The importance that Northfield places on sports can be summed up in the words of Pope John Paul II:

“Competitive Sport, per se, because of the effort it requires to achieve physical condition, is above all an enhancement of the body, well-being and care of health. Because of the implicit commitment to sacrifice, tenacity, discipline, self-control, with a view to a concrete prospect of victory, it is a training of the will, a constant school of human formation and personal maturity.”

In addition, competitive team sports also provide training in the spirit of collaboration, solidarity, brotherhood, and are a training ground of the human virtues which are at the base of civil living. The practice of sports is a “school for social education.”

A series of try-outs are held at the start of each school year to determine the team’s line-up. A team member who is failing in 1 or 2 subjects in the middle or at the end of the quarter may join practice, but not official games, where he is required to present a written consent from his parents to the Athletic Coordinator, approved by the Principal and noted by the Academic Director. He can only rejoin team games after he is cleared by the Principal.

Athletes are students who are official members of school teams that represent the school in recognized leagues. All athletes must accomplish the required Student-Athlete agreement form, by which all members agree and are committed to all trainings, practices and games of the varsity team. Any misconduct or improper behavior is subject to suspension.

Note: An athlete failing in 3 or more subjects is totally banned from team participation until he is cleared by the SAC or Principal. (i.e., he passed his failed subjects).