"Recreational" Basketball Program – Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the age/grade requirements for GBA "Recreational" Participation?

We have over 2,000 players in our league, and our "Recreational" teams are organized by grade and gender.  Each participant may play at grade level or one grade up.  We do not allow participants to play down.  Many small AAU-type leagues in the area have small numbers overall and are forced to group children together to form a league, making girls play with boys a year or two older.  GBA does not do this.  Based upon registration demographics, GBA will field teams in the following manner: BOYS:  2nd Grade thru 12th grade.  One division for each grade.   GIRLS:  2nd/3rd grade, 4th/5th grade, 6th-8th grade, and 9th-12th grade.  One division for each group. 

Can my child play up a grade?

Yes, any child may play up ONE grade. We do not allow children to play down.  Please register your child for the program they qualify for, then send an email to admin@gainesvillebasketball.org with your request to play up.  Requests must be received prior to September 30 for winter and prior to May 31 for summer.  Your child’s registration will be transferred to the requested grade division.  The Summer League request to play up deadline coincides with the last day of open registration for the summer league.  Please do not misrepresent your child's age/grade in order to force registration in a different division.

Our 30+ years of experience has led us to the conclusion that most first-graders are generally too young for organized basketball.  As a result, players must be in the second grade to participate in our league.  The league will consider a one-off exception IF there is a need for 2nd grade coaches AND the parent volunteers as (and is selected to be) a HEAD Coach in the 2nd grade division, AND the player has prior organized basketball experience.  This does not happen often.

What exactly does “Recreational” basketball in GBA mean?

Gainesville Basketball Association has offered recreational basketball for both boys and girls in the area since 1992.  "Recreational" basketball is best described as moderately competitive basketball.  All registered participants are placed on a team within their respective age and gender bracket.  Players on each team will vary in experience and skill level.  There are player participation rules.  

How do I sign up for GBA "Recreational" Basketball?

GBA offers online-only registration which is accessed through a registration link found on the homepage of the GBA website. To register your child, click on the REGISTRATION button and follow the prompts.  Please complete every section of the form in its entirety and be sure that the information is accurate.  You will need to make a payment to finalize the registration.  GBA offers many ways of paying for registration. Credit cards (MasterCard, VISA, and Discover Card), debit cards, and single-use prepaid credit cards are all accepted through our secure, online registration system.

What is the cost to register and play GBA "Recreational" Basketball?

The Winter 2024-25 registration fee for GBA "recreational" basketball season is $200.  A second player from the same family will receive a discount of  $15, and subsequent children from the same family will receive a discount of $15 per player.  Players must be registered and paid at the same time to receive the sibling discount.  Winter registration fees cover the cost of the league equipment, officials, gym space, uniforms, t-shirts, and trophies.  Every player will receive a t-shirt for his/her participation.  Teams advancing through the post-season tournament will receive championship and finalist trophies.  The Summer Rec registration fee is $165 with a sibling discount of $10. The summer league does not include t-shirts, tournaments, or trophies.

What is the Refund policy? 

ALL GBA Recreational Basketball registrations include a non-refundable processing fee of $20 per player.  Refund requests for Winter league must be received BEFORE the draft date for the division the participant is registered in.  Once the draft has taken place, refund requests will only be granted to participants who need to withdraw due to a health or medical emergency.  In such cases, a doctor’s note must accompany the refund request.  Late fees are non-refundable.  Refund requests for Summer league must be received by June 15th .  Once practices have begun, refund requests will only be granted to participants who need to withdraw due to a health or medical emergency.  In such cases, a doctor’s note must accompany the refund request. Late fees are non-refundable.  To request a refund, send an email to  admin@gainesvillebasketball.org.  Please include the player’s name and registered division.  Refunds will be issued in the same form that the payment was received and will be processed within 1 week of receipt of the request.  The decision to approve or deny a refund request rests solely with Gainesville Basketball Association.

I have children in the same age and gender division.  Will they be on the same team?

GBA can accommodate children from the same family, and, based on their grade and gender, place them on the same team.  Younger siblings may only play up ONE grade. To ensure that your children are placed on the same team, please register each child for the program they qualify for, then email your request to admin@gainesvillebasketball.org prior to the close of registration (May 31st for summer league and September 30th for winter league).

