MEMO: REGARDING COACHING AND PLAYER REQUESTS.

One of our goals in the YMCA recreational basketball league is to have more parity among teams and leagues. The main goal and focus of the YMCA recreational basketball league is to provide a fun recreational learning and skill building environment for all participants, parents, and coaches. To help maintain this true recreational YMCA philosophy, all teams formed in the 3rd through 8th grade leagues, will be based on grade and Anchorage School District neighborhood school boundaries. This policy has been in effect the last few years in our middle school recreational league, as well as last two recreational basketball seasons. The parity of the league has brought an overall fairness to all games and participants. Coaching and player requests in this league have been alleviated. This philosophy has also helped eliminate teams that are stacked or overloaded with talent.

Coaching and player requests will still be allowed in the younger leagues: Preschool, Kindergarten, and the 1st and 2nd grade leagues.

For those parents, players and coaches that are looking for more of a competitive type of atmosphere, the YMCA – Alaska McDonalds Competitive League will still be available to participate in. The league is for grades 3rd through 8th. It is a very competitive league, with modified high school rules. Teams are formed by coaches and parents, as well as open try outs. The competitive league will begin in January 2010, with try outs on December 12th. The YMCA encourages all participants, parents, and coaches to continue to participate in both the recreational league, as well as the competitive league. The competitive league provides a shorter season than the recreational league. Participating in both leagues provide all participants double the amount of basketball. The more court time a player receives the better chance of improving their basketball skills in the long run.

Thank you for your continued interest in the YMCA basketball league. We look forward to continue to provide the best quality league and experience for your child.

If you have any questions please contact Jim Young at youthsports@ymcaalaska.org