YM plans new youth basketball format

The YMCA of Van Wert County announces a new layout for its youth basketball programs for boy and girls in grades 3-6.  The instructional league for this age group will now be held prior to the school-age league and registration will begin on October 3.

Registration fees are as follows $15 for Y family members, $25 for Y youth members and $60 for potential members. Open registration ends October 22, with a $10 late registration fee applying after that.

“We are excited to switch the timing of these two leagues, as we feel this will give these kids an opportunity to go through a more instructional league, prior to the school-age league,” said Y Program Director Mitch Price. “We have been working closely with local basketball coaches and all feel this is a great change for the betterment of youth basketball within our community.”

Games for this league will be held on Saturdays, starting November 12 through December 17, with a tournament to follow. Referees and coaches are still needed for this league and those interested may contact Price. For those coaching, a mandatory coach’s meeting and draft will be Tuesday, October 25.

Also included with this league is a free coaches’ clinic on Saturday, November 5.  During this clinic, put on by local high school coaches, participants will learn to run a fundamentals-oriented practice.

The younger age divisions (ages 4-K and grades 1-2) will be held in January 2012, along with the school-age league.

More information can be found about this and any other programs offered at the Van Wert YMCA by calling emailing Price at mitch@vwymca.org, calling the Y at 419.238.0443 or online at www.vwymca.org.  The YMCA of Van Wert County is partially funded by the United Way of Van Wert County and The Van Wert County Foundation.