1. What does the registration fee include?
The registration fee includes registration fees for Calgary Minor Basketball, insurance under Basketball Alberta and Calgary Minor Basketball, uniform and equipment (use and replacement costs), practice gym rental, and coach training and player development subsidy. Your registration fees also help to cover costs of administration wages, board insurance, and those associated with the running of an association. Your registration does not include personal equipment such as shoes, mouth guards, athletic braces, team gear (hoodies, track pants etc), or individual training or additional gym time in excess of that allotted your team.
2. When does registration open?
Registration usually opens around June 1st on a "first come-first placed" system. Up to the first 10-12 players registered are guaranteed a team placement. Early registration is open until June 30th. Registration will remain open until rosters are adequate sizes and/or frozen by Calgary Minor Association roster deadline.
3. Is there a late charge if I register after June 30th?
Anyone who registers after June 30th pays the regular, board voted rate for that year. There is an early registration discount (amount varies per program) per registration for those who register prior to June 30. Fees are not prorated for those who register after commencement of evaluations/practices or games.
4. Can I get my registration fee back if my child withdraws?
Players who wish to withdraw must contact the CMBA administrative assistant, copying the association president and/or registrar, directly in writing (i.e. email) prior to evaluations, or September 3rd, which every occurs first. Players who withdraw prior to September 3rd, or evaluations, will receive a full refund minus a $50 administration fee. After September 3rd/start of evaluations, no refunds will be issued, unless accompanied by a medical note.Due to the abbreviated season, U18 players are required to pay registration fees prior to evaluations and no refunds will be issued after commencement of evaluations.
U15 players who are confident they will make their High School team are strongly encouraged to play U18 that has two separate seasons which accommodate ASAA rules and dates.
Should no spots become available for a player who is on a wait list, a full refund will be issued. U18 winter sessions for CoMBA will be determined on demand each winter.
Other withdrawals with special circumstances (e.g. medical issues) are dealt with on an individual basis.
5. Why does basketball registration start so early?
It is Cochrane Minor Basketball's goal to ensure a place for every player who wants to play. Numbers such as 14 mean players may be turned away, as it's too big for one team and 7 and 7 is too small. We need time to address short benches and divisions that do not divide well into two teams. In order to determine the need for evaluations and secure gym time, equipment allocation, coaches and uniforms we must have a clear idea of the number of players well in advance. Gym space is a premium in Cochrane, and in the event our demand is greater than availability we must act quickly to accommodate.
The deadline for final registration is in mid-September we must determine the number of teams to register with Calgary Minor Basketball and pay our non-refundable registration fee for each team in full. After rosters freeze in mid October we are no longer permitted to add, or change, team rosters.
6. Why do I need to provide a uniform deposit?
A uniform deposit is collected from each player at the time of registration. This deposit is to cover the replacement costs associated with lost or damaged uniforms (beyond normal wear and tear). At the completion of the season when the uniform is returned in suitable condition, the uniform deposit is returned or the post dated cherub destroyed.
If only one piece of the uniform is damaged or the uniform is only partially returned, the uniform deposit cheque for the player it pertains to, is cashed for the full amount as uniforms are purchased as a unit.
As Tykes do not participate in the regular league they are not issued a uniform, nor are they required to provide a deposit for uniforms or volunteering.
7. Can I pick my coach?
The size of the league prevents us from being able to manage this request. Requests cannot be accepted for specific coaches or to be placed with certain players/friends. There are too many to accommodate.
Parents/coaches should not entice others to play "with them" or on their children's team. Until evaluations, parents, coaches, and players are not aware of who has already registered or their level of skill, and therefore team assignment. Nor is the coach able to state that you can be on his/her team, as we must ensure proper placement of all players is achieved, through an objective evaluation process. In some situations, we will ask coaches/players to recruit other players if we are trying to fill a team at the last minute. But we cannot guarantee which team the new recruits will be placed on until they are evaluated.
8. Can I request to play with another player for carpooling, or with my sibling, etc.?
The size of the league and the evaluation process prevent us from being able to manage this request, though we try our best to accommodate this if circumstances are favourable.
In the case of siblings, both children will be evaluated. If they evaluate on the same team there is not an issue. If there is a significant difference between the two children in their skill level and it would be more suitable for one child to be placed on a lower level team, the parents will be contacted to discuss options.
In no circumstance however, will we raise the 'B' player to 'A', thus displacing a higher evaluated player. You can inform us of the request and we will see what we can do - but we cannot promise we will be able to meet your request.
9. How are teams formed?
Registration to a team is on a "first come, first serve" basis. The first 12 (13 with board approval) players will be assured a spot to play. If an age group is full the player will be placed on a wait list until registrations reach a total that will support an A and a B roster. Players on the wait list will be contacted by CMBA should a spot become available.
Where numbers warrant more than one team in an age category CMBA will hold evaluations to determine player placement. The desire is to field as competitive a team as possible with the available players. Accordingly, players will be placed on the team for which their abilities are most compatible.
There are certain factors that may require a departure from this philosophy (i.e. Midget age levels). In these instances all relevant factors such as player numbers, players' desire to play high school basketball, the high schools the players attend and the likelihood of being able to field a team for the entire season are considered.
Each season CMBA has an evaluation committee who evaluates players, determines player placement and suggests team placement within Calgary Minor Basketball’s divisions. Decisions of this committee are as unbiased as possible and if required, in consultation with the Board. All decisions are final.
