U11-U18 Program Details

Bow River Basketball is a volunteer run, non-profit organization that provides basketball training and competition for boys and girls ages 5 to 17.  We are a member of the Calgary Minor Basketball Association (CMBA). We have both highly competitive and purely recreational level teams and believe in equal playing time for all.

Mission

To provide basketball opportunities to youth in our communities in a safe environment that fosters sportsmanship and team work.

Values

Sportsmanship - Our members enjoy the sport of basketball for its own sake.  We strive to cooperate with our team mates. opponents, coaches and officials in a mutual quest for excellence.  We are gracious by savouring the challenge of competition and meet it with our finest performance, win or lose.  We respect the game and everyone's contributions while sharing the credit.

Fair Play - Our members compete in the sport of basketball according to the code of conduct set forth by CMBA.  We believe that every player should have the opportunity to play in practice and game situations similar to their team mates.  Our teams compete with our finest performance without embarrassing our competition when mismatched.

Coaches are responsible for playing all players listed on the score sheet for a significant and meaningful amount of time per quarter of each game. All players listed on the score sheet must play in each period of the game unless excused due to illness, injury, late arrival or for disciplinary reasons.

It is important to recognize that 'fair play' does not mean 'equal play' and the expectation that court time be equal is not reasonable. The frequency of whistles, number of players on the bench and speed of a 'run time' game make this impossible, and an unrealistic expectation of coaches.

If a player is sat for disciplinary reasons, these reasons must be communicated to the child prior to the discipline and the action must be followed up with the child by the coaches, and including parents where warranted.

Parents are responsible for speaking with the coach if they feel their child is not being treated fairly.

Respect - Our members support everyone's worth and dignity, regardless of background, abilities or beliefs.  We treat others the way we wish to be treated.  We are considerate of the feelings of others and their rights.  We are attentive with learning from coaches, officials and players while encouraging growth and development of others.

Team Work - Our members serve the common good of the group by recognizing we are interconnected and that there is a link between individual effort and group achievement.  Empowering our members to grow, succeed and lead while raising expectations for individuals and the team.  We work hard and support each other to reach team goals.  We are energetic and initiate action to do what needs to be done.

Our Players:

Bow River Basketball is a non-profit volunteer organization. Our primary goal is to accommodate every player who wishes to play but the number of players accepted each year may be limited by the number of gym times available to us and by the number of volunteer coaches and administrators available. In seasons where registration exceeds the number of teams and coaches available, it may be necessary to disband a team and refund the necessary fees.

U11-U18 Players:

The Bow River Basketball Season runs from September to early March with teams playing one game per week on Saturday (occasionally Friday evenings for the older age groups) and practicing one or two times per week.  Games are scheduled by Calgary Minor Basketball and are therefore played at locations throughout the city.  Players aged 9 to18 years participate in "evaluations" where they will be placed on teams with players of similar skill and experience (there are no "cuts".)  All teams will participate in a "seeding round" to ensure they will be competing in divisions with other teams of similar skill and ability.  Players and teams competing with similar players and teams ensures maximum fun and skill development!  Every team will play in divisional playoffs at the end of the season, with teams in Divisions 'A' having the potential opportunity to compete in the Youth Provincials.
Note that practice days/times/locations will be set at the end of September for the U11, U13, U15 and U18 age groups -  after evaluations and the determination of teams.  Please take note of our withdrawal/refund policy in the "Withdrawals and Refunds" section of this website.  Practice dates and locations may change in January due to availability of gyms.

The U18 age groups (15 to 17 years) have two abbreviated seasons in order to allow these players to try out for their high school teams.  The first season runs from September to late November and the second, Winter, season will run from January to March for players who do not play on their high school teams. 

Basketball is a team sport so players are expected to attend all games and practices.

 Please be timely when dropping off and picking up your children for games and practices. If you know you are going to be late, please let your coaches know in advance, or make arrangements with another parent on your child's team.  Doors at school's must not be propped open, doing so will result in the loss of that gym as a practice facility.

