Rep Teams
For the 2010/2011 season starting in September, Burlington Skyhawks will be running 17 Rep level basketball teams who will compete in Basketball Ontario sanctioned tournaments in communities across the province. These teams will be coached by some of the best, most experienced basketball coaches in the City of Burlington and focused on the fundamentals of individual and team skill development. The Skyhawks will have teams competing at AAA, AA and A levels in the various Basketball Ontario sanctioned age divisions. See 2010/11 Teams.
The Rep program provides a high level of instruction and development for the athlete with regular twice weekly practices, team selected exhibition games and tournaments.
Skyhawks Midget U14 Girls and Boys teams will also be competing this season in Basketball Ontario’s Halton-Peel League. Others team may have similar opportunity subject to Basketball Ontario plans. See Ontario Basketball League for more details.
COMPETITIVE "REP" TEAM INFORMATION
COMMITMENT
The Skyhawks Rep program is intended for young athletes who are committed to learning and developing their skills and are serious about playing basketball at a competitive level. As a member of a rep team, players and their parents must recognize that participation requires a commitment to teammates and the coaching staff. As such, it is very difficult for athletes to play competitive basketball and another competitive sport in the winter season. Players are expected to put rep basketball ahead of any other rep team community sport. Family, school work/activities and school sports clearly take precedence over Skyhawks basketball.
As Burlington Hoops and its Skyhawk teams are all run by volunteers, parent participation and assistance are expected in one capacity or another. Your Team Manager will oversee the division of volunteer work with your child’s team. Your time and support will be generously rewarded seeing the development and fulfillment of the kids and their teams on and off the court.
TYPICAL SCHEDULE
During the season, teams will practice two times per week for 1.5 hours each. Optional practices may be scheduled at selected times of the year based on the coach’s priorities. Skyhawks teams will then compete in 4 to 7 regional tournaments on weekends plus represent the City in our host Burlington tournament in which teams from across the province participate. The number of tournaments will be determined by the coaching staff, team manager and the parent group. Exhibition games may also be selectively scheduled in on occasional weekdays or weekends.
The tournament season culminates with Basketball Ontario’s Provincial Championships “The Ontario Cup” in March through May depending on the age group.
Tournaments and exhibition games usually take place in south-central Ontario. Some of the older aged teams may travel as far away as Ottawa or Windsor. There may also be opportunities to participate in tournaments in Quebec and in the United States.
HOW LONG IS THE SEASON?
Tryouts begin in mid September. The seasons run as follows:
| Tryouts | Season Start-Up | Season Close | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys and Girls - Novice (U10) to Major Bantam (U14) | Starting Sept 2010 | Mid Oct 2010 | End of March / late April 2011 |
| Girls – Midget (U15) to Junior (U19) | starting Sept 2010 | Dec 2009 – after Halton HS Finals | Weedends of May 1 and May 8, 2011 |
| Boys – Midget (U15) to Junior (U19) | Starting Sept 2009 | Feb 2011 – after Halton HS Finals | Weekends of May 15 and May 29, 2011 |
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The BHBC Board has worked very hard to manage our costs for rep player registration fees while constantly trying to improve the overall value of the program. This year has been particularly challenging for our Board to contain costs in light of the new HST which impacts the club in the areas of gym costs, uniforms and club operating expenses. Fortunately we have found offsetting cost savings and are pleased to announce that player registration fees will remain unchanged from last season.
The 10/11 Skyhawk season fees are as follows:
| Est. Season Length | Player Registration Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| Boys and Girls - Novice (U10) to to Major Bantam (U14) | 22-25 wks | $550.00 |
| Girls - Midget (U15) to Junior (U19) | 18-19 wks | $535.00 |
| Boys - Midget (U15) to Junior (U19) | 15 wks | $490.00 |
The season length which dictates the number of practice gym rentals and the gym size are the two factors that effect program cost differentials.
Player registration fees include home and away uniforms, Basketball Ontario registration fees, insurance coverage, gym rentals, club overhead expenses, coach training and tournament fees for the Skyhawks host event, The Ontario Cup Championships and 2-3 other regional tournaments.
Where the team’s coaches and parents are interested in playing in more tournaments or exhibition games additional fees (possibly up to $150 per player) and / or team fundraising will be required. Travel related expenses (hotels, food, etc) are assumed by each individual player family.
Our goal is to ensure we offer a high-quality program for the development of youth in the city. As a not-for-profit organization, we will continue to do our best to find the right balance between value for money vs. other competitive sports programs with certified, high quality coaches and the long-term sustainability of the club.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the tryout process?
Every player is guaranteed a minimum of two tryouts with a possible third depending on player turnout and the roster selection process. There will be a nominal cost of $20.00 per player to tryout with the Skyhawks which helps to offset the cost of tryout gyms
What if my child can not attend their first scheduled tryout?
If your child cannot attend their first scheduled tryout due to illness, injury or extenuating circumstances please contact our Club Administration (admin@burlingtonskyhawks.ca or 905-966-4667) or the assigned Head Coach to ensure that your child is registered with an expression of interest to play.
