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2008 - 2009 LYBA Program Welcome Letter
October 15, 2008 --
Dear Parents and Players,
Welcome to our 2008-2009 Basketball season. We look forward to another successful season beginning in late November and ending in mid March. The Longmeadow Youth Basketball Association (LYBA) is now incorporated as a 501(c), non-profit organization offering both recreational and travel play opportunities. The LYBA Board looks forward to a great season for all of our teams including close to 600 youth.
Important Dates
• 9/24, 10/2, 10/8 Registration Dates – Community House - Evenings
• 10/15,17,20-24,29 Travel Team Evaluations
• 10/30 Travel Team evaluation results letters sent out
• 11/12 &11/18 In-town Evaluations
• TBD Mandatory Coaches Clinic
• 12/1 3rd-8th Recreation program begins practicing/games
• 12/6 1st-2nd Recreation program begins practicing/games (Sat.only, 8am-Noon)
• 12/6-12/7 Westside Tipoff Travel tournament
Our program’s goal is to promote basketball knowledge, skills, and teamwork in a fun environment for youth.
Parental Involvement
Our organization could not succeed without a dedicated volunteer coaching staff from whom your children will learn a lot about the game. We are always seeking coaches across age groups. We also have volunteer division coordinators for our recreation program who help assure that coaches are informed, referees are scheduled and paid, and games/practices are running as planned. We welcome your involvement. Don’t hesitate to let a board member know if you are interested in helping out.
Recreation Program (1st through 8th grade)
Our recreation program has both practice time and game time each week. As youth develop in age and skills the rules vary in each division to provide a basketball experience for all youth who wish to participate. Playing time for each player in the Recreation Program will be equitable. Families can expect a call from a coach prior to December 1st with information about the coach, practice and games days and start dates. If you have not been contacted by a coach by December 1st, please contact a Board Member (listed below).
All players should plan to attend an evaluation session. These are being held in order to even out the teams. Evaluations will cover basic basketball skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting.
In-town Evaluations will be held at Glenbrook Middle School on the following dates:
Boys:
Grade 3 and 4 Boys Wednesday, November 12 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Grade 5 and 6 Boys Wednesday, November 12 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Grade 7 and 8 Boys Wednesday, November 12 7:45-9:00 p.m.
Girls:
Grade 3 and 4 Girls Tuesday, November 18 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Grade 5 and 6 Girls Tuesday, November 18 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Grade 7 and 8 Girls Tuesday, November 18 7:45-9:00 p.m.
Recreation (1st & 2nd)
• Skill development
• Saturday program at Glenbrook – 1 hour
• ½ hour spent on skills
• ½ hour spent playing a game
• No playoffs/tournament
Recreation (3rd – 8th grade)
• 1 hour evening practice and 1 hour game per week
• Official referees
Travel Teams (3rd through 8th grade)
All youth in grades 3-8 are eligible to try out for a travel team. LYBA sponsors two travel teams in each of the grade and gender divisions. There are two 3/4th grade girls teams; two 3/4th grade boys teams; two 5/6th grade girls teams; two 5/6th grade boys teams; two 7/8th grade girls teams and two 7/8th grade boys teams. Teams in the 5/6th and 7/8th grade divisions play in the suburban basketball leagues. Teams in the 3/4th grade division will play a constructed schedule of area 3/4th grade travel teams. If sufficient interest arises, additional teams may be added.
Travel evaluations will be conducted in October. Two evaluation sessions per grade/gender division are available. All youth who try out will be evaluated by independent evaluators who coach high school, AAU or other competitive basketball programs or who have played competitively. Teams will be selected based on the independent evaluations with coach’s input in extenuating circumstances.
While it is preferred that a youth attend both sessions for the best opportunity to demonstrate their skills, only one session is required. The first of two tryout sessions will be conducted with all youth in the division mixed (e.g., 5th and 6th will all tryout together). The second tryout session will be grade specific. The only exception is if after the first tryout a younger grade participant (e.g., 5th grader) were ranked in the top 10. In that situation, the youth’s family would be asked if that youth would like to tryout with the older age group at the following tryout. If the youth remains highly ranked, he or she would be offered a spot on the older team.
All team selections have to be approved by the board to assure a fair selection process. All youth who attended a travel evaluation will be mailed a letter at the completion of all tryouts indicating whether they are being invited to participate on a travel team. Youth who are not selected will be included in the recreational program and will receive a call from the recreation coach by December 1st. Additional details about the tryout policies and procedures are available for review at the tryout sessions or may be requested at anytime. These are also available on the website.
Travel teams practice twice a week with one to two games per week. An additional travel fee applies for youth who play on travel teams.
Sportsmanship
We have always been fortunate to have so many supportive parents and fans attend our games and practices and look forward to a great year. The Longmeadow Youth Basketball Association will not tolerate poor sportsmanship by any of our coaches, parents or players. Our coaches have been advised that if a player exhibits any physical or verbal abuse toward another player, coach or official, that athlete will be removed from the game. We also expect all coaches and parents to exhibit a high level of sportsmanship. Coaches or fans may also be asked to leave if they are not displaying good sportsmanship. Please be reminded that every one of us represents the Longmeadow Youth Basketball Association and we all play an important role in maintaining the reputation of our program.
Gym space
Gym space is at a premium during the winter months with the basketball program in addition to the other community activities that utilize the space. For this reason, the practice and game schedules require significant effort to schedule time that meets the needs of all our teams. The basketball program pays for this time and we would appreciate your help in working within the scheduled times and keeping the gyms in order.
Practice & Game Schedules
We will start our practice season in late November/early December (with the possible exception of our youngest participants). Your child’s coaches will be assigned practices days/times and will provide each player with a practice and game schedule. Also, check your e-mail regularly as this is the preferred method of keeping parents and players up to date with any news or changes specific to your child’s team or Longmeadow Youth Basketball Association updates.
Feedback and Program Improvement
We are always seeking ways to improve our basketball programs. For this reason, we have a series of mechanisms to gather input. One key source of information we use is end of the year evaluations which can be completed in a web-based survey format. All participant families are emailed with instructions on how to submit feedback. We request that all families submit feedback about what is going well and what could be improved. In addition, if you have a suggestion or concern at anytime you are welcome to contact any board member via phone or email. Contact information is available below or posted on the website. Finally, a link is available on our website to submit any comments or concerns at anytime. Any issues raised are reviewed and discussed at board meetings.
Communications
Website: LYBA Website
E-mail: Check your e-mail regularly and make sure we have all of the appropriate e-mail addresses for your family.
In closing, we want to thank each of you who continue to give your time to help our children. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact any of our board members.
Thank you,
The 2008-2009 Longmeadow Youth Basketball Association Board of Directors
Pat Donnelly
Steve Dudeck
Debra Garrity
Matt King
Christine Martin
Denine Northrup
Victor Oundjian
Anthony Santaniello
John Valencia
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LONGMEADOW YOUTH BASKETBALL
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