Athletics

Young Wildcats can explore a variety of Bitty Sports—made possible through parent volunteer support and participation.

A developmental focus on foundational skills and a love for the game, with continued parent engagement helping players progress.

Competitive play that hones abilities and prepares students for high school athletics.

Bitty & Junior Basketball (Grades K-3)

Bitty and Junior Basketball are open to all boys and girls in grades K-3. This is the perfect opportunity to start building basketball skills before your child starts playing on an NCA basketball team in fourth grade. Bitty Basketball (Grades K-1) is an introduction to basketball fundamentals, while Junior Basketball (Grades 2-3) takes it to the next level and readies the players for NCA team competition.

$60 registration for all grades K-3. The registration fee includes a Wildcats t-shirt. We never want any child not to join a team because of the cost. If you need a reduction in fees, please contact our Business Manager at 773-743-6277.

 

Cross Country (Grades 5-8)

$100 registration for all grades 5-8. Registration fee includes uniform (tank and shorts). Late registrations incur a $50 fee and are at the coach’s discretion.

We never want any child not to join a team because of the cost. If you need a reduction in fees, please contact our Business Manager at 773-743-6277.

Optional summer training begins in late July. This is a great opportunity for new runners to gauge their interest. Mandatory time trials are in late August. Athletes and one parent/guardian must attend. While the athletes complete their time trials, coaches will meet with the parents to discuss the season, practices, and meets. Time trials will place your athlete in the appropriate pace group for the season.

Official practices start in late August after school begins. Practices are held Monday-Thursday after school. Athletes are required to attend at least two practices per week to participate in the meets. We generally participate in six meets throughout the fall season. Athletes are required to attend at least four meets.

Jr. Wildcat Running Club (Grades 2-4)

The Jr. Wildcat Running Club is open to all boys and girls in grades 2-4. This is the perfect opportunity to start building running skills before your child starts Cross Country in 5th grade. Students will learn the fundamentals of running and will also have a simulated race towards the end of the season. The running club practices once a week at a local park.

$30 registration for all students in grades 2-4. We never want any child not to join a team because of the cost. If you need a reduction in fees, please contact our Business Manager at 773-743-6277.

Soccer (Grades 5-8)

$100 registration for all students in Grades 5-8. Registration fee includes uniform. Players are responsible for cleats. Late registrations incur a $50 fee and are at the coach’s discretion.

We never want any child not to join a team because of the cost. If you need a reduction in fees, please contact our Business Manager at 773-743-6277.

NCA fields a JV and Varsity team. The season runs from late August to late October. One or two practices per week.  NCA Soccer is part of the North Shore Catholic School Soccer League.

2024–2025 Soccer League Rules
 

Soccer Playing Time Policy
5th-6th Grade
Coaches should strive for equal playing time for players in each game. However, many factors affect accomplishing this in each game, due to the number of players on the team, the opportunities for substitution, and having players available to play certain positions. Coaches will work to achieve equal playing time throughout the season, based on the above factors. Players may play the same number of minutes throughout the game or a certain portion of the game.

During playoffs coaches should strive for equal play as much as possible, however, coaches can relax the rules to coach the game since in playoff season each game could be the last.

7th and 8th Grade
Play is more competitive. Players may be assigned to specific positions (midfielder, forward, goalkeeper) and, as a result, some players may naturally end up with more playing time depending on their role. In general, through the course of the season, coaches still strive to give players as much playing time as possible. Each player shall play ¼ of the game.

During playoffs, the playing time rules will be relaxed. Every athlete must play. Coaches will coach more competitively since in playoff season each game could be the last.
 

Splitting Teams
Splitting teams can be a very difficult decision. There are many factors involved such as the number of committed players and availability of coaches. Each team has its dynamic and must be looked at on an individual basis. How to split the teams will be at the coach’s discretion.

Volleyball (Grades 4-8)

Volleyball is open to girls in the Fall and boys in the Spring.
 

Girls Volleyball
Girls volleyball is a fall sport. $100 registration for all grades 4-8. Registration fee includes uniform (shirt and shorts). Players are responsible for their knee pads. Late registrations incur a $50 fee and are at the coach’s discretion.

We never want any child not to join a team because of the cost. If you need a reduction in fees, please contact our Business Manager at 773-743-6277.

4th-6th grade games are run by the NCA Volleyball League. 

2025–2026 League Rules

7th-8th grade games are run by the Queen of Angels Volleyball League.

Girls 4th-6th Grade Teams
Practices begin mid-August. Games are on weeknights from early September to mid-October. Playoffs follow in late October. Teams practice two times per week. 

Home games are played at NCA’s campus gym. ALL PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO WORK THE GYM ON THE TEAM’S ASSIGNED DAYS. Duties include setup, cleanup, admissions, and concessions.  

For safety reasons, all players in uniform are not allowed to wear jewelry of any kind while in a game or on the bench. This is a mandatory rule that will be enforced by the officials. Anyone with newly pierced ears who cannot remove their earrings will not be allowed to participate.

Learn more about NCA Volleyball League rules and volleyball gym locations, including parking instructions and gym access.

Girls 7th-8th Grade Teams 
Practice begins mid-August. Games are on weeknights from early September to late October. Playoffs follow in early November. Teams practice two times per week. All games are played at Queen of Angels (4520 N. Western Ave.). Parking is available in the lot one block north of the gym.
 

