Basketball Registration for the 2024-25 Season

Participants born in 2018 and 2019 fall into this category, tailored for players seeking instruction within a more nurturing and less competitive atmosphere. This mixed-gender program aims to lay the foundational skills at the most elementary level, smoothing the pathway towards competitive play. To accommodate the developmental stages of our young athletes, a smaller and lighter ball is utilized, enhancing confidence in passing and catching abilities. Recognizing that many participants are still mastering the skill of achieving the basket's height under pressure, this adjustment ensures a supportive learning environment. Sessions are conveniently scheduled for Saturdays, making it easier for families to participate in this developmental journey.

Fee: $240 + $13 (ABA Fee) + $9 (CB Fee)
*ABA - Alberta Basketball Association and CB - Canada Basketball

Young athletes born in 2016 and 2017 are perfectly suited for our Under-9 (U9) program, a coeducational initiative designed to nurture budding talent. Each week, players convene in St. Albert for a vibrant, 60-minute session dedicated to skill enhancement. The highlight of our program is the end of season tournament, offering our teams the opportunity to showcase their growth against peers from across Edmonton.

Our approach emphasizes the dual goals of skill advancement and enjoyment, incorporating both practice drills and small-scale games tailored to engage and inspire. At the season's start, each player is provided with a jersey and a ball—which they get to keep. To accommodate busy family schedules, these sessions are conveniently scheduled for Saturdays.

Fee: $325 + $13 (ABA Fee) + $9 (CB Fee)
*ABA - Alberta Basketball Association and CB - Canada Basketball

The U11 category is for players born between 2014 and 2015. These young athletes engage in weekly games on Saturdays and also have a practice session once a week in a gym located in St. Albert. The games have been tailored to suit their age group, featuring four-on-four matchups on baskets that are 8.5 feet tall. The structure of U11 games include two halves, each lasting 21 minutes with a running clock, and a 3-minute half time intermission. However, there's a unique rule for the game's final three minutes, where the head coach has the discretion to choose any four eligible players from the roster to participate in this final shift, which operates on stop time. During this period, players can be substituted at any pause in the game.

Games are typically played in the Saville Community Sports Centre or at a school gym in and/or around the City of Edmonton.

Fee: $440 + $18 (ABA Fee) + $9 (CB Fee)
*ABA - Alberta Basketball Association and CB - Canada Basketball

For players born in 2012 and 2013, the U13 division features Saturday games and weekly practice sessions in a St. Albert gym. Games are five-on-five, consisting of four nine-minute quarters with stop time. Players get a three-minute halftime break and one-minute breaks between quarters. Evaluation sessions for both U13 and U15 divisions start in late August to form teams based on skill level, allowing for competitive play against similar teams from Edmonton and nearby areas.

Games are played at the Saville Community Sports Centre, the EYBA Centre, Legacy Athletics, Buckets Basketball School, or local school gyms around Edmonton. 

Fee: $520 + $18 (ABA Fee) + $9 (CB Fee)
*Additional fees may apply.
*ABA - Alberta Basketball Association and CB - Canada Basketball

For details on extra fees and the organization of Tier 1 and 2 teams, please see the information provided in the sections below.

Tier 1/2 Teams for U13 and U15
Player selections will be made post-tryouts held in late August/early September, choosing the top 10-12 players. Specific details about the tryouts, including dates, times, and venues, will be available on the SLAM website by early to mid-August. Players making these teams will compete in the EYBA Tier 1/2 divisions.

Tier 1/2 Division Schedules
- Girls' Teams: Games are generally scheduled on weeknights, usually Wednesdays, accompanied by practice sessions once or twice a week in a St. Albert gym.
- Boys' Teams: Games typically occur on weeknights, often on Tuesdays, with one or two weekly practices also held in a St. Albert gym.

Additional Fees and Expenses
Players selected for Tier 1 or Tier 2 teams will incur an additional $35 fee, automatically charged to the registered credit card. Additionally, there could be further expenses for team gear, equipment, and activities such as skills camps and tournaments. The coaching team will determine these costs, taking into account feedback from parents to ensure all considerations are addressed.

Please ensure your payment information is current to streamline the registration process and manage any additional fees for these exciting opportunities.

For players born in 2010 and 2011, the U15 division features Saturday games and weekly practice sessions in a St. Albert gym. Games are five-on-five, consisting of four nine-minute quarters with stop time. Players get a three-minute halftime break and one-minute breaks between quarters. Evaluation sessions for both U13 and U15 divisions start in late August to form teams based on skill level, allowing for competitive play against similar teams from Edmonton and nearby areas.

Games are played at the Saville Community Sports Centre, the EYBA Centre, Legacy Athletics, Buckets Basketball School, or local school gyms around Edmonton.

Fee: $520 + $18 (ABA Fee) + $9 (CB Fee)
*Additional fees may apply.
*ABA - Alberta Basketball Association and CB - Canada Basketball

For details on extra fees and the organization of Tier 1 and 2 teams, please see the information provided in the sections below.