Player evaluations and team placements are conducted in approximately the middle of September, and are generally done in one or two evening evaluations.
10. Can my child play up in a higher age group?
You may request that your child be moved up to a higher age group, however, such requests will be considered on an individual basis, and require board and Calgary Minor Basketball approval. "Playing up" will only be considered if there is roster space at the higher age group, and the player will be required to evaluate with both his/her age group and the requested division.
11. Are there a maximum number of players in a division or on a team?
We try our very best to allow every player who registers to be placed on a team. We field as many teams as we can, providing we can supply all teams with a sufficient number of players and coaches. We typically do not have more than 12 players on a team. If there are too many children for a team, the player(s) that registered last are put on a wait list. The maximum number of players that Calgary Minor Basketball allows on a team is 14. We cannot exceed this number.
12. How long is the league season?
Players are evaluated starting the second or third week in September and are subsequently placed on a team. Games start the weekend after Thanksgiving weekend. There is a Christmas break and then games resume in January and go until the first or second week in March. If a team goes to Provincials, Provincials are typically the third or fourth week in March.
The U18/High School (16-18 year old) division starts their season earlier in order to be done the first half of the season before high school basketball starts up. Evaluations are done the second week in September and games usually start the third weekend in September and finish by the end of November. If there are a sufficient number of players to register a winter team, the winter team plays from January to the first or second weekend in March
13. Where/when are the games and practices?
Most teams practice in Cochrane, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at either Spray Lakes Sawmill Family Sports Centre or at school gyms. We do reserve the right to change these days due to facility availability. Prior to league commencement, the days and times will be confirmed, after which a team’s practices are held on the same day, at the same location and at the same time each week. Occasionally, adjustments must be made (due to, for example, a school being unavailable for a special event) and the practice needs to be moved to a different day, location and/or time. CMBA tries to give as much notice as possible in these situations.
Games are usually on Saturdays in Calgary and can be in all quadrants of the city. CoMBA has no control over where a team plays. Calgary Minor Basketball arranges the game schedules and locations.
14. As a parent, do I have a responsibility to my child's team?
We hope that all parents make the most of the basketball season by getting actively involved in the program (it tends to be a lot more fun if you do!). A player's parents are required to volunteer in a specific capacity unless they choose instead to provide a volunteer donation of $150 per registered player. There are many roles on a team that can be fulfilled such as coach/co-coach/assistant coach, equipment manager, team manager, year-end party planner, etc. Each time must supply a scorekeeper or timekeeper, and a gym monitor for each game. These duties are not included in the obligated volunteer hours.
Players (and parents) are asked to understand that a commitment to a weekly practice and game is essential. We expect all participants to attend weekly practices as well as all games. If you know in advance that you are unable to attend a practice or game on a certain day, we ask that you please notify the coach(es).
15. Can I participate in running the basketball program or another role?
Absolutely. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with all aspects of the program from coaching to merchandising to being a board member. All we ask is that you enjoy supporting kids and appreciate the value of athletics in the development of our youth. If you are interested in finding out more, please email our administrator, cochraneminorbasketballassoc@gmail.com.
16. If I have a complaint, how do I let someone know about it?
If you have a concern/complaint regarding the team your child plays on, we encourage you to communicate your concern directly to one of the coaches or your team manager, and work to resolve it together. If this does not result in a satisfactory resolution, you may contact the current president and discuss your concerns. If you are still unable to resolve the issue, a formal complaint can be submitted in writing to the President after which a Discipline Committee will be convened to address your concerns. Please refer to the complaint procedure tab on the website for the official steps.
If your concern involves something "external" to Cochrane Minor Basketball such as a referee's competency or a coach's inappropriate behaviour from the opposing team, there is a game report form that can be completed and submitted on the Calgary Minor Basketball website.
17. Does the rule of "fair play" apply during games?
Yes. Coaches are responsible for playing all players listed on the score sheet for a significant and meaningful amount of time per quarter of each game. All players listed on the score sheet must play in each period of the game unless excused due to illness, injury, late arrival or for disciplinary reasons.
It is important to recognize that 'fair play' does not mean 'equal play' and the expectation that court time be equal is not reasonable. The frequency of whistles, number of players on the bench and speed of a 'run time' game make this impossible, and an unrealistic expectation of coaches.
If a player is sat for disciplinary reasons, these reasons must be communicated to the child prior to the discipline and the action must be followed up with the child by the coaches, and including parents where warranted.
Parents are responsible for speaking with the coach if they feel their child is not being treated fairly.
18. Is there a program available for my child that is younger than 9 years of age?
Yes. There is a skill development program geared for 6 to 8 year olds. It is a one hour session once per week with instructors who introduce the fundamental aspects of basketball. Informal, non-competitive, developmental games of 4 on 4, scrimmages are played as part of this program.
19. If my child is younger than 9 years old, can he/she play in the regular league?
There are situations where 7 or 8 year olds are permitted to play in the Mini Division (9 and 10 year olds). The decision to allow this is based on the child's previous basketball experience and maturity level. There must be room on the mini roster for underage players and players will be objectively evaluated as to their maturity and skill in a 1-2 hour skill evaluations. We are aware that this is a small window of time in which to assess a child's skill level, however, it is often very evident to both parents and evaluators when a child is not ready for competitive play.