,

Dear ,

With the close of registration this past Sunday, we begin the new 2024-2025 season of the West Hartford Girls Basketball League (WHGBL).

To maximize your daughter's basketball experience, the league is now in the assessment, assignment/draft phase of the league.  We have secured all volunteer coaches for the Minors (3rd and 4th graders), Juniors (5th and 6th graders) and Seniors (7th and 8th graders) Divisions.  Thank you to all our volunteer coaches!  We couldn't run this league without you.

Your response to league registrations was overwhelming with a near record of almost 300 players registered!  There are 120 Minors players, 99 Juniors players and 76 Seniors players.  This means your league will have 10 teams in the Minors Division (each team will have about 12 players per team), 10 teams in the Juniors Division (each team will have about 10 players per team) and 6 teams in the Seniors Division (each team will have 12 - 13 players per team).  What a great season this will be this year with so many girls in West Hartford getting the chance to play basketball and develop leadership skills.

Minors and Juniors players will be assigned to teams by the league.  If your daughter played in the league last year and is in the 4th grade, 6th grade or 8th grade this year, we will do our best to keep her on the same team.  However, that may not be possible depending on what day the coach can practice and whether it interferes with your daughter's conflict day.  Regardless, all players will be placed on a team.

All players who are in the 5th grade this year and any 6th grader who did not play in the league last year should attend the Player Assessment.  Also, any players who are in the 7th grade this year and any 8th grader who did not play in the league last year should attend the Player Assessment.  Please visit our website, www.whgbl.org and see the information about the Player Assessment on the front page of the league's website.  The assessment date is this Sunday, November 17th.

Minors players are being assigned to teams right now by the league.  Juniors players will be assigned next week and Seniors players will be drafted by Seniors Division Head Coaches on Monday.  Therefore, you should expect to hear from your daughter's Head Coach by the end of next week with information about practice schedules.  Practices will begin the first week of December.

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.

***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.

Last season, the league tested new basketball jersey style uniforms for the Seniors Division and they were a big hit with both the players and the parents!  Based on your feedback, this year, we're planning to have the new basketball jersey style uniforms for the Juniors Division teams as well.  I'm confident the 5th and 6th graders will love the new uniform style!

The league is also focusing it's attention on enhancing the capabilities of the volunteer coaches.  This year there are special training videos and sample practice plans provided by the league's Training and Development team and the league will focus on creating more consistency with coaching so your daughter will have a tremendous learning experience with whatever team she plays.

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