_Mahwah Youth Basketball Travel Program
Mahwah Youth Basketball organizes the Mahwah travel basketball program, which is part of the Township of Mahwah Youth Sports Boosters (TMYSB). These are both all-volunteer groups that work with the township of Mahwah to provide an opportunity for youth residents to play basketball in town facilities. A commissioner, an assistant commissioner and several directors head Mahwah Youth Basketball. The organization follows the guidelines of the TMYSB.
General
The Mahwah travel basketball program is designed as a supplement to the Mahwah Youth Basketball recreation program. The goal of the travel program is to increase player skill development in a more competitive environment. Because of the increased competitiveness of travel basketball, the program is intended for players who have a higher level of interest in the sport and are prepared to dedicate more time to the sport for practices and games.
The travel program assembles teams of Mahwah residents, by grade. These teams represent Mahwah against travel teams from other towns. The youngest age group is 3rd grade and the oldest is 8th grade. It is the desire of the program to field as many teams as feasible by age group. The optimum team size is 10 to allow appropriate playing time for everyone. Teams can, however, be different sizes on a case-by-case basis. Also, teams will be placed in a travel league that is appropriate for their assessed skill level as determined by the Mahwah basketball committee.
Player Expectations
Since the travel teams compete against teams outside of Mahwah, competition tends to be stronger and parents should note the following obligations before committing to join a travel team:
Team Selection
The players selected for travel teams are chosen via a tryout in which a player’s skills are evaluated in the areas of dribbling, shooting, passing, rebounding, and defense. Players are evaluated on the core skills independently and the through a series of scrimmages. Tryouts are held in mid October and rosters are posted by November 1st. To allow for a proper evaluation of each player’s skills, the travel program will hold tryouts at a local indoor facility and provide multiple evaluators to assess the player’s skill set. Attendance at BOTH tryout dates is highly recommended.
It is the objective of the Mahwah travel program to provide an open and fair environment for travel team selection. Travel team selections will be made based primarily on performance at the tryouts. Playing on a Mahwah travel team in a prior year doesn't guarantee selection for a travel team in the present year.
Tryout evaluations will be conducted and a committee of several individuals will make team selections. The basketball commissioner will choose all evaluators and team selection decision makers. Avoiding apparent or potential conflicts of interests will be considered in choosing the tryout evaluators and team selection decision-makers. Travel team coaches from the prior year are perceived to have a conflict of interest since their children were likely on the team previously and because the player/coach bond may influence team selection in a subsequent year. Prior year coaches will have the opportunity to provide feedback on each player with regard to level of play, attitude, commitment, motivation, effort and overall teamwork. This feedback will be used as part of the evaluation process. Further, a representative of the TMYSB executive board will review the travel team selection process to ensure the process is appropriate.
Travel Coaches
Travel coaches are chosen after the travel teams are selected. Coaching a travel team in a prior year doesn't guarantee a coaching position in the current year. Individuals who wish to be considered must submit a travel coach application form to the basketball commissioner. There is a deadline for submitting the application which will be posted on the website www.tmysb.org. Instructions and a copy of the application will also be posted. If more than one individual applies for a travel coach position, each applicant will be interviewed by a selection committee. This committee will consist of individuals determined by the basketball commissioner. The committee will have appropriate representation from the executive board of TMYSB. Upon conclusion of the interviews, the selection committee will choose the individual perceived to be the best overall coach, teacher, role model and leader of Mahwah’s youth for basketball. This selection will be made based on the findings in the interview and the coach’s evaluations from prior years, if available. Each head coach will then choose his or her own assistant coaches and submit those assistant coaches to the commissioner for ratification.
After being selected, the travel coach for the upcoming season will meet with the commissioner to agree on objectives for the upcoming season. Coaches will be issued equipment provided by TMYSB and be responsible for that equipment during the season.