Please help the team however you can. Carpooling or helping supervise the practices (2 adults should be present) would help our coaches a lot. Every parent must learn to keep score or be a timekeeper for games. There are instructions in the coaches CMBA handbook on this website or on the CMBA website regarding score keeping and timekeeping.

Consequences:

Bow River Basketball reserves the right to refuse registration to any player or family :
1. That does not abide by the rules of Bow River Basketball and the Calgary Minor Basketball Association
2. Has not respected the rights of other players, coaches, officials or other volunteers of Bow River Basketball and CMBA (as defined by the CMBA and Bow River Code of Conduct)
3. Has in any way abused equipment or facilities

Bow River Basketball also reserves the right to ask a player or family to withdraw from the program, without refund, for serious or continuous abuse of rules by either players or family members.

CMBA Participation Agreement:

It is a requirement of the CMBA and the Bow River Basketball Association that all parents and players read and agree to the CMBA participation agreement.  This agreement will be incorporated into Bow River's online registration process.

Uniform Responsibilities:

Your child will be provided with a Bow River uniform (except Tykes category). Please hang dry all uniforms so they will last longer, do not put the uniform in the dryer. Uniforms must only be worn for games, not for practices or for other recreation.

Gymnasiums :

There is a significant shortage of gym space in our area of the city.  Abuse or misuse of gym equipment can lead to Bow River Basketball losing the right to rent a gym in the future. 
Without gym space the number of teams and players is limited and fewer players get to play!!
Please ensure all players, parents, and coaches, abide by these rules:
1.  Water is the only beverage allowed in the gyms.
     Do not provide juice, Powerade, or any other beverages with sugar in it for players and spectators.       Parents please do not bring coffee, etc. into the gymnasium area.

2.  Wear clean, appropriate footwear. 
     Shoes worn on the basketball court should not be worn outside.  Soiled shoes from players or spectators, including siblings and parents are a slip hazard during games and practices 
     and may damage the floor.  Players, parents, siblings and other spectators should remove outdoor footwear at the front door. 

3.  Treat the facilities with respect.
    Bow River rents the gymnasium, only.  Players, parents and siblings must not be wandering around any other part of the facility, bouncing balls or playing with any other items outside of the   
    gymnasium.  Do not climb on or use school facilities or equipment outside of the gymnasium space.  Do not let children into the washrooms unattended.

Additional Tips for Parents:

Be appreciative of the time spent by others for your children.  The coaches and other volunteers will feel more positive about their efforts if they get proper feedback from parents.  If you have any concern, please talk to your coaches first.  If an issue is not resolved feel free to contact your division co-ordinator or league vice president. 

Please be timely when dropping off and picking up your children for games and practices.  If you know you are going to be late please let your coaches know in advance or make arrangements with another parent. Coaches are often held up waiting for parents after games and practices. 
Try to attend as many games as possible to cheer on your child's team.  Learn to keep score or be a timekeeper for games.  There are instructions in the coaches CMBA handbook or on the CMBA website.
Try to attend some practices, especially at the younger age groups.  We prefer at least two adults in the gyms at all times.  It is hard to maintain discipline and teach players without parent supervision.  Ask the coach what you can do to help, or think about being an assistant coach.  It's a great way to spend time with your child, and get fit too.

Players Dress regulations

Please review our dress regulations for practices and games:
1. No Jewelry (no taping of jewelry to hide it) or watches
2. No wristbands
3. No hard hair accessories
4. Shirts need to be tucked into shorts, if wearing a t-shirt under their uniform, the t-shirt must be white.
5. No short string loops hanging out
6. No pockets in shorts if the child isn't wearing Bow River uniform shorts

Players are also required to have a good pair of non-marking running shoes, as well as a basketball. 
U11 Boys and Girls Basketball size 5
U13 Boys and Girls Basketball, size 6
U15 & U18 Girls Basketball, size 6
U15 & U18 Boys Basketball, size 7