Tier 1/2 Teams for U13 and U15
Player selections will be made post-tryouts held in late August/early September, choosing the top 10-12 players. Specific details about the tryouts, including dates, times, and venues, will be available on the SLAM website by early to mid-August. Players making these teams will compete in the EYBA Tier 1/2 divisions.

Tier 1/2 Division Schedules
- Girls' Teams: Games are generally scheduled on weeknights, usually Wednesdays, accompanied by practice sessions once or twice a week in a St. Albert gym.
- Boys' Teams: Games typically occur on weeknights, often on Tuesdays, with one or two weekly practices also held in a St. Albert gym.

Additional Fees and Expenses
Players selected for Tier 1 or Tier 2 teams will incur an additional $35 fee, automatically charged to the registered credit card. Additionally, there could be further expenses for team gear, equipment, and activities such as skills camps and tournaments. The coaching team will determine these costs, taking into account feedback from parents to ensure all considerations are addressed.

Please ensure your payment information is current to streamline the registration process and manage any additional fees for these exciting opportunities.

Players born in 2007 - 2009 belong in this category. The U18s play once, sometimes twice a week (Friday, Saturday and/or some Sundays) and practice once a week in a gym in St. Albert. There are two separate seasons for the U18 age category. The first season is the Fall League, which runs from September to November. The second season is the Winter League, which runs from January to March.

Please note players participating on any high school basketball team (Jr or Sr. levels), are not eligible to play in the Winter League due to Alberta Schools Athletic Association rules that states “To be eligible for high school provincial competition in the ASAA sports of basketball, volleyball, football, cheerleading, team handball and rugby, a high school student is not permitted to play on a non-school team in the same sport during the same season.”

Games are typically played in the Saville Community Sports Centre, the EYBA Centre, Legacy Athletics, Buckets Basketball School or at a school gym in and/or around the City of Edmonton.

Fee: $280 +$18 (ABA Fee) + $9 (CB Fee)
*ABA - Alberta Basketball Association and CB - Canada Basketball

New Fee Structure and Exciting Initiatives for 2024-2025

Alberta Basketball and Canada Basketball are committed to providing exceptional basketball programs that encourage growth, development, and enjoyment of the game. All registered participants benefit from a variety of supports designed to nurture a love for basketball.

Starting this year, the registration fees will be itemized differently. Canada Basketball's fee has increased to $9.00 for the 2024-2025 season, and the ABA fee has also seen a modest increase. For better transparency, these fees are now listed separately. This change supports several new initiatives, including:

·      Creating an ABA Coaches Community to enhance coaching development and expand NCCP capacity.
·      Supporting member clubs and organizations with competition and player development initiatives.
·      Increasing recognition of ABA members' achievements.
·      Launching the ABA Blue Whistle Program for new officials this fall.

We are thrilled about the upcoming opportunities in the 2024-2025 membership year, including:

·      The 50th Anniversary Celebration
·      The inaugural ABA Hall of Fame inductions
·      2025 Alberta Summer Games
·      2025 Canada Summer Games
·      2025 Youth Provincials
·      2025 ABA Club Invitational Championship

Join us as we embark on another exciting year of basketball!

All participants in the U11 to U18 basketball programs must have the following items, clearly labeled for identification:

• Indoor basketball shoes with non-marking soles.
• Appropriately sized basketball (see below for details)
• Basketball socks/athletic socks.
• A clearly marked water bottle.
• It is advisable to have a bag to keep a player's gear organized for games and practices.
• Basketball shorts are required attire (black with no pockets preferred).

Team jerseys will be issued for the season's duration and must be returned afterward. It's important to note that failure to return the SLAM jersey will result in ineligibility to register for the subsequent season. If a player does not participate the following year and fails to return their jersey, the credit card on record will be charged accordingly.

SLAM branded merchandise will be on sale for a limited time early in the season.

The basketball size varies by age group:

Size 5 (27.5 inches) for U7, U9, and U11 Boys and Girls.

Size 6 (28.5 inches) for U13 Boys and Girls, U15 Girls, and U18 Girls.

Size 7 (29.5 inches) for U15 Boys and U18 Boys

Season Overview:
Late August/early September marks the evaluation period for the U13 and U15 categories, including the Tier 1/2 levels. During this time, players will be assessed and grouped into teams that reflect their skill levels, allowing for competitive play against equally matched teams from other communities.

Season Schedule:
Teams ranging from U11 to U18 will engage in the EYBA league from October through February, with a focus on skill development and enjoyment of the game.
Come February, city-wide playoffs will commence, setting the stage for the highest-performing teams to qualify for the ABA Provincials taking place in March.

Practice Times:
Practice times for the U11 to U18 groups will be individually assigned and are expected to fall between 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm from Monday to Friday. The scheduling gives preference to the coaches' availability, with younger participants generally practicing earlier and older ones later.

Tier 1/2 Details (U13 and U15):
Should a Tier 1/2 team be formed for EYBA competition, the selection of the top 10-12 athletes will be based on the late-August/early September tryouts. Keep an eye on the SLAM website for the exact dates, times, and venues of these tryouts, which will be announced between early to mid-August. Selected players will then join the EYBA's U13 and U15 Tier 1 or 2 divisions.

Further updates on practice schedules and the structure of divisional play will be provided as they become available.