,

Dear ,

We’re excited to officially launch another fantastic year of girls basketball in West Hartford! Here are all the important pre-season details you need to know as we prepare for tip-off.

📅 Registration & Team Formation

Registration officially closed on Sunday, November 9. Since then, our volunteers have been working hard to get teams organized.

👧 Minors Division (3rd & 4th Grade)

Our Registrar has been busy assigning players to their teams. We worked carefully to keep 4th graders with the same team they played on last season as 3rd graders.
🔁 A few adjustments were required due to parent conflict dates and coaches’ practice availability, but every effort was made to maintain continuity.

📝 Juniors & Seniors Assessments

On Saturday, November 15, we held an Assessment Day at Sedgwick Middle School for Juniors and Seniors Division players.
🎯 This was not a tryout — it simply allowed coaches to evaluate basic skills prior to the league draft.

🧩 The Draft

The league draft took place Monday evening, November 17. Immediately afterward:

• ✔️ Rosters were posted on the website

• ✔️ All players were drafted - players who played in the division last year will not be on the exact same team this season

• ✔️ Uniform orders were submitted

• ✔️ Production began right away

👕 Uniform Production (Important!)

Uniforms take 30–40 days to be produced.
⛔ Now that teams are finalized, players cannot be moved, as it would delay uniform production and jeopardize the start of the season.
We appreciate your understanding — this policy is essential to keeping the schedule on track.

📣 Coach Communication

All coaches should have contacted players by now.

If you have not heard from your coach, please reach out directly to your Division Coordinator:

• 🟦 Minors Division: Melinda Love
  📧 minorsdivisioncoordinator@whgbl.org

• 🟪 Juniors Division: Craig Tanner
  📧 traininganddevelopment@whgbl.org

• 🟧 Seniors Division: Jennifer Pasion-Blocker
  📧 directorofficialsandscheduling@whgbl.org

🗓️ Practices Begin First Week of December

Visit www.whgbl.org and check your team’s homepage for:

• 📅 Practice Schedule

• 🧾 Team Roster

• 👥 Coach & Staff Contact Info

🤝 Thank You to Our Team Sponsors!

We are proud to have 10 companies sponsoring teams this season!
✨ All 6 Seniors Division teams have a sponsor
✨ 4 of 8 Juniors Division teams have a sponsor

Please help us thank these generous partners — they make this league possible.
👉 See all sponsors by clicking here or see below.

🎒 What Coaches Bring — and What Players Should Bring

Coaches will be equipped with:

• 🏀 3–4 practice balls + pump

• 🟢 10–15 scrimmage pinneys

• 🟠 15–20 cones

• 🚑 First aid kit & ice packs

Players should bring:

• 🏀 Their own basketball - though not required (click here to learn the correct ball size + be sure your daughter's ball is clearly labeled)

• 💧 Refillable water bottle (labeled!)

• 👟 Indoor court sneakers, brought in a separate bag

  • Helps prevent water, dirt, snow, and salt from getting on the gym floor

⏱️ Arrive on Time — Coaches Plan Carefully!

Our coaches invest significant time creating thoughtful, engaging practice plans.
⏳ Please ensure your daughter arrives on time or notify the coach as early as possible if she will be late.

📘 Practice Plan Examples

Want to see how practices are structured?
🔹 Click here for a Minors Division sample practice plan
🔹 Click here for a Juniors Division sample practice plan

📚 Parent Handbook — Required Reading

Please review the Parents Handbook on our website.
📘 Click here to access it.
It contains essential information to help your daughter thrive in the WHGBL.

If you have questions, please follow the Chain of Communication outlined in the handbook to ensure rapid, accurate responses.

🏆 Season Start & Game Schedule

Games will begin the first Sunday after New Year’s Day.
🗓️ The full game schedule will be released in mid-December.

Thank you for your energy, support, and commitment to making WHGBL a wonderful, positive experience for all players. We’re looking forward to an exciting season ahead!

Warm regards,

Shawn Daly                                                                                                           "Teaching leadership skills through the fundamentals of basketball"