When does registration start and end? 

For the Winter "Recreational" program, registration opens on September 1 and closes on September 30th.  For the Summer "Recreational" program, registration opens on May 1 and closes on May 31.  

Space is limited so participants are encouraged to register early.  If you miss the open registration period, please add your child to the waitlist and we will contact you ONLY IF an opening becomes available.  Check our website frequently for updates and information.

Are there tryouts for the "Recreational" teams?  

There are no tryouts for "Recreational" basketball, however there will be player evaluations/skills assessments for the following divisions: 

 Boys 2nd - 8th grade 

 Girls 2nd - 8th grade 

 Every registered child will be assigned to a team.  Attendance at skills assessments is strongly encouraged as this will affect the draft placement of your child.   

When and where are the evaluations held?   

Rec Player evaluations will be held in late October at local PWC schools.  The schedule for evaluations will be posted when it becomes available.

When does the season start and end?  

For the Winter "Recreational" program, practices will begin in late November and games will begin in January.  The season will conclude in mid-March with playoff and championship tournaments.  The Summer Rec program runs from mid-June - July 31.

General Season Dates (subject to change) 

August 1 - Accepting applications for Travel Coaches 

August 15 - GBA accepting applications for Winter Rec Coaches 

September 1 – Open registration for all Recreational and Travel programs.  (We sell out fast, so save the date and register early!) 

Early October - Travel Tryouts

Late October - Rec Player assessments

Early November - Rec Player Drafts 

Late November - Winter Rec League Practices begin

After New Year's - Winter Rec League Games begin

mid-March – Winter Rec and Travel programs end

mid-March - Spring Travel begins

May 1 - Summer Rec League Registration begins

mid-June - Summer Rec League play begins

 

Can I select or request practice day/time/location for my child?  

To accommodate the growing population of our community, Gainesville Basketball Association requires the use of gym space 7 days a week.  Winter practices are held between 6:30pm-9:30pm.  Generally, the younger teams are scheduled for the earlier practice slots, but there are exceptions.  GBA cannot and does not guarantee requests for practice placement for any reason.  Requests to avoid a specific practice night must be sent to the League Administrator by October 15 for winter league, and by May 31 for summer league.  If your child is ultimately placed on a team that has a practice night that conflicts with your original written request, you may request a refund if you notify the League Administrator BEFORE practices begin.  Practice requests for winter will be made available to coaches at the draft for advisory purposes only.  Requests to change teams will not be honored.   If you are a head coach, you can choose your practice night and location based on what PWCS has available.

When and where are "Recreational" practices held?   

Practices for the Recreational program will be held at local elementary and middle schools in Western Prince William County (Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket, Nokesville, Manassas).  We are unable to accommodate player requests for practice locations.  Winter league practice times fall between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM during the week, with younger teams generally practicing in the earlier time slots.  Summer league practice times fall between 5:30PM and 9:30PM.  Two (2) teams are assigned to each court during their assigned practice time.  Each team will be scheduled for two (2) practices per week prior to the start of games.  Once games begin, each team will have one (1) practice per week.  Each practice will be approximately one (1) hour in duration.  Due to the sheer volume of participants served by GBA, and the logistics involved with obtaining gym space, we cannot guarantee a specific practice night for any player, coach, or team. 

Where and when are the "Recreational" games held?    

"Recreational" games are held in the same local elementary and middle schools where the participants practice.  Regular season games for Winter are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays beginning as early as 9:00 AM and concluding as late as 9:30 PM. Toward the end of the season, games MAY be scheduled on weeknights if there are makeups or reschedules pending.  GBA reserves the right to reschedule/cancel games due to weather and school closures.  Our season must conclude prior to Spring Break and, therefore, may be shortened based upon missed gym time due to weather-related school closures.

Who are the "Recreational" coaches and how are the "Recreational" coaches selected?   

Each year the GBA selection committee reviews all applications and selects its "Recreational" coaches.  Regardless of their record, no coach is guaranteed a position from one year to the next, and they must reapply each season.  Coaches are typically parents of the players registered in the program and the coach will have his/her child on their team.  Coaches can be older siblings, but they must be at least 18 years old to apply.  Every coach must complete the online application process as well as a background check and concussion training.  Coaches may coach more than one team in different age groups but must indicate their desire to do so on the application/registration form. 

