| Question | Answer |
| My player is xx years old- what division would I register them in? | Divisions are identified by age and “under” so U10 for example identifies a player as being under the age of 10 by end of year when registration occurs. The registration system will automatically register your player in the appropriate division based on their date of birth once you enter. |
| What day will my player practice? | Practices are determined by the coach’s availability, not a player’s availability. Teams and the coach are identified once evaluations are complete. SCHEDULE CAN ONLY BE DETERMINED AFTER THIS STEP IS COMPLETE |
| Where are practices and games? | Practices are scheduled by SLAM and will generally be in the SMB, Tantallon, Timberlea and Hammonds Plpains catchment area. Games are scheduled by the MBA and can be played anywhere throughout Metro; primarily at schools in halifax, Dartmouth and surrounding area (HRM proper) |
| When do practices and games start? | Practices are scheduled by SLAM in coordination with our volunteer coach's schedule once teams are formed after evaluations. This typically occurs around the first week of October. Metro Basketball is the organizing league that SLAM plays in. SLAM is a member club of the Metro Basketball Association of NS (commonly referred to as the MBA or MBANS). The MBA season begins around the end of October - SLAM does not have any control over the time or location of league games. U10-12 boys and girls are scheduled to play on Saturdays, U14-18 boys and girls are scheduled to play on Sundays. Locations are throughout Metro - the MBA does not use St Margaret's Centre; league games will never be played there. Games can begin as early as 8:10am for some divisions but most divisions are scheduled to play anywhere between 9am and 5pm |
| What are evaluations and does my child have to attend? | All evaluations take place at St Margaret's Centre in Upper Tantallon Players are generally grouped with other players of a similar skillset to form teams. Evaluations will take place in September and they are a means to identify each player’s skillset through a series of common drills and sessions. Evaluations are about 1 hour each round usually with 2 rounds (smaller divisions may only use 1 round). A group of unbiased/non parent evaluators are calibrated each year and use a standard rubric to assess the overall group. All registrants are encouraged to attend evaluations (all rounds) to ensure they are placed in their appropriate division. After evaluations take place, competitive team tryouts are held. |
| When will evaluations start? | Round 1 Evaluations will begin with the younger divisions @ U10 and work our way up. The full schedule will be posted to our homepage under the evaluations tab/quick link |
| What is a division coordinator (DC) and how do I know who mine is? | DC’s are identified by each division (U10 boys, U14 girls etc) and are volunteers who will help communicate with our members, coaches and our executive. Your DC will contact you once registration closes and let you know when to attend evaluations- it is important to allow communications from SLAM for this purpose (please do not opt out of emails from the club unless you have multiple contacts within your registration). Registrants should keep an eye on your email once registration closes in order to confirm when to attend evaluations. DC’s will relay information and updates throughout the season. DC’s will liaison between the club, coaches and/our parents. |
| How much does it cost? | For players in U10-U18: Registration includes insurance, Metro Basketball Association (MBA) fees and 1 practice per week @ $400 per season. All Division 1 and 2 players receive an additional practice per week (2 x weekly) and will be charged for additional gym time- this charge is based on the gyms used by SLAM each season and generally runs between $50-75 depending on the HRCE and Community facility hourly rates. This rate is based on an average cost for ALL division 1 and 2 teams across all divisions and is not based on the hourly rate of the gym each specific team uses. This fee is due by November 1st. Please consider this additional fee and time commitment when your player is potentially selected for a division 1 or 2 team. Contact your DC if your player does not wish to participate at the division 1 or 2 level. If and where possible, the club will offer additional practice time to teams who have majority interest - this is a season commitment and would entail the additional cost. Jr NBA is $125 per season - this session is development only, is conducted once weekly and does not participate in the MBA |
| I have a concern/still have questions- who do I contact? | Player and parent concerns should always first be identified to your respective coach. Concerns may be brought to the DC if you or your coach require further assistance or clarification. DC’s will liaison between parents, coaches and the club only. |
| My child is registered for U16 but I don't see the evaluation schedule for this division? | The U16 season starts 2 weeks later than the younger divisions and subsequently, we schedule our evaluations later than the younger divisions. This helps clubs avoid unnecessary disruption to rosters and reduces refunds or withdrawals that coincide with varsity (school) tryouts. Players cannot play both club and Varsity basketball but the can play both club and Jr Varsity basketball. |
| Registration closed the other day - I haven't heard from my divisions coordinator on when we attend evaluations yet? | We appreciate your patience- please trust that your division coordinator ("DC") will be in touch as soon as possible. There is a lot that happens behind the scenes; our volunteers are working very hard to ensure everything runs smoothly for you and your player throughout the coming weeks!
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| We can't make the Division 1/2 tryout due to a schedule conflict - what happens now? | We appreciate how busy a family can get from day to day and do our very best to accommodate as much as possible however, players are required to attend the division 1 tryout to be considered for the division 1 team. Players would also be required to attend the second tryout to be considered for the division 2 team. Special circumstances such as injury or illness should be brought to the attention of the Club (email your DC to forward to Club Manager) for a review by the Board and Evaluation committee. If a player cannot attend the division 1 or 2 tryout, that player would defer to the 3rd team within the top 30.
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| What are evaluations and why am I in a scheduled or specific group? | Evaluations are the process SLAM uses in order to help ensure your child is placed in the appropriate tier/division for the season - Rounds 1 and 2: Round 1 - grouped alphabetically (A's might not go in the first hour though!) These groups are randomized and controlled group size. Players will enter the gym to be seen by 2-3 evaluators who will assess their ability to shoot, dribble, pass, rebound and defend. *Skill is not necessary- this assessment helps determine the best fit for your child whether they are beginner, intermediate or in between! Round 2 - this group is randomized based on round 1 results Next rounds: The results from the first two rounds will be tallied and the top 30 ranked kids will be invited to tryout for the Div 1-2 teams. Depending on numbers and results, there could be another round (which may include the kids who didn’t make the Div 1 team) to determine the Div 2 and 3 teams. In smaller divisions, teams may be determined based on overall evaluation scores. *Once again- this may be modified or condensed based on overall size of the group |