith at appropriate times with the participants through spoken word, good example, loving actions and prayer. The coach must have an inherent love of young people. 3. The GOYA coach must have a deep commitment to the Church, Her leaders and people. He/she must be an active member of the Greek Orthodox Church. 4. The GOYA coach must promote an attitude that extends beyond victories and defeats. He/she must be able to see success as something more than a final score or team record. 5. Head Coaches must be at least 21 years of age. Assistant coaches must be at least 18 years of age and have completed high school. Assistant coaches may only act as head coaches when the head coach is unavailable to coach a game. In such instant an adult youth advisor must be on the bench with the team. All coaching positions are appointed by the Parish Priest. 6. Coaches must respect and support the officials. The coach shall not indulge in conduct that will incite players or spectators against the officials. 7. Coaches must attend all coaches meetings, seminars, or workshops that have been designated by the Regional Youth commissions. 8. Coaches must be knowledgeable about the Youth By Laws and GOYA Athletic guidelines. They must make sure that all rules and policies are followed.
Athletic Rules and Regulations 1. All players must be Orthodox Christians in good standing with their parish and their respective GOYAs. 2. All players must be eighteen years of age on September 1 st and still in high school. Players who have completed high school are ineligible. Players that turn 19 years of age after September 1 st will be able to participate in Athletic Events. Players also must be in at least 7 th grade and 12 years of age in order to participate. 3. Rosters must be signed by the Poristamenos of each team, attesting to each player s eligibility and good standing in the parish/goya they represent. 4. The complete and signed roster must be submitted at time of registration for an Athletic Event. 5. Players may play for only one church team the team representing the church from which they and their parents are members in good standing as verified by the Proistamenos underwriting the church team s roster. a. If there is a lack of athletes for an Athletic Event multiple teams may combine to form one team to compete. For Regional Athletic Events this requires the permission of the Regional Youth Commissioner. For Metropolis Athletic Events this requires the permission of the Metropolis Youth Director. 6. All uniformed players must participate in all games. 7. Only officials and players are permitted on the court during play. 8. No spectators will be permitted on the team bench, except for the parish s respective priest(s). 9. Any player or coach who is ejected from a game due to any unsportsmanlike conduct will be ineligible to participate in his/her team s next game.
10. Inappropriate language and gestures will not be tolerated. Such use will result in the player/coach being ejected from the game. 11. Referees will be briefed before the event regarding these GOYA Athletic Rules and Regulations 12. At the beginning of each game, players will gather at center court to be led in prayer by one of the attending priests. If there is no priest present, all players will recite together the Lord s Prayer. a. During all day events when this is not practical an opening prayer should be led before the start of the Event. 13. At the end of each game, all players will line up and shake hands in a gesture of good will and as a sign of good sportsmanship among fellow Orthodox Christians. 14. Any team playing with any ineligible players will forfeit the game. 15. Any fighting, threats, assaults be they verbal or physical will not be tolerated. If any such said behavior occurs the Event officials will decide they immediate course of action. a. The matter will then be brought to the attention of the Youth Commissioner and the Metropolis Youth Director who will decide on any future repercussions for those involved. 16. Possessions, distribution, or consumption of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs as well as illicit activities will not be tolerated. Violation of this will result in immediate expulsion from the event. 17. For weekend Athletic events proper and respectful attire and conduct is required for Saturday Evening Activities as well as Sunday Liturgy. 18. For weekend Athletic events all participants must attend Sunday Liturgy at the designated location. Those who do not attend will not be able to participate in any athletic competitions on Sunday.