Who are the assistant coaches and how are the assistant coaches selected?    

GBA coaches may or may not choose to have an assistant coach.   Assistant coaches are determined AFTER teams are drafted.  Most coaches will request a team parent to step into the role as volunteer assistant coach.  If you are available to fill this role, please let your child’s coach know.

My child wants to play for a specific coach. Can this be done?     

Sometimes a parent want their child to play for a specific coach who they know personally, or who has coached their child in the past.  Some coaches are popular even with parents who do not know them because of their coaching methods or winning record.  Winter coaches will have the opportunity to select specific players during the draft selection process. Summer teams are assigned by the league. GBA cannot and will not guarantee that a child will play with/for a specific coach.

How does the player draft work for "Recreational" teams?    

Each Winter Recreational team is formed through a draft selection process.  After coaches have been selected and after the player evaluations/skills assessments have taken place, a draft will be held where coaches select players for their teams.  Prior to the draft, the "Recreational" coaches for each age and gender are provided with the names of each registered child.  Based upon player evaluations and what is known by the coaching community about each child, the children are drafted onto a team.  

Coaches consider many things when selecting their players.  They include, but are not limited to basketball skills, positions needed (point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center) and intangibles like hustle, teamwork, and the ability to take direction.  

How many kids are on each "Recreational" team?    

Last year GBA Basketball mandated nine (9) players on a roster for Winter "Recreational" teams.  

How are kids notified when they have been placed on a team?    

We ask that coaches notify their teams and provide them with as much team information as possible within three (3) days of the draft selection.  Please remember that our coaches are volunteers and probably have several important things (including basketball) affecting their lives, so please be patient.  If you have not received notification of team assignment by November 15th, please contact the League Administrator via email at admin@gainesvillebasketball.org. 

Some kids have been notified but my child has not been notified yet, what should I do?    

As indicated above, some coaches may be behind in notifications.  Please follow the guidelines outlined above.  Alternatively, you may sign in to your account and click on the Team Site to see what team he/she has been assigned to.  From there you can also email the coach directly with any questions.   

My child has been selected to a team however, for whatever reason (we cannot practice on the night the coach has chosen, we don't like the coach, my child does not get along with another child on the team, etc.) I want to switch him/her to another team.  Is that possible? 

No. Once the draft has taken place and players have been assigned to teams, GBA is unable to accommodate requests to change teams. AT ALL. PERIOD.  This is not the coach’s decision, it is a league decision.  

Is there a minimum playing time rule for "Recreational" basketball?  

Yes! Our GBA "Recreational" teams have rules for playing time.  Outlined in the GBA League Rules for each division is a specific section on player participation.  In short, the policy states that each child is guaranteed a minimum of two (2) uninterrupted quarters of playing time.  Please visit League Info>Downloads to view the rules in their entirely.

How can I find out where my child’s games are being held and when? 

Once finalized, game schedules can be found on your child's Team Site.  

How do I know what color jersey to wear?

The Home team wears the white jersey, the Away team wears the blue jersey. Please check the game schedule to identify whether you are designated the Home or Away team.  

What are the duties of the volunteer Scorekeeper and Timekeeper?

Volunteer Scorekeepers and Timekeepers are needed before the start of each game.  If asked, referees will provide a brief tutorial to volunteers on Scorekeeper and Timekeeper duties. In addition, a description of duties can be found on our website at League Info>Downloads. 

Lost and Found

GBA does not have an official Lost and Found.  If you have lost (or found) a wallet, keys, eyeglasses, or medication, please send an email to admin@gainesvillebasketball.org with a name and description and we will do our best to help facilitate the quick return of these critical items. 

Sadly, we do not have the resources to manage all of the basketballs, water bottles, socks, hoodies, mouthpieces, t-shirts, etc. that are lost each season.  COACHES AND PARENTS:  PLEASE LABEL YOUR ITEMS with first and last name so that if they are lost, they have a higher likelihood of being returned to you if found.  PLEASE CHECK BEHIND YOUR PLAYERS after each game and practice to make sure that nothing is left behind. GBA is not responsible for lost or stolen items.