Branchburg Basketball Association
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

In-Town / Recreation Basketball

What are the age and gender divisions for In-Town (recreation) basketball?
Ideally the Branchburg Basketball Association (BBA) will offer one division for each gender/grade, 3^rd through 8^th grade.  That yields Girls 3, Boys 3, Girls 4, Boys 4, Girls 5, Boys 5, Girls 6, Boys 6, Girls 7, Boys 7, Girls 8, Boys 8.  Our ability to organize the league in this fashion is fully dependent upon the number of players who register in each grade.  As an example, in 2014-15 the BBA supported the following Recreation Basketball divisions:

1. Boys 3^rd/4^th Grades

2. Boys 5^th/6^th Grades

3. Boys 7^th/8^th Grades

4. Girls 3^rd/4^th Grades

5. Girls 5^th/6^th Grades

6. Girls 7^th/8^th Grades

Can my child play both In-Town (recreation) basketball and Travel basketball?
Yes.  However, at some point there will likely be schedule conflicts.  Travel coaches will ask their players to make Travel practices and games a priority.  In-Town coaches should be made aware that a player who participates in both programs will miss certain practices and games.

How do I register my child for In-Town (recreation) basketball?
Registration for In-Town basketball is available on our website.

What is the cost for In-Town basketball?  What does the fee include?
First Child: $110.00
Second Child: $50.00
Third (or more) Child(ren): $40.00
Family Maximum: $200.00
Included in the fee are: liability and accident insurance; background verification for coaches and administrators; basketballs; scorebooks; scoreboards; training equipment; first aid kits; ice packs; reversible game jersey; gym rental; officials; playoff awards.

What is the time commitment and schedule for In-Town basketball?
In-Town basketball is typically 1 or 2 practices per week (usually on weeknights) and one game per week (usually on Saturday).  Specific schedules for each division will be posted on our website after the teams have been drafted.  The In-Town practices begin in early November.  Games begin on the first Saturday in December and playoffs conclude in late February.  Most activities are held at Branchburg Central Middle School, Whiton Elementary School, or The Midland School.

If my child attends Travel tryouts and is not selected for the Travel team, can he/she then register for In-Town basketball?
Yes.  Similarly, if your child registers for In-Town basketball and subsequently is selected for a Travel team, and he/she does not wish to play both In-Town and Travel, all In-Town registration fees will be refunded.

Who are the In-Town basketball coaches?
The BBA invites those wishing to volunteer as a head coach or assistant coach to indicate their desire on the child’s registration.  Coaches will be named prior to the In-Town drafts.
Before working with Branchburg children all volunteers are required to carry a RUTGERS Certification and to pass a background verification.  

NOTE: Branchburg Township Recreation offers the RUTGERS Coaches Clinic free of charge, twice each year, to Branchburg coaches in all sports.  A Branchburg resident need only complete this course one time to be eligible to coach any youth sports in Branchburg Township.

Travel Basketball

What are the age and gender divisions for Travel basketball?
Ideally the Branchburg Basketball Association (BBA) will offer one division for each gender/grade, 4^th through 8^th grade.  (We do not offer Travel basketball for 3^rd grade.)  That yields Girls 4, Boys 4, Girls 5, Boys 5, Girls 6, Boys 6, Girls 7, Boys 7, Girls 8, Boys 8.  Our ability to organize the Travel Program in this fashion is fully dependent upon having a minimum of 10 Travel-caliber players in each grade.

Can my child play both In-Town (recreation) basketball and Travel basketball?
Yes.  However, at some point there will likely be schedule conflicts.  Travel coaches will ask their players to make Travel practices and games a priority.  In-Town coaches should be made aware that a player who participates in both programs will miss certain practices and games

Does my child need to play In-Town (recreation) basketball to be eligible for Travel basketball?
No.  These are separate programs beneath the Branchburg Basketball Association’s jurisdiction.

How do I register my child for Travel basketball?
We ask players who plan to attend Travel basketball tryouts to register on our website.  There is no cost to attend Travel tryouts.

What is the cost for Travel basketball?  What does the fee include?
The Travel fee varies for each team and is based on the league(s) and tournament(s) in which each team participates.  The average per-player fee has ranged from $135.00 to $250.00.  This fee does not include the cost of the Travel uniform, which is paid directly to the supplier.  Typical cost for shorts, reversible jersey, and an optional warm-up pullover is approximately $140.00.  The aforementioned fee does include liability and accident insurance; background verification for coaches and administrators; basketballs; scorebooks; scoreboards; training equipment; first aid kits; ice packs; gym rental; officials; league entry fees (quantity and specific league participation are at coach’s discretion); one tournament entry fee (additional tournament participation is at coach’s discretion and accounts for the variety in team-to-team Travel fees).

What is the time commitment and schedule for Travel basketball?
Travel basketball is intended for players who are able to perform at a more competitive level.  Each coach will dictate the number of practices and games for his/her team.  Players should expect to attend at least two practices (on average) and one to two games each week.  Practices for Travel teams begin in late October and league play/tournaments run through mid-March.  Most home Travel Basketball activities are held at Branchburg Central Middle School.  Away venues depend on the league(s) and tournament(s) in which your child’s team participates.  Typically the travel distance is rarely more than 45 minutes from Branchburg.

If my child attends Travel tryouts and is not selected for the Travel team, can he/she then register for In-Town basketball?
Yes.  Similarly, if your child registers for In-Town basketball and subsequently is selected for a Travel team, and he/she does not wish to play both In-Town and Travel, all registration fees will be refunded.

Who are the Travel basketball coaches?
The BBA evaluates candidates for the Travel Coach positions each season.  A request for coach candidates will be distributed via email in the near future.  Travel head coaches and assistants will be named after Travel tryouts.  Before working with Branchburg children all volunteers are required to carry a RUTGERS Certification and to pass a background verification.  

NOTE: Branchburg Township Recreation offers the RUTGERS Coaches Clinic free of charge, twice each year, to Branchburg coaches in all sports.  A Branchburg resident need only complete this course one time to be eligible to coach any youth sports in Branchburg Township.