GYM TIMES: WEBL Recreation Teams
Due to year over year variances in gym allocations from the local school boards and availability of coaches on particular evenings, practices on a specific week nights are not guaranteed.
ACCOMMODATION OF SPECIAL REQUESTS: WEBL Recreation Teams
Our efforts to balance team numbers and ability levels, means the GBA cannot commit to placing your child on a team practicing on a specific evening (or location). In the event that schedules conflict, a refund can be provided (see Refund Policy).
Please understand that GBA teams practice in gyms in Stittsville, Richmond, Munster, and Kanata. As well, the GBA House League is a member of the West End Basketball League (WEBL), and as such, games for many age groups will be scheduled to take place from Osgoode to Carleton Place/Almonte, and locations in between.
While accommodating special requests can be a significant advantage to a few, the negative impact on many has unfortunately been a serious problem for GBA players and teams in the past, to say nothing of the huge amount of time spent by volunteers attempting to facilitate changes.
The objectives of the GBA House League program are to provide an opportunity for children to learn and play basketball in a positive and supportive environment where they can grow, both as players and as people. After much discussion and review of practices of other sports associations in the area, the GBA executive reached several conclusions...
- Mixing players on house league teams each season provides a positive opportunity for players to build new relationships.
- Making best efforts to set balanced house league teams affords all teams a level opportunity for success every season.
- While many children participate in basketball alongside other activities, when schedules conflict, the GBA will not be able to accommodate special requests that impact team roster shuffles and trades. Last minute shuffles and trades cause significant disruption to other players and teams. In many cases this has also prevented setting balanced house league teams.
- Any player wishing to play up in the next older age group must be evaluated and deemed capable of playing in the top third of the older age group. In rare circumstances, playing up may be considered to balance team numbers, but even this will be avoided whenever possible.
GBA volunteers support a safe and fun environment where players can develop strong athletic and teamwork skills in the game of basketball. It is our expectation that these changes will improve the overall program, but unfortunately may have a negative impact on those who suffer from scheduling conflicts. Refunds will be offered to those who cannot be accommodated. Please direct refund requests to the Director of Membership after reviewing the information pertaining to Refund Policy.
