Program Specifics: An evaluation schedule is attached to this packet so you may find the place and time to be with your child on their evaluation day. After evaluations, your child will be assigned to a team and contacted by that coach. From there on, your child will have a one-hour practice a week and one game per week.
Grades 3 and 4 must practice during the week at either 5:00 pm or6:00 pm.
Grades 5 – 8 may practice during the week any time between 5:00 pm and9:00 pm. Usually the earlier time slots are given to the younger participants.
Grades 9 - 12 do not have scheduled practices. Games only.
Boys and girls in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 play games on Saturdays while boys and girls in grade 7 play games on Wednesday evenings.
Boys in grades 9 – 12 play games on either Tuesdays or Thursdays. There are no evaluations for the high school leagues and teams will be created in December after the start of the high school basketball season. Those players who will be playing on the high school basketball teams are not eligible to play due to CIAC regulations.
The youth basketball calendar follows the school calendar.
When school is closed for vacations, holidays or inclement weather or dismissed early for inclement weather, our program is also closed. PROGRAM CANCELLATION: Inclement weather may cancel practices and/or games. Cancellation information may be obtained by calling our cancellation line at (203) 341-5074, FaceBook and Instagram at Westport Parks and Recreation to receive information via social media. Our website will also send out cancellation and text message notices.
Program Standards: There are no requests accepted for team assignments, practice nights or coaches. Once assigned to a team, the child is expected to attend each practice and each game. While we do have rules for equal playing time in a game, coaches have the choice of waiving this rule if the child HAS NOT consistently attended practice. Children participating in other sports such as travel basketball, hockey, indoor soccer or skiing or children with consistent conflicts may not be eligible to take part in our program if they can not meet the practice and game commitment. The Basketball Advisory Board will make the decision of dismissing a child from the program if they feel the child’s attendance has been poor and there is no commitment to youth basketball. All children are required to attend their respective league’s evaluation. An attachment at the end of this manual will give you more detail on where to go and what time. At the time of the evaluation, you will be asked for one night between Monday and Friday that your child can not practice. We will make sure your child is placed on a team that does not have practice on that one requested night. Only one request is allowed and we will not accept any more than one evening. Once your child is assigned to a team, THERE IS NO SWITCHING.
Equipment: All participants will be receiving a team jersey. This is to be worn for games along with shorts, socks and sneakers. We recommend they wear navy blue shorts. Children receiving jerseys that are sleeveless that choose to wear a t-shirt underneath must have the same color t-shirt as the jersey. Socks and sneakers must also be worn. We will not tolerate any ripped clothing, armbands, headbands or the like. For practices, your game jersey, shorts/sweats, socks and sneakers are required. Sneakers are mandatory – no street shoes, loafers, heelys or platform sneakers. We highly suggest having a reasonable pair of sneakers made for basketball. Sneakers like slip on boat shoes are not made to take the abuse basketball puts on your ankles and feet and could cause injury. Do not wear/bring jewelry, watches, etc. to games or practices. We are not responsible for them being lost or stolen and they are not allowed on the court. No earrings – PLEASE.
A water bottle is allowed – but NO COOLERS OR SPORTS DRINKS. You may bring your own basketball to practice but please make sure it is clearly marked with your name and phone number. We are not responsible if you lose it. Other balls will be provided by the league so please don’t think you have to have your own. If you do choose to have your own ball, there are different sizes for different grades:
Girls, grades 3 and 4 and boys, grades 3 and 4 use a junior size ball which is 27.5 inches in circumference.
Girls, grades 5 – 8 and boy’s grade 5 use a standard women’s size ball which is 28.5 or an official WNBA ball.
Boys, grades 6 – 12 use an official men’s size ball which is 29.5 – 30.0 or an official NBA ball.
Transportation: Children enrolled in the program should be dropped off NO EARLIER than 5 minutes prior to their scheduled practice or game time and must be picked up IMMEDIATELY after their practice or game. Consistent lateness in either dropping off or picking up is cause for dismissal from the program. The police will be notified of children left unsupervised for long periods of time. The coaches and the staff will be responsible for your child that is registered for the program during the time they are required to be in attendance only. Siblings, friends and/or neighborhood children are not to be left with the child participating in the program. This is cause for immediate dismissal from the program. Please do not ask. Children in grades 3 – 8 can not be dropped off to watch friends play games as we ask that they be supervised at all times.
Gymnasium Rules: There is no eating of any kind of food at any time as well as no drinking of any items at any time. This includes but is not limited to COFFEE, danish, donuts, soda, juice, cookies, fruit and the like. Water fountains are available for spectators in the gymnasium vicinity. Water bottles are allowed for participants only. Do not be offended if our staff does not allow you into the gymnasium or asks you to leave.
