The Merritt Youth Basketball Association is hoping to build on the tremendous success of its inaugural season this past winter by offering another 10-week session beginning in September.
The MYBA autumn season will run from the third full week of September through until the final week of November. It will be open to all boys and girls in Grades 4 through 7 (or age equivalent).
The focus of the youth basketball program will once again be skill development, team play, game strategy and the fostering of a fundamental love for the game.
Expert instruction is provided by qualified basketball coaches, with help from interested adults from the community and Merritt Secondary School varsity players.
“We decided to move to the fall so that we can take advantage of an even larger pool of experienced coaches,” MYBA spokesperson Dave Andersen said. “In the winter months, some of those coaching candidates are busy coaching at the high school level and it’s just too much to ask of them to do both.”
Last winter’s 10-week session had over 60 keen participants.
“We were very happy with the turnout and enthusiasm last winter,” Andersen said. “We want to see the program just get bigger and better.”
Grade 4 and 5 boys and girls will see their sessions held on Monday evenings at Collettville Elementary School starting on September 21 and finishing on November 23. If registration numbers are sufficient, a second session may be held on Wednesday each week.
Grade 6 and 7 boys and girls will have their sessions run on Thursday evenings at the former Coquihalla Middle School beginning on September 24 and wrapping up on November 26. Once again, registration numbers may dictate a second session, which would be offered on Mondays.
The specific times of the practices on each of the aforementioned days of the week are still to be determined. Coaches will contact players with the details.
Andersen said that there will be no cap on registration numbers, adding, “We want as many kids as possible involved.”
The cost of registration for the MYBA fall session can’t be beat. It is $50 per player if paid on or before September 14. After that date, the cost rises to $75 per player. The registration fee includes nine 80-minute practices, along with a keeper basketball and a jersey.
“The only reason for a two-tiered price is that we want to encourage early registration so that we know how many jerseys to order,” Andersen said.
Registration for the fall session can be done a multitude of ways:
1. mail-in registration forms will be available at area elementary school offices when school begins in September
2. mail-in registration forms can be obtained by emailing merritt [email protected]
3. registration can be done at McDonalds on September 10 between 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.
4. online registration can be done by searching merritt youth basketball and following the links.
For more information on the Merritt Youth Basketball Association, you can visit their Facebook page.
