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Dear ,

Registration closed on November 10th.  We have assigned (or for the Seniors Division, drafted) all players to teams in the league.  Head Coaches have been notified, and they have communicated with all of their player's parents to introduce themselves and provide important information like practice days and times.  If you have not heard from your daughter's Head Coach, please check your email's SPAM folder.

PLEASE NOTE:  There are no changes to teams.  We make it clear to all parents when you register your daughter that any changes to practice days must be communicated to the league before the last day of registration (which was back on November 10th).  Now that players have been assigned we are ordering uniforms.  Uniforms will be delivered to teams just before the first week of league games.

Head Coaches are also selecting their Assistant Coaches for their teams.  Even if you didn't indicate at registration that you wanted to be an Assistant Coach, please let your daughter's Head Coach know if you can help by being an Assistant Coach.  We ask that all Head Coaches try to have a minimum of 2 Assistant Coaches and no more than 4 Assistant Coaches.  If your coach needs additional Assistant Coaches, please reach out and let them know you can help.  Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and league Board Members are required to view a 20 minute concussion training video (or annual review) and must successfully complete a background check.  The background check looks at criminal violation and sexual offender databases to ensure player safety.  The system does not look at credit background.

All parents MUST read the "Parents Handbook."  The handbook is located on our website under the "Parents Info" section.  Please be sure to read all of the information thoroughly as it will help you and your daughter have a better basketball experience this season.  Please pay attention to the "Important Dates to Remember" section of the site as well.

PRACTICES WILL BEGIN THIS WEEK!!! Player safety is of utmost importance to the league.  For the safety of players, parents are NOT authorized to be in the gym for practices.  Parents should bring their child into the gym and then immediately leave the gymnasium.  When you pick up your child, you should be waiting in the lobby area OUTSIDE the gym.  When your daughter meets you in the lobby area, you should immediately exit the building as quickly as possible.  In rare instances, a coach may ask a parent to attend a practice if no other coach is available as the league requires a minimum of 2 adults for every practice.  If you're a parent who has been asked to attend a practice, you should only observe.  You should not interact with any player on the team and coaches should not use you for help during the practice. 

GAME SCHEDULES:

Our first games of the season will be held on Sunday, January 5th.  Juniors Division games are held at Sedgwick Middle School's large gym and Minors Division and Seniors Division games are held at Conard High School's main gym. We will look to have the game schedule out on our website by mid-December, no later than December 20th.  Please check our website and Facebook pages often as we will announce the game schedules on those mediums.

***IMPORTANT REMINDER***

THE WEARING OF JEWELRY OF ANY KIND IS PROHIBITED FOR PRACTICES AND GAMES!!!  THERE IS NO EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE!!!

Your daughter's safety is most important. Jewelry can get caught on clothing, in hair or in eyes or in fingers causing unintended injuries.  Do not get your daughter's ears pierced before the season if you're afraid the hole will close when she has to take out the earrings for practices and games.  We do not make any exceptions whatsoever for this rule.  PLEASE NOTE:  Medical ID necklaces and bracelets are NOT considered jewelry.  However, league officials may require such items be taped down for the safety of players during practices and games.  Thank you for your cooperation.

The West Hartford Girls Basketball League looks to help your daughter by promoting basketball fundamentals through commitment, team work, sportsmanship, fair play, hard work, and of course, FUN!!!  Your daughter will also learn 10 core leadership values through understanding the fundamentals of basketball, which are confidence, team work, sportsmanship, humility, character, respect, integrity, responsibility, perseverance and gratitude.

We know your daughter will have a fantastic time playing in the league this year and we're confident you will too.  We look forward to seeing you and your daughter on the court and in the bleachers this season!  As a parent, if you have any feedback or suggestions, please contact Jessica Seifel, our Director, Parent Perspective at directorparentperspective@whgbl.org.

Take care,

Shawn Daly