We ask that parents who bring children to the program to watch the participant and are not participating to monitor them and keep them in control at all times. This is not the job of the staff or the coaches. Children are not to be running in the hallways, around the gym, jumping on mats or found loose in the parking lots or on stages. Parents who do choose not to supervise their children will be expelled from the gymnasium and their child could be dismissed from the program if the situation warrants. Do not be offended if our staff speaks with you about your unsupervised children.
There are no animals or pets of any kind allowed in the school facilities at any time.
During inclement weather, muddy shoes and boots will not be allowed in the gym. It is best if the participants carry their sneakers with them into the school and then change their footwear. Parents and spectators must also take note of this policy and abide accordingly.
Everyone must pick up after themselves. The staff and the coaches are not personal attendants for everyone. There is no lost and found so any items that are left behind will be thrown out.
The youth basketball program is limited to the gymnasium only and the closest bathrooms and water fountains. No one is to be roaming the school hallways, in classrooms or the cafeteria. Do not be offended if our staff tells you to leave a place you should not be. Parents and spectators are expected to show sportsmanship at all times by demonstrating positive behavior and support for all players, coaches and officials. If anyone chooses not to, they will be asked to leave the facility immediately and will be expelled from the program. We will not tolerate any verbal or physical abuse towards coaches, officials, players, staff or other parents and spectators. Please read the Parent’s Code of Ethics at the end of this manual. This is the same one you have signed at registration. Please abide by it. We do take this seriously.
Complaint Procedures: If a parent encounters a problem with their child participating in the youth basketball program, please contact your appropriate league commissioner in writing stating your complaint. Make sure you include your child’s name, grade and team he/she is playing on. Once received, the commissioner will review and take the necessary steps to resolve any problems. The following is a list of board members. You may address them at WestportParksand Recreation, Youth Basketball Program, 260 South Compo Road, Westport, CT06880or email them at their address. Names of league commissioners and emails are listed below.
Unacceptable Behavior: Any child exhibiting poor and/or unacceptable behavior consistently will be dismissed from the program with no refund. Discipline problems will not be tolerated. All children are expected to respect the staff, coaches and anyone involved in the youth basketball program.
WHAT WE EXPECT OF OUR PARENTS • Respect the youth sports environment
• Make only positive, encouraging comments to all
• Never criticize a child for making a mistake
• Respect the officials
• Focus on the fun and participation, not winning
• Control emotions
• Get interested in your child’s sport
• Learn the rules of the sport
• Never undermine team morale
• Participate in team activities
• Discuss any concerns away from the players and in particular, the child
• Seek feedback from your child on whether they are having fun or not, and if not, why?
• Make every effort to get the child to practice and games on time
• Refrain from tobacco, drugs and alcohol at all youth basketball events All parents should attend the mandatory parent’s meeting for their child’s team when it is formed. Coaches will contact you to let you know.
PARENT’S CODE OF ETHICS I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement for my child participating in youth basketball by following this Parent’s Code of Ethics Pledge:
• I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches and officials at every game, practice or other youth basketball event.
• I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of a personal desire to win.
• I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.
• I will support coaches and officials working with my child in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
*I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free of drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all youth basketball events.
• I will remember that the game is for youth – not for adults.
• I will do my very best to make the youth basketball program fun for my child.
• I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.
• I promise to help my child enjoy the youth basketball experience by doing whatever I can such as being a respectful fan or assisting with coaching.
• I will require that my child’s coach be trained in the responsibilities of being a youth basketball coach and that the coach upholds the Coaches’ Code of Ethics.
WHAT WE EXPECT OF OUR PARTICIPANTS: The following is a list of responsibilities that the WestportParksand Recreation Department has developed for the participants to adhere to: Players will listen to their coaches and be respectful of their elders. Players will take care of the facilities, equipment, and uniforms, which they are given. Players will make sure to eat the right foods and drink plenty of water before and after practices and games. Players will avoid all types of taunting and belittling remarks to their teammates or opponents. Players will show good sportsmanship at all times, win or lose. Players will not make sports a priority over schoolwork or family. Players will refrain from horseplay and all other dangerous activities, in which they may become hurt. Players will participate for the love of the game and competition and not to win at all costs.
PLAYER'S CODE OF ETHICS I hereby pledge to be positive about my youth sports experience and accept responsibility for my participation by following this Players’ Code of Ethics Pledge:
• I will encourage good sportsmanship from fellow players, coaches, officials and parents at every game and practice by demonstrating good sportsmanship.
• I will attend every practice and game that I can, and will notify my coach if I cannot.
• I will expect to receive a fair and equal amount of playing time.
• I will do my very best to listen and learn from my coaches.
• I will treat my coaches, other players, officials and fans with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or abilities and I will expect to be treated accordingly.
• I deserve to have fun during my sports experience and will alert parents or coaches if it stops being fun!
• I deserve to play in an environment that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and expect adults to refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
• I will encourage my parents to be involved with my team in some capacity because it’s important to me.
• I will do my very best in school.
• I will remember that sports are an opportunity to learn and have fun. We ask that you review this manual carefully with your child and help them understand our youth basketball program.
