Competitive 2024-25 Fall/Winter Program

The 2024/2025 basketball season is approaching and planning for competitive teams is well underway. An overview of our plans for this year is described below:

Boys and girls divisions will be as follows:
•U11 (born in 2014 and 2015)
•U12 (born in 2013)
•U13 (born in 2012)
•U14 (born in 2011)
The number of teams formed in each division will be subject to the number of registered players, coaching resources, and gym availability.

Competitive vs Recreational (House)

Prior to registering your player(s), it is important to understand the difference between ‘house’ and ‘competitive‘ streams.

Competitive teams are intended for players who are serious about developing their basketball skills and are willing to make a high level of commitment to the program. These teams will typically practice twice per week with games and tournaments typically on the weekends. Note that travel is required, generally within the province.

The House program is recreational in nature, and is a fun way to either introduce new ballers to the game or provide more experienced players an opportunity to sharpen their skills in a less intensive environment. This program includes one practice and one game per week. Games are local in nature, generally played in Saint John, KV and Hampton.

All competitive divisions will be offering open gym sessions that may help families decide which stream is best for their player(s). Experienced evaluators will be on hand in latter sessions, and they may provide a recommendation as well. Players who initially register for competitive teams will be able to switch to house if preferred; there is no need to register players in both streams.

U11 boys / U11 girls

This year, our objective at the U11 level is to place players on teams such that all are able maximize their development. The prior method of forming ‘balanced’ teams created situations where there was a wide range of skill and potential on individual teams, which led to challenges in practices and matching up with other teams.
•Registered players and those interested in coaching will be invited to a series of open gym sessions, which will be led by KVBA-appointed coaches.
•Independent evaluators will participate in latter open gym sessions to provide recommendations for team formation.
•U11 teams will play with a 27.5 size basketball on 8.5 ft rims.
•See also an additional open gym session planned for U11 under the ‘Upcoming Key Events and Dates’ section below.

U12 boys / U12 girls / U13 boys

Basketball New Brunswick (BNB) has decided to include a U12 division for the 2024/25 season. For the new U12 division, as well as U13 boys, the general process of team formation will be as follows:
•Registered players and those interested in coaching will be invited to an open gym session, which will be followed by one or more tryout sessions.
•Independent evaluators will participate in tryout sessions for the purpose of team formation. It is the objective of KVBA to form teams similar to how U13 boys teams were assembled in the 2023/24 season (i.e. one ‘A’ team, with the remaining players grouped into one or more remaining teams in a generally balanced manner).
•U12 and U13 teams will play with a 28.5 size basketball on 10 ft rims.

U14 boys

Our objective for U14 competitive boys is to prepare them for high school junior varsity and varsity basketball. For the 2024-25 season, registration for the U14 division will be limited to those players born in 2011.
•Registered players and those interested in coaching will be invited to an open gym session, which will be followed by one or more tryout sessions.
•Independent evaluators will participate in tryout sessions for the purpose of team formation. Subject to the number of registered players and coaching resources, there may be cuts in the U14 division. Players who are unsuccessful in making a U14 competitive team will be offered a spot in the house stream.
•U14 teams will play with a 28.5 size basketball on 10 ft rims.

U13/U14 (girls)

This year, KVBA is partnering with the UNBSJ varsity girls basketball program to provide enhanced development opportunities and game play for our U13 and U14 girls. Initiated by long time KVBA coach Ali McGill, plans are currently under development to augment regular practices and games with skills and drills clinics delivered by UNBSJ Seawolves players and coaches.

A key objective of this initiative to expose the U13/U14 girls to positive role models who play basketball at the university level. In addition, KVBA players will have opportunities to support the UNBSJ players on their game days, and have complimentary access to their games.
The process for team formation is still being worked out. In the meantime, registration can proceed as normal. Players born in 2012 are encouraged to register under the U13 division, and those born in 2011 are encouraged to register under the U14 division.

Registration for the Fall/Winter is open. Register HERE.
Please direct any questions you may have to repteams@kvba.ca

P.O. Box 4524

Rothesay, N.B.

E2E 5X2