Note from the Basketball Director: Lisa Merriweather

 (Jamie Bliss Tourament)

Congratulations on your selection to this year’s travel basketball team!!

We are looking forward to an enjoyable and successful season!!

Each player is expected to:

• Keep up with their home work and do the best they can in all of their school subjects
• Work hard to be the best that they can be, for all the time they will put into the sport
• Show appreciation and kindness to their family, that sacrifices in many ways to accommodate their playing on the team
• Show respect to their teammates, who count on them to be honest, fair, work their hardest and do their best and;
• Show appreciation and respect to their coaches and program directors that volunteer their time to create a positive and worthwhile experience and help them develop as an athlete and as a person.

2.            Handouts for players/parents

Each player/parent should receive the following (if not – contact your coach or general manager):

• Practice schedule
• Game schedule (Click Here)
• Phone numbers for all players, coaches and directors of your team

3.            Other teams/activities

We realize some of you play on other teams, or have conflicting activities, however, we expect the travel basketball team to be your priority when it comes to extracurricular activities.  This is a competitive program where most of the teams had to “cut” players.  You will play in a competitive league comprised of teams from Essex County.  We will do our best to prepare you for the competition level you will face. There will be a game or practice, on average, 3-4 days/nights per week/weekend.  Your coaches and teammates are counting on you to attend all practices and games, be on time, and to do your best to prepare yourself.

4.            Playing time

Playing time is not guaranteed.  Our goal is to be able to provide substantial playing time, when you consider the season as a whole.  We play in competitive leagues and therefore, winning is also one of our goals.  We try to play all players each game and strive for a minimum of one quarter depending on the grade you are in (7-8 minutes) per game/scrimmage, however; this is not always possible depending on the number of players on each team and the dynamics of each game.  Although not the only factor, the coaches will also take into account each player's attendance and attitude at practices and games in determining the amount of game time for each player.

5.            Missing practices and/or games

If a player needs to miss a practice or game, they should notify the coach or GM as soon as they are aware..

6.            Illness or Injury

If a player has an injury or illness or if they get injured or don’t feel well during any practice or game, they should let one of the coaches know immediately!  If a child does not go to school for being sick, they are not allowed to go to practice that day either.

7.            Fees, Code of Conduct Forms and Uniform Distribution:

Fees:

Teams are Co-sponsored by the WC-C Recreation Department and The Caldwell Athletic Club.  In addition to the $55 fee that was already paid to the Recreation Department, there is an additional fee of $70 payable to the West Caldwell/Caldwell Recreation Department.  This fee will be collected at the parent’s meeting for each team. 

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Parent Sportsmanship Pledge (Click Here)

The form must be signed by each parent/guardian and returned to Lisa Merriweather, the Basketball Director, at the parent meeting. 

Uniform:

Will be distributed prior the team’s first game. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to your coach, GM or Lisa Merriweather, Basketball Director (973-207-8907-c) or achief19@earthlink.net or Gabe DiMasi, Director of Recreation (973-226-3621 or recreation@westcaldwell.com).

Congratulations, again!