The Madison Youth Basketball Association (MYBA) will be conducting tryouts for the 2010-2011 Travel Teams in late September - early October. Please see the Documents Page under the MYBA Tab for the specific Tryout schedule for your grade, and the MYBA Registration Form (mandatory). Participating on a travel team can be a fun and rewarding experience. Players and parents considering the travel teams must recognize that they are making a significant time commitment to the program. Travel team practices begin in mid-October and will be held throughout the basketball season. There will be games on Saturdays and Sundays beginning in November and running through March.
PLEASE NOTE: In 2010-2011, our Girl’s Travel Teams (Girl’s grades 5, 6, 7, 8) will participate in the Shoreline League. The Shoreline schedule will comprise roughly 14 games that are played on Sundays. Samplings of towns that make up the Shoreline League include East Haven, Branford, Guilford, Clinton, West Haven, and Old Saybrook. Teams will also play additional games on Saturdays when available. Some teams may also elect to obtain a full Saturday schedule through entrance into other leagues (such as the Fairfield County Basketball League). These decisions will be up to each team, with the approval of the MYBA Board.
The Boy’s Travel Teams (Boys Grades 4, 5. 6, 7, 8) will also participate in the Shoreline League. Boys Shoreline teams play a league schedule comprising roughly 14 games on Sundays, plus additional friendly games on Saturdays when available. Some teams may also elect to obtain a full Saturday schedule through entrance into other leagues (such as the Fairfield County Basketball League). These decisions will be up to each team, with the approval of the MYBA Board.
All travel teams also typically enter in-season and/or post-season tournaments in other Towns. These games are in addition to the regular league schedules. Most travel teams (other than the younger grades) typically play between 25-35 games per season, including tournaments.
It is anticipated that MYBA will support boys teams in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade. Some of these grades have been able to support two (2) teams per grade in the past. MYBA will evaluate the number and talent-level of players at tryouts each year before determining whether or not to support two (2) teams in any grade. On the girls side, it is anticipated that MYBA will support teams at the 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade levels. Again, second teams MAY be permitted if player numbers and talent warrant a second team.
Rosters are small and the frequent absence of a player from practices and games is detrimental to the program. If a player develops an absenteeism problem or does not abide by published team rules, he/she may be dismissed from the squad. Team rosters will be between 10-15 players per team. However, most teams carry 12 players or less. Finally, all travel team games are played at a very competitive level. Playing time is earned in practice and awarded based on performance, attitude and effort. Be advised, the travel teams are not obligated to “equal playing time”. However, each coach is required to play each player a minimum of eight (8) minutes (or 1/4 of game if quarters are less than 8 minutes) for all games. This requirement assumes that each player abides by published team rules. If selected to a MYBA Travel Basketball team each player may only play for that MYBA team during the season, as well as an inter-scholastic based team. If a MYBA player plays for a non-MYBA team, other than the school team, then that player will not be allowed to play for the remainder of the current season. To be eligible for MYBA teams, the player must be a Madison resident, have the written consent of a parent or guardian, and try out for the appropriate travel team. There will be no exceptions.
If selected, the fee to participate is expected to approximate $225.00 per player for 2010-2011. Players will also be required to purchase a uniform. The uniform cost will be approximately $75.00. However, uniforms should last through more than one season, provided the child does not grow out of it. Payment details will be provided to the players who are selected for the travel teams. All payments are due by October 31. Please be fair to your child and your family as you consider this opportunity.
