We are guided by Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, which identifies ages 8-12 (the Learn to Train stage) as a critical period for building sport fundamentals, confidence, and enjoyment. At this stage, LTAD encourages grouping athletes by developmental stage and readiness — not age alone — to better support their growth.
“To maintain focus on the key idea that development is a process that takes time, and that sport and physical activity should look very different, based on the individual’s stage of development.”
— LTD 3.0, p. 6
Not for U11 athletes — but they are strongly encouraged. Evaluations help us understand where each child is at developmentally so we can place them on a team where they’ll grow, feel confident, and enjoy the game. They’re especially important for athletes who want to be considered for a more competitive team. It’s also how we know your child is interested in the competitive stream, which allows us to plan developmentally appropriate opportunities — consistent with the LTAD model of grouping by readiness, not just age.
This approach isn’t unique to SLAM — most zones across Alberta now hold ID camps for U11 athletes. We’re aligning with how youth basketball is structured province-wide.
While mixed-level play can work in some settings, research shows that grouping by developmental readiness — especially at this stage — allows coaches to create practices that better fit their team’s needs. It reduces frustration for newer players and keeps more advanced players engaged, while giving every child a chance to shine.
Yes—we highly recommend it. Evaluations give your child a fair opportunity to be placed where they’ll thrive, and help us create balanced teams. We understand that any form of assessment can raise questions, but evaluations are not about cutting kids—they’re about giving every athlete the best chance to succeed, no matter their current skill level.
Our U11 evaluations are not formal tryouts with cuts. They are development-focused assessments that align with LTAD recommendations. LTAD supports placing athletes in environments where they can be challenged appropriately, develop their skills, and have fun.
Grouping athletes by skill level at this stage is a tool for development, not judgment.
We understand friendships are important, especially at this age. We try to balance development with fun and familiarity. But when kids are grouped by skill, they tend to enjoy the game more, gain confidence, and improve faster—so that basketball stays fun for the long run.
That’s completely okay. Coaches look at more than just a moment. We consider:
Effort and attitude
Coachability
Potential and athletic foundation
Past feedback (from SLAM coaches where available)
Evaluations are one piece of the puzzle—not the whole picture.
Never. Every child who registers will be placed on a team. No one is cut. Evaluations help us find the best fit for each athlete—so they can grow, enjoy the game, and build confidence.
Not at all. Kids develop at different rates. Just because they’re not in the highest tier now doesn’t mean they won’t be in the future. Many of our strongest SLAM players today started on lower-tier teams and rose up thanks to hard work and the right mindset.
No. Our goal is to develop all athletes. Evaluations are not about labelling players—they are about placing them where they’ll be successful now, while keeping the door open for growth later. We are a community-based, not-for-profit program, and we remain committed to inclusion, development, and affordability.
Bring:
Gym clothes and non-marking shoes
A size 5 basketball (U11 standard)
A water bottle (covered only, no open containers)
A positive attitude and best effort!
Athletes will be assigned a number at check-in.
Evaluations will take place in late August or early September. Final dates and times will be shared via social media, our website and email once closer to tryouts.
Team placements will be sent by email shortly after evaluations. Coaches will then contact families with season details and schedules.
Because keeping kids — especially girls — in sport matters. Studies show that girls are more likely to drop out of sport earlier than boys, often due to feeling excluded, discouraged, or left behind. We want to prevent that.
Our evaluations are designed to place each athlete in a group where they can feel successful, contribute, and improve. When a player is placed on a team with others at a similar skill level, it helps build confidence and enjoyment. But if they’re surrounded by much stronger players — or regularly losing by a large margin — it becomes frustrating and less fun. That’s when kids start to check out.
“1 in 3 girls drop out of sport during adolescence, compared to 1 in 10 boys.”
— Canadian Women & Sport
By using evaluations to guide team placement, we create a more balanced, positive experience — one that supports development, confidence, and long-term participation. That’s our goal for every athlete.
At SLAM, our evaluations are not about selecting or cutting athletes. They are about understanding where each athlete is in their development, so we can place them on a team that best supports their growth.
When athletes are grouped with peers of similar developmental readiness, coaches can build more effective practice plans, keep athletes appropriately challenged, and create positive team dynamics where all players can learn and contribute.