Mahwah Youth Basketball believes the experience for the players, coaches and parents will be enhanced with an open dialogue among all individuals. Parents should know that because teams in the travel program play in a more competitive environment, equal playing time isn't guaranteed for all players. Decisions about playing time are made by the coaches. Coaches are expected to provide opportunities for development for all players. If parents or players have concerns or questions about the coaching decisions, they are encouraged to discuss them openly with the coach. If concerns still remain, parents are free to contact the commissioner to discuss the issues. For contact information, see the Mahwah Youth Sports website. If the issue is still unresolved to the parents’ satisfaction, the commissioner will notify the TMYSB vice president of Coaches and Players (CAP) Committee or the Winter Player Agent. See the TMYSB Web site, www.tmysb.org, for contact information of the vice president of CAP.
At or near the conclusion of each travel basketball season, evaluation forms for the travel coaches will be distributed to the parent(s) of each travel team player by a member of the TMYSB executive board, usually the VP CAP. Each parent will receive one form in which to evaluate the head coach and another in which to evaluate the assistant coaches. The VP CAP will organize the evaluations and provide a report to the commissioner along with all noteworthy comments from the parents.
These evaluations help the organization identify areas that worked well for the players and areas that need improvement. Constructive feedback is essential in order to make improvements each year.
Cost
Parents are obligated to pay an additional travel registration fee if their child makes the travel team. The 2020/2021 travel registration fee is $300.
Please note that even though the program will likely incur additional costs due to COVID-19 and safety protocols, we have decided to keep the entry fee the same this year at $300
There is no charge for trying out. In addition, each player is obligated to pay for their own personalized uniform, which will be arranged through the travel director and respective team head coaches. Costs for the uniforms in the past have been $65. Costs, however, are subject to change depending on current prices. Due to increasing costs, financial assistance will NOT be available for the travel basketball program this season.
Leagues
Girls Travel League Information:
North/ West Bergen/ Passaic Girls Basketball League - nwbpgirlsbasketball.org
Boys Travel League Information:
North Jersey Junior Basketball League - njjbl.net
Bergen Travel Basketball League - bergentravelbasketball.com
Registration
If your son or daughter is interested in trying out, please register them on the Blue Sombrero website.
General
The Mahwah travel basketball program is designed as a supplement to the Mahwah Youth Basketball recreation program. The goal of the travel program is to increase player skill development in a more competitive environment. Because of the increased competitiveness of travel basketball, the program is intended for players who have a higher level of interest in the sport and are prepared to dedicate more time to the sport for practices and games.
The travel program assembles teams of Mahwah residents, by grade. These teams represent Mahwah against travel teams from other towns. The youngest age group is 3rd grade and the oldest is 8th grade. It is the desire of the program to field as many teams as feasible by age group. The optimum team size is 10 to allow appropriate playing time for everyone. Teams can, however, be different sizes on a case-by-case basis. Also, teams will be placed in a travel league that is appropriate for their assessed skill level as determined by the Mahwah basketball committee.
Player Expectations
Since the travel teams compete against teams outside of Mahwah, competition tends to be stronger and parents should note the following obligations before committing to join a travel team:
- The travel season begins in October\November and runs through the month of March depending on playoff status.
- Teams will practice and play games several times in one week.
- Although it is expected that families will have other obligations and periodically take vacations, parents should consider that all teams participate in tournaments during the Holiday breaks including Thanksgiving, Christmas and President’s Break.
- It is expected that any player on a travel team will attempt to make most, if not all, practices or games, and if he is unable to make a game or practice will supply advance notice his coach. Although coaches will determine distribution of playing time, it is common practice that playing time is influenced by a player’s attendance at practices and games.
- If a player in the Mahwah travel program plans to play on another team not affiliated with the town, it is expected he/she make the Mahwah team the priority. If that commitment can't be made it's suggested the player not try out for the Mahwah travel program.
Team Selection
The players selected for travel teams are chosen via a tryout in which a player’s skills are evaluated in the areas of dribbling, shooting, passing, rebounding, and defense. Players are evaluated on the core skills independently and the through a series of scrimmages. Tryouts are held in mid October and rosters are posted by November 1st. To allow for a proper evaluation of each player’s skills, the travel program will hold tryouts at a local indoor facility and provide multiple evaluators to assess the player’s skill set. Attendance at BOTH tryout dates is highly recommended.
