Athletics
At Mercymount Country Day School, we play, compete and grow together. Whether student-athletes are tearing up the field in soccer or the court in volleyball, school athletic activities have become a core part of the Mercymount experience.
Our athletic program includes a variety of sports designed to challenge and encourage students in their physical skills. Sports at Mercymount are more than just an athletic competition: they are an opportunity to practice teamwork, develop discipline and foster an enthusiastic school spirit.
Sports signup and payments are completed through go.teamsnap.com.
Questions about our sports program? Please reach out to us at: mercymountsports@gmail.com
Overview
The Value of School Athletics and Team Spirit
Mercymount's identity is deeply intertwined with the charism of the Sisters of Mercy. These values — spirituality, community, service, social justice and works of mercy — direct us toward intentional community-building and engagement with serving others. We view athletics as a practical way to do this. Through participating in a school sport, students learn how to work together toward a shared goal. They grow mentally, physically and emotionally as they learn to deal with both victory and defeat.
Our athletic program helps bind us together, fostering a strong sense of community and school pride. It pushes students to excel and form powerful bonds outside of the classroom. For our student-athletes, their sports team challenges them to give the activity their full commitment and overcome a challenge. Our non-athletic students often participate in cheering teams on, tightening our identity as a community that supports and encourages each other.
Year-Round Sports Teams
As the saying goes, it truly takes a village. Many parents in our community actively participate in our athletic programs, volunteering their time and talents to coach and manage our various sports teams. Their investment keeps our sports teams thriving and active! With both instructional and competitive sports, we offer a variety of different athletic programs designed to provide a space for everyone.
Instructional Sports
Students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade have the opportunity to participate in several instructional sports throughout the school year. The line-up includes soccer in the fall and Biddy Ball in the winter.
Competitive Sports
In the fall, students have the option to join the cross-country team (grades 4 - 8) or tennis (grades 5 - 8). In the winter, any student between grades 4 and 8 can participate in basketball. The spring sports roster includes volleyball and soccer for grades 4 through 8.
Mercymount Students Enjoy League Membership
Mercymount is a member of the Catholic Athletic League (CAL), a local organization that provides a structured competitive sports league for children of the Diocese of Providence, R.I. As a member of this league, Mercymount is able to provide its sports teams the opportunity to play and compete against other schools or clubs in the area. Our student-athletes have plenty of opportunities year-round to engage with students in other schools and sharpen their athletic skills through active competition. All coaches in grades 4 through 8 are certified through the CAL program.
Basketball
All students in grades 4 – 8 are eligible to participate in the CAL basketball program from November thru February.
Each team practices once or twice per week with games held on school courts throughout the region. Parents are expected to assist with gym duties on the Saturdays and Sundays at Mercymount (concessions, admissions and score table) and at the annual tournament in March. Teams playing in the 6th and 8th grade divisions have an opportunity to qualify for the New England CYO Tournament representing the Diocese of Providence.
Our biggest fundraiser for our sports programs is the “Pot of Gold Tournament.” This 3-week basketball tournament is held at the beginning of March and is made up of approximately 50 teams, in various divisions (split into groups by age and by boys and girls). A Tip-Off Breakfast is also held at the start of the tournament, inviting all of the tournament teams to participate. The Alumni Basketball Game is held on the first Friday night of the tournament to kick-off play and the Futures’ Game is held on a weekend during the tournament, showcasing the upcoming players in the 3rd grades. The tournament raises over $10,000 for the Sports Program and is coordinated by parent volunteers.
Dates and times are listed in the PIE Memo along with sign-up information.
Biddyball
Mercymount's Biddyball program provides instructional level basketball to students in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade. Students are grouped by grade level to practice basketballs skills, participate in drills, and play a quick game. Sessions run Saturday mornings for 1 hour during winter months. There is a nominal fee to participate.
Dates and times are listed in the PIE Memo along with sign-up information.
Cross Country
Cross Country (Juniors Gr. 4-5 and Middle School Gr. 6-8) - CAL Cross Country consists of two programs, Juniors (4th and 5th grades) and Middle School (6th - 8th grades).
Juniors practice one day per week and the middle school program practices 2 -3 times a week. Practices are held after school at the school. Meets are held on Wednesdays after school at Slater Park in Pawtucket from early September through mid-October. Juniors run in a co-ed short course race, followed by the middle school girls’ and the middle school boys’ races on the full course. Uniforms are provided by the school and returned at the end of the season.
Dates and times are listed in the PIE Memo along with sign-up information.
Ski
For (6) weeks in season we travel to Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Littleton MA for some great skiing adventures. Grades 6 through 8 are allowed to participate in this club. Lift tickets are provided. Rental equipment and weekly lessons are available for an additional fee. We travel to and from school via Motor Coach. In addition to the students, about (6) volunteer parents assist each week to chaperone in the base lodge and on the mountain. This is a great club for the students of all skiing ability to participate in. It offers them the chance to get some fun skiing in through out the winter, sharpen there skills and socialize with their friends in a safe and fun enviornment. We look forward to seeing your student participate in this great club!
Soccer
Certified coaches, along with parent volunteers, provide students in grades 4 – 8 with the opportunity to play soccer as part of co-ed teams that compete against other Catholic schools in the CAL program during April and May. Students in grades 6 – 8 compete in the Grammar division with an opportunity to qualify for league playoffs. Students in grades 4 – 5 compete in the Junior division, no playoffs will be held in this league since it is Instructional.
For the younger students Mercymount offers Instructional Soccer - (K -3) - This program meets at the school on Saturday mornings. This is a skills focused program where athletes are introduced to the skills of the game over the first several weeks of the program, gradually progressing to more traditional games for the last few weeks. This program generally runs through the end of October, weather permitting. Many new families have found that this is a great way to get to know people outside of the classroom!
Dates and times are listed in the PIE Memo along with sign-up information.
Tennis
Tennis - (Gr. 6-8) - CAL Tennis is a co-ed tennis program running from early September through late October. Matches and practices are held on various days during the week, generally right after school, and may be played anywhere in Rhode Island or nearby Massachusetts. Our home court is located at Bishop Feehan High School. Coaches attempt to pair like-skilled players for matches against other schools and players of all skill levels are invited to play.
Dates and times are listed in the PIE Memo along with sign-up information.
Volleyball
Certified coaches, along with parent volunteers, provide students in grades 4 – 8 with the opportunity to play volleyball as part of co-ed teams that compete against other Catholic schools in the CAL program during April and May. Students in grades 6 – 8 compete in the Grammar division with an opportunity to qualify for league playoffs. Students in grades 4 – 5 compete in the Junior division, no playoffs will be held in this league since it is Instructional.
Dates and times are listed in the PIE Memo along with sign-up information.
