Welcome to the 2021-2022 New Canaan YMCA Youth Basketball League (Y-Ball), in partnership with Stamford Peace Youth Foundation.
The goal of the Y-Ball program is to develop the whole basketball player; providing each participant with an opportunity to improve basketball skills, develop gameplay, and build friendships, all while having fun and fostering a love for the game.
The Y is thrilled to partner with Stamford Peace Youth Foundation to develop the whole basketball player; providing each participant with an opportunity to improve basketball skills, develop gameplay, and build friendships, all while having fun and fostering a love for the game. All Coaches are dedicated to developing youth and will emphasize the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Registration Information & Required Forms
Registration:
Registration can be completed online or at the Y Front Desk. Please note: enrollment for grades K-8 has reached capacity. Click here to be added to the waitlist, you will be contacted if a spot becomes available.
Required Forms:
Required forms must be completed before your child’s evaluation date in order to participate in the Youth Y-Ball league (grades K-8) and by Friday, December 10, to participate in the High School Y-Ball League (grades 9-12). Required forms can be submitted online or printed copies will be accepted at the Front Desk.
- 2021-2022 Y-Ball COVID-19 Policies
- Code of Conduct for Players
- Code of Conduct for Parents/Spectators
- Emergency Contact and Permission Authorization Form
- Acknowledgement of Risk and Waiver of Liability Form
Registration Dates:
YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE (Grades K-8):
Registration Begins: Wednesday, October 27
Registration Ends: Friday, November 19th*
*All required forms for participants in grades 1-8 are due to George Bennett before each participant’s evaluation date.
**All required forms for participants in kindergarten are due to George Bennett on Friday, November 19th.
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL LEAGUE (Grades 9-12):
Registration Begins: Wednesday, October 27
Registration Ends: Friday, December 10th*
*All required paperwork for the High School Y-Ball league is due to George Bennett by Friday, December 10.
Fees:
- New Canaan YMCA Member:* $268
- Non-Member: $401
*New Canaan YMCA membership must be valid throughout the Y-Ball season, which ends on Saturday, March 5, 2022.
**Please note: If a membership expires during basketball season, it must be renewed, or the non-member fee will be charged.
Financial Assistance:
The New Canaan YMCA strives to serve everyone in our community, regardless of individual or economic circumstances. Applications for financial assistance can be found online or at the Front Desk.
- New applicants should apply in a timely manner to ensure approval by the registration deadline.
- Current Financial Assistance recipients should contact:
Diana Riolo, Financial Assistance, Development, and Marketing Administrator: 203-920-1653 | driolo@newcanaanymca.org
Refund Policy:
Parents must complete a Refund Request Form. Full refunds will be given before the basketball season begins. After the season starts, a prorated refund will be provided, less a $15 per child service charge if the vacated space can be filled. If the space cannot be filled, then no refund will be issued. There will be no refund of league registration fees for non-members who change to members after registration ends.
2021-2022 Youth Basketball League (Grades K-8)
In partnership with Stamford Peace Youth Foundation, the New Canaan YMCA’s Youth Y-Ball league provides participants with the fun and enriching opportunity to develop skills and knowledge of the game in both a practice and game environment. Teams play games on Saturdays and are led by volunteer coaches. Practices are held during the week and are also led by volunteer coaches under the guidance of Stamford Peace Youth Foundation coaches.
The league is open to boys and girls in grades K-8 and is separated by grade into the following structure:*
Boys’ League: K & 1st grades, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th & 6th grades, and 7th & 8th grades.
Girls’ League: K & 1st grades, 2nd grade, 3rd & 4th grades, 5th & 6th grades, and 7th & 8th grades.
*League structure dependent on enrollment numbers.
There is a mandatory evaluation for all participants in order to be placed on a team in this league. Evaluations are mandatory for all Y-Ball participants (excluding youth in Kindergarten) in order to create a league where all teams and players have a chance to thrive. The team selection process will be a “blind draft.” The volunteer coaches will meet to collectively create competitive, balanced teams for the season. Once rosters are complete, coaches will draw a number to find out which team he/she will be coaching. Coaches’ children will be placed on their team by laterally moving participants drafted in the same round, so not to lose the balance that was created.
**Please understand that due to the magnitude of this program, we cannot honor any special requests for team placement with individual coaches or other players.**
2021-2022 High School Basketball League (Grades 9-12)
The High School Y-Ball league is a fun league designed for high school students to enjoy playing the game with friends in a non-competitive environment. Teams are led by volunteer high school captains. The registration deadline and season start date for this league are extended to accommodate the high school team try-outs. Please note according to CIAC rules, participants are not eligible to play in the league if they play for the high school team.
Following the registration deadline, team captains will host a draft to select teams. Teams in this league do not have formal practices, and just enjoy games on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays throughout the season. If you would like to be a captain, please contact George Bennett, Youth & Camp Y-Ki Director, at gbennett@newcanaanymca.org.
Mandatory Evaluation Dates
Saturday, November 13:
- 12:30-1:15pm will be 1st-2nd grade girls
- 1:30-2:15pm will be 1st grade boys
- 2:30-3:15pm will be 2nd grade boys
- 3:30-4:15pm will be 5th and 6th girls
- 4:30-5:15pm will be 5th grade boys
- 5:30-6:15pm will be 6th grade boys
Saturday, November 20:
- 10am-10:45 7th-8th grade girls
- 11am-11:45am 7th-8th grade boys
*Players in kindergarten will be placed on teams with players in first grade.
League Dates
YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE (Grades K-8):
Practices Begin: Week of December 6th
Games Begin: Saturday, December 11th
Season Ends: Saturday, March 5
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL LEAGUE (Grades 9-12):
Games Begin: January 2022
Season Ends: Saturday, March 5
*Any participant in grades K-8 not registered by Friday, November 19, will be placed on a waiting list and will not be guaranteed a spot in the program.
**Please Note: League schedule follows the NCPS school calendar. Games and practices will not be held on the following dates: 12/23/21-12/25/21, 12/31/21-1/1/22, 2/22/22-2/26/22
Weekly Practice Schedule
Weekly practice schedules will be determined based on enrollment, league structure, and volunteer coach availability and will be announced prior to Monday, November 29.
Volunteer Coaches
Volunteer Coaches’ responsibilities include attending practice during the week and coaching a team during games on Saturdays throughout the season. You will be asked to indicate which grade level and gender you prefer to coach.
New Canaan YMCA volunteer registration is required for all coaches. The process is brief, can be completed online, and includes authorization for a background check and a brief online “safe sport” training. This process is designed to foster a safe environment for all. Volunteers will not be able to coach until this process is completed. Interested in becoming a volunteer coach? Please contact George Bennett, Youth & Camp Y-Ki Director, at gbennett@newcanaanymca.org.
About Stamford Peace Youth Foundation
A not-for-profit organization, Stamford Peace Youth Foundation uses high-level basketball instruction, training, and competition, as well as academic tutoring and related educational supports, to positively influence local young people and help them achieve their full potential, both on and off the court. The Foundation’s focus on “Sports, Academics, and Citizenship” underpins two basic program areas: PEACE Basketball, on the one hand; and our Beyond Limits Academic Program, on the other. Through PEACE Basketball, the Foundation provides year-round recreational leagues; high-level travel teams; summer and vacation day camps; outdoor summer and fall leagues; year-round clinics; open gym activities; and individual training. Our youth basketball leagues in Stamford include nearly 650 active participants, including both boys and girls. Learn more about Stamford Peace Youth Foundation at www.peaceyouthct.org.