While it is critical that the Head Coaches and Player Selection Committees have an opportunity to see all interested players tryout and compete for a spot on the team we also recognize that there may be extraordinary circumstances that may need to be considered for individual players (ex. serious injuries).
How do you evaluate potential Skyhawks players?
All players, at all levels, will be evaluated by the assigned Head Coach and one or two additional, experienced coaches who will form the Skyhawks Player Selection Committee. Players will be evaluated on a combination of basketball skills appropriate to their level, ‘coachability’, attitude, athleticism, desire, effort, and competitiveness assessed through both drills and scrimmages.
Final team player selection is the sole responsibility of the appointed Head Coach.
What is the Skyhawks ‘Import Quota’ and why is it in place?
Last season the Skyhawks were required to implement an ‘import quota’ to comply with the City of Burlington’s Public Recreational Spaces Allocation Policy. As declared in Section 2.4.1 Categorization of Users the City of Burlington has established that all Community Service Organizations (CSO) serving youth under 19 years in City managed facilities must have a minimum of 90% of registered players residing in the City of Burlington. We recognize this policy is very unique to Burlington. And while no other rep basketball clubs in the region deal with these restrictions these are municipal policies and we will comply with them.
The Skyhawks define an ‘Import’ as any player whose principal residence (mailing address) is outside of the City of the Burlington. The ‘import quota’ is the maximum number of ‘import players’ that the Skyhawks can register for a given season to comply with the City’s Facility Use Policy. This number will change each year subject to the programs that are run, the total number of teams that are assembled and the number of players on each team. The maximum number of ‘import players’ will only ever be 10% of total registered Skyhawks (includes rep teams, Steve Nash D-League and Camps).
How is the ‘Import Quota’ implemented?
The ‘import quota’ is governed by the BHBC Board and the Head Coaches. At the tryouts each player will be asked to provide their address which will determine whether a player is a resident or import. Through the course of tryouts each Head Coach will consult with the Board and The Player Selection Committees to assess the distribution of the import quota across the entire program. Our objective will be to ensure that we strategically maximize the assignment of imports where they will ultimately serve the greatest good for the player, team and overall program. We are committed to ensure that decisions are made in a fair, equitable and principled approach.
My son/daughter is not a Burlington resident. In light of the ‘import quota’ regulations is it worth them coming to tryout for the Skyhawks?
Yes, it certainly is.
As a starting point a Skyhawk player tryout is a great experience
for any young, passionate basketball player. It’s a great opportunity
to learn and practice new skills from some of the best coaches in the
region. It’s great exercise, a chance to meet new friends and
have some fun. So we would encourage you not to let an ‘import
quota’ get in the way of your son or daughter trying out for a
Skyhawks team.
When it comes to the administration of the ‘import quota’
for each team we will be clear and transparent on how we are considering
implementing it for each age division. In the cases where we have no
room for ‘imports’ on a given team we will tell you so.
In the cases where we do we will also provide clarity on our estimates.
You can then make decisions that serve your son or daughter best. Please
address the assigned Head Coach or one of our Administrative Staff at
tryouts if it important for you to understand the administration of
the ‘import quota’ for a given team.
If I play high school basketball, do I have time to play rep too?
YES, certainly. The Skyhawks high school age program is designed for athletes with prior competitive basketball experience. Our club and coaches follow a policy that no boys or girls high school age team will start on-court practices until after their respective Halton Basketball finals. Therefore the high-school season transitions directly into the start of the Skyhawks rep season.
Do I have to have competitive basketball experience?
Not at all! Basic skills, athletic ability, an understanding of the game and the desire to learn are all you need to try out.
Is there a guarantee of playing time?
The Skyhawks rep program is a competitive level basketball program of which our experienced coaches are committed to developing every player on the team. Development will come in the form of fundamental skill and team strategy development in practices and playing experience in competition.
Basketball Ontario has specific participation rules at the Novice, Atom and Major Atom levels. In Novice (under 10) the games are structured based upon equal playing time, while in Atom (under 11) and Major Atom (under 12), the games are structured based on equal playing time with free substitution in the last shift of the game.
In all other divisions from Bantam U13 and above, substitution is at the sole discretion of the coach. There is no minimum playing time per game. Our coaches are known for their self-imposed fair play rules and will try to maximize the playing time for all team members. Depending on the caliber and substitution patterns of the opponent and the actual game situation, our coaches will work toward ensuring that your child’s playing time contributes to a positive experience.
Do I need a release form if I came from another club?
Basketball Ontario has eliminated the need for release forms. Players are free to try out for any club or team they desire.
Can my son or daughter change clubs after having registered with a team?
Basketball Ontario has very strict rules about the transfer of athletes after the season start. A player who has signed with, or played two games (refereed by carded officials) with a team, during any basketball season, has joined that team and belongs to that Affiliated Club or Organization for that season.
The spirit and intent of these Guidelines is to encourage commitment and respect between the athletes, their coaches and their Affiliated Club. Once a player has joined a team he/she cannot join another team until September 1st of the following season.
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