How to Organize a Youth Travel Team League

Youth basketball participation and level of play is increasing every year. It is especially growing as it relates to high school feeder teams. In most cases, these teams play in several tournaments throughout the season. These tournaments can be costly and time consuming. A good compliment to the tournaments is to form a league that provides consistent games with less time commitment and a lower cost. This article will outline a possible way to form a league.

Things You'll Need

  • Basketball team or teams
  • Computer with internet access
  • Gym
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine what grade levels will participate. In most cases, the high school feeder programs start in either 4th or 5th grade.

    • 2

      Build a database of high schools within desired travel distance (e.g. one hour) that are of a similar size. This will position teams together that will provide the best preparation for high school competition.

    • 3

      Add the head varsity coach for each high school to the database. If you do not know the youth coordinator for the high school feeder program, the head varsity coach of that school definitely will know. In some cases, that head varsity coach is the youth program coordinator.

    • 4

      Send a letter to the contact (head varsity coach or youth program coordinator) that outlines the goals of the league. In addition, the letter should request a reply within 2 to 3 weeks if they are interested.

    • 5

      Once you have the interested programs, send them a survey to design the specifics of the league. This should include how you want to set up game days (one game or multiple games) and how the games will be officiated (paid referees or volunteers).

    • 6

      Have each team provide dates that they can host games and any date conflicts for playing.

    • 7

      Produce a schedule for every team.