This program provides the opportunity to learn fundamental basketball skills. All participants are given the opportunity to play equal amounts during games. The hoop heights and basketball sizes change as the players become older, which allow for easier progression. Teams will practice once during the week and play a game on Saturday’s.
League Info
Non-competitive recreational and instructional basketball league.
All leagues are formed by the grade of the player, not the age with the exception of the
4 & 5 year old Lil Jammers.
Your child must turn 4 years in the year of the league.
1st- 6th grade teams are formed based on their ASD Neighborhood School.
7th & 8th grade teams are formed by the Anchorage School District Middle School they are zoned for.
Physicals and birth certificates not required for participation in this league.
Practice Schedule
Practices begin the week of October 1st. Every team will have 3 practices prior to their first game. One scheduled practice during the week, 1 1/2 hours long. Coaches will contact you about your practice time and location after the coaches meeting, September. (tentative)
Lil’ Jammers practices and games are Saturdays only, Practices are prior to their Saturday scheduled games.
Game Schedule
8 Game Season, all games played on Saturday’s
No games on the Saturday after Thanksgiving
Special Requests
We try to honor all special requests. Because of the pure volume of requests, some things may not be possible but we’ll try!! Due to a recreational philosophy, there will be no coaching or player requests allowed in any 3rd-8th grade leagues. Lil Jammer’s, 1st & 2nd grade players will still have the freedom of coaching and player requests.
Uniform & Gear
All players will receive a game T-shirt, basketball, and basketball medal to keep at the end of the season.
Financial Assistance Policy
A limited number of financial assistance is available for all YMCA programs and membership. For financial assistance please email the youth sports dept. at: [email protected] or leave voice mail with the sports department and we will return your call. You cannot register to play until notified regarding your assistance and the amount given. The YMCA Sports Office will contact financial assistance candidates upon requests.
Registration
Registration starts July 1st at the YMCA or register on-line here. You must have your Member ID # to register on line. Please call if you need assistance. All Registration ends on Saturday, Sept 21st at 5:00 p.m. and all players registered after this time will be placed on a waiting list, they will be put on a team as space available.
There is a non refundable program registration fee of $25.00.
There will be 2 practices before the 1st game
Available Divisions: Click here to register your child for any of the below levels.
Lil Jammers
Girls & Boys Ages 4/5 and Kindergarten
Lady Dribblers
Girls Grades 1st – 8th
Jr. Wolves
Boys Grades 1st – 8th
Location(s): Games and practices take place at various gyms in the Anchorage area for additional information, please call the YMCA at 907-406-7957.
Youth Sports Office Hours (During Basketball Season)
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 5:30 PM to 8:15 PM
Saturday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Scores can be found on www.quickscores.com
For More Information
Contact the Youth Sports Office
E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: 907-406-7957
We are always in need of great Officials for our youth and adult basketball leagues. This is a great way to earn some extra cash and be part of something in your community. All trainings are FREE and we provide lots of great training materials and on court training. We’re looking for new and experienced officials. If interested, please call our YMCA 907-406-7957.
VOLUNTEER COACHES
WE NEED YOU!!!
Volunteers are vital to the YMCA, without them, we wouldn’t be able to meet the needs of the kids, families, and adults who live in the Anchorage community. Annually we have over 800 children in basketball who need you and appreciate your time & talent given. We have a need to fill over 100 coaching positions every season. Thank you for considering the YMCA as a place to donate your precious time, please take a few minutes to give us some information on line or in person about yourself. READ MORE
Would You Like to Coach a Youth Basketball Team This Year? Email us for an application.
When will I hear from my child's coach?
The coach’s meeting is scheduled for the LAST Saturday in SEPTEMBER 24, 2022.
YMCA Coaches will receive their team rosters, basketball information, schedules, etc at the coach’s meeting. All team rosters will have their player’s contact information. We ask all coaches to contact their players that weekend. If you haven’t heard from your coach BY THURSDAY, SEPT 29 following the coach’s meeting, please contact the YMCA Front Desk or email the Sport’s Department. Remember, your contact information is only as good as what we have in our current database. Please make sure we have all current and updated contact information in our YMCA database. Every team will have the option of two practices, after the coach’s meeting, before their first official YMCA game, October 8.
What is the best way to get ahold of the sports department?
Our YMCA sports department is staffed on a part time basis only. During the season, the sports office is staffed after 6 pm during some weeknights and beginning at 8 am on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays. E-mail is usually checked on a daily basis throughout the season. We recommend that e-mail be used as your first option to contact the Sport’s Department.
NEW E-Mail: [email protected]
Sports Message # 907-406-7957
What type of equipment does my child need?
Every participant will receive a basketball and official YMCA basketball jersey. Basketballs will be available at the first official practice from the coach. Jerseys will be distributed at the first official game. Participants will need a good pair of gym shoes or basketball shoes, as well as their own shorts or sweats.
What days/times/location will practice be?
Practice times and locations are at the discretion of the volunteer coach, as well as the neighborhood location of the participants. All practices begin after 6:00 pm during the weekdays. Specific days are decided by availability of the gym, location, and coach. Locations can also depend on what is allocated to the YMCA by the Anchorage School District Rentals Department. All younger teams usually have the 6 to 7:30 slots during the weekdays for practices. All teams that are in grades first or higher will have one weeknight practice during the week. All preschool and kindergarten practices and games will be on Saturdays only. All games are scheduled to play on Saturdays only. Game locations will be at a consistent location every Saturday. Game times will vary depending on the league and number of teams. Games usually begin at 9:00 am on Saturdays and run on the hour throughout the day.
Is there a league for my preschool/kindergartner?
Preschool and Kindergarten Leagues will be Co-ed. To be eligible for the Preschool league, your child must turn 4 by December 31, 2022.
What do we do if we can't make the scheduled practice night?
Due to many variables and logistics, practice locations, nights, and times can be very challenging. If for some reason your practice situation doesn’t work for your child, please contact the YMCA Sports Department.
Why can't I request a certain coach or team for grades 3-8th?
Due to a recreational philosophy and league, neighborhood Anchorage School District schools are used to form teams. The convenience of being able to practice in your area of town is very helpful for families. One of the main purposes of the recreational league is to promote skill and fundamental building throughout the various leagues, without a threatening environment. With the exception of the Middle school leagues, game scores or end of the season tournaments are obsolete. The focus of the games are not winning or losing. This philosophy has created more parity in the various teams and leagues.
In addition, coaches also may not bring in their own rosters, stacked teams, all star teams, etc in the recreational league. Our main goal is to give every participant an opportunity to enjoy the sport of basketball, within a comfortable nonthreatening environment.
My child is in another program, will basketball work?
We always suggest that everyone sign their child up for the program. Once you receive your basketball schedule for the season, families can decide if the basketball schedule will work out with the various programs and commitments your child is involved in outside of basketball. Once registration is over, everyone that registers afterwards is placed on a waitlist.
The waitlist is serviced on an open space or as needed basis only.
Who is responsible for registration?
Only parents or legal guardians are allowed to register a child for basketball. Anyone that is not the legal parent or guardian will not be allowed to register a participant for sports. Our organization has had to deal with too many issues due to the fact that family members or friends have committed certain families or participants and do not follow through with the commitments and financial obligations. Not to mention the legal issues that have occurred between two parent households.
Is financial assistance available for my child to participate?
YES, we offer various financial assistance for families that need the help and qualify.
We will never turn a family away due to financial hardship. We can definitely accommodate in various ways.
Please email us at [email protected] to apply for financial assistance, BEFORE registering for youth sports activities.