Volleyball Playing Time Policy
Girls 4th-6th Grade and Boys 5th-8th Grade
Coaches should strive for equal playing time for players in each game. However, many factors affect accomplishing this in each individual game, due to the number of players on the team, the opportunities for substitution, and having players available to play certain positions. Coaches will work to achieve equal playing time throughout the season, based on the above factors. Players may play for an equal number of points, or one group of players may play one game, and another set of players the next game. In a game 3 tiebreaker situation, playing time is left to the coach’s discretion.  

During playoffs coaches should strive for equal play as much as possible, however, coaches can relax the rules to coach the game since in playoff season each game could be the last.

Girls 7th-8th Grade 
Play is more competitive. Players may be assigned to specific positions (setter, middle hitter, outside hitter) and as a result, some players may naturally end up with more playing time depending on their role. In general, through the course of the season, coaches still strive to give players as much playing time as possible. Each player should play a minimum of the equivalent of half a game which could be spread across one or two games. In a game 3 tiebreaker situation, playing time is left to the coach’s discretion.

During playoffs, the playing time rules will be relaxed. Every athlete must play. Coaches will coach more competitively since in playoff season each game could be the last.
 

Splitting Teams
Splitting teams can be a very difficult decision. There are many factors involved such as the number of committed players and availability of coaches. Each team has its dynamic and must be looked at on an individual basis. How to split the teams will be at the coach’s discretion. 

Basketball (Grades 4-8)

$100 registration for all grades 4-8. Registration fee includes uniform (jersey and shorts). Late registrations incur a $50 fee and are at the coach’s discretion.

We never want any child not to join a team because of the cost. If you need a reduction in fees, please contact our Business Manager at 773-743-6277.
 

4th-6th Grade Teams
Practice begins in early November. Games are on Saturdays (mid Nov – early Mar). Teams practice two times per week. Teams are split evenly by talent.
 

7th & 8th Grade Teams
Practice begins in early November. Games are on weeknights (mid-Nov-mid Mar). Teams practice two times per week. Teams are split into A/B teams.

ALL PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO WORK THE GYM ON THE TEAM’S ASSIGNED DAYS. Duties include setup, cleanup, admissions, concessions, scorebook, and possession arrow. 


Basketball Playing Time Policy
4th-6th Grade
Coaches should strive for equal playing time for players in each game. However, many factors affect accomplishing this in each individual game, due to the number of players on the team, the opportunities for substitution, and having players available to play certain positions. Coaches will work to achieve equal playing time throughout the season, based on the above factors.

On a team that consists of 10 players or less, minimum playing time requirements shall be deemed to be satisfied if a player has played half of the game.

During playoffs coaches should strive for equal play as much as possible, however, coaches can relax the rules to coach the game since in playoff season each game could be the last.

7th & 8th Grade
At this level, basketball is considered competitive, unlike the more instructional lower grades. Coaches are instructed to play all athletes. There is a minimum playing time requirement of two minutes per game prior to the first half of the fourth quarter.

During playoffs, the playing time rules will be relaxed. Every athlete must play. Coaches will coach in a more competitive manner since in playoff season each game could be the last.
 

Splitting Teams
Splitting teams can be a very difficult decision. There are many factors involved such as the number of committed players and availability of coaches. Each team has its own individual dynamic and must be looked at on an individual basis. How to split the teams will be at the coach’s discretion.

Bitty Volleyball (Grade 2-4)

Bitty Volleyball is open to all boys and girls in grades 2-4. This is the perfect opportunity to start building volleyball skills before your child starts playing on an NCA volleyball team in 4th/5th grade. Bitty Volleyball is an introduction to volleyball fundamentals.

$40 registration for all students in grades 2-4. We never want any child not to join a team because of the cost. If you need a reduction in fees, please contact our Business Manager at 773-743-6277.

Sessions are held once a week for four weeks each spring.

Boys Volleyball
Boys volleyball is a spring sport. $100 registration for all grades 4-8. Registration fee includes uniform (shirt and shorts). Players are responsible for their knee pads. Late registrations incur a $50 fee and are at the coach’s discretion.

We never want any child not to join a team because of the cost. If you need a reduction in fees, please contact our Business Manager at 773-743-6277.

4th-grade players partake in practices and scrimmages. 5th – 8th grade players are in an organized league run by Queen of Angels.

Boys 5th-8th Grade Teams
The season runs from March to mid-May. Practices begin after basketball season ends (mid-March). One or two practices per week. Games are on weeknights, and all games are played at Queen of Angels. Playoffs follow in late May. 

Queen of Angels is located at 4520 N. Western Ave. Parking is available in the lot one block north of the gym. 

Volleyball Playing Time Policy
Coaches should strive for equal playing time for players in each game. However, many factors affect accomplishing this in each individual game, due to the number of players on the team, the opportunities for substitution, and having players available to play certain positions. Coaches will work to achieve equal playing time throughout the season, based on the above factors. Players may play for an equal number of points, or one group of players may play one game, and another set of players the next game. In a game 3 tiebreaker situation, playing time is left to the coach’s discretion.  

During playoffs coaches should strive for equal play as much as possible, however, coaches can relax the rules to coach the game since in playoff season each game could be the last.

Splitting Teams
Splitting teams can be a very difficult decision. There are many factors involved such as the number of committed players and availability of coaches. Each team has its dynamic and must be looked at on an individual basis. How to split the teams will be at the coach’s discretion.