It is the objective of the Mahwah travel program to provide an open and fair environment for travel team selection. Travel team selections will be made based primarily on performance at the tryouts. Playing on a Mahwah travel team in a prior year doesn't guarantee selection for a travel team in the present year.
Tryout evaluations will be conducted and a committee of several individuals will make team selections. The basketball commissioner will choose all evaluators and team selection decision makers. Avoiding apparent or potential conflicts of interests will be considered in choosing the tryout evaluators and team selection decision-makers. Travel team coaches from the prior year are perceived to have a conflict of interest since their children were likely on the team previously and because the player/coach bond may influence team selection in a subsequent year. Prior year coaches will have the opportunity to provide feedback on each player with regard to level of play, attitude, commitment, motivation, effort and overall teamwork. This feedback will be used as part of the evaluation process. Further, a representative of the TMYSB executive board will review the travel team selection process to ensure the process is appropriate.
Travel Coaches
Travel coaches are chosen after the travel teams are selected. Coaching a travel team in a prior year doesn't guarantee a coaching position in the current year. Individuals who wish to be considered must submit a travel coach application form to the basketball commissioner. There is a deadline for submitting the application which will be posted on the website www.tmysb.org. Instructions and a copy of the application will also be posted. If more than one individual applies for a travel coach position, each applicant will be interviewed by a selection committee. This committee will consist of individuals determined by the basketball commissioner. The committee will have appropriate representation from the executive board of TMYSB. Upon conclusion of the interviews, the selection committee will choose the individual perceived to be the best overall coach, teacher, role model and leader of Mahwah’s youth for basketball. This selection will be made based on the findings in the interview and the coach’s evaluations from prior years, if available. Each head coach will then choose his or her own assistant coaches and submit those assistant coaches to the commissioner for ratification.
After being selected, the travel coach for the upcoming season will meet with the commissioner to agree on objectives for the upcoming season. Coaches will be issued equipment provided by TMYSB and be responsible for that equipment during the season.
Mahwah Youth Basketball believes the experience for the players, coaches and parents will be enhanced with an open dialogue among all individuals. Parents should know that because teams in the travel program play in a more competitive environment, equal playing time isn't guaranteed for all players. Decisions about playing time are made by the coaches. Coaches are expected to provide opportunities for development for all players. If parents or players have concerns or questions about the coaching decisions, they are encouraged to discuss them openly with the coach. If concerns still remain, parents are free to contact the commissioner to discuss the issues. For contact information, see the Mahwah Youth Sports website. If the issue is still unresolved to the parents’ satisfaction, the commissioner will notify the TMYSB vice president of Coaches and Players (CAP) Committee or the Winter Player Agent. See the TMYSB Web site, www.tmysb.org, for contact information of the vice president of CAP.
At or near the conclusion of each travel basketball season, evaluation forms for the travel coaches will be distributed to the parent(s) of each travel team player by a member of the TMYSB executive board, usually the VP CAP. Each parent will receive one form in which to evaluate the head coach and another in which to evaluate the assistant coaches. The VP CAP will organize the evaluations and provide a report to the commissioner along with all noteworthy comments from the parents.
These evaluations help the organization identify areas that worked well for the players and areas that need improvement. Constructive feedback is essential in order to make improvements each year.
Cost
Parents are obligated to pay an additional travel registration fee if their child makes the travel team. The 2020/2021 travel registration fee is $300.
Please note that even though the program will likely incur additional costs due to COVID-19 and safety protocols, we have decided to keep the entry fee the same this year at $300
There is no charge for trying out. In addition, each player is obligated to pay for their own personalized uniform, which will be arranged through the travel director and respective team head coaches. Costs for the uniforms in the past have been $65. Costs, however, are subject to change depending on current prices. Due to increasing costs, financial assistance will NOT be available for the travel basketball program this season.
Leagues
Girls Travel League Information:
North/ West Bergen/ Passaic Girls Basketball League - nwbpgirlsbasketball.org
Boys Travel League Information:
North Jersey Junior Basketball League - njjbl.net
Bergen Travel Basketball League - bergentravelbasketball.com
Registration
If your son or daughter is interested in trying out, please register them on the Blue